Reincarnated as Nikolai II

After the war of attrition in 1915, Russia's power had reached its peak in early 1917.

It was Russia who wanted to wield that power against Germany more than anyone, and it was Britain and France who blocked this.

America's entry into the war.

'...Yet that America cannot replace the role of the Eastern Front.'

That late entry from the new continent gave the Anglo-French alliance too much inflated dreams.

"The Chief of Staff's will is firm. We will still faithfully engage in the war as allies and participants, but we will strike Austria-Hungary first. Germany is now merely secondary."

In Nicolson's view, this wasn't simply Russia's emotional choice.

'They've already expanded the front in the south. With investments made, it's not easy to just pull out completely.'

Directions diverging too much.

"...We shall respect that."

Even he as plenipotentiary ambassador didn't have confidence to coordinate this, and the day's meeting ended without any results.

However, a few days later...

"Minister Rödiger! Please reconsider! This, this is right! A misunderstanding! They say all those idiots in the Supreme War Council are being replaced so this must be a misunderstanding! Or, or let me meet Prime Minister Kokovtsov! Time is of the essence now!"

Gone was the gentleman who had been distressed about the alliance's division, and in his place remained only a rioter spouting anything while begging.

Autumn, as October was ending.

Amiens had fallen.

This meant the Nivelle Offensive had failed.

==

The counterattack operation to stop Ludendorff.

Nivelle's offensive was conducted on a scale incomparable to the original history.

There was no deployment of 1.2 million troops across a 40km front supported by 7,000 artillery pieces.

Of course, it's not that the Allied forces suffered no damage from Nivelle's offensive failure just because they invested less.

Whatever the case, everything Nivelle pulled together was from the Central Army, rear reserves, and Northern Army Group.

"Huh? Mobilization? Right now when we've lost Arras and the Chief of Staff ordered us to form a defense line-"

"The French Third Army will all be committed to the counterattack operation! In 24 hours! In 24 hours our enemy will have no choice but to leave the north on their own feet!"

Nivelle, who had been shouting about 48 hours in the rear, guaranteed victory within 24 hours before the soldiers.

"I understand the counterattack, but where are we going then?"

"Cross the Aisne River and drive out the enemy! Just as the enemy tried to divide the Anglo-French forces, we'll cut between their central and northern fronts!"
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The fact that the original Nivelle Offensive was in the Aisne River direction.

The fact that they wouldn't directly face the enemy Stormtroopers.

Finally, the fact that the area below would be vulnerable since the enemy was putting all their strength into the northern offensive.

Nivelle took pride in his specialty of creeping barrage.

"Hmm, I oppose this. Rather than crossing the Aisne River, wouldn't it be better to join General Foch in the north?"

Even when Reserve Army Group Commander Joseph Micheler expressed skeptical opinions.

"...Pull troops from here? It would be better to turn forces to our side instead. If we attack east of Reims on the central front during this gap, won't that prevent the enemy from penetrating deeply in the north? Frankly, this is a gamble."

Even when Philippe Pétain, leading the current Central Army Group, expressed concern.

"This is an operation already approved by the Prime Minister. No need to listen to talk from senior officers."

It was sound that wouldn't pierce Nivelle's ears at all.

The enemy has better firepower?

That's still useless before his sequential bombardment-advance technique of creeping barrage.

The offensive is dangerous because the enemy isn't just purely attacking but also defending while operating mobile forces?

Whether trenches or fortresses, creeping barrage solves everything.

With British forces' jurisdiction now separated, frontline recovery should come first?

If we defeat the enemy with the creeping barrage doctrine, that will be resolved too.

Nivelle had to believe in this doctrine he created, having proven it numerous times last year.

No, in fact.

What he knew how to do.

What he knew how to use in actual combat.

'...This alone is the answer. When I save France from this crisis, everyone will look up to me!'

He might have been a man who knew nothing else.

However, this Nivelle.

"We can trust General Nivelle! I can guarantee his fighting spirit is the best in France!"

"Who else but him could be the next Marshal?"

The Grand Quartier Général (GQG), French rear headquarters, supported him.

"If Marshal Joffre agrees... We'll try believing too."

"Actually, we don't have any better options than General Nivelle right now, do we?"

The Supreme War Council and subordinate Allied Command approved.

"Is there another phrase that moves the hearts of us French people as much as General Nivelle's slogan 'They Shall Not Pass'?"

"And what about his statement to the press 'The artillery conquers, the infantry occupies'? The citizens of this country want him!"

Above all, British and French political circles were biting, sucking, and pushing the man named Robert Nivelle.

Thus Robert Nivelle, receiving everyone's trust, prepared both the first offensive plan to stab Ludendorff's lower belly and a second offensive plan after that.

The Arras defense line collapsed.

Amid Amiens' desperate resistance.

Exactly 48 hours after the offensive began.

"Fuck this, I quit!"

"Y-you want us to split between German 5th and 6th Armies alone? Are you crazy?"

"We were originally from the 20th Corps led by General Foch, why do we have to die here?"

"Do they think we're Stormtroopers or something! Everyone's dead, what breakthrough!"

Mutiny broke out in the French 3rd and 6th Armies that had been half-destroyed failing to break through German defenses.

A week later.

"...Retreat again. We abandon Amiens."

"If we withdraw, won't the Central Army Group be in danger?"

"Tell General Pétain to pull back. We must pull the Central Army Group back to the Marne."

Amiens had fallen.