"No, our British army has suffered heavy losses in the early offensive, and we can no longer risk attacking. I think we need time, using sapper units or barrage fire, to clear up the mines that have caused heavy losses to our armored units. And, I guess our air power needs to be further strengthened, and I'm already applying for more planes and pilots domestically. ”

Douglas. Haig looked calm, and in the Allied front-line command post, he faced the already melancholy Xia Fei's refusal cleanly.

Now the French offensive has proven the strength of the German army.

In the face of such a strong force and the attack power of air power and ground armor, the German defense line remained immovable. This could not help but make him wonder what would happen to the British army if they attacked the third line of defense with their few armored forces.

"Sir Sir, I think you have noticed that we are beginning to use heavy artillery groups to clear the German defenses of danger, and it cannot be denied that many of them have been consumed in the previous attack, so I would like to have the support of your tank troops, in which case we ......"

In the previous attack, which had lost a large number of armored forces, the French suffered heavy losses. Not only did it not accomplish its purpose of encircling the German Second Army, but the armored forces of the five assault regiments were almost exhausted in the offensive regardless of losses.

This was already half of the armored strength of the two armies, and Xia Fei could not imagine that if he completely buried all the armored forces of the French army on the first day of the war, then his future would be so gloomy.

Despite the fact that these 10 divisions did not suffer much loss of infantry forces, they had already filled the second line of defense of the newly occupied German army and began to build a defensive system based on the "fast front". But they have completely lost their armor and the ability to continue their rapid offensive.

Therefore, in the following attack, he had to turn to his British allies, hoping to change his plans. Combine the armored forces of both armies to launch a larger offensive.

"No, it's you, my general. The French air power, which had not been able to destroy the German heavy artillery on time, had already inflicted heavy losses on our armored assault brigade, and it would be unwise to attack now. I think we should carry out a month-long continuous artillery bombardment to continuously weaken the ability of the Germans to resist.

During this time, we may be able to get more tanks, planes, you can repair more armored vehicles, and of course you can buy some tanks, which are now being actively produced, as far as I know. By that time, regroup the new armored spearhead for the offensive......"

Xia Fei also had to admit that Douglas. Haig's suggestion is quite correct. But he just couldn't let go of the progress that had been made, and he was thinking that another powerful assault would collapse the last line of German defense, and a major victory for the coalition would be unstoppable.

"My sir, in this case we will be locked in a stalemate with the Germans, and I fear that the Germans will be strengthened during this period!"

Douglas. For almost the first time, Hague had gained the upper hand in a strategic argument with Xia Fei, and he certainly wouldn't compromise so easily.

"Yes, I don't deny that the Germans will be strengthened, but so will we. Moreover, the front in the continuous shelling will not be strengthened, and then our regrouped armored spearheads will be used. ”

In the end, Xia Fei's Santa-like face was not as kind as usual, but he was still able to maintain his demeanor, and accepted Douglas. Haig's suggestion.

In this way, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the Anglo-French forces broke through the two German lines in succession, but did not achieve a final victory. Just in Xia Fei and Douglas. When Haig reached an agreement, the German front command was not idle.

The German 2nd Army, which was inferior to the Anglo-French forces in terms of strength, was exhausted by the attacks of the British and French forces for the whole day. The third line of defense simply would not have been able to hold out if it were not for the numerous new defensive equipment, if it were not for the full support of air power.

Even so, it was just a reluctance to support it in the midst of shaking. It can be seen that Xia Fei's intention of the continuous attack of the armored spearhead is correct, but the coalition forces are not monolithic, and the differences are bound to be different because of different interests.

"Oh my God, this is the first good news I heard today!"

Falkenhayn had just received a telegram to his satisfaction that he would not only be supported by the 5th Army on the Verdun side, but that they would receive more assistance with new weapons. The telegram also stated that a large-scale counteroffensive would be launched in half a month in order to restore the state of the pre-war front.

This made Falkenhein, who believed that he had just been attacked by the armored spearhead and air power of the Allied British and French forces.

"Launch a counteroffensive? In the face of those powerful armored monsters, the difficulty of counterattacking will be very great. ”

(The first release of this book) does not laugh at group A: 35761481; Email: [email protected]

In just one day's battle, although a large number of British and French vehicles were destroyed, the psychological shadow caused by these armored monsters to the soldiers is self-evident. Until now, he hadn't thought of any more ways to fight this monster. So, he didn't have any more faith.

But one word on the telegram made it interesting for him.

"The latest assault gun has been completed and is on its way to the front line in secret, although the role of this new weapon has not been tested, there is only one principle when using it, that is, concentrate, always concentrate!"

In a strong final tone, Falkenhain did not become interested in this weapon.

"What kind of weapon is this, it must be used intensively, and what kind of power will it have if it is used intensively? Don't...... Will they be like those steel monsters used by the British and French? ”

These circumstances were unknown, but he was very interested in such weapons, so he sent squads of engineers and scouts overnight, and ordered them to obtain infantry fighting vehicles from the battlefield at any cost that the French had not had time to drag back for repairs.

As for the slow-moving "Great Nomad Tanks", since they were within the lines of the British army, it was almost impossible to obtain. But it didn't matter, he deeply believed that those engineers at Krupp would build on the basis of these armored monsters.

If the Germans have never served anyone more than playing with machinery!