CHAPTER 337: REVISED: CHAPTER 337 "MOBILE DEFENSE

It was a deliberate move by Shire; he immediately sent Shen Bili’s sniper company to the front to showcase the strength of the 105th Infantry Regiment.

"This way, we can force the enemy to use gas against us," Shire said.

"What?" Tijani and Claude simultaneously cast puzzled looks at Shire.

Captain Claude didn’t understand why, while everyone else hoped the Germans wouldn’t use gas against them, Shire was doing the opposite.

Tijani didn’t understand either: Why did Shire want to "force" the enemy?

Shire pointed to the position of the Algerian division on the flank of the defensive line on the map and said, "If the Germans use gas here, the Algerian division will collapse instantly. Our defensive line will be cut in two, and we will be surrounded on this side of the coastline!"

This was actually a more terrifying scenario than gas itself. By then, if the 43rd Infantry Division and the 105th Infantry Regiment didn’t surrender, they would have no choice but to jump into the sea.

Tijani suddenly understood: "So, you want to ’force’ the enemy to use gas on us?"

"Yes." Shire nodded. "We are an elite unit, while the Algerian division is a rabble. Under gas, there is no difference between elite forces and rabble. Which would you choose?"

Tijani silently praised Shire: of course, he would choose to gas the elite troops.

This was human nature, but they hadn’t considered that using gas on the rabble might achieve better results.

But on second thought, Tijani felt there was a flaw in this plan.

"Have you thought about one thing, Colonel?" Tijani frowned. "Everyone knows the 105th Infantry Regiment is Shire’s elite. Since there’s no difference between elite troops and rabble in the face of gas, why would the French send this elite unit to the front and expose its strength immediately?"

The Germans aren’t fools; they’ll definitely think this is a trap by Shire to lure them into using gas.

Then, the Germans might guess that Shire has invented something to counter gas attacks.

"You’ve learned to think from the enemy’s perspective, General," Shire praised.

Tijani’s face lit up with a proud smile. "Fighting alongside you, Colonel, I have to improve."

Gratitude and a bit of respect showed in Tijani’s eyes; he now considered Shire his teacher.

"So, I made some preparations before coming here," Shire replied.

"Preparations?" Tijani was puzzled. What kind of preparation could make the Germans drop their suspicions?

Captain Claude was still confused, wasn’t the main issue how to defend against the gas? Yet they kept discussing some trivial matters!

Did I miss something?

...

At this moment, Major General Jonas of the German Army was bewildered.

Watching his troops retreat like a tide, he could only think of one question: why was Shire so confident to place his elite troops at the front line!

To stabilize morale?

The arrival of the 105th Infantry Regiment could indeed stabilize morale at first. But if it crumbled in the face of gas like every other unit, it would not only fail to stabilize morale but would instead escalate the fear of gas to a new height.

For political gain?

If it were someone else, Jonas might believe it, but not Shire, absolutely not!

Although Jonas had never met Shire, he believed he understood Shire.

Shire might not be a conscientious capitalist like others said, nor as selfless as the French believed, nor driven by a desire to monopolize the arms market like the French capitalists thought.

One thing was certain: Shire valued human life.

From the development of tanks to Antwerp to Gelibolu, everything he did was to try to reduce casualties.

Major General Jonas believed Shire didn’t care much about politics; he was forced into the confrontation with capitalists.

A man like him would never sacrifice a unit for political gain.

Then there was only one possibility: Shire had a new invention, one that could defend against gas, and Shire was confident.

"General." An aide handed Jonas a telegram: "General Stephen believes we should release the gas now; the wind is just right."

Major General Jonas pondered for a moment and then shook his head. "No, I think something is wrong. At least, not here."

Suppose Shire had indeed developed something, but it was only equipped to the 105th Infantry Regiment, then...

The more Jonas thought about it, the more correct he felt. He turned his gaze to the map, thinking they should attack in another direction.

But then a signalman holding the receiver looked at Major General Jonas and called out, "General, General Stephen on the line; he wants to talk to you!"

Major General Jonas knew what this was about. He stepped forward quickly and picked up the receiver, immediately voicing his thoughts: "General, I think Shire might have developed some equipment to counter gas, so I think we should be cautious."

"No, Jonas." Admiral Stephen’s anxious voice came from the other end of the line. "This is the best time to eliminate the 105th Infantry Regiment; your hesitation might make us miss this opportunity!"

"But isn’t it strange for the 105th Infantry Regiment to be at the front line now?"

"Nothing strange about it, and there’s no gas protection equipment. Shire just thinks he’s figured out a tactic to counter gas!"

"A tactic to counter gas?"

"Yes!" Admiral Stephen replied. "In today’s French Merit Newspaper, it’s reported that Shire voiced his opinion on gas at the City Defense Headquarters. He believes gas isn’t as terrifying as imagined; the enemy can’t enter the position before it dissipates. So, just dig more trenches in the rear to drag the enemy, and he calls this tactic ’mobile defense’!"

Jonas let out an "Oh" and instantly understood.

Although he didn’t know the specifics, hearing the term "mobile defense" explained the tactic well enough.

This indeed seemed like a feasible plan. Jonas smiled, but Shire seemed to overlook the problem of wind direction. The German soldiers would follow the wind.

As long as the wind was right, the French soldiers would always be a step slower than the German Army, unless Shire could make the wind blow backward!

Thus, Jonas’s suspicions were completely dispelled.

He trusted that Shire had no better solution and that the 105th Infantry Regiment was here only to validate Shire’s so-called "mobile defense."

Admiral Stephen on the other end of the line ordered, "Release the gas immediately, defeat the French 105th Infantry Regiment; it’s crucial!"

It wasn’t just about an elite unit; it was about striking at the morale and confidence of the French Army.

"Yes, General," Jonas responded.

After hanging up the phone, Major General Jonas resolutely ordered his aide, "Observe the wind direction and prepare the gas!"