67 – Episode 67 Invasion of France (1)
We were preparing to invade France, but war was not the only option. Alliance-negotiation representatives engaged in a persistent tug-of-war over the end of the war in neutral Switzerland during the month of August.
The Allied camp made it clear that it was willing to strengthen with the West if it could be recognized for its achievements on the Eastern Front and the Balkans.
In response, the negotiating camp argued that the Russian Provisional Government should be recognized as the legitimate government and Belarus and Ukraine should be returned.
The conversation between the two sides ran on parallel lines.
‘Should we have crushed the Russian Provisional Government first?’
However, if the Provisional Government had not been saved, the Soviet Union would have rapidly increased its power.
Archduke Ruprecht, who attended the meeting, grumbled that Britain and France were not sincere in negotiations.
“We, Germany, are already in a victorious position. It is a natural right to take the spoils from a defeated country. “But why are you making such a big noise about our loot?”
“Just be patient. The Kaiser also has high expectations for the meeting.”
To be fair, the Kaiser did not risk everything on the meeting. The Kaiser was simply using the North Korean-style slash-and-burn strategy.
Following the foreign minister’s persuasion, Archduke Ruprecht decided not to make a fuss at the meeting.
When talks resumed, Britain again expressed its hard-line stance.
“If Russia has a responsibility in this war, it would be enough to replace it with the Baltic States and Poland. “Germany is being too greedy.”
“That’s what you think.”
Both sides shouted as if they were talking to a wall, claiming that only each other’s claims were correct. Sometimes, he called the other person behind closed doors and persuaded them, and sometimes he lowered his voice as if to persuade them to offer slightly better conditions.
However, there was no sign of the gap in position being narrowed.
With negotiations reaching a deadlock, the German delegation issued a threat.
“If you want war, we are ready for it too. So take your pick. Lead and peace (Plomo to paz)?”
“We have not learned to give in to threats.”
“Then, I understand that this meeting has collapsed.”
The talks broke down.
In the first place, the Kaiser did not think there was a high possibility that negotiations would take place.
“It is impossible to achieve victory with a pen. “Didn’t Bismarck use his pen after General Moltke had won everything?”
With the last obstacle cleared, the Junkers began their invasion operation.
It was the beginning of ‘the whole of Western Europe.’
*
On September 1, 1915, the German army suddenly invaded France.
The negotiating force deployed on the German-French border began to collapse as soon as the German army attacked.
It was not that the negotiating force lacked preparation or experience.
It was simply a mistake not to anticipate the German army’s ‘cheesy’ war methods.
“Oh, it’s poison gas.”
From the beginning, the German army began flowing large quantities of poison gas into French territory. The clouds of gas billowing in from beyond the horizon in themselves made people afraid. At first, the French soldiers who guarded the trench without realizing it were suffocated by the poison gas.
“hehehe. Kehehehe.”
The soldiers struggled in terrible pain, melting from their eyeballs, but there was no way to survive from the poison gas.
After the French soldiers were ‘neutralized’, German assault troops wearing gas masks entered and steadily disposed of the survivors with flamethrowers and machine guns.
The German army easily broke through the border in this way.
“Aren’t you afraid of international law!”
The French government protested strongly through the Netherlands, but Germany did not even turn its nose.
International law?
I’m currently fighting against your judgment?
The German army crossed the border and reached the Serre de Rivière Line, the line of main resistance. Originally, the German army had to spend more than a week to break through these fortresses, but poison gas solved all problems.
“It’s poison gas!”
The French army was helpless as the gas cloud rushed in without any time to prepare. The German army crossed the Moselle River without any resistance and planted the German flag on the fortress. The border battle went more smoothly than Schlieffen’s plan.
While Germany was advancing toward France, the Entente Powers had their own understanding of Germany’s intentions.
“The German army’s main attack has not yet departed. “They definitely come to Belgium.”
The negotiating forces trusted their own judgment.
The French 5th Army and British 1st Army, which were waiting at the Belgian border, did not move a single step during the border battle.
“No, the Duke of Zhou is coming here!”
Foch, commander of the 20th Corps in Verdun, southern Ardennes, jumped up in frustration.
Since when did the Germans start using secret strategies? That was something stupid Austrians did.
Meanwhile, the French troops on the German-French border were screaming and begging for help.
Joffre also prepared 1.5 Million troops and 8 trenches, but they were useless against the poison gas.
Have you prepared forts or trenches? Poison gas.
Have you gathered your troops to prepare for a counterattack? Poison gas.
Did you set up a defense line along the river? Poison gas.
The Eastern Field Army, shaken by the German army’s doctrine of gas warfare, which continued with poison gas, had no choice but to hold on to the trouser legs of the Supreme Command.
Nevertheless, the Entente Powers did not give up their belief that German troops would come to Belgium. In reality, the size of the German army waiting in the Rhineland could not be ignored.
The German army reached the gates of Verdun in the blink of an eye, using the power of gas.
“Your Excellency, it would be better to abandon Verdun.”
“Do we have to record the history of shame at Verdun again?”
From Noble mtl dot com
Foch was devastated and gave up Verdun and withdrew his troops. It was difficult to endure for long in the face of poisonous gas.
Less than 24 hours after Foch left Verdun, the German army took over the fortress.
The German army began requisitioning supplies without even having time to enjoy victory.
Of course, it was a forced conscription.
When the civilians protested, they gave them compensation.
“No, if you bought wheat, you have to give me money.”
“Military ticket.”
“If you can’t give us pounds, give us dollars.”
“Military ticket.”
“Teacher. I will accept at least a mark. “I really gave in.”
“Military ticket.”
“It’s Mark, teacher, it’s Mark. “I will accept it in marks worth sh*t.”
“Military ticket!”
The German army distributed military stamps in return for the supplies it had conscripted.
Even after seeing this series of situations, the negotiating force was conscious of the threat coming from Belgium.
But I didn’t completely let go.
While the High Command of the Negotiating Powers was sending some reinforcements, the second hook of the German army, which had been waiting at Mosellestellong, departed.
“Lieutenant, our next greeting will be on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.”
“See you then, General.”
The moment a large German army poured out from Mosel-Stelong, Foch’s 20th Corps could do nothing.
The power ratio of almost 1:10 was of no use in trench warfare.
Furthermore, the German army even had poison gas.
The German army mercilessly pushed back the French army and advanced into the interior of France.
“You had a hard time marching here. “Let’s take turns.”
“Try hard, senior.”
The German army maintained the pace of its offensive by rotating new echelons on the French border. Due to the ruthless speed and scale of the German army’s advance, the negotiating forces realized late that they had made a mistake in judgment.
“Gas mask, I guess you have the gas mask ready, right?”
“Of course.”
The British 1st Army, which was in the nearest position, quickly moved south. The negotiating forces were faithfully equipped with gas masks, so it was thought that poison gas would not be a big problem.
That was a big mistake.
The British army that encountered the German army in Nancy, a city on the German-French border, first dug a trench and waited for the enemy to attack with poison gas.
“What are you doing, those guys? “Why aren’t you using gas?”
Instead, the Germans excitedly fired shells.
“Damn. “I can’t see because of the gas mask.”
It was just a snag and inconvenient when trying to avoid using the shelter.
Since the gas cloud was not visible, the soldiers took off their gas masks for a moment.
That was a mistake.
Boom!
The moment the gas shell mixed in with the regular artillery shell exploded, the gas spread in all directions.
“Kehek.”
Soldiers who came into contact with the gas melted from their respiratory organs or eyes and rolled on the ground without even being able to scream.
“It’s poison gas!”
The British soldiers were shocked and hastily put on gas masks.
Even if a regular artillery shell fell, everyone trembled because they were worried about gas bombs. However, wearing only a gas mask made it difficult to breathe and my stamina quickly depleted.
While the British army suffered from gas bombs for three days, the German army rested comfortably and then took up arms.
“Crush those Tommy guys in one fell swoop. Sieg Heil!”
As the German assault force charged with shouts, the British troops struggled to fight back with their exhausted stamina.
However, it was impossible to stop the German army with troops whose physical and mental strength were depleted. The German military dropped gas bombs regardless of front or rear, disrupting cooperation between echelons.
“Retreat, retreat.”
The British army had to retreat shedding blood and tears in the face of the Houthi doctrine implemented two years earlier.
The German army began to advance at a furious pace.