Before the "deserters" are completely wiped out, the British Army, under Haig's orders, launches an attack on the German defense line.

Leading the charge are the "Whippet" tanks.

Haig once said, "Tanks and machine guns are useless, they are redundant in the battlefield."

Even now, Haig insists on this view, only adding an explanation for his use of them: "But sometimes it does not hurt to use some redundant things in the battlefield, like knights using blood to draw patterns on their armor to show their bravery and achievements."

The British soldiers know what this means; they complain privately:

"The great butcher is once again flaunting his stubbornness and foolishness before us."

"If it were just stubbornness and foolishness, it would not be a big deal, but he is also ruthless. Now, all we can do is pray to God."

"Do you think praying to God will help?"

"Of course not, I am praying that in the next life I won't be under his command!"

...

This is the internal conflict within the British Expeditionary Force.

After experiencing the bloodshed and death on the battlefield, the soldiers have fully realized the importance of machine guns and tanks, especially since the Germans once killed 100,000 British soldiers with machine guns in a single day.

They find it hard to imagine how, after such a painful lesson, Haig can still insist on the uselessness of tanks and machine guns.

The soldiers have no voice, they can only lament:

"If machine guns are useless, are the 100,000 corpses lying on the battlefield fake?"

"If tanks are useless, are the victories achieved by Shire fake? Are the bullets it blocked fake?"

"Even a fool knows they are useful, only those hiding in the command headquarters who don't need to go to the battlefield can ignore their existence!"

...

The reason Haig insists on his view is not because he is blind or foolish, he simply refuses to face and admit his mistakes.

And those pretending to be asleep can never be awakened.

Because he pretends to be asleep, Haig must ignore tank tactics.

All tactics related to tanks, including infantry-tank coordination attack tactics and tank defense tactics.

Therefore, the British Army's tactics have always lagged behind those of France and Germany, even when equipped with tanks.

The "Whippet" tanks rumbled along the slope into the no man's land.

The geographical conditions of the River Somme are very suitable for tank warfare; it is hard chalk land with flat terrain, the only difficulty being the overlapping layers of shell craters.

However, this did not stop the "Whippet," it swayed forward through the shell craters at a low speed of 7 kilometers per hour, the four machine guns on the turret bouncing with the rhythm, almost thrown off the body.

Behind it followed ranks of British soldiers, their faces ashen, their gaze through the exhaust fumes of the tank toward the German trenches, their knuckles gripping the rifles turning slightly white with excessive force.

Some could even clearly see their legs trembling, falling to the ground several times only to be forcibly helped up by "sympathetic" comrades.

"Stay close to the tank!" Captain Monty of the Fifth Infantry Brigade waved his revolver and loudly ordered: "The tank can block enemy machine gun bullets, only by following them can we charge into the enemy trenches!"

This is Monty's fifth time organizing a charge against the German Army.

He believes the tank is a tool to block bullets, which can cover the infantry entering the trenches.

Monty succeeded three times, so he firmly believes his theory is correct.

He shares his success experiences with others confidently: "Tanks and infantry just need to complete their own tasks respectively, this will lead to victory. If there is failure, it must be because one of them did not do well enough!"

What else could there be?

He does not have the word "infantry-tank coordination" in his mind, nor does he know that close coordination between infantry and tanks can perfectly combine these mechanical beasts with infantry into a whole, thereby forming stronger combat power.

In the trenches opposite the British army, Erwin hides behind the machine gun nest holding binoculars to observe the British army's attack, and soon a satisfied smile appears on his lips.

At this moment, Erwin has been promoted to the commander of the German First Tank Division, with the rank of Major General.

This allows him to command a battle with full authority, without any constraints, and he can even request three infantry divisions to collaborate with him.

And the British, as he had predicted, have no idea how to utilize tanks in battle.

This is a good thing, soon they will be taught a lesson, they will be mercilessly crushed under the tracks of the tanks, becoming stepping stones for Major General Erwin's promotion!

Putting away the binoculars, Major General Erwin raised his hand expressionlessly and gently waved forward; the staff and signalmen beside him immediately issued the command:

"Fire!"

"Fire!"

...

Immediately, the sound of guns roared, the German 105MM howitzers.

Shells whistled over the no man's land towards the British soldiers, smashing into the rear artillery positions with a fearful yet relieved expression in their eyes.

During the three days of British artillery preparation, the German artillery did not retaliate at all, the British artillery thought the German guns had been knocked out, but unexpectedly, the Germans saved their strength to strike now.

Now the British army reacts, but it is already too late.

The 105MM shells accurately covered the dispersed artillery positions in five different directions, blasting the British artillery into disarray.

The survivors have no time to counterattack; they immediately pull up the artillery and relocate the position, some even abandon their cannons and flee in panic.

This is Major General Erwin's infantry-artillery coordination, temporarily suppressing the British artillery to provide conditions for the First Tank Division to break into the enemy camp and engage in a close fight.

Once the First Tank Division engages in melee with the British Army, the firepower advantage formed by Britain on the northern bank of the River Somme with national effort will be rendered useless.

Seeing the timing almost right, Major General Erwin coldly orders: "Attack!"

"Attack!"

"Attack!"

...

The staff and signalmen relay the orders one by one.

German tanks emerged from the trenches with the roar of engines, including "Upper Silesia" tanks and "LK2" tanks.

Major General Erwin had further upgraded tank tactics, he believes coordination on the battlefield is not only between infantry and tanks, but also between tanks and tanks.

He summarized this theory when reporting to his former superior, Admiral Nicholas:

"It's like the coordination between battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, land tanks of different weights should also coordinate."

"Medium tanks have thicker armor and larger caliber guns, but slower speed, more suitable for leading infantry to attack trenches and fire points."

"Light tanks are more flexible in maneuvering, more suitable for combat with enemy tanks and infantry."

...

Therefore, first leading the infantry charge are the German "LK2" tanks, their task is to eliminate British tanks and scatter British infantry.

Following close behind are the "Upper Silesia" tanks, their task is to destroy fire points and crush British trenches under the tracks!