I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 934: Forced Crossing of the Rhine River
Berlin, German Army General Staff Headquarters.
The staff who were recently basking in decisive victories on the Eastern Front were now busy once again, needing to mobilize all resources to gather intelligence on the Western Front.
"The British have added 57 new tanks, most of which are ’Independents’." reported the staff holding the phone: "Additionally, there are also 43 ’Camel’ fighter jets."
"The American armored troops have supplemented with 62 ’Shire A1’ tanks." The radio operator delivered the telegram: "In addition, 200,000 American soldiers have landed and are assembling in the Lorraine region."
...
Hindenburg frowned, tossed the telegram brought to him aside, and roared:
"Don’t tell me about the British and American military intelligence, they are not important."
"What I need is information about Shire, do you understand? Shire’s!"
"And his forces, the First Armored Corps, its location, current equipment status, everything."
The staff were startled and quickly organized manpower to reconnoiter Shire’s status.
However, Shire’s forces had not been on the front line for over two months, disappearing like ghosts from the German Army’s sight.
All they could detect was the First Armored Corps being in Metz.
Ludendorff handed a cup of coffee to Hindenburg: "At least we know Shire’s attack timing."
"What?" Hindenburg suddenly looked up at Ludendorff.
Ludendorff explained:
"I was referring to Shire’s warnings."
"He told us to withdraw from Romania and Italy, otherwise he would launch an attack."
"Then why don’t we put on a show?"
Hindenburg understood Ludendorff’s point: "You mean, pretend to retreat and prepare for war behind the scenes?"
"Yes." Ludendorff nodded: "To be precise, it’s not war preparation, but defense preparation."
After considering for a while, Hindenburg agreed to Ludendorff’s plan:
"A very good idea."
"Meanwhile, let’s release signals of compromise in diplomacy to give Shire no reason to attack."
"Once we are ready, we will suddenly launch an attack on Romania and Italy."
At this time, as the head of the "International Alliance," Shire would have to attack Germany to ensure the safety of both countries according to his previous words.
Thus, Germany could approximately determine Shire’s attack timing!
Hindenburg’s gaze locked on the map on the table, pointing a finger at Freeman: "Strengthen the defense here, I believe Shire will still break through from here."
Freeman was directly facing Sarrebruck, which was the hub of the Hindenburg Line’s communication and industry, Shire was unlikely to give up this penetration point.
...
"Are you really not planning to penetrate Sarrebruck?" Pershing asked.
In the British Sarrebourg Headquarters, this was the first joint meeting of the British, French, and American forces, where Shire, Pershing, and Haig gathered to discuss the plan to attack the German Army.
"Of course not." Shire’s tone was indisputable: "The Germans have already prepared enough defenses in this area, why would we attack from here?"
"Because it’s the support point for the entire Hindenburg Line." Pershing answered: "As long as Sarrebruck is taken, it’s equivalent to breaking the entire Hindenburg Line."
The firearms and ammunition directly produced in Sarrebruck exceed one-fifth of the Hindenburg Line, plus the ammunition stored there and the transport routes, at least half of the ammunition is related to it.
Even if the Hindenburg Line is solid, its collapse is only a matter of time with insufficient ammunition.
"That’s why the Germans have set a trap for us there." Shire pointed at the attack route on the map and said:
"Although only a short 20 kilometers, the route is filled with forests, landmines, and obstacles." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"We would suffer heavy casualties with every step forward. That’s not my style, I won’t penetrate from here."
Shire’s style has always been to achieve big results with small casualties.
Haig, who was silent on the side, finally spoke in a muffled voice: "So, your plan is still to force the Rhine River crossing?"
"Of course." Shire’s tone was firm.
"You might not have considered one point, Vice Admiral." Haig said:
"The eastern bank of the Rhine River is also unsuitable for mechanized troops to fight, that area is either hills or narrow alluvial plains."
"Tanks will find it difficult to move on that sandy clay, which will be a nightmare for your ’Shire B2’."
The Rhine River is a British defense zone, and Haig had investigated the terrain on the east bank.
Especially now that it’s spring and the snow has just melted, Shire’s troops would hardly be able to achieve anything even if they successfully crossed the river.
"You don’t need to worry about this, Vice Admiral." Shire replied:
"As long as we penetrate into German territory, it will strike a blow to the German Army’s morale and confidence."
"I believe it won’t take long before the Germans succumb to pressure resulting in internal chaos, just like Russia."
Then Shire spread his hands: "And then, what you hope to see, the Germans unconditionally surrender."
Haig and Pershing exchanged a glance; Shire’s plan seemed feasible. Germany was indeed overwhelmed, and it might only take the last straw to crush it.
Seeing no objections from the two, Shire pointed at Sarrebruck on the map and continued:
"What we need to do is make the Germans believe that our main attack focus is still here."
"This can divert the German main forces, thereby easing the pressure on our river crossing."
"Once we successfully cross, my troops will immediately point their spearhead towards Offenburg in Germany, which will be our first forward base!"
...
Berlin Staff Headquarter.
A communications soldier who had just decrypted a code held up the telegram like a treasured gem, pausing for a moment before jumping up and running three steps as two to Hindenburg in front of the map, planning operations.
"Marshal." The communication soldier was so excited he couldn’t contain himself: "We have obtained Shire’s battle plan."
"What?"
Hindenburg and Ludendorff both turned their gazes to the communication soldier, and others also looked this way.
Without waiting for the soldier to respond, Hindenburg darted forward to snatch the telegram from his hand, quickly comparing it with the map, then nodded: "This could be real, Shire plans to attack Offenburg."
"Offenburg?" Ludendorff found its position on the map and then exclaimed: "My God, he’s planning to force a Rhine crossing."
"We have no preparation in this direction at all." Hindenburg furrowed his brows: "Shire has a ’striped floating bridge’, turning the Rhine River into his advantage, not ours."
The river was originally a natural barrier, but the "striped floating bridge" could set up a floating bridge within minutes, allowing tanks to pass, turning the barrier into a danger.
"Strengthen the defenses at Offenburg." Hindenburg ordered gravely.
Then added another order: "Do it secretly, don’t let Shire find out."
Otherwise, Shire might change his attack direction and location, which would be troublesome!
