I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 812 - 1:

Shire did not immediately return to Bicangxi. Instead, he took Tijani to a US military training base.

After all, they were the first users of the Bernard equipment, and soon they would become instructors for the French Army, potentially collaborating with them in the future.

The car drove into the training base and came to a stop.

Shire and Tijani got out of the car one after the other, and were instantly stunned by the sight of the US Army soldiers busy with their activities.

The two exchanged a glance, both unable to imagine that the US Army could be so primitive. They had set up triangle-shaped individual tents in the open air, densely packed, one after another.

If enemy artillery were to cover this area, the tens of thousands of men would be wiped out before they even had a chance to enter the battlefield.

(The picture above shows US Army individual tents.)

Tijani tried to console himself: "They haven't started training yet. It will get better."

At this moment, US soldiers noticed Shire and dropped what they were doing, rushing over in a frenzy to shake his hand:

"Pleased to meet you, Vice Admiral."

"I've heard a lot about you, a great commander."

"I've heard that you will be training us, is that true?"

...

Shire stepped aside and introduced Tijani to the soldiers: "This is General Tijani. He is your chief instructor, responsible for your training."

The US soldiers looked a bit disappointed, as they only knew of Shire and only recognized him.

Shire helped to build Tijani's reputation:

"Major General Tijani is my most capable assistant. He has been fighting with me for over a year. Have you heard of the battle of Bicangxi?"

The soldiers fell silent, glancing at each other, then shook their heads in confusion.

Most of them only read about Shire's achievements in the newspapers, and the battle of Bicangxi, where Shire's Armored Army made a successful breakthrough, was scarcely mentioned in the media.

A middle-aged captain wearing a boat hat squeezed in and stood tall to answer: "I know something about it, sir."

"Oh." Shire asked with interest, "Tell us."

The middle-aged captain replied:

"Bicangxi is located between the Meuse River and the Seine River."

"The first Armored Division, with the support of aviation, continuously executed mobile defense between various bridges."

"In this battle, a French Army division managed to hold off seven German infantry divisions, with minimal casualties!"

...

Shire led the applause, and the US soldiers followed suit, cheering and applauding the captain, seemingly proud of him.

Shire gave the captain a scrutinizing look.

Unlike the other lively and outgoing US soldiers, he was stern and seemed a bit wooden. However, his eyes shone with determination and wisdom.

"Not many people know about this battle." Shire nodded approvingly to the captain, then turned his gaze to Tijani: "Leading the Mechanized Division to defend Bicangxi was the work of this Major General Tijani before you."

The soldiers cheered loudly, stepping forward to shake hands with Tijani.

The middle-aged captain was among them, but he quickly turned back to Shire: "That was also your strategy, correct?"

Shire nodded in acknowledgment: "You seem to know a lot."

"Yes, sir." The middle-aged captain stood tall, his eyes fixed on Shire: "I am very interested in mechanized equipment and have studied every battle you commanded meticulously."

Shire asked, "What is your name?"

Such talent would make a great commander.

"My name is Patton, General," the middle-aged captain answered, "Smith Patton!"

Shire was taken aback that the middle-aged captain before him was Patton?

(The picture above shows Patton during World War I with a "Renault" tank. Originally a cavalry officer, he was transferred to France during World War I to learn and form the first US tank brigade. He advocated for the US Expeditionary Force to be equipped with "Renault" tanks and authored the first US Army tank combat manual.)

Noticing Shire's astonished expression, Patton asked in confusion, "Do you know me, General?"

"Uh!" Shire hesitated: "I just feel like I've seen you before..."

A nearby US soldier interjected: "Captain Patton participated in the Olympics, General, in the Modern Pentathlon of 1912. You may have heard of him."

Shire responded with, "Oh," naturally: "Yes, I have heard of that. It's an honor to meet you, Captain."

Patton responded, flattered: "Likewise, General!"

The nearby US soldiers crowded around Shire:

"Tell us about your wartime experiences, General, any of them."

"I most want to hear about the infiltration at Antwerp; that was the first infiltration and it shocked everyone."

"Yes, many people were amazed, no one thought a battle could be fought like that!"

...

While everyone was engrossed in their intense discussion, Avis walked over, grabbed the whistle hanging from his chest, and blew it hard, producing a piercing sound.

The US soldiers turned their heads, looking in the direction of the noise with puzzled expressions that gradually turned to dissatisfaction and even anger: 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Who is that guy?"

"Don't know, a Vice Admiral."

"I know, one of those defeat-loving Brits!"

...

The US soldiers laughed and some even spat on the ground in disdain.

Compared to the British, Shire preferred the character of the Americans.

The British were always pretentious, with sinister thoughts but trying to present themselves as gentlemen.

Most Americans were very straightforward; they usually expressed their likes or dislikes, also with a touch of rogue-like insolence.

Admiral Avis pretended not to hear, adjusted his military uniform, and stood in front of the US soldiers, chest out, saying:

"There are some things I think I need to inform you of, gentlemen."

"We've just received notice that if the US Army trains and fights alongside the British Army, you will be responsible for second-line logistics and security."

"This means you won't need to directly engage in battlefield combat."

"I think..."

Admiral Avis shifted his gaze to Shire, with a hint of provocation: "The French Army certainly cannot offer such conditions, can they?"

Tijani furrowed his brow and was about to step forward to argue but was stopped by Shire.

"You are correct, Vice Admiral," Shire responded, sweeping his gaze over the surrounding US soldiers, stating loudly:

"I must warn you."

"Training with me will be tough, and there will be no special treatment. I will train you like any other new recruits."

"Moreover, you will have to face the enemy on the battlefield, gun against gun, tank against tank, even with bayonets!"

"The choice of which to follow is yours!"

Before Shire's words had fully settled, the US soldiers began to cheer loudly:

"No doubt, General, we want to fight alongside you."

"Yes, we are soldiers, not cowards."

"We want to be heroes like you, let 'logistics security' go to hell!"

...

Pershing happened to be walking out of the office with Haig.

Seeing this scene, he smiled slightly, turned to Haig, and said, "You are right, General, we should listen to the voices of the soldiers!"

Haig gritted his teeth.

These guys, they simply don't understand the cruelty of war.

Let them regret it!