Shire and his 105th Infantry Regiment stayed in the French Army trenches for two days.
This was to prevent the German Army from suddenly launching a counterattack and losing the hard-won positions. Shire believed that it was necessary to cautiously rotate defenses before the footing was stable. Only after the reinforcements from the rear gradually came up and adapted to the positions could the 105th Infantry Regiment withdraw.
Trench life was worse than imagined.
It could be seen that the French Army had tried to build trenches along higher elevations, but the 2.5-meter-deep trenches still inevitably seeped water.
In many places, the water accumulated up to the thighs, making it impossible to construct tunnels, which could collapse at any time or even drown the people inside.
There was almost no dry place in the trenches. Even Shire’s command post had water up to the ankles, and the military boots made a "splashing" sound on the ground, sticky and wet.
Although it was not the rainy season, the water accumulated from the winter snow melt could not be drained out, thus leading to the current situation.
In a few months, the rainy season would come again, making the water and collapses more severe. This is why Ypres remained muddy all year round.
It was unimaginable that such a place, once occupied by the German Army, was immediately turned into a supply transit station.
Soon, Shire understood the reason.
Maybe out of spite, the German Army launched more than an hour of continuous shelling on the defense line.
This time Shire felt much better. The trenches, 2.5 meters deep with tunnels below, made them feel very safe.
Unless a shell directly hit the top of the tunnel and collapsed it, there was basically no danger. Shire suddenly felt that the water in the trenches was not unbearable.
The German Army tried to launch several charges after the shelling but quickly failed.
The German Army left a large number of Maxim Machine Guns and ammunition in the trenches.
The 105th Infantry Regiment made use of them, setting up a Maxim Machine Gun every 30 to 50 meters along the defense line. Except for the sniper squad and mortar operators, the common soldiers put aside their rifles and, as soon as the enemy’s shelling stopped, rushed to the machine gun positions, pouring bullets like rain on the charging German Army.
Only then did Shire deeply understand why World War I had developed into trench warfare, especially in Ypres.
More than two hours later, the phone on the defense line finally connected to the rear, at the cost of three communication soldiers’ lives.
Shire did not expect that the first call would be Fuxu.
The one answering the phone was Tijani. He looked at Shire in shock, then pressed the receiver and whispered, "It’s for you, Colonel, General Fuxu, the Northern Group Army Commander."
Perhaps because Shire’s tactical thoughts were opposed to Fuxu’s, Shire had always tried to avoid contact with Fuxu to prevent disputes or even conflicts.
Fuxu seemed to have the same tacit understanding. They actually had several opportunities to meet but always "missed" them for various reasons.
Now, Fuxu actually called Shire?
Was it because it could no longer be avoided and had to be confronted?
With doubts, Shire took the phone and stated his identity.
Fuxu did not beat around the bush:
"I know we have differences, Colonel."
"But our goals are the same, to defeat the enemy and reclaim French territory."
"Our differences are only in methods, which is not a big problem. Don’t you think?"
Shire immediately felt at ease. He liked this way of solving problems, putting things out in the open.
"Of course, General," Shire replied. "I fully agree!"
Fuxu frankly expressed his thoughts:
"Sometimes I also question the correctness of ’offensive theory,’ but we cannot deny that most victories are achieved through attacks, including your battles."
"Indeed, what you say seems more reasonable. Some battles require defense, while others require offense."
"But don’t your words cover all battle examples? It practically says nothing!"
"What we need more is a definite, guiding tactic that can lead the whole army to victory, not vague, unsubstantiated statements."
In Fuxu’s eyes, Shire’s tactical theory lacked substance.
Even Petain’s "Defense Theory" had a direction, while Shire’s tactical theory was a "jack-of-all-trades" without specificity.
"In fact, if it weren’t for your repeated miraculous victories, I wouldn’t discuss this issue with you at all."
"It is not to look down on you, but rather because it seems meaningless."
Shire calmly responded, "I understand, General. But what if the facts are as such?"
Fuxu asked back, "What facts?"
Shire explained, "The facts of the battlefield. It is precisely impossible to decide with a simple, definite, all-or-nothing tactic."
Fuxu laughed, "Is that so? No, I don’t think so. It must have patterns to follow."
"May I ask a question, General?" Shire asked.
"Of course." Fuxu was very patient, not overbearing despite the difference in military ranks.
But perhaps it was because Shire’s performance on the battlefield was so brilliant that he had to take him seriously.
A few explosions sounded overhead. After waiting for the shelling to pass, Shire unhurriedly said:
"If you were a teacher with forty or fifty students or even more."
"Could you teach them well with a simple, definite, singular method?"
"If so, wouldn’t this method be replicable globally, and your method written in notes for all teachers to copy?"
He had taught for several years at Saint-Cyr Military Academy, lecturing on military history and strategy and later served as dean.
He was well aware that education was uncertain and unrepeatable.
Because its subjects are students, humans, each with different personalities and thoughts. They react differently to the same statement.
The difficulty of education lies in the teacher’s need to use different educational methods based on different student personalities.
Fuxu seemed to understand Shire’s idea: "Are you saying that military theory is similar to education, needing to respond based on different situations?"
"Of course," Shire replied. "Because it is humans fighting on the battlefield, not a simple war."
There was a long silence on the other end of the receiver, as if deep in thought.
"Let’s assume all the French Army implements your ’offensive theory.’"
"And the German Army commanders opposite us know this, thus knowing what we will do next."
"In this case, do you still think we can win?"
Fuxu suddenly thought that perhaps Shire was the only one who was right.
Because Petain’s "Defense Theory" had the same issue. Once the entire army implemented and established it, the enemy could predict the French Army’s next move!