Chapter 447: Chapter 447: FN Armory
Antwerp, within the estate of Albert I, a scene of tranquility.
After several days of renovation, the estate transformed from its previous chaotic and dilapidated state to become cozy and neat.
It was lunchtime, Albert I and Colonel Edison were enthusiastically discussing while eating.
The food was simple: a few pieces of bread and some vegetable leaves, the only meat dish being several pieces of fried chicken.
"I want to save all the money for the defense system." Albert I said, "This is the most important thing right now."
The topic of discussion was the defense system.
"We have recovered two support points." Albert I asked Colonel Edison while chewing hard bread, "Now, what can we do?"
"In theory, we can, Your Majesty." Colonel Edison replied, "According to Shire’s defense philosophy, the support points are primarily for storing fuel and ammunition. As the rear area, Ghent should be the most important ’ammunition and fuel’ warehouse."
Albert I nodded in agreement.
Liege Fortress is too far forward, it will be the Germans’ first attack target...
Wait, Albert I felt something was off.
"What if it’s France?" Albert I raised his eyes to Colonel Edison, lowering his voice.
France is currently an ally but cannot be ignored.
And Ghent is on France’s side. Putting fuel and ammunition there, isn’t it exposing the weakness to it?
"Your Majesty." Colonel Edison raised his brows helplessly, "France has Shire, and he is only eighteen."
Albert I instantly understood.
Any defense or preparation in front of Shire would be useless, especially this defense system which was created by Shire.
"Hmm." Albert I nodded heavily, "Just put it in Ghent."
Defending against France seems meaningless.
"Thus, we can strengthen the fortresses and fortifications in Ghent." Colonel Edison said, "Additionally, a few large warehouses should be constructed, preferably underground, to avoid being destroyed by enemy planes and artillery."
He then added, "Army construction must also keep up; Shire’s defense system has high requirements for the army."
"Yes." Albert I agreed, "They should be able to break through enemy lines and penetrate quickly like Shire’s troops, only then can the support points connect and form a whole."
Upon saying this, Albert I felt a slight unease, always having an urge to connect each support point with trenches, fortresses, or bunkers.
He once asked Colonel Edison about this idea.
Colonel Edison replied:
"It might not be a good idea, Your Majesty."
"We don’t have enough troops to defend such a long line."
The outcome would be that our constructed line could likely be used by the enemy, and instead, our armored and mechanized troops would suffer greatly.
Albert I thought it made sense, these five support points, paired together, form eight borders with a total length of more than five hundred kilometers.
Considering the population of Belgium, the regular army could only have over a hundred thousand.
A hundred thousand troops defending a line of more than five hundred kilometers means only two to three hundred people per kilometer, barely one or two infantry companies.
If armored and mechanized troops are also to be created, the manpower would be even more stretched.
Shire might have thought of this and thus suggested the creation of armored and mechanized troops for mobile defense!
Albert I sighed inwardly, as someone not well-versed in military matters, he always wanted to place something on the defense line for a sense of security.
Otherwise, leaving it empty with nothing, enemy tanks could easily breakthrough and rush into the hinterland, leaving him uneasy.
While Albert I was lost in thought, a guard stepped forward to report: "Your Majesty, Mr. Bo Yata is outside the door."
"Let him in." Albert I ordered.
Colonel Edison looked at Albert I nervously, "The owner of the FN factory?"
"Yes." Albert I nodded calmly, "I called him to discuss some matters."
"Do you need me to withdraw?" Colonel Edison asked.
Some things are best unknown to him.
"No." Albert I shook his head, "There’s nothing you cannot know."
Shortly thereafter, a man in his sixties walked into the dining room with steady steps, his face covered in wrinkles but eyes bright and lively, clearly well-maintained.
Albert I stood up to welcome him and introduced him to Colonel Edison.
The food on the table was quickly cleared away and replaced with coffee, and the few people conversed while sipping.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty." Bo Yata smiled, "We have successfully recovered a third of the land. With Shire’s help, recovery of other territories is within reach."
"This is equally good news for you, Mr. Bo Yata." Albert I met Bo Yata’s gaze, "It means your branch in Ghent has returned to FN company, only the main factory in Liege remains!"
Bo Yata laughed, "Yes, thanks to Shire. I hope to thank him in person if I get the chance!"
"Certainly there will be chances." Albert I replied to Bo Yata, "He is right here in Antwerp. If you wish, I can take you to meet him now."
Bo Yata chuckled, "Your Majesty didn’t call me just to take me to meet Shire, did you?"
Bo Yata was unsure about his relationship with Shire.
Originally, FN almost monopolized the production of Belgian weapons, though up to now it still only produces rifles and pistols, it is developing towards machine guns.
But Shire’s emergence has seized FN’s market.
Friend or foe?
If an enemy, the main factory still relies on Shire for recovery.
If a friend, they are destined to become competitors in the future, and very strong competitors!
"I heard your company is developing light machine guns recently?" Albert I asked, "Any progress?"
"Not exactly developing." Bo Yata said frankly, "We have imported the ’Shao Sha’ machine gun from France and are currently modifying it."
(The picture above shows the modified version of the Shao Sha machine gun by the Belgian FN company; approval is delayed, possibly won’t be seen until tomorrow)
Albert I "Hmm" made a sound, gracefully lifted the coffee and took a sip, "Are you doing this to compete with Shire’s ’Saint-Etienne 2’?"
Bo Yata’s face changed, quickly denying: "No, no, I don’t have such thoughts. I just want to understand firearm development, that’s all. You know, light machine guns are a new type of firearm, different from rifles and heavy machine guns. We don’t want to lag too far behind in this area."
Colonel Edison, who had been silent, suddenly understood why Albert I had called Bo Yata over after looking at him busy explaining.