I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Breakout

Before the battle, Major General Christine maintained an infantry mindset, habitually overlooking the quarry.

The quarry posed little threat to infantry; they could easily cross it, and could even find additional cover there.

However, the quarry's special terrain was lethal to the CA-1 and "Saint-Chamond" tanks. As long as there was a stone on the ground, it could trap the tanks' exposed turrets, causing their tracks to dangle in mid-air and making it impossible to cross.

(Note: It’s not easy for tanks to cross stone barriers, particularly like the tanks crossing concrete barriers.)
The area around the quarry was littered with scraps discarded by workers, some of which were piled up on the roadside.

The surface of this area seemed barren, but there was only one road the tanks could use. If the Germans blocked that road with artillery, the French forces would be unable to maneuver.

"Boom! Boom!"
The sound of artillery shells erupted near the road.

Christine gave loud orders to the troops to organize a defense amid the explosions. He knew this was an enemy trap, and the best response should have been to preserve strength.

However, due to Foch's previous orders and everyone’s belief that victory was near, the messenger galloping on horseback had not yet delivered the command to "organize a defense" to the front lines. The first regiment, at the very front, could not wait and had already launched an attack with the tanks.

Rows of infantry in red military trousers surged toward the enemy, but bullets and shells whistled from the rain, knocking them down one by one before they could even see the enemy.

"Tanks! We need tanks!" someone shouted.

Soon, the tanks were brought up, but the infantry found that they were ineffective. The tanks had to weave carefully between rubble and craters, avoiding every obstacle. One wrong move and they would become stuck and immovable.

Finally, a few tanks managed to squeeze through, but the soldiers were shocked to find that German bullets could easily punch holes through the tanks' frontal armor.

What was even worse, the Germans had learned from previous battles and knew that the fuel tanks of the CA-1 were located on top of the tank.

(Note: The CA-1 had no fuel pump; its fuel tank relied entirely on the weight of the gasoline to supply the engine, so the fuel tank was located on top of the tank.)
Thus, their K-shells and anti-tank rifles were aimed at the top of the CA-1, shooting holes into the fuel tank.

Gasoline sprayed out along the way, but the French soldiers remained unaware.

In the heat of battle, no one would notice whether the liquid falling from the top of the tank was rainwater or gasoline. They continued to fire and shout as they charged toward the enemy's defensive line.

Meanwhile, the commander swung his saber and shouted:

"Victory is just ahead, boys!"

"Charge through this line, and our comrades will be waiting for us over there! Forward!"

...

Boom! Several more shells exploded, and finally, the gasoline was ignited.

Amid the rain, a great flame leapt into the air, engulfing the soldiers. They screamed in terror and pain. At first, they frantically tried to pat it out, but soon the pain drove them to run wildly, arms flailing, seemingly trying to escape. But the flames clung to them like demons, entangling them mercilessly.

In the end, one by one, they collapsed in different positions, motionless. The fire still consumed their bodies, and the air was thick with a suffocating, burnt odor.

But this was only the beginning...

Soon, the flames spread along the trail of gasoline to the source. With a deafening "Boom!", the CA-1 tank exploded into a massive red fireball, and the nearby soldiers were instantly enveloped. The very tank that had been meant to protect them became the source of death.

The burning CA-1 tank continued to crawl forward, like a moving fire coffin, spreading death and danger to other areas.

One after another, the CA-1 tanks were ignited. They created a perfect fire wall in the open field, blocking the view and progress of the rear units. The Germans, using the flames as targets, poured bullets and shells into the French soldiers trapped behind.

Several "Saint-Chamond" tanks were also trapped in the inferno. The tank crews could not escape and climbed to the tops of the tanks, crying out in desperation. But they, too, were consumed by the relentless flames.

Major General Christine, who had been trying to regroup the troops, was stunned by this scene. He could hardly believe his eyes. This was a purgatory—one tailor-made for the French infiltrating forces.

He knew that this mission had completely failed. To be exact, it was not just a failure, but the enemy had encircled them, and escaping alive was going to be nearly impossible!

Just then, the messenger at the radio reported loudly, "General, the Supreme Commander orders you to continue advancing. He says that breaking through the enemy’s defenses is the victory!"

...

At the French high command, the sudden shift in the battle's course caused the staff officers to fall into a state of panic and confusion.

One after another, distress messages piled onto Foch’s desk:

"Tram has been attacked by the enemy!"

"Rodes has fallen!"

"The First Special Artillery Division has been ambushed and is trapped at the Boulc quarry, suffering heavy casualties."

"The Second Special Artillery Division is stuck near Carlos Town and cannot move; they have encountered German tanks!"

...

The Second Special Artillery Division was advancing along a road flanked by high ground when the Germans, having fortified the high ground, launched a double envelopment. The exit was blocked by artillery, and the retreat route was suddenly confronted by a German tank division.

Cold sweat immediately ran down Foch's forehead as he realized that Gallieni had been right. This was a trap specifically set for the infiltrating forces.

"General!" Carnes swallowed nervously. "Give the order, please. Our forces are infiltrators, and we didn’t bring much ammunition for speed..."

Foch nodded helplessly. "Break out!"

This meant that all their hopes of victory had turned to nothing, leaving only a laughingstock.

"But where do we break out to?" Carnes asked, anxious. "Tram and Rodes have already been recaptured by the Germans."

"Then we will take them back!" Foch answered angrily. "We still have tanks—let's send them in!"

Foch still had a reserve force in the Cape Town area.

To be exact, it wasn’t a reserve; it was a force meant to draw the Germans' attention and make them believe that the French would launch their main assault there. But the Germans had clearly seen through it.

Carnes replied, "General, intelligence from the front lines shows that German rifles can penetrate our tanks' 17mm frontal armor, though we still don’t know how they do it."

Foch was stunned.

This meant the tanks were useless, and it was impossible to use them to reopen the retreat route and save the infiltrating forces.

After thinking for a moment, Foch gritted his teeth and gave the order. "Break out from Cape Town and strike them from both sides. We will save them!"

"Yes, General!" Carnes responded and went off to convey the orders.

But in his heart, he thought, now, perhaps only Charles can save them!

Table of content - Next Chapter >>>