"Your Excellency, under the Germans' ferocious bombardment, even the sturdy dugouts we constructed have suffered damage to varying degrees. Some have even collapsed. That is precisely why our losses are mounting. Moreover, if we allow the German bombardment to continue, our fortifications will soon be wiped out completely. When that happens, what will we use to resist the German attack?" General de Castelnau looked thoroughly aggrieved.
"General, even without fortifications, we can still hold back the Germans. Though the Marne River is not wide, I believe it will become an impassable natural barrier for them. When the time comes, we can use this barrier to make German blood flow into rivers." Marshal Joffre was not so easily persuaded. Of course, if possible, he naturally wanted to send more support to the front. But unfortunately, there was simply nothing he could do now.
"Very well, Your Excellency. We will do our utmost. But the German aircraft are too troublesome. Why aren't our aircraft taking off to meet them? If, when the Germans attack, their aircraft keep strafing us or dropping bombs over our heads, I cannot guarantee that my soldiers will obediently lie in their trenches and resist the German assault," General de Castelnau continued.
Marshal Joffre immediately frowned. That German aircraft were formidable did not surprise him. In fact, during the latter half of last year, German aircraft had beaten the air forces of Britain and France until they were powerless to fight back. It was only that, at the time, there had been too few German aircraft for their effect to be limited, and they had not greatly influenced the course of the war.
But now, the German military was actually using aircraft on a large scale to bomb their defensive line, destroy their fortifications, and inflict casualties on