Chapter 473: How Could They Possibly Attack?
The French army's efforts to reinforce Colonel Driant were far from easy. The Germans had already surrounded Fort Douaumont and occupied all the strategic high points nearby. Every attempt at reinforcement was immediately met with fierce resistance.
Soon, another terrifying development occurred: the Germans had begun mixing poison gas shells with their conventional artillery fire. Soldiers unknowingly inhaled the toxic substances, only realizing the danger when it was already too late. Moreover, the symptoms differed from those previously known, signifying that the Germans had developed a new type of chemical weapon.
(This gas was phosgene. Both sides extensively used it during World War I, totaling around 100,000 tons.)
What made matters worse was that these gases were now delivered by artillery shells instead of the previously used gas canisters. The German army clearly had made thorough preparations for this assault.
Regardless of whether the incoming shells were chemical or conventional, French soldiers were forced to wear gas masks continuously, because no one knew exactly which shells contained poison gas.
Choosing not to wear the mask meant certain death by the time one realized the gas was present.
However, putting on the gas mask significantly reduced visibility, nearly making night combat impossible.
The outcome was inevitable—at approximately eleven o'clock that night, Fort Douaumont fell into German hands.
When Colonel Driant realized he was surrounded, he decided to break through enemy lines, but tragically, a fragment of shrapnel struck him in the back of the head, killing him instantly.
(Note: Colonel Driant was a celebrated hero at Verdun. He fought valiantly alongside 750 soldiers, but by the end, only 94 survived—a casualty rate of almost 90%.)
…
News of the fort's fall quickly reached Paris, enraging the citizens who had spent a sleepless night anxiously awaiting updates from the battlefield.
They knew that Colonel Driant was the same officer who had repeatedly warned General Joffre, warnings which Joffre arrogantly ignored. Now, due to Joffre's incompetence, Driant and his soldiers had died tragically at the hands of the Germans.
In their eyes, General Joffre bore direct responsibility for these deaths.
People flooded the streets carrying flashlights, chanting repeatedly:
"Joffre must be held accountable!"
"We don't need such a Commander-in-Chief!"
"Our soldiers are brave, but their commander is utterly incompetent!"
…
Facing mounting public criticism and overwhelming pressure, Joffre committed further mistakes in command.
After Fort Douaumont fell, the French 72nd Infantry Division, positioned at Brabant, withdrew to the second line of defense without explicit permission.
Retreating from Brabant was a strategically sound decision, as that location was nearly surrounded by German troops already.
(Note: Brabant was the forward position most vulnerable to encirclement after the German breakthrough, located at the left red circle in the previous chapter's map.)
This withdrawal actually highlighted a significant oversight in Joffre's leadership. He should have long ago ordered the division to retreat.
However, upon discovering that the division had withdrawn without his explicit authorization, Joffre exploded in anger, issuing a reckless order:
"Order that division to return immediately and retake the lost position!"
"Not an inch of French soil shall be abandoned!"
"They must fight with everything they have to reclaim it at all costs!"
…
The 72nd Infantry Division had no choice but to launch a desperate counterattack, resulting in catastrophic casualties as they stumbled into the enemy's encirclement.
That night was nothing short of a disaster.
Joffre relentlessly commanded his troops to attack the entrenched Germans, perhaps believing that reclaiming lost territory would silence his critics.
Yet the Germans had precisely anticipated this. In fact, one of their goals was specifically to drain the strength and blood of the French army. Instead of pushing forward, they entrenched themselves within the captured fortifications, methodically mowing down wave after wave of French attackers.
…
As dawn approached, General Gallieni slept fitfully, fully clothed, on a cot in his makeshift quarters, beneath the dim glow of an electric lamp.
Gallieni wanted desperately to intervene at Verdun, but Joffre's stubborn pride kept others at arm's length. Throughout the crisis, Gallieni's headquarters had received scarcely any dispatches from Joffre.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from the corridor outside his room.
Gallieni opened his eyes just as Lieutenant Colonel Fernand's voice sounded urgently through the door, "General, Major Jules has arrived directly from the front line. He insists on speaking with you urgently!"
"Major Jules?" Gallieni muttered sleepily as he rose slowly, fumbling at his bedside for his glasses. He adjusted them thoughtfully, furrowing his brow in confusion. Did he know this man? Was it merely his advancing age playing tricks on him?
Lieutenant Colonel Fernand clarified briefly, "He was Colonel Driant's subordinate."
"Oh," Gallieni responded, immediately alert. "Send him in. Now."
Moments later, Major Jules stood before Gallieni. Under the dim light, it was clear his uniform and face were streaked with blood. His eyes were swollen red, but his clothing remained otherwise intact.
"My sincere condolences, Major," Gallieni said respectfully. "I've heard about Colonel Driant's sacrifice and that of the brave soldiers from the 19th Infantry Regiment. They're true heroes of France."
Major Jules swallowed painfully before responding, "I'm not here because of that, General."
Gallieni frowned, clearly confused, "Then what are you…?"
Major Jules took a deep breath and, standing straight, said firmly, "I hope you'll persuade Parliament to remove General Joffre from his position as Commander-in-Chief."
Gallieni was utterly shocked. He shot up from the bed instantly, his voice turning harsh, almost furious, "You must realize that this is worse than simply going beyond your authority. Your actions border on mutiny—especially in wartime. I could have you shot for this…"
"I understand, General," Major Jules interrupted solemnly and decisively. "You can shoot me if you wish, General. But please respond to my request: remove General Joffre from command!"
Gallieni was startled but also impressed by the young officer's courage.
Facing execution by one's own side differed vastly from dying heroically in battle. Both resulted in death, but the former carried humiliation, while the latter brought glory. For Major Jules to risk a dishonorable death, something extraordinarily grave must have compelled him.
Realizing this, Gallieni's tone softened as he spoke reassuringly:
"I understand your feelings, Major. You want justice for Colonel Driant and your fallen comrades."
"But this approach isn't wise or appropriate."
"This is war. As a soldier, you must understand—it's not solely Joffre's fault…"
Again, Major Jules interrupted Gallieni firmly, "No, General. This isn't about revenge. It's about preventing more soldiers from dying due to Joffre's incompetence."
Saying this, Major Jules reached into his bloodstained uniform and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, presenting it decisively.
"Before I arrived, I conducted a count at the field hospital."
"There are already more than three thousand casualties in the hospital alone."
"If we include those still lying dead or wounded on the battlefield, there are at least ten thousand casualties in total."
Gallieni was deeply shaken, "Ten thousand casualties? In just one night?"
He was stunned. French troops held defensive positions with fortified structures. How could casualties possibly be this high?
Yet Major Jules responded with grim certainty, "I'm absolutely sure, General. Because all night, our troops have been launching continuous assaults."
Gallieni stood speechless, jaw agape in disbelief.
Knowing fully that the Germans were using new chemical weapons, how could anyone possibly order continuous attacks under such conditions?!
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