In this war, the German Fifth Army was called "Crown Prince Wilhelm's Army" because its commander-in-chief was Emperor Wilhelm of the German Empire. At this time, there was a tense atmosphere in the headquarters of "Crown Prince Wilhelm's Army".

The German army took up positions on the front line of Fort de Sauvère, which it had just conquered at a heavy cost. However, as long as the German army held it for a while, it was attacked by the enemy before it even warmed up. Dozens of infantry companies and artillery companies at the front had a complete defense system.

Being defeated by the enemy, and even before they could launch a counterattack while the enemy was still on a firm footing, the enemy forces on the opposite side took the initiative to launch an assault on the second line of positions where the reserves were assembled. However, in just one early morning, the German defenses in the area of ​​Fort de Sauvère were overrun.

The attack was so chaotic that, let alone a counterattack, it even reached the point where it was impossible to organize an effective defense.

The short and fierce battle lasted only a few hours. By 8 a.m., the four regiments of the 32nd Division guarding Fort de Souvier were almost destroyed. They suffered heavy casualties.

More than 6,000 casualties were suffered, more than 5,000 people were captured, a large number of artillery and machine guns were captured by the enemy, and most importantly, the original German salient of Fort Suvier was pushed back. Finally, the remainder of the 32nd Division

They could only reluctantly form a new line of defense in front of the Fort de Suvier.

Before the reinforcements arrive, the current 32nd Division has no power to counterattack at all! And the reinforcements are tied up everywhere. The troops on the front line can no longer be used. They can only count on the general reserve of the Fifth Group Army, but the French will

Give him time to mobilize his reserves? No one thought that a not-so-long defense line of Fort Sauvier defended by one division would be defeated by the enemy so quickly!

Perhaps the fortress had been completely destroyed during the German attack, but even if it guarded the ruins of the fortress, it was impossible to defend it for more than a few hours! At this time, the morale of the German troops in the area of ​​​​Soviet Fort was low, and their troops were weak and their firepower was insufficient.

And this is the situation faced by the Fifth Army.

What is even more shocking is that according to intelligence feedback from the front line, before dawn, the enemy used a fierce offensive to conquer two lines of German defense and occupy the abandoned Fort de Sauvre. This was not their old opponent's method*

The * team, in fact, the Germans had already learned the tactics of their old rivals, and they had no new ideas at all. It was the Chinese Expeditionary Force that attacked Fort de Sauvre in an unexpected way!

In the pre-war enemy information report, the Fifth Army Headquarters also knew that the Chinese Expeditionary Force, composed of ten divisions of Chinese troops, was included in the French army's battle order. However, in their minds, this force was no better than the French at best.

The level of the colonial army could not even keep up with the British Indian Army. But no one expected that the elite infantry assault method used by this army would immediately cause such a big loss to the front-line German army!

And their use of firepower is also very flexible. The initial impression is that the attack is both ferocious and up to standard, and their combat effectiveness is not only not inferior to the elite troops of the Allied Powers, but they also have something unique of their own! Especially they are equipped with a large number of new weapons.

, According to the report of the 33rd Division, the Chinese ** team used a large number of light machine guns and a new type of light machine gun that fired **** bullets. At the same time, they also used new explosive weapons to explode the barbed wire that blocked their attack.

, and the lightweight flamethrowers carried by soldiers were even more of a nightmare for soldiers in fortifications and fortresses. It was even mentioned in reports from former enemies. Fort de Souvier was not captured by Chinese infantry, but by Chinese flamethrowers.

"Now, we must take back Fort de Suviera immediately!"

While speaking, Crown Prince William turned his attention to General von Knobelsdorf. Crown Prince William was the commander of the Fifth Group, but the actual commander was General Knobelsdorf.

Amid the fervor and propaganda of the war, the Crown Prince was harshly evaluated. He was simultaneously described as a fool and a tyrant, an immature young man and a Moloch god*; he was accused of being an irresponsible passer-by and a man who was unable to avoid a major military disaster.

The commander who is to blame for the mistake. The above contradictory accusations are inconsistent with the actual situation. The German princes who command the army group or the corps are strictly controlled. Actions are decided and managed by the General Staff, whether it is major affairs or local affairs.

The hapless successor's main function was to bear the reputation of his staff's miscalculations and to accept their courtesy and courtesy during the first two years of the war. As the long-term conflict deepened, even these courtesy became ineffective.

But one thing is certain, no matter which high-ranking general he is in front of, he has the right to express his views, ask questions and demand answers. He is the first to know the exact views of the emperor. He is the owner of the country. During the war

Every combatant risks his life, body, and destiny; but the succession to the Imperial throne clearly depends on the overall outcome of the war, and this is a fact that from the beginning of the war. His hitherto unconcerned thoughts

To raise a warning and draw his attention. It can also be said that no German army was more consistently successful than the troops he led; there are signs that his personal influence - whatever it was - was often significant.

As the Crown Prince, he was uneasy about the attack on Verdun. He believed that it would be wiser to end Russia in the east first. Of course, he was eager to "once again lead loyal troops who have been tested in hundreds of battles to fight against the enemy on the battlefield...

...", but he was suppressed for a long time. However, Falkenhayn repeatedly declared that the French army would "shed all blood" in Verdun, which made him feel uneasy; he did not believe that all the blood would only happen to the French army. This kind of

The situation may have happened to the Hohenzollern royal family. In addition, the views of General von Knobelsdorff and his staff on offensive tactics may have aroused the Crown Prince's doubts; their view was that if an attack must be carried out, attack

It should be deployed on a wider front, including simultaneous attacks on both sides of the Meuse River. There should be a large number of reserve troops from the beginning to take advantage of the favorable conditions for an active surprise attack. The Crown Prince sent Knobelsdorf to Falkenhayn

Faced with the above proposition, Falkenhayn insisted on his plan. He based his plan on the entire situation in his mind, down to the smallest detail. Verdun would become an anvil, and he would attack on a narrow front.

, it would take an incomparable battery of artillery and just enough infantry to succeed. They would advance step by step, leveling every section in their path with artillery. Therefore, whether Verdun fell or not, the French army would suffer

The French nation was tired of war. It was originally a simple solution to a major world problem, but now it became Falkenhayn's solution, and he had the highest control. Knobelsdorff was very

Soon to be forcibly persuaded by Falkenhayn's determination and the power of his superiors, the Crown Prince thereafter mechanically became consistent under the control of the military hierarchy.

And now, the reason why he emphasizes an immediate counterattack so much is precisely because the control in the military hierarchy mechanically tends to be consistent with the staff. Because the French trenches are in the shape of a half-moon, protruding permanently from Verdun.

5,000-60,000 meters in front of the Fortress. The position is divided into two unequal parts by the Meuse River. The river is nearly 1 km wide in this season. Therefore, there are left bank fortifications and right bank fortifications; further east

It is the Wavre Plain and the highlands on the east bank of the Meuse River where fortifications are built. The French central defense line between the Meuse River and the Wavre Plain is the direction of the enemy's fierce assault. The headquarters believes that if the French center is attacked

Breaking through to a certain depth, the defenders on both wings will automatically retreat, or further pressure can easily cause them to retreat. The Germans conducted tactical research on the terrain before the war. They believed that unless the French center retreated, its left flank position would be under attack.

Otherwise, the position would be extremely strong and difficult to break! All these conclusions and decisions were promptly informed to the Crown Prince and the 5th Army Staff Headed by General Knobelsdorf. And now, the Chinese ** team’s counterattack

, but to some extent, it changed the original plan of the German Army Command.

"Your Highness, unless we mobilize our reserves, it will be difficult to take back the Fort de Sauvère occupied by the Chinese. Now the 32nd Division has lost most of its troops, and according to our intelligence, the French reinforcements have already been

Arriving at Fort de Suviera, it can be said that we have lost the best opportunity to counterattack..."

At this time, Knobelsdorff's words were interrupted by the words of another intelligence staff officer.

"General. Now we are achieving another political victory at Verdun!"

As an intelligence staff officer, he obviously needs to analyze the gains and losses of this battle from all aspects.

"One thing we must see is that from the initial stage of the Battle of Verdun, the personal status of the French commander General Joffre declined. The negligence in preparing the fortifications of the Verdun position, the dismantling of the weapons facilities of the bunker group, the commander-in-chief and

The obvious lack of intelligence on such a major issue at its staff headquarters, the fact that the parliamentary committee issued a warning, and the stubborn and disgusted attitude with which it accepted this warning, all this has become a fact generally known to the Paris government and various opposition parties. Joffre and

Castelnaud's respective role in the first serious crisis at Verdun was also widely known to both the government and the public! Throughout the whole affair it is difficult to find anyone who expressed disapproval of the commander-in-chief and his sourly nicknamed

The trust of this vast organization, the General Headquarters of "Chantilly"!"

After quoting the intelligence relayed by the staff, the intelligence staff added.

"In view of all the above facts, General Gallini made a series of judgments and decisions. First, he hoped to recall Joffre to Paris so that he could exercise full command of the entire French army in the center of Paris. No matter in France

Domestically or on the Eastern Front, this post had already been assigned to him; secondly, Gallieni hoped to promote General de Castelneau to be the commander of the French domestic armies; thirdly, he suggested weakening Chantilly's unauthorized authority in some aspects.

to seize undue powers and to restore to the War Department the administrative functions from which it had been largely deprived. Gallini submitted a proposal expressing the above intention to the cabinet on March 7, 1916, but did not specifically nominate Castelno

One thing that is certain is that even the French cabinet is afraid of a high command crisis and a political and cabinet crisis due to the Verdun War. And Briand may use clever rhetoric to intervene, but for now we

Judging from the intelligence we have, General Galleni is determined, and it is conceivable that the commander-in-chief will soon leave the army because of this battle..."

"At least it's not worse than the French team!"

Falkenhayn gave what he felt was an accurate answer, and then added.

"Compared to the French Army, the Chinese Army even has some advantages in equipment. They have a large number of light machine guns, a new type of small rapid-fire weapons, and flamethrowers. It can be said that for this For this war, they were extremely well prepared and developed a large number of new weapons. This battle was simply their weapon testing ground, fully testing the practicality and effectiveness of their new weapons. It is conceivable that in the next battle, , the frontline troops will encounter more new weapons..."

Obviously, rather than admitting an army, Falkenhayn was more willing to believe in another fact - the success of the Chinese Army was more due to the success of its new weapons, and this was what he was worried about. After the two armies have seen the effectiveness of their weapons, how can they sit back and watch? They will definitely purchase those weapons quickly and arm their own troops. By then...

"Didn't we seize their weapons? Give them to those factories and let them produce weapons equivalent to their technology in the shortest possible time..."

At this time, neither Emperor Wilhelm II nor Falkenhayn knew the fact that the military-technical cooperation between China and Germany had not been interrupted by this war. In the past two years, through technology In exchange, China introduced a large number of technical personnel and some required military technology from Germany, and Germany also obtained a large number of weapons technology drawings from China, but all of this was limited to enterprises.

"Maybe we should imitate their weapons!"

Falkenhayn spoke at the right time.

"Go talk to those companies about these issues. The future of Germany depends on the outcome of this war. My general, you must see this. Any method that helps us win the war can be adopted. Of! And..."

Staring at Falkenhayn, William II asked again.

"Now, where have the French deployed the Chinese Army? Maybe we should teach the Chinese Army a lesson. We must let the French know that the Chinese will never be the saviors of France! They will also be defeated! "

"Your Majesty, I want to..."

His Majesty's question only made Falkenhayn smile, and then he said to each other with some sigh.

"I think Joffre will help us achieve this wish!" To be continued...
Chapter completed!