In February, the climate around Verdun has become very cold, with temperatures of more than 10 degrees below zero that can almost freeze people. And it was in such extremely harsh conditions that the Germans launched a surprise attack on Verdun ...

Naturally, the difficulty of a forced march under such conditions can also be imagined, but fortunately, the physical training of the Wehrmacht has always been rigorous, even if the reserve runs five kilometers. In addition, this time Cai Ye is lightly armed, and the heaviest equipment is 'only' Makqin machine gun plus 80mm mortar, so unless there is some accident that cannot be resisted by manpower, he will rush to Verdun within a day, Cai Ye is still very confident...

"But this operation seems to be a little too hasty..."Sitting next to Cai Yi, after glancing at the officers and soldiers who were marching, Xiang Xinyuan frowned slightly. Not to mention the equipment, but this time in order to get to Verdun quickly, the troops carried a small amount of ammunition, in case the reinforcements promised by the French did not arrive on time, I am afraid..."

In fact, this is also what most of the officers of the expeditionary force are worried about, Verdun is in danger, and as a member of the Entente, it is naturally understandable and obligatory to go up with reinforcements. Even if some people are unwilling to shed blood for the war of the Europeans, but after looking at the distance between Saint-Menud and Verdun, they have to admit that unless they can run away, as long as the Germans take Verdun, the next target will definitely be them—————— considering political and other factors, the possibility of 'strategic shift' is almost non-existent, and it is impossible for the French to let such a 'friendly army' run around in their hinterland.

And with the strength of the expeditionary force, plus two divisions of recruits. If you want to defeat the Germans in the field, the probability is pitiful.

So on the trade-off, the best way to do it is always to rush to Verdun. With the strong fortifications there, they held off the German attack until reinforcements arrived.

This is also the reason why Cai Ye immediately mobilized his troops to set off after promising to arrive in Verdun in one day.

The problem was that it was nothing to leave the heavy equipment behind, after all, with the artillery of the expeditionary force, it was impossible to engage in an equal artillery battle with the Germans, and if it was not good, it would throw all the only artillery into it. With artillery—————— the 34th and 35th divisions are B divisions, yes, and they are indeed equipped with artillery regiments, but let's not forget that they were formed from reserve forces. The quality of the artillery unit is clear even if you think about it on your knees.

If it was just a civil war or a conflict against the Japanese, it might have helped, but in a campaign of this magnitude, the artillery was only slightly slower. There is a possibility of annihilation...

So instead of worrying about them. It's better to leave them behind...

But this time they didn't even bring much ammunition, and they didn't know much about Verdun's situation. In case the German offensive was fierce, and the logistics and reinforcements promised by the French did not come in time......... I'm afraid that all of them will be in danger.

Hearing Xiang Xinyuan's worry, Cai Ye also sighed. "Now we can only trust the French......... But this time we should be able to carry ammunition that will last for five days, unless the French intend to let the Germans get their way, there will be basically no problem..."

Cai Ye didn't know about their concerns, but at this moment, whether it was military or political, he had no other choice.

Xiang Xinyuan shook his head. Again his eyes fell on the soldiers who were marching next to the car.

At this moment, in order to be able to get to Verdun as soon as possible. The soldiers from China are braving the bitter cold to continue their journey.

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At this time, the relationship between China and Germany was more complicated, on the one hand, after China joined the Entente camp, the relationship between the two countries had changed from a relatively friendly state to a hostile state. On the other hand, since China did not do anything unfavorable to the German citizens in China after the declaration of war, the private relations between the two countries were relatively good—————— of course, those actions against spies or the recovery of Chinese cultural relics did not count.

Naturally, this is in the eyes of many of the more arrogant Germans, simply because China is afraid of a powerful Germany.

But people who know China better, such as Marzan, know very well that China is not afraid of the Germans at all. The reason is also simple, the distance is too far. What's more, the Suez Canal is still controlled by the British, even if China and Germany turn against each other, is it possible that Germany can still send the High Seas Fleet over the Cape of Good Hope to teach China a lesson?

What's more, now that Europe is fighting like this, Germany simply can't spare the strength to teach China a lesson, and even if this war is won, I'm afraid that both sides will lose in the current situation. On the contrary, China, far from Europe, did not suffer any losses in this war, but on the contrary, because of the wanton sale of arms and other materials, China's industry and other aspects have been greatly promoted and developed.

As you can imagine, China has no reason to be afraid of Germany at all.

According to Marzan's speculation, it is likely that it is only because the Chinese are unwilling to completely destroy the good relations between China and Germany that they will adopt some more moderate attitude towards Germany.

Many Germans naturally scoffed at Malzan's report, but two Germans listened to it.

One is Crown Prince William, and the other is Falkingham.

Contrary to what many people think, Crown Prince William at this time actually did not want the war to continue. In the past, Germany had hoped to win the war quickly, but two years later, the Allies had shed countless bloodsheds, but victory was still far away, and even Far Eastern countries such as China were involved.

And...

If it's just China, maybe Crown Prince William won't be particularly worried, after all, just like money buys you, China is too far away from Europe. Even if some support can be given to the Entente, the number will not be too much, at most three and a half million. More words. Not to mention the Nationalist government, even the Entente themselves may not necessarily support it. What really worried him was the behemoth on the other side of the ocean...

Although the United States has always been in a neutral position. But anyone can see that the United States is actually inclined to the Entente. What is particularly important is that the unrestricted submarine warfare adopted by Germany has deeply hurt the interests of the United States, and the 'Lusitania' has caused the death of 198 Americans.

(The Royal Cruise Line Lusitania was a luxury passenger ship owned by Crown Cruises, and its sister ship, the Mauritania, was equipped with a revolutionary new turbine power that allowed it to maintain a speed of 25 knots.) On 7 May 1915, it was sunk by the German submarine U-20 off the coast of Ireland, killing a total of 1,198 people. As among the casualties were 198 Americans. The sinking of the Lusitania and the Zimmerman Telegram incident became the trigger for the United States to enter World War I, but the real reason for the United States to enter the war is probably the problem of money, the whole World War I. Britain went from the original United States owing him 400 million pounds to 800 million pounds he owed the United States, all of which added up to a total of 1.2 billion pounds. If the Entente were to be defeated, I am afraid that the United States itself would suffer a big loss. So for their own benefit. The United States had to let the Entente win. ）

However, at present, although Crown Prince Wilhelm is a little tired of war, and even more inclined to peace, but the current Germany has not yet shown the possibility of imminent defeat, so these are still just a tendency for the time being, I am afraid that it will not be until the end of the Battle of Verdun that he will be more inclined to peace as in history...

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On the defensive line outside Verdun, nearly 1,000 artillery pieces were constantly using shells to baptize the French hiding under the fortifications. In the face of the fierce German offensive, the French hid in the trenches and prayed that the shells would not fall on their heads. There's almost no other way...

Inside the fortress, I don't know how many French officers are cursing Xia Fei. It was precisely because Xia Fei carried away all the heavy artillery that originally belonged to the fortress that they had to be beaten passively in the face of the German artillery group.

The only news that could give them some comfort now was that as long as they could hold out for a day, reinforcements would arrive.

However, while they were relieved, they also had some doubts in their hearts. They doubted that with the strength of the Chinese, they could withstand the attack of the Germans outside. You must know that for this battle, the Germans prepared firepower so fiercely that it can be said that it was almost the same in the entire First World War.

Even the French, whose army was at the forefront of the world, felt a little unable to hold on in the face of the German offensive, let alone the Chinese. They were deeply skeptical that the Chinese, who were said to be addicted to opium, would be able to withstand the onslaught of the Germans.

In fact, it is not only them, but many others are suspicious.

For example, Xia Fei, for example...

German...

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Seeing the shells of their own side constantly falling on the heads of the French, the Germans in the trenches kept cheering, in their opinion, under such a fierce offensive, no one could survive at all, and then they just had to rush up and 'harvest the corn'.

In fact, it is not only them, but even some low-ranking officers have such an attitude.

Then in the headquarters of the German army, looking at the battle situation in the distance, although the German generals in the headquarters looked relaxed, they also knew very well that this war would definitely not end in a day.

After all, if the French could really solve it so easily, they would not have fought this war for more than two years.

And compared to them, Crown Prince William has more concerns. After all, according to the intelligence of the Germans, a Chinese expeditionary force is stationed not far from Verdun, and the strength of the entire force is about 50,000 or 60,000 people......... Maybe it's going to be a little troublesome.

"General—" Coming to Falkingham's side with some hesitation, Crown Prince William asked softly after a moment's silence. I heard that the general lived in China for a while......... I wonder if you have some understanding of the combat effectiveness of the Chinese? ”

Crown Prince William is talking about Falkingham's experience of serving in China, which may not be clear to many people. In fact, Falkingham once served in China for a while.

Between 1896 and 1903, Falkingham served in China. At the beginning, he even served as an instructor in the Hubei Military Academy founded by Zhang Zhidong, and later participated in the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance...

So Crown Prince William would love to get some information from Falkingham. At least I can understand the Chinese somewhat. After all, Verdun is only more than thirty kilometers from St. Menord, where the Chinese are stationed, and if the Chinese really come up with reinforcements, two days will be enough at the latest.

Although he was confident in the offensive, he still hoped that the casualties would be reduced.

"It's hard to say," Fakinhan shook his head after a moment's silence. As His Highness knows, I have served in China. In my experience, the Chinese army in its early days was nothing short of garbage. Especially when attacking Beijing, the Chinese troops along the way can be said to be defenseless, but ......... I have also served as an instructor in a number of military academies in China. And the Chinese have also trained a number of new troops, in our eyes, although these troops cannot be said to be elite, but at least they can reach the level of the third rate in Europe. It can even barely reach the level of second-rate. The difference between them and us, in addition to the honor of the soldiers, is more of a gap in equipment, and the equipment of those Chinese is so poor that it cannot be compared with us at all, and there is not a single heavy artillery that often appears on the European battlefield..."

"But they defeated the Japanese in Shandong, and they defeated them face to face..." Listening to Fa Jinhan's evaluation of the Chinese, Crown Prince William said with a little doubt.

It is not surprising to know that Japan has defeated the Russian army in the past. Although at that time Russia did not use all its strength. But failure is failure. And since the Chinese can defeat Japan, doesn't that mean that China can at least be compared with the Russians?

Although on the Eastern Front. The Germans were almost unilaterally abusing the Russians. But that's not because the Russians were too weak, it was entirely because the Germans were too strong. Looking at the opponent, in the Caucasus, the Russians rarely lost against the Turks, and the same was true against the Austrians.

And if the Chinese can have the same strength as the Russians, I am afraid they will have a lot of headaches in Verdun.

"That's what I'm trying to say," Falkingham smiled at Crown Prince William. After all, I have been away from China for many years, and the current Chinese government is no longer the Chinese government of the past, and perhaps it has Chinese improved a lot over the years, so everything in the past can only be used as a reference......... Having said that, I am still very confident in our victory, after all, the French defense at Verdun is very weak, and the Chinese expeditionary force is only 50,000 or 60,000 people, not to mention that neither the French defenders nor the Chinese in Verdun have heavy equipment, and there are almost no large-caliber heavy artillery, even if the Chinese can reinforce in time, our chances of victory are still very great..."

Hearing Falkingham say this, Crown Prince William nodded his head and agreed with him.

Although he was slightly worried about the combat effectiveness of the Chinese, this did not mean that he thought that the strength of the Chinese was stronger than his own. In his opinion, these Chinese are more in the way at best...

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Inside the observation position, Reed? Leonard looked through his binoculars at the German troops swaggering into the position in the distance, and he had a feeling that bordered on fear.

The gap between them and the Germans in terms of strength was already very large, and the heavy artillery in the entire Verdun area had been transferred to other areas, with their little strength in Verdun, Leonard really had little confidence that he could hold this place.

"Send a telegram to the General Headquarters and ask how long it will be before the Chinese arrive..." Turning his head, Leonard said to his men.

"Yes!"

In fact, Leonard felt frightened, looking at the German troops preparing in the distance, those French soldiers in the trenches only felt that they would lose the confidence to resist even if they only looked at it, so Leonard's order was very much in line with the hearts of his subordinates.

As soon as he received the order, the officer had already walked briskly in the direction of the headquarters.

And at the same time, looking at the Germans opposite with a telescope again, Leonard muttered. "God forbid, I hope those Chinese will arrive soon..."

The recent shelling had already caused heavy casualties to the defenders, if it were not for the stronger defensive line of Verdun. They may not be able to hold on. But even so, many French officers and soldiers, including Leonard, had little confidence.

While Leonard was waiting for news there, the German troops on the opposite side also moved.

From the beginning of the morning shelling to 4:45 p.m. The Germans had poured 2 million shells into the area, the French positions were gone, the nearby forests had been scorched, and some hills had been leveled. Before the German infantry climbed out of the trenches to attack, the commander cheered up the soldiers and said: "There will be nothing alive there." ”

By dusk, the Germans were groping their way through the French positions under the cover of night.

The situation was soon reported to Leonard, who was somewhat unconfident that he would be able to hold Verdun. But as a soldier, he couldn't turn around and run away. So after getting this information, Leonard immediately sent orders to the front. "You must hold the defensive line, reinforcements are not far away!"

Not to mention how far Cai Yi's expeditionary force was from Verdun at this time, the reinforcements still boosted the morale of the French army to some extent.

Although it is taking advantage of the night to move forward. But in fact, almost every German soldier thought that there were no more people alive in the French positions opposite. After all, they also saw very clearly in the shelling just now, such a fierce shelling, even if there were so many survivors, I am afraid that there are not many in number.

How it is. I am afraid that there is a gap with the estimate of the Germans. But the gap is not huge.

The recent shelling did take a heavy toll on the French, but there were still many French survivors in the defensive line. After discovering the traces of the Germans, the French troops in the defense line immediately launched a counterattack, a machine gun was brought out, shooting at the German troops outside the defense line, and those French soldiers also miraculously emerged from the trenches to resist...

This scene is indeed quite amazing, and it seems acceptable to say that there are survivors in the defensive line. But there are so many survivors......... This is a bit of a surprise.

The Germans who launched the offensive were taken by surprise, but the Germans quickly regained their footing. And with the support of artillery fire, the offensive was launched again.

In order to be able to smoothly take the first line of defense, on the front of 15 kilometers in the main assault direction, the German army deployed 6 and a half divisions and 879 artillery pieces in the front, including 522 heavy artillery pieces and 202 mortars, and the German aviation also participated in the bombing of French rear targets and strafing French fortifications, and its advantage was not insignificant.

On the other hand, the French, many French soldiers recruited from Algeria and other colonies, lived in the tropics for a long time, where they experienced the freezing cold of -15 degrees Celsius in Verdun, coupled with the heavy German artillery fire and terrifying high-power weapons of destruction, although they also resisted, but after feeling that it was just a futile effort, these soldiers were either frozen in their positions, or were so frightened that they threw down their weapons and turned around and fled.

By the early hours of the next morning, the situation was even more unfavorable for the French army...

And with their superiority in firepower, although somewhat slow and with some slight obstacles, the Germans managed to take the first line of defense on the perimeter of the fortress of Verdun and began to advance towards the second line of defense...

This is more or less different from the development in history, in which the German command did not know the effect of artillery fire to prepare for casualties, and the order issued to the front-line troops was to occupy the first line of trenches and reconnoiter the degree of destruction of the second line of trenches, so the front-line troops of the German army stopped after completing their tasks, did not take advantage of the victory to develop the results of the battle, and the offensive lost continuity. By the night of the 23rd, the Germans had advanced only 3 kilometers and captured 3,000 French soldiers.

But this time, since there was a Chinese expeditionary force not far from the fortress of Verdun, Falkingham had already changed his way of thinking from the beginning. Although the central idea of the war was still to make the French shed the last drop of blood, in fact it became a little more eager in terms of the purpose of the war...

And by the time Cai Ye led the expeditionary force to Verdun on the second day, the Germans had already occupied the first and second lines of defense on the periphery of Verdun, and were launching an offensive against the third line of defense.

In other words, Cai Ye is facing a worse situation than in history...

However, he has more troops in his hands than in history...

Arguably, this is his only advantage (to be continued......