Chapter 508: The Army-Navy Conflict
The reason the "First Lord of the Admiralty" was here stemmed from a promise he'd made earlier: "If the Dardanelles campaign fails, I shall shoulder a rifle and serve as a common soldier."
Indeed, he had shouldered a rifle and donned a soldier's uniform—but he never saw actual combat. Instead, he became a commanding officer in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, primarily assigned to port security duties.
(Above is a photograph of the "First Lord of the Admiralty" as a commander of the Scottish Battalion.)
As a seasoned politician, the "First Lord of the Admiralty" conducted himself courteously in front of Charles. He began by respectfully saluting Charles as a subordinate, then regarded him with an admiring gaze, saying in English, "I've long heard your distinguished name, General. It's truly an honor to meet you in person."
General Winter, serving as translator, quickly repeated these words in French.
Charles, however, openly showed his disdain for the man. "If your purpose in coming here concerns the Camel fighter, rest assured—it will soon be delivered."
Several months earlier, Britain had exchanged five artillery production lines for the "Camel" fighter planes. Now, artillery production was smoothly underway, and the British would soon receive their promised aircraft.
Charles's words were essentially a subtle dismissal, signaling that if there was nothing else, they could leave. But the former "First Lord of the Admiralty" shook his head. "No, General. Though the Camel fighters are certainly appealing, I'm here regarding other, more pressing matters."
With a reluctant sigh, Charles took them to the reception room on the first floor and instructed his aide to prepare coffee.
Charles deliberately ignored the former "First Lord" momentarily and turned to General Winter. "So, have you finally concluded the operation in the Dardanelles?"
"Yes," General Winter responded cautiously, casting a wary glance at the former First Lord.
The Dardanelles operation was an enormous blunder under the former First Lord's command, the reason he was now serving as a mere captain. Charles's question had clearly opened an old wound.
General Winter discreetly shot Charles a pleading look, urging him silently not to press too harshly.
However, Charles feigned ignorance and continued relentlessly:
"A wise decision, General. Continuing further would have achieved nothing except needless casualties."
"You British have generously pushed the Ottoman Empire right into the Central Powers' arms."
"And you wasted countless lives and resources at the Dardanelles."
"All of this could have been avoided!"
Charles suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, I nearly forgot—it wasn't British soldiers dying there, merely colonial troops. Of course, you wouldn't mind that, would you?"
General Winter cringed awkwardly, casting an apologetic glance at the former First Lord.
Had this occurred earlier, the First Lord would have exploded in fury or debated fiercely with Charles. But now, he listened to Charles's mockery with apparent interest, calmly stirring the coffee on the table. After taking a sip, he remarked casually, "Brandy would have been preferable, but naturally, you don't have that here."
"You guessed right, Captain," Charles retorted. "My forces are strictly forbidden from consuming alcohol while on duty—quite unlike the traditions of the British Royal Navy."
General Winter rolled his eyes, regretting ever having brought the former First Lord here.
Sensing Winter's discomfort, the former First Lord reassured him, "It's alright, Winter. I merely see a boy who doesn't understand politics or how to conceal his feelings. I'm not going to take offense."
Charles laughed rather than becoming annoyed:
"I nearly forgot—you're a veteran politician with decades in the arena. You're indeed skilled at masking your feelings."
"Could it be you're boiling with anger beneath that calm façade?"
"Is that why you're craving alcohol?"
"If you admit it, perhaps I can make an exception and arrange something for you..."
General Winter finally intervened. "General, we're allies. You mustn't hold a grudge against the First Lord simply for past mistakes. Nobody wanted this outcome."
Charles shook his head with a smile. Indeed, he was biased against this particular politician—not just for the Dardanelles fiasco, but for numerous historical misadventures.
"Allow me to clarify!" Charles placed his coffee firmly on the table, glaring sharply at the First Lord. "Politicians often say relationships between countries are based solely on interests. Our differing interests make us natural adversaries. Therefore, all polite facades are meaningless. Correct?"
The First Lord nodded cautiously. "You could say that."
"Then," Charles spread his hands openly, "why don't we speak plainly? What's your real objective today? Or perhaps you have something you want to trade?"
Charles briefly wondered if it involved mines or directional explosives, though those were army assets, unnecessary for the Navy.
The former First Lord met Charles's gaze directly. "The key is we share a common interest, General. I'm here to propose cooperation."
Charles stared in surprise before laughing. "Regrettably, Captain, I see no shared interest between us, hence no cooperation."
The First Lord leaned comfortably back on the sofa, habitually reaching for a cigar in his pocket but reconsidered, knowing Charles would decline.
Raising an eyebrow, he continued, "If it had been before, your assumption would be correct—but things have changed. I suspect you already sense the British Army's growing pressure. Am I wrong?"
Charles hesitated.
All this time, he'd simplified things by viewing the British simply as "the British," never considering the Army and Navy as distinct factions.
On reflection, it made sense: if French society could split into those supporting Charles and the aristocrats opposing him, then naturally Britain had its own internal factions.
The former First Lord spoke quietly:
"Britain has traditionally relied on its Navy, General. Our naval dominance turned Britain into an empire on which 'the sun never sets.' The Navy is our foundation of security and power."
"But that foundation has now shaken, primarily because of the Dardanelles fiasco—as you surely understand."
Charles nodded slowly.
The British Navy had failed spectacularly against an Ottoman Empire they had previously dismissed as negligible, while warfare on the Western Front devolved into trench battles, emphasizing the Army's newfound prominence.
This easily created the misconception that the Navy had become obsolete, and future wars might revolve primarily around the Army.
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