I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 943: Reinforcements for Saarbrücken

Berlin Staff Headquarter, Hindenburg and Ludendorff discussed the defenses on the east bank of the Rhine River over the sand table.

This is a weakness of the German Army’s command system.

The German Army gives greater freedom to each division, and local commanders often handle sudden situations themselves, resulting in delayed intelligence reports.

Hindenburg was still worried about the east bank of the Rhine River, pointing to the waters near Offenburg.

"We should strengthen the artillery in this area."

"Shire has ’belted floating bridges’, in principle, as long as there are enough bridges, Shire’s forces can be continually sent across to the east bank."

The only thing that can stop them is artillery."

No unit on this earth can match Shire’s force; to win, we can only blow up the floating bridges to prevent Shire’s troops from crossing the river.

"But we have no more artillery units left, Marshal." Ludendorff looked troubled, "Unless we move the artillery from Saarbrücken."

Hindenburg hesitated for a moment.

The artillery at Saarbrücken is a crucial part of the defense line, Hindenburg’s defense strategy is to use mines and artillery in coordination, creating a three-dimensional and indestructible line of defense.

Moving the artillery will undoubtedly weaken the defense at Saarbrücken.

As he hesitated, a signalman suddenly reported loudly: "Marshal, Saarbrücken is under attack!"

Hindenburg frowned, that reckless fellow, Shire feigning an attack on Saarbrücken is obvious to all, is there a need for such unnecessary alarm?

Unexpectedly, the signalman hurriedly ran over, holding a telegram with a pale face of urgency:

"Marshal, Vice Admiral Brandt is in urgent need."

Brandt is the commander of the 17th Army Group, the highest ranking officer at Saarbrücken, in charge of defense there.

"Shire is using an airborne paratrooper assault, the 29th, 82nd, and 57th artillery brigades are heavily attacked and suffering severe losses, the battle is still ongoing."

"The defense line at Saarbrücken is on the brink of collapse, requesting reinforcement from the Marshal!"

Hindenburg turned to look at the signalman, puzzled: "Paratrooper units? Artillery being attacked?"

Has the artillery become so vulnerable that paratrooper units can defeat it?

However, the signalman handed the telegram to Hindenburg: "Marshal, Shire deployed around 2500 soldiers in one airborne drop!"

Hindenburg’s pupils instantly widened, Ludendorff sharply raised his head to look at Hindenburg, and then leaned in to look at the telegram.

As the two were skeptical about this number, another telegram was brought to them: "Another batch of troops has parachuted into Saarbrücken, roughly 2500 men."

Hindenburg and Ludendorff exchanged glances, seeing alarm in each other’s eyes.

This confirms the airborne figure of 2500 isn’t wrong and needs no verification.

"We’ve been tricked," Ludendorff swallowed, "Shire’s target isn’t Offenburg but Saarbrücken, his attacks in this direction never were feigned."

Hindenburg said nothing, slowly turning his gaze to Saarbrücken on the map.

As the Chief of Staff, what he needed to consider first wasn’t whether or not they were duped, but how to respond.

After a while, he coolly ordered: "Command the Air Force to immediately reinforce Saarbrücken."

Hindenburg realized air superiority is crucial to Saarbrücken; only by reclaiming air superiority can Shire’s paratrooper units be prevented from further penetrating the defense line’s rear.

Just as artillery can blow up a floating bridge to prevent the enemy from crossing the river.

"Which squadron?" the staff asked.

Hindenburg gritted his teeth and squeezed out the words: "All of them!"

The French Army’s fighters have the advantage, to win, a sufficient number is a necessity.

"Yes," the staff responded.

Hindenburg continued ordering, pointing at the map: "Command the 13th Army Group and the 9th Army Group, to immediately dispatch reinforcements to Saarbrücken."

These two army groups are on the left and right flanks of the Saarbrücken defense line.

"Order the artillery of the 17th Army Group to immediately retreat!"

Artillery typically moves via vehicles or horses, mobilizing them makes it harder for enemy paratroopers to catch up.

This is a way to protect the artillery; Hindenburg believed "As long as there are mountains, one need not worry for firewood," only by preserving more artillery can their combat power be realized soon.

However, this order had the opposite effect.

Hindenburg, facing enemy airborne forces for the first time, lacked experience and didn’t realize airborne troops cannot control their drop points in the air, they scatter like seeds to engage autonomously.

If the German artillery had stayed in place, they could defend against paratroopers with only light weapons, though challenging, it could cause ammunition shortages.

But if the artillery maneuvers along the highway and is ambushed by paratroopers, it could be described as "delivering themselves to the doorstep."

Finally, Hindenburg ordered: "Command the 17th Army Group to hold the defense line, not letting Shire’s troops advance one step!"

He looked up at a nearby Ludendorff: "As long as the 17th Army Group can stall Shire’s forces until reinforcements arrive, we still have hope." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Ludendorff nodded:

"Rest assured, Marshal, it’s a minefield, a two-kilometer deep minefield."

"We have laid hundreds of thousands of mines there."

"Even without artillery cover, Shire’s troops will find it challenging to pass through before nightfall."

Once night falls, Shire’s tanks and planes won’t be able to operate, the German Army can clear the 5000 paratroopers dropped at the rear, and the Saarbrücken defense line can be redeployed and stabilized.

Hindenburg faintly replied with an "Hm," that was his intent precisely.

Yet he wasn’t as confident as Ludendorff.

Shire anticipated every move beforehand, even envisioning "large-scale airborne drops," a startling tactic.

Could that mean he also has a way to breach the minefield?

...

Front line at Saarbrücken, German airplanes arrived late.

The tri-wing planes flew densely over the frontline, resembling red dragonflies, among them was Richtofen’s 11th Hunting Squadron.

Their mission was to stop the French Army from continuing its airborne operations.

The rear of the German Army was in chaos, aflame and filled with black smoke, artillery firing wildly, the sound of explosions persistent but occurring within the German Army’s camps.

Some aircraft lowered their altitude to attempt targeting the French paratroopers causing havoc.

Richtofen gently shook his head and issued a disdainful smile.

These idiots, French paratroopers mixed into the German positions, they couldn’t even distinguish friend from foe; what effect could they have?

After flying awhile, Richtofen sensed something amiss.

They mentioned the French planes were blocking the Saarbrücken highway, yet not a single enemy aircraft was in sight?

Then Richtofen realized the issue: The French had long anticipated their arrival, preparing for an aerial showdown here!

He clenched his teeth and motioned to his subordinates to ascend.

Achieving altitude advantage before a battle is a wise choice!