Chapter 841 Everyone is wrong
Montberg is a famous champagne producing area, growing top grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

It is 288 meters above sea level and is not a high mountain, but the terrain is undulating and continuous, standing to the south of Reims to form a natural barrier.

In particular, there is a place called “Rance Valley”, where the road runs along a rift valley that is only 300 meters wide and two miles long.

It is like a checkpoint. If you control it, you can keep the enemy’s armored and mechanized forces out.

……

Charles led the Franco-American forces to camp outside the Reims Valley. They arrived here at around eight o’clock in the evening, but did not rush to attack because it was getting dark.

Pershing disagreed.

In a cave with a black cloth covering the entrance, Pershing analyzed the map under the dim oil lamp:

“Mount Mombech is not suitable for armored operations, Lieutenant General.”

“There are vineyards and forests everywhere. Although the terrain is not high, there are many obstacles. It is impossible for tanks to go up.”

“I think the best thing to do is to launch an infantry attack under cover of darkness, as the Germans did.”

The US military had more than 30 infantrymen among its 20 troops, and Pershing believed that these troops were enough to capture Mount Mombahe.

“Like the Germans?” Charles asked.

Pershing understood what Charles meant: “I know that the Germans will definitely take precautions, but we have no other choice.”

Charles reminded:
“It’s not just a question of being prepared or not, General.”

“You are new soldiers with no night training. You can easily get into chaos under enemy fire.”

“The Germans even laid mines in front of the position. They have turned the position into a minefield. You also have no experience in mine clearance.”

(Note: Landmines were still a very new piece of equipment for the US military at this time.)
Pershing replied dejectedly:

“I know, but isn’t it more dangerous at daybreak?”

“We will then have to face enemy mortars, machine guns, flamethrowers, and we won’t even have the chance to get close to the enemy trenches.”

“And we don’t have time, Admiral.”

Pershing was referring to the German reinforcements, the 17th Army, which was on its way and would probably arrive tomorrow.

The reason why the Germans did not stop Charles’ troops and allowed them to arrive here was because of the 17th Army.

As soon as the 17th Army arrived, Charles’ troops would be surrounded by the German army.

Therefore, Charles’ march was like walking into a trap for the German army.

Charles didn’t explain. He said calmly, “Don’t worry, General. Everything is under control. The most important thing now is to sleep. We will be busy tomorrow!”

As he said this, Charles yawned, walked over to the bed that the orderly had built with an ammunition box, and lay down. After a while, he even started snoring a little.

Pershing was stunned.

At this time, when time is so tight, when every minute and every second can determine the life and death of more than 30 troops and even the entire Meuse River defense line, how could he actually sleep?

Patton and Williams were as anxious as Pershing, and they spent the whole night thinking about how to break through the Rance Valley.

But the end result is almost always:

“No, if we fight like this, we will all be wiped out on the way of the charge.”

“The vineyard is a major obstacle. While it keeps us from being discovered, it also blocks our view and prevents us from spotting the enemy.”

“And the enemy’s mortars could blow us and the vineyards into the sky!”

“We really shouldn’t have lost this strategic location. Now the price we’re paying is probably hundreds of thousands of casualties, or possibly worse.”

The French and American soldiers, on the other hand, were quite at ease, and were sleeping soundly in their fortification tents.

……

In the sleeping Paris, many people also stayed up all night waiting for news from the front.

Reporters sat in their offices drinking strong coffee and waiting by the phone, speculating with each other:
“I heard that Charles ordered the entire army to rest. There may be no fighting tonight.” “This may be his tactic to deceive the Germans. Tonight is a very important time period.”

“Yes, this may be the last dark night. I guess he will not let go of this opportunity and will definitely launch a sneak attack tonight.”

……

Many citizens lit candles in their homes.

Some people even tried every possible means to “steal” electricity from the factory. A group of people sat around the radio and listened carefully to the broadcast.

They were convinced that something would happen tonight, and they were eager to know how the Charles would get through the Rance Valley.

……

Gallieni stood at the window of the city defense headquarters, looking out at the lightning that streaked across the sky, followed by thunder that sounded like artillery fire.

He didn’t even take off his military uniform so that he could take command at any time.

What is this little guy waiting for?

Only after dark will there be a chance to engage in hand-to-hand combat, and the US military has an advantage in troop strength, so tonight is the best time to attack!
……

The German troops guarding the heights of Mount Momberg thought the same.

They were on high alert, with the soldiers holding their rifles in the rain, pointing them at the darkness below, and firing a flare at the suspicious area every ten minutes.

There was also a misunderstanding during this period:
A rabbit made a little noise as it passed through the vineyard.

Immediately someone shouted: “They are coming!”

Then there was a burst of gunfire and a line of mortar fire.

But in the end, nothing was found.

……

Everyone guessed wrong, nothing happened that night.

A large number of reporters fell asleep on their desks.

The residents were huddled together on the floor and fell asleep.

Gallieni dozed off in his chair, his chin propped up on his hand.

German soldiers huddled in the trenches, shivering, holding their rifles.

……

At half past six in the morning, Charles turned over and stretched. He was surprised to see Pershing still standing under the kerosene lamp, looking at the map with several documents in his hands.

“You didn’t sleep all night?” Charles asked.

Pershing did not answer. He said excitedly: “Lieutenant General, I sent people to capture a few prisoners last night and asked for some information. I think this may be useful to you…”

Charles interrupted Pershing: “Get your men ready to attack!”

“What?” Pershing was stunned, and then handed over the information: “You, don’t you want to take a look?”

Charles took it and glanced at it: “You did a good job, General, but this is not necessary.”

Pershing didn’t understand. He asked about the location of the German ammunition depot. Although it was only one of them, if it was bombarded with concentrated artillery fire, it would still be of great help to the attack.

But Charles said, “There’s no need for that”?
Looking at Pershing who looked puzzled, Charles explained: “I planted explosives, General.”

“What?” Pershing didn’t understand.

Charles took out a piece of bread from his backpack and ate it while saying, “I have buried explosives on the high ground. This means that the Germans are sitting on the explosives, but they haven’t noticed it.”

Pershing was stunned. Is this possible?
Ciel took the kettle, unscrewed the lid and took a sip: “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, this is a military secret and I had to wait until the last minute!”

“No, no, Lieutenant General.” Pershing suddenly became energetic: “You are right, I will organize the soldiers immediately.”

God, this will be a victory that will shock the whole world, a perfect victory!
(End of this chapter)