Chapter 537 He didn't realize what he was going to lose

It was a coincidence that Charles had taken the initiative to seek cooperation from Pétain in order to break through the "encirclement and suppression" of the parliament against him.

And this cooperation continues to this day. Charles has been providing mines and directional mines to the Verdun battlefield without interruption.

Now, Ciel plans to continue to deepen this relationship, or let others think that he has deepened this relationship.

Therefore, even though his schedule was tight, he still found time to visit Verdun.

…

Verdun Line, Fort Saint-Michel Command.

It started to rain lightly in the sky. I don’t know if it was related to the war. This year’s rainy season came very late.

The rainy season is never a good thing for the battlefield, especially the large army fighting on the Somme front line. They will charge the enemy through the mud.

What's more serious is that plague is particularly prone to outbreaks during the rainy season. The rainwater soaked in rotting corpses will pour into the trenches and spread the disease everywhere.

By this time the pressure on the Verdun front had been reduced a lot.

The outbreak of the Battle of the Somme caused the German army to transfer a large number of troops and artillery away from Verdun. According to incomplete statistics, at least 6 artillery regiments and 5 infantry divisions were transferred away. Many supplies stored in Verdun were also transferred there. Somme emergency.

However, Pétain believed it was too early to launch an attack.

He has always emphasized "defense" and believes that attacking will always consume more materials and troops than the defending side. Attacking easily will probably wipe out the advantages he has accumulated.

For example, if there were 100,000 casualties in one day like the Battle of the Somme, the Verdun Line of Defense would collapse immediately.

Therefore, Pétain was extremely cautious and ordered his troops to defend the Douaumont Line and not attack.

At the same time, a large number of people were organized in the rear to build roads, widen and strengthen the only road leading to Verdun, and use it to continuously send military resources to the front line.

That afternoon, Pétain drank coffee as usual and followed the progress of the road widening.

It is very difficult to widen and reinforce roads while transporting them. It requires almost perfect overall planning, which is no less difficult than fighting a war.

At this time, cheers suddenly came from outside:

"It's Charles, General Charles is here."

"General Charles is here to inspect our defense lines!"

…

Petain frowned, what is Charles doing here?

Inspection?

He is not my superior, so what authority does he have to inspect Verdun? !

Then it occurred to Pétain that he had not chosen to support Gallieni during the last meeting at the Château de Chantilly.

Oops, this guy might cut off the supply of mines and directional mines!

Petain's face changed drastically. These things were defensive artifacts. If the supply was cut off at this critical moment and the German army got wind of it again, the war situation that had just improved might be reversed again.

Thinking of this, Pétain quickly put on a smile and led his men out to greet him.

When they walked out of the headquarters, they saw Charles in a raincoat chatting happily with Major General Lacoste. The surrounding soldiers and Major General Lacoste all looked at Charles with admiration.

Bei Dang felt uncomfortable and his face sank unconsciously.

But when he thought about the problems of landmines and directional mines, Pétain forced a smile and stepped forward.

Charles saw Petain approaching and took the initiative to shake hands with him: "Long time no see, Major General Petain, is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine, Major-General Charles," Pétain replied.

He wanted to say: "Your mines and directional mines work great, they help a lot."

But saying this will make it appear that the victory of Verdun is the credit of the Charles. Secondly, it will make the Charles know that mines and directional mines are important and use them to carve Verdun's neck.

Therefore, Pétain swallowed these words abruptly.

After a pause, he changed his words: "The front has stabilized. I am widening the road. This is very important."

The widening of the road was an initiative that Charles did not implement. Pétain emphasized this point, implying that his approach was different from that of Charles.

He wanted to escape Ciel's shadow every moment.

"Of course, General." Charles agreed with a smile: "Nothing is more important than supply. It is the basis of victory. What you did is very wise."

Charles's answer surprised Petain.

However, he immediately thought that Charles might have meant something, and the "supply" he emphasized was actually a reference to landmines and directional mines.

Bei Dang was alert and without saying anything, he made a gesture of invitation and introduced Charles into the headquarters.

There were only two people in the conference room, Charles and Pétain, and Pétain did not want what they said to spread out and be known to outsiders, especially about landmines and directional mines.

This was exactly what Charles meant: there were no outsiders in the conference room, and the two of them definitely seemed to be plotting something, such as how to cooperate against the British control of the French army.

"Sorry, Major General Charles." Pétain handed Charles a cup of coffee: "Last time in Chantilly, I was forced by the situation not to express my position. Because I knew that we were powerless to prevent Nivelle from launching an attack."

"I know." Charles didn't take it to heart.

This is true. From beginning to end, he did not think that Pétain had the ability to stop Nivele's offensive plan, nor did he want to stop Nivelle's offensive plan.

This made Petain a little strange. If you weren't here because of this, what was the purpose of coming here?

Sensing Petain's doubts, Charles explained: "I came here this time to find out if Verdun needs anything else."

"Other things?" Petain couldn't think of what he needed.

Charles raised his eyebrows:

“Say the rainy season is coming and you’re widening the road, I’m not sure you need a tractor?”

Petain was instantly moved.

The tractor is the best means of transportation in muddy land. It is indispensable for transporting stones, building roads or transporting supplies. It can even leave the road to transport large quantities of materials to the front line, even if the road conditions are bad when the rainy season comes.

Charles continued: "You know, I just opened a tractor factory."

At this time, Pétain hesitated: "Major General, I know these tractors are not cheap, and our budget is very limited..."

Now is a time when supplies are scarce, and the franc is depreciating rapidly. It is not easy to buy tractors.

"Free." Charles spread his hands generously: "I personally donate to the Verdun front, the first batch of 100, if it is not enough, I will continue to add."

Pétain was stunned and stunned for a long time before saying: "Really, really? That's great! You are such a generous friend, Major General Charles."

"It should be." Charles smiled slightly: "For France, for Verdun, and for our cooperation!"

Pétain nodded with emotion: "Of course, Major General!"

Then, Pétain seemed to understand why Charles did this.

Charles was fighting with Nivelle's faction, and he stood in the middle of the two, the target of both factions' scramble to win over.

Good thing, this is definitely a good thing, he can get the benefits from both sides!

A smug smile appeared on Pétain's lips, it seems that his previous worries were unnecessary.

Charles also smiled slightly, this guy didn't realize what he was going to lose!