Chapter 443: Mobile Defense
A flicker of hesitation appeared in King Albert I's eyes. "Are you suggesting we should develop armored units?"
Colonel Eden nodded vigorously. "Exactly, Your Majesty. Tanks are essentially mobile fortresses. The money we'd spend building a fortress could instead buy us hundreds of tanks. While fortresses are static and just sit there waiting for the enemy, tanks can move around and provide unexpected advantages, just like what you did, Brigadier General."
Charles was somewhat surprised by Colonel Eden's words. Most people were obsessed with digging trenches and focusing on defense, but Eden's tactical mindset, which favored mobility, was rare and valuable.
However, Charles countered, "No, Colonel, tanks can't be constantly mobile. There will always be times when they need to stop. Also, fuel and logistics are their biggest weaknesses. This nearly caused us to fail last time."
Colonel Eden paused, having not considered that angle.
Upon further thought, he realized Charles was right: the enemy wouldn't even need to attack a tank division directly. They could just strike Belgium's fuel bases. If tanks were used to protect fuel supplies, they'd lose their mobility, as they'd be tied down to the fuel depots and unable to move freely.
King Albert I furrowed his brows. "Then we need a place to protect the fuel."
His eyes suddenly brightened. "I understand now, Brigadier General. What you're suggesting is that we need both armored units and fortresses."
Charles nodded. "The fortresses can serve as support points, providing security for the tanks, fuel, and maintenance. The tanks, in turn, can operate between several support points. They'll form an invisible web connecting these points, creating a defense system that's flexible and both offensive and defensive."
"That's a brilliant idea, General." Colonel Eden looked at Charles in surprise. "You've laid out a very clear defense plan, just like that."
Until then, Colonel Eden had only learned from Charles's tactics that tanks needed to be mobile. But he still had no clear idea of how to integrate them into a defense strategy. Now, after Charles's explanation, the once vague concept began to take shape in his mind.
King Albert I hesitated, "Could you explain it in more detail?"
Charles spread out a map of Belgium in front of them, pointing to a few locations. "We can use Antwerp, Leuven, Namur, Liège, and other easily defendable areas as the foundation for this seemingly invisible but actually real system."
Colonel Eden nodded slightly. "Since the enemy can't see it, they won't be able to gather enough information, and they won't have a specific strategy. They'll only realize its existence after they've encountered trouble."
"Exactly," Charles agreed.
This was the flaw of passive defense.
For static fortifications, as long as the enemy has thorough intelligence and time to prepare, they'll inevitably find weak points. After all, there's no wall that doesn't leak.
But with mobile defense, the enemy can't see it, and it's adaptable, so it's impossible to predict and prepare for.
King Albert I listened to Charles's analysis, his eyes fixed on the map. He was both astonished and delighted.
As expected, this man, known as the "French Mars," had casually provided such an excellent and mature solution.
It cleverly utilized Belgium's existing fortresses, saving on costs while integrating modern equipment and tactics, making it a system that was flexible, both offensive and defensive...
I knew I didn't make a mistake in trusting him. I must ensure his interests are tied to Belgium's, no matter what.
What King Albert I didn't realize was that Charles's plan wasn't just casually thrown together.
In essence, it was the defensive system that Belgium would build over the next few decades. The difference was that Belgium would use trenches, machine guns, bunkers, anti-tank fortifications, and other structures to connect the support points.
Belgium even modified a man-made canal into an anti-tank trench.
Unfortunately, these measures didn't work.
Belgium, like France, made the same mistake by focusing too much on passive defense and relying entirely on these fortifications, neglecting the development of its military forces.
The result was that when the Germans dropped paratroopers behind the lines, they easily breached the seemingly indestructible defenses with a pincer attack.
Now, Charles's plan eliminated these costly, ineffective structures and replaced them with mobile units.
If Belgium strengthened its army, one day when the Germans drop paratroopers again, the light-armed soldiers would face the crushing force of armored and mechanized units.
King Albert I seemed eager to remember everything. He excitedly grabbed a pencil and circled the locations Charles had pointed out, then nodded at him in satisfaction. "I fully agree, Brigadier General. I give my full support!"
At that moment, King Albert I turned his attention to Colonel Eden.
Actually, King Albert I didn't need Eden's approval. His relentless efforts for Belgium's liberation had earned him the widespread support of the Belgian people, so his decisions were essentially seen as the will of the nation.
However, King Albert I was aware that military matters were not his strong suit, and since Colonel Eden held real power, he sought his opinion anyway.
Colonel Eden didn't hesitate. He nodded and said, "Of course, Your Majesty. I agree with this plan. There's no better one!"
At this point, Charles brought the conversation back to the main issue. "But if we are to proceed with this plan, maintaining and updating the fortresses while building a modern army, it seems we don't need a factory in Antwerp."
Charles added, "As I said, you can easily purchase equipment from France."
"No, Brigadier General," King Albert I disagreed. "We need an arms factory, at least on Belgian soil."
He didn't elaborate on why, but Charles understood perfectly.
Belgium wasn't just preparing for Germany. France could also become an enemy one day.
King Albert I didn't want to be entirely dependent on France, becoming a puppet state. This was basic political wisdom for any leader.
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