Chapter 527: "Whippet"
Charles did not intervene much in the public discussions regarding the Somme offensive.
He believed there was no need to interfere because certain things could not remain hidden, and the tragedy at the Somme was one of them.
Too many people knew about the battle, too many had fallen there, and too many wounded had survived.
If anyone wished to keep the truth from surfacing, it wouldn't suffice to silence all witnesses. They would have to resurrect the dead soldiers.
...
In Germany, the Berliner Tageblatt published extensive reports about the ongoing battle:
"The enemy has gone mad. They are charging headlong into our guns and fortifications, regardless of their own lives."
"In just one day, we inflicted over 100,000 casualties—100,000!"
"If this continues, every last enemy soldier will fall before our guns, effectively handing us victory!"
The Germans always had a pragmatic view of war. They could not understand the Allies' reckless strategy, especially continuing to mount such futile charges, day after day, without result.
...
But German media didn't matter much in France, where enemy claims were dismissed as propaganda designed to weaken morale and faith in the war effort.
However, a few days later, official notifications of soldiers' deaths began flooding into homes across Britain and France.
French families were somewhat used to this by now. Many couldn't even distinguish if their relatives had perished at Verdun or the Somme.
But in Britain, it was unmistakably clear—these notifications stemmed from the Somme offensive, as it was the only ongoing major operation involving British forces.
People began to question the official narrative:
"If we're achieving such great victories at the Somme, then why are so many soldiers dying?"
"Within days, thousands of families received death notices simultaneously. It's clear these deaths all happened recently."
"What's really happening over there?"
...
Had only common families suffered, perhaps the issue would remain buried beneath official silence, since precise numbers would remain unknown.
But many British noble families also lost their sons. At prestigious schools like Eton, nearly 40% of former students sent to war had become casualties.
European nobility had extensive family and friendship ties. Thus, as General Haig tried desperately to maintain secrecy, members of Britain's House of Lords exploded in outrage:
"The military leadership has concealed the true state of affairs. Our attacks have achieved nothing; our troops are dying en masse."
"Our sons have been deliberately sent to the slaughter. It feels like a systematic attempt to eliminate our heirs."
"Yes, many noble families have lost their successors. Perhaps the generals intentionally sent the sons of aristocrats into the front lines!"
...
The narrative had shifted dangerously. Nobility began openly accusing the military of deliberately targeting their sons. Eventually, the Minister of War, Lord Kitchener, had to urgently return to Britain to calm the situation, giving assurances to the nobility.
But inevitably, the news trickled into France.
French newspapers began openly questioning the official story:
"If victory is imminent, why haven't they announced any concrete successes after all these days?"
"Normally, any small gain would immediately be trumpeted, yet now we have complete silence. This isn't normal!"
...
At British army headquarters north of the Somme, General Haig was increasingly distressed, staring at casualty reports flooding his desk.
In the last few days, he'd sent his twenty-three divisions repeatedly into frontal attacks. Three cavalry divisions had also suffered catastrophic losses, yet they made no progress whatsoever against the heavily fortified German lines.
The German defenses, strengthened by machine guns and trenches, were impregnable.
The battlefield was so littered with corpses that they were now rotting openly, causing unbearable stench. Yet there was no way to recover the dead.
Haig had attempted to propose a temporary ceasefire, hoping both sides might clear away the bodies as previously happened in earlier wars. But this time, the Germans responded mockingly through loudspeakers:
"We're sorry, but we don't have the manpower or time to clean your corpses."
"However, just to clarify, all the bodies lying out there belong to your soldiers, not ours."
"Also, we planted mines throughout the battlefield, and we ourselves don't remember their exact locations. If you want to risk it, please go ahead!"
Haig was speechless.
Mines?
Those landmines invented by Charles for the defense of Verdun?
Now being used by the Germans at the Somme?
Haig cursed inwardly. Charles never should have invented such weapons. Hadn't he considered these same weapons would someday turn against them?
War should have stayed focused on infantry and cavalry charges. Charles had ruined everything!
At that moment, an aide brought him an urgent telegram from Kitchener in Britain.
"They know everything," Kitchener wrote simply, but it revealed his powerlessness.
Haig knew precisely what that meant. He sighed, responding confidently yet desperately, "Just give us a few more days. Once we achieve victory, everything will be explained!"
Nothing couldn't be justified by victory. Once victorious, Haig could proudly say, "All sacrifices were necessary. Our dead were heroes, their sacrifices made victory possible. We will forever honor their memory!"
But Kitchener doubted Haig's optimism.
"Are you certain?" Kitchener's reply asked bluntly.
"Yes," Haig insisted firmly. "The Germans are on the verge of collapse. We must simply persist. We cannot afford to retreat now!"
Though Haig seemed resolute, deep inside, he lacked conviction, hoping desperately for a miracle.
"Enough, Douglas," Kitchener finally sent back. "We have tanks. I strongly recommend deploying them now."
The British did indeed have their own tanks, inspired by Charles's earlier inventions. These tanks were called "Whippets."
Haig hesitated. Deploying tanks meant admitting he'd been wrong. Even if victorious, the credit would inevitably be compared unfavorably to Charles's earlier achievements.
But Kitchener sent yet another telegram, bluntly stating, "I know what you're thinking. Forget your pride and forget Charles. Victory is all that matters now. Otherwise, we all will pay the price!"
The warning was clear: if the battle ended in defeat or stalemate, heads would roll.
Haig finally realized the gravity of the situation. His personal rivalry with Charles meant nothing now.
Besides, these were British-made tanks, not French!
But could tanks truly salvage this failing offensive?
...
(End of Chapter 527)
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