I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Lagden, French Army Headquarters.

This was Xia Fei's busiest period. After formulating the battle plan, the first issue to address was the supply problem.

"General, the frontline troops are lacking supplies, and our shells and bullets are insufficient to support a large-scale counterattack."

"Especially the artillery, we don't have enough large-caliber artillery to confront the enemy, and our soldiers will suffer heavy casualties during the attack."

"It's not just ammunition; the soldiers' supplies are also severely lacking. Many units report they don't have military boots. Their canvas shoes cannot get through the enemy's barbed wire."

...

A year had passed since the war began.

France was now facing another severe issue: a shortage of supplies and scarce equipment, to the point where they had to ask civilians to bring their own boots when conscripted.

(Note: The shortage of boots rather than uniforms is because the uniforms can be patched and reused when frontline soldiers perish, but the usage of military boots is high, with strict length requirements, making them less reusable.)

Xia Fei coldly responded:

"Then let them bring a pair of boots from home. Did they not need to wear boots before joining the army?"

"Also, prioritize the transportation of ammunition; this is very important."

"After victory, everything will be different. The war is about to end!"

...

Xia Fei was a proud man, and once he had decided on something, nothing could change his mind.

Gallieni's earnest explanations did not stir any reaction in Xia Fei's heart; he always believed he would achieve the final victory.

However, while he was confidently planning the "counterattack," a communications officer came forward and reported: "General, intelligence shows the German Army is gathering around Verdun."

"Verdun?" Xia Fei frowned and immediately found Verdun's position on the map.

Xia Fei looked up at Kanes: "I remember there are many strong fortresses there, right?"

"Yes, General." Kanes hurriedly flipped through the files, although he wasn't prepared for this.

Fortunately, a staff officer promptly found and handed over the information, and Kanes read it with relief: "There are 19 large fortresses and 7 small fortresses there, each with over thirty cannons of 155mm, 120mm, and 75mm calibers."

"My God." Xia Fei exclaimed: "Our frontline troops have no cannons to use, yet Verdun has nearly a thousand cannons? And they include 155mm and 120mm calibers?"

These two calibers were very scarce for the French Army; the entire army had only a few dozen.

"But those are..." Kanes hastily answered: "They are fortress cannons, General. Without artillery, those fortresses are as good as useless. Verdun is the gateway to Paris; it is very important!"

Xia Fei rubbed his chin and thought for a while before slowly saying: "I understand it's important, Kanes. But with Verdun's strong defensive works and so many cannons, why would the Germans attack here? Don't you find it a bit strange?"

Being questioned by Xia Fei, Kanes also found the reasoning logical.

Normally, an attack should target the weak points of the enemy's defense, not the strong fortresses, yet the German Army did the opposite.

"Perhaps because it is close to Paris." Kanes said: "The Germans might want to concentrate their forces to crush our army, attacking Paris to some extent achieve this goal."

"Even so," Xia Fei's eyes roamed the defense line, his finger pointed at the map: "they could still bypass Verdun."

Kanes nodded in agreement. Verdun was just the closest point to Paris.

After a moment of consideration, Xia Fei raised his head: "Bring Kristen here."

Kristen was the only Major General in Xia Fei's army who had commanded armored units in battle and achieved victory, though that victory was under Shire's guidance.

But his combat experience was unmatched.

Xia Fei believed that to match the tactics with the times, one could only rely on a battlefield-seasoned General like Kristen and not staff officers like Kanes who stayed in offices.

Soon, Kristen was standing in front of Xia Fei.

Xia Fei pointed at Verdun's position on the map and asked: "The enemy is gathering in front of Verdun. What do you think?"

Kristen frowned, thinking for a while, and said: "I'm not sure, General. But if it were me, I definitely wouldn't choose to attack here; it's surprising."

Xia Fei hummed in satisfaction, as this aligned with his thoughts.

However, Kristen further analyzed: "But if the Germans are attacking here, I believe they have their reasons."

Xia Fei asked in confusion: "How so?"

Isn't this contradictory?

"Because they have large-caliber giant cannons, General." Kristen explained: "'Big Bertha,' just like they took Belgium's Liege Fortress and Antwerp."

Xia Fei's heart trembled, and this seemed reasonable.

"No, no." Kanes refuted: "General Kristen, you forget we have bombers. Bombers can easily blow 'Big Bertha' to pieces."

"I haven't forgotten." Kristen pointed at the map and explained: "But Shire's aviation units are mostly deployed on the flanks, particularly in northern Belgium. Shire's next step is clearly to extend the defense line further, with Belgium as the focus of his offense."

Xia Fei "oh" understood Kristen's point: "The Germans hope to disperse Shire's aviation units and reduce the pressure on the Belgian front!"

"Yes." Kristen continued to analyze: "Moreover, even if Shire's aviation units were partially deployed to Verdun, it might be difficult to make an impact."

Then Kristen raised his head and looked at Xia Fei, saying word by word: "The Germans can release smoke, which will cover 'Big Bertha's' position, leaving the aviation units unsure where to drop bombs."

Xia Fei agreed deeply: "And our fortresses are stationary targets, only to sit there and be destroyed one by one by the German 'Big Bertha.'"

Xia Fei was inwardly opposed to relying on Shire's aviation units, as he believed it would mean winning with Shire's help. He preferred "self-reliance."

"Exactly so." Kristen concluded:

"Therefore, I believe fortresses have become obsolete. If the enemy has farther-reaching giant cannons, fortresses are merely targets."

"And the artillery placed within our fortresses is a huge waste."

"They could be destroyed by the enemy before even firing a shot, rendering them almost useless!"

Xia Fei nodded heavily: "We should utilize them rather than leaving them to die within fortresses; only mobile artillery has significance."

Kanes looked at Xia Fei in astonishment.

Does this mean, with the Germans gathering forces at Verdun, the Commander-in-Chief not only won't reinforce but will withdraw artillery and troops?