Chapter 454: The Trench Sweeper
Browning was an exceptional figure, having successfully designed and produced 37 different types of firearms. Among his most famous creations were the Browning pistols, renowned both domestically and internationally, and the M1911, the standard-issue handgun used by the United States for decades. However, what most excited Charles was his shotgun.
The latest model was the Browning A5. Produced by Belgium's FN and also licensed to Remington in the U.S., where it was renamed the Remington M11.
At this time, most European countries had a general disdain for shotguns. They considered them ineffective due to their limited range—only about 40 meters—compared to rifles that could shoot hundreds of meters. As a result, neither side in the war paid much attention to them, and neither equipped their troops with shotguns. Only the American military, still holding onto some "cowboy spirit," favored these high-powered weapons. They had even modified the Winchester 1897 for military use.
By 1917, when the U.S. entered the war, shotguns proved their incredible worth on the battlefield. In the cramped trenches, where long rifles were hard to maneuver, and bolt-action rifles had slow firing rates (only one shot per reload), the shotgun could fire multiple rounds at once, delivering a devastating, wide-impact blow to enemies. This made it highly effective for close-range combat, and the limitations of its short range were no longer a hindrance.
This weapon scared the Germans so much that they demanded it be banned from use in combat, claiming it was inhumane.
Charles wanted to obtain the rights to improve the Browning A5. Compared to the military version of the Winchester 1897, it had a slightly longer barrel and lacked a bayonet mount. These features made it less suitable for trench warfare, where soldiers would often need a bayonet after firing. Furthermore, there were some improvements that even Browning himself wasn't aware of, but Charles could implement, such as increasing its range and improving its spread.
However, Charles was not foolish enough to bring this up immediately. He calmly continued the conversation from earlier: "Another issue, gentlemen: your ammunition is the same as the Germans'. Have you considered that?"
He looked around at the group and added, "This means that if the Germans capture your machine guns, they can easily turn them against you—or against us!"
The group fell silent at this remark.
"This can't be solved easily," King Albert I mused after a moment of thought. "Unless we use the Lebel rifle."
Boata's eyes widened at this, realizing it almost certainly meant the end of all FN contracts.
Charles replied calmly, "My suggestion is that, before the guerrillas are combat-ready, we should use the original St. Étienne 2 machine guns."
"While it might cause some supply chaos, the advantage is that even if the machine guns are captured, they won't be used by the Germans."
"Later, when the guerrillas are strong enough and less susceptible to defeat, the Germans will have their own light machine guns, and the issue of capture will be irrelevant."
King Albert I nodded in agreement, "You're right, Brigadier General."
"And we won't be moving to mass production that quickly," he continued, "so there's still some time before the light machine guns are ready. During this window, we can buy them from France instead of waiting for production to catch up."
"This will also allow our forces to familiarize themselves with these light machine guns ahead of time!"
Charles nodded, satisfied. This was exactly what he had in mind. Everything was to the advantage of the war effort, with the only drawback being that King Albert I would have to spend extra money, while Charles would earn a bit more in the process.
Boata breathed a sigh of relief. He was relieved that Charles hadn't proposed switching all the rifles to Lebels. If he had, Albert I might have agreed to it without question.
The next morning, Charles woke up in his quarters at the Antwerp airport. By now, the German forces in the city had been mostly cleared out, and there was no longer any need to keep the command center in the fortress's difficult environment.
The best location was now the airport.
Of course, this required the presence of aircraft.
Charles immediately began expanding the airport, bringing in fuel and parts, and setting up air defense precautions, so that a squadron of "Camel" fighters could be stationed there alongside the command center.
This move once again amazed Tigani. "God, our air superiority has been pushed forward by 200 kilometers. We can now say we control the skies over Belgium."
For Charles, this seemed like a routine matter, but for Tigani, it felt like a groundbreaking revelation.
"And what about Brussels and Mons, General?" Charles asked, munching on his bread and pointing to the map. "We need to build airfields in both cities and station fighter planes there—that's how you truly control Belgium's skies."
Tigani nodded in agreement. Then, he asked, "When are we launching the next offensive? Everyone is waiting!"
Charles did not answer, his eyes still fixed on the map, still chewing his bread.
Among those waiting were King Albert I and Colonel Eden. Though their guerrilla units weren't yet ready, they too were eager to begin the offensive.
"Some are saying we should press our advantage while we can," Tigani continued. "The longer we wait, the better prepared the Germans will be."
"The Germans are already prepared, General," Charles replied. "Anti-tank ditches, as well as the fortifications left behind by the Belgians."
There were several tough targets ahead: Namur Fortress, Leuven, and the Liege Fortress, which was known as Belgium's first and strongest fortress.
The Germans had established a new line of defense using Belgium's existing fortifications and cities, in response to Charles' armored units.
The most troublesome obstacle was the anti-tank ditches, which made it hard for the armored forces to break through quickly.
"The Germans are improving," Charles said with a smile. "They've learned from our tactics and developed many countermeasures."
"You must have a solution," Tigani said, smiling at Charles with full confidence in him.
Charles smiled but remained silent. He was waiting. Waiting for the new equipment from the St. Étienne factory.
Just then, a guard entered and reported, "Brigadier General, there's an instructor named Dominique outside who wants to see you."
Finally, Charles thought.
Dominique had brought the newly developed submachine gun, which was ready for mass production once Charles approved it.
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