Chapter 283: Another "Western Front"
Tijani could hardly believe Charles was serious. He thought Charles was joking, but it was no joke.
Amphibious operations required a marine corps, a concept that didn't even exist at the time, not even for the British Navy, which had been using its ships to seize colonies around the world. The British Navy did have the "Royal Naval Division," which was now engaged in the Dardanelles campaign as part of the 29th Division. However, the "Royal Naval Division" was neither an independent service branch nor a specialized combat unit; it was an army division attached to the navy. The navy would shell the enemy from afar, and the "Royal Naval Division" would row ashore to claim the land.
The British strategy was not "amphibious assault" but simply "landing." The British believed that as long as any enemy forces remained along the coast, they could rely on naval bombardment to clear them. Against poorly armed, under-equipped local forces, naval guns could indeed terrify them into retreat, allowing the "Royal Naval Division" to row ashore unopposed. But when faced with a nation armed with guns, cannons, and even German support, things were drastically different.
Tijani's background in the navy, combined with his training at the military academy and even his experience in real combat, made him the perfect candidate to lead a marine unit. However, the responsibility made him nervous. "Colonel," he began cautiously, "I'd be honored, but I'm afraid…"
"Afraid you won't measure up?" Charles asked.
"Yes." Tijani nodded hesitantly. "I was trained for land battles, and my only combat experience was the Battle of Cape Town."
That one experience was an embarrassing memory for him. Tijani took a deep breath, voicing his uncertainty. "If I were given command of a regiment, I wouldn't even know where to begin…"
"It's simple," Charles replied. "Think of it as training troops to use the boats you helped develop, like writing a manual. Explain the key points, what to watch out for, and how to deploy under different conditions."
Tijani gaped. "That's all?"
"That's all." Charles nodded. "From there, it's just what you've already learned about land combat."
Seeing that Tijani still looked uncertain, Charles added, "I heard you have a unique way of looking at military equipment, like works of art?"
"Yes," Tijani admitted, "though many people don't understand it. But it's true; I do think of it that way." He paused, rushing to explain. "But I assure you, it doesn't interfere with my command. I can separate my appreciation from my duty—I know when to be objective…"
"No, General," Charles interrupted. "In fact, I don't want you to 'separate' it."
Tijani stared at Charles, wondering if this, too, was a joke.
"War itself is an art," Charles explained. "If you genuinely see equipment and strategy from that perspective, then you'll be an outstanding commander, General."
Tijani was stunned. This was an entirely new concept. At the academy, they had only spoken of the grim reality of war, of the need to follow orders and achieve goals. But Charles's perspective, treating war as a form of art, was completely new to him.
Yet it made sense. Looking at war as an art allowed one to break free from rigid doctrines, to not feel bound by theories of "offense" or "defense." War would then be about creative solutions, not about blindly following theories that the enemy could predict and counter.
Tijani was suddenly filled with confidence. Straightening up, he said, "I understand, Colonel. And my unit?"
Charles glanced at Gallieni.
Gallieni nodded, opening a drawer and handing Tijani a file. "I've pulled the 105th Regiment from the 6th Army Group. They fought in the Battle of the Marne, so they have solid experience."
Gallieni had recently reorganized the unit, removing ineffective troops and officers. Most importantly, he had also filtered out any officers who might oppose Charles.
This, Gallieni knew, was crucial—not only because they could hinder Charles's command but also because some of them might be swayed by powerful industrialists to sabotage him.
Tijani took the file, flipping through it eagerly before looking up. "When can I meet my troops, General?"
"Whenever you're ready," Gallieni replied. "They're resting at the Paris Police Training Camp."
"Excellent!" Tijani grinned like a child, waving the file. "I'll head there right away."
As soon as Tijani left, Lieutenant Colonel Fernand hurried over with a telegram. "General, another battleship has been sunk—the Triumph."
Gallieni was taken aback.
The previous battleship had been sunk at night, allowing it to be blamed on an Ottoman "torpedo boat" sneak attack. This time, however, it had happened in broad daylight.
Gallieni read the telegram and his face grew more serious. He handed it to Charles. "A submarine—one of the Germans'. It reached the Dardanelles and sank the Triumph with a single torpedo."
The telegram gave all the details. After the Goliath had been sunk, British battleships had grown cautious, even during daytime bombardments. The Triumph had been well-protected, with two destroyers escorting it, an anti-torpedo net around the hull, and all watertight compartments sealed.
But the German torpedo had a net-cutter that tore through the barrier and hit the Triumph squarely.
The Triumph managed to spot the submarine and returned fire, but in its panic, it missed, instead hitting a British supply ship, which burst into flames.
A short while later, another telegram arrived, and Gallieni sighed heavily. "They've withdrawn all the battleships to the anchorage. This will weaken the naval support for the shore troops. Do you still believe the landing will succeed?"
Charles replied, "That depends on what the objective of the landing is."
"What do you mean?" Gallieni looked at Charles, puzzled.
Wasn't the purpose of the landing to defeat the Ottoman Empire or force it into surrender? Or, on a broader scale, to open a new front and break the stalemate on the Western Front?
Charles answered calmly, "If we'd surprised them with an unexpected landing, we might have broken the stalemate. But it's been over a month now…"
Gallieni nodded thoughtfully. "The Ottomans are ready. All they have to do is dig trenches, and we'll have yet another 'Western Front.'"
In other words, the strategic goal of "breaking the stalemate" was already doomed. If it were achievable, they could have done so on the better-supplied Western Front. Why ship troops, supplies, and ammunition all the way to the Ottoman Empire?
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1