Chapter 514: The Chantilly Conference
It was a warm winter. Normally, the leaves of the plane trees would have fallen by October, but this year, they lingered until mid-November, drifting slowly and reluctantly downward.
Sixty kilometers north of Paris, perched atop rugged cliffs overlooking the Nonette Valley, stood the medieval Château de Chantilly. The castle, built within sprawling woodlands, had been closed to visitors since the war began. People had little interest in leisure outings during wartime, preferring instead to exchange entrance fees for bread—at least that would fill their stomachs.
Today, however, the usually desolate castle bustled with activity. Armed soldiers guarded every corner of the overgrown lawns, establishing checkpoints, blocking roads, and patrolling forest edges. Vehicles carrying high-ranking officers moved constantly along the gravel roads. Some officers wore British peaked caps, others the kepis of the French military.
(Above: Château de Chantilly near Paris; frequently used for Allied conferences during World War I.)
(Above: Interior view of Château de Chantilly.)
The castle's meeting hall, though not large, accommodated dozens of generals and senior officers. Among them were prominent names like Gallieni, Pétain, Haig, and Lieutenant General Ives, recently appointed commander of Antwerp's defenses. Quiet conversations occasionally punctuated by amused laughter filled the room.
Gallieni, seated prominently as Minister of War, glanced around discreetly, noting with displeasure Charles's absence.
Seated beside him, Pétain leaned in subtly, whispering, "Minister, do you see that mustached British general seated in the second row?"
Gallieni quickly cast his eyes across the British officers, responding softly, "Yes—what about him?"
"That's Lieutenant General Ives," Pétain explained quietly, "the new commander responsible for the Antwerp defenses."
Pétain's meaning was clear: with Ives in command, Charles's presence had deliberately been rendered unnecessary.
"Damn it," Gallieni cursed quietly. "Those fools have deliberately excluded Charles once again."
"They fear Charles's presence would make things awkward," Pétain replied dryly.
Charles had warned Pétain previously about this exact scenario. Once Nivelle became Commander-in-Chief, operational plans would inevitably reflect British interests. It was the price France paid for British material support.
In other words, Nivelle had willingly sacrificed French interests for his personal gain.
Gallieni's expression darkened considerably. Even at such a crucial juncture, Allied generals stubbornly prioritized internal politics over strategic necessity. He was deeply frustrated by this fact.
Just then, Nivelle entered briskly, head held high, proudly displaying his fresh lieutenant general's uniform. Though he tried maintaining a neutral expression, arrogance shone unmistakably from his eyes.
"Gentlemen," Nivelle addressed the gathering authoritatively, waiting briefly until silence settled over the room. "If the Germans knew we were meeting here today, they'd surely lose sleep. After all, we gather here to decide their fate!"
Generals around the room laughed politely, though Gallieni and Pétain remained silent—not due to a lack of humor, but because they doubted such grandiose claims. Gallieni particularly felt a meeting without Charles's participation lacked significance. Charles held command of crucial armored, mechanized, and air forces—weren't these essential for any planned operations?
Especially air forces!
Meanwhile, Pétain anxiously suspected yet another major offensive was coming. He couldn't comprehend why commanders repeatedly sent soldiers charging directly into enemy guns and artillery when defensive tactics consistently inflicted heavier enemy casualties.
Victory? Territory?
What did these matter if soldiers were sacrificed until none remained?
An aide slowly unfurled a large strategic map along the eastern wall. Nivelle confidently strode forward, pointer in hand. "First, allow me to thank General Pétain," he said, gesturing graciously toward him.
Reluctantly, Pétain stood, nodding curtly to scattered applause.
"As you all know," Nivelle continued grandly, "General Pétain successfully defended Verdun against overwhelming German numbers and artillery. French courage held firm, denying the enemy even a single step forward! France is forever grateful to General Pétain and our heroic soldiers."
Applause rang out again, louder than before. Yet, Pétain looked uncomfortable as murmurs rippled quietly among the French generals:
"They've completely ignored Charles's contributions."
"Even now, Verdun heavily relies on Charles's landmines and directional explosives. Yet not a single mention!"
"Was it really Pétain alone who saved Verdun? I don't think so."
Gallieni quickly understood Nivelle's intent. Praising Pétain publicly was an attempt to court him, pulling the influential general toward his faction.
Internally, the French Army was sharply divided: the traditional "Offensive Faction," Pétain's "Defensive Faction," and Charles's rapidly rising influence. The Offensive Faction dominated mainstream opinion, deeply rooted in French and British military tradition.
Charles's innovative tactics represented new methods and undeniable successes, challenging old conventions.
Pétain's defensive strategy remained isolated, lacking either broad popularity or Charles's striking victories. Yet with the Offensive and Charles factions competing intensely, Pétain's support had become crucial. Clearly recognizing his newfound leverage, Pétain remained silently uncertain, calculating which side better aligned with France's true interests.
Nivelle produced several telegrams dramatically. "Before we discuss strategy, a brief update: German artillery at Verdun now numbers over two thousand guns, firing tens of thousands of shells daily. General Pétain can attest to the ferocity of this bombardment."
Pétain nodded grimly. "Indeed. At times, it feels as if the Germans have poured their entire national munitions stockpile upon our trenches."
Nivelle seized on this admission triumphantly. "Exactly my point! If the Germans have committed so heavily to Verdun, other sectors must be drastically weakened. This presents a golden opportunity!"
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