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After a long debate, the command of France has determined their next plan. The Northern Group Army under Charles de Gaulle will be split in two, with fifty thousand troops advancing north to capture Ruhr, while another fifty thousand will move south to coordinate with the southern forces for an annihilation battle.
The reason for this choice is simple: the proposal to advance eastward towards Berlin has faced strong opposition from the military. They argue that it is impossible to execute such an order, as sending infantry to attack a target five hundred kilometers away is tantamount to sending soldiers to their deaths. Even if an eastern offensive could force part of the German army on the front line to retreat, it would not achieve the goal of annihilating them and would instead lead to a new round of attrition warfare. Germany's strategic depth allows them to pull out a reserve force before the French Army reaches Berlin.
Moreover, an isolated northern attack could easily be flanked by the enemy; the German army could simply divert part of their reserves to accomplish this, especially since there are still fifty thousand National Defense Forces stationed in eastern Germany. Thus, the French Army effectively has only two options: either advance north to attack Ruhr and seize Germany's industrial heart, or move south to eliminate German army units, and after annihilating their main forces, consider further offensives in other directions.
This situation is somewhat akin to the choice faced by Germany after capturing Smolensk in 1941: whether to directly attack Moscow or first target Kyiv. One must choose between capturing strategic locations and annihilating enemy forces. There is no way around it; given insufficient troop strength to support simultaneous offensives in both directions, a decision must be made.
Of course, Ruhr is more like Kharkiv than Moscow; this is merely a comparison. The military prefers the southern advance as it seems more prudent. If they can eliminate the one hundred fifty thousand National Defense Forces in the south, even taking out half of that number would greatly assist subsequent advances. Although intelligence indicates that Germany can mobilize more troops, equipment losses are tangible.
The French people are unaware of how Germany's arms production operates behind the scenes. In their view, Germany's arms companies are like fireflies compared to a bright moon when compared to France; quickly replenishing their supplies is not so easy. However, politicians prefer to secure Ruhr first before moving south since this was promised to them by Myers; securing it would provide peace of mind.
This is a more prudent choice; if the French Army's final advance does not go smoothly, capturing Ruhr would at least provide an explanation back home. They must consider the worst-case scenario: what if Germany refuses to surrender? Myers' disappearance has left the French Army without agents in Germany, so they must contemplate contact with Berlin.
However, based on previous statements from ethnic group leaders and the German President regarding the Labour Party, the likelihood of reaching an agreement in the short term appears low. Both sides are unwilling to compromise, leading President Dumero to decide on a compromise: that the northern army group will split its forces.
Fifty thousand troops moved north to capture the Ruhr, while another fifty thousand advanced south to encircle the German army around Baden. Although General Weygand questioned the likelihood of many German army forces defending the Ruhr, as their main forces were in the south, President Dumérol had his reasons. The French Intelligence Agency had previously submitted a secret report to the government, stating that while there might be only a small number of National Defense Forces in the Ruhr, a large number of militia units had been stationed there in recent months.
These militia units, although not part of the formal military structure, were armed and numerous. Among them, the armed forces of the ethnic group and Labour Party, known as Vanguard, constituted the main force, with at least two hundred thousand Vanguard members stationed in the Ruhr. Although their training could not compare to that of the National Defense Forces, they possessed unique advantages. Militias were not restricted by the Treaty of Versailles, allowing them to be equipped with many weapons prohibited for German forces. Additionally, their numbers were not subject to any limitations, enabling them to freely reinforce their armed units.
The French Army faced greater difficulty attacking these areas because the Ruhr had constructed strong fortifications; the entire city had become fortified. This was thanks to Strasser's foresight and the enthusiasm of the German people. Upon hearing that it was for resisting the French people, local residents eagerly mobilized to build fortifications and dig trenches. They utilized local steel to construct barbed wire and anti-tank ditches, turning the Ruhr into an impregnable fortress before their evacuation.
The intelligence department of the French Army had gathered information through aerial reconnaissance and essentially understood the defensive layout surrounding the Ruhr. After military analysis of this intelligence, it was determined that at least fifty thousand troops would be needed to break through these entrenched militia forces. The primary differences between militia units and regular troops, aside from training levels and specialization, included organizational structure—a significant gap. Many militia units performed well in favorable conditions but often saw morale plummet in adverse situations.
However, Vanguard did not face this issue because its members were staunch National Socialism adherents willing to sacrifice for Germany's future. They received extensive theoretical training and firmly believed their cause was just. Additionally, the ethnic group and Labour Party assured that if they died in service, their families would be well taken care of. With their reasons for fighting and concerns for their families addressed, these individuals naturally became fervent extremists.
They may resemble historical Waffen-SS in some ways; while their combat skills might not be the highest, they were certainly among the most fanatical. They could often endure high casualties without retreating or surrendering—anyone attempting to take on this challenge would find it exceedingly difficult. The Ruhr was a trap prepared by Strasser for France.
Because he knew in advance that the French Army wanted to annex the Ruhr, he presented the Ruhr to the French people. It was a huge piece of meat, but it was filled with countless nails; it all depended on whether the French people had the appetite to swallow it. However, the French people's appetite was much larger than Strasser had imagined. President Dumérol not only wanted the Ruhr but also aimed to annihilate the German Army's forces. Thus, all of this led President Dumérol to make the decision to split his troops. Despite opposition from Marshal Pétain and others, the government did not intend to compromise repeatedly. Ultimately, a telegram was sent from Vichy to the Ardennes region. When Charles de Gaulle received this telegram, he could only sigh; he knew that France's high command still had not shed their arrogance. However, as just a brigadier, he had no power to oppose it. So he had no choice but to issue the order to split the troops. On March 15, the Northern Group Army was divided into two and began advancing in opposite directions.
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