I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 768 Shire Wins Again

This relatively small-scale tank battle ended in less than 20 minutes.

Needless to say, the German Army’s First Tank Division suffered a total defeat, a complete mess.

Shire even believed that this battle had shattered the confidence of the German tank soldiers and Erwin himself.

Because never before had the German Army seen such mass surrender and escape, even before the battle had ended, including their tanks.

"Lk2" tanks raised white flags to surrender, despite having the advantage in speed, they had no courage to flee.

All this happened when the "Summer B1" crashed head-on into an "LK2" that burst into the tank group.

With a crisp "clank," steel clashing sound.

"Summer B1" remained unharmed, while the head of the "LK2" caved in like moldable clay.

However.

After blocking its target, "Summer B1" did not stop, but continued to advance, pushing the "Lk2" backward.

Then, the driver maneuvered the "Summer B1" to turn, its tracks slowly crawled along the sloped head of "LK2."

In the piercing sound of steel being crushed, the "LK2" was entirely deformed, like a flattened pancake, with blood seeping out continuously.

This scene seemed to declare to the German Army the gap in power between them, telling them that this gap could not be changed by manpower, and all resistance was futile.

Realizing this, most of the German forces chose to surrender.

Erwin led a group of his men in vehicles and armored cars to flee in panic.

Shire did not pursue.

Although "Summer B1" was indeed impregnable, it was impossible for it to chase cars.

After spending some time cleaning up the battlefield, Shire ordered his troops to continue advancing toward Metz.

However, while still on the way, he received the news that Metz had already surrendered.

...

The defense of Metz consisted of only two infantry battalions, and they were infantry rotated from the front line for a rest.

Aside from them were the wounded, doctors, nurses, logistics units.

The German Army treated this place as a rear area and a transit station.

There were originally hundreds of various cannons in the fortresses of the three islands of Metz, but their fate was similar to that of Verdun in France; they were dismantled by the German Army and shipped to the front line for combat.

Remaining were only dozens of old cannons, some were even antique front-loading cannons.

Even so, the defenders of Metz did not give up easily; they tried to use the river as a barrier to guard the bridges and wait for reinforcements.

But when Tijani arrived with his troops and threw the bridge-like boat bridge into the river, within minutes they had built several floating bridges strong enough for tanks to pass through, instantly stunning the German defenders.

Moreover, with the amphibious landing craft that disregarded the river, the German Army realized there was no need to continue fighting.

...

Paris City Hall.

Briand, feeling desolate, looked at the telegram from Ganmelin:

"I’m sorry, Prime Minister."

"Our forces encountered heavy casualties due to German interception, and the assault has failed."

"In this battle, we discovered the Germans are equipped with a new type of artillery that can penetrate the frontal armor of the ’Summer A1’ at a long distance. This is the main reason for our failure."

...

"Useless!" Briand slammed the telegram onto the table, cursing angrily:

"Same equipment, same troops, same training, and yet you were defeated by the enemy in less than a day."

"While Shire can conquer an entire territory."

"And he still boasts of being the smartest person in France!"

At this moment, Major Durra walked into the office: "Have you heard, Prime Minister? Shire’s forces have launched an attack!"

"What?" Briand was stunned: "When did this happen?"

Major Durra replied: "At the moment Ganmelin was defeated."

Briand immediately understood the implication: "You mean Shire took advantage of that?"

"Yes." Major Durra nodded affirmatively: "Shire knew we had an assault plan and that we would fail. He used Ganmelin’s forces to draw the enemy out of Metz."

Major Durra pointed to Metz on the map: "So, his target is Metz."

Briand’s face instantly turned pale.

Metz is the central city of Lorraine, the shield of Lorraine. Capturing it equates to reclaiming Lorraine.

Lorraine is different from other places. It, along with Alsace, holds special significance in the hearts of French citizens.

Because they were ceded to Germany following the defeat in the Franco-German War decades ago.

That is a shame for France, an eternal pain, a wound that cannot heal unless someone can reclaim them.

Now, if Shire accomplishes this, he and Clemenceau will gain the support of everyone!

This is one of the reasons why Briand urgently ordered Ganmelin to launch an attack.

"No, this should not happen." Briand lost his composure, nervously poured himself a glass of red wine, held it with trembling hands and drank it all in one gulp.

"Prime Minister." Major Durra comforted: "If General Ganmelin’s words are true, and the Germans are equipped with new artillery, we may not need to worry about this..."

"Yes." Briand’s eyes lit up:

"You are right, Major."

"The Germans’ new artillery, it can penetrate the front of the ’Summer A1’ at long distances!"

"Shire may have achieved tactical victory, but he would not have anticipated the Germans’ new equipment!"

Major Durra confirmed Briand’s assertion: "Absolutely, Prime Minister. Furthermore, Shire still has to cross the river, and Metz is a fortress, the chance of Shire’s success is almost zero."

Major Durra added: "Actually, I think he is being foolish, this is simply suicidal!"

Briand was delighted, he poured a glass for Major Durra too, and they clinked glasses with a smile.

However, they soon stopped smiling.

A series of "bad news" came from the front lines:

"Prime Minister, Shire’s forces have already crossed the Meuse River."

"What? How can he be so quick..."

"It is said to be because of the bridge-like boat bridge he invented, which can build a solid floating bridge in the river within just ten minutes."

"He also has something like this?"

Briand and Major Durra looked at each other in astonishment.

"Prime Minister, Shire repelled a German force at Yani Town, reportedly the same force that defeated General Ganmelin."

"This is impossible, they are equipped with new artillery..."

"Shire is equipped with new tanks, these tanks can withstand the artillery attacks from the Germans."

Briand heavily sank back into his chair, Major Durra was dumbfounded.

Why does war seem like child’s play in Shire’s hands?

"And Metz!" Briand clung to his last shred of hope: "Metz is a fortress difficult to attack and easy to defend, it must be able to withstand Shire’s assault..."

Before the words finished, the secretary hurriedly came in to report: "Prime Minister, Metz has already surrendered, Shire successfully captured Metz."

Briand stopped his waving hand in mid-air, after a long time he put it down, letting out a long sigh of helplessness: "Shire won, once again!"