Chapter 511: Rockets
Charles casually rambled to the two officers, part explanation, part complaint:
"As you know, we rely on 'Congreve' rockets to destroy enemy balloons and bombard enemy artillery positions. I've attempted to manufacture rockets myself, but I've run into difficulties obtaining rocket propellant. Unfortunately, I've had to purchase it from Schneider."
"Good God, Schneider has tripled the price, leaving us perpetually short on rockets!"
Charles's statements were half-truths. Indeed, rocket prices had tripled, though given France's overall shortage of supplies, this wasn't entirely abnormal. Schneider was primarily focused on steel and artillery production, showing little interest in manufacturing rockets—a technology he considered outdated, inferior, and scarcely demanded. He even believed that sharply raising prices would prompt other factories or even the British to ramp up production, driving down the price and seizing the market.
But Charles knew the truth differed sharply from Schneider's assumptions. Rockets were neither outdated nor inferior, nor were they unnecessary. Charles specifically sought British rocket technology, knowing Britain—especially the Royal Navy—was already ahead in rocket development. The British Navy had been experimenting with specialized landing craft fitted with large numbers of rocket launchers for amphibious assaults and close-range strikes on enemy vessels.
(Above: A British World War II LCT(R) landing craft firing rockets. Such craft could carry up to 5,000 rockets for land and sea attacks, launching roughly 1,000 rockets at a time.)
(Above: Close-up of LCT(R) landing craft equipped with densely arranged "Mattress" rocket launchers. This method was extremely hazardous since a single shell strike could detonate all rockets aboard—likely a primary reason for its rapid obsolescence.)
The British had developed the naval "Mattress" launcher first, followed by the land-based variant. They had persistently improved their rocket propellant for greater accuracy, creating a formula superior, safer, and better suited to mass production compared to Schneider's.
(Note: Producing traditional rocket propellant required repeated rolling of semi-solid mixtures under controlled temperatures, a dangerously explosive process unsuitable for large-scale manufacturing.)
Charles had precisely targeted acquiring this technology from the British, effortlessly surpassing Schneider's outdated method. Yet naturally, Charles hid his eagerness carefully from his audience.
"It's not an absolute requirement," Charles casually added. "Many nations possess similar technology; at worst, it would cost me a bit more money. If you'd rather not share, I could easily substitute another request—"
"No, no!" the former First Lord quickly interrupted. "Not only will we provide the propellant formula, but we'll gladly include the rockets currently under development."
The British Navy had invested significantly in rocket artillery development but found little success, repeatedly failing to enhance rocket accuracy. Without accuracy, rockets held little military value. Offering an unsuccessful, soon-to-be-abandoned technology was ideal negotiation leverage—nothing could be cheaper or easier!
"Really? Excellent!" Charles responded politely. "Thank you, Captain. You've saved me considerable trouble."
Despite his grateful words, Charles's expression revealed no joy, as though he'd just solved a trivial issue. His act successfully fooled the former First Lord, who stood up and shook Charles's hand enthusiastically.
"Well then, General, it's a pleasure doing business with you. I'll immediately contact the Navy to arrange cooperation with your French naval counterparts. And rest assured, I'll swiftly deliver both rockets and technical data—faster than you might imagine!"
The former First Lord was true to his word. The very next morning, two Avro aircraft landed at Antwerp's airport. The planes brought rocket propellant manufacturing technology, an unfinished rocket prototype, extensive technical data, and two expert technicians who had developed both the propellant and rockets themselves.
"Our orders are to remain until your technicians fully grasp rocket manufacturing. This should take roughly a week if the necessary equipment is available. If equipment needs purchasing, it could take longer, considering current wartime shortages."
Charles was nearly overwhelmed by this unexpected stroke of fortune. This undoubtedly represented an extraordinary gift from the former First Lord. Did the former First Lord realize the significance of what he'd done? Surely he'd regret it immensely someday.
Suppressing his excitement, Charles calmly nodded, shaking hands with the technicians.
"Excellent, thank you very much. I'll arrange immediate transportation to Paris. Ever heard of the 'Saint-Étienne' Arsenal?"
"Yes, that's your destination. Don't worry—I'll ensure you're treated exceptionally well. Our arsenal certainly isn't short of funds."
As the Avro aircraft took off once more, bound for Paris, Tijani gave Charles a skeptical look. "Rockets? What exactly do we need them for?"
"To destroy enemy balloons, naturally," Charles replied casually. "We require rockets with greater range and improved accuracy—"
"Oh, come on, General!" Tijani interrupted irritably. "Have you forgotten your own words? You said yourself that 'Congreve' rockets would soon be replaced by incendiary bullets, superior in both range and accuracy."
Tijani mercilessly exposed Charles's lie. Indeed, Charles had said precisely that, and incendiary ammunition was already in production, soon to be issued to the air force.
"Fine," Charles admitted reluctantly. "They're intended for countering German 105mm howitzers."
Tijani burst into incredulous laughter. "Ah, yes! And perhaps I'll have carpenters fashion bows and arrows to counter enemy rifles!"
"I'm serious, General," Charles retorted.
"You don't seriously expect me to believe that," Tijani stared in disbelief. "105mm howitzers can accurately strike targets more than ten kilometers away. Rockets? You'd be lucky if they even reached two kilometers, let alone hit accurately. Yet you think they'll somehow counter German howitzers?"
Tijani smirked mischievously. "Your joke isn't remotely amusing, General. Perhaps those British artillery pieces you're currently manufacturing could manage it."
He referred to the British-imported 6-inch, 26-cwt howitzers. Excellent weapons indeed—but their range still fell short of fully suppressing the German 105mm howitzers.
Charles didn't elaborate further, smiling lightly instead. "Remember your words today, General: you have no need for rockets."
"Precisely," Tijani responded confidently. "No need whatsoever!"
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