I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 965: Stark Contrast

Hindenburg’s assessment of Shire was correct.

The reason Shire flew alone to Belgium to take command while abandoning the Saarbrücken direction was not because he had given up on Saarbrücken, but because he was confident in it.

With the battle reaching this stage, Tijani was fully capable of holding his own, and Shire no longer needed to sit in the rear to command.

In William II’s eyes, the First Armored Army was an isolated army surrounded on all sides.

The map clearly showed this.

Saarbrücken was in a semi-circle of the German Army encirclement, with only a narrow corridor serving as a supply line.

As long as the German Army attacked into the city and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the French Army, they could soon cut off the French Army’s supply line with artillery fire.

Thus, the First Armored Army could only retreat through the minefield with the aid of the Mine Sweeping Tank.

This way, the German Army could claim the honor of defeating Shire’s First Armored Army, retake Saarbrücken, and stabilize the Hinden defense line, and with a quick victory, they could also redeploy troops to reinforce the Liege Fortress.

The imagination was promising, but reality was cruel.

William II never expected the First Armored Army in Saarbrücken didn’t defend or retreat but attacked.

While the German Army attacked Saarbrücken, France’s First Armored Army launched a counterattack.

They spearheaded with new tanks, immediately crushing the German Army’s spirit at the start of the battle.

...

Telegrams flew like snowflakes to the Berlin Staff Headquarter.

William II looked at the message in disbelief, voicing a series of low-toned questions:

"Counterattack? How do they have the capability to counterattack?"

"If the First Armored Army launches a counterattack, who will guard Saarbrücken?"

"Saarbrücken is their fallback; they’ll lose all supplies, and the tanks can only advance a few dozen kilometers at most..."

Hindenburg interrupted William II’s delusions with a glance at the map: "Your Majesty, the French Army is likely to make a large-scale crossing next."

"What?" William II looked at Hindenburg in astonishment: "What large-scale crossing?"

Hindenburg pointed to Freeman’s location:

"From here, Your Majesty."

"We thought this was a supply line, but now it seems it’s not."

"Shire used it as a passage: subsequent French forces will continuously supplement the frontline through this channel."

"Thus..."

William II understood.

This was a relay, like a long snake.

This meant that the French Army has entirely abandoned the British and US Army; they intend to defeat the German Army relying on their own strength.

So, even if there was cooperation with the British and US Army, it wouldn’t work, because the French Army didn’t need them, and Shire dismissed them.

Of course, Shire also dismissed the German Army.

...

Freeman Centipede Corridor.

Under Tassin’s leadership, France’s Third Armored Army was rapidly advancing via the highway towards the battlefield, becoming the second echelon for the assault on the Ruhr Industrial District:

The First Armored Army in front, the Third Armored Army behind, the two armored armies coordinated like a sharp blade penetrating deep into the German Army’s territory.

Alongside the highway were the fully armed infantry marching in column, the Northern Group Army of Fuxu.

The infantry’s task was to follow up and defend: they would closely follow the First and Third Armored Army, taking over all captured cities and fortifications, including Saarbrücken.

...

At the Freeman United Headquarters, a panicked Haig sent an urgent telegram to Shire: "Vice Admiral, the battle has erupted, your troops are launching a large-scale offensive, is this your plan? You should return immediately to command!"

He also found Pershing, exasperatedly said: "Shire can’t do this, we know nothing of his plan. Clearly, he intends to monopolize the credit for defeating Germany!"

"General." Pershing replied helplessly: "Don’t you understand? Shire has seen through your plot."

"What?" Haig stared at Pershing, eyes lost: "I don’t understand what you mean."

"You know what I’m talking about." Pershing responded:

"What can’t be obtained on the battlefield, can’t be expected at the negotiating table. Your problem is wanting what’s beyond your capabilities."

"Now, Shire is showing everyone through action, France doesn’t need the British or US to easily defeat the enemy."

"So, do you still think you can gain benefits from this?"

Haig understood.

Previously, the British and US Army, to cooperate with William II, were repeatedly defeated despite having absolute advantage.

Now, the French Army can rely solely on themselves, and even just a single unit crushes the German Army, defeating the German Army who had defeated the British and US Army.

The stark contrast, strong comparison, completely asymmetrical results.

All this sends a message to the world: the British and US Army’s combat power has fallen far behind the French Army; even if combined their forces are several times that of the French Army, their combat strength is less than a tenth.

So, in this world of the strong preying on the weak, who will care for England and the US?

Haig dared not think further; he realized the British and US’s petty maneuvers seemingly crowned Shire as the world’s finest.

Going forward, nations worldwide will look to France for leadership.

And if England has weakened to this extent, unable even to defeat a struggling Germany, how can they maintain control over colonies?

As such, the colonies will announce independence under France’s support and leadership!

...

Berlin Staff Headquarter.

Cold sweat covered William II’s forehead as he suddenly remembered something, urgently clutching Hindenburg’s arm: "Marshal, aircraft, we still have aircraft. You mentioned the new aircraft, it can help us seize air superiority!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Hindenburg replied: "I’ve already dispatched it. However..."

"However what?" William II asked.

"In this situation, its impact might be quite limited." Hindenburg sighed:

"Even if fighters succeed in seizing air superiority, they cannot stop the French Army’s tanks from advancing."

"The French Army is equipped with new tanks, causing enormous psychological shock to our troops."

"Soldiers say this new tank can disregard infantry, tanks, and all fortifications; it’s a perfect war machine!"

The 75MM tank gun is a weapon for destroying tanks and fortifications, including German anti-tank guns.

The traverse machine gun and coaxial machine gun can turn approaching German soldiers into sieves.

Thus, German troops didn’t know how to face this threat; upon sighting it from afar, they fled in panic.

After considering for a while, Hindenburg drew a line on the map:

"Dussel Village, I’ve gathered three artillery regiments here."

"It’s a road the French Army must travel."

"If we can seize air superiority here, and allow air forces to coordinate with artillery, perhaps we can block them!"

This was Shire’s tactic:

Using air superiority for artillery guidance, enabling artillery to gain advantage in artillery battles.

With artillery obtaining advantage, they could use firepower to destroy enemy tanks.

This was an effective tactic with potential to halt the enemy’s offensive!