Chapter 60: Progress
The officers and soldiers of the 10th Division were engaged in shooting training on the grounds. Accompanied by the division's chief officer, Jacques, and Puleshan, the Chief of the General Staff, Edel observed the proceedings through a telescope.
"Excellent training," Puleshan remarked, setting aside his telescope, addressing Jacques who stood nearby.
"Thank you, Chief of Staff. However, these soldiers still have a way to go before they can be considered elite. They need more training," Jacques responded modestly. Despite his words, his expression betrayed his satisfaction with the soldiers' performance, a testament also to the strong support in military supplies for the newly reorganized divisions under his command.
The 'elite' Jacques referred to were the members of the two guard divisions and the third division, all of which had been reorganized in the first batch and had consistently outperformed in previous exercises and trainings across Romania.
Smiling at Jacques's comment, Puleshan said, "It seems the Tenth Division is aiming to take the top spot."
The nearby senior officers of the 10th Division, including Deputy Commander Felek and Chief of Staff Alqueza, listened intently, aligning with Puleshan's vision. Edel, too, lowered his binoculars and turned his attention to the ongoing conversation.
Puleshan, noticing the attentive group, continued, "I am very pleased with your ambition. Soldiers must harbor the confidence to compete and must never rest on their laurels. Always believe in victory; that's my expectation."
"It is crucial that every division aspires to compete with the elite divisions," Edel added, his words resonating with the senior officers who nodded in agreement under Jacques's lead.
"Your Highness, Chief of Staff, shall we proceed to review the artillery training results?" Jacques suggested, having observed enough of the shooting training.
"Lead the way; let's see the fruits of a year's training," Edel replied, eager to witness their proficiency with the artillery, especially the formidable 'God of War.'
The group made their way to Khachali Hill, just outside the residence of the 10th Division, where the Artillery Regiment was stationed. The regiment's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Letosk, awaited the arrival of the dignitaries. Formerly the deputy commander in the Seventh Division, Letosk was a well-respected figure within the army's artillery ranks. Jacques had previously recommended his transfer due to the former artillery leader's outdated methods and theories.
Upon his appointment, Letosk implemented sweeping reforms within the regiment. He began by auditing the existing practices, followed by a rigorous evaluation of the officers. Those who failed repeatedly were reassigned to less critical roles, while others were positioned according to their capabilities. The regiment's artillery skills had improved dramatically under his leadership, much to Jacques's satisfaction.
"Lieutenant Colonel Letosk, it's been a year since we last met," Puleshan greeted the artillery commander warmly.
"Yes, Chief of Staff," Letosk replied, acknowledging the reunion.
Edel, intrigued by their interaction, listened as Puleshan shared an anecdote about a previous administrative error involving Letosk's transfer orders, which had inadvertently delayed his appointment. Despite the mishap, Letosk had left a positive impression on Puleshan during their subsequent meetings.
Encouraged by the crown prince, Letosk signaled for the artillery drill to commence. The regiment demonstrated their prowess with six Krupp 75mm mountain cannons, meticulously firing at a target five kilometers away. The initial shots landed near the target, and after a few adjustments, the target was effectively neutralized.
"Excellent performance. Continue to strive for such precision," Edel praised, visibly impressed.
Next, the regiment showcased the Krupp 75mm field cannons, another staple of the Romanian arsenal. These cannons, renowned for their reliability, were demonstrated with equal precision, impressing the onlookers with their capability to hit a target seven kilometers away.
Finally, the 105mm howitzers were prepared for an indirect firing demonstration, a sophisticated technique that Edel had previously observed only in the elite divisions. The test shots, although not as accurate as those from the elite units, were commendable, and Edel praised Letosk for the regiment's progress.
Following the artillery demonstrations, the crown prince and his entourage observed infantry tactics, field rescue operations, and other drills, all of which showcased the 10th Division's improved capabilities. Both Edel and Puleshan were satisfied, feeling the investment in the year's training was justified.
On their return, Edel queried Puleshan about the true intent behind his speeches during the training. Puleshan explained that fostering a competitive spirit was essential for maintaining the army's vigor, though not all could reach elite status. This strategy set a benchmark for others to aspire to.
Edel reflected on this strategy, recognizing its wisdom. The visible improvements in divisions like the 17th and 14th, previously underperformers like the 10th, bolstered his confidence in Romania's military readiness for the challenges ahead in the Balkans.
After completing his military duties, Edel returned to his home life with his wife, Sophie Marie. During this period, he also made a trip to Constanta to check on two former maids who had been left without proper care. This gesture of concern nearly left Edel bedridden, as his health suffered, and he required support upon his return to Bucharest. It appeared that the maids harbored significant resentment towards him, which complicated his efforts and made his interactions with them somewhat strained.
As the year drew to a close, Edel focused his attention on the ongoing Italian-Turkish war, particularly the developments in Libya. The conflict posed a challenging situation for Italy, which struggled against not only the Ottoman army but also considerable resistance from the local population. The Italian invasion had sparked outrage across the Arab world, leading to fierce opposition from guerrilla fighters and volunteers from Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and other Arab nations. These forces inflicted severe losses on the Italian troops.
Italy was now forced to concentrate its forces along the coastal cities, with little control over the vast inland regions. The financial toll on Italy was substantial, with the cost of the war escalating from 300,000 Italian lire per month to 800,000 lire. The situation was further complicated by the local tribal armed forces, whose nomadic lifestyle and use of horses and camels gave them a significant advantage over the predominantly infantry-based Italian army.
Amidst these reflections on international affairs, Edel was interrupted by Captain Carust, the head of his guard, who brought in a document.
"Your Highness, this is Romania's economic report for the year," Carust announced as he handed over the document.
"Thank you for your efforts," Edel responded, taking the report and beginning to peruse the contents.
The economic data revealed that Romania's gross national product (GDP) had reached 5.53 billion lei, marking an increase of 7.8% from the previous year's 5.13 billion lei, though there was a slight slowdown of 0.2%. A notable shift was observed in the automobile sector, where Volkswagen, a leading manufacturer, saw its market share in Europe decrease from 80% to 76%. Despite the introduction of the Model T, which had revolutionized the industry, Volkswagen was gradually losing ground as other countries ramped up their investments in automobile manufacturing.
However, Romania's agricultural sector showed promising growth, thanks in part to the widespread adoption of tractors, which had bolstered the efficiency of farming practices. The number of tractors in the country had surged from zero to nearly 20,000 in just one year, reflecting a significant technological advancement. The Ploiesti machinery factory, now employing 20,000 workers, was producing 120 tractors daily, yet still could not meet the soaring demand from both domestic and European markets.
The expansion of Romania's agricultural land by 110,000 hectares to a total of 6.24 million hectares was another highlight of the report, indicating a shift towards mechanization in farming. This development pleased Edel greatly, as it aligned with his vision for modernizing Romanian agriculture.
However, the increased use of internal combustion engines had led to a decrease in oil exports, with the export value of refined oil and derivatives falling to 201 million lei, a drop of 12 million lei from the previous year. In response, Mr. Smith, the general manager of the Romanian Petroleum Company, had proposed expanding crude oil extraction and refining capacities. Edel had approved these plans, aiming to boost annual oil production to 2 million tons and refining capacity to 1.8 million tons.
On the import front, Romania continued to see an increase in machinery imports, reflecting the growing industrialization within the country. Many entrepreneurs were capitalizing on this trend, setting up various industrial ventures across the nation.
The report also detailed the status of enterprises within Romania. There were over 80,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, mostly family-run, with a smaller number of larger companies. Only seven enterprises were state-owned or royal, including significant entities such as the Constanta Steel Plant and the Romanian Petroleum Company. These enterprises, primarily controlled by the royal family, played a crucial role in the national economy and underscored the influence of the monarchy over governmental functions.
The Romanian military had also seen advancements, with the army completing its training and the navy adding new warships, bolstering Romania's regional military presence.
Having reviewed the economic and military updates, Edel felt confident about Romania's growing national strength and its strategic position in the Balkans. He anticipated that the ongoing complexities in the Ottoman Empire would eventually lead Balkan nations to seek Romania's support or intervention, recognizing its rising influence in the region.
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