Chapter 343 New Situation

This is to extend the use time of the gas mask.

Activated carbon gas masks use the adsorption effect of carbon particles on poisonous gases to purify the air to achieve the purpose of preventing poisonous gases.

However, this does not mean that it can be used indefinitely or repeatedly.

When it reaches a certain saturation level, its adsorption effect on poisonous gas particles will be greatly weakened, and then the poison filter tank needs to be replaced.

Of course, it is impossible to call a timeout during combat to allow French soldiers time to replace the canisters.

The way Charles came up with was to make use of the tunnel.

The air that the poison gas blew into the trenches in front of the trenches was usable, although it was mixed with all kinds of intolerable odors: sweat, urine, and even shit.

In this regard, the British and French armies failed.

The trenches of the British and French armies were often in a mess. They were not only disorganized and chaotic, but also had serious living habits and personal hygiene problems.

They often dig a hole on the spot to solve internal emergencies in the tunnel. As time goes by, these so-called "emergency pits" are found in every corner of the tunnel.

In particular, the troops rotate batches every two weeks. The soldiers who come later often don't know where the "emergency pits" dug by the people in front are, so "dangerous situations" occur frequently.

In contrast, the German trenches were well organized and equipped with special toilets. The British and French troops often couldn't help but admire them when they occupied the German trenches.

However, if the French Tunnel is unbearable, at least it is non-toxic and the air inside can survive for a few hours in extreme cases.

…

After the tunnel entrance was sealed, the whole world became quiet.

There was no sound of gunfire, no screams or cries. Ciel felt as if he was isolated from the world.

He even wanted to open the sandbag and take a look outside, but his reason made him suppress this impulse.

It is conceivable that there is yellow-green toxic gas everywhere outside. It is heavier than air and will be deposited in the trenches for a long time and cannot be dispersed, even if the sea breeze blows.

Later, Charles learned that there was indeed a soldier who couldn't help but peel off the wet cloth and peek out. He didn't realize the seriousness of the matter. As soon as the poisonous gas that penetrated touched his eyes, it immediately generated strong acid and burned him.

Fortunately, others blocked the gap in time to prevent the poisonous gas from further corroding the tunnel, thus preventing the tragedy from happening.

Compared with their suppression, Charles's command post is much better. His telephone line is connected to observers in the rear. They observe the battlefield with high-power telescopes from several angles and report intelligence to Charles in a timely manner:

"The poisonous gas has 'occupied' the position and continues to advance in depth."

"Perhaps the reserve is not large. The poison gas released this time is obviously not as much as yesterday."

"No, that may be a matter of wind speed. Today's wind speed is 9.7 meters per second. It makes the poisonous gas spread faster and it looks thinner than yesterday."

"Judging from this, the poisonous gas may dissipate faster today than yesterday."

…

Charles sat quietly at the desk built up of shell boxes, listening to the report and staring at the map in front of him under the light of the flashlight, thinking about what Captain Claude said unintentionally: "They only move forward. We walked 3.25 kilometers and then stopped to dig holes and build fortifications.”

Why 3.25 kilometers?

Why dig holes and build your own fortifications?

There is a French line of defense about 2.5 kilometers away. The Germans can fully utilize this line of defense and turn it into a reverse trench with a little modification.

After thinking about it for a while, Ciel figured out that it was the poisonous gas.

"They will cross our lines," said Charles. "There will be no trench battle!"

Charles's battle plan was: the Germans rushed into the trenches, and the 105th Infantry Regiment drilled out of the tunnels to kill the enemies who occupied the trenches.

Now it turns out that this may not even exist.

"What?" Tijani didn't understand what Ciel meant. He shined a flashlight at Ciel, but soon realized that this would make Ciel uncomfortable and quickly turned the light away.

The light of Charles's flashlight always shone on the map. He pointed at the German defense line and said: "Yesterday, the Germans did not occupy the defense line abandoned by the French army, but rebuilt a new one."

"Isn't that a coincidence?" Tijani asked. Maybe the Germans wanted to get closer to the French defense line.

"It's not a coincidence." Charles replied calmly: "It's because of the poison gas."

"Poison gas?" Tijani couldn't help but come closer, and then said "Oh" and understood: "You mean, the poison gas is heavier than air, so it will be deposited in the tunnel."

"Yes." Charles replied: "The tunnel is 2.5 meters deep. Once the poisonous gas sinks into the tunnel, it will be difficult to be blown away by the wind. It may take a whole day to slowly dissipate, and the Germans cannot wait that long. "

"Yes." Tijani nodded loudly: "If we had waited all day, our army would have fought back long ago. But if we choose a new location to dig the tunnel again, this problem will not exist."

This is what Ciel wanted to say.

This was no coincidence. In order to avoid being "accidentally injured" by poison gas, the German army had to cross the trench and continue to advance.

Then Tijani exclaimed: "God, if this is the case, when we get out, we will be behind the enemy's rear, and we can attack them from the back!"

"Is that what you think?" Charles asked.

"What's the problem?" Tijani's voice was filled with confusion: "We can win easily, Colonel!"

Charles shook his head, and the flashlight light slowly moved forward, pointing at the German defense line and even reaching its rear.

Tijani understood instantly: "You mean, we attack forward instead of attacking the German army's back?"

"The back is just the German frontline troops, General." Charles explained: "It may be just a regiment, or at most a brigade. So what if we surround it or even defeat it? We even lost our own defense line and land !”

Tijani nodded in agreement.

The French defense line could not be garrisoned because of the "stored" poison gas. They turned around and attacked from behind. Even if they won, they were destined to lose their defense line because it still had poison gas.

At this time, Charles added: "If we continue to attack forward, think about what will happen?"

At Charles's reminder, Tijani moved his eyes deeper into the German defense line, and then shouted excitedly: "We may run into the enemy's headquarters and seize a lot of supplies. More importantly, we can Capture the German trenches..."

"No, it's our trench." Charles interrupted Tijani. He pointed his finger about 2 kilometers ahead, which was the French trench that the Germans crossed yesterday.

"That's right, Colonel." Tijani immediately reacted: "The German defense line was built in one day. It is simpler and faces us. The French trenches are what we need. They are more comprehensive and face the direction. correct!"

Tijani did not hesitate and immediately informed the battalion commanders of the new situation and new combat plan by phone.