I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 222: Original text - Two Hundred and Twenty-Two The Clumsy Way Modified - The Clumsy Way

Chapter 222: Original text: Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty-Two The Clumsy Way Modified: Chapter 222 The Clumsy Way

Shire was silent for a moment, knowing that in the end, Britain would still choose to land at the Dardanelles Strait.

This was not entirely because of the Minister of the Navy or Britain’s strategy.

Historically, the northern and southern factions had argued for months without making a decision, and it was finally due to Russia’s plea for help, with their trade routes blockaded, that Britain agreed to the southern landing plan.

Thus, the decisive factor was Russia’s crisis, which affected the entire Eastern Front and even the fate of the Allies.

Shire laid his cards on the table for General Winter: "You guessed right, General. I do not support the landing, by any side. But if a landing must occur, I think the north would minimize potential losses and casualties."

"What?" General Winter thought he had misheard: "The north? That’s where the German Army is concentrated, and our landing forces would have to avoid the German Fleet. The south wouldn’t have these problems!"

Shire shook his head slightly.

Do you think the south is any easier? That’s the Dardanelles Strait, 61 kilometers long, only 1.2 kilometers at its narrowest. The Ottoman Empire doesn’t need to do much—just drop some mines, and you’ll be in trouble. Moreover, there are various calibers of artillery on the shores bombarding the warships.

Shire did not explain further and continued: "My plan is like this: the northern landing would be real, while the southern landing would be a feint to draw the Germans’ limited resources and reinforcements to the south, leaving them unable to respond to our main force’s landing in the north..."

"That’s unrealistic, Colonel!" General Winter interrupted Shire. "Though the Germans do have supply issues with Britain’s blockade, the north is either German territory or close to it, with a well-developed transportation network."

Shire ignored General Winter and continued: "Then, all our activities in the south will essentially be to mislead, to attract German reinforcements and attention there, including luring the German Fleet into a breakout attempt..."

General Winter seemed to catch on: "You mean, encircle and annihilate the German Fleet?"

But upon thinking more, he felt something was wrong. If Shire’s goal were to surround and destroy the German Fleet, he wouldn’t say so outright.

Shire remained silent.

General Winter mulled for a while and then suddenly realized: "The south, your target is always the south!"

Shire concentrated on drinking his coffee, not even lifting his head.

The more General Winter thought about it, the more excited he became: "Yes, if the Germans think we’re attacking the north, and the south is just a feint, they wouldn’t send much support to the Ottoman Empire, including artillery, mines, and troops. Even if...brilliant, even if we actually land in the south, the Germans might still think it’s a feint!"

General Winter stepped forward, shaking Shire’s shoulders in excitement, not caring that Shire almost spilled his coffee: "Brilliant, Colonel! You’re a genius! This will greatly aid our offensive. By the time the Germans realize, it might be too late!"

Shire calmly replied: "I must remind you, General, the south is not as simple as you think. You should fully understand and pay significant attention to this!"

"No problem, Colonel!" General Winter nodded: "I will convey your warning to the Minister of the Navy!"

Then General Winter hesitated and leaned in closer, lowering his voice: "How do we flawlessly pass on the ’northern attack’ intelligence to the Germans?"

Shire answered straightforwardly: "Agree with Albert I’s plan to attack the north, but include the feint plan, then continue with everything as usual."

"That’s it, nothing else?" General Winter seemed puzzled.

High-ranking military officials who knew and discussed this plan were completely trustworthy, with no risk of leaks, so what if the Germans never found out it was a trap?

Shire added: "Only British officers will know the truth, and as few as possible, understand?"

General Winter immediately understood; it was the French officers who had the problem. They would perfectly pass the "false plan" to the Germans.

Realizing this, General Winter looked at Shire with a faint smile.

Now it was Shire who felt awkward; it was a weak point of France.

Britain might be declining in other areas, but their military intelligence remained tight.

The National Security Bureau (MI5) was responsible for domestic intelligence, and the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) handled foreign intelligence. Each performed its duties, forming a relatively mature intelligence network with effective methods.

But France, as far as Shire knew, only had the "Second Bureau" as a counter-espionage unit, and nothing else.

...

At the Schneider Armory, the snowflakes swirled outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the atmosphere in the office was somewhat oppressive.

Paulina, looking dejected, handed a document to James: "Sir, this is the tank order from the military to the Shire Tractor Factory, thirty thousand francs each, with an initial order of 500 tanks. Besides, many countries are rushing to place orders upon hearing the news!"

James, busy signing other documents, took the order statistics casually and set it aside, murmuring an acknowledgment as he continued signing.

Paulina sighed lightly, it seemed James had given up competing with Shire.

Shire’s tank development was too fast, too perfect, almost unbelievable.

The "Char A1" had stunned everyone in the Cape Town battle, an eight-ton light tank easily destroying opponents weighing dozens of tons, completely dominating in every way.

Paulina had studied that battle and couldn’t help but compare the "Saint Chammon" with the "Char A1," hoping the "Saint Chammon" would win.

But the results repeatedly disappointed Paulina: the "Char A1" only needed to use the same tactics in a mobile battle with the "Saint Chammon" to remain undefeated continually.

Seeing James remain silent, Paulina assumed the matter was over and turned to leave, disheartened.

"Have you completely given up?" James paused in his work.

"What else can we do?" Paulina turned back, a trace of confusion in her eyes.

"You’ve done well!" James nodded: "Continue!"

Paulina had a curious expression; she didn’t understand what more could be done.

James seemed to read Paulina’s thoughts and smiled lightly, speaking in a relaxed tone: "We can slow Shire down with a foolproof method while learning his tactics and design concepts. Eventually surpassing him is not impossible."

"A foolproof method?" Paulina initially didn’t understand, then she grasped it, nodding in agreement.

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