Expedition to Europe

"Peace without territory and reparations" is the proposal of the Russian Bolsheviks.

The Bolsheviks certainly have reason to say this, because the Russians have already seized the Caucasus from the Ottoman Empire through war. If the war stops now in the Russian way, they will have a great advantage.

Whether it is the Tsar, the Kerensky government launched by the State Duma, or the Soviet government composed of the Bolsheviks, the Russians' greed for land is unstoppable.

What's more, the Bolsheviks are not in power now, and there is not enough voice in Russia. The Soviet government hopes to stop the war immediately and let the soldiers on the front line return to the rear to provide enough strength for the revolution they are planning.

After the Russians put forward this initiative, some people in Germany also responded, led by Prime Minister Bethmann Hollweg, a member of a certain ideology. This does not mean that Bethmann is a member of a certain ideology. In fact, because of Bethmann's moderation, he has offended everyone, including his friends.

The Germans also have enough reasons to support "peace without territory and reparations", because the Germans now occupy the Liege region of Belgium, which has the strongest fortress in Europe. The Germans must control the Liege region in their own hands to ensure national security.

But this "peace without territory and reparations" is unacceptable to Britain and France.

The British and French do not need territory, their colonies are already large enough, and they do not need reparations. What they need is a dead Germany, or a Germany without threat.

A dead enemy is a good enemy, this sentence is very correct.

Clemenceau is the representative of the war faction.

"For France, it is best for Germany to return to what it was a hundred years ago. The Germans want to cease fire with the current actual front as the border, which is wishful thinking. I really don't know how anyone can agree to such brainless remarks. Those people should go to hell." Clemenceau was furious.

When Clemenceau finished this sentence, Qin Zhiyuan keenly noticed that the commander of the British Third Army, Julian Bean, and the American general John Pershing were paying attention to this side. Even Pershing's adjutant, the famous George Smith Patton Jr. in the future.

Patton and Pershing had a very special relationship. Although Pershing was 25 years older than Patton, he had already discussed marriage with Patton's sister before coming to Europe, so Patton was able to attend the banquet.

Now Patton and Chen Kangjian were talking happily. It was obvious that Patton was very interested in the tanks under Chen Kangjian's command.

"Yes, the Germans have the final say on when to start the war, but when to end it must be decided by us." Qin Zhiyuan followed Clemenceau's meaning.

"Then tell me, how can your "stalemate" make the Germans lose without a fight." Clemenceau was in a good mood.

"It's very simple. If the Germans continue to fight, their emperor will end up like the Tsar. The Germans' war potential has been fully tapped. They can no longer hold on. We don't need to take the initiative to attack them. Waiting for them to collapse is the best way." Qin Zhiyuan didn't want to take the initiative to attack anyway.

This does not mean that Qin Zhiyuan has no blood, but it is determined by the strength in his hands. Qin Zhiyuan has only so few people in his hands. If he wants to take the initiative to attack and throw them into Chemin de Dames, it is estimated that he will not even make a splash. Unless necessary, Qin Zhiyuan will never go head-to-head with the Germans.

"No, no, no, this is not the best way. There must be a better way." Clemenceau was a little disappointed.

When it comes to military quality, Clemenceau admits that he is not as good as Qin Zhiyuan, but Clemenceau also has something to insist on. Compared with Qin Zhiyuan, the French are much stronger. Unlike Qin Zhiyuan who wants to preserve his strength, the French just want to defeat the Germans on the front battlefield and establish the title of "Army Boss" in the world.

The Germans may not agree with this "Army Boss", but the French have always thought so.

"Of course, we can accelerate the process of the German collapse. For example, we can take a defensive position on the Eastern Front while increasing the intensity of the Western Front attack. As long as all of Germany's allies are defeated, Germany will not be able to hold on even if it wants to." Qin Zhiyuan found another way.

Like Germany, France is also divided into the Eastern Front and the Western Front. The Eastern Front is the front with the Germans, and the Western Front is the front with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Coincidentally, Louis d'Espere, the commander of the French Western Front, was also present.

"Look! Qin thinks the same as me. I have been asking for reinforcements, but the masters in Paris always ignore it." Louis was full of complaints when he mentioned this.

"Louis, it's not that we don't give it, but that we don't have it. The pressure on the Eastern Front is too great, and we don't have extra capacity." Paris's master Lyaute also had difficulties.

"Compared with Berlin, Vienna's combat effectiveness is not strong. If we can deal with Vienna as soon as possible, we can squeeze out more troops. At that time, even if we attack head-on, we will have more chances of winning." Qin Zhiyuan was still bewitching.

"That will be half a year later, or next year. Before that, the Germans may have been driven out of French territory." Clemenceau was a little depressed.

Just before the dinner, the battle report of Arras arrived. The British won a great victory and successfully captured Vimy Ridge. The geographical location of Vimy Ridge is very important, and it controls the vast plains east of Arras.

The Canadian troops, who were responsible for the main attack, were well prepared by their commander, Arthur Kerry. The Canadians took advantage of the darkness and advanced secretly along the honeycomb-like underground trenches under Arras to a place only 150 yards away from the German position, and the Germans did not notice it. When the Canadians launched the charge, their forward speed and the slow-moving barrage of artillery fire were also well coordinated. As a result, the Germans were in trouble. The British captured 14,000 Germans and seized 180 cannons on the first day.

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The victory came so easily that it gave everyone the impression that Nivelle's upcoming attack in Chemin des Dames would also be so smooth.

Perhaps only Qin Zhiyuan would not think so.

"It is too early to talk about the defeat of the Germans now. The Germans still have strength. There is no sign of their troops in Chemin des Dames being mobilized. This shows that in the Arras area, the Germans still have the ability to counterattack. We cannot take it lightly." Qin Zhiyuan is not optimistic.

The battle report sent today is a brief report, and the description of the process is not detailed. I believe that in the next few days, when the detailed battle report is sent, everyone present will know what happened in Arras.

No matter how the British army progresses, Qin Zhiyuan still does not believe that Nivelle will replicate his success in Verdun.

In Qin Zhiyuan's view, it is better to copy the British experience in Arras than to copy the experience of Verdun.

However, this is unlikely, because there is not much time left for Nivelle.