Chapter 142 Special Artillery Regiment
I don’t know when, a little “anti-Charle” breeze started blowing in Paris.
It was not brought out by the people, but the media suddenly changed the direction of the trend before people could react, and the original praise of Charles turned into doubt:
"Ciel's tanks didn't participate in the bidding? Are you ashamed of yourself?"
"Has Charles exhausted his talents? This is the industrial age, and one person's wisdom cannot compete with the old arms companies!"
"It is said that his tanks are not even equipped with artillery!"
…
There were even newspapers comparing the "Saint-Chamont" tank with the original version of the Shire tank, the original tank!
Although the detailed data of "Saint Chamoun" has not been published for confidentiality, several key points have been revealed: "Saint Chamoun" has artillery, four machine guns, and an advanced electric drive engine.
People originally had full confidence in Shire, but they were inevitably led astray by the overwhelming publicity and doubts in the newspapers.
They still admit Ciel:
"This is quite rare for a 17-year-old boy!"
"Yes, Ciel's victory is unparalleled!"
"Ciel is the best, at least no one can surpass him yet."
…
However, seeds of doubt were planted in their hearts:
Is the Shire obsolete?
He provided the idea, but the next person who can develop the tank should be an arms dealer!
After all, Charles is still young and has no experience. Perhaps the task of defeating the Germans should be handed over to a commander who has a more overall perspective and experience!
…
In the La Forks area, the small town of Fairvaux is about ten kilometers away from the front line.
After dawn, the rain suddenly started to rain heavily, and the bright white raindrops fell happily, like waterfalls falling from the sky.
Xiafei stood in front of the window of the temporary headquarters, frowning and looking at the rain waves raised by the storm outside, feeling quite heavy.
He arrived here early in the morning and set up a command headquarters. He even broke his own habit of going to bed on time and getting up on time.
But Joffre had to do this. He needed to win a victory to re-establish a heroic image among the army and the people. Only by defeating Charles could he maintain his position and regain the lost command power from Gallieni. Take it back.
"General!" Deputy Commander Kanais took the document and reported to Jiafei: "There are already 100 CA1s and 16 'Saint Chamoun's on the incoming train. It is estimated that they will arrive at two o'clock in the afternoon!"
Xiafei said "hmm" and asked without looking back: "Where is Colonel Christian? Are he and his soldiers ready?"
"Of course, General!" Kanais replied: "They are looking forward to this battle!"
"Then let them get ready!" Xiafei ordered expressionlessly: "We must achieve this victory in an orderly manner! A perfect victory, no mistakes are allowed!"
"Yes, General!" Kanais responded.
After going out, he walked to his desk, opened the drawer and took out a document that he had prepared long ago. He wanted to hand it to the staff officer, but after hesitating for a while, he finally decided to go to Colonel Christine in person.
Colonel Christian was the combat hero of the First Army.
During the attack on Alsace a month ago, when the First Army was defeated by the Germans and almost everyone fled, Christian, who was still a major, led more than two hundred of his men disguised as dead bodies lying on the ground.
When the German troops following France caught up, they suddenly jumped up from the ground and attacked the German troops with bayonets and swords.
The Germans thought they were ambushed and immediately fell into chaos. Christine took advantage of the situation and led the 2nd Infantry Battalion to repel the enemy. Christine hacked seven people to death with his sword in that battle, and she still has a scar on her face. Scar!
"What France needs is a hero like this!" Kanais murmured to himself.
He walked through the corridor and down the stairs, and finally came to the sofa in the living room. He said to Colonel Christine who stood up at attention: "Let's discuss your afternoon's tasks, Colonel!"
"Yes, General!" Christine responded.
Kanais sat down on the sofa, motioned to Colonel Christine to sit next to him, then opened the document bag and handed over a document, with approval in his tone: "Your troops are very brave, so we plan to organize the First Infantry Regiment For the '1st Special Artillery Regiment'!"
"Special Artillery Regiment?" Christine was stunned: "But we are infantry, General! We don't even know how to fire..."
"You misunderstood, Colonel!" Kanais explained with a smile: "We don't need you to be able to fire cannons, you still fight like infantry!"
"I... don't quite understand, General!" Christine's head was in a state of confusion. If they were still fighting like infantry, why were they called artillery?
There was a bit of mystery in Kanais's eyes: "Have you ever heard of tanks, Colonel?"
"Of course, General..." Christine suddenly realized something: "You mean, we will fight with tanks?"
"Yes, and it is the most advanced tank in France!" Kanais's eyes were full of pride. He took out another document from the document bag and carefully handed it to Christine as if holding a treasure. , Ruo tapped the document twice thoughtfully: "There are a total of 100 CA-1 tanks and 16 'Saint Chamoun' tanks. They represent the most powerful force in France. Leave it to you, Colonel!"
Christine took the document and opened it carefully, and found that it contained detailed data and firepower configuration of the "Saint-Chamond" tank and CA-1 tank, as well as photos from various angles.
Christine was at a loss: "But General, how can we... cooperate with these tanks in combat..."
"Like I said!" Kanais said confidently: "You just need to fight as usual, the tanks will cut the enemy's barbed wire and lead you to break through the defense line!"
Kanes leaned back on the sofa and said in a relaxed tone: "Think about it, each tank carries a 75MM artillery, and there are two to four machine guns. They are the arsenal, Colonel, and you are advancing with an arsenal of 116 artillery and 264 machine guns. They will destroy all enemies in front of you! All of them!"
Finally, Kanais concluded: "And your troops, all you have to do is to follow them and occupy the enemy's position, understand?"
Kanes' eyes even flashed with envy, as if to say, lucky guy, the first large-scale tank battle victory in human history will fall on you, you should feel honored for it!
"Understood, General!" Christine replied in a stiff tone.
His eyes never left the document in his hand. He didn't believe that the battle would be so easy.
According to his past experience, actual combat and imagination are often two different things.
Did these generals who had been hiding in their offices for many years think that the Germans were too easy to deal with?
