In Berlin, the capital of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II sat with a beaming smile, listening to Chief of Staff Moltke's report on the outcome of the battle along the French border.
Three days ago, the battle at the French frontier had finally concluded. In this pivotal engagement, the German Empire succeeded in defeating the Anglo-French forces, securing a significant victory.
The battle, which began on August 8 and lasted until August 24, spanned two grueling weeks. Over 3.5 million soldiers were engaged on both sides. Yet, despite their numerical superiority, the Anglo-French forces proved no match for the elite German army, ultimately losing the battle.
The German strategy had been to outflank the enemy's right wing with the main force (22 corps and 7 cavalry divisions) through Belgium, aiming to encircle the Anglo-French main army to the west of Paris. The Anglo-French coalition (22 and a half corps and 7 and a half cavalry divisions) had spread their forces along a line from Étain, Montmédy, Charleroi, to Landrecies, launching a series of offensives. The fighting unfolded across four key areas. From August 8 to 18, the French 1st and 2nd Armies attacked Alsace and Lorraine. On the 20th, the German 6th and 7th Armies launched a counterattack, forcing the French to retreat to the Nancy Heights. From the 22nd to 25th, the German 4th and 5th Armies clashed with the French 3rd and 4th Armies in the Ardennes. Despite having the advantage in numbers, the French were defeated and retreated to Verdun and the Meuse River. Between the 21st and 23rd, the German 2nd and 3rd Armies successfully crossed the Sambre and Meuse Rivers, forcing the French 5th Army to withdraw south of Philippeville. On the 23rd and 24th, the German 1st Army pushed the British Expeditionary Force back from Mons to the Le Cateau-Cambrai line. Both sides had committed over 3.5 million soldiers to the battle.
The Anglo-French forces suffered approximately 300,000 casualties, with their lines collapsing north of Verdun, leaving Paris under imminent threat. France's Plan XVII had failed, and the Germans now held the strategic initiative on the Western Front.
However, despite the victory, the Germans had not achieved their ultimate goal of annihilating the Anglo-French forces at the border. Although severely weakened, the main Anglo-French armies retreated south of the Marne River, allowing them to regroup and mount a defense. Furthermore, France was frantically mobilizing new troops, and the British continued to send reinforcements. While the Anglo-French forces had suffered heavy losses, they managed to halt the German advance at the Marne. This foiled Germany's plans for a swift victory and forced the war into a protracted conflict, which would inevitably become a war of attrition—an unfavorable situation for Germany.
These events unfolded in another timeline, but with the presence of QinTian in this one, perhaps everything would change.
"Your Majesty, the Anglo-French forces have been dealt a devastating blow. Although they still have many troops, the series of battles has proven that the combat strength of the German army is unmatched. No nation's army can stand against us," Moltke said, his face flushed with excitement and pride.
The earlier victory of the 8th Army under QinTian at the Battle of Tannenberg had put great pressure on Moltke, but now, with the victory on the French frontier, his position was once again secure.
The 8th Army had destroyed more than 200,000 Russian soldiers, but Moltke had led the main German forces in defeating over 300,000 Anglo-French troops. Not only did they have the numerical advantage, but also a qualitative one. How could the Russian army compare to the Anglo-French coalition?
"Indeed, well done! We now hold the advantage in northern France. If we win the next battle and break through at the Marne, Paris will be within our grasp. Once we take Paris, the French will surely fall to their knees and beg for peace, just as they did over forty years ago," Wilhelm II said, his face radiant as if he could already see the victory before him.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Victory is ours," Moltke echoed in agreement.
The others in the room, including Minister of War von Falkenhayn, all wore smiles. Regardless of the situation, the victory on the front lines was a tremendous boon for Germany as a whole.
"Your Majesty, a telegram from the 8th Army," an adjutant announced, entering the room with a broad grin.
"Oh, has Oskar won another victory?" Wilhelm II asked with a smile. The German army's sweeping victories on both the Western and Eastern Fronts had put the emperor in a particularly good mood. Just as the battle on the French frontier concluded, the climactic phase of the Masurian Lakes battle between the 8th Army and the Russian 1st Army was reaching its zenith.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The 8th Army reports that General Rennenkampf, commander of the Russian 1st Army, has officially surrendered to us. More than 200,000 Russian soldiers have laid down their arms. The 8th Army is now securing the prisoners and preparing for rest and reorganization," the adjutant reported.
The Russian 1st Army has surrendered? The news was a shock to everyone present. After all, annihilating an enemy army was one thing, but forcing an entire army to surrender was a wholly different matter.
"Haha, excellent! Oskar and the 8th Army have done an outstanding job. First, they annihilated the Russian 2nd Army, and now they've forced the Russian 1st Army to surrender. The Russian Northwestern Front is finished. The Russians will no longer pose a threat to us on the Eastern Front," Wilhelm II laughed heartily.
The dual victories on the Western and Eastern Fronts had greatly elated him. Now, more than ever, he was convinced that Germany would emerge victorious in this war.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" The assembled officers, including von Falkenhayn, beamed with joy. The War Minister's face lit up like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Moltke, too, congratulated the Kaiser, though the smile on his face seemed somewhat forced.
Compared to the resounding victory of the 8th Army on the Eastern Front, the triumph on the French border seemed far less significant. Though they had eliminated 300,000 Anglo-French troops, the 8th Army, with only 180,000 men, had defeated over half a million Russian soldiers—a staggering achievement. Moreover, the 8th Army had single-handedly resolved the crisis on the Eastern Front. While the Russians would undoubtedly launch further offensives, Germany had survived the most perilous period. The Western Front, meanwhile, would continue to see more fierce battles.
Moltke couldn't help but feel anxious. As QinTian's contributions to the war grew ever more substantial, so too would his favor in the eyes of Wilhelm II. Inevitably, QinTian's influence would expand. Moltke feared that, if things continued this way, his own position as Chief of Staff might soon be at risk. For Moltke, power was everything, something he could not afford to lose.