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

Chapter 92 - The Zeppelin Airship

Mounting the rockets was not difficult. It only required strapping the selected rockets to the vertical struts between the wings, and the work was completed in just over half an hour. The real challenge, however, was ignition.

"How do we ignite them?" Major Fisher asked, raising a practical concern. Perhaps his responsibility for overseeing airport operations made him more sensitive to potential logistical snags.

Eric glanced at the fuses attached to the rockets and remarked, "If we use standard fuses, we won't know exactly when the rocket will launch. Without that control, we can't precisely time the moment to point the plane at the target!"

The other pilots nodded in agreement.

Aerial combat differed significantly from ground combat; on the ground, a few seconds' delay wouldn't affect a rocket's impact. But in aerial combat, planes were moving at high speeds, with only a few seconds to lock onto a target during a dive. If the rocket didn't ignite precisely when needed, the mission would fail.

But to Charles, this wasn't a significant issue.

"Use electrically detonated fuses," he suggested, turning to Major Fisher. "Do we have any?"

(Electric detonators, also known as electric blasting caps, were invented in 1876.)

Fisher's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. "We don't, but the engineers should! I've seen them use electric fuses to blow up bridges. I'll contact them immediately!"

With that, the ignition problem was solved. Major Fisher even brought in a team of engineers to assist. Initially, the engineers were reluctant—they had their own tasks to handle—but once Fisher explained, "Do you know who's in command of the flight squadron now? Charles. You've heard of him, right?"

The engineers quickly mobilized. Not fully understanding the situation, they sent an entire company of over two hundred men to assist.

In the operations office at Fortress Headquarters, the clock struck twice, marking two o'clock in the afternoon.

Maps adorned with variously colored flags representing different units lay on the table, with attack routes sketched in pencil and stacks of documents detailing the latest battle plans.

General Ghys, radiating confidence, reviewed the maps and plans. "We'll succeed. We know the terrain, and the Germans don't. They'll never anticipate our forces bypassing their front to launch a two-pronged attack from the rear!"

General Winter, less confident, asked, "Should we have Charles review the plan? Last time, he spotted issues with our defenses in seconds."

Winter had lost confidence—not only in himself but also in General Ghys. King Albert wasn't involved in these discussions; he wasn't a military strategist and had limited command experience.

Winter knew relying on Charles wasn't ideal, yet war allowed no room for errors. A single miscalculation could cost countless lives, especially when this might be their final opportunity.

"No!" Ghys responded immediately. "We don't need the advice of someone preparing to flee, Winter!"

King Albert remained silent. He simply couldn't believe Charles would abandon them.

During this time, Albert had considered visiting the airfield to see what Charles was up to but restrained himself.

What if Charles really was planning to leave?

Albert admired Charles for his achievements and knew he had rightfully earned the Royal Order of the Crown. However, this did not grant Charles the right to sacrifice Belgian pilots' lives for his own safety. Such a betrayal of trust would force Albert to confront him and stop him from leaving, making escape impossible for Charles.

So Albert refrained from going to the airfield. Not knowing allowed him to respect the integrity of whatever Charles chose to do.

In truth, it might be best if Charles did escape, Albert thought. After all, he was just a boy, already burdened by the war. He had done so much; he owed nothing more. His skills would be needed in future battles. There was no sense in waiting to be captured by the Germans.

As Ghys prepared to rehearse his ambush plan again, a signal officer burst into the room with urgent news: "Generals, there's an airship— a German airship approaching!"

Everyone's expressions shifted to alarm, and they rushed out of the office.

To the east of the fortress, beneath a pale sky, a German Zeppelin loomed, slowly advancing on Antwerp. Its body resembled a massive, drifting cloud, almost imperceptibly moving forward yet drawing unmistakably closer.

King Albert lowered his binoculars, his face set. "How long until it reaches us?" he asked an aide.

"Not entirely sure, Your Majesty," the aide replied. "Perhaps two hours."

Two hours—around four in the afternoon.

Ghys studied the Zeppelin's trajectory, then focused his gaze on Fort Wavre along its projected path, making an assessment. "Its target is Fort Wavre. The Germans are likely planning a coordinated attack, using both the Zeppelin and Big Bertha!"

Albert shook his head, correcting him, "No, its target is the water supply system beyond Fort Wavre."

Ghys quickly accepted the new analysis. The water supply system was far more vulnerable than the fortress. Entirely exposed on the surface, it could be disrupted even without a direct hit.

Ghys's expression darkened, and he immediately ordered the signal officer, "Organize a defensive barrage. We can't let it get any closer!"

"Yes, General!" The officer left to relay the command.

Albert managed a bitter smile and shook his head. Everyone knew such a defense would be futile.

The Zeppelin floated over a thousand meters above the ground, far beyond the range of most of Antwerp's cannons, which were confined to the fortress. Rifles might reach it, but they'd do little more than poke a few invisible holes in its hull.

General Winter couldn't help but marvel, "What a terrifying giant! I can't believe they've built something like this."

"Yes," Albert sighed. "The Germans call it the 'Invincible Cannon,' while others describe it as an 'unsinkable battleship.' They believe it to be an unstoppable weapon—and it may well be. The only thing that could stop it might be the whims of the weather."

Due to their light weight and large surface area, airships were often swept away by strong winds, lost forever over the sea. But today...

Albert glanced at the sky. The weather was poor but showed no signs of wind.

"Only God can save us now," Albert murmured, his voice filled with helplessness and despair.

(Illustration: Zeppelin Airship, with the aluminum framework clearly visible)

(End of Chapter)

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