Father of France

Chapter 3 Two Chairpersons
Of course, Koeman couldn't let these Syrian Maronite Christians die in vain. To be fair, even if these Maronite Christians believed they were descendants of the Knights Templar and were willing to fight for France, they would still be easy prey for the Germans.

But? Germany wasn't the only Axis power; wasn't Italy also part of it?

In comparison, Italy's will to fight was not particularly strong, and it was definitely at the bottom among the major belligerent nations. Italy did send troops during the French campaign, and we all know the result.

If they couldn't beat the Germans, couldn't they at least beat the Italians? The facts proved it: Middle Eastern Christians, mixed with Free French forces, were able to put up a fight against the Italian army.

Although no one knows how much combat strength would be left without the command of regular French officers, just as the British Indian Army would falter without the British, so far this has not happened.

After several years of psychological manipulation since arriving in Syria, when de Gaulle came to Damascus and reiterated his promise to liberate France, the 30,000 French troops suddenly increased to 100,000, and then to 200,000 when de Gaulle attended the Casablanca Conference.

The division Koeman is currently in is a product of the land reclamation efforts, and its personnel are highly concentrated, consisting entirely of minors aged sixteen to eighteen.

The reason why Koeman was so greedy was that he was afraid of dying. He wanted to participate in the world war, which was true, but he was also afraid of running into a tough opponent.

After much contemplation, as if he had lived a second life, he decided to use the entire army as a shield. He believed that even if the superior commander was inhuman, he wouldn't send such a division, composed entirely of minors, to a difficult front.

Koman was serving in this very unit, as General Fontaine knew. Koman's unit was a product of Syria's repeated exploitation of its people, and the next year's recruits would have to be fourteen.

Although during World War I in France, the feminist leader of the White Feather Movement publicly called for lowering the conscription age for men to participate in the war to ten years old, "ten-year-old boys can also fight for their country, even if it means wiping out a generation of men to achieve victory in the war."

After the Battle of Verdun broke out, they advocated: "to further lower the age of conscription, so that even a five-year-old boy can make his own contribution on the battlefield."

General Fontaine, who had personally served in the White Feather Movement, understood this sentiment best. Therefore, even though Maron from Syria had sent troops, he still gave Koman another chance to back out after learning that Koman's unit was about to depart.

But now that things have come to this, General Fang Dan can't say anything more. "After you left, the Governor's Mansion became even more deserted. Before, people would come to visit on weekends."

Koman used to live here with his father, his brother, and his father's wife, who was of equal status to his wife. This was after he roared and pounced on them. But his father had already gone ahead to contribute to the liberation of France and was not in Syria at the time.

This trip to Koeman was also a farewell, to thank General Fontaine for taking care of him during the year he was appointed commander of the French forces in French Syria.

“You young people, so old, always have fantasies about war.” General Fang Dan sighed, seemingly thinking of the past.

Men will do anything for women. He was inspired by the women in the White Feather Movement when he was about the same age, and he joined the army without hesitation. But things were different on the battlefield.

Fighting for a bright future wasn't entirely an illusion, but the chances were too slim. Fontaine, who barely survived to the end, vividly remembered the waves of war-weariness and mutiny that swept through the final moments. Since things had come to this, General Fontaine said nothing more. There was a room for Corman in the governor's mansion, and although he later moved to the military camp, General Fontaine still kept that room. Corman, who came to collect his supplies, tidied up his things, even organizing the recruitment posters he had collected in his spare time.

"The news from Naples is that we'll depart in a week." General Fontaine didn't leave, glancing at the telegram from the Italian front, and said, "What use is your unit going up there? It's not a combat unit."

General Fontaine was right. The unit that Coman was in was not a combat unit. In terms of organization, it would be considered a gendarmerie in mainland France. Furthermore, it touched on Fontaine's sore spot: the supervisory team.

"Most of our troops are returning to the homeland. After all, there are more people there, and guided by the desire for revenge, the army can be quickly restored to its original size." Koman knew this news; this time, he didn't start from an orphanage, he still had family.

"A few people are coming to talk this afternoon, please receive them." General Fontan was not interested in war politics and was unwilling to have too much contact with local forces in Syria.

In fact, Koeman's father was also unwilling, so he had done these things before. Based on the life motto that as long as you are willing to suffer, there is no end to suffering, General Fontaine kept this habit.

Since France's withdrawal from Syria was already a done deal thanks to de Gaulle's promise, no amount of goodwill could prevent Syria from becoming independent, so he couldn't be bothered to care.

"Then I'll listen to what they want." Koeman agreed with a smile, though it was a bit abrupt, but he might have to change today's arrangements at the last minute.

The conversation couldn't take place at the Governor's Mansion. Considering there was still time, Koman left the Governor's Mansion and met up with his two comrades. He explained the new mission, but still emphasized, "There's still time. Take stock of the Damascus Tobacco Company's inventory."

There were two groups of guests in the afternoon. Time flew by, and Koman appeared at the location of the conversation, which was actually the Paul Church in Damascus. Martin brought the Kurds' shipment volume for this time.

“After we set off, it’s still important to ensure stable shipments,” Coman said to Martin after glancing at the data. “Demand will be high for some time to come. Together with Damascus Tobacco Company, we need to meet that demand.”

Martin nodded. Although he didn't know what was going on, he remembered it and considered it his duty. "I'll have the Kurdish representative come over in person."

“Okay, right after our guests.” Koman was easy to talk to, then turned to Alan and said, “Our soldiers aren’t very old. Although they are very energetic, they are inevitably nervous. You should pay more attention to this and make sure you don’t do anything embarrassing before we set off.”

A short while later, two men in their thirties arrived together. If they were to be considered as leaders of a political party, they would actually be quite young.

The two men are Michel Afraq and Salah al-Din al-Bitar, leaders of the Ba'ath Party. Both were students studying in Paris, and at this moment, their relationship is very close.

　I didn't have a single word of draft prepared; I just spent a month fantasizing in my head about how to do it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)