Chapter 592 Our supplies are not given for free

Dunkirk, British Expeditionary Force Headquarters.

Haig took time out from the Somme River front to report the situation to Kitchener.

Usually, when the master and apprentice met, they would open a bottle of red wine and chat while drinking, but this time they lost interest. They sat in front of the stove and stared at the jumping flames, as if they could not bear the severe winter in France.

After a long time, Kitchener asked in a muffled voice: "The situation is very bad, isn't it?"

Haig answered with difficulty: "We have suffered nearly 300,000 casualties, but the defense line has only advanced less than a mile."

Another terrible silence.

The two were reluctant to say it, but they were comparing in their hearts: Charles could advance 5 kilometers with more than a thousand casualties. This victory was too dazzling.

"What is the situation of the Australian and New Zealand Army?" Kitchener asked.

Compared with the casualties on the front line, Kitchener was more concerned about the attitude of the colonial army.

The colonial army was also on the Western Front, and everyone was watching the development of the war.

If Britain and France were defeated by Germany at the same time, it would not be a problem.

But if Britain stagnates and France advances rapidly, a problem will arise: the colonial army will generally believe that the British army is no longer good, and they will wonder whether France should be the world's number one.

"They didn't react much." Haig replied, but then added: "On the surface."

The colonial army's noise came from the inside out. Many British officers in the colonial army responded that they could no longer control their subordinates and the soldiers turned a deaf ear to their orders.

Haig gritted his teeth and said bitterly: "We must suppress the French, especially Charles."

Otherwise, the prestige of the British Empire will be unprecedentedly challenged and even fall apart.

"Wait a little longer." Kitchener calmed down: "Let the French army in Blue have internal strife, and the French Parliament will ask us for help. This may be a breakthrough."

If it was just the British army, Kitchener had no hope at all. Lieutenant General Avis could not defeat Charles. That was wishful thinking.

But there was also the French Parliament standing in the same camp. Kitchener thought there was a chance of winning.

However, his hopes were dashed soon.

The staff sent a telegram to Kitchener: "Marshal, this is a call from Lieutenant General Avis. When he arrived at Gembloux, Charles had already controlled the situation. Our troops had no chance to enter the barracks."

There was no chance to enter the barracks.

Kitchener sighed lightly and threw the telegram into the stove, watching it curl painfully in the flames and then turn into ashes.

Haig stood up with a "teng": "We only have one trump card. The French should understand that our supplies are not given for free. They must pay something."

Kitchener nodded in agreement. It seemed that this was the only thing that could be used now.

But he added: "But not all French troops. We should strike accurately."

"Accurate strike?" Haig knew that Kitchener was referring to Charles, but how could it be "accurate"?

Kitchener answered thoughtfully: "From the Gembloux incident, we know that the French Parliament has the same goal as us. General, they are our allies!"

Haig said "Oh" and understood what Kitchener meant.

…

In the winter in Paris, the mornings are always foggy.

The windows of the Prime Minister’s office were tightly closed, and the outside was white, as if the office was isolated in the clouds.

The atmosphere inside was a bit depressing.

Briand silently signed the document in his hand, listening to Clemenceau at his desk describing the result of the Jean Bleu incident:

"As we expected, General Avis returned empty-handed."

"We have cleared our relationship. The 'hidden rules' have been effectively controlled and have not spread to other troops."

"The deputy commander of the 6th Army is Christian, and they have adopted a different deployment from other lines of defense..."

Briand interrupted Clemenceau without raising his head: "What is the situation in public opinion?"

"The public has no doubts." Clemenceau raised his eyebrows: "They think it was another mutiny, something the soldiers did while Charles was on vacation, and Charles would solve the problem when he returned."

Briand stopped what he was doing and looked up at Clemenceau: "We still lost, the 6th Army is completely under Charles' control and cannot be shaken."

Briand said this with some fear in his eyes. He can only hope that Foch can suppress Charles.

But this does not seem realistic, even though Foch controls many more troops than Charles.

However, Clemenceau calmly replied: "I don't think so, Prime Minister."

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"What?" Briand's eyes were full of confusion.

This guy probably doesn't know how terrible Charles is. He is a capitalist, inventor, politician, military genius, and has more than 200,000 troops in his hands!

Clemenceau lowered his head and took out a telegram from his jacket pocket and handed it over: "It's from the British, from the Minister of War, Marshal Kitchener."

Briand glanced at the telegram, and a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes: "They want to be responsible for the supply of materials for all soldiers in the Belgian defense zone?"

When did the British become so generous? Most of the troops of the Northern Army Group are stationed in Belgium, including Charles' troops, with about 300,000 people. It is not a trivial matter to be responsible for their supply.

Clemenceau didn't say anything, but nodded meaningfully.

Briand suddenly understood that it was to deal with Charles.

If the French army's supplies in Belgium are provided by the British army, the British army can accurately control the supply of supplies to the Shire army, including ammunition and gasoline.

Brian's face was filled with joy: "It seems that we have made the right move. I mean to transfer the 6th Army to Belgium."

Then he frowned again: "But Charles is very rich. It is said that he has been purchasing supplies from the Netherlands and the United States. In addition, he has also cooperated with 'Saint Etienne' and 'FN' arsenal, so there should be no shortage of ammunition. "

Clemenceau's voice was somewhat proud: "That is an army of more than 200,000 people. Your Excellency, Prime Minister, not even Charles can support it in the long run. As for ammunition, the 'Saint Etienne' and 'FN' arsenals may be able to It provides ammunition for rifles and other light weapons, but things like artillery shells and gasoline are beyond its capabilities.”

Brian nodded: "That makes sense."

After pondering for a while, Brian added: "This is a diplomatic matter belonging to France and the United Kingdom. It is left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Army Committee and does not require approval by the Parliament."

Clemenceau understood and bowed slightly: "I completely agree, Your Excellency Prime Minister."

This should have been left to the Ministry of War, after all, it was related to the material supplies of the Northern Army Group.

But the Minister of War is Gallieni, and he will definitely not agree to this plan.