Chapter 519: Double Blow
"But Namur Fortress isn't suitable for an armored assault," Tijani said anxiously. "In fact, it's completely unsuited for any of our forces, including the mechanized units."
They had discussed this before, multiple times, carefully reviewing maps and strategies. Namur Fortress was located right in front of the Antwerp defensive line, at the confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers. The rivers looped around the area, creating an open ground ideal for artillery placement, which the Germans had cleverly utilized for their defenses.
Attacking here meant either a perilous river crossing or advancing along narrow routes dominated by enemy artillery and hemmed in by dense forests. Infantry might manage, given the cover of trees, but armored and mechanized units, heavily dependent on clear roads and open terrain, would face near-certain destruction.
Tijani's frown deepened as he flipped through the orders again. Finally, he tossed the documents onto the table in frustration. "No, I must inform the British immediately that there's a problem with this plan."
He turned toward the communications room, convinced that the British simply didn't understand the operational needs of armored units, leading them to create this absurd attack plan.
Charles stopped him with a firm voice. "Do you really think the British don't know this?"
Tijani froze, turned around slowly, and asked incredulously, "What do you mean? They must not understand it; otherwise, why would they propose such a thing?"
"No, General," Charles said quietly, his expression serious. "They're doing this precisely because they understand it perfectly."
"Are you suggesting—" Tijani's face drained of color, realization dawning on him, "—that they deliberately set us up?"
Charles nodded gravely. "We are the bait, General. They are intentionally using us as bait."
"Bait?" Tijani looked confused.
Charles explained carefully, "Before launching the Verdun offensive, the Germans staged numerous diversions around Belfort. The British are simply copying that strategy."
Tijani suddenly understood. "By having us attack Namur, we draw German attention and their forces away from other fronts?"
"Exactly," Charles continued. "After our successful advance to Antwerp, the Germans must fear that another rapid breakthrough from Namur could threaten Liège, effectively cutting off their supply lines. They will have no choice but to take our attack seriously."
"And then," Tijani interrupted, fully comprehending now, "the British can exploit our distraction to easily win elsewhere."
Charles nodded again. They had both misunderstood the situation at first. They initially thought the British would simply steal credit from Charles's victories. Instead, the British were setting them up to fail, or even worse, be annihilated. If Charles suffered a defeat, or even fell in battle, the British victory elsewhere would stand out more prominently, bolstering their own prestige.
"They're targeting me," Charles said quietly, feeling responsible for putting his men in danger.
"No, General," Tijani replied, his tone fierce and determined. "They're not just after you personally. They want to crush you, your units, and by extension, the whole of France."
Tijani wasn't simply reassuring Charles; he truly believed this.
"Don't think this is just your issue," Tijani continued firmly. "They're not merely trying to defeat Charles—they're trying to defeat France's Mars, our symbol of hope, and our nation's spirit."
Charles remained silent. Tijani was right: the British wanted to overshadow the French entirely. Charles was simply the most prominent obstacle in their way.
"Now," Tijani said, pointing sharply at the documents, "if we can't refuse this order, what should we do next?"
Charles didn't respond immediately, deep in thought. Who had come up with such a cunning plan? Certainly not Nivelle; he obsessively believed artillery alone could win wars. Not Haig either; the man didn't even trust machine guns, let alone tanks.
Then he remembered someone who had both motive and means: Lord Kitchener, the British Secretary of State for War. Kitchener was powerful enough to defy even the British Parliament and ambitious enough to pursue victory at all costs, aiming for the Prime Ministership one day. Yes, it had to be Kitchener.
Charles finally spoke. "Leak this information publicly."
"What?" Tijani asked, utterly bewildered.
"Our orders to attack Namur," Charles repeated calmly. "Leak it. Make sure everyone knows."
Tijani stared at him, aghast. "If we leak this, the Germans will immediately know our plans! Everyone else keeps their plans secret precisely to avoid this!"
Charles challenged him coolly, "Do you really believe the Germans don't already know?"
Understanding suddenly dawned on Tijani. If the British wanted the Germans to fall for their bait, they'd have deliberately leaked the plan themselves through covert channels.
He thought further and realized Charles's intention. "If we openly spread it everywhere, the Germans will suspect it's bait—after all, nobody reveals their true attack plans publicly."
"More importantly," Charles added, "is revealing the British intentions behind this."
Tijani finally understood completely, his face lighting up excitedly. "Brilliant! The French public will be furious when they learn this. The British have resorted to such despicable tactics, aiming to destroy our best troops in a trap—essentially using the Germans to get rid of Charles."
"My God, I can already picture citizens marching through the streets, demanding justice against the British, especially Nivelle!" Tijani exclaimed.
Charles smiled coldly, thinking inwardly:
If the British think I'm so easily handled, they've gravely underestimated me. The Charles they face now isn't the one from a year ago.
If I manage to win despite all their scheming while their own offensives fail, they'll suffer a double blow—both humiliation and military defeat.
(End of Chapter 519)
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