I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 843: Proper Treatment of Prisoners of War
Pershing thought that when the troops reached Reims there might be a fierce battle, because it was urban combat the US Army had never experienced before.
Patton thought some preparation was necessary for this, so he immediately sent someone to consult with the mechanized infantry of France on how to fight.
Williams compiled the tactics and methods he learned and then passed them to the soldiers, asking them to memorize them while marching.
Although it was "last-minute studying," mastering a little more at such a life-and-death moment could potentially save their lives.
The most popular among them was the "submachine gun and grenades" tactic.
The US Army soldiers all found this tactic very effective:
"Grenades will stun the enemy, and before they regain consciousness, we can charge in with submachine guns, firing at suspicious targets to kill all the enemies and ensure our safety."
"I like this tactic, it suits us well because we have submachine guns and semi-automatic rifles."
"No, no, although the semi-automatic rifle has strong firepower, it’s not as useful as the submachine gun. Trust me, the rifle is too long and gets in the way indoors, plus it has an insufficient ammo capacity."
...
The US Army soldiers discussed and analyzed with each other, and then they realized that the PPD submachine gun they bought from Bernard Company was simply a miracle weapon:
"God, Shire’s submachine gun with a drum magazine holds 71 bullets, it can instantly cover every corner of the room."
"Plus, it’s not long, making it perfect for urban and indoor combat."
"I used to look down on it, thinking its range was short and its accuracy poor, and that we’d die before even reaching the enemy; now I realize it can save our lives!"
...
This was an excellent advertisement.
Once they realized through actual combat that the equipment produced by Bernard Company was the best in the world, this belief would take root and grow in their hearts, eventually becoming a big tree, hard to shake.
However, the US Army soldiers still had a clear understanding of themselves; the vast majority, including the soldiers themselves, believed that this urban battle would have heavy casualties.
"The reason is we must end the battle in a short time." Analyzing with a serious look in the moving armored vehicle, Pershing said: "We just received intelligence that the Germans’ 17th Army Group will arrive this afternoon. We better capture Reims before then, or we’ll be in trouble."
The US Army deployed an infantry division of more than 20,000 people in Mount Montbeh.
But if Reims is not quickly captured, Mount Montbeh will be encircled by the German Army from all sides on the map, making it easy for them to break through.
However.
When the French-American Allied Army arrived at Reims, they found it was already in chaos with gunfire everywhere, and even the Reims defense line ahead was never quiet with gunshots.
"What the hell?" Pershing raised his binoculars and looked, asking Shire beside him in confusion: "Am I seeing this wrong? The Germans are fighting amongst themselves."
Shire nodded: "As I said, the Germans are divided into two factions: one supports defense, the other supports retreat, they might have started fighting."
"No, that’s impossible." Pershing didn’t believe it.
Even if there were disagreements, it couldn’t have escalated to fighting, right?
Shire laughed:
"Just joking, General."
"Many of those wearing German uniforms are my troops."
"Tell your men to be careful when attacking so they don’t accidentally hurt them."
Pershing suddenly understood, realizing that Shire had arrangements within the city.
Looking at the situation now, the Germans were finished; they couldn’t possibly withstand the attack of the French-American Allied Army.
"How many people did you deploy?" Pershing asked curiously: "They actually managed to cause such chaos in all of Reims."
The front was the main force of the German 18th Army Group, elite German Army, at least more than 100,000 strong, including the dreaded "Storm Assault Team."
To cause such a mess, Pershing guessed it would take at least tens of thousands.
"I sent a thousand people." Shire replied.
"What?" Pershing looked at Shire in shock.
Just deploying a thousand men could cause so much chaos that all of Reims was almost paralyzed, and more than 100,000 enemies had lost their combat effectiveness!
"Attack!" Shire said calmly: "It’s time to end this battle."
"Yes, Vice Admiral." Pershing said.
But just as he was about to go pass the order, he turned around and asked: "But Vice Admiral, how can we distinguish which ones are our own?"
"You don’t need to distinguish." Shire answered: "You just need to advance and treat prisoners well, they will reveal their identity when captured."
Pershing nodded.
A simple and safe method, Shire had considered all potential scenarios.
...
Patton, Williams, and the US Army soldiers all looked dumbfounded at the German Army fighting each other inside and outside the city, even though the US Army was already at the gates of the city, forming a battle line before the defense line.
"What’s going on?" Patton asked: "Why are they fighting themselves?"
No one answered, as this was what everyone else wanted to know as well.
Just then, orders came down:
"Attention, our men are disguised as German soldiers and mixed in among them."
"They will reveal their identity after surrendering, so treat the prisoners well."
"Repeat: Treat the prisoners well, do not shoot them after they surrender."
...
The US Army soldiers suddenly understood, it was yet another of Shire’s arrangements.
Patton laughed at himself: "Is this really our war? We’re almost just following Shire’s lead!"
Williams responded: "Perhaps, any troops fighting with Shire always have it this easy."
"Makes sense." Patton agreed: "That’s why the First Armored Army can always gain huge victories with minimal casualties, and this battle is just one of them."
But the more so, the more terrifying Shire’s competence seemed.
The troops were almost there for show; they were reaping one victory after another under Shire’s arrangements.
"Sir!" Williams reminded: "We’re ready!"
Patton nodded slightly, raised his hand, and gave a gentle wave forward.
The tanks roared, advancing tensely with American infantry.
They gripped their rifles, staring from between the tanks at the enemy’s front lines, and some glanced at the sky now and then, worried about being covered by enemy artillery fire.
The hallmark of new soldiers is taking every battle seriously, even if they know the enemy is already in chaos.
Because they don’t yet consider themselves "old hands," they worry that any oversight could cost them their lives, maybe in a couple of years, it would be another story.
However, there was neither artillery cover nor much resistance, just a few sporadic bullets pinging off the tank armor
Then, before the tanks reached the front of the German defense lines, the Germans either raised their hands in surrender or turned and fled.
"A simple victory." Pershing put down the binoculars observing the battlefield: "I hope Reims is the same."
"Inside the city, the situation might be worse." Shire said: "I mean for the German Army."
Inside the city, urban combat is a perfect place for "the Germans" to sabotage and assassinate.
