I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 882: Anglo-American Cooperation

The Saarburg in the Lorraine Region is located in a town by the Saar River.

When the Germans ruled here, they left a fully equipped military camp on the southern outskirts, which the British Expeditionary Force promptly claimed as their headquarters upon reaching it.

In a bright office on the third floor, Haig enjoyed a Yellow Plum Tart, along with a local specialty of Yellow Plum Brandy, feeling he had begun to like this place.

(The above picture shows the characteristic food of Saarburg: Yellow Plum Tart)

Outside the window, two cars passed through the checkpoint one after the other and slowly drove into the camp.

Haig pretended not to see; he knew it was the American Expeditionary Force Commander Pershing and his staff.

At first, they were disdainful of England, decisively throwing themselves into Shire's embrace. Now, haven't they still come here seeking cooperation?

Haig felt there was no need to go downstairs to greet them, even if it included the U.S. Secretary of War.

Thinking it over, Haig tossed the half-eaten Yellow Plum Tart into the trash can and sat at his desk to review documents.

He didn't want to appear idle in front of the Americans, though the British Army indeed was.

Before long, Baker appeared at the office door with Pershing and several others.

"General Haig," Baker greeted enthusiastically upon entering.

Haig rose to greet them, feigning surprise: "Your Excellency, it's an honor to meet you."

Seeing the reluctant Pershing behind Baker, Haig smiled slightly: "Hello, Brigadier General, you seem dissatisfied with my headquarters?"

Pershing, an old fox, understood Haig's words. It was an implicit reference to his previous disregard for the British Army.

I still look down on them, Pershing thought.

However, he did not say this, instead coldly replying, "No, Vice Admiral, I have always had low expectations for headquarters. As a soldier, I only look at the battle achievements."

Haig's face instantly darkened.

Pershing's insinuation was that the dissatisfaction lay not with the headquarters, but with the British Army's battle record.

The office was momentarily filled with tension, with Pershing and Haig at loggerheads.

In Pershing's view, you, a useless fellow, were battered by the Germans on the battlefield, running for your life, and now you dare look down on the American Army with such arrogance?

Haig thought, now you come to me for help, and this is your attitude in seeking assistance?

Baker hurried forward to mediate: "Vice Admiral, let's discuss your battle plan."

Then gave Pershing a look, seemingly warning him: "We are here to talk about cooperation!"

Pershing nodded slightly and followed Haig to the map.

Still with disdain in his eyes, he did not believe Haig had any remarkable "battle plan."

Sure enough, Haig pointed to the map and analyzed:

"As we can see, the most suitable place for attack is Freeman."

"We can divide the battlefield into two parts, with the western section under the responsibility of the American Expeditionary Force and the eastern section under the British Expeditionary Force."

"When the battle begins, we will concentrate our main forces and launch attacks simultaneously on both wings."

(The red circle in the picture above shows the location of Saarburg, with the right wing's blue line being the Rhine River, which serves as a natural barrier, suitable for defense and unfavorable for attack.) 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Pershing frowned, "Sorry, Vice Admiral, how do we ensure air superiority?"

Haig replied nonchalantly, "We have 'Camel' fighters, Brigadier General."

"But the Germans have equipped themselves with more advanced triplanes," Pershing looked Haig in the eye, "You haven't forgotten the disastrous defeat at Lambéveille Airport, have you?"

Haig bit his teeth in anger:

"What role can airplanes play? Can those few machine guns stop our tanks and troops from advancing?"

"I hope you understand one thing, Brigadier General, they are equipment of a different dimension."

"As long as we achieve victory on the ground, the airplanes can only watch helplessly from the sky!"

Pershing's mouth half-open, he was surprised to find that the British Expeditionary Force commander before him thought so little of air superiority, considering warplanes to be just a few insignificant machine guns.

Reconnaissance intelligence, attacking lines of communication, artillery spotting, all were, in his eyes, "different-dimension" matters.

This is entirely different from Shire's tactics, and this is the fundamental reason for their failure. I cannot...

Pershing cast a glance at Baker, feeling he could not bear it.

But Baker, with a blank expression, ordered, "Do what you must, Brigadier General."

Haig moved closer and continued saying to Pershing:

"I don't know what you learned from Shire, Brigadier General."

"But England has its own tactics; we are self-sufficient."

"If the American Army hopes to cooperate with us and thoroughly defeat the Germans, it should learn and adapt to our tactics rather than clinging to Shire's notions."

Saying this, Haig turned his gaze to Baker: "Do you think I'm right, Your Excellency?"

"Of course," Baker supported: "It must be this way. It's the foundation of unity; otherwise, it's just fighting on their own."

Pershing was speechless.

He was disgusted, pressed by these two fools with the excuse of "unity" to use outdated, inferior, and irrational tactics!

"Don't worry, Brigadier General," Baker felt it necessary to reassure Pershing: "It's nothing difficult. Remember? We have multiple countries attacking simultaneously."

However.

A communication officer inopportunely reported to Haig: "Vice Admiral, the HMS Hampshire was sunk by a German submarine, the Marshal is missing."

"What?" The previously smug Haig turned pale instantly.

Baker cautiously asked, "Is it Marshal Kitchener?"

Haig nodded slightly: "He went to Russia to persuade Russia to cooperate in the attack with us."

Concern flashed in Baker's eyes: "Then, on the Russian front..."

"No, we'll send someone else," Haig confidently replied, "there won't be any issues."

At this moment, a staff member stepped forward with a telegram: "General, Romania has replied; they believe now is not an appropriate time for a counteroffensive."

Haig was surprised: "Ferdinand I didn't say that before?"

The staff member regretfully shook his head: "According to the ambassador's reply, it was Queen Mary's insistence; she believes an offensive without Shire's participation has no hope of success."

Haig nearly couldn't catch his breath, not Shire again.

Baker comforted him: "It's okay, we still have Italy and Belgium."

Haig said nothing, his expression peculiar.

"What's wrong?" Baker asked.

The staff whispered beside him: "Your Excellency, Belgium refused to participate in this plan yesterday for reasons similar to Romania's; they won't participate without Shire in the plan."

Baker was dumbstruck, leaving only Italy.

But Pershing felt relieved.

Though the American Army, due to political reasons, had to cooperate with the British Army, for some reason, hearing this news inexplicably brought him pleasure.

"To be honest." Pershing couldn't help but add: "My thoughts are the same as theirs; I also do not wish to participate in a plan without Shire!"