Chapter 430: Exchange of Interests
Charles admitted he had underestimated King Albert I.
Previously, Charles only knew about the guerrilla forces. He maintained contact and coordinated plans with them through the "Lady in White." He was aware that some guerrilla units assisted the French in maintaining order or even participated directly in battles. However, he didn't know how many guerrillas there were or where they were located, and during combat, he had no means of commanding them.
After King Albert I arrived, he immediately organized the scattered guerrilla forces into a unified command.
...
The next morning, Charles was in the fortress command center, meticulously calculating fuel usage with Tigani. They were considering how to keep tanks patrolling the city while maintaining a backup supply.
Charles was tempted to have King Albert I organize the guerrillas to collect fuel from civilians—not just in Antwerp but also the surrounding areas. They could gather civilian gasoline from dozens of kilometers around, which might relieve the armored forces’ pressing shortage.
But it wasn’t a good idea.
It would be a blatant signal to the German army that Charles’ forces were short on fuel, giving them confidence to escape through any gaps.
Thus, Charles dismissed the idea.
At that moment, King Albert I entered. He carried a briefcase, his face pale with fatigue but lit with excitement. Behind him was a Belgian officer in uniform.
As Charles was wondering, King Albert I stepped aside and introduced, “This is Colonel Eden. I’ve decided to put him in charge of Antwerp’s guerrilla forces. If you have any orders, you can relay them directly to him.”
Charles glanced at Colonel Eden—a soldier in his forties with a handlebar mustache. Oddly enough, the insignia on his uniform marked him as a major.
Charles immediately understood. He had been field-promoted to colonel, but his uniform hadn’t been updated yet, or the resources to replace it were lacking.
Colonel Eden, clearly lacking confidence, clumsily saluted Charles. He hesitated to shake hands, worried it might be inappropriate, so Charles took the initiative to extend his hand.
“Hello, Colonel.”
“Hello, General,” Colonel Eden replied hastily. “It’s an honor to serve under your command. We’re ready—just give us your orders. What do you need us to do?”
“Keep doing what you’re already doing,” Charles answered. “Maintain order and hunt down any remaining enemy forces.”
“Yes, General.” Colonel Eden straightened up excitedly, his gaze toward Charles filled with admiration.
This was the general who had advanced from Cambrai to Antwerp in just one day. Despite his youthful appearance, his achievements were legendary.
King Albert I retrieved a document from his briefcase and handed it to Charles. “This is the roster of Antwerp’s guerrilla forces. We’ve temporarily designated them as the 21st Division, with Colonel Eden as their commander.”
Charles accepted the document, puzzled.
Another oddity—shouldn’t a division commander hold the rank of major general?
Later, Charles learned that since his own rank was brigadier general, it made sense for Eden, as his subordinate, to be a colonel.
Opening the document, Charles was astonished. “Antwerp has over ten thousand guerrillas?”
The rifles Charles had distributed numbered just over six thousand—captured weapons from Antwerp, including many defective ones.
King Albert I nodded. “Some of them are women. They strongly insisted on joining the army, and I felt it was important not to dampen their enthusiasm.”
Charles let out a soft “Oh.”
Female soldiers were a rare sight in this era. Apart from a female battalion in Tsarist Russia, they were almost unheard of. In the modern era, however, they were much more common.
Charles didn’t find it odd, let alone unacceptable.
Everything seemed to be progressing well, Charles thought. With the guerrillas stationed here, once the British transport ships arrived tomorrow, the armored forces could immediately withdraw and head to Tournai to plug the gaps.
No, the mechanized division should take the lead; they were faster.
However, just then, a communications officer handed Charles a telegram. “General, a message from General Winter. He says the fuel transport ships have been delayed by German submarines. Also, he asks whether you can send reinforcements to the Dardanelles.”
Charles was momentarily stunned. Hadn’t he already explicitly refused?
In the next instant, Charles understood.
The “fuel transport ships delayed by German submarines” was just an excuse. Pairing it with “whether reinforcements could be sent to the Dardanelles” carried a deliberate implication.
...
This wasn’t General Winter’s intent but rather that of the “First Lord of the Admiralty.”
The First Lord of the Admiralty hadn’t been aware of Charles’ fuel shortage.
General Winter had been tight-lipped, knowing it was a military secret. A leak could directly affect the situation in Belgium.
However, Winter had made a critical mistake by citing the Dardanelles campaign as the reason for the fuel allocation.
The First Lord of the Admiralty, now relegated to a committee overseeing the Dardanelles, found it strange that fuel was being shipped all the way from Britain during a German submarine blockade. Why not source it closer, from the Middle East?
When he inquired further, Winter had no choice but to reveal the truth.
The First Lord of the Admiralty was overjoyed and wired Winter: “This is an opportunity, Winter—a chance for an exchange of interests with Charles.”
Winter didn’t understand what kind of “exchange” this was. Then he recalled the First Lord’s recent desire for Charles to rescue the debacle in Gallipoli.
Shocked, Winter replied: “You mean sending Charles to Gallipoli? This isn’t some petty deal. His success benefits Britain as much as it does him. We need this victory!”
“I know,” the First Lord replied. “But every situation has its priorities. In this case, Charles is clearly more desperate than we are.”
The implication was that if Charles couldn’t secure the fuel, he might be surrounded by German forces—a crisis that would hit him personally.
Winter was appalled by the First Lord’s shamelessness, though not surprised. This was the same man who, three years earlier, had deployed artillery to suppress a workers’ strike.
(Note: This refers to the 1911 Siege of Sidney Street, where the First Lord personally directed operations.)
Winter wanted to argue further but knew it would be futile. He could only send Charles a cryptic telegram.
...
After deciphering the message, Charles couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
The Dardanelles campaign had been launched because the frontlines were impassable, forcing them to open a new theater from the rear.
Now that Charles had achieved victory on the front, they were willing to sabotage him for political gain!