I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France Chapter 523: After the modification - 523 “Whippet”

When it ca to the public opinion of the Battle of the Som, Shire did not intervene much.

Shire believed it was unnecessary to interfere, as so things couldn’t be kept secret, and the Battle of the Som was one of them.

Too many people knew about this battle, too many people had fallen on the battlefield, and too many had survived wounded.

If you wanted to cover it up, it wasn’t a matter of eliminating everyone who knew but reviving those who had fallen on the battlefield.

...

The German "Berlin Daily" reported extensively on the situation over these days:

"The enemy has gone mad, charging at our guns and positions recklessly, disregarding life and death."

"In just one day, we killed or wounded at least 100,000 of them, 100,000!"

"At this rate, all their soldiers will die at our hands. Isn’t this handing victory to us?"

The Germans always grasped the essence of the war’s overall direction; they couldn’t understand the Allies’ radical approach.

Even more incomprehensible was their relentless, aningless assaults for one day, two days, three days...

...

German newspapers and public opinion were unimportant because Germany was an enemy state, and all their statents could be dismissed as "fake information released to disrupt military and public morale."

However, within days, death notices began to fly to every household like snowflakes, in both Britain and France.

French families seed to have gotten used to it, not even sure whether their relatives fell at Verdun or on the Som.

But the British were certain it was the Battle of the Som, as currently, the British Army was fighting only in this place.

Naturally, people had questions:

"Didn’t they say we were winning at the Som? Why are so many dying?"

"And within just a few days, many around us have received notices, aning they all died within these days!"

"What happened? Why is this happening?"

...

If it were only the civilian class, it might eventually be forgotten, as no one would count the exact number of casualties.

But among them were many noble children, and the students from Eton College who went to the battlefield had a casualty rate of over 40%.

(The above image shows Eton College, founded in 1440. During World War I, it was a noble school, and most of its students were nobles.)

European aristocrats often had kinship ties; even if not relatives, they were frequent social friends, even enemies’ nobles.

So, while Haig was still trying to cover everything up with the excuse of "military secrets" on the front line, he didn’t know that the House of Lords had already been outraged:

"They hid the truth, the fact is our attacks made no progress, and our soldiers are falling on the charging battlefield, countless numbers!"

"And our children, I have reason to believe this is a purge against us."

"Yes, many aristocrats have lost heirs as a result. It’s possible they deliberately ordered noble children to the front lines!"

...

The situation was skewed and might even lead to a split between the aristocracy and the military at ho.

In the end, it was Kitchener who rushed back to Britain to explain and gradually calm things down.

But the news still slowly spread to France.

French dia continuously questioned:

"If they’re winning, why haven’t there been any victory reports after so many days?"

"Like capturing which town, which high ground."

"Usually, even a small victory would be widely publicized, but now there’s nothing, sothing’s not right!"

...

North of the Som, the British Army Command, Haig was staring desperately at the map in front of him and the casualty reports piling up.

In the past few days, he had sent twenty-so divisions into battle in rotation. Even three cavalry divisions suffered heavy losses but couldn’t break through the enemy lines.

The Germans’ machine-gun defense was like steel, impossibly solid.

The battlefield was covered with the corpses of soldiers and horses, already beginning to rot and stink, but it was impossible to clear them away.

Haig had hoped to wave a white flag, telling the Germans opposite to temporarily ceasefire, so both sides could clear the dead.

But the Germans responded loudly through their gaphones:

"Sorry, it’s not that we don’t want to; we can’t stand the sll either."

"But we must correct one point: there are only your corpses, none of ours."

"Also, we’ve laid mines on that battlefield, and we’re not even sure where they are. If you’re not worried about that, we have no objection!"

Haig was at a loss for words.

Mines?

Shire’s mines used for defending Verdun?

Used by the Germans in the Battle of the Som?

As I said, Shire should never have invented those things. Didn’t he think these inventions could also be used by the enemy against us!

War should’ve remained in the state of infantry and cavalry charges; he ssed everything up!

At this ti, an adjutant brought a telegram to Haig from Kitchener.

"They already know." The words expressed helplessness.

Haig knew what it ant. He sighed and replied with a telegram:

"Just a few days, we can achieve victory in a few days. Then everything can be explained!"

Nothing can’t be smoothed over by victory. Then Haig could confidently tell them: everyone’s sacrifice was worth it, we held the war’s lifeblood. They are a respectable group, and we will always rember their contributions!

Just a few words could make people forget these horrific casualty numbers.

However, Kitchener didn’t think Haig could do it.

"Are you sure?" Kitchener’s reply was simple.

"Yes." Haig answered firmly: "The Germans are on the brink of collapse, it’s a matter of who can hold out longer, we cannot give up!"

Actually, Haig was unsure in his heart and hoped for a miracle.

"Co on, Douglas." Kitchener said: "We have tanks, you should use them."

The British did have tanks, inspired by Shire’s tanks, they produced their own "Whippet" tanks.

(The above image shows the "Whippet" tank, developed by Britain in 1917 with no rotating turret but machine guns on all sides, leaving no blind spots.)

Haig hesitated for a while.

Using tanks would admit his theory was wrong, and even if he won, he couldn’t surpass Shire.

At this mont, Kitchener sent another telegram: "I know what you’re thinking, nothing matters except victory, Douglas. Otherwise, we’ll all be held responsible!"

Though the words were light, the tone was heavy. "Responsibility" ant being ousted.

This made Haig realize the gravity of the situation. Competing with Shire and face issues no longer mattered.

Moreover, the tanks were British, not Shire’s!

But, can tanks really save this war?