I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 936: Everyone Was Outplayed by Shire
Almost everyone was scheming against Shire, the British, the Americans, and even the Germans, whether enemies or allies.
But in the end, everyone was outmaneuvered by Shire.
The British and Americans did not disclose their battle plans to the Germans.
It was Shire himself who leaked the plans, and afterwards, Shire occasionally leaked some information, making the Germans believe his attack on Saarbrücken was a feint.
The British and American top brass were waiting for Shire’s main forces to cross the Rhine River, intending to seize Shire’s "weak spot" at that time.
The only one completely unaware of the entire "conspiracy" was Pershing.
After he and Shire returned to the US Army headquarters in Freeman, they immediately began deploying the "feigned attack" on Saarbrücken.
"Honestly speaking," Pershing always harbored doubts about Shire’s battle plans:
"It’s hard for us to deceive the Germans."
"Because everyone knows your main force is the First Armored Army."
"Wherever the First Armored Army appears, that must be the main attack direction."
The target of the First Armored Army was too large, especially the "Shire B2" tank, which had become the emblem of the First Armored Division.
And on the road, it’s almost impossible to hide.
Shire took advantage of the situation:
"It’s simple."
"We just need to station the First Armored Army in Freeman."
"This will cause the German Army to concentrate their main forces in the direction of Saarbrücken, and when the time is right, we’ll redirect the First Armored Army to Strasbourg."
Pershing frowned and thought for a while:
"That’s one way to do it, but once ’Shire B2’ appears, the enemy can immediately identify the designation."
"The key point is, are you sure ’Shire B2’ can fight on the east bank of the Rhine River?"
Shire spoke with resignation: "Otherwise? Do you have any other solutions?"
Pershing showed understanding:
"Yes, Saarbrücken is also pretty much the same."
"Other parts of the Hindenburg Line are either forests or highlands, which are similarly unsuitable for mechanized troop attacks."
After a moment of silence, Pershing looked up at Shire, speaking sincerely: "I owe you an apology, Vice Admiral."
"What?" Shire appeared puzzled.
"I’m referring to the joint operations of the US Army and British Army." Pershing said: "Although it’s the order of a superior, however..."
"It’s unrelated to you, General." Shire replied: "This is national interest."
Pershing shook his head:
"The key is, my perception of national interest differs from theirs."
"Their view of national interest is loans, it’s money."
"Whereas what I see is tactics, equipment, and technology!"
Shire suddenly understood why Pershing had always been at odds with the United States Government.
It was not due to personal feelings towards Shire, but rather considering it from the perspective of army development.
He believed that America’s national interest should better follow France and learn from Shire, rather than partnering with England for the sake of loans.
"Indeed." Pershing sighed deeply:
"If $10 billion becomes bad debt, it could possibly bring down the United States Government, but that would be just another government, it’s unrelated to me."
"Compared to loans and a shift in government, evidently the development of the military is most important."
"Because politics, economy, discourse power, prestige, and so on are all based on the military, just like what you’re doing now."
Shire realized he had been seen through by Pershing.
Pershing was not just a mere professional soldier; he was the only clear-sighted person in the US Army.
He knew the most important thing was always military strength.
But Wilson, Kriel, Baker, their concern was avoiding being forced to step down due to bad debt, not national interest.
Shire thought of Gallieni, in this respect, Pershing was very similar to him. Both saw only national interest, true national interest.
"Therefore." Pershing extended his hand to Shire:
"I will do my best to work towards this direction, I believe the United States should join the ’International Alliance’."
"Hopefully, after this battle ends, with the loan crisis resolved, my government and I can reach a consensus on this."
"No one would be foolish enough to become your enemy, and the United States is no exception."
Shire shook Pershing’s hand lightly: "I look forward to the United States joining!"
Though he said so, Shire knew it was impossible.
Wilson would not willingly become a pawn, nor would he join Shire’s "International League" becoming part of the system. He might pull up another alliance to oppose Shire, possibly even collaborating with England.
...
The British, American, and French armies entered an intensive preparation state.
Shire redirected the First Armored Army to Freeman and established the Allied command center there.
The highest commander position was held by Shire, with the US Army and British Army led respectively by Pershing and Haig.
As the French Army settled in, the British and American forces became increasingly organized.
This was not only because they believed the French Army could bring victory and morale surged, but also because they rediscovered their conviction in the war:
"This is a battle commanded by Shire, he isn’t like capitalists and politicians, who would send us to the battlefield for loans."
"Yes, Shire fights for peace, to eliminate war, for the victory of all humanity."
"As long as the Germans withdraw troops from Romania and Italy, Shire will not attack, that is true honor!"
...
This is the darkness of war: The soldiers fighting on the front lines are the true practitioners of justice, conviction, and honor, whereas those high-ranking politicians who chant ’honor’ every day are actually speaking of interests.
Naked interests.
One tank after another drove by, "Shire A1," "Shire B2," they swaggered along the road crossing Freeman on their way to the front line, leaving deep track marks on the road and streets.
People temporarily conscripted patched up the muddy pits with stones and sand afterwards to allow the next batch of tanks to pass through.
Supplies and resources were transported in batches by trains and cars to the warehouses, coming and going endlessly, with engineers and logistical troops handling the supplies everywhere.
Shire had also opened temporary airports on both sides of Freeman. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
They were prepared for battle, and if fighters got hit at the front lines and needed an emergency landing, temporary airports would be their lifesaver.
Cannons were set up, their barrels towering towards the direction of enemy German positions, presenting the facade of a massive assault.
The assembly in the other direction, Strasbourg, was much more low-key.
Tassin was leading the Eastern Army Group’s Second Specialized Artillery Division and Specialized Mechanized Division for training there.
They had acquired a new designation: Third Armored Army.
The armored troops stationed in Belgium, under Kristen’s command, were organized into the Second Armored Army.
...
None of these movements escaped the eyes of German spies; they were all delivered without exception to Hindenburg’s desk.
Hindenburg looked at the telegram, nodded heavily: "Our suspicions are correct, Shire’s target is indeed Offenburg."
