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I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 239
🕑 Added 2025-06-03 17:09:00 +0000 UTCChapter 239: A Topic
The organization of military forces generally follows this principle:
If communication equipment is poor and command capability is lacking, military branches should be separated as much as possible, to ease the command pressure and avoid confusion.
On the other hand, if communication equipment is good and command abilities are high, different branches of the military can be integrated under unified command.
The latter concept is the idea of the "combined arms battalion." In modern times, a battalion may include infantry, artillery, armored units, and even aviation, with each branch working closely together to form powerful combat capabilities.
However, this can only be achieved with modern communication equipment and high command standards. Without these, not only will the desired combat power not be achieved, but chaos is likely to ensue.
The most typical example of this was the early stages of World War II with the Soviets. They dispersed tanks, artillery, and aircraft within infantry units.
The concept was very advanced, and the idea seemed great: every division had tanks, artillery, and even air support, making them well-equipped and powerful.
But the reality was... under the German offensive, the situation descended into complete chaos. The different branches didn't know what to do or how to work together. It was like a headless chicken running around, leading to their forces being systematically destroyed or surrounded by the Germans.
Charles’s goal of bringing the Army's aircraft under unified command was based on this principle.
During World War I, communication equipment was extremely underdeveloped. Radios were not widely used, and even telephones were unreliable. If infantry and aviation were forcefully combined, it would be a nightmare for the aviators.
They should operate independently, forming a unified tactical approach through standardized training, and coordinating smoothly with other branches under unified command. Only then would they be able to function effectively on the battlefield.
But then, more problems emerged.
Gallieni, sitting in his chair, helplessly responded: “It’s useless to convince me, Colonel. You should try convincing the French Supreme Commander. I can only command two army groups. Beyond that, I only have advisory power... I can submit your idea as a suggestion to the headquarters, but don’t expect much. You know the result.”
“Yes, General.” Charles replied.
It was obvious, Gallieni would never cooperate with Charles in easily handing over command of the forces to him.
Looking at Gallieni’s indifferent expression, Charles felt frustrated: “General, if we don't quickly bring the Army's aircraft under control, they may be systematically destroyed by the Germans!”
Gallieni shrugged: “You’re the squadron commander, Colonel, this idea was yours in the first place. As for me, I’m not sure which approach is right.”
A lie. He had just shown support for it earlier.
Colonel Fernand, who had been listening nearby, interjected: “If we can’t get the Supreme Commander’s direct approval, could we go through the parliament…”
Gallieni shook his head, rejecting the suggestion.
Though Charles had achieved some progress through his efforts, it was still far from sufficient in the face of Schneider and the entire right wing's alliance.
The two factions within the right wing occupied over two hundred of the five hundred seats. They might not be able to compete with the left wing, but as long as they allied with any left-wing faction, they could hold the “majority.”
Charles knew this, which was why he didn’t consider the parliament at the moment, at least not for now.
So, the only option that might work was... Charles turned his gaze to Kobdo, who was engrossed in writing something at his desk.
Gallieni and Fernand also understood and, without a word, their eyes shifted towards Kobdo.
At that moment, Kobdo was troubled by the "Christmas Truce" event. This was originally an excellent story idea, and he had already written a stack of articles and even roughly ordered them.
But then, the Supreme Commander issued a "media control" order: no media was allowed to report on the "truce" event, under penalty of prosecution for "endangering national security."
(Note: The media blackout on the Christmas Truce was not limited to France. British and American media were also blocked, and it wasn’t until six days later that The New York Times broke the blockade, followed by the UK’s reports.)
So, what should be reported in the meantime?
Christmas food and joy? There seemed to be none at the frontlines, and this would only stir up the soldiers' already broken spirits! Heroic battles?
They were already sick of the war, and this didn’t seem appropriate! Perhaps some knowledge about the 37mm artillery…
At that moment, Kobdo felt the gaze of others upon him. He turned to Charles and the others, puzzled: “What’s going on?”
“A topic, Kobdo!” Charles’s expression was slightly mysterious: “You’ve got work to do!”
Great, Kobdo thought to himself. He was in need of a topic!
...
The snow was thick, covering everything in silver.
The airport of the French 2nd Army’s 9th Corps was located in Morfi, seven kilometers behind the front lines.
This airport was quite primitive. It had only one runway and seven planes, all old models like the "Gaudron" and "Dove." They were parked randomly in corners of the airfield, with a few tarpaulins patched together above them to block the snow, supported by wooden beams.
The airfield was surrounded by no walls, only a few fences and barbed wire creating a perimeter, with a sign reading "Military Area, No Entry."
Kobdo arrived with two journalists, snapping pictures of the airport’s facilities. He asked the airport commander, Major Langhof: "Has your airport always been like this?"
Major Langhof, in his fifties, looked weary: "No, not at all, sir. What you see now is the result of our efforts. This is the best condition it’s ever been in!"
“The best condition?” Kobdo expressed surprise.
Langhof nodded: "Of course. This was once a swamp, with many shell holes, and there were even bodies that needed to be cleared."
"See that runway?"
"We built it ourselves with engineering shovels. Every day we have to clear the snow, otherwise, we can’t carry out any missions!"
Kobdo quickly signaled to the journalists to take close-up shots of the runway, which had noticeable potholes, clearly a hazard for take-offs.
Kobdo cast a sympathetic glance at Major Langhof: “Are the other units in a similar situation? I mean, the other air units.”
“Of course!” Langhof nodded affirmatively: “Most of our troops are fighting at the front, and the manpower is so scarce that no one is available to help us build the airport. So yes, other air units are in the same situation; we’re actually one of the better ones.”
Then, Major Langhof added: “Except for the Paris Flying Club!”
“Really?” Kobdo seized the opportunity to ask: “Why is the Paris Flying Club an exception?”
Langhof laughed: "Need I say? That’s Charles’s unit! He’s different from others! He’s willing to spend money on his own squadron. Their pilots receive at least 60 francs a month in allowances—that’s three times what we get!"
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