I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 813: There Are No Fixed Patterns on the Battlefield

The US Army, from the president to the generals, down to the soldiers, unanimously rejected the British invitation for "logistical safety assurance," which surprised Shire a little.

However, upon reflection, Shire thought it was normal.

The British Army has hardly won any significant victories, and even if the US Army follows them without going to battle, the result is still a reputation of failure.

But it's different with Shire—victory follows victory, and both international prestige and national confidence, along with the president's approval ratings, would soar.

As for casualties, there really is no gain without cost in this world; even Pershing believes it is better to have the troops forged in the fire of combat.

The benefit Shire gained was successfully pushing the US and Britain into opposing corners:

After this incident, the British and American forces looked at each other unfavorably, with the British Army even retracting the 3rd training base offered to the US Army, as if in a fit of pique.

But only the day after the British Army retracted the 3rd training base, they received a notice from the French Parliament:

"In view of the recent small number of British troops landing, the parliament has decided to reclaim the 3rd training base. Please move your facilities and materials within three days!"

Kitchener was so angry that he cursed: "Shire, it must be Shire, he transferred the training base to the Americans!"

It was indeed Shire.

Kitchener didn't get the situation.

This is French land, all training bases are not under British control, it's France who has the deciding power.

Meanwhile, since the United States, as the newest participant in the war and the world's foremost industrial power, not to mention a wealthy and resourceful financial backer, Shire could easily get this matter passed in the parliament.

Another advantage is that Pershing was eager to complete the equipping of his US Army tank division and mechanized division, responding exceptionally well to the expansion of the Bernard Group's production capabilities.

Mechanical equipment, smelting machinery, high-powered electric generators, etc., were shipped from the United States by the boatload, practically relocating the entire factory over.

In fact, production wasn't that tight.

The factories in the United States could basically solve the problem of light equipment and helmets.

As for heavy equipment, primarily tanks, Shire filled the French Army with newly produced "Shire B1s," replacing the "Shire A1s" to the US Army.

Shire eloquently stated: "'Shire B1' tanks are more difficult to coordinate, so tank soldiers should start with the crew-light 'Shire A1'."

Actually, coordinating a 2-man "Shire A1" is entirely different from a 4-man "Shire B1," there's no need to start with 2 men before upgrading to 4.

The point is, French tank crews really did "upgrade" like this.

Originally, with only the "Shire A1," all tank crews had to coordinate with 2 people.

When the "Shire B2" came out:

The commander was still the commander, responsible for commanding the whole force and managing the tank gun.

The driver was still the driver, responsible for driving and maintenance.

The gunner and loader for the 75 cannon were added.

(The loader, apart from loading the 75 cannon, also had to pass tank shells to the commander.)

So upgrading from 2-person coordination to 4-person coordination was feasible, and the explanation was flawless.

Pershing absolutely believed this, so the US First Armored Division was mostly equipped with "Shire A1s," with only two non-functional "Shire B1s" used for observation and simulated training.

...

Shire left the American training matter to Tijani.

Following Shire's plan, Tijani first took the US soldiers to observe at the Nancy battlefield for three days, during which there were even casualties.

A stray shell exploded near a US military vehicle; originally there was no issue, but the driver, in a panic, made a rash maneuver causing the vehicle to roll into a ditch, crushing two soldiers to death.

When the US soldiers returned to the Bicangxi training base, they were in an entirely different state.

Fear shone in everyone's eyes, and the ambition to become Shire-like heroes was utterly worn away, leaving not a single trace.

Yet, their respect for Shire grew, and they whispered among themselves:

"I heard General Shire has been on the battlefield personally?"

"Yes, he personally led troops in the Dardanelles Strait campaign when he was just 18."

"Incredible, to face such a scene barely as an adult? And to win?"

...

Pershing was satisfied with the soldiers' condition, secretly telling Shire, "Did you know? Prior to this, some soldiers boasted they would surpass you, but now they've all quieted down!"

Shire chuckled silently—a bunch of young lads raised in a greenhouse, oblivious to the vastness of the world.

The war they imagined might only be akin to a mobster shootout or a brawl.

...

Shire spent more time in the command post discussing tactics with Pershing.

Pershing almost visited daily, bringing questions or things he didn't understand, sometimes they would even conduct an attack-defense simulation over the map.

"I'm very interested in your elastic defense." Pershing stood behind the map, holding a steaming cup of coffee: "Unfortunately, the Germans seem to have also learned this tactic, therefore we must consider how to counter it."

This was true, an event like this occurred on the Nancy defense line half a month ago.

The British were astounded to find that after breaking through the German defense line and penetrating the rear, barely two kilometers in, they were ambushed by German Armored Divisions on an open field.

After suffering severe casualties, the British advance became hesitant.

"This is quite a troublesome issue." Pershing frowned, looking at Shire: "Everyone is learning your tactics, Vice Admiral, this almost means we are dealing with another you!"

Shire shrugged: "The British don't see it that way."

Pershing burst into laughter: "That's why they always fail."

He then drew the topic back to tactics: "So, how should we counter 'elastic defense'?"

"Very simple." Shire replied: "Step by step."

"What?" Pershing didn't understand what this meant.

Shire explained: "'Elastic defense' is a calculated prediction of the directions and spots you might advance to, and they lay an ambush there waiting for you. Do you truly have to arrive where they desire?"

Pershing quickly grasped Shire's meaning: "We can push forward in a limited way and deliberately stop short of the enemy's anticipated battlefield?"

Shire nodded: "Dig trenches, set up barbed wire and landmines, and if possible, dig anti-tank ditches, and just like that, the ball is back in the enemy's court."

"You are right." Pershing nodded repeatedly, both surprised and pleased: "Then, the enemy's hidden armored forces find themselves in a dilemma, while our forces advance some distance; it isn't much, but it's still a victory."

Yet, Pershing immediately thought of its side effects: "Then, couldn't the Germans also use this tactic to break our 'elastic defense'?"

Shire didn't know how to answer.

This refers to the profound and broad Huaxia culture, the battlefield has no constant formulas.

"Real or fake, fake or real," in real combat how can you know which area truly is an ambush spot?

You might unwittingly step into a trap by taking a single step forward!