I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France Chapter 824 824: Request for Reinforcement Telegram

The news quickly reached Paris.

France was stunned by the British Army's "results"; no one expected the land army of the world's leading power to be so easily defeated.

Even if they couldn't compare with Shire's troops before, they could at least use trench warfare to stalemate the enemy.

But now, the British Expeditionary Force, including the Colonial Army, totaling over 600,000 troops, with over a thousand large-caliber artillery pieces and two months of continuous ammunition transport reserves, was defeated in re days!

Perhaps to save face, Kitchener issued a statent through Le Figaro: "The reason is the inadequate combat power of the Colonial Army; we will soon be able to stop the enemy's advance and maintain the integrity of our lines."

He shifted the bla to the Colonial Army, avoiding saying they had "mutinied," as this might cause greater panic.

Many believed Kitchener's words, given that the German Army only advanced 3 kiloters on the first day, which was sowhat acceptable.

(Note: The main task of the German Army's first day was for the Storm Assault Team to infiltrate the British Army's lines, while the main forces followed behind, seemingly making little progress)

Capitalists remained observant, with asset prices experiencing only mild fluctuations despite so downturn.

However, the cover burst open by the second day.

Shocking news poured into Paris one after another:

"The British Expeditionary Force is in full retreat; the air force and artillery units have been basically destroyed, with nothing left to stop the German Armored Army's advance."

"British Army casualties number over a hundred thousand, with an unknown number captured estimated around ten thousand; nearly half of the British Expeditionary Force east of the use River has been lost."

"The Germans have advanced 45 kiloters in just one day, which is almost their marching distance, aning they encountered no resistance."

...

Except for the rit Newspaper, other dia outlets sward with reports, criticisms, and speculations:

"It's unimaginable that the British Expeditionary Force offered no obstruction to the enemy. Furthermore, they even delivered large quantities of arms and supplies to the enemy, aiding their attack!"

"It's said the Colonial Army's 'mutiny' caused this; they generally demand to fight under Shire's command."

"I originally did not support such a asure, but now it seems feasible."

"I think it has nothing to do with the Colonial Army; the holand British Army also crumbled, with air force and artillery as holand elites. Could their defeat also be influenced by the Colonial Army?"

...

Assets began entering a downward trajectory, though the decline was still not evident.

Capitalists learned their lesson, wary that Shire might use the war to depress capital prices, sneaking in to acquire during the downturn.

French citizens were also full of confidence in victory, with common societal beliefs stating:

"Don't worry, we have Shire. Once Shire's tanks move, the Germans will be driven back."

"Plus, the Aricans, though small in numbers, are well-equipped. More importantly, they are commanded by Shire, unlike the British!"

"Indeed, Fuxu and Petain's troops are also stationed along the use River."

...

Shire rely smiled upon hearing the situation, wondering how long they could hold out.

Then, he sent Gallieni a telegram: "Our main force might be encircled at the use River, the situation is extrely critical, please prepare reinforcents without fail!"

Gallieni dared not delay; while preparing reinforcents, he read Shire's telegram word-for-word in parliant.

This imdiately stirred considerable unrest among parliant mbers, with many expressing skepticism:

"That's impossible; considering other countries' forces aside, the troops we have along the use River may be twice as large as the Germans."

"They are under Shire's command, more than capable of stopping the Germans."

"Our army is not as foolish as the British; they are Shire's elite."

...

Gallieni handed Major Fernan the defense maps to distribute among the parliant mbers, stating solemnly:

"Gentlen, I must first clarify that war is not simply a matter of comparing forces; often it concerns the number of troops that can be deployed at the sa ti, functioning in the battlefield."

"If it were a direct confrontation, Shire's troops could certainly stop the Germans."

"But look at the map and tell what you see."

The parliant mbers understood upon seeing the map.

Shire, Fuxu, and Petain's troops were positioned along the north-south axis of the use River, with defenses facing the river.

After the German Army broke through and defeated the British Expeditionary Force, they directly flanked the French forces along the use River defenses.

"What is a flank?" Gallieni continued to analyze:

"It's akin to the 'T' formation in naval battles; only this ti the advantageous position is held by the Germans."

"Our troops deployed simultaneously may only form a regint, but the enemy is equivalent to a division or even a corps."

"In this situation, even Shire cannot achieve victory."

The parliant mbers understood.

The British were to bla; their army of 600,000 crumbled too swiftly, leaving the French forces unable to reposition defenses, forced into a passive, vulnerable state, even with superior numbers compared to the Germans.

Then a parliant mber shouted: "We can reposition defensive directions now; General, Shire's Armored Army has powerful mobility."

Gallieni shook his head helplessly:

"It's easy to say, gentlen."

"Do you think the Germans only have one army group currently attacking?"

"They actually have three army groups: the 18th Army Group as the primary attacker, the 2nd Army Group deployed along the use River facing our army, and the 17th Army Group as reserves."

The parliant mbers did not understand: "And what does this imply?"

Gallieni explained:

"Don't you get it?"

"Once Shire's Armored Army leaves the use River line, the Germans will initiate an attack from the river direction."

"We've even discovered that the Germans are equipped with Shire's developed pontoon bridges, allowing them to swiftly construct floating bridges over the use River for assault."

The parliant mbers saw the light.

The initiative lies with the Germans.

If Shire holds the use River line, the 18th German Army Group will launch a flank attack.

If Shire and his troops head south to block the 18th German Army Group, the other two German Army Groups will cross the river.

If the entire line, like Petain, had well-constructed defensive fortifications, it would be fine; regrettably, Fuxu's defense from Bicangxi to zieres had glaring gaps.

Finally, Gallieni emphasized:

"Once the Germans seize Reims, the vital traffic hub behind our defenses, the entire supply line along the use River will be severed."

"At that point, the use River defense will be without gasoline, ammunition, or even food."

"Now, do you still think we can win easily?"