I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Copying Tactics

Berlin, Germany, Wilhelm Street.

In previous years, Berlin often saw snow in early December. Perhaps due to the harshness of war, the first snowfall arrived a little earlier this year.

The swirling snowflakes disappeared soon after landing on the ground, only leaving a thin layer of white on the branches and the tops of walls, resembling the white hats worn by Santa Claus.

Inside the General Staff Headquarters, Falkenhayn sat leisurely at his desk sipping a steaming cup of coffee. With the Seventh Transport Division producing Germany's own tanks, he finally felt that the gap between Germany and the enemy was not as vast as it once seemed.

But more importantly...

"Intelligence has confirmed it!" Colonel Moritz said as he handed over a telegram. "The one commanding the attack toward Cape Town is Joffre."

"Are you sure it's not Charles?" Falkenhayn asked again.

"Definitely not Charles!" Colonel Moritz answered firmly. "Our intelligence operatives have verified the unit number of the attacking force. It's Joffre's troops, not the 5th and 6th Armies under Gallieni's command."

Falkenhayn responded with a satisfied "Hmm," and then asked, "What about the airplanes?"

The First Air Squadron had been formed by Charles, and wherever the First Air Squadron was, Charles was sure to be present. This was no longer a secret.

...

When Falkenhayn first learned of the situation, he was startled. He had even prepared for reinforcements.

"Immediately withdraw three infantry divisions for reinforcements!" Falkenhayn’s face turned pale.

Colonel Moritz was confused: "The enemy has only gathered three divisions, while we already have four divisions on the front line..."

"But it's Charles!" Falkenhayn interrupted. "We can never predict what he's going to do, we don't know where he'll strike, how many troops he’ll have, or what tactics and new equipment he'll employ. The only thing we can do is block him with more troops!"

"Understood, General!" Colonel Moritz replied and turned to pass the orders.

Soon, the atmosphere in the headquarters changed. It became tense and oppressive, with some staff members even showing signs of fear. Like Falkenhayn, they had lost confidence after being repeatedly outmaneuvered by Charles.

This atmosphere spread like an infection outside the headquarters, reaching the frontline. The 4th Reserve Army stationed at Cape Town became equally anxious, with the entire force on high alert, preparing for combat.

However...

At this moment, news arrived that the attack was being led by the French Commander-in-Chief, Joffre. Everyone sighed in unison, relieved.

"Unbelievable!" Falkenhayn was puzzled when he heard the news. "Charles has been winning, he’s never failed, yet they didn’t let him lead? Even the First Air Squadron he built isn’t under his command. Why is that?"

Colonel Moritz responded with a knowing tone: "Perhaps it's because Charles has offended the French Commander-in-Chief."

Falkenhayn gave a thoughtful "Hmm" and then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "So this is what they call a parliament, is it?"

"Exactly," Colonel Moritz responded sarcastically. "In the parliament, the one who leads is not the most capable, but the one with the most power!"

Falkenhayn nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes.

"We’ve also cleared up the situation with the planes!" Colonel Moritz continued, handing over another telegram. "The planes overhead are indeed Charles’s First Air Squadron. It was transferred to the front by Joffre."

Falkenhayn’s expression changed: "Did they transfer Charles as well?"

He knew that Charles was the squadron leader of the First Air Squadron.

"No, General," Colonel Moritz shook his head with disdain. "They excluded Charles, just as I said. They want to sideline him. Of course, they wouldn't let him take part in this battle."

Falkenhayn chuckled: "I like this Commander-in-Chief!"

Colonel Moritz agreed: "I do too. I really hope we get the chance to thank him in person!"

They exchanged smiles.

After a while, Colonel Moritz asked: "So, do we still need to send three infantry divisions for reinforcements?"

Falkenhayn wiped the smile from his face and stared at the map for a moment, his tone light: "No, Moritz, we should send four infantry divisions."

Colonel Moritz thought he misheard: "Four infantry divisions?"

"Yes!" Falkenhayn nodded lightly, then picked up his coffee and took a relaxed sip before asking casually, "I’ve heard that Joffre’s tanks have received new orders?"

"Yes!" Colonel Moritz replied. "The 'Saint Chamond' and the CA-1."

Falkenhayn nodded: "The First Air Squadron, tanks, and Cape Town..."

Falkenhayn tapped a point on the map with his finger and then asked, "What do you think?"

Colonel Moritz looked at the Cape Town defense line beneath Falkenhayn’s finger, suddenly realizing: "Cape Town is a salient. Do you mean Joffre plans to replicate the Lafox battle?"

Falkenhayn smiled without answering, instead blowing gently on his coffee before taking a long sip.

"But, General," Colonel Moritz said, "this is a tactic Charles just used. For Joffre to blatantly copy it..."

"That's why he chose Cape Town," Falkenhayn placed his coffee cup on an empty spot on the table and interrupted Colonel Moritz. "Lafox only had one infantry regiment and two artillery regiments. If Joffre manages to encircle all four of Cape Town's divisions, do you think anyone will care whose tactics he’s copying?"

Colonel Moritz thought about it and saw the logic. Moreover, the propaganda machinery was under Joffre’s control. As long as they downplayed the tactics and didn’t report on them, the people would still cheer for Joffre’s achievements.

Falkenhayn continued his analysis: "The three divisions Joffre is using for the frontal assault are probably just a feint. His real strength is likely positioned on the two wings of Cape Town. I estimate he’ll place one to two divisions on each wing, with a large number of tanks for breakthroughs!"

Colonel Moritz was speechless. If this was true, Joffre would completely replicate the Lafox battle.

But on second thought, the French military had lacked tactics for decades. They always attacked, attacked, and attacked again, the same way, over and over.

Now, suddenly, Charles had employed a fresh and innovative encirclement tactic, so copying it should be expected.

"Then!" Colonel Moritz pointed at the map and said, "If we split our four divisions into two parts, ambushing them on the two wings, and wait for the French to break through the line and enter our defenses, we can reclaim the line. The units they send for the breakthrough will..."

Falkenhayn and Colonel Moritz exchanged a smile. They seemed to already envision Joffre's frustration.

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