To the Last Man - Jeff Shaara [309]
Pershing moved around the table, said, “Then we should not delay.”
“General, are you still convinced your forces should attempt to reduce the St. Mihiel salient?”
“I have never wavered from that plan.”
Foch continued to stare down, and Pershing felt the familiar heat rising inside of him. He heard a voice behind him.
“Sir? Excuse me.”
Pershing was surprised to see Gray, who seemed to hesitate, and Pershing said, “What is it, Lieutenant?”
“Sir, General McAndrew has instructed me to deliver this to you with all haste.”
Pershing took the envelope, tore it open, slid the fold of paper out, saw McAndrew’s handwriting:
Word from Haig. British have reversed their promise of heavy tanks. Haig says he needs them for his own offensive. None to be provided AEF.
He felt like his gut had been punched, stared at the single word “None.” He looked at Foch now, saw curiosity, the question rolling into Pershing’s brain: Did you know about this?
“I have received some disquieting news. Apparently the British have changed their minds about providing us with heavy tanks.”
He watched Foch’s reaction, saw genuine surprise.
Foch seemed to anticipate Pershing’s next question. “I assure you, General, I knew nothing of this. This could jeopardize your entire plan.”
Pershing moved slowly to a chair, sat, put McAndrew’s note in his pocket.
“Might I assume that the French will not change their minds? You were to provide us with a number of light tanks, and, of course, we still require artillery.”
Foch looked at Pershing for the first time. “I did not know that Marshal Haig would do this, General. But perhaps this will encourage you to consider an alternative plan.”
Pershing stood again, stepped closer to Foch, and the old man turned away, pointed to the map.
“Marshal Haig intends to press forward with his attacks. I do not believe we should allow the enemy any time to regroup. By all means, you may move forward with your strategy to reduce the salient. But, consider, General, that perhaps a limited assault there is the better option. Merely straightening the line along the St. Mihiel sector could have beneficial consequences throughout the entire front. If you were to be too successful, you might push into a salient of your own, making your forces vulnerable. I propose that you attack only along the southern face of the salient, with a limited force. The remainder of your army can be incorporated into a general assault . . . here. Two major attacks, one between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest, executed by the French Second Army, supported by as many as six American divisions. The second attack would come farther west, from the Argonne to the Souain Road, conducted by the French Fourth Army, supported by your divisions fighting on either side of the Aisne River. Success there will crush the center of the German line, and quite probably force the enemy to withdraw from every sector of the Western Front. This will certainly assist Marshal Haig’s efforts, and as I said, possibly end the war. You may still make some attempt to reduce the St. Mihiel salient, but I would think the best strategy there is a limited engagement. I understand that this presents a number of new ideas, and that you will require some time to consider the details. However, I should like your first impressions.”
Pershing held tightly to his fury, closed his eyes for a brief moment, then stood, stepped close to the table. “This is a very sudden change, sir. We have gone to great efforts to relocate an enormous force of men and equipment, supplies and facilities to an area that you have approved, so that we may begin an operation that you have approved as well. I have never intended the attack on the salient to be limited.”
Foch continued to stare at the map. “General, the assault against the Meuse-Argonne region is scheduled to commence on September fifteenth. I do not see how your forces can be made ready to accomplish your goal at