[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran":3,"chapter-i-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran-i-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran-chapter-411":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Became a Tycoon During World War I: Saving France from the Start",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1335206,1779,"Chapter 411: The Pulse of War","i-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran-chapter-411",411,"\u003Cp>Today, due to work commitments, I'll only be able to post one chapter. My apologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, I'm serving as a homeroom teacher for a third-year class, which makes the start of the school year especially busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I've applied multiple times at the beginning of the year to be relieved of this role, hoping to focus on my writing. However, it seems to be a never-ending cycle: the more experienced or well-regarded you are as a homeroom teacher, the harder it is to step away. Year after year, they insist you stay, even forcing the position upon you if necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ironically, if I had completely given up and done a poor job, perhaps they'd be hesitant to appoint me next time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles felt confident about the battle ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the main reasons was that the French had previously captured several \"Upper Silesia\" tanks, allowing Charles to test them and obtain comprehensive data on their performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Upper Silesia\" tank's front armor was 14mm thick, meaning the 37mm cannon on the \"Charles A1\" could penetrate it from around 350 meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, with additional frontal armor bringing its thickness to 45mm, the \"Charles A1\" could only be pierced by the \"Upper Silesia's\" 57mm cannon if it got within 200 meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Note: Dedicated armor-piercing shells had not yet been developed at this time, or the 57mm cannon's armor penetration capability would have been considerably stronger.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this, the tanks of the 1st Armored Division stopped roughly 200 meters from the enemy trenches, setting up a steel barrier directly in front of the German defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than aiming at the German tanks or their 77mm field guns, the French tanks targeted machine gun nests and infantry in the trenches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was because most German tanks and guns were partially hidden in emplacements, making them hard to destroy given the \"Charles A1's\" precision limitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To counter the German tanks, the following \"Saint-Chamond\" and truck-mounted cannons moved in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truck-mounted cannons took center stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tijani's 1st Mechanized Division deployed 80 truck-mounted cannons, and after the \"Saint-Chamond\" tanks forced the German artillerymen to retreat, the trucks quickly moved into firing positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This setup took only minutes; all they needed was flat ground or slightly leveled terrain. With a quick turn, the trucks pointed their 75mm cannons at the enemy's lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more complex, vital preparation happened just before the truck-mounted cannons engaged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Artillery spotters advanced alongside the infantry, identifying enemy tank positions through binoculars and marking their coordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Communication soldiers followed, laying out telephone lines to connect with the artillery spotters as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, Charles had intended to use radios, but at that time, radios were low-quality, easily interfered with, and unsuited for the noise-ridden battlefield, serving better for communication between stable command posts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem with telephones was that the lines were prone to being severed by artillery fire or accidentally run over by friendly vehicles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charles's solution was \"spare no expense,\" assigning two communication teams to each artillery spotter unit, with each team setting up a line. Additionally, an emergency communication company was formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This emergency unit used armored cars and motorcycles with sidecars equipped with spools to rapidly lay lines. Covering distances of 3–4 kilometers took just five minutes to establish a connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This arrangement perfected the coordination between frontline infantry and rear artillery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Artillery spotters relayed the tank coordinates to the rear artillery by phone, and the artillery fired accurately to eliminate each target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 75mm cannons had a maximum firing rate of 30 rounds per minute; even firing at a normal rate of about ten rounds per minute, the 80 truck-mounted cannons created an overwhelming barrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shells exploded one after another across the German defenses, leaving German tanks in shambles in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the German tanks made little headway, their shells merely flashing in front of the \"Charles A1\" tanks without stopping their barrage on the German front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erwin, watching the scene, was on the verge of despair. This was one of the few battles since joining the war where he felt completely stymied; the previous time had been Charles's counterattack in Cambrai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Erwin suddenly shouted, \"Retreat! Retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized that defeat was inevitable, and continuing to fight would only add to their casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The communications soldiers quickly relayed the retreat signal, though only eight German tanks managed to pull back, and two of those were destroyed while retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With only 5mm of armor at the rear, even fragments could pierce the \"Upper Silesia\" tanks and damage their engines, even if the shell didn't hit directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covered in dust and smoke from the explosions, Erwin returned to the forest where the tank division was based, his confidence shattered, his face darkened with soot, and his once-bright eyes now dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Major General Nicholas was pacing anxiously outside the shelter. As soon as he saw Erwin, he hurried over and asked, \"What's the situation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not good, sir,\" Erwin said, shaking his head helplessly. \"Charles is far more formidable than I imagined. The defense I organized couldn't hold up against him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nicholas was taken aback; this didn't sound like Erwin at all. Erwin, normally brimming with pride, never backed down from a fight or deferred to others, not even Nicholas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, he stood there, defeated and crestfallen, like a rooster after a lost fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pull yourself together, Captain,\" Nicholas said. \"We haven't lost yet. You were at least right about Charles's intentions, and you alone saw through him! Now, I need you to anticipate his next move and stop him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\" Erwin swallowed hard, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to focus. Looking over the map spread out on a nearby wheel, he said, \"General, we have only one choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pointing at the map, Erwin said, \"The town of Valois, about thirty kilometers from here, is a crucial checkpoint on the way to Brussels. There's a bridge there, and if we can defend it or blow it up, we'll delay the enemy's advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without further hesitation, Nicholas glanced at the map and decisively ordered, \"The entire division is to withdraw to Valois. Full speed ahead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The German 1st Tank Division sprang into action. With only 38 tanks left, some of them recently repaired, no one could say if they'd even make it to Valois.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 1st Mechanized Division's command post, Charles received a call confirming the successful capture of the German defenses. Turning to Foch, he said, \"Apologies, sir, but it seems I can't host you any longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foch noticed the guards gathering documents and equipment. \"You're planning to advance with the troops?\" he asked, surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Charles nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" Foch's eyes betrayed a hint of surprise. \"You don't need to do that, Brigadier. You know this penetration mission is highly dangerous; one misstep, and you could find yourself surrounded by the enemy…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's exactly why I need to be with the troops,\" Charles replied firmly. \"Otherwise, how can we ask our soldiers to charge the enemy's positions despite the risks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foch paused, then silently patted Charles on the shoulder. \"You're right. I'll await your news of victory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, General.\" Charles shook Foch's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Charles's group departed, the command post suddenly felt empty, leaving only Foch and Weygand behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoughtfully, Foch asked Weygand, \"Now, do you still believe his theories are wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weygand fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to them, strategists who crafted battle plans from the rear, Charles was a commander who threw himself into the fray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant he could unite theory with practice, truly grasping the pulse of war, seizing the enemy by the throat…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Weygand hated to admit it, he had to concede, deep down, that the one who might be wrong was himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friends, if you enjoyed the novel, you can subscribe to my Patreon channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until November 30st, get 25% off both your subscription and the purchase of your novel. Thank you for your support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com\u002FFranklin1\u003C\u002Fp>",1330,"2026-06-05T20:02:22.001Z",1,"novelbin.me","0033fac18528135c2676b546dafacc65f21b5b41968376f505e3b786fe9fb4cf","i-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran-chapter-412","i-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran-chapter-410",622,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-a-tycoon-during-world-war-i-saving-fran-cover.jpg"]