When flesh meet steel

"We need to initiate an attack immediately! The army group that is fighting in Belgium is barely holding. If this continues, the german will be stepping into Paris sooner than we think." Saying in a determinate tone, the General who looks like is in his fifty using a croupier-like stick and pushes a group of red models on the map in front of him into Paris.

"The fortification in Liege has been proven to be ineffective, failing to hold off the German offense. Now, it's only a matter of time before the Belgium in Liege surrenders under German's term." Continuing to explain the situation, the General isn't hopeful about it. "We must follow Plan XVII, to initiate a large-scale assault on the German front line to take off pressure from the troop still in Belgium and force the German to divert their army."

"Or else, the whole army group of theirs will be surrounded, which is a cost that they could not afford to pay." Pushing the blue model now, the table shows a situation of the main attack group being surrounded by the Republic, which will be a disaster for the German Empire. "If that's the case, we could very well end the war before Christmas just like what those damn German are trying to achieve."

"Gentleman, the best defense is a good offense, and time is of the essence. The longer we delay, the closer the German is towards our capital." Ending with a conclusion, the General looked at the other staff who was attending this strategy meeting, hoping that his plan could go through.

Inside the brightly lit room, consists of many high ranking Generals and war advisors of the Republic. Gathering together at a big war table, they are planning for the next steps of the war.

The fortification built by Belgium in Liege is barely holding back the German 15 corps, or around 600,000 men back. The introduction of heavy artillery and mage bombardment has greatly reduced the effectiveness of the fortification, thus a meeting to discuss their next steps is started.

"But the same could be said for the German too." This time, a much younger French officer proceeds near the table, and points out the flaw in the plan, "The German aren't idiots. They could very well flank our rear from Belgium, and there isn't anything that is stopping them from doing that. The British and Belgium forces are weak there."

"Your plan is established on the assumption that Liege could still hold off the German for a few more days. And yet, our intel has said that they could only barely hold for a few more hours."

"You are putting the whole hope of the Republic at risk, General." Staring at the frustrated General, he proceeds to use the stick on the table to move the red model behind the blue army. "In the end, we might be the one who is going to be surrounded."

"That is why we need to launch an offense as soon as possible!" Saying it in a louder voice, the General hit the table, irritated by the young officer questioning his strategy. "The German has already sent most of their elites into Belgium, the enemy at Alsace-Lorraine is weak, we could crash them in a matter of days!"

"And this is the plan devised long before by the high command, are you questioning us now!?"

"The war situation has changed! General, you're putting our army at risk right now, and I'm not afraid of sacrificing myself to deny it!" Not afraid to voice out his opinion, the officer stares at the General intensely while the other staff whispers to each other, discussing about the war effort. However, the whisper eventually turns into a discussion, and finally into shouting as they could not agree on the plan itself.

Just when the meeting is going to turn into a fistfight, a man steps in to control the chaotic situation.

"Silence, I say silence!" With a deep voice, a man commanded the staff to quiet down. "We are at war now, not a supermarket!"

"For the survival of the third republic, we must unite together and defeat the cruel invader in our homeland. Have you all already forgotten about the Franco-German war!?" Mentioning the scar of every patriotic French, the staff around him get visibly stirred up. "If we fail to stop the German advances, we will all become great sinners of our republic. Thus, we need to remain calm."

The man with a classical European mustache, wearing a uniform full of badges and medals is the Chief of the Army Staff of the French Third Republic, Joseph Joffre, a man in his sixty who is full of experience and knowledge.

By mentioning the war that they have lost in the past, the shame they have suffered, he tries to unite his man through the desire for revenge.

"I've heard both of your opinions, and it all has its own valid point." Joffre looking at his subordinate, he ensures that their voices are heard. "However, I believe that an offense is the correct decision to make now."

Pointing his stick at the table, Joffre explained his point. "I have been to Liege before and observed the fortification. It's strong, big and fearsome." Remembering the fortification in his mind, he continues. "I've made an estimate before as to how much time it will take for me to occupy it, and the answer is weeks."

"So I assure you gentleman, the flank of us is safe. And all that we should be concerned about is to break through the line and try to surround the German forces in time. The German has focused too many forces in Belgium that their line on Sarrebourg must be weak."

"Their line is thin like a piece of paper, and all we need to do, is to walk through it." Concluding his thought, Joffre look at the staff around him. "Now, does anyone have any objection to this plan? As it has been mentioned just now, time is of the essence, we need to decide our plan now."

"If not, give order to the first army, let them commence the offensive now." And thus with no one objecting, the plan of the Republic is decided.

'Hmph! Through this offense, we shall annihilate the foolish German army and bring them down on their knees.' Thinking in his mind, Joffre can already imagine the German surrounded by his army, and him gaining honor and fame due to his genius maneuver, and even reclaiming the old land of the Republic.

Yet little do he know, the fortification of Liege has already fallen at the very same day they decide for the offensive, which the news will arrive a week later, and that the German army in Belgium is not 600,000, but 1,120,000 in number.

The France army is too optimistic about the situation of the war, the German have diverted most of their forces from the Eastern front to execute the Schlieffen plan. The plan isn't as complex as it seems. Basically, sacrifice the Eastern Front strength, in exchange for the quick victory in France and eventually focus on dealing with Russia. But out of their expectation, it ended up that the Eastern Front will end in an early Central Power Victory while the Western Front stalemate for 4 years.

But now, the first army of France is commanded to attack the weak german forces at Sarrebourg and eventually break through Alsace-Lorraine, the once French territory that has been ceased to the German Empire.

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The France Republic during World War One has made a lot of mistakes and questionable decisions. And one of the main problems is their army attitude towards war.

Quoting from a British officer "The French Army with the greatest formation in the 19th century, wearing their white gloves, with the officer who decorated themselves handsomely walking 18 meters in front of them, walk calmly just like a parade, they were brave, charging under horrible shells and shots, but it's useless, no one who can survive under the concentrated fire of cannon and shells. Until now, I've never seen a man able to go forward above 45m without getting hit."

But looking at the French soldier moving around their trenches in their obvious blue uniform and red trouser, Diedrich ain't gonna complain. Under the cover of night, they provide good target practices.

With his rifle in his hand, his green iris looking through the iron sight. He can hear gunshots coming from the German at his position already shooting at the French, with some occasionally hitting the enemy and inflicting casualties.

The artillery bombardment of the German is still going on until now. Sometimes hitting the French who are taking cover in the trench, resulting in dirt mixing with blood flying through the air far and wide. It isn't uncommon for soldiers to be hit directly as well, if that's the case, the unlucky bastard wouldn't even have the needs of a grave.

Aiming carefully, he presses his trigger, shooting at some of the French soldiers who are peeking up from their trench carefully as some part of the trenches have just collapsed due to the artillery bombardment. Wanting to eliminate as many soldiers as possible before the evitable charges, Diedrich took the chances and shot.

"Bam! Bam!" And with steady pacing, Dietrich begins to shoot and lay down bullets upon the French. With their obvious color of blue and red, they make the job much easier for Dierich.

And in his fourth shot, he manages to hit a bulky looking soldier's shoulder. The soldier's covering his wound with his hand, the shot managed to hit him while he was returning fire. Rendering him unfit for combat for a few months and maybe even killing him with the poor treatment that he will receive. Dying due to infection from injury is very common at this age.

Finishing his last shot which hit the ground, Diedrich grabbed an ammo clip from his right pocket replacing it with the empty one, hurrying to continue the suppression.

They are told that bullets are cheap, that the Empire industrial might is their greatest backbone. While the 26th Division is using up thousands of ammo every second, the Empire factory is producing thousands more at the same time. The Empire shall provide, and the Army shall be the instrument of war.

And with the familiar sound of the sharp whistles, Diedrich knows the time has come. With the moon dim light shining upon their young face, the brave soldier of French hearing the large shouting of the officers begins to use their fleshes to lay the way for their road of offensive. Climbing up of their trenches, they shall fight steel with flesh.

Looking from high above, there are around 8000 men who are engaged in this offensive. The French soldier forms a wave of blue and swipes through the ground like a Tsunami. Meanwhile explosions from German artillery occurred everywhere, creating smoke and splashing dirt over the once green field. When humans in the future try to recreate war movies with technology and programs, the people here uses their life to perform the act..

With shouts of courage coming from the French, the ground shall be painted red tonight by the blood of the enemies, and the hatred for each other.