When Roque arrived at Ypres, the Allied forces were hotly discussing the combat effectiveness of the 2nd Cavalry Division.
The combat effectiveness of the 2nd Cavalry Division is indeed powerful. In previous battles, the 2nd Cavalry Division destroyed at least 5,000 German troops and suffered less than 500 casualties, all of which were caused by the German artillery units.
While the performance was brilliant, the Second Cavalry Division also relied heavily on logistics. When it came to Flanders, the logistics supplies carried by the Second Cavalry Division had been exhausted in previous battles, so the Second Cavalry Division
Now unable to launch an attack, more logistics supplies need to arrive at Ypres so that the 2nd Cavalry Division can exert its full strength.
"Congratulations to your lord, your children performed well on the battlefield. They won the greatest victory with the least loss." Haig's words were so sour that it made people laugh. I don't know why these generals like to use "children" to represent them.
Refers to soldiers, which probably means loving soldiers like sons.
Just now, Haig was promoted to general, further improving his status in the expeditionary force.
Rock didn't know why Haig was promoted to general. The Second Army commanded by Haig did not perform very well either in the Battle of the Marne or the Battle of Ypres. Compared with Smith Doering, Haig was not
A qualified commander.
"Lord Nyasaland, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your Second Cavalry Division has inspired me a lot. I hope we can have a good chat if we have time." Ferdinand Foch was a true soldier.
He was an outstanding artillery commander, a member of the Paris Artillery Committee, an excellent staff officer, and an outstanding strategist. After graduating from the Ecole Militaire in 1891, Foch stayed at the school to teach, giving lectures on strategy courses.
Foch was a cavalryman, but he was not pedantic and did not believe in the role of cavalry, which was in stark contrast to someone else.
After the outbreak of the World War, Foch's Second Army and First Army formed the right wing of the French army. When defending Nancy, Foch performed well and commanded the troops to launch a counterattack against the German army under extremely difficult circumstances.
The counterattack was a complete victory, and Foch became so famous that he was transferred to the left wing to serve as the commander of the newly formed Ninth Army. He performed well in the Battle of the Marne and the ongoing Battle of Ypres.
If there is a French general who can gain the trust of the British Expeditionary Force, then this person is undoubtedly Foch.
"General Foch, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your Ninth Army also performed well. They look like veterans. It's a great honor to fight alongside you." Roque's attitude towards Foch was very enthusiastic. After all,
This is the future Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces and a British Marshal. Even without these reasons, Foch's age is enough to be respected.
Foch was awarded the title of Marshal of the United Kingdom because of his outstanding performance in the World War. He was also awarded the title of Marshal by Poland. There were many outstanding commanders during the World War, but it was rare to be recognized by three countries at the same time.
As part of the coalition, the young King Albert I of Belgium was also present. The Treaty of London in 1839 confirmed Belgium's independence and also determined that Belgium was a neutral country. This resulted in Belgium being unable to fully mobilize before the war, so it was very difficult to face the German invasion.
Fragile.
When Albert I saw Roque, his expression was as ugly as if he had eaten a fly. Roque knew why and did not take it to heart. If the Congo Free State was still in the hands of Belgium, then even if Belgium itself fell, the Belgian government would
You can also move to the Congo Free State.
Now Belgium has no way out, so it can only fight with Germany.
"Marshal Locke, what do you think of the battle in Flanders?" Frenchie did not exchange greetings with Locke. The battle of the British and French forces in Flanders was very difficult. It has been raining in Flanders recently.
, plus Albert I opened the floodgates, Flanders was already a vast ocean.
Although the sea water slowed down the speed of the German attack, it also made it difficult for the British and French allied forces to advance, which was very detrimental to the British and French allied forces. As time went by, the newly formed German troops gradually matured. Once the German army completed accumulating strength, the German army would again
Launch a new round of attack.
"The best way is to withdraw to the Franco-Belgian border, build strong fortifications on the Franco-Belgian border, and be prepared for a long-term battle with the Germans." If Roque does not rush forward, the current situation in Flanders will mean that even if tanks are sent there
It's useless on the battlefield. Since it's impossible to defeat the German army in a short time, let's sit up defensively first.
Defense is the best offense, or offense is the best defense. There is no conflict between the two. The main thing is who has the initiative on the battlefield.
"No, we should attack the German army immediately——"
"We cannot give up on Flanders—"
Haig and Albert I simultaneously expressed opposition.
Haig opposed for the sake of opposition, Albert I opposed for the sake of his throne.
Before the Battle of Ypres, Joffre had sternly warned Albert I that once all of Belgium fell, Albert I would lose his throne.
The threat from Joffre is very important. France now has such a great influence on Belgium.
"We really cannot abandon Flanders -" Ferdinand Foch also did not agree with Roque's suggestion. His purpose was also very clear. He did not retreat to the Franco-Belgian border in order to keep the war out of France.
"Then we will have a good fight with the Germans." Rock is not stubborn. Since everyone else is opposed, Rock will obey the majority.
French was not surprised by Roque's performance. Haig was happy, Albert I was gloomy, but Ferdinand Foch's eyes lit up.
Unlike most generals of this era, Roque was never stubborn. This was in stark contrast to Joffre, who was paranoid about attacking, Haig, who insisted on cavalry to determine victory, and French generals, who were increasingly prejudiced against French generals.
This kind of Rock may seem to some people to be a weak and follow-the-whistle follower, but for the current British and French coalition forces, only by knowing how to adapt can they promote cooperation between the British and French coalition forces.
"Our aircraft reconnaissance shows that the German army is continuing to increase its troops to Ghent. At least sixty trains arrive in Ghent every day. Our troops are defending around Ypres. Winter is coming. Our troops need dry and warm cotton clothes. I
Yesterday I went to inspect the position of the Second Cavalry Division. Ninety percent of the soldiers on the position did not have cotton-padded clothes, and many people only had a blanket. This will definitely not be able to continue fighting in the winter." Frenchi's words criticized the preparations of the Second Cavalry Division.
Insufficient meaning.
The failure of the German army on the Marne River had a lot to do with the lack of logistical supplies of the German army.
Now that the German General Staff has realized this, the German army's logistics has become smooth again, and the tragedy of the Marne River will not happen again.
"The 2nd Cavalry Division is a temporarily formed unit. It was previously stationed in the Sinai Peninsula. There is no need for cold clothing in the Sinai Peninsula." Roque does not think that the 2nd Cavalry Division is not fully prepared. At least the officers and soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Division came to France.
I carried a rifle with me at all times.
Originally, the French government was responsible for the supplies that the Second Cavalry Division needed when it came to fight in France.
"To defeat the Germans, we cannot do without the cooperation of the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy must cut off the Yser River and stop the German support troops, so that we can drive the Germans out of Flanders." Foch did not worry about whether the soldiers had cotton-padded clothes.
I have no say in this issue. Paris is working hard to organize the distribution of supplies. There are still two months until winter, so I hope it can be in time.
"The Royal Navy cannot go deep into the Yser River, otherwise it will become a target for the Germans." French disagreed. The Royal Navy had sent warships deep into the Yser River before, but suffered heavy losses.
In the river, the warships had no room to maneuver and could only be ravaged by the Germans like targets.
The German Navy is indeed unable to compete with the British Royal Navy at sea, but on land, the British Army is its younger brother.
"We still need more reinforcements. When the Second Scottish Highland Light Infantry Battalion withdrew from the battle, there were only thirty soldiers left among more than a thousand soldiers. Even if we found an opportunity, we did not have enough troops to fight and win.
We still need at least 20 divisions to be able to complete the campaign goal of capturing Brussels." Haig complained endlessly. With his command method, no matter how many troops he was given, it would not be enough.
Speaking of troops, everyone is looking at Roque. Everyone knows that Roque still has a reserve team that has not been put into the battlefield, and in southern Africa, Roque can recruit more troops.
"Before I came to France, both the Kingdom of Congo and the Congo Free State stated that they could send troops to France -" Roque can indeed recruit more troops, but it depends on the attitude of Albert I.
"There is no such thing as the Kingdom of Congo and the Free State of Congo. They are all traitors who should be sent to the gallows. As long as they dare to come to Europe, I will hang them all!" Albert I's attitude was indeed very fierce, but Buddha
Both Renzi and Foch looked at Albert I with harsh eyes.
Rock doesn't care. If the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo send troops to support Europe, then after the war, the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo will be eligible to participate in the distribution of the fruits of victory after the war. This means that Britain and France recognize the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo.
The independence of the republic was something Albert I did not want to see.
But Rock's attitude is also very clear. If the British and French coalition forces want to receive more military assistance, they must recognize the independent status of the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo. Otherwise, Southern Africa can find any excuse to stop reinforcements from Europe.
"How much can the Kingdom of Congo and the Congo Free State send?" French didn't care about the opposition of Albert I. As long as he could get more troops, French didn't care whether Belgium's interests would be damaged.
After all, the Congo Free State is not a British colony.
"At least 100,000!" The price given by Roque was substantial. When the Kingdom of Congo and the Republic of Congo were independent, their combined population was tens of millions, so it was not difficult to recruit an army of 100,000.
Of course, the cost of recruiting the army must be paid by the British and French forces.