Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 204

Chapter 204: Each One’s War (4)
“Commander-in-Chief, enemy offensives are becoming sparse.”

“How could they have the strength to attack after starving all winter? Good, just a bit more. If we hold out just a bit longer here, a chance for counterattack will come.”

Equipped with sublime patience, he stubbornly focused only on defense all winter, no matter what those rear politician bastards said.

And when spring arrived.

“General Pétain, we will recapture the Marne within two weeks and turn our forces to Amiens.”

“…The attrition battle from two years ago will seem like child’s play.”

“I don’t care how many die. Before this year ends, we will drive them out of France.”

Pushing ahead with the offensive despite all sorts of excuses about not being ready yet.

Ferdinand Foch, transformed into an obstinate commander with iron will.

He had to change, having vividly experienced the results of leaving the war in others’ hands for the past 4 years.

“There won’t be additional enemies. It’s obvious Russian forces will concentrate in the east.”

“Good, if they just maintain a standoff there, driving out Ludendorff is just a matter of time.”

Having safely protected Paris through winter, the war can still be won.

If we recapture the Marne here.

If we recover Amiens.

If we can push the enemy back to the border, seize the northern ports, and obtain endless AEF and BEF forces through there.

If we can just drive all enemies back to the border.

‘Though countless blood will flow, we will be the ones laughing in the end!’

Foch believed this without doubt.

No, in fact, there was only one way for this devastated France to survive after the war.

Kill Germany.

More precisely.

They must seize the Rhineland, twist their railway lines that shone in their two-front war, and create massive debt and economic inferiority to break both their legs so they can never rise again.

There was no other way to guarantee France’s future.

[Austro-Hungarian Empire’s Armistice Negotiations Concluded!]

[Prime Minister Kokovtsov’s Speech, Prosperity upon Peace.]

[National Self-determination Receives President Woodrow Wilson’s Support.]

“The enemy is executing a retreat to the Enver line!”

“The Miracle of the Marne has happened again! Congratulations, Commander-in-Chief!”

“With the Dual Monarchy falling away, now if we just recapture Amiens, true victory is right before us!”

If Ludendorff had been the spear that had to pierce everything over the past half year, Foch had been the shield that had to block everything.

He blocked it.

No, rather he’s not just dulling but shattering that spearhead that aimed for Paris, and the war is being overturned.

Germany will be defeated.

France is winning.

This war is the Allies’ victory.

However. Foch couldn’t adapt to some continuing sense of dissonance.

“…Russia truly said they would guarantee Czech and Slovak independence?”

“Yes, they said since they are completely different nations ethnically, their territories should rightfully be preserved and made into independent countries.”

“Lies! They must intend to make them satellite states or puppet nations!”

“Though it’s just armistice negotiations so we don’t know well either… seeing how firmly they’re stating this, won’t they truly grant independence?”

The Central Powers, which Italy and Russia essentially brought down alone.

It’s natural that Russia’s influence would fill their disposition, but still Foch couldn’t understand.

‘Why? The Central Powers are just split and separated, but what benefit does Russia gain from this? After fighting so hard, all they get is removing a competitor?’

They should have annexed Czechia instead.

They should have classified Slovakia as Western Slavic people and integrated them.

“Other nations’ reactions to this…”

“The American side views it least negatively. Britain also shows goodwill to the fact it’s not annexation.”

“…Whatever each country’s calculations, they agreed to let them live.”

This war wasn’t just about getting some reparations and territory.

It was a war that wagered nations, went beyond citizens’ dignity to even mortgage the future of later generations.

Yet, such a bland atmosphere that’s almost boring.

‘…Germany will be different. Germany must not survive!’

Even after hundreds of millions died, France’s allies still don’t understand.

That country must have all Allied nations point their swords and tear open its belly.

“Send all armor to Amiens! From today, 100 days! We drive them out within 100 days!”

“It’s different from last year! In just one year our forces have doubled!”

Perhaps that’s why.

Foch tried to spur on the offensive even more, as if being chased by something.

Though the American forces haven’t even reached half of 4 million, let alone that number.

Though the BEF keeps leaking to their colonies and attempting strange expeditionary wars.

Though there’s already controversy over the ‘Bill on Conscription of 17-Year-Olds’ in the rear.

‘We must fight more, more. We can’t wait anymore. We must strangle Germany with our own hands!’

Only he, the general and commander-in-chief who has been the only one winning on the Western Front since taking command in 1917, can push through this burdensome offensive.

If Germany survives, France dies.

To maintain this simple equation.

In other words, to kill Germany with absolute certainty.

“…At this rate, casualties may exceed the Battle of Verdun.”

“It doesn’t matter. The enemy’s forces will keep decreasing while ours will increase.”

He intended to endure and advance even if it was hard now.

But there was something he hadn’t expected.

“We too propose an armistice.”

“…”

The renewed threat from the east.

The troop disparity on the Western Front.

And the allies’ surrender.

Germany couldn’t endure the continuing gloomy news.

Armistice. That sweet word that would lead straight to surrender and end of war with time.

“The, the war is over!”

“Hurrah! We finally won!”

“…Fuck, can we go home?”

While front and rear alike lost their minds at just the word armistice, crying and shouting cheers.

‘Did we… win?’

Even though the two nations’ commands met at Compiègne and signed the armistice negotiations, he couldn’t feel this end of war.

More precisely.

‘If the war ends here, what will become of Germany?’

He was afraid of the uncertain future despite the war having ended.

Foch still couldn’t rejoice.