Chapter 430 Exchange of Interests

Charles admitted that he had underestimated Albert I.

Before this, Charles only knew that there were guerrillas. He contacted the guerrillas through the "Lady in White" and made combat plans. He also knew that some guerrillas were cooperating with the French army to maintain law and order and even directly participated in the battle.

But he didn't know how many guerrillas there were, nor where they were. Once there was a war, he couldn't command them to fight.

After Albert I came, he immediately organized the guerrillas scattered everywhere and unified their command.

…

Early the next morning, Charles was calculating the fuel with Tijani in the fortress command. They were considering how to keep the tanks patrolling in the city while leaving some spare.

Charles had an impulse to let Albert I organize the guerrillas to transport oil from the civilian population, not only Antwerp, but also the surrounding areas of Antwerp. Transporting all the civilian gasoline within a radius of dozens of miles might solve the urgent needs of the armored forces.

But this is not a good idea.

This was clearly telling the Germans that Charles' troops were short of oil, and then they would be able to escape from the gap without worry.

Therefore, Charles could only reject this idea.

At this time, Albert I came in, holding a briefcase in his hand, his face was a little pale due to fatigue, but still exuded excitement.

Behind Albert I was an officer in Belgian military uniform.

When Charles was puzzled, Albert I introduced him sideways: "This is Colonel Eden, Brigadier General. I decided to let him be in charge of the guerrillas in Antwerp. You can give him orders directly if you have anything."

Charles took a look at Colonel Eden, a soldier in his forties with a mustache. What was strange was that the rank on his uniform was major.

Then Charles understood that he was promoted to colonel on the front line, and he had not had time to change his uniform, or there was no condition to change it.

Colonel Eden obviously lacked aura. He stepped forward to salute Charles at a loss. He wanted to shake hands with Charles but was worried about being presumptuous. In the end, Charles took the initiative to extend his hand.

"Hello, Colonel."

"Hello, General." Colonel Eden responded quickly: "It is an honor to be your subordinate. We are ready. Please give us your orders. What do you need us to do?"

"Do what you are doing." Charles replied: "Maintain law and order and search for remaining enemies."

"Yes, General." Colonel Eden responded excitedly, looking at Charles with respect.

He was the general who fought from Cambrai to Antwerp in one day. He looked like a child, but he could achieve such brilliant achievements.

Albert I took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Charles: "This is the Antwerp guerrillas. We will temporarily organize it into the 21st Division, and the division commander is Colonel Eden."

Charles took the document in confusion.

This is another strange point. Shouldn't the division commander be a major general?

Later, Charles learned that this was because Charles's rank was brigadier general, and Eden, as Charles' subordinate, should of course be a colonel.

Charles was surprised when he took the document and opened it: "How can Antwerp organize tens of thousands of people?"

Charles only distributed more than 6,000 rifles, which were all captured in Antwerp, including faulty guns.

Albert I nodded: "Some are female soldiers. They strongly demand to join the army. I don't think their enthusiasm should be discouraged."

Charles said "Oh".

Female soldiers were a strange existence in this period. Only Tsarist Russia had a female soldier unit, but it is very common in modern times.

So Charles didn't think it was strange, let alone unacceptable.

Everything is moving in a good direction. Charles thought that with the guerrillas stationed here, as soon as the British transport ship arrived tomorrow, the armored forces could immediately return to Tubize to fill the gap.

No, the mechanized division should go ahead. It is faster.

However, at this moment, the signalman handed Charles a telegram: "General, General Winter called and said that the fuel tanker was delayed by German submarines. In addition, he asked if you could reinforce the Dardanelles."

Charles was stunned. Didn't he explicitly refuse?

Charles understood the next second.

"The fuel tanker was delayed by German submarines" was an excuse. General Winter put it together with "whether it can reinforce the Dardanelles" for a reason.

This is obviously a hint.

…

This was not what General Winter wanted, but what the "Secretary of the Navy" meant.

The "Secretary of the Navy" didn't know that Charles was short of fuel.

General Winter was very tight-lipped. He knew that this was a military secret. Once leaked, it would directly affect the war in Belgium.

However, General Winter should never write "Military supplies for the Dardanelles" on the reason for the call.

After the "Secretary of the Navy" withdrew from the center of power, he served as a member of the Dardanelles Commission.

He was quite surprised to see General Winter calling gasoline from the British mainland.

At this time, Britain was under a blockade by German submarines, and she also needed to buy oil from the Middle East. Why would the war in the Dardanelles go to Britain to transport oil?

When asked, General Winter could only tell the truth.

The "Secretary of the Navy" was overjoyed, and he sent a telegram to General Winter: "This is an opportunity, Winter, an opportunity to exchange interests with Charles."

General Winter didn't understand what "exchange of interests" meant, and then thought of the "Secretary of the Navy" who hoped Charles would save the mess in Gallipoli not long ago.

He replied in surprise: "Your Excellency is talking about sending Charles to Gallipoli? This is not an exchange of interests. Charles' victory is also in the interests of Britain. We need this victory!"

"I know." The "Secretary of the Navy" replied: "But everything has its priorities. In this regard, Charles is obviously more urgent than us."

What he meant was that if Charles could not get fuel, he might be surrounded by the German army, which would be painful for Charles.

General Winter was shocked by the shamelessness of the "Secretary of the Navy". He couldn't even believe it was true.

But General Winter knew that this was what the "Secretary of the Navy" could do, just like he used artillery to suppress the workers' strike and march three years ago.

(Note: This incident is the Sedne Street Massacre in 1911. The "Secretary of the Navy" personally arrived at the scene to command)

General Winter still wanted to argue, but knew that it would be useless. In the end, he could only send such a telegram to Charles in an obscure way.

...

Charles couldn't help laughing after he understood the meaning of the telegram.

The Dardanelles Campaign was launched because they could not fight from the front, so they opened up a new battlefield from the side.

Now, Charles has won the victory on the front, and they are dragging their feet for their own political interests!