I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France Chapter 768 Shire Wins Again

This relatively small-scale tank battle ended in less than 20 minutes.

Needless to say, the German Army’s First Tank Division suffered a total defeat, a complete ss.

Shire even believed that this battle had shattered the confidence of the German tank soldiers and Erwin himself.

Because never before had the German Army seen such mass surrender and escape, even before the battle had ended, including their tanks.

"Lk2" tanks raised white flags to surrender, despite having the advantage in speed, they had no courage to flee.

All this happened when the "Sumr B1" crashed head-on into an "LK2" that burst into the tank group.

With a crisp "clank," steel clashing sound.

"Sumr B1" remained unhard, while the head of the "LK2" caved in like moldable clay.

However.

After blocking its target, "Sumr B1" did not stop, but continued to advance, pushing the "Lk2" backward.

Then, the driver maneuvered the "Sumr B1" to turn, its tracks slowly crawled along the sloped head of "LK2."

In the piercing sound of steel being crushed, the "LK2" was entirely deford, like a flattened pancake, with blood seeping out continuously.

This scene seed to declare to the German Army the gap in power between them, telling them that this gap could not be changed by manpower, and all resistance was futile.

Realizing this, most of the German forces chose to surrender.

Erwin led a group of his n in vehicles and armored cars to flee in panic.

Shire did not pursue.

Although "Sumr B1" was indeed impregnable, it was impossible for it to chase cars.

After spending so ti cleaning up the battlefield, Shire ordered his troops to continue advancing toward tz.

However, while still on the way, he received the news that tz had already surrendered.

...

The defense of tz consisted of only two infantry battalions, and they were infantry rotated from the front line for a rest.

Aside from them were the wounded, doctors, nurses, logistics units.

The German Army treated this place as a rear area and a transit station.

There were originally hundreds of various cannons in the fortresses of the three islands of tz, but their fate was similar to that of Verdun in France; they were dismantled by the German Army and shipped to the front line for combat.

Remaining were only dozens of old cannons, so were even antique front-loading cannons.

Even so, the defenders of tz did not give up easily; they tried to use the river as a barrier to guard the bridges and wait for reinforcents.

But when Tijani arrived with his troops and threw the bridge-like boat bridge into the river, within minutes they had built several floating bridges strong enough for tanks to pass through, instantly stunning the German defenders.

Moreover, with the amphibious landing craft that disregarded the river, the German Army realized there was no need to continue fighting.

...

Paris City Hall.

Briand, feeling desolate, looked at the telegram from Ganlin:

"I’m sorry, Pri Minister."

"Our forces encountered heavy casualties due to German interception, and the assault has failed."

"In this battle, we discovered the Germans are equipped with a new type of artillery that can penetrate the frontal armor of the ’Sumr A1’ at a long distance. This is the main reason for our failure."

...

"Useless!" Briand slamd the telegram onto the table, cursing angrily:

"Sa equipnt, sa troops, sa training, and yet you were defeated by the enemy in less than a day."

"While Shire can conquer an entire territory."

"And he still boasts of being the smartest person in France!"

At this mont, Major Durra walked into the office: "Have you heard, Pri Minister? Shire’s forces have launched an attack!"

"What?" Briand was stunned: "When did this happen?"

Major Durra replied: "At the mont Ganlin was defeated."

Briand imdiately understood the implication: "You an Shire took advantage of that?"

"Yes." Major Durra nodded affirmatively: "Shire knew we had an assault plan and that we would fail. He used Ganlin’s forces to draw the enemy out of tz."

Major Durra pointed to tz on the map: "So, his target is tz."

Briand’s face instantly turned pale.

tz is the central city of Lorraine, the shield of Lorraine. Capturing it equates to reclaiming Lorraine.

Lorraine is different from other places. It, along with Alsace, holds special significance in the hearts of French citizens.

Because they were ceded to Germany following the defeat in the Franco-German War decades ago.

That is a sha for France, an eternal pain, a wound that cannot heal unless soone can reclaim them.

Now, if Shire accomplishes this, he and Clenceau will gain the support of everyone!

This is one of the reasons why Briand urgently ordered Ganlin to launch an attack.

"No, this should not happen." Briand lost his composure, nervously poured himself a glass of red wine, held it with trembling hands and drank it all in one gulp.

"Pri Minister." Major Durra comforted: "If General Ganlin’s words are true, and the Germans are equipped with new artillery, we may not need to worry about this..."

"Yes." Briand’s eyes lit up:

"You are right, Major."

"The Germans’ new artillery, it can penetrate the front of the ’Sumr A1’ at long distances!"

"Shire may have achieved tactical victory, but he would not have anticipated the Germans’ new equipnt!"

Major Durra confird Briand’s assertion: "Absolutely, Pri Minister. Furthermore, Shire still has to cross the river, and tz is a fortress, the chance of Shire’s success is almost zero."

Major Durra added: "Actually, I think he is being foolish, this is simply suicidal!"

Briand was delighted, he poured a glass for Major Durra too, and they clinked glasses with a smile.

However, they soon stopped smiling.

A series of "bad news" ca from the front lines:

"Pri Minister, Shire’s forces have already crossed the use River."

"What? How can he be so quick..."

"It is said to be because of the bridge-like boat bridge he invented, which can build a solid floating bridge in the river within just ten minutes."

"He also has sothing like this?"

Briand and Major Durra looked at each other in astonishnt.

"Pri Minister, Shire repelled a German force at Yani Town, reportedly the sa force that defeated General Ganlin."

"This is impossible, they are equipped with new artillery..."

"Shire is equipped with new tanks, these tanks can withstand the artillery attacks from the Germans."

Briand heavily sank back into his chair, Major Durra was dumbfounded.

Why does war seem like child’s play in Shire’s hands?

"And tz!" Briand clung to his last shred of hope: "tz is a fortress difficult to attack and easy to defend, it must be able to withstand Shire’s assault..."

Before the words finished, the secretary hurriedly ca in to report: "Pri Minister, tz has already surrendered, Shire successfully captured tz."

Briand stopped his waving hand in mid-air, after a long ti he put it down, letting out a long sigh of helplessness: "Shire won, once again!"