Chapter 199: Reversal of the Battle
Galliéni had clearly guessed this as well. So, when Charles arrived at headquarters and stood in front of his desk, Galliéni immediately pointed at the map and said:
"The offensive was launched half an hour ago."
"One special artillery division from the north and another from the south, over two hundred tanks in total, broke through the enemy lines from Tram and Rhodes, respectively."
"The progress is surprisingly smooth. The enemy has no artillery, no reinforcements, not even 77mm field guns."
"After our tanks broke through the lines, they advanced toward the enemy's rear. They plan to meet at Lorca Town!"
Charles was speechless. They had actually copied Rafaux's operational plan without changing a thing.
"This is very likely a trap." Fear gleamed in Charles's eyes. "The Germans intend to encircle the two units that broke through our lines!"
"I know!" Galliéni replied, his eyes filled with helplessness and anger. "I already warned the Commander-in-Chief, but do you think he would believe me? He thinks we are jealous of his success, that we want to use lies to hinder his victory, to block his path to flaunting his achievements to the media!"
Charles was stunned.
If Joffre was convinced of that, then no matter how much Galliéni warned him, it would be futile. All words would be dismissed by Joffre as malicious lies.
After a moment of silence, Charles could only ask softly, "Two special artillery divisions, how many men in total?"
Galliéni responded with a look of regret, "Each division has over 22,000 men. Together, they amount to more than 45,000!"
Then he couldn't help but curse, "This is murder, it's a crime! He's completely blinded by fame and victory. He's utterly unfit to command the army from such a position! He..."
Galliéni angrily slammed his fist on the table. He didn't continue, perhaps realizing that saying anything more was pointless at this moment.
Charles stared at the map for a while, then said softly, "I'm afraid it's already too late."
Galliéni glanced at his pocket watch and nodded helplessly.
Judging from the distance, the two wings would need about three hours to meet.
But the Germans, under any circumstances, would not allow the two forces to merge. They would block them along the way, preventing them from making contact with each other.
Therefore, the Germans would launch a counterattack within three hours. In other words, Joffre's victory would soon be reversed!
…
At the French General Headquarters, the staff erupted in cheers. Everyone was celebrating the troops' successful breakthrough of the enemy lines.
Carnot nodded with satisfaction and, with a look of pride, said to Joffre, who was sitting at his desk, "The frontal attack at Cape Town cost over 6,000 casualties. It was their blood that brought about this victory!"
Joffre smiled faintly. "Without real sacrifice, the Germans would not have fallen for it. Now, it's time for the Germans to pay the price!"
Joffre slowly stood up, his head held high, and ordered, "Instruct the troops: as long as they do not see their own forces, keep their feet on the accelerator!"
"Yes, General!" Carnot turned and personally went to deliver the order.
At that moment, a staff officer handed over a telegram. "General, a message from the Paris City Defense Command. They hope you will reconsider the maneuver. They say it may be a trap!"
Joffre let out a dismissive chuckle, took the telegram, crumpled it into a ball, and casually tossed it into the wastebasket. "The situation is settled, Galliéni, and Charles. Nothing can stop me from marching toward victory, not even you!"
…
Colonel Christine had been promoted to Major General, and he was leading the First Special Artillery Division southward after breaking through the Tram line.
At this moment, he was riding a black warhorse in the rain, walking along the roadside, holding a telescope and carefully observing the surrounding terrain with suspicion.
It was too quiet and too smooth.
They hadn't encountered a single enemy. The roads and bridges were intact, and the CA-1 tanks were speeding along the roads at maximum speed, leaving the infantry far behind.
Christine put away his telescope and, after some thought, ordered in a deep voice, "Order the First Artillery Regiment to slow down!"
The order was immediately passed down by the staff, and the vanguard gradually reduced its speed.
However, the chief of staff directing the forward troops quickly rode over, reining in his horse in front of Major General Christine. His horse paced restlessly as he dismounted, his voice filled with urgency, "General, we shouldn't be slowing down. The Commander-in-Chief's order is to advance with maximum speed…"
"This is unusual, Daniel!" Major General Christine cut him off coldly. "Don't you find it strange?"
"What?" The chief of staff asked, puzzled.
"There isn't a single enemy." Major General Christine scanned the empty surroundings, his face showing concern. "Look around. Does this look like a place occupied by Germans to you?"
"This is the enemy's rear lines, General!" The chief of staff explained. "They've concentrated all their forces at the front. It's normal for there to be no enemies in the rear…"
"No, Daniel!" Major General Christine shook his head. "I've read the records of the Rafaux Battle. Thoroughly. Along their advance, the French forces constantly encountered Germans: engineers repairing roads, medics carrying stretchers to the front lines, guards setting up roadblocks, even logistics units transporting ammunition by horse-drawn carts. They all indicated one thing: the Germans were unprepared!"
Christine shifted his gaze to the chief of staff and asked in a low, deliberate voice, "And us? We have advanced ten kilometers deep into enemy territory, but haven't encountered anything. Do you think that's normal?"
The chief of staff was stunned and replied, "Perhaps it's because Cape Town has a railway. They can use trains to transport supplies and wounded soldiers, so there's no need to use the roads!"
"And the guards along the road?" Major General Christine countered.
"Maybe they heard of the defeat at the front line and fled before we got here!" The chief of staff answered confidently.
Christine shook his head. From the time they broke through the lines until now, less than two hours had passed. There was no way the guards along the road could have received the news so quickly.
Unless the German commander had the leisure to make calls to each of them, ordering them to retreat.
Ignoring the chief of staff, Christine dismounted and gave his aide a look.
The aide understood, dismounted as well, and, holding an umbrella, pulled out a map from his pack and handed it to Christine.
Christine located their position on the map, then his expression changed dramatically. "A quarry. There's a quarry ahead?"
The chief of staff rode over and asked with confusion, "Is there a problem, General?"
Christine did not answer. Instead, he shouted urgently, "All troops, halt! Stop advancing!"
But it was already too late. The howling of artillery shells filled the air, and several exploded near the road. Mud and water splashed onto Christine's face, and his warhorse neighed in panic.
Christine realized the First Special Artillery Division was about to face a brutal battle!
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