Charles's strategy was intentional—his imdiate deploynt of Shen Billy's sniper company to the front was a deliberate showcase of the 105th Infantry Regint's strength.
"This will force the enemy to use gas against us," Charles said.
"What?" Tijani and Claude turned to him, puzzled.
Captain Claude couldn't understand why Charles would want to provoke the Germans into using gas on his own troops when every other unit was hoping to avoid it. anwhile, Tijani was trying to understand Charles's purpose behind this tactic.
Charles pointed to the Algerian Division's position on the flank, marked on the map. "If the Germans use gas here, the Algerian Division will crumble instantly, splitting our line and trapping us along the coast. If that happens, the 43rd Infantry and the 105th will have no choice but surrender or jump into the sea."
Tijani's eyes widened in realization. "So, you're trying to force the Germans to use gas against us?"
"Yes," Charles nodded. "We're a crack unit, while the Algerians are untested and ill-prepared. If gas affects us all equally, who would the Germans prefer to target?"
Tijani nodded in silent admiration. Of course, they'd try to take out the elite unit. This was human nature. But while targeting the less-prepared Algerians might yield better results, the Germans wouldn't anticipate that.
After a mont's pause, Tijani's brow furrowed. "But, Colonel, I wonder—if everyone knows that the 105th Infantry is your elite force, why would the French even send them to the front line and imdiately show their full strength?"
The Germans aren't fools, Tijani thought. They'd surely suspect a trap if Charles's best troops were so obviously deployed.
"You're learning to see things from the enemy's perspective, General," Charles noted with approval.
Tijani smiled, looking slightly proud. "Fighting alongside you, Colonel—I have no choice but to improve."
Gratitude and respect shone in Tijani's eyes; he considered Charles his ntor.
"Which is why I ca prepared," Charles replied.
"Prepared?" Tijani was confused. What sort of preparation would make the Germans drop their guard?
Captain Claude remained baffled, wondering why they seed to be discussing everything but the most important issue—how to counter the gas itself. Had he missed sothing?
anwhile, Major General Jonas of the German 26th Corps was also trying to piece things together.
Watching his forces retreat like a receding tide, one question echoed in his mind: Why would Charles risk his elite unit at the front so confidently?
To boost morale?
Certainly, bringing in the 105th might montarily bolster French morale. But if they were overwheld by gas like the other units, the result wouldn't just destabilize morale but might push French troops to the brink of terror.
For political gain?
If it were anyone else, Jonas might believe that—but not Charles. Though he'd never t the man, Jonas thought he had so understanding of him.
Charles wasn't a saint, nor was he the unselfish hero the French considered him. And he certainly wasn't the ruthless capitalist many believed him to be. One thing was clear: Charles respected life.
Everything Charles had done so far—from designing tanks to his tactics at Antwerp and Gallipoli—had shown an aim to reduce casualties. Jonas believed that Charles had no real interest in politics but had been forced onto a path that set him against the capitalists.
Such a man would never throw his n into certain death just for political gain.
This left only one possibility: Charles had developed sothing new that could counter the gas, and he was sure of its effectiveness.
"General," a signal officer handed Jonas a telegram. "General Stephen thinks we should release the gas—the wind is favorable now."
Jonas considered it for a mont, then shook his head. "No, sothing feels off here. At least, not in this sector."
If Charles had indeed developed so kind of defense, he might have only been able to equip the 105th Regint with it.
Jonas turned his gaze to the map, contemplating a shift in the attack.
But then a communications officer called from several ters away, holding the receiver. "General, it's General Stephen. He wants to speak with you."
Jonas knew what this call was about. He walked over and took the receiver, imdiately sharing his thoughts, "General, I believe Charles may have developed equipnt that can counteract the gas. We should be cautious."
"No, Jonas," ca Stephen's impatient voice over the line. "This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate the 105th Infantry. Hesitating now may cost us that chance!"
"But the timing of the 105th's arrival at the front—you don't find that suspicious?"
"There's nothing suspicious here, and there's no gas-proof equipnt. Charles only believes he's found a tactical response to the gas."
"A tactical response?"
"Yes!" General Stephen confird. "In today's French dal of Honor newspaper, Charles spoke from the defense headquarters about the gas. He claims it's not as dangerous as believed and that the enemy can't enter the trenches until the gas disperses. So, he's planning to dig extra trenches in the rear to keep the enemy at bay. He's calling this strategy 'mobile defense.'"
Jonas let out a thoughtful "Oh," finally understanding.
Even without all the details, just hearing the term "mobile defense" clarified it.
It actually seed plausible, and Jonas chuckled. But Charles seed to have overlooked one factor: the wind. The Germans would advance in the sa direction as the wind.
As long as the wind blew in their favor, the French soldiers would always be one step behind the Germans—unless Charles could make the wind change directions!
With this, Jonas's doubts vanished.
He believed Charles had no special equipnt. The 105th was there to test Charles's so-called "mobile defense."
Over the line, General Stephen issued the order, "Release the gas and destroy the 105th. This is crucial!"
It wasn't just about taking out an elite regint; it was about shattering French morale and resolve.
"Yes, General," Jonas confird.
After ending the call, he turned to his aide with a resolute tone, "Check the wind direction. Prepare the gas."
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