Chapter 560: The Somme Breakthrough
Upon hearing that "Charles has launched a counterattack", Lieutenant General Avis chuckled softly, his eyes filled with mockery.
"Still only 18… In the face of a grand operation, he can't maintain composure."
Prompted by Avis's statement, the members of Parliament naturally recalled the recent argument that Charles lacked experience in commanding large-scale, head-on engagements.
They began nodding in agreement:
"Why would he attack now? Isn't organizing a strong defense the obvious move?"
"The frontline soldiers specifically requested a defensive posture. Charles is doing the exact opposite! This could cause another mutiny!"
"The Germans managed to kill or wound 100,000 British troops in one day just by defending. Charles missed a perfect opportunity. Now he's gambling everything!"
…
Gallieni didn't believe Charles would recklessly order a counterattack. If he did, it had to be a well-prepared one.
He stood up and raised his voice to the chamber:
"Why don't we give Charles a little time? Perhaps this isn't what you think…"
But his words were quickly drowned out by a flood of protest:
"We don't have time, Minister. These already unstable troops might collapse entirely under this!"
"This is clearly a mistake. We must stop Charles immediately."
"Yes! Transfer command to General Haig. Let him unify the front!"
Steed and Wells exchanged glances and smiled faintly.
They knew Charles was prepared—and thoroughly so. They didn't know the details of his plan, but they had full faith in him.
…
Southern Bank of the Somme – French Frontlines
Charles's counterattack had officially begun.
He had spent the past few days making quiet preparations. Secretly, he had transferred one rocket artillery regiment from Tijani's command to the Somme.
However, he had only moved the personnel, not the rocket launchers themselves.
Charles feared that any large-scale redeployment might alert the Germans and cause them to cancel or delay their offensive.
Simultaneously, Charles had arranged—via Wells—for a batch of landing craft and amphibious vessels to be delivered.
Twelve of these landing craft had been modified, each fitted with ten rocket launchers. Another twelve larger craft were capable of carrying one Char A1 tank each.
…
Bourbon Palace – Projection Room
Avis had his aide project a map of the Somme on the screen behind the stage. Holding a pointer, he presented his "analysis" confidently:
"The German defenses along the Somme are incredibly tight. One might even say impenetrable."
"The enormous losses suffered by the British and French were not the result of poor tactics, but of the terrain itself."
"Even if Charles is in command, it won't change the outcome. The battlefield environment is the deciding factor here."
…
First Special Artillery Division HQ – Somme
Charles pointed at the map, looking at the winding path of the Somme River. He spoke to Christine, who was leading the main offensive:
"Everyone has overlooked something: the Somme flows from west to east—straight into the German rear."
Christine's eyes lit up.
Yes. The river could be used as a breakthrough corridor, and a fast one at that. Why hadn't he thought of that?
But then his expression darkened:
"General, isn't this too risky?"
"The Germans have artillery positions on both banks. If they detect our move…"
If spotted, the German artillery would unleash a crossfire barrage, turning the river into a death trap and annihilating the insertion force in moments.
But Charles was calm:
"We wait until the Germans begin their assault."
Christine blinked, then suddenly understood:
"They'll begin with a preparatory artillery barrage, likely before dawn."
"The darkness and the noise will conceal our movement."
Charles added one more point:
"And they'll expose their artillery positions in the process."
Christine lit up with excitement:
"Of course! While their gunners are busy pounding our lines, they won't even realize we're landing right behind them! We'll hit their artillery first!"
…
Bourbon Palace – Parliament Chamber
Avis continued his performance with practiced sorrow, sighing deeply as he tapped the map again:
"We can easily predict this will be another massacre."
"And worse—it's still dark. That's a major disadvantage for the attackers."
"The Germans need only fire a few flares to light the battlefield. Then they'll mow down our men as they crawl through mud, shell holes, and barbed wire."
MPs were incensed. They began attacking Charles again with fury:
"This is murder. He has no idea what he's doing!"
"He's going to get everyone killed. We must stop him!"
"We need to act before it's too late!"
…
Southern Bank of the Somme
As the Germans began their artillery preparation at 5 a.m., the concealed French insertion force moved into action.
One by one, landing craft were rolled down specially prepared ramps to the water's edge.
Tank units were guided onto the ships with practiced precision.
And at the helm of this makeshift flotilla stood none other than the bearded lieutenant—the former mutiny representative.
Originally, this task should've gone to Tijani. He had naval training and had led amphibious assaults before.
But Charles needed Tijani to remain at Namur as a stabilizing figure. Bringing him to the Somme would've been too obvious—practically an announcement to the Germans that something was up.
So Charles searched the ranks for a replacement.
To his surprise, there were several ex-naval men among his troops. One of them was the bearded man—who now introduced himself as…
Darlan.
Darlan?
The future Admiral of France? Charles was stunned.
And he had been one of the mutiny's representatives?
(Note: François Darlan was a French naval officer who became a Marshal of France and high-ranking Vichy government official. During WWI, though trained as a naval artillery officer, he was assigned to land combat roles, notably at Verdun.)
Maybe, Charles thought, it was because Nivelle had reassigned forces meant for Verdun to the Somme. That would explain Darlan's presence here.
"But…" Charles looked at him, puzzled. "Why were you—"
"—one of the mutiny leaders?" Darlan finished for him.
"Yes," Charles nodded. A man destined to become Admiral of the Fleet, likely of aristocratic background—why would he have led a mutiny?
Darlan answered seriously:
"Because I thought I was going to die, General."
"Like the others, I didn't want to die for nothing."
He then looked at Charles, eyes sincere:
"But thankfully, that didn't happen."
Charles nodded. He understood perfectly.
Then he asked one more question:
"But what if this battle does mean something? You may not come back."
Darlan stood tall and answered without hesitation:
"I trust you, General. Give the order—I'll prove my courage with action."
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