Chapter 713: Breaking Through Verdun
Amid the grinding, creaking sound of tank treads, Charles led the 1st Armored Division deep into the rear of the Verdun defensive line.
Protected by a tank platoon, Charles's armored vehicle climbed a small hill. He raised his binoculars to survey the German lines, exuding a commanding presence—like a sovereign surveying a conquered domain.
Through the lenses, he saw vast numbers of German deserters. The 5th Army Group had completely disintegrated.
Charles muttered to himself—it was a narrow escape.
The Germans had once had a chance. A chance at victory, even a chance to encircle and destroy Charles's 1st Armored Division.
It was Pétain's feeble offensive that gave them that chance—a mistake Charles hadn't anticipated. It presented the Germans with an opening on a silver platter.
There were about 100,000 German troops stationed along the Verdun line, opposed by 200,000 French soldiers under Pétain.
Charles had believed that Pétain's 200,000 troops would be enough to pin down the Germans, giving him the space to launch his breakthrough.
But Pétain's attacks turned out to be pitiful. Every time the Germans fired a few artillery shells and followed up with a burst of machine-gun fire, the French would retreat in panic—only to regroup and attempt another laughable assault.
It wouldn't take long for the German commanders to realize they didn't need 100,000 men to hold the line. Even 50,000—or fewer—would be enough to stop Pétain's weak offensive.
Then…
Those 50,000 spare troops, even if thrown in like cannon fodder, could have overwhelmed Charles's force of fewer than 10,000 with sheer numbers.
And Charles's division, having just conducted a grueling 130-kilometer forced march, was running on fumes.
Even if those 50,000 didn't finish them off, all the Germans had to do was delay. Reinforcements would pour in from all directions until Charles's division was completely out of ammunition.
Charles knew the Germans were capable of doing exactly that.
Right now, the 1st Armored Division was already experiencing severe shortages of both machine gun and submachine gun ammunition.
Although their rifles had been replaced with German Mausers, the light machine guns and submachine guns they used weren't standard German models. They couldn't be resupplied.
Now, the division had completely run out of ammo for their machine guns and submachine guns. Many machine gunners had swapped to captured Maxims. Submachine gunners had picked up German rifles.
If the Germans had launched a mass counterattack now, Charles might well have been captured alive.
But that didn't happen.
Thanks to Pétain's actions—ironically—Charles had used a propaganda offensive to shatter the German troops' morale and will to fight.
Charles couldn't help but sneer inwardly at Pétain. The man had no backbone worthy of the French Army.
But then again, Charles thought, it made perfect sense.
Pétain had become a hero in World War I not because he was exceptional, but because his military philosophy fit the trench warfare era—and matched the psychological expectations of the troops.
At the time, soldiers were faced with two choices: Foch's offensive doctrine or Pétain's defensive one.
Choosing the former meant death. Choosing the latter promised relative safety—even if only marginal.
It wasn't that Pétain was particularly brilliant or beloved—it was just that backing him gave the soldiers a better chance of surviving.
"General," said Major General Browning, catching up from behind in his armored car. Even before it came to a stop, he was already asking, "Should we join the 3rd Army and pursue the fleeing enemy?"
The 1st Armored Division had tanks and armored vehicles—it could pursue German deserters with maximum efficiency.
"No." Charles shook his head at the suggestion and turned his gaze toward the direction in which the Germans were retreating. "Not far ahead is the east bank of the Meuse River. That's where the German artillery is stationed. The only reason they aren't firing is because our infantry is intermingled with theirs—so they can't identify targets."
Browning instantly understood.
If armored units advanced, it would be different. The German artillery could clearly identify tanks and armored cars, which would mark the boundary between friend and foe.
So sending the 1st Armored Division forward wouldn't help—it might even make things worse.
"This is far enough," Charles said. "The rest is up to Pétain and Foch."
"Yes, General."
Foch knew what needed to be done. His forces should follow the gap created by Charles's maneuver, advancing along the same route back to Mézières. Meanwhile, infantry would hold positions along the Meuse, confronting the Germans.
Once this new defensive line was established, the encirclement would be complete. Any German forces still west of the Meuse who hadn't broken out would have no choice but to surrender.
Charles had no desire to be involved in such tasks. They were logistical in nature—beneath the surgical precision of his armored forces.
Besides, Charles had already eaten the lion's share of the glory. It was only right to leave some "soup" for Pétain and Foch—otherwise, how could he bind their interests to his?
And as for who would get the bigger share, that would depend on the abilities of Pétain and Foch themselves.
At the moment, Charles was inclined to support Pétain—because Pétain was weaker.
...
News of the victory spread across Paris like wildfire. Newspapers didn't even have time to print extras.
The first to report it was Gallieni.
Ever since Charles captured Mézières, many reporters had been trailing Gallieni, knowing his close connection to Charles. They didn't want to miss any first-hand news.
At that moment, Gallieni was at City Hall. The War Ministry was on the second floor, with a balcony facing the plaza.
Reporters and citizens gathered below, waiting anxiously. Some munched on bread to stave off hunger—clearly having skipped breakfast.
Suddenly the doors opened. Gallieni stepped out onto the balcony with a blank expression, as if merely stepping out for air.
The reporters sprang into action, firing off questions:
"Minister, how is the battle progressing?"
"Where are Charles's troops now?"
"Do you think Charles can win again like before?"
...
Gallieni stood tall, a proud smile on his face. Though he tried to stay composed, the trembling in his voice betrayed his excitement:
"Gentlemen, Charles's forces have reached Verdun."
"Yes, he will certainly win again. The 1st Armored Division has successfully linked up with Pétain's 3rd Army."
"The German front has collapsed—we are about to reclaim the entire region west of the Meuse River!"
...
The reporters were stunned, unable to believe what they had just heard.
Some had assumed Charles's breakthrough was at Letaille. Others thought he was trapped at Buzancy. Many believed it would be a feat just to hold Mézières.
No one expected to hear that Charles had already broken through Verdun.
"Minister, is this true? Are you certain?"
"Has the Battle of Verdun ended just like that?"
"Will we now rule on opposite banks of the river with the Germans?"
...
Gallieni ignored them, turning and calmly closing the door behind him.
This was the third time Charles's tactics had been proven correct—absolutely correct—on the battlefield.
Now, who would dare to question his theories?
No one.
Charles's status within the military was now unshakable.
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