Chapter 547: Chapter 547

The frontline troops’ "mutiny" happened two days ago, on the third day of Nivelle’s offensive.

Perhaps encouraged by the victory on the first day, Nivelle relentlessly ordered the soldiers to continue charging at the enemy lines, even during the night.

In his view, commanding the battle was not difficult; it merely involved bringing in batches of troops from other places and pushing them onto the battlefield.

As for whether the soldiers fell in waves under the enemy’s gunfire, he thought that was the natural state of the battlefield.

However, the subsequent offensives did not go smoothly.

The Germans used Shire’s reverse slope fortifications in the Battle of the River Somme, utilizing every high ground, even just a small hill.

Land mines were planted between the high grounds, and even directional mines appeared.

This rendered the firepower advantage of the British and French troops ineffective. The tanks were immediately rendered useless, and the front lines were once again stuck in a stalemate, unable to move.

(The picture above is a real photo of the volunteer army’s reverse slope position. The ridge line is the boundary between the positive and reverse slopes. Generally, there will be a tunnel nearby where a squad of soldiers hides, ready to throw grenades. The ridge line is a very special place where grenades can be thrown directly from the reverse slope to the positive slope to kill the enemy. Scouts will also observe the enemy at the ridge line and report their movements using flag signals.)

Even so, Nivelle, eager to achieve further victories and prove himself, continued to order the soldiers to attack, wave after wave.

No one knows when it began, but when officers blew their whistles to give attack orders, some soldiers no longer shouted while grabbing their bayonets to charge at the enemy.

Instead, they made a "baa baa" sound and walked slowly toward the enemy.

This was a form of protest against the orders, implying that they were poor lambs being sent to the slaughterhouse. Some even carried their rifles on their shoulders with their hands on their heads, mimicking lamb horns.

Anyway, they were going to die, so what difference did it make if they carried their rifles?

Officers could not criticize these soldiers because they were following orders to charge. Moreover, those who complained would die on the battlefield and not return, so let them be!

However, the officers were caught off guard by the speed at which the situation deteriorated. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on noᴠelfire.net

This method soon spread throughout the entire army, to the point where every charge was accompanied by waves of "baa baa" sounds.

It was no longer a cry of lamentation but a way for soldiers to communicate and unite: making the "baa baa" sound meant they were comrades, soldiers opposed to meaningless charges; otherwise, they were "enemies."

Originally, they did not know how strong they were, but now they realized, nearly everyone was opposed, including junior officers.

If any officers opposed, they would immediately be isolated, and their orders would be ignored.

After a night of brewing, the situation escalated the next morning with soldiers ignoring the officers’ attack orders, shouting at them:

"We refuse meaningless charges; our lives are not to be wasted as bullets for the Germans."

"We want peace; let this war go to hell."

"If you want us to attack, let the General Command lead us personally!"

The troops were completely out of control. Many soldiers got themselves drunk, found a place to sleep like logs, ignoring the officers’ scolding and urging.

Even more frightening was that this phenomenon showed signs of spreading from the River Somme to the entire front line.

Kristen, respected in the First Specialized Artillery Division for his compassion towards his subordinates, was also affected and unable to effectively command his men.

Feeling that the situation was dire, he could only send a telegram to Shire for help.

Bourbon Palace House of Representatives.

Nivelle struggled to remain calm under the questioning eyes of the people, responding with a blank expression: "It’s not as bad as you think, Major General. I have handled it properly. Mind your own business; I know how to solve my problems."

"Is that so?" Shire interrupted Nivelle: "Your so-called ’proper handling’ means executing a batch of ’mutiny’ representatives and then forcing the troops into battle?"

Nivelle was accustomed to being subservient to superiors and arrogant to subordinates.

The saying "subservient to superiors, arrogant to subordinates" fits him well.

He was as obsequious in Parliament and in front of the British as he was tyrannical before the frontline soldiers.

Therefore, he wasted no time in taking harsh measures to suppress the rebellion.

Nivelle failed to understand the situation; the soldiers knew they were going to die, so why would they fear execution or repression?

This would only further worsen the situation.

Shire turned to face the MPs, raising his voice:

"The General Command hasn’t told you that at least ten divisions on the front line have refused to fight, and the number is still growing."

"We should feel fortunate that the Germans have ’profited immensely’ from defensive actions, making them more inclined to maintain their defensive stance."

"Otherwise, you know what would happen."

The conference room descended into chaos, MPs turned pale and whispered to each other:

"Massive mutiny? Ten divisions refusing to fight? If the Germans counterattack now, the Western Front will completely collapse, and the Germans might reach Paris again."

"No, Andre, you’re still thinking about Paris; by then, France will only have one option: surrender!"

"Yes, we will lose all our capable soldiers and won’t be able to organize any force to stop the German Army."

Gallieni leaned forward, his face pale with terror and panic: "Is this true? But we haven’t received any news at all!"

Nivelle wanted to deny it.

Shire fixed his gaze on him, shaking his head in dismay: "It’s useless, General Command; they’ll find out the truth easily."

Nivelle was stunned, then sighed.

Shire was right; Gallieni was the Minister of the Army, and there were MPs and government officials with hundreds of ways to investigate. It was impossible to hide the truth.

"It’s true," Nivelle answered with difficulty, "but the situation isn’t as bad as it seems..."

"Can it get any worse?" Gallieni’s eyes burned with anger: "There are already ten divisions involved; even if you can control them now, it’s an unprecedented tragedy!"

The MPs shouted at Nivelle:

"You liar, murderer! Appointing you as General Command was a mistake!"

"We’ve had enough; you must take responsibility!"

Nivelle continued to defend himself: "I had no choice; I couldn’t let this situation spread..."

But Nivelle’s defense was weak and ineffective; everyone knew that if he truly valued this mutiny, he should be on the front line instead of denigrating Shire in Parliament.

The conference room fell silent; everyone watched Nivelle, sarcastically, pitifully, without anger, as though watching a joke.

Nivelle’s face turned pale.

At that moment, he realized his political career had come to an end.