Chapter 503: The Guard Unit
If this had been in the past, King Albert might have sided with the British without hesitation. After all, Britain was the strongest power in the world, and its interests often aligned with Belgium's. Supporting Britain seemed logical politically, militarily, and diplomatically, especially given that Belgium depended heavily on the Allies for liberation.
But after witnessing Charles's remarkable success—his lightning-fast capture of Antwerp, his swift and decisive victories, and his rapid transformation of the battlefield—Albert came to an entirely different conclusion. Belgium's hope now lay solely with Charles.
No other commander—not British, not French, not Russian—had produced comparable results. Allied armies had bogged down in bloody stalemates, unable to move forward despite massive losses. Yet Charles, with fewer than twenty thousand men, had not only shattered German defenses but had done so in just a single day, something that seemed impossible to everyone except Charles himself.
That accomplishment alone convinced Albert of Charles's unparalleled value. If forced to choose, Albert would align Belgium unequivocally with Charles—even against the rest of the Allies. Indeed, in Albert's view, the combined military experience and prestige of all the Allied generals didn't equal even a fraction of Charles's genius.
Reflecting on this, Albert felt increasingly irritated with Allied commanders. Despite witnessing firsthand Charles's successes, the senior officers of Britain and France stubbornly clung to outdated strategies, ignoring the clear evidence Charles provided that warfare had fundamentally changed.
Thus, when he learned the British planned to use their forces to undermine Charles's leadership in Belgium, Albert immediately resolved to thwart this plan. He would not allow British officers, driven by pride or political maneuvering, to sabotage the only man who had consistently delivered victories.
Turning to Brigadier General Eden, Albert suddenly remarked, "Perhaps we should form a specialized unit."
"A specialized unit?" Eden asked, slightly puzzled.
"Yes," Albert clarified, eyes gleaming thoughtfully. "Now that the French Ninth Army has been replaced by British troops hostile to Charles, he no longer has compatible infantry to support his mechanized and armored forces. Why not establish our own elite infantry units, specifically trained to support Charles directly?"
Eden nodded enthusiastically. "An excellent idea, Your Majesty. We could organize at least two or three divisions, around sixty thousand soldiers, carefully selected and trained."
Albert agreed readily. "Do we have sufficient manpower for that?"
"Our total strength is now around five hundred thousand," Eden explained. "Most of them are militia and guerrilla fighters, but if we announce that these units will specifically support Charles, we'll attract plenty of eager, capable volunteers. We could then select the best and provide specialized training."
Albert smiled approvingly. "Perfect. Begin preparations immediately, General Eden. We'll call it the 'First Special Reconnaissance Corps.' Their sole objective will be to support Charles's campaigns directly. This will energize our troops, reassure the populace, and strengthen Charles's position."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Eden responded confidently.
After a thoughtful pause, Albert added, "Additionally, we should establish a special guard unit for the airfield—Charles's command headquarters."
Eden hesitated briefly. "A guard unit specifically for Charles's base?"
Albert's eyes narrowed slightly. "Precisely. This force will consist entirely of loyal Belgian soldiers who speak both French and Dutch fluently. They'll ensure Charles isn't disturbed by unwelcome visitors—particularly meddling British commanders."
Understanding Albert's subtle intent, Eden nodded knowingly. "An excellent precaution, Your Majesty. I'll personally oversee their selection and training."
Albert smiled thinly. "Make sure the British understand clearly: Charles is under Belgium's protection now."
Eden moved swiftly. Within a single day, official recruitment notices spread across Belgium, calling for volunteers to form the "First Special Reconnaissance Corps." The message was clear:
"French forces have been reassigned to defend Verdun, leaving General Charles's armored and mechanized units without infantry support. We are forming elite Belgian infantry divisions to cooperate directly with Charles. Join us, fight beside our national hero, and reclaim our homeland!"
The response was overwhelming. Tens of thousands of Belgians rushed to volunteer, eager to fight alongside Charles, their national hero and symbol of victory. Recruitment stations were flooded, with many volunteers traveling hundreds of kilometers simply for the chance to serve in the new elite corps.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Evis, newly appointed British commander at Antwerp, had no idea of Albert's plans. Arriving arrogantly at the airfield intending to assert his authority over Charles, Evis immediately found himself thwarted.
At the airfield gates, Belgian guards politely but firmly stopped him.
"Let us through immediately!" Evis's adjutant demanded impatiently in French.
The Belgian guards simply shook their heads and responded politely in Dutch, deliberately ignoring the British officers' attempts to communicate.
Infuriated, Evis snapped at his translator. "Ask them what the issue is!"
After several frustrating exchanges, the translator reluctantly turned back. "General, they claim no one can enter without explicit authorization from His Majesty King Albert."
Evis fumed silently. "Fine! Send someone to request permission from the King directly."
An aide rushed off, but soon returned with even more frustrating news. "Sir, King Albert is currently at the airfield—in Charles's command building. He's discussing military strategy with General Charles personally."
Evis felt humiliated. "The King is already inside—and no one bothered to inform us?"
The translator relayed Evis's anger to the guards, who answered innocently, "You didn't ask."
Evis nearly exploded. He clenched his jaw tightly, trying to maintain his composure. After several deep breaths, he forced himself to speak calmly. "Tell them to inform His Majesty immediately that Lieutenant General Evis of the British Expeditionary Force is waiting outside."
This time, the guards complied promptly.
Inside the headquarters, Charles and Brigadier General Tijani were reviewing maps and discussing upcoming strategy. Charles, engrossed in tactical considerations, hadn't even realized the British commander was waiting outside.
When Albert entered, Charles rose respectfully—only to pause, surprised, seeing Lieutenant General Evis entering behind Albert. The presence of a British general clearly indicated that Allied politics were once again threatening his autonomy.
Albert, sensing Charles's concerns, discreetly approached him, whispering softly, "Don't worry. Belgium stands entirely with you, Charles. Britain or France—they can do nothing without our consent."
Charles glanced at Albert, appreciating his support. He then approached Evis formally, saluting politely. "General Evis, welcome. We're pleased to have British forces joining us here at Antwerp."
Evis forced a stiff smile. "Thank you, General Charles. It's my intention to review the troops immediately."
Charles gestured diplomatically. "Of course. General Tijani and I were just discussing strategy. Perhaps you'd like to participate?"
Before Evis could respond, Albert interjected coolly, "General Evis first must familiarize himself thoroughly with our security and operational protocols. I've ordered special Belgian security detachments to oversee all entries and exits here, for everyone's safety—including your own."
Evis visibly stiffened at Albert's subtle rebuke. He realized immediately that Belgium would resist any attempt to control or marginalize Charles.
For the first time, Evis recognized clearly that his position here was precarious. Albert had drawn an unmistakable line: Charles was Belgium's greatest asset, and any interference in his operations would have serious consequences.
Accepting this reality, at least outwardly, Evis nodded deferentially. "Of course, Your Majesty. We'll comply fully with all your protocols."
Albert smiled politely, but his eyes held a firm warning. "Good. I trust this means our cooperation will proceed smoothly."
Watching this exchange, Charles felt a mix of relief and pride. Belgium had made clear its loyalty, firmly supporting him despite the Allies' internal rivalries.
Evis, recognizing the depth of his miscalculations, decided he'd tread more carefully. Belgium was no longer a passive participant in this war; with Charles's support, they'd become a formidable force capable of independent action—and even defiance.
For Charles, the implications were profound. No longer isolated politically or militarily, he now had a steadfast ally who valued his abilities above Allied politics. In return, Charles resolved silently, he'd deliver the victories Belgium needed—victories only he could provide.
(End of Chapter 503)
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