Part XII
"So the disaster of the Low Countries duly unfolded, our best and fastest armies rushed north, trying to save the Dutch until, when they were most vulnerable, the Germans unleashed their master stroke. Rushing through the supposedly impenetrable Ardennes they smashed Gamelin's covering force and raced through Belgium, capturing Brussels then driving for the sea." The awe in the voice was tangible.
"Would Gamelin have gone so far without Reynaurd's orders? I do not know, though I am sure it was only Reynaud's guilt at issuing that order that kept Gamelin in his job. Ironic is it not? In trying to undermine Gamelin when he was doing his job properly Reynaud forced him to act improperly, thus generating a large clamour that the general be sacked. But by that point Reynaud couldn't sack him or Gamelin would reveal the earlier under-mining."
The heavy started chewing his tongue as he tried to follow the convoluted logic, eventually deciding to give up while the tobacco stained lump he called a tongue was still intact. The voice continued.
"The days and weeks that followed saw Holland then Belgium forced from the war and the better part of two French Armies struggle to escape an ever tightening pocket, to say we were in a panic would be an under statement." The hollow laugh emerged again before the voice continued.
"But Reynaud had a plan, he would call upon the hero Petain to save us! Petain!" The voice dripped venom as it spat the name out.
