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

Chapter 625: Control of the Channel

Charles understood what Wells meant. Torpedo boats were suitable only for coastal operations—they couldn't handle the open sea, nor could they carry enough fuel for long-range missions.

But Charles didn't seem worried. He replied calmly, "We can still apply the same tactic. The difference is that instead of torpedo boats, we use destroyers."

Wells immediately understood.

They could continue to exploit the speed of destroyers to harass and outmaneuver enemy fleets, wearing them down in a war of attrition. Once the enemy's destroyers were sufficiently depleted, their own destroyers could switch to torpedo attacks on battleships.

"So we need to mass-produce destroyers, don't we, General?" Wells said, animated, his hands gesturing as he spoke. "I mean, we must not only have superior quality but also outnumber the Royal Navy's destroyers!"

Charles nodded in agreement. Wells had fully grasped the core of "asymmetric warfare": strengthen your strengths until they become overwhelming.

Wells was nearly ecstatic. He paced in small circles in front of the sofa as he analyzed aloud:

"I think you're absolutely right. Speed is the key, isn't it?"

"With speed and proper tactics, our destroyers could defeat even seemingly superior British battleships."

"This is what you meant when you said destroyers are the future. I was skeptical before—but now, it makes perfect sense."

Then he paused and sighed. "It's a pity we built over 200 torpedo boats… they might be useless now."

This was the legacy of the French Navy's old "green water navy" mindset. At that time, the French had hoped to use torpedo boats as their main striking force.

While torpedo boats were relatively inexpensive, producing over 200 of them was still a significant cost.

Charles, however, responded confidently, "They will be useful—very useful."

"What?" Wells looked at him, confused.

If the British implemented a long-range blockade, torpedo boats wouldn't be able to reach them. How could they be useful?

Charles didn't explain right away. He glanced around the room, got up, and grabbed a nautical chart from the desk. He spread it out on the coffee table and pointed to a specific spot. "Here's the Brest shipyard. Do you notice anything?"

(Above: map marking the location of the Brest Shipyard, situated at the mouth of the English Channel—strategically offensive and defensive, and to the west, facing the Atlantic where blockades are harder to impose.)

Wells stared at the map for a while, then suddenly gasped. "I see it now! We can use the torpedo boats to blockade the English Channel!"

"Not just blockade," Charles added. "Once we enter the Channel, our navy becomes nearly invincible. The entire channel becomes a safe haven for us."

Wells blinked, then his eyes widened, and he suddenly shouted with excitement. He grabbed Charles by the shoulders and gave him a firm shake:

"You're right, General! If our destroyers dominate the Channel, then we dominate the Channel—even without battleships!"

"Incredible! You're a genius!"

"Unbelievable! Our navy will defeat the Royal Navy—the world's number one navy!"

The English Channel (La Manche) is about 220 kilometers at its widest and only 34 kilometers at its narrowest—well within the operational range of torpedo boats.

If the Royal Navy stayed in the Atlantic for a long-range blockade, then fine—torpedo boats wouldn't be useful, and France would have to rely on destroyers.

But if the Royal Navy entered the Channel, they would face the full force of France's asymmetric warfare—swarms of destroyers and torpedo boats. Their battleships and cruisers would be all but doomed.

On the surface, it might look like France had merely won a partial victory—controlling only the Channel and not the open sea.

But for the Royal Navy, the defeat would be absolute. It would be a humiliation, a loss of sea control, international prestige, and even colonial dominance.

Britain would not accept that.

Charles continued, "What we need to do now is build more ports along the Channel. These can supply the torpedo boats. Since torpedo boats are fast, they can quickly gather from different ports and reinforce the battle zone."

Wells nodded enthusiastically:

"I'll submit this plan to the Navy immediately."

"God, if they approve this plan, the strategic focus will return to the Brest shipyard."

"No—they will approve it. They have no reason not to."

This was a plan that could defeat the Royal Navy.

If anyone objected, there could only be one reason: he was a British puppet—a traitor to France.

Even members of Parliament wouldn't dare reject it lightly.

"We also need to build large landing craft," Charles said suddenly.

"Landing craft?" Wells looked at Charles, baffled. "Why? Why landing craft..."

Charles tapped a spot on the map—London.

"If we fully control the English Channel, we might be able to land directly on British soil and strike London by surprise, Mr. Wells."

Wells broke into a knowing smile. "Yes, General. Large landing craft—let's build them for the British to see."

Indeed, they were being built for show—for the British to see.

France wasn't likely to go to war with Britain. They were still allies, and foreseeable conflicts between the two were minimal.

But if Charles wanted to surpass Britain and take precautions, he had to simulate real combat planning.

Unlike a true enemy, this strategy had to be leaked—intentionally or not—to the British.

Only then would Britain feel threatened. Only then would they understand France could strangle them. And only then would they make political concessions.

Of course, this was just Charles's first step.

In his vision, the Channel coast should also be lined with airfields. In the future, control of the Channel would rely on air superiority, followed by coordinated strikes from bombers and torpedo aircraft to win naval supremacy.

The dreadnoughts Britain had poured so much money and pride into—their cutting-edge battleships—would all become targets.

As long as Charles kept his lead in aircraft development, the so-called world's greatest navy wouldn't be worth much. He could wipe them out with ease.

That, however, was an air force matter. Charles didn't think it was necessary to discuss it with Wells.

Finally, as the two toasted together, Charles casually added, "I plan to send a few people to the shipyard to study the dual-axis stabilization system. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?"

Wells responded generously, "Of course not."

He had no reason to refuse. Charles's assets were tied to army production—they didn't compete with the shipyard.

And indeed, there was no direct competition. Charles's true intention was to adapt the dual-axis fire control system for tanks.

But of course, once it was adapted, it would be an entirely new patent—controlled by Charles.

As for Wells's shipyard, Charles wasn't worried.

The further into the future they went, the more critical air superiority would become in naval warfare.

One day, Wells would realize he couldn't survive without Charles. Because without him, there was only death.

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