CHAPTER 334: REVISED: CHAPTER 334 THAT IS SHIRE

Shire could only half-heartedly tell the neighbors who came to plead with him that he would do his best.

Even so, the neighbors were endlessly grateful to Shire, as if once Shire promised, he would surely defeat the Germans and bring their sons back from the frontlines.

Only Shire knew that the battlefield was full of uncertainties, and no one could guarantee victory, even with thorough preparations.

...

The military situation was urgent; Shire returned to the City Defense Headquarters after staying at home for only half an hour.

After a brief preparation, the 105th Infantry Regiment boarded a train heading to the Ypres front. At this time, it was only two hours since the German Army launched the gas attack.

Since the police training base was located in the 12th district of Paris, it was still within the city, though far from the city center. Therefore, the departure of the 105th Infantry Regiment was no secret; people immediately knew the regiment was heading to the front.

But Shire played a trick; he did not follow the troops but continued to enter and leave the City Defense Headquarters under the watchful eyes of his followers, even taking some time to say a few comforting words to the public.

Naturally, people assumed that Shire would not go to the front this time, as usual, commanding from the City Defense Headquarters.

The French had mixed feelings about this battle; some were optimistic, but more were skeptical:

"Look, Shire’s troops are going; they’re going to teach the Germans a lesson!"

"But what can Shire’s troops do? Are they immune to gas?"

"Yes, sending Shire’s troops seems unwise. Whether elite or not, they’re the same in the face of gas."

...

At the same time, people understood why Shire did not go to the front personally. After all, gas was too dangerous, and there was no suitable countermeasure yet.

However, what no one knew was that Shire secretly flew to Ypres that night to join the 105th Infantry Regiment.

Even Gallieni said, "You need not go in person, Colonel. People will understand; the parliament does not dare suggest it!"

Indeed, if the parliament suggested Shire go to the front at this time, it would be nearly telling the world they wanted the Germans to kill Shire.

But Shire felt he had no choice.

Shire asked back:

"General, what will the soldiers of the 105th Infantry Regiment think if I don’t go?"

"They’ll hold their gas masks and say, ’Shire invented this, but he doesn’t trust it himself. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he dare join us?’"

"They’ll think the gas masks are just a psychological comfort, tricking them into fighting in the gas!"

This was not about demanding Shire to go to the front, but doubting the gas masks.

Once they doubted the gas masks, the 105th Infantry Regiment would collapse and flee at the slightest disturbance, just like any front-line troops.

This was the tradition of European troops; if they saw no meaning in their presence or felt powerless to change the situation, they would choose to flee. It was natural and not shameful.

Gallieni knew this; he knew that if the front-line troops knew Shire was fighting alongside them, it would greatly boost morale and stabilize the front lines, avoiding a breakthrough by the Germans.

But this was gas!

After some consideration, Gallieni still nodded: "This seems beneficial for you. The French will remember you were with them when they needed you most."

"Yes, General," Shire replied.

This was indeed one reason why Shire insisted on going to the front.

In times of crisis, true loyalty was revealed. When the entire Allies were in panic, and the French military and civilians felt despair, even considering surrender, if Shire could stand against the tide and hold the danger off alone, his status in the people’s hearts would become irreplaceable. This would be Shire’s greatest military and political asset, which even Fuxu could not challenge.

Otherwise, life was his own. Shire would not risk facing the gas, even with gas masks.

...

It was over ten o’clock at night, and Ypres Airport, which should have calmed down, was in chaos. Many severely poisoned soldiers and civilians were waiting to be urgently transported to Paris for treatment.

Since the Germans launched the gas attack, tens of thousands of casualties had occurred within an hour, causing the Ypres medical system to collapse instantly.

More importantly, nearly everyone, including the doctors, was helpless against the poisoning symptoms. They could only think of sending the wounded to Paris, hoping for a solution there.

However, Ypres was too far from Paris. The 400-kilometer journey by train could take more than a dozen hours, possibly longer, which was almost like waiting for death.

Thus, some high-ranking officers with the means could only try to hire planes.

At this time, a two-seater "Aphro" softly landed at the airport under the guidance of the signal lights.

People curiously gazed at the airplane. Shouldn’t the "Benovia" land at this time?

(The image above is of the earliest civil transport aircraft "Benovia," which began operating on January 1, 1914. It carried only two people, the pilot and one passenger, and the fare was expensive, costing 5 US Dollars per trip. The first ticket was auctioned for a whopping 400 dollars.)

Before the plane stopped, several cars met it, carrying armed French soldiers and police officers who blew whistles to keep people within the warning line.

Someone shouted, "They must be sending some rich capitalist’s family to escape."

The crowd instantly grew chaotic, shouting and rushing toward the blocking police and soldiers, but soon stopped.

They saw the police and soldiers draw pistols from their waists.

"Don’t come closer!" A leading guard holding a revolver cautiously pointed the muzzle to the ground and loudly warned, "We will shoot, I promise!"

People were stunned; such a scenario only appeared during suppressed workers’ marches for an eight-hour workday.

Then someone quietly guessed, "Is it a military secret?"

The angry crowd suddenly understood. If it was because of a military secret, the soldiers’ behavior was normal. Their previous actions nearly threatened national security.

Then, everyone cast their eyes on the plane, guessing who it was bringing.

Soon they realized it wasn’t taking someone away but bringing someone in.

In the dim light, a slightly thin figure jumped out of the cabin and got into a car surrounded by guards.

Someone exclaimed, "My God, that’s Shire, it’s Shire! I recognize him!"

Everyone was stunned. Shire? He came to Ypres? At this time?

After a while, someone said, "No, that’s not Shire, you must be mistaken!"

Others exchanged glances and responded:

"Yes, you must be mistaken; Shire couldn’t come here."

"Shire is in Paris."

"We saw nothing!"

...