To the Last Man - Jeff Shaara [76]
There was a smugness to the man’s words that made Ludendorff clench his fists. He did not look at Baum, said, “So, at this moment, Lieutenant, your observers are content to stare out across empty ground? Do we not know the position of the enemy?”
He could see the young man glancing at the major with a slight frown. Baum took the cue, said to Ludendorff, “There has been some regrettable confusion at battalion headquarters, General. It is likely that much has happened during the night. I had hoped to discover the enemy’s intentions, but I do not expect anything to happen. The enemy has been beaten here, sir, I can assure you of that! Since I am assuming them to be in full flight, I have considered preparing a letter, petitioning division headquarters to allow us to push on. These men have tasted victory. I should enjoy leading them into Paris myself!”
Ludendorff digested Baum’s words, had heard this kind of empty talk before. This man has no idea what is happening in front of his own command. He should be a clerk. He commands nothing at all.
Ludendorff looked at the lieutenant, saw his own thoughts reflected in the young man’s grim stare.
“Lieutenant, where is the enemy?”
“General, with all respects, they halted their retreat to a line of trenches beyond this field, sir. The position of their lines varies in relation to ours. Six to eight hundred meters distant. At that range, there is no immediate threat of surprise. I have deployed scouts to probe out in front of our position here. The condition of the ground provides cover, even in daylight. Since the French know that as well, my scouts are reporting back to this post every hour, using their advanced position to give us warning should the enemy attempt to move forward again. When you arrived, sir, my observers here were scanning the enemy’s known position. It is the only means we have of protecting the scouts. We have already located one machine-gun post, and very soon I expect to know the precise location of more. Once I have verified the location of those machine guns, with Major Baum’s permission, I will send the specifics to the artillery command.”
Ludendorff was impressed, thought, Finally, an officer.
“Lieutenant, do you believe this battalion should advance on the enemy’s position, whether or not he allows you to march into Paris?”
The young man looked again at the major, and Ludendorff said, “You will answer me, Lieutenant!”
The young man took a long breath, said, “With all respects to Major Baum, sir, I do not believe the enemy is beaten. Everything we have learned here indicates he is regrouping. I believe his position was resupplied last night, and possibly reinforced. The scouts reported hearing motor vehicles. I would respectfully suggest that we determine the enemy’s strength before we advance farther.”
“Then, do you expect him to attack?”
“It is likely, sir. This scenario has occurred before. There is more pride at stake here than tactical advantage. These are his trenches, and he will fight to regain them. It has been this way for some time now, sir. The attack could come as early as tomorrow morning. I cannot speak for any company other than what I command, sir. But the men in this company stand ready. Once the sun has gone down, the enemy will certainly send out scouts of their own. We are prepared to intercept them.”
Ludendorff did not respond for a long moment, and the young man said, “My apologies, sir, but it is essential that my men maintain their watch. Major Baum, might I be allowed to man the parapet again?”
Baum seemed to shake with fury, said, “Lieutenant, your men shall remain in position until the general has completed