I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 878: Anti-Shire Alliance

"That was before, Brigadier." Baker stood tall, his face filled with mysterious confidence:

"The British indeed fought many losing battles, but they have been at war for two years now, and they possess the experience you need."

"At the same time, you have learned tactics from Shire. The American Army successfully occupied Reims, and now they have seized Freeman, driving the Germans out of France..." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Pershing retorted, "But that victory was achieved under Shire's command. I don't believe independent operations can yield the same results."

Pershing was pragmatic. His long wartime career made him understand one thing: any lie would be paid for with blood and casualties in war.

Therefore, there was no need for self-deception for the sake of so-called face.

Baker sighed softly, "Brigadier, I know you have personal feelings for Shire, but this is a matter of national interest. I hope you can distinguish between public and private matters."

These words left Pershing in a brief silence.

Was it because of personal feelings for Shire that influenced his judgment?

But this thought passed quickly, and Pershing immediately gave a negative answer: "No, Mr. Minister, I'm precisely considering national interests. We shouldn't do this, or there will be a price to pay."

Baker's face darkened, "I'm not discussing with you, Brigadier; this is an order."

Pershing gritted his teeth and nodded helplessly, "Yes, Mr. Minister."

Baker nodded with satisfaction and once again started to pace, as if managing the entire direction of the war:

"The next thing you need to do is to set up a joint command with the British Expeditionary Force."

"We will also ally with the French Navy; the Minister of the Navy stands on our side."

"Moreover, the British Minister of the Army will visit Russia to discuss plans for a joint attack on the German Army."

Pershing was stunned, "Are you planning to establish an anti-Shire alliance?"

England and the Navy Minister are forces opposed to Shire, and by drawing in Russia, which urgently needs supplies, this force is enough to counter Shire.

"No, Brigadier." Baker responded with an unchanged face:

"This isn't an 'anti-Shire alliance,' but a bringing together of the Allies to continue the war to the end."

"Shire's decision was obviously wrong; he stopped attacking in front of the defensive line to build a 'super defensive line.'"

"This will give the Germans breathing room, leaving a huge hidden danger."

Pershing pondered for a while, "What if Shire is right?"

"What?" Baker couldn't believe Pershing was still stubbornly believing in Shire.

"I mean, Shire thinks the Hindenburg line is hard to break through." Pershing explained, "His judgment has never been wrong. I have reason to believe him."

Baker let out a sneer, his tone sarcastic, "Then this time, he is wrong."

Baker confidently pointed at the map:

"This will be an attack to end the war, Brigadier."

"The Germans are already exhausted and demoralized."

"And we, on the other hand, will have Russia, Italy, Romania, the US Army and British Army on the Western Front, and even the Belgian Army all simultaneously launching an attack on the Germans!"

Pershing understood.

This is what Baker meant by "bringing the Allies together."

Russia coordinated by Kitchener.

Italy and Romania left to the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Belgium could be approached by the French Minister of the Navy.

Being in the war and in a precarious position, they have no reason to disagree with this combat plan.

Thus, an unprecedentedly large and imposing unified attack will appear on the European continent.

However, this is not a new tactic.

"Xia Fei had organized such an attack before, Mr. Minister." Pershing said calmly, "The facts proved it was useless."

Then Pershing asked Baker, "Do you need me to explain in detail?"

Baker raised his eyebrows and spread his hands, seemingly saying, bring it on!

"Actually, it's simple. Russia has always been at a disadvantage." Pershing got up and pointed at the map on the table:

"Except for the time Shire guided Brusilov's offensive, it was considered a surprise raid."

"If you are at a disadvantage, how significant could your counteroffensive be? It's the same for Romania and Italy, and the Belgians, they seem to only listen to Shire."

"So, this plan only seems grand on the surface, but in reality, it won't change anything."

This is what the Germans are usually doing, you fool, Pershing cursed inwardly, unless another 'Brusilov Offensive' could occur.

Unexpectedly, Baker said, "That's exactly what we're planning."

"What?" Pershing didn't understand Baker's words.

"General Brusilov." Baker replied, "We hope Russia would let him organize another offensive."

Pershing was momentarily speechless. If Russia had this ability, would they have waited until now?

"I believe this won't work either." Pershing, well-versed in Shire's tactics, replied fluently: "The reason the Brusilov Offensive achieved victory was because of Shire's tactics and the 'wagon machine gun' caught the Germans off guard, but now the Germans are prepared."

On the Western Front, the Germans use equipment to counter 'wagon machine guns,' which are sidecar motorcycles equipped with light machine guns.

Its mobility and maneuverability are better than horse-drawn carriages, with the advantage of being small and difficult to hit.

Although the range and firepower of the light machine gun don't match the Maxim, the horses of the Russian 'wagon machine guns' are a major weakness: as soon as the horse is hit by a few bullets, it will panic and run wildly or even die.

In this now mature mobile confrontation, achieving previous results is nearly impossible.

"I know that." Baker intensified his tone:

"That's why the main attack is on the Western Front. I need you to break through the German defenses at Freeman and penetrate into German territory."

"Only this way can the war be truly ended, understand!"

"This is the war plan you submitted earlier; we will fully support you and the British Army!"

That was the plan Pershing submitted to the White House before meeting Shire, believing there were flaws in the German defenses around Freeman, which the US Army could exploit for an assault.

"Indeed." Pershing felt a bit awkward, "But Shire's judgment is..."

"God." Baker interrupted Pershing, his eyes filled with anger, "You are the commander of the American Expeditionary Force, Brigadier, not Shire, you should have your own judgment."

The words were right; the commander of the expeditionary force should indeed do so.

But Pershing was just worried that what Shire said might become reality.

Or rather, what Shire said might not be reality.

If this war was directed by Shire and led by his First Armored Army for an offensive, it might succeed.

But for the British Army and American Army, it was reality, as they couldn't do it.

In the face of this cold reality, Pershing's denial was useless, and standing tall and proclaiming "I am the commander" wouldn't work either.

Pershing wanted to tell Baker:

This is a war decision, not a contest of wills, not about face, nor a time for talking about honor!

But Pershing ultimately didn't say it, because he knew it would change nothing.