I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 810: Special Treatment for the US Army

After the welcoming ceremony, Kitchener and Haig immediately returned to the British Expeditionary Force Command located at the seaside villa.

They had invited Pershing, but Pershing insisted on staying with his own soldiers.

"I must share the same living conditions as them, Your Excellency Marshal," Pershing replied, "This is my principle."

(Note: Pershing's style of military leadership was "strict with himself" and also "strict with others." His demands for military conduct and discipline were so stringent that it was considered intolerable, earning him the nickname "Terrible Jack" from his subordinates.)

Kitchener courteously expressed his understanding and even offered a compliment, but inwardly he felt Pershing was finding an excuse to decline.

Upon returning to the command, Kitchener could no longer suppress his emotions and erupted. He took off his general's hat and harshly tossed it onto the sofa, cursing:

"How dare they!"

"Challenging British authority in front of everyone, treating us as if we're invisible."

"In their eyes, we're redundant! Do they really think they can achieve victory on their own without Britain's contributions?"

...

Haig remained silent.

This was Kitchener finding an excuse to vent his anger.

Judging by the current situation, the French along with the Americans might truly be able to achieve victory without Britain.

Previously, the British Royal Navy's blockade against Germany was still very important.

But now, even the maritime blockade has the potential to be breached by the German Army, rendering Britain truly "redundant."

Kitchener heavily sat on the sofa, anxiously lighting a cigar, frowning as he complained: "That fool Pershing, he really plans to move soldiers to Bicangxi for training, doesn't he?"

"Yes, Marshal," Haig replied, "The training base we offered him is merely a stopover. The US Army soldiers will rest there for one night and then take the train to Bicangxi the next day."

Kitchener exhaled a long puff of smoke. Perhaps due to the nicotine stimulus, he gradually relaxed into silence.

Kitchener wasn't unaware of the situation, but the current circumstances put him in a difficult position.

The situation with the Colonial Army was becoming increasingly unstable, and at this time the American Army joining Shire was truly not ideal. This might revive the call for "accepting Shire's command."

After some thought, Kitchener said to Haig: "Talk to Pershing, Douglas, if we keep the American Army in the second line."

"What?" Haig didn't understand Kitchener's meaning.

Kitchener explained: "They don't need to go to the front lines, only to the second line to transport supplies and the wounded, and to protect the supply lines. This way they will be much safer, and there may not even be any casualties."

Haig understood Kitchener's meaning.

Pershing chose Shire because Shire's training promises victory rather than casualties, which is the opposite of the British Army.

Thus, Kitchener offered a suggestion that the US Army could hardly refuse: no need to go to the front lines.

This undoubtedly could reclaim the American Army's training authority from Shire.

"But…" Haig hesitated.

This is a double-edged sword. Why should the US Army avoid battle while the British and other colonial troops have to die en masse on the front lines?

Are they all inferior?

Including the army from Britain's mainland?

"Go quickly!" Kitchener ordered. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Yes, Marshal." Haig responded.

As he turned, Kitchener called him back: "Not just to Pershing, but to the American soldiers, do you understand?"

"Understood." Haig nodded.

Pershing might refuse, for glory, for combat effectiveness, or other reasons.

But the American soldiers have no reason to refuse because it means not having to endure hardship on the front lines, not having to risk their lives, and being able to return home alive to reunite with their families.

After Haig left, Kitchener considered how to deal with the "aftermath" amidst the smoke.

The British Army and colonial forces are certain to protest this, and it could even affect morale, but Kitchener had already prepared an excuse for the American troops:

"You seem to forget that the United States is not a member of the Allies, gentlemen."

"Moreover, the US Army lacks training, and they need time to adapt."

"Most importantly, America is an independent nation; they have the right to decide the extent of their contribution on the battlefield."

Be grateful that you have the support of the American Army; they have the right to choose whether to fight the German Army head-on.

Perfect!

Kitchener nodded with satisfaction.

...

Dunkirk, No. 3 training base designated for the US Army.

When Haig arrived, he employed a tactic: instead of hurrying to see Pershing, he convened a meeting with the group of instructors, including Vice Admiral Avis, and relayed Kitchener's strategy.

Finally, he instructed: "Explain the situation to the Americans. It doesn't need to be too official, but tell them that following the British Army means being responsible for logistics in the second line, not needing to go to the front lines. Following Shire is another matter, understand?"

"Understood."

"Understood!"

...

The instructors responded one after another, but with a trace of unwillingness in their eyes.

They, too, were officers who had to go to the battlefield, always preparing to risk their lives, yet they were supposed to offer the Americans these godlike conditions allowing them to only stay in the second line!

Is this the army?

Is this participating in the war?

But they said nothing, as it was an order from the Marshal, against which they had no power to resist.

...

Pershing was in his office flipping through the roster.

This was America's first troop, and he planned to combine it with the 13,000 arriving tomorrow to form a division.

This should be an armored division and also a model division, one to serve as an exemplary division for future troops to learn from.

The first step was to identify some steadfast, law-abiding, outstanding soldiers from among these recruits to serve as officers.

At that moment, Haig walked into the office, casually saluting Pershing: "To tell you some good news, General, you and your troops can choose not to go to the front lines."

"What do you mean?" Pershing looked puzzled.

"It's like this," Haig explained:

"Considering that we have ample manpower, facing enemies only west of the Meuse River..."

"In other words, we have the capacity to arrange for the US Army to be responsible for logistics in the second line, ensuring the safety of transportation lines."

"What do you think?"

Pershing was momentarily stunned, then understood: "This is the treatment for accepting British instructors, isn't it?"

Haig neither confirmed nor denied it.

He shrugged: "This is not a treatment but the combat assignment we allocate to America. As for Shire, what mission he assigns to you is not for us to decide!"

Pershing gritted his teeth.

These bastards, do they consider the American Army cowards?

Yet at this moment, cheers erupted from the barracks.

Haig proudly nodded towards the window: "It seems your soldiers are very willing to accept this arrangement, General!"