Chapter 200: Breaking Through
Before the battle, Major General Christine, thinking solely from an infantry perspective, had underestimated the challenges posed by the quarry. While the quarry posed little threat to infantry, who could move through it with ease and even use it for cover, the unique terrain was lethal for the CA-1 and Saint-Chamond tanks. Just a single stray rock could jam their protruding hulls, suspending the treads in mid-air and leaving the tanks immobilized.
The surrounding area appeared open, but only a single road was actually navigable for tanks. If the Germans could blockade this road with artillery fire, the French forces would be completely stalled in their advance.
"Boom, boom!" Explosions echoed along the road as German artillery rained down.
Amid the cacophony, Christine shouted orders to his men, attempting to pull them back to a defensive position. He quickly realized they had fallen into a trap, and the only viable strategy now was to preserve as much strength as possible. But due to Joffre's prior orders and the widespread belief that victory was within reach, Christine's message to "hold the line" did not reach the vanguard in time. Eager to seize a victory, the lead units, including the First Regiment, surged forward alongside the tanks.
Rows of soldiers in red trousers charged through the rain toward the German line. But before they could even catch sight of the enemy, bullets and shells tore through their ranks, sending soldiers sprawling to the ground.
"We need the tanks!" someone shouted desperately.
The tanks rolled forward but immediately became a liability. The CA-1s struggled to navigate the rubble and shell craters, cautiously trying to avoid the countless obstacles. Even slight miscalculations left them stuck, helplessly immobile.
Finally, a few tanks managed to maneuver close enough to support the troops, but the soldiers were horrified to see that German bullets easily punctured the CA-1's frontal armor. Worse still, the Germans had learned from prior engagements and discovered that the CA-1's fuel tank was located on the roof.
Note: The CA-1 lacks a fuel pump, relying entirely on gravity to feed fuel into the engine, thus necessitating the roof-mounted tank.
Armed with anti-tank rifles and specialized armor-piercing rounds, German soldiers took aim at the tanks' vulnerable fuel tanks, riddling them with holes. Unbeknownst to the advancing infantry, gasoline dripped steadily from the tanks, mixing with the rain.
None of the soldiers, focused as they were on the battle, noticed the gasoline trickling down the tank hulls. They kept firing and charging toward the enemy line, spurred on by their officers who waved their swords and shouted:
"Victory is within reach, boys!"
"Push through! Our comrades are waiting for us on the other side!"
Then, with a deafening roar, an artillery shell ignited the gasoline, sparking a blaze. Flames erupted through the rain, instantly enveloping soldiers caught in its path. Terrified, they let out blood-curdling screams, initially trying to slap out the flames with their hands. But the searing pain soon drove them to madly wave their burning arms and stagger away, stumbling in all directions as if trying to flee the fire clinging to their bodies. Ultimately, each collapsed to the ground in various contorted poses, while the flames continued to consume them, filling the air with a sickening, suffocating stench.
And this was only the beginning.
Before long, the flames spread along the trail of fuel back to its source. With a sudden explosion, a CA-1 tank was engulfed in a massive burst of crimson flame, incinerating soldiers nearby. The very tanks intended to shield them had become deadly traps, sources of lethal fire. The blazing CA-1s continued to crawl forward like mobile coffins, spreading fire and death across the battlefield.
One tank after another ignited, creating a wall of fire that blocked the view and halted the advance of the rear units. The Germans, taking advantage of the fiery silhouettes, unleashed a relentless hail of bullets and shells on the stalled French soldiers.
Caught in the inferno, several Saint-Chamond tanks were immobilized as well, with tank crews trapped inside, screaming for help in desperation. In the end, they, too, were consumed by the unrelenting flames.
Watching in horror, Major General Christine could scarcely believe his eyes. The battlefield had become a hellscape—a trap meticulously crafted to ensnare the French forces. He realized, with sinking dread, that the mission had ended in complete failure. They had been lured into a deadly counter-ambush, and now even survival seemed uncertain.
At that very moment, a radio operator reported urgently, "General, orders from the Commander-in-Chief: advance at all costs. He says that breaking through the enemy line will lead to victory!"
At French headquarters, the sudden downturn in the battlefield situation plunged the staff into chaos and anxiety.
One distress signal after another piled onto Joffre's desk like snowflakes in a storm:
"Tram under heavy enemy attack!"
"Rhodes has fallen."
"First Special Artillery Division is ambushed, sustaining heavy casualties at the Bor Quarry."
"Second Special Artillery Division is trapped near Carlos Town—they've encountered enemy tanks!"
The Second Special Artillery Division had advanced into a narrow road flanked by hills, where the Germans had fortified positions above, pouring fire on the French troops from both sides. Artillery barred their escape, while an unexpected German tank battalion cut off their retreat.
Sweat trickled down Joffre's face as he realized Gallieni had been right—this was indeed a trap designed specifically for their forces.
"General!" Colonel Carnace swallowed nervously. "Give the order. Our units brought minimal ammunition to ensure faster movement in the breakthrough…"
Defeated, Joffre nodded. "Order a retreat."
This admission meant that all hope of victory was gone, leaving only the bitter taste of humiliation.
"But where should we retreat to?" Carnace asked, visibly shaken. "The Germans have retaken both Tram and Rhodes."
"Then recapture them!" Joffre snapped in frustration. "We still have tanks! Send them back in!"
Joffre's remaining reserve units were stationed in Cape Town. Though they weren't truly reserves, their purpose had been to draw the Germans' attention and create the illusion of a primary assault from that location. Clearly, the Germans hadn't been fooled.
"But sir," Carnace hesitated. "Reports indicate that German rifles can now penetrate our tanks' 17mm frontal armor. We're unsure how they're achieving this."
Joffre froze, understanding immediately. This meant the tanks were now useless, unable to secure a retreat path to save the encircled units.
After a moment's contemplation, he gritted his teeth and gave the order. "Withdraw through Cape Town. We'll strike from both sides and get them out!"
"Yes, General!" Carnace replied, hurrying to relay the orders. But he couldn't help thinking that at this point, perhaps only Charles could save them now.
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