Three days after returning to Bucharest, Edel met with General Prieshan, who had also just returned from an assignment. Edel had high praise for the old general's recent trip to Denmark and recognized him as a competent leader.
"Carust has sent someone to investigate whether there are any flight experiments being conducted in our country," Edel mentioned, glancing at the newspaper in his hand while addressing his head of the bodyguard.
"Understood, Your Highness," replied the chief guard succinctly.
Edel shook his head, berating himself silently as he scanned the day's newspaper. A headline caught his eye: "The Prospect of Future Flight." The article discussed the rapid advancements in aviation following the Wright Brothers' successful flight two years prior. It predicted a future where manned air travel would become commonplace. Edel couldn't believe he had overlooked the significance of aircraft technology, but he was determined to catch up, knowing that with sufficient capital, rapid development was possible. The engine technology at the time was rudimentary, which was a relief, as it meant private investments could suffice for now.
That evening, Edel dined with King Carol and his wife. The king expressed his satisfaction with Edel's recent accomplishments. "Edel, you have performed well recently, and it brings me great joy," said King Carol warmly.
"Father, I simply aim to do my best," Edel responded modestly.
"Edel, I want you to start getting involved in managing the army. I am getting older and my energy is not what it used to be. You will need to gradually take over my responsibilities. The army is the foundation of your authority," the king declared.
The following day, King Carol arranged for General Prieshan to take Edel to the War Department. There, Edel learned about the structure of the Romanian military, which comprised 10 army divisions and one guard division, totaling 298,000 personnel. The distribution included six divisions positioned against Russia, three divisions near Hungary, one division near Bulgaria, and the guards stationed in Bucharest to defend the capital. Each division consisted of about 27,000 personnel, a number Edel found excessively large compared to the division sizes of other European powers.
The Romanian armed forces were primarily equipped with outdated rifles and small-caliber artillery, with almost no heavy artillery. This realization underscored the challenges Edel faced in his ambition to prepare Romania for a significant role in the upcoming World War I. Strengthening the military was now his primary goal, and he hoped for assistance from a German advisory group.
Upon returning to the palace, Edel's head guard approached him with intriguing news. "Your Highness, I've learned that a young man named Henry Coanda is conducting flight experiments in China."
"I want to meet him," Edel decided instantly.
The next day, Edel met with Henry Coanda, who was already aware of the crown prince's interest in aviation. Coanda was eager for the opportunity to secure funding for his projects. "Your Highness, I have heard of your interest in aviation," Coanda began after greeting Edel. "Yes, flying has always been humanity's dream. We are now on the brink of making regular air travel a reality. Imagine flying from here to London in just a few hours instead of taking a train or ship. With some financial backing, I can make this happen."
Edel, aware of the potential of aviation, decided to support Coanda's research. "I will fund your research with 20,000 pounds annually. The goal is to develop aircraft that can fly longer, farther, and higher," Edel declared, cutting short Coanda's enthusiastic visions of the future.
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness. I will not disappoint you," Coanda replied, visibly relieved and excited by the generous funding.
Later that afternoon, while walking in the garden, a maid approached Edel with a message from the queen. Curious, Edel went to see Queen Elizabeth. "Edel, you are almost of age, and I have arranged for two maids to assist you," the queen informed him. Two young and beautiful maids entered, and Edel understood the implications immediately; the king had previously hinted at such arrangements.
"I have seen the Queen and His Royal Highness," the maids said, greeting both Edel and the queen.
"From now on, you will assist the crown prince with his daily needs," Queen Elizabeth instructed the maids.
"Edel, take them back to your quarters," she added, signaling that the conversation was over.
Back in his palace, Edel inquired about their names. "Your Highness, my name is Kariluna," said the first maid, a slender girl with long blond hair and brown eyes. "And I am Emina," added the second, with gentle blue eyes, long eyelashes, and brown hair.
Both maids seemed shy but prepared, likely briefed by the queen on their duties. As they bowed their heads, Edel pondered the new chapter unfolding in his life, shaped by duty and the weight of future expectations.
Over the ensuing days, Edel fully indulged in a life of carnal bliss, experimenting with various techniques and positions, which left the two maids increasingly radiant. However, the arrival of a report from Ludendorff marked the end of this carefree period and the beginning of a busier schedule for Edel.
"Your Highness, this is the advisory team's inspection report," said Ludendorff, the head of the military advisory team, as he handed over the document. Ludendorff had assumed this role after Edel had sent a telegram to Germany expressing his satisfaction with Ludendorff's previous contributions and requesting his assistance in reforming the Romanian military. Consequently, the previously lesser-known Captain Gulista was reassigned, and Ludendorff was promoted to colonel and tasked with this new responsibility. He had compiled the report meticulously following a thorough inspection.
As Edel perused the report, he realized the gravity of the issues it outlined. The army's command structure was excessively cumbersome, and the tactical skills of its senior officers were outdated, still mired in the methodologies of the Franco-Prussian War. The soldiers were underpaid, which had led to rampant pilfering of supplies, and the tactics employed by lower-level commanders were uninspired. It was clear to Edel that a comprehensive reorganization of the military was necessary. However, he knew that such an undertaking would require the king's backing and could not be accomplished single-handedly.
That afternoon, Edel presented Ludendorff's report to King Carol I. After reviewing the document, the old king looked up and asked, "What do you intend to do?"
Edel responded with determination, "We need to streamline the command hierarchy, increase military salaries, and ensure all officers undergo systematic training. Those who cannot adapt to modern requirements should be retired. Our military structure is too bloated, with nearly 30,000 men in a single division. We can take a leaf out of Germany's book, starting with the guard divisions before reorganizing the entire army. This is the only way to safeguard our interests in the increasingly tense European landscape."
"Proceed with your plans. You will inherit this kingdom in the future. But remember, Edel, you must keep the army firmly under your control," King Carol I advised gravely.
"Father, I assure you, the kingdom will never falter under my watch," Edel pledged to the aging monarch.
After Edel departed, King Carol I summoned the palace chief, Adrie, and instructed him, "Ensure that everyone in the military follows Edel's commands."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Adrie responded, sensing the dawn of a new era under Prince Edel's leadership. He then exited the room after bowing to the king.
In the days that followed, Edel, along with Preshan and Ludendorff, deliberated on the new military structure, tailoring it to Romania's specific needs.
The restructured army was to be organized as follows: Each infantry squad would consist of ten soldiers, including a squad leader and a deputy, both positions held by a corporal and a senior soldier, equipped with Mauser 98 rifles. Four such squads would form a platoon, led by a second lieutenant with a sergeant or sergeant major as his deputy, totaling 42 riflemen. Four platoons would then make up a company, which also included a 10-person cooking squad, an 11-person fire squad with three Madsen light machine guns, a four-person communications group, two commanding officers (a lieutenant or captain), and two orderlies, totaling 197 personnel.
Four companies would form a battalion, which included a firepower platoon with three Maxim heavy machine guns, a 10-person guard unit, chaplains, cooks, and communicators, commanded by a major or lieutenant colonel, with a captain serving as battalion staff, totaling 847 soldiers.
Three such battalions would form a regiment, with additional support units bringing the total to 3158, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel with a chief of staff at the rank of major.
Two regiments would then form a brigade, led by a colonel or major general. Two brigades, along with an artillery regiment comprising various battalions of field and mountain artillery and light howitzers, plus support units like logistics, engineers, military police, field hospitals, a cavalry reconnaissance battalion, and a communications office, would constitute a division. This structure would bring the total strength of each division to approximately 16,000 men, commanded by a major general, with 68 artillery pieces.
This reorganization, while aligning with the size of German divisions, actually featured slightly fewer frontline soldiers, reallocating those resources towards logistics and engineering, as specifically requested by the crown prince. Despite the enhancements, Ludendorff calculated that the Romanian division would cost about 10% more than its German counterpart and would have four fewer 105mm guns.
Though Ludendorff had reservations about whether Romania could fully adapt to this new structure, he didn't voice these concerns to Edel, who was preparing to present the reorganization plan to King Carol I for final approval. The plan's success depended not only on the king's consent but also on securing the necessary funding, which only the king could authorize given his influence over the government.
King Carol I sat in his study, pondering the detailed report laid out before him. Admiral Adrian stood silently by, almost blending into the background, as Edel awaited the king's decision. The only sound was the ticking of the clock, stretching the silence until it was finally broken by the king's weary sigh.
"Must we proceed with this exact plan?" the old king asked reluctantly.
"Father, this is the best course of action to secure the future of our family and nation," Edel replied resolutely.
"I will discuss this with the Prime Minister. He will have to agree," said Carol I, his voice tinged with exhaustion. After a pause, he seemed to gather himself and dismissed Admiral Adrian from the room.
Left alone with his father, Edel sensed the weight of the moment. "You've grown up, Edel, and you have your own vision. I see in this plan your gamble on the future of Europe. Are you certain you want to take this risk?"
"Yes, father. It is a gamble, but I believe we will be on the winning side," Edel affirmed with confidence.
King Carol I felt a mix of pride and sorrow. His son was no longer just following orders; he was making bold decisions. The next day, Prime Minister Sturley was summoned to discuss the plan. The details of their conversation remained private, but soon after, the Prime Minister, facing the combined pressure of the king, the military, and now the crown prince, signed off on the reorganization plan, committing to an expenditure of 20 million pounds.
The ambitious five-year plan aimed to reorganize two divisions per year, culminating in the final year with three, transforming the existing 11 Romanian divisions (including one guard division) into 16 enhanced divisions modeled after the German structure (including two guard divisions). This marked a significant shift in the Romanian military's readiness and strategic posture, aligning it more closely with the evolving complexities of European geopolitics.