Chapter 74 Secret Mission

It's too late today. I haven't finished the third chapter yet. I only have two chapters to write! I will continue with three chapters tomorrow!

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The next day was cloudy. Paris was foggy. Without the sun, it became darker. I had the illusion of rain. It was inexplicably depressing.

The Paris City Defense Command was unusually busy that day.

The war on the front line had nothing to do with the Paris City Defense Command. After all, the front line was far away from Paris. Paris was no longer in danger and of course did not need city defense.

However, the previous war made the parliament less trusting of Joffre. Many people believed that the army suffered such heavy casualties and even put Paris in crisis because of Joffre's strategic mistakes:

Before the war, France had known about the German Schlieffen Plan in advance. Almost everyone knew that the main force of the German army would pass through Belgium and encircle Paris from the right wing. This was no secret.

At this time, Joffre only needed to place the main force of France in the north, that is, to dig trenches and garrison on the German marching route. The French army would not suffer such a heavy loss and Paris would not be in danger.

However, knowing the German offensive plan, Joffre still formulated the so-called "Plan 17", which, contrary to the norm, placed the main force of the French army south of the border to attack Alsace and Lorraine.

It perfectly matched the German Schlieffen Plan, which eventually led to the defeat of the French army.

Some members of parliament believed that even spies could not achieve such a perfect tacit understanding: Joffre did everything the Germans wanted the French army to do, knowing the German plan.

However, Joffre was a hero established by capitalists and the media. They were worried that dismissing Joffre or holding him accountable would undermine the confidence of the French military and civilians, so they did not settle accounts later.

(Note: If it was just once or twice, the parliament could still pretend that nothing happened, but in the subsequent wars, Joffre jumped into every trap set by the Germans without exception. The parliament finally couldn't stand it anymore and promoted him in public but demoted him in private: in 1916, he was promoted to marshal and dismissed from the post of commander-in-chief)

The final decision of the parliament was: Joffre was still the commander-in-chief of the French army, but he had to fully consider Gallieni's suggestions.

In other words, although Gallieni was the commander of the Paris defense, he had the right to "assist" Joffre in commanding the French army.

Intelligence from the front line flew to Gallieni's desk like snowflakes, mainly from the Antwerp Fortress in Belgium:

"General, the Belgian army called: 'If the situation does not improve, the Belgian government will have to withdraw from Antwerp within 3 days'!"

"The British army said they are unable to reinforce Antwerp, and they hope we can send reinforcements!"

"The Belgian government called, the Germans launched another bombardment, and another Belgian fortress was breached, the situation is extremely critical!"

...

Galieni frowned. The Antwerp Fortress is very important to the Allies. Once it is captured, it almost means that Belgium can no longer contain the German logistics transportation in the rear as before, and the German ammunition supplies can be continuously transported to the French front through Belgium.

Gallieni first thought of Charles. Will he have a way?

But this idea was quickly denied. Charles is not God, and this is a battle of artillery bombardment, a collision between fortresses and steel. What can he do!

Therefore, when Gallieni saw Charles coming up the stairs, he just nodded slightly and buried his head in processing documents again.

"General!" At this time, Colonel Durand stepped forward and reported: "The commander-in-chief hopes that we will send someone to Antwerp to investigate the situation and give a detailed report!"

Galieni said "um", and his attention was focused on the intelligence in his hand. He responded casually: "You go and handle it!"

"Yes, General!" Colonel Durand stepped forward and responded, turning to the stairs.

He looked very hurried. When he passed by Charles, he did not stop, and even did not tilt his head, but he ordered in a low voice: "Follow me, Lieutenant Charles, the general has a task for you, an urgent task!"

"Yes, Colonel!" Charles responded.

He saw Colonel Durand talking to Gallieni just now, although he did not hear clearly what they said.

What urgent task would it be?

Charles was a little curious, it would not be to stand guard or practice military posture!

After going downstairs, Colonel Durand took Charles directly to the car, and he personally drove Charles to the destination.

"Let's go to the airport!" After the car started, Colonel Durand explained while controlling the steering wheel: "Your mission is to take a plane to a place called Antwerp. We need to know the details there, such as the casualties of the Belgian army, the number of surviving fortresses, enemy firepower and deployment, etc., understand?"

"Understood, sir!" Charles replied.

He was a little nervous. He didn't expect to get on a plane and go to the battlefield so quickly!

Although he was not fighting with a rifle but investigating the situation, it would still be dangerous.

Then Colonel Durand reminded Charles: "This is a secret operation, Lieutenant. We can't let the Germans know that France is evaluating Antwerp. This will let them know that we have a reinforcement plan. So, you can't discuss it with anyone, including the pilots, understand?"

"Understood, sir!" Charles nodded and swallowed hard. He felt a little cold on his face.

But he still comforted himself in his heart: there would be no danger. If there was any danger, General Gallieni would not send him to this place. Maybe this was just a test for himself!

This thought made Charles feel a little relieved.

But soon he became nervous again. He hadn't even learned how to use a pistol. What if he encountered an enemy? Or would he not encounter an enemy in this mission?

The car drove into a small airport. When Charles saw a wooden biplane that looked like a toy parked on the platform, he was frightened and his face turned pale.

He was not going to take this thing to the battlefield, was he?

"I have never been on a plane, Colonel!" Charles looked at Colonel Durand nervously.

"Then you are lucky!" Durand parked the car next to the plane and raised his head to Charles: "You are about to ride it!"

Charles got out of the car and walked towards the plane tremblingly. Durand added: "Don't worry, Lieutenant! This mission is very safe. We have assigned you the best pilot!"

The pilot was sitting in the cockpit. When he heard this, he turned around and grinned. He was a middle-aged uncle with a greasy face and a small mustache.

"Don't worry!" The pilot shouted to Charles confidently, "It's okay. I can drive it to the destination with my eyes closed!"

However, when Charles climbed into the cabin, he smelled a little bit of alcohol.

He looked at the pilot in horror: "Uncle, have you been drinking?"

The pilot turned around and raised the wine bottle in his hand, and asked enthusiastically: "Would you like some?"

Charles: ...