Chapter 196: Replicating Tactics
Berlin, Wilhelmstrasse.
It was earlier than usual for Berlin's first snowfall of the year, with flakes lightly dusting tree branches and rooftops, resembling the white hat of Santa Claus. Inside the General Staff Headquarters, Falkenhayn sat leisurely at his desk, savoring a steaming cup of coffee. With Germany's own tank production finally underway, he felt that the gap between German forces and their enemies was beginning to narrow.
More importantly…
"We've confirmed the intelligence!" Colonel Moritz reported, holding a telegram. "The attack on the Cape Town salient is being led by Joffre."
"You're certain it isn't Charles?" Falkenhayn asked again.
"Absolutely certain!" Moritz replied confidently. "Our intelligence identified the division numbers involved in the assault; these are Joffre's troops, not Gallieni's Fifth and Sixth Army divisions."
Falkenhayn, satisfied, gave a quiet nod. "What about the aircraft?"
It was no secret that wherever Charles' First Air Squadron was deployed, he was likely involved. Falkenhayn had been alarmed at first by the squadron's appearance, even preparing for reinforcements.
"Deploy three infantry divisions for backup immediately!" Falkenhayn ordered, his face pale.
Moritz was baffled. "But sir, the enemy has only amassed three divisions, and we already have four divisions on the front."
"That's Charles!" Falkenhayn interrupted. "We can never predict what he'll do—where he'll attack, with how many troops, or with what new tactics or equipment. Our only option is to overwhelm him with sheer numbers."
"Yes, sir!" Moritz relayed the order, and soon the entire command center braced itself. Tension ran high, spreading like a contagion from command to the frontline, where all forces were on high alert.
Then, a new report arrived confirming that the commander of the French assault was indeed Joffre. A collective sigh of relief spread throughout the ranks.
"Incredible!" Falkenhayn muttered, incredulous. "Charles has never lost a battle, yet they still didn't assign him command—despite even deploying his own First Air Squadron. Why?"
Moritz replied thoughtfully, "Perhaps Charles' success has rubbed the French commander the wrong way."
"Ah, their so-called 'parliamentary process,'" Falkenhayn scoffed with a trace of satisfaction.
"Exactly," Moritz responded with a smirk. "In their parliament, it's not about putting the most capable leader in charge but the most influential one."
Falkenhayn nodded, his gaze distant but pleased.
"We've also clarified the situation with the aircraft." Moritz handed over another telegram. "The planes in the Cape Town region belong to Charles' First Air Squadron, assigned there by Joffre."
Falkenhayn's expression darkened. "Did they send Charles along with it?"
"No, sir," Moritz said with a tone of contempt. "They deliberately excluded him, hoping to outshine Charles without his involvement."
Falkenhayn chuckled. "I rather like this commander of theirs."
"As do I," Moritz agreed, smiling. "I'd love to thank him in person someday."
The two men exchanged a look of mutual amusement.
After a moment, Moritz asked, "Then, are we still deploying the three infantry divisions?"
Falkenhayn put his coffee down, gazing at the map thoughtfully. "No, Moritz, I think we should send four infantry divisions."
"Four divisions?" Moritz echoed in surprise.
Falkenhayn nodded and took a sip of his coffee, pausing to ask, "I've heard that Joffre's tanks received a new order?"
"Yes," Moritz replied. "The 'Saint-Chamond' and the CA-1 models."
"Hmm," Falkenhayn murmured. "The First Air Squadron, the tanks, and Cape Town…"
Falkenhayn's finger traced the map to the Cape Town salient, and he tapped it meaningfully. "What does that suggest to you?"
Moritz looked at the Cape Town line and then, understanding dawning, said, "Are you saying that Joffre plans to replicate Charles' Lafaux maneuver?"
Falkenhayn remained silent, merely blowing gently on his coffee before taking a long, leisurely sip.
"But, General," Moritz protested, "this tactic was only just used by Charles. If Joffre blatantly copies it…"
"That's precisely why he chose Cape Town," Falkenhayn interjected, putting down his cup. "In Lafaux, Charles only encircled one infantry regiment and two artillery regiments. But if Joffre can manage to encircle all four divisions in Cape Town, do you think anyone will care that he copied Charles' strategy?"
Moritz nodded, seeing the logic. With the press under Joffre's influence, any details about the tactic could be downplayed in favor of celebrating Joffre's success.
Falkenhayn continued his analysis: "Joffre's three frontline divisions are likely just a decoy. His true forces should be positioned on both flanks of Cape Town, perhaps with one or two divisions on each side, accompanied by tanks for the encirclement."
Moritz shook his head, astounded. If this analysis was correct, Joffre's plan was indeed a direct replica of Charles' Lafaux maneuver.
Then again, he reasoned, the French Army had been lacking in tactical creativity for decades, their doctrine solely focused on attacking head-on, endlessly repeating the same cycle. The appearance of a fresh, effective tactic, like Charles' encircling maneuver, was bound to be replicated.
"In that case," Moritz said, indicating the map, "if we split our four divisions into two groups and position them on both flanks, we could allow the French to break through our line and move in, then recapture our line to trap their advancing forces…"
Falkenhayn and Moritz exchanged knowing smiles, already envisioning Joffre's frustration when his copied plan turned against him.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 15 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1