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

Chapter 632 632: Changing the Codes

Gallieni acted swiftly. The very next day, the government placed an order for 200 aircraft under the justification of "supporting the British Royal Navy in blockading the English Channel." Construction of the new airfields began immediately.

Most of the aircraft were fighters, along with a handful of Caproni bombers allocated for training and testing—to identify and address any issues arising from high-salt, humid coastal environments.

The British naturally raised no objections. At the moment, everyone viewed aircraft merely as tools for air superiority, reconnaissance, and logistical disruption, predominantly in land warfare. In naval combat, their role seemed limited to reconnaissance.

The British failed to realize Charles's deeper intentions. Seizing the opportunity while Britain's awareness of air power remained limited, Charles quietly secured control of both sea and sky before anyone suspected danger. Once the airbases were completed, deploying fighters and torpedo bombers would seal the strategic situation.

When that happened, the French Navy, which for decades had been overshadowed by the Royal Navy and forced to remain passive, would finally assert dominance over the Channel.

British fleet: "Out of the way, you fools! Look at your tiny fishing boats—we don't even need cannons to sink you; we could ram you!"

French fleet: "Look up at the sky, arrogant Englishmen. Notice those bombers carrying torpedoes? If necessary, we can call dozens, even hundreds more. Consider carefully what that would mean!"

Instantly chilled, the British fleet realized torpedoes were no longer limited to underwater launches—the French had taken them airborne! Ship cannons were designed solely for engaging enemy vessels. Only a few inadequate "Pom-Pom" guns were intended as anti-aircraft weapons—and even those targeted slow seaplanes. Against fast fighters and bombers, they were virtually useless.

Only then did Britain realize, in shock, that their world's leading navy had effectively handed control of the strategic English Channel to France, the world's fifth-ranked naval force. The narrow strait Britain had always considered its internal waters could now swiftly become a graveyard for the Royal Navy should hostilities arise.

…

At the British War Office building in central London, uniformed aides and secretaries hurriedly passed through the halls, lending the stately Edwardian Baroque structure a tense atmosphere.

In a third-floor office overlooking the street, the Minister of Supply and General Winter studied a naval map, their expressions grave as aides calculated the German fleet's projected positions.

"Are we certain of the intelligence?" the minister asked.

"Yes, absolutely," an aide confirmed confidently.

Satisfied, the minister nodded.

Recently, they'd been carefully verifying decrypted German communications, ensuring they matched the actual positions of enemy vessels. If the intel proved consistently accurate, it meant their code-breaking remained undiscovered by the Germans.

Though typically the Navy Minister handled naval intelligence, the Supply Minister became involved due to concerns over submarine threats to British supply lines and convoys.

General Winter handed the minister a telegram: "Sir, decoded messages indicate the Germans plan a surprise attack tomorrow. They'll deploy two battlecruisers and eleven destroyers to strike our Third Fleet."

The Third Fleet, stationed in the southern North Sea to enforce the Channel blockade, was the weakest of Britain's three fleets, consisting primarily of smaller cruisers, destroyers, and minelayers.

General Winter added, "We should immediately inform the Navy Minister, or it will be too late."

The Minister of Supply remained silent for a moment before replying cautiously, "Are you suggesting the Navy Minister should dispatch reinforcements?"

"Certainly," General Winter insisted. "The Second Fleet could easily reinforce them in time."

However, the minister slowly shook his head. "No, General. We shouldn't take such action."

Puzzled, Winter asked, "Why not?"

"To avoid alerting the Germans to the fact we've broken their codes." The minister raised the decrypted message. "Think carefully: If we consistently avoid German attacks, especially plans made on short notice, how long before they suspect something?"

General Winter quickly grasped the minister's concern. The Germans had planned this attack for tomorrow, involving fast battlecruisers and destroyers. It was very likely a spontaneous raid. If the British fleet consistently anticipated such moves, German intelligence would quickly realize their codes were compromised.

After a pause, Winter suggested hesitantly, "At least we could inform the Third Fleet to prepare."

Again, the minister rejected the idea sharply. "That's still risky, General. Admiral Avery (commander of the Third Fleet) might take visible precautions—perhaps laying additional mines or repositioning ships—small actions that could reveal we knew their plans."

General Winter finally understood. The minister intended to sacrifice some Third Fleet assets to maintain intelligence secrecy.

The minister stared intently at Winter and said solemnly, "We must accept this sacrifice, General. Stopping the main German fleet is our ultimate priority—do you understand?"

Reluctantly, General Winter replied, "Yes, sir. I'll convey your recommendation to the Navy Minister."

The outcome was obvious—the Navy Minister would side with the Supply Minister, placing strategic secrecy above individual fleet safety.

At that moment, an aide burst into the office urgently. "Sir, the Germans have just changed their codes!"

"What?!" both the Supply Minister and General Winter exclaimed simultaneously, exchanging shocked glances.

After a tense silence, the minister muttered, "Could it be we avoided their submarines too frequently?"

General Winter added thoughtfully, "And the French sinking multiple submarines at once. The Germans don't yet realize Charles developed sonar detection technology. They probably suspect information leaks."

The minister nodded slowly. Speculation wouldn't help now; the critical point was the loss of their decoding capability, leaving Britain blind to future German naval movements.

(End of Chapter 632)

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