I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 817: We’ve Found a Breakthrough

Shire hadn't visited the officers' club in a long time.

Although he never stayed long when he came, the dim lights, the lazy sound of the piano, and the laughter amidst the smoke and alcohol always allowed Shire to feel a moment of relaxation and enjoyment.

But when Lucia sat across from him, Shire's mind began to race again, even though they outwardly appeared to be chatting and laughing.

"The Germans are test-flying a new model of aircraft." Lucia leaned close to Shire's ear, with a sweet smile on her face as if she were whispering sweet nothings: "It's a tri-plane."

"The White Lady" had infiltrated Germany proper.

This wasn't difficult; many Belgians lived in Germany, and under the pressures of war, there were also many anti-war individuals within Germany.

Lucia added on her own: "I really like it, buy it for me as a one-year-anniversary gift next time, okay?"

"No problem!" Shire nodded in cooperation.

The Fokker Triplane had finally come out, and Richtofen was about to emerge, wasn't he?

It was said that this tri-plane was developed in response to Richtofen's protests:

Originally, Richtofen was flying the "Albatros DIII," but it frequently had wing failures during flight.

Outraged, Richtofen wrote a strongly-worded letter of protest and sent it to Berlin.

Thus, the "Fokker DR1" triplane came into being.

(The picture above is of the "Fokker DR1" triplane, which entered service in August 1917, with performance very similar to the Camel fighter. Its top speed was 185 km/h, only slightly less than the Camel's 190 km/h. However, due to its larger wingspan, the Fokker Triplane had a smaller turning radius and was more maneuverable, making it better suited for close combat.)

Shire's order was simple, with just two words: "Keep it secret."

"Yes, General," Lucia replied.

She didn't understand why this had to be kept secret. Shouldn't other departments be informed immediately so they could prepare?

The next second, she suddenly understood: at the moment, facing the Germans on the east bank of the Meuse River were the British and Ganmelin's Eastern Army Group.

Indeed, secrecy!

Then, Shire began to speak as if telling a story in a soft voice:

"When the Americans landed, the British planned to place American soldiers in the rear to protect logistical transport."

"In other words, Americans had a 'no need to go to the battlefield' privilege in the British Army."

"Although the Americans refused, it would still have negative repercussions, so the British decided to blockade the news."

Lucia was baffled, not understanding Shire's intention in saying this.

Until Shire asked, "Do you understand what to do now?"

Lucia let out an "Oh," nodded, and responded, "I understand."

As long as this information was passed on to the Germans, it could become the opportunity for the Germans to launch an attack on the British Army.

And Shire only needed to keep an eye on the British to know when his forces would become disorderly, signaling the Germans' move.

Thus, the initiative in the war would be back in Shire's hands.

Finally, Shire ordered: "Continue to expand the organization in Germany, especially journalists, newspaper members, and military commentators."

"Yes, General."

Lucia thought Shire was doing this to obtain more military intelligence.

Only later did she realize she was mistaken.

Shire was growing the "White Lady" forces in Germany more to target the United States and provoke Anglo-American relations through a war of public opinion.

...

Berlin Wilhelm Street General Staff.

Hindenburg stared blankly at the pile of intelligence in front of him. After a long time, he snorted, "I knew it, I can't trust the Emperor and the Navy."

Submarines could not stop the US Army from landing, as American troopships were specially protected by Shire's destroyers. Not only did the submarines find no opportunities to attack, but two were sunk.

The battle for Norway's Bergen port was also at a stalemate.

It turned out that Shire's anti-aircraft artillery was useful: two UWD seaplanes made a rash attack on warships flying the French flag, only to be shot and disintegrated in the air during their low-altitude, low-speed traversal.

William II claimed it wasn't his order.

Hindenburg believed him.

The French warships numbered only four, while German seaplanes had now increased to 43.

The pilots would naturally assume that destroying the four French warships would leave them free to control the skies over Bergen, thus gaining control of the port would be imminent.

Hindenburg even believed that it might have been Admiral Scheer's order, as a form of "test."

And the result of the test was clear: Shire was not someone to be trifled with.

"Marshal," Ludendorff reported:

"Up to now, over 80,000 American soldiers have landed."

"It's estimated that 200,000 could land in a month."

"Some of these soldiers are being trained by Shire in Bicangxi, while others are stationed in Verdun, being trained by the French Army's First Armored Division."

The United States' First Armored Division and First Mechanized Division are being trained in Bicangxi.

Infantry divisions are being trained in Verdun, to learn and adapt to fighting alongside armored units.

Hindenburg tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop, producing a rhythmic "click-click" sound.

If the American soldiers were trained by the British, Hindenburg wouldn't feel as pressured.

However, they were being trained by Shire.

Even though the combat experience of American soldiers might not match Shire's elite troops, having even half their combat effectiveness would be enough to make the German Army wary.

This cannot continue.

Otherwise, the number of American soldiers would grow, their quality improving over time, and their equipment becoming more complete.

At that point, Germany would undoubtedly be unable to win.

"We should organize an attack as soon as possible," Hindenburg said, "to instill fear of the battlefield in the Americans, hopefully even annihilating one or two American units."

Only in this way could pressure be applied to the United States Government across the Atlantic, possibly even delaying their reinforcement.

Besides, this year is an election year in the United States.

This was Hindenburg's brilliance; aside from his military skills, he also considered politics comprehensively.

Ludendorff looked troubled:

"That might not be an easy task, Marshal."

"As you know, the Allies have ample force. In the area east of the Meuse alone, there are over a million troops consisting of the British Expeditionary Force and France's Eastern Army Group."

"They have built comprehensive fortifications, and there are a large number of artillery pieces targeting no-man's land. These alone are enough to destroy anything trying to pass through."

Hindenburg frowned.

This was an unfair war; Germany's manpower was severely lacking across multiple fronts, while the Allies had more than enough forces.

As he pondered the situation, a staff officer came forward to report: "Sir, the Intelligence Bureau has obtained a piece of intelligence: in an effort to negotiate 'training rights' from Shire, the British promised the American Army would not have to face combat, only provide secondary support to ensure logistical safety."

Ludendorff was indifferent, thinking, what kind of intelligence was this?

These boring individuals reported everything to the General Staff!

But Hindenburg suddenly sat upright, took the telegraph from the staff officer, and after reading it carefully twice, a smile appeared on his face: "Excellent, we've found a breakthrough!"