I Became a Tycoon During World War I: Saving France from the Start

Chapter 627 627: This Isn't Coincidence; It's Inevitable

"I've already arranged matters with the Brest Shipyard," Charles explained. "They will provide torpedoes and technical personnel to the aircraft factory. Our development team will handle mounting torpedoes onto aircraft and ensuring their effective deployment."

Charles had made this arrangement at the shipyard earlier. He hadn't shared all the details with Wells, merely indicating a need for torpedoes and improvements in their performance.

Since Charles had previously provided torpedo design insights and explosive recipes, Wells didn't harbor any suspicions. Even if he had, there was little he could do—Charles was now central to the French Navy's future direction. Any subsequent issues would still require Charles' solutions. Under such circumstances, Wells dared not refuse Charles' request.

"No problem," Eric readily agreed. "We'll establish this Torpedo Bomber Development Division tomorrow."

His mind quickly formed an initial concept: several modified Caproni bombers, a suitable body of water for tests, and ideally, the closure of that area to outsiders.

Charles outlined a general experimental direction:

"Initially, we can use models of identical weight, shape, and proportional weight distribution for testing. The primary goal at this stage is ensuring the torpedo enters the water at an optimal angle."

Eric listened, somewhat puzzled. Using models for tests made sense—torpedoes were expensive, and indiscriminate usage at the start wasn't practical. However…

"General, what does 'proportional weight' mean?" Eric asked.

"The weight distribution within each torpedo section," Charles explained. "The explosive charge at the head differs significantly in weight from the compressed air and combustion chamber at the rear. This imbalance could cause the torpedo to tilt, disrupting its entry into the water, especially when dropped at high speed from a bomber."

Eric instantly understood. "So, depending on the situation, we might need to adjust its internal layout, possibly redesigning the torpedo?"

"Exactly," Charles nodded. "Additionally, we must reinforce internal components. The impact from the torpedo hitting the water could damage sensitive parts, causing malfunctions."

This was a known flaw in American air-launched torpedoes during World War II's early stages. Such weaknesses forced American torpedo bombers into strict launch conditions: straight, low-altitude, slow-speed runs, turning them into easy targets for anti-aircraft fire.

This vulnerability partially accounted for the devastating early-war losses suffered by American torpedo bombers in the Pacific against Japanese naval forces.

However, upon reflection, Charles realized stringent demands weren't necessary yet. Anti-aircraft artillery hadn't been developed at this time. Warships were equipped only with limited "non-specialized" machine guns and cannons, incapable of reliably hitting aerial targets.

(Note: Hitting aerial targets in three-dimensional space isn't as easy as it appears. A significant challenge was that shooters couldn't trace bullet or shell trajectories, making corrections impossible. Tracer rounds later addressed this issue.)

Eric repeatedly nodded in understanding. With Charles' explanations, the research team's objectives became clear.

Simultaneously, Eric marveled inwardly: If this bomber succeeded, naval warfare could drastically transform. Germany's formidable battleships, displacing tens of thousands of tons, might become easy prey for torpedo-equipped bombers.

Unbeknownst to Eric, Charles wasn't primarily thinking of Germany, but rather Britain.

With torpedo bombers, the English Channel would undoubtedly fall under French control. Any British naval vessel venturing within 300 kilometers of the French coastline would become easy prey.

(Note: Caproni bombers had a range of approximately 600 kilometers, allowing them to strike targets roughly 300 kilometers away.)

…

At the Officers' Club, lights shone warmly as officers enthusiastically discussed recent developments. Their primary topic, naturally, was Charles' latest victory—the encirclement at Hasselt.

"Another perfect victory. This time, the number of German prisoners even exceeds Antwerp."

"But that's not the key point, Field. The crucial thing is this is the second successful encirclement maneuver."

"Yes. Many assumed Antwerp's success resulted from German unpreparedness, thus impossible to replicate as a standard tactic. But this victory proves otherwise—it can be duplicated!"

…

Yet some still voiced skepticism:

"What if this is another coincidence?"

"Indeed, the Germans were still unprepared. They had moved their main forces to attack Antwerp."

"I heard there were only two German infantry regiments at Hasselt."

…

Gariel, returning after serving drinks, set his tray on the bar counter and complained to Lucia, busy inside, "Can't they discuss something else? Is Charles the only man in the world?"

Lucia shot Gariel a fierce look. "You can either block your ears or close your mouth, Gariel."

Gariel laughed. "I forgot. There's someone here who never tires of hearing about Charles."

Lucia placed a freshly made cocktail roughly onto Gariel's tray. "Table three. Now get out of my sight!"

Gariel turned, noticing Charles entering the club. Leaning back toward Lucia, he lowered his voice teasingly, "Maybe you'll tell him the same thing?"

Lucia followed Gariel's gaze, hardly believing her eyes. Shouldn't Charles still be at Hasselt?

Before she could react, officers had already surrounded Charles.

"General! It's General Charles!"

"He's really here!"

"Congratulations, General, on another remarkable victory!"

This time, unlike previously, the officers didn't discreetly withdraw to give Lucia privacy. Instead, they eagerly bombarded Charles with questions:

"General, can you tell us about this battle?"

"And about the Antwerp maneuver—it wasn't coincidence, was it?"

"But both times, the Germans were caught unprepared."

…

Charles understood their mindset. They sought clarity—answers or theories they could trust, potentially aiding them if they someday faced combat themselves, helping them not just survive, but perhaps emulate Charles' remarkable successes.

Charles nodded briefly toward Lucia, signaling her to wait, then calmly joined the officers.

"Gentlemen, this is not coincidence," Charles declared. "It's inevitability. Even the Germans' lack of preparation was inevitable."

Officers stared blankly. How could unpreparedness be inevitable? Couldn't the Germans simply fix this vulnerability by taking precautions next time?

(End of Chapter 627)

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