Back to the Republic of China as a commander

When de Gaulle learned of Bai Chongxi's full plan, he danced with joy and said to Bai Chongxi: "Dear Bai, my friend, please forgive me for misunderstanding you. You must know that this is the beginning of this damn war. The most perfect idea, you will definitely succeed, and you will definitely bring the good news of victory to all the citizens of the Third Republic. Long live the Sino-French friendship.”

Originally, I was worried that the tall young man in front of me would not cooperate with my vision, but now it seems that this worry is unnecessary.However, Bai Chongxi still asked very cautiously: "Dear Charles, you have to know that we are not familiar with the situation in the Lorraine area at all. I need your help. At the same time, the entire battle plan must be kept secret..."

De Gaulle nodded excitedly: "I know, I know, don't worry, my guys and I will fight with your army, and we must keep it secret, you don't know, how much everyone cares about the endless battle for trenches Delay, we feel like we are playing suicide under the command of a bunch of idiots. Well now, with you, my dearest friend Bai, this war will definitely be wonderful because of your genius..."

On May 5th, Xia Liqiu was writing his diary, when the German bombardment rang out, Xia Liqiu could only put down his pen and glanced at Zhao Yanbin and Ma Wenyuan. After everyone moved to the battalion headquarters, the two of them had been communicating with other comrades in arms The experience of fighting the Germans is really a bunch of war madness.And after killing a few people, he seemed to hate this damn war even more.Well, I don't want to think about it, now I'm dead, and according to the rules, it's the Germans' turn to charge next.After yesterday's battle, everyone has become a veteran now. Despite the loud German artillery fire, everyone is still squatting in the bunker and doing their own things.

But this time it seems to be different. Why does the shell emit yellow and green smoke after it hits the ground?At this time, Xue Yue, the head of the group, suddenly heard a loud shout: "No, it's a gas bomb, hurry up and wear a gas mask."

The gas bombs spread very quickly. As soon as everyone put on their gas masks, they rushed into the bunker and filled the air.

The two soldiers who were busy with their hands and feet didn't have time to get their gas masks, and they were immediately fumigated and rolled to the ground, with tears in their eyes and excruciating pain. Damn it, it was sarin gas. Everyone hurriedly covered their noses with towels soaked in urine. , and then find a way to drag them out of the bunker. . .

The effect of the gas bomb attack is very obvious. Although the Japanese who encountered this thing for the first time suffered few casualties, they couldn't stop the German army from approaching because they were in a hurry.The Germans went up with bayonets in hand, and after a scuffle, the Germans destroyed more than a dozen bunkers at once.

The bunker where the battalion headquarters was located was also approached by the Germans, and those tall German soldiers jumped into the trenches.It's still too late to shoot, fuck it, do it!

What Xia Liqiu was facing was a tall German soldier, and now he couldn't help but suffer, the opponent was overthrown by Xia Liqiu in a few strokes.Just as the bayonet was about to be inserted, Zhao Yanbin jumped out suddenly, and was thrown flying by the rifle in the German soldier's hand. Then, taking advantage of the opponent's dazed effort, he stabbed him over with one stab.And this German soldier named Barack from Leverkusen was very lucky, he did not die, and he became the first prisoner of war of the Chinese European Expeditionary Force in World War I.The other soldiers were not as lucky as Xia Liqiu. Before, everyone relied on the bunker to fight against the Germans. Now, if they switched to close combat, they would be fatal.In a short while, a dozen Chinese soldiers were overthrown by the Germans in the narrow trench. At this time, Xue Yue drank a lot, and a few officers came out with a box cannon and shot them in bursts, knocking down two soldiers at once. More than a dozen German soldiers, the Germans saw that the firepower was a bit fierce, and the distance between the two sides was also opened. At the same time, the Chinese artillery also opened fire at this time, cutting off their follow-up troops.If this fight continues, it will definitely suffer. Although the Germans are straight, they are not stupid. They chose to give up this attack and retreated.

After a brief cheer, Xue Yue came to a conclusion. Due to the attack just now, the bunker where the battalion headquarters was located had lost its surrounding support and became a salient, so everyone could only take advantage of this gap to retreat. . .

Chapter 341 Shocking the World ([-])

The same tragic battle was still taking place on Verdun's fourth line of defense. Admiral Nivelle, commander of the French Army Group Verdun, began to fall into a state of despair.The German attack at all costs reduced the number of troops in his hands. The ten-kilometer-long front, 20 unprepared troops, and the loss of a large number of heavy weapons.The entire line of defense was almost breached by the Germans yesterday, and today's situation can only be worse, and reinforcements are still on their way.And Marshal Pétain, the commander-in-chief of the French army, has personally arrived at Verdun. According to his latest order, all reinforcements heading towards Verdun are required to slow down, otherwise, once the defense line is breached, dozens of soldiers exposed in the wilderness will be killed. The Wanfa Army is about to become a meal for the Germans.

Neville felt that he was about to become a sinner of the French Third Republic, and he would end up just like Napoleon III.This feeling is really torturous, and all this is caused by those dishonest Chinese liars, God, let these damn Chinese go to hell with me!

At this time, the supreme commander of the French army is not thinking about how to save the situation, but is wholeheartedly praying to God to send himself and the Chinese to hell.

The French soldiers tried their best, "Behind us is our motherland and relatives. Paris is the enemy stepping on our corpses. Don't leave shame to future generations. Brave French soldiers, even if they die, they will not let us die." The enemy has set foot within our sacred homeland and capital."

The high-spirited Marseillaise was sung again on the positions of the French army. The French soldiers bravely fought the final death battle with the German soldiers. Facing the German soldiers who were getting closer and closer, they were fearless. What they are afraid of, they will use their lives and blood to defend the French Third Republic. . .

Marshal Hindenburg, the chief of the German general staff, came to the front line stepping on the muddy ground, because General Ludendorff, who was in charge of this offensive, had just assured himself that he would break through the Verdun defense line within today.This is something that the Second German Reich failed to achieve in 1916 after paying 50 lives and a large amount of supplies, but it was about to come true in the summer of 1917.

"Ludendorff, I want to know where your confidence comes from?" Marshal Hindenburg asked without getting angry.

General Ludendorff, who came from the lower ranks of the empire, reported confidently: "Please rest assured, Marshal, this line of defense can be breached at any time, because the French army has no reinforcements and has lost their heavy weapons. Now all they can rely on is that little bit." Poor spirit."

Speaking of the formation of a good relationship between Ludendorff and Hindenburg, there are still certain historical reasons.Due to Ludendorff's lower-middle-class origin and the strict hierarchical concept of the German Imperial Army (he was not a nobleman at this time), he could not be appointed as a commander.But this arrangement resulted in the brilliant Hindenburg-Ludendorff pairing, which had a major impact on the whole of Germany.

But now, whether it is Hindenburg or Ludendorff is waiting, waiting for the moment when the German army breaks through the last line of defense of the French army, and now both sides know that this moment is not far away. . .

At 5:16 pm on May 5, on the left side of the Verdun defense line, the German army captured three positions in a row, tearing a 27-meter-long opening in the entire flank of the French army.The combat determination of the French Army Command was finally completely shaken. Although the combat troops below were still trying to mobilize the last soldier to launch a counterattack at this opening, everyone knew that it was futile.Seeing the hope of victory, the German army launched the last and most ferocious attack, and the fourth line of defense of Verdun was finally completely defeated. 300+ French troops fled toward the Fortress of Verdun like loose sand, and the Germans did not continue to pursue them. According to General Ludendorff's plan, about 10,000 German troops will lose their equipment and supplies and morale The depressed French army besieged the Fortress of Verdun and forced it to surrender. At the same time, about 30 German troops will bypass the Fortress of Verdun and build a new line of defense behind it. Press it down aggressively, I believe that there is not much power in France that can stop the victory of the empire.

Just as the entire German command was cheering for the German army to successfully break through the last line of defense at Verdun, Marshal Hindenburg suddenly asked a very unpleasant question: "Has the Warburg area not been taken yet? Those damn Chinese Where are people still resisting?"

General Ludendorff was not responsible for this matter, but the general in charge of the offensive in this area did not know how to answer.This is really embarrassing. Here, General Ludendorff easily defeated 35 French troops with 20 troops, while he himself attacked more than 2 squadrons with [-] troops, causing more than [-] casualties. There is no progress, so I am really sorry to say it!

When everyone was silent, a young staff officer suddenly ran in and said: "Report, the Metz Regional Police Command urgently called, the Chinese squadron appeared in the Metz area, and took advantage of the false attack to enter the urban area. The strength is estimated The number is more than [-], and now the army of the empire is relying on the city defenses to carry out the final resistance, and I request your Excellency the Marshal for reinforcements."

What, the Chinese actually appeared in Metz!Everyone, including Field Marshal Hindenburg and General Ludendorff, was stunned to hear the news. . .

At this moment, Bai Chongxi and de Gaulle were standing less than three kilometers away from Metz. The vanguard of the entire expedition was Xia Wei's third division. They almost rushed into the undefended city of Metz at the fastest speed. city ​​of.For the guards, or strictly speaking, the German troops stationed in the city of Metz, May 5 can be regarded as a disastrous day.Some German soldiers who had just finished their Chinese meal and were about to take advantage of the short clear weather to take a stroll on the street suddenly saw a large group of Asian soldiers in French uniforms but with German helmets running away from them with weapons But what a surprise this is.At least these German soldiers were stunned at the time. They had no weapons to resist them, and they had no sense of responsibility to surrender.So they could only stand on the side of the road stupidly, motionless, until someone pointed a black muzzle at them, and they would remember to put their hands on their heads, which is an act permitted by His Majesty the German Emperor.

Also extremely surprising are the residents of Metz. It is said that they are all French, but they have existed as German citizens for nearly 50 years.But only 50 years can't change their perception of their nationality. Just yesterday they got a very sad news. The German army's raid in Verdun achieved unprecedented success, and France may be about to perish.But just after lunch today, they were surprised to find that the troops of the Allied Powers appeared beside them. Although they were Asians, they were not important.The important thing is that the Germans seem to have lied, and perhaps they are the ones who will lose.

With the help of the French soldiers assigned to the Chinese Expeditionary Force, the residents of Metz quickly stood up and led the soldiers of the Expeditionary Army. The key departments of the German army stationed in the Metz area were quickly shot down. It was occupied with weapons, and the Germans inside didn't even have time to resist. They didn't even know what happened?Is today April Fool's Day?

In addition to being resisted by the German army near the garrison headquarters, almost 9427 of the [-] German soldiers in the entire Metz area were captured without having experienced combat and were confused about the situation. For these Germans, being captured may not be a bad thing, at least for them the war is over.

At 5:16 pm on May [-], after half an hour of resistance, the [-] German troops in the garrison headquarters were all wiped out. A large number of grenades caused heavy casualties to the German army.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the German army in Metz had already sent a report to the German army on the Verdun front, but due to the forward movement of the command post, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon when the telegram was sent to Hindenburg. left and right.God still took care of the Germans at the last moment, because at this time the German army had already defeated the French army commanded by Nivelle. . .

The news of the fall of Metz is really terrible for the German army that just won the victory in Verdun. You must know that about 50.00% of the materials prepared for this battle are still piled up in the warehouse of Metz. In addition, there are more than 100 The heavy artillery transferred from the navy was also placed in Metz.To make matters worse, due to being far away from the front line, Metz has no trenches and fortifications, and most of the guarding forces are supply troops that have never been on the battlefield.

"Now we're in big trouble, Ludendorff," Marshal Hindenburg said nervously. "How did those damned Chinese get there?"

Ludendorff immediately pulled out a military map, looked at it for a few minutes, and said: "Your Excellency, Marshal, I think we may have to give up the victory that is already at our fingertips. Once these cunning Chinese capture the Lorraine area, they can Entering the confidant of the empire through Luxembourg, and this is exactly what His Majesty the Emperor cannot tolerate. What's worse, if we don't give up this victory, we will not be able to persist because of insufficient follow-up materials. What we can do now It can only be a quick return to help, to recover Metz before the Chinese, and at the same time to return to Luxembourg first to defend the gate of the empire."

"What, isn't that the same as opening the door to Verdun and giving up the Lorraine and Alsace regions to the French?" Marshal Hindenburg couldn't help shouting.

Ludendorff didn't speak, he just looked at Your Excellency the Marshal with a painful face, secretly cursing the cunning of the Chinese, but he still insisted with a clear mind: "Your Excellency Marshal, we have already severely damaged the French army. Both we and the Chinese have obtained what we need. What we have to do now is to go back to Metz and wipe out or drive the Chinese away. In short, we can't continue to attack. I believe that a large number of French troops are heading towards Verdun Hurry up. No matter what the final result is, the Allied Powers in the western section of the entire western front will no longer have enough troops to fight. Our strategic goal has been achieved. Now what we have to do is to maintain stability in the eastern section, so that our glorious Only peace is possible. . . ”

Chapter 342 Legend of the Famous General

Walking into the building where the Mesd Army Garrison Command is located, although the corpses here have been removed by the soldiers, the thick blood in the air and the blood in the room cannot be cleaned up.Bai Chongxi with a serious face looked at the excited De Gaulle and said in surprise: "Dear Charles, my friend, why do you look so happy?"

De Gaulle could no longer restrain his happiness, and laughed heartily: "Bai, my friend, it is difficult for you to understand the happiness of a Frenchman, you know? We are making history. For 45 years, we are the first batch to set foot on the The French people in the Lorraine area, this is a shame that we have always kept in our hearts, and we have never dared to forget it. Can you understand? When the news reaches Paris, it is estimated that the entire Champs Elysees will be boiling."

It is not difficult for Bai Chongxi to understand the feelings of the French, but he still feels that De Gaulle is a little too excited. If this is calculated according to the logic of the French, the Chinese people will die of depression. Counting from the first Opium War in 1840, this There is no day of peace of mind in China, and you, the French, have contributed to it.If I had known earlier, I would have persuaded the commander-in-chief to join the Allied war, so that when the Louvre was taken down, I could rob it first and then order it to be set on fire. At that time, I would also leave a ruin for you French people to mourn once a year.Thinking far away, what De Gaulle said reminded Bai Chongxi.

"Staff, send electricity to the Allied Forces Command. The main force of the Chinese European Expeditionary Force and Captain Charles de Gaulle, the French Advisory Group, captured the important German town of Metz, killed countless captured German soldiers, and seized some supplies. We request the Allied Forces to launch a counterattack in front of Verdun to expand the results of the war. "

At this moment, a court judge ran over and chattered to de Gaulle for a while, and de Gaulle said to Bai Chongxi even more excitedly: "Bai, a great harvest, we found 100 210mm caliber naval heavy guns, the German munitions in Metz Curry."

Bai Chongxi had never seen such a big cannon, and immediately rushed over to see it with Charles de Gaulle and the others excitedly, so the next disaster for the German army began. . .

Admiral Nivelle is now suicidal. After watching the horror scene of the 10,000+ French troops retreating from the fourth line of defense, he asked his staff to report to the Paris War Department that Verdun fell. soon.

When the telegram was sent to Paris, Prime Minister Clemenceau, who was presiding over the military affairs conference at the Ministry of War, slapped the table in great grief and shouted loudly: "Gentlemen, the French Third Republic has reached the most critical moment, and now it is time for us to show our courage. Time to defend Paris."

Marshal Pétain, commander-in-chief of the French army, and Marshal Fuchs, chief of staff, who were at the meeting, looked at each other dumbfounded. They deployed 50 troops in the Verdun area, and they were penetrated by the German army in just two days. God, what the hell happened?

Marshal Foch roared extremely angrily: "We should now hold those cowardly Chinese leaders accountable. We handed over the most important position in France to them, but they unceremoniously threw it to the Germans. We must not let them go!" pass them."

Hearing this, Marshal Petain shook his head and said, "I'm afraid we don't have the time and energy to do this now. Your Excellency Marshal Fuchs, we may have to think a little bit about it. The army that has already left for Verdun is now Should I be transferred back to defend Paris, or should I continue to retake Verdun?"

Then, in front of Prime Minister Clemenceau, everyone started a new round of quarrels, and the captain's staff, who was holding the Chinese Expeditionary Army's victory telegram, stood at the door of the conference room and dared not go in for a while.It was about 70 o'clock in the evening. After all, all the people here are in their [-]s and [-]s, so everyone was tired from the noise and decided to stop to eat something.The staff officer who sent the telegram boldly walked in. Clemenceau felt his heart hurt a little, so he didn't get up in a hurry. He took the telegram from the staff officer and saw that his mind was filled with a wonderful feeling. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he immediately handed the telegram to Marshal Petain who was standing beside him.

Marshal Pétain looked at the telegram with a knowing smile, and then said to the confused Marshal Foch and others: "It's all right now, gentlemen, I think our quarrel just now was all in vain, if this damn telegram Had it been brought in at the beginning, we should be popping champagne by now."

So that poor staff officer became the object of reprimand by these bosses. This guy actually failed to capture the French army (De Gaulle and his five hundred brothers were upgraded to representatives of the French army at this moment) and the Chinese expeditionary force to capture Metz in time. Such an important message to tell yourself these people.And everyone was starving to death. If it wasn't for lack of strength, these stubborn old men would have liked to beat up the poor little staff officer themselves.

But this unpleasant point was soon forgotten by everyone, Metz, our army actually conquered Metz, this is the first time that the French army entered the Lorraine area in 45 years, what a shame!

Prime Minister Clemenceau, who has always been a strong character, experienced the loss of Verdun and the recovery of Lorraine (the French are really good at expanding their achievements. Is the recovery of Metz equal to the recovery of Lorraine?) This news alternates between sadness and joy. Under the shock, he couldn't help but burst into tears, and started to cry happily. This damn war has been going on for too long, and the pressure he bears is indeed too great.

I don't know who was the first to sing the impassioned Marseillaise, and everyone responded one after another.

And Marshal Foch's mind was spinning fast. Regardless of his age, he jumped onto the table and shouted loudly: "Gentlemen, this is an offensive victory, a victory for France, and we need to take this victory now." News to all France, let all citizens celebrate with us, Long live France!"

"Long live France" Marshal Petain didn't agree with what kind of offensive victory this was, but he didn't like to argue about anything at this time, so he shouted long live.

Then Pétain also shouted loudly: "I propose to promote our Captain de Gaulle to be the colonel of the French Legion of Honor in Lorraine. He and his comrades are the pride of the French Third Republic." One can disagree with that.

The news of the Allied capture of Metz spread like wings throughout Paris and France, and now everyone knew that the Germans were in big trouble.