Chapter 222: Charles' influence

In the lounge, the light cast three faint shadows on the desk.

Gallieni's old injury seemed to have recurred. He frowned and subconsciously rubbed his abdomen, but soon let go and returned to his original expression.

Charles noticed this and turned around to make a cup of coffee for Galieni and handed it to him.

"Thank you, Colonel!" Gallieni was a little surprised when he took the coffee, and then nodded gently, with a trace of relief and smile in his eyes.

"That's it!" Albert I looked at Charles with a hint of expectation: "Have you heard about the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) joining the Allies?"

"Yes, of course!" Charles nodded.

This happened last month, shortly after the Battle of the Marne.

The reason was that Britain detained two dreadnoughts ordered by the Ottoman Empire to participate in the war, and did not refund the money.

This was exploited by Germany to sow discord, which eventually got out of hand and led to the Ottoman Empire joining the Central Powers.

Gallieni snorted: "English arrogance!"

This is indeed because the British did not take the Ottoman Empire seriously, and they did not give the other party the most basic diplomatic respect.

Albert I did not comment too much. As the king of a small country, he was not suitable to comment on Britain.

Albert I spread out the map on the table, pointed at the map and said: "After this, many people thought that if we could not break through from the front, we would need to land on the enemy's flank or even the rear to open up a new battlefield."

Charles glanced at Gallieni. Not long ago, Gallieni asked Charles a similar question: whether he could use "Charlie A1" to break through the enemy's defense line head-on.

Charles's answer was negative, so Gallieni turned to support the British rear landing.

Gallieni didn't say anything, just took the coffee and tasted it briefly, which was regarded as acquiescence.

"There are several plans for landing from the rear." Albert I did not pay attention to the expressions of the two people and continued: "Some people think that we should land from the Baltic Sea area in the north, and some people think that we should land from the Mediterranean area in the south. They are still in a stalemate and are still arguing. "

Charles was a little confused: "But this doesn't seem to have anything to do with us. We are the Army, and this is the Navy's business?"

The corner of Gallieni's mouth rose: "Maybe it has nothing to do with me, but not necessarily with you."

Albert I nodded, looked at Charles and said, "Many people want to hear your opinion."

"My opinion?" Charles was confused. Why should he listen to a colonel?

Gallieni seemed to see through Charles's thoughts. He gave Charles a strange look and said in a relaxed tone: "You don't seem to know your influence, Colonel?"

Seeing Charles's confused face, Gallieni smiled and shook his head slightly:

"Do you think that after you have invented so much equipment and fought so many victories, others will still treat you as an ordinary person?"

"This may be the case in France because it is controlled by capitalists, who control parliament."

"But in every country except France, including Britain and Russia, all strategists hope to get your approval when formulating combat plans and making decisions!"

Albert I nodded and confirmed Gallieni's statement: "Although they don't say it, they will regard your opinion as the standard answer in their hearts, Colonel!"

When he said this, Albert I's eyes shone with pride, as if he was honored to be friends with Charles.

Charles was a little speechless, because these influences seemed to be of no use to him and could only bring him trouble. For example, now Albert I came to ask for an "opinion".

Looking at the expectation in Albert I's eyes, Charles understood that this was not as simple as "opinion".

As King Albert I of Belgium, he certainly hoped that the Allies could land from the north, because once the landing was successful, it would mean that Belgium was not far away from restoration.

This is not the case with landings from the south.

Therefore, Albert I hoped to win the support of Charles.

As for Ciel's attitude, as they just said, since Ciel is always right and always wins, it is very likely that the stalemate North and South factions will turn to the other side.

Albert I was destined to be disappointed. This battle in history was fought in the Dardanelles Strait in the south. Although it failed in the end, both sides lost 250,000 people and gained nothing.

At this moment, Charles's mind suddenly flashed back to the woman he met at the dance, the naval battle, the landing, the Navy Minister, his lover...

This means that all combat plans of the Allied Powers will be laid bare in front of the German army without any secrets.

Thinking of this, Ciel pointed to the north and said seriously: "I think we should land from the north."

"Yes, I think so too!" Albert's originally nervous expression instantly relaxed, with excitement in his eyes, he pointed at the map and said: "Once our army successfully lands in the north, we can immediately attack the garrison from the rear. The German army in Belgium thus cut off the German army's transportation and supply lines."

Charles nodded with difficulty: "This can determine the outcome of this war. The German army will have to abandon the entire Western Front."

I said this, but I was thinking: Your Majesty, Belgium built the Liege Fortress. Although part of it was blown up, there were still several strong fortresses left when they surrendered. The Germans guarded them. Our What kind of attack will the landing force use?

I thought about it but didn't show it on my face, and continued to support Albert I.

Galieni frowned: "But this also means that we will be attacked by the main force of the German army from all directions, even by the German fleet!"

"I don't think we need to worry about the German fleet." Charles replied: "Britain has always implemented the double plan. For every warship the Germans build, they build two. Now is the time for the British fleet to come in handy!"

"I think so too." Albert I nodded repeatedly: "Britain is fully capable of blocking the German fleet while allocating some ships to reinforce the landing force."

Charles added: "There is another advantage to doing this. Both fleets are in the Atlantic and can land if necessary. The fleet and the blockade fleet can reinforce each other. If we land from the south..."

"A very good idea." Albert I was so excited that he couldn't help himself: "If we land from the south, the landing fleet will enter the Mediterranean, and the two fleets cannot reinforce each other."

Charles finally concluded: "We must consider this. If the German fleet breaks through during our landing operation, it is likely to catch the British fleet off guard. Unless Britain has the confidence to blockade the German fleet with evenly matched warships, otherwise, we can only land from the north."

This analysis left Gallieni speechless, because there is indeed such a risk.

(The above picture shows the British "Ireland", formerly known as the "Resadih", one of the battleships of the Ottoman Empire detained by the UK)

(The above picture shows the British battleship "Agincourt", formerly known as the "Ottoman Sultan I", one of the battleships of the Ottoman Empire detained by the UK)