Chapter 288: Intent
Charles and Tigani did not elaborate much with Gaplat. They chatted for a while and then boarded a small boat together to visit Admiral Robeck, the commander of the fleet, aboard the Queen Elizabeth.
This was a necessary formal step. As a newly appointed commander in the fleet, Charles naturally had to meet the commander-in-chief.
Although Charles was mentally prepared, he was still struck by the sheer size and imposing presence of the Queen Elizabeth as their boat passed by one warship after another and finally reached the anchored flagship.
Charles had to look up to see the towering island of the ship, with several massive gun barrels extending from the turret, pointing ominously into the distance, as though ready to obliterate the enemy at any moment.
As they drew closer, the massive hull of the ship seemed to blot out the sky, pressing down on Charles with an invisible weight.
Tigani couldn't help but exclaim, "This is Britain's most advanced super-dreadnought, with a displacement of over 30,000 tons and eight 381mm main guns. I heard it can fire 7,000 kilograms of shells in a single salvo."
Gaplat muttered a sound of acknowledgment, then said, "If we count all the guns, there are over seventy in total. It’s essentially a mobile fortress."
(The above image is of the Queen Elizabeth battleship, Britain's most advanced battleship at the time, commissioned in November 1914, only a few months before this scene.)
...
Admiral Robeck's reception of Charles was markedly different from Gaplat's. He greeted Charles beneath the main guns of the Queen Elizabeth with a group of officers, and had reporters on standby, ready to capture the moment when Charles saluted him.
"Welcome, Colonel!" Admiral Robeck appeared quite sincere. "We've been waiting for you to save us, just like you saved France."
A faint chuckle rippled through the British officers.
Charles understood what Admiral Robeck meant.
He was deliberately showing off Britain's strength in front of Charles, speaking in a falsely humble manner to create a stark contrast and subtly mock him.
Gaplat, the rear admiral, looked somewhat angry but could not counter Robeck’s demeanor. He could only suppress his ire.
Tigani furrowed his brows, as if about to rebuke Admiral Robeck's rudeness.
However, Charles calmly replied, "You’re right, General. If your fleet hadn’t lost so many battleships, Parliament wouldn't have forced me to come here."
Admiral Robeck’s previously amiable face instantly darkened, and the British officers looked embarrassed, some of them even glaring at Charles with anger.
But they were equally powerless and could not refute Charles.
Because what Charles said was true, especially considering that all the battleships lost had been under Admiral Robeck’s command.
Charles was making it clear that they had no grounds for boasting.
Tigani chuckled lightly, inadvertently puffing out his chest.
Gaplat, the rear admiral, shot Charles a knowing glance. This young man’s intelligence seemed to extend beyond military matters.
The atmosphere became a bit awkward, and Admiral Robeck led the group into the ship’s command room.
The meeting room was spacious, with a large round table at the center, reminiscent of Britain’s "Round Table" meetings. On the walls hung a portrait of the famous naval commander Nelson, and British flags and the white ensign were displayed on either side, giving the room a diplomatic rather than a military air.
(The above image is of the British White Ensign, symbolizing the Royal Navy.)
Servants poured wine for everyone.
Charles was somewhat surprised; he had thought that commanders shouldn’t drink during wartime.
Gaplat raised an eyebrow, as if to say this was no big deal—the Brits liked to have a few drinks on their ships.
"Let me guess," Admiral Robeck said, looking at Charles with an impassive expression. "Colonel, you must be hoping to land at V Beach, just like Admiral Honoré, am I right?"
Once again, a veiled remark.
"Just like Admiral Honoré" meant, you French always like to steal the spotlight, always hoping to land successfully where we British have failed, to overshadow us.
Tigani thought Charles would deny it, but to his surprise, Charles responded immediately, "If that’s what you wish, General!"
Tigani stared at Charles in shock. Hadn’t they already analyzed that V Beach was no longer suitable for landing?
However, Tigani remained silent, assuming Charles was speaking for secrecy's sake.
Admiral Robeck smiled and spread his hands in a generous manner. "Why not?"
The British officers smiled knowingly.
They understood Robeck’s implication—if the French were foolish enough to risk death for the sake of honor, why not let them?
Then Admiral Robeck asked, "Do you have a plan? Do you need the British fleet’s cooperation?"
"No, General," Charles responded confidently. "I believe the French fleet is sufficient. We will arrange everything ourselves."
Admiral Robeck smiled faintly. "Just as it should be."
But, of course, he would not say that aloud. He raised his glass with a smile. "Then, to our Colonel, to France, and to tomorrow's victory, cheers!"
"Cheers!" the officers cheerfully responded.
...
Upon returning to the Henri ship, Tigani, clearly upset, said, "Those arrogant Brits, we should let them continue facing this situation."
"Who’s to say otherwise?" Charles responded.
"What?" Tigani was stunned. "But you said, ‘We’ll arrange everything’…"
"I didn’t say when," Charles replied. "The Brits aren’t in a hurry, so neither should we."
Charles added, "We might still have a few days. Let the soldiers continue training."
Tigani nodded in understanding.
But then, Tigani seemed to recall something, and asked with confusion, "Colonel, is it true that we’ll land at V Beach?"
"We are, of course, landing at V Beach," Charles answered, unhurried.
Tigani thought he had misheard. "But the Ottomans are already prepared."
Charles countered, "If the Ottomans are prepared, do you think the Germans won’t be?"
Tigani was puzzled. "What, if the Germans are prepared, shouldn’t we…"
Before he could finish, Tigani suddenly realized, his face filled with shock. "Submarines! If the Germans are prepared, they’ll deploy submarines near V Beach!"
Charles nodded. "You’ve got the idea."
To ensure a safe landing, the first thing to do was deal with the Germans’ only submarine.
Attacking V Beach was a golden opportunity—it was a critical area for German submarines!