Chapter 844: Trapped Beast Fight

At nine o’clock in the morning, a little sunlight actually shone through the clouds, covering the post-rain world with a thin layer of golden gauze.

On the muddy road, the Franco-American coalition forces were advancing towards Reims at the fastest speed.

Fortunately the road to Reims is much wider.

In addition, the German army seemed eager to improve the transportation between Reims and the highlands, strengthen the connection between each other and the speed of reinforcement, and repaired and reinforced the road overnight.

As a result, the Franco-American coalition forces marched much faster than before and it was estimated that they would reach Reims in just one hour.

On the armored vehicle, Pershing sat next to Charles, who spread out a map and excitedly discussed the upcoming battle.

“We have two options,” Pershing said. “We can attack Reims directly, or we can split our forces and attack Mont Saint-Thierry and Mont Perhan respectively.”

Then Pershing analyzed: “I think we should attack the high ground first. The reason is that our troops are not very suitable for street fighting, although we have infantry.”

Charles led mechanized and motorized troops. Tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, motorcycles and other equipment were difficult to play a role in street fighting.

Especially the semi-open armored vehicles, which were used in street fighting, were often destroyed and killed by grenades thrown by the German army at close range.

As for the U.S. infantry, they have been either conducting “roller defense” or “infantry-tank coordination” training for more than a month and know nothing about street fighting.

On the contrary, if we attack the high ground on the east and west sides, we can successfully surround and kill the main force of the German army in the city of Reims.

But Charles didn’t think so. He glanced at the map and said, “General, have you ever heard of a trapped beast fighting?”

Pershing shook his head blankly.

Charles explained:
“What this means is that if we surround the enemy and leave them with no way to retreat, then the enemy will fight us to the death with the determination to die.”

“On the contrary, if we leave the enemy a way out, they will hesitate between the two options of ‘holding on’ and ‘breaking out’.”

“They may even split into two factions, some supporting a desperate defense and others hoping to break through, and the soldiers will be at a loss as to what to do.”

Pershing was stunned and immediately understood what Charles meant.

It is indeed easier to occupy the two heights in the east and west, but it would be like encircling Reims and forcing the main force of the German army to defend it like a trapped beast.

Once the German 17th Army arrives, it will still be unknown who will win.

But if we attack Reims directly, even though it is full of loopholes and gaps, we can quickly collapse the morale of the German army and disperse its main force in a short time, and the outcome will be decided at this time.

“You are right, Lieutenant General,” Pershing agreed. “We should attack Reims.”

He felt ashamed that his experience in actual combat command was still far behind Charles, a huge gap.

Pershing even found it strange that Charles was only 19 years old and how could he know these amazing tactics and principles.

……

Reims city.

Whenever the German army captured a city, they usually set up their headquarters in the town hall.

The reason is that the town hall is often the transportation and communication center of the city. Setting up the command center here not only provides convenience for the combat of one’s own troops, but also makes it easier to control the entire city.

Hutier was no exception. After the German army occupied Reims, it immediately emptied the office staff of the city hall and transferred it to a military institution.

Hutier was very satisfied with this place. He found that the French were very extravagant. Reims was just a small town with a population of 10, but the town hall was decorated very luxuriously.

He was even able to enjoy the local specialty, Moët & Chandon champagne, which tasted so good that he couldn’t help but drink a few more glasses.

This allowed him to have a good sleep last night, which he thought was a good thing, because such relaxation was needed on the battlefield.

(The picture above shows Moët & Chandon, which was founded in 1743 and has an important wine cellar in Reims. It is Napoleon’s favorite champagne)
The next day, Hutier shared breakfast with a dozen of his subordinates in the army group, eating steak and champagne.

“This is one of the benefits of being a winner.” Hutier raised his knife and fork. “We can enjoy the best spoils for free. I can’t wait to try the rib-eye steak in Paris.”

The subordinates laughed lightly while eating.

Not long ago, they thought this was impossible, and some even thought that Germany was at the end of its rope.

But suddenly, the situation took a turn for the better, and they actually surrounded Charles’ elite troops, the main force of the French army, and 30 American troops.

Victory is at hand!

As long as they hold on to the Meuse River defense line, the elite French troops will be completely wiped out and Paris will be within their grasp.

The subordinates all complimented Hutier:
“This is all thanks to the general’s command, especially the ‘Hutier tactics’, which made the enemy like a rotten wood that could not withstand a single blow in front of us.”

“Char has invented many tactics and won many victories, but we only need one tactic and one victory to defeat him.”

“To our victory, to our tactics, to our admiral and to the empire, cheers!”

……

The generals raised their glasses and saluted Hutier from afar.

Hutier responded with a friendly smile and raised his glass gracefully. At this moment, he understood why Napoleon liked this kind of champagne.

It represents victory. This is the taste of victory. Once you taste it, you will never forget it and remember it in your heart.

suddenly.

“Boom boom boom.”

“Boom!”

……

There was a series of explosions and violent vibrations, and the chandelier above the dining table shook gently, making a “ding-dang-dang” sound.

Hutier was stunned for a moment, then he said, “It seems the battle was very fierce.”

The generals laughed again.

They were very confident in their defense and no one could break through the high ground under such circumstances.

If the enemy did so, it would be another “Somme Massacre”, with 10 British casualties in one day being repeated against the American troops.

However, just as the generals were chatting and enjoying the delicious food, the staff officer hurried into the table and reported to Hutier: “General, it’s Mount Momberg, it’s occupied by Charles.”

“Keng”, someone’s dinner knife accidentally fell onto a porcelain plate, making a discordant noise.

Hutier narrowed his eyes, turned his head to look at the staff officer, and asked coldly: “What did you say?”

“Mount Montberg has been lost, General.” The staff officer replied: “Charles, Charles had buried explosives on the high ground in advance, and Mount Montberg was almost flattened. It is now under the control of the US military, and Charles’ troops are crossing the Reims Valley.”

Hutier gritted his teeth. How could such a thing happen? Charles actually buried explosives on the high ground?
This cunning guy!
Then the staff officer added anxiously: “We also heard a rumor that there are explosives buried under the City Hall building.”

The generals were stunned for a moment. Some of them stood up impatiently. If they had not been stopped by Hutier’s murderous gaze, they might have run away.

(End of this chapter)