Today marked a significant milestone for the army's reorganization process as the first batch of troops was reviewed. King Carol I personally oversaw this event, accompanied by his trusted aides, including Edel, Puleshan, and others.
"Your Majesty, please observe the newly reorganized Second Division of the Guards," Puleshan gestured towards the impeccably arranged soldiers. "These troops, formed from the merger of the Guards Division and personnel from the now-dissolved Third Division, include many low-ranking officers who have undergone extensive training. They truly are the elite of our forces."
King Carol I nodded in approval, his voice resonant with pride, "I am pleased with your efforts and expect nothing less than continued excellence."
"We will ensure the rest of the army meets the high standards Your Majesty embodies," Puleshan assured the aging monarch. Given the king's advancing years and waning stamina, he soon retired to the palace, leaving Edel to continue the inspection.
Once alone, Edel turned to Puleshan, "Now, tell me about the challenges you're facing."
Puleshan didn't hold back, "Your Highness, we are currently short of 20,000 Mauser 98 rifles. Many soldiers are still equipped with the older Manshali 1895 rifles. Additionally, we're lacking 16 105mm light howitzers, our field hospitals need more medical supplies, and our logistics are short by 1,200 mules. We're also facing a shortage of communication equipment."
Edel was taken aback by the extent of the deficiencies. "Let the arsenals focus on producing the rifles for now. We'll have to address the other shortages gradually. In the meantime, use what we have. I'll arrange for the purchase of medical and communication supplies from Germany."
This shortfall was partly due to Edel's own oversight in not securing sufficient artillery and rifles earlier. He had hoped to build up slowly, but the current needs forced a reassessment.
"Understood, Your Majesty," Puleshan replied, somewhat relieved that the crown prince had grasped the magnitude of the logistical challenges. Wanting to lighten the mood, he added, "On a positive note, the combat effectiveness of the reorganized divisions has improved by 20% compared to the unreorganized ones."
This piqued Edel's interest. "Have you conducted any exercises to confirm this improvement?" he inquired.
"Only at the battalion level so far; we haven't had the opportunity for larger scale drills," Puleshan explained.
"Plan for division-level exercises this year. It will be good for the entire army to see the tangible results of their hard work," Edel suggested enthusiastically.
Puleshan calculated the logistics in his mind, "We should be ready by May."
"Perfect. I'll make sure the king attends," Edel decided, setting the stage for a significant military demonstration in May.
After concluding his duties with the army, Edel visited Prime Minister Sturley's office. The prime minister, ever direct, inquired, "Didn't Your Highness just inspect the troops? What brings you here so soon?"
Edel got straight to the point, "The army is in dire need of additional medical and communication equipment. We need government funding."
Wary of the financial implications, Sturley asked, "How much are we talking about?"
"No more than 5 million marks," Edel responded, aware of the prime minister's concerns.
"That can be arranged. I'll instruct the Ministry of Finance to allocate the funds," Sturley agreed, visibly relieved that the request was within a manageable range.
Pleased with the outcome, Edel left the government office and returned to the palace. Shortly thereafter, he received exciting news from Henry Coanda, the pioneering aviator, who invited him to witness the test flight of a new aircraft he had developed.
The following day, dressed inconspicuously, Edel arrived at a suburban field where a crowd had gathered around Coanda's aircraft. The machine, mostly skeletal except for its canvas-covered wings and leather seats, was unlike anything Edel had seen before.
"Let him know we're ready to begin," Edel instructed a guard, who conveyed the message to Coanda. After a final check, the aircraft's engine roared to life, and soon, the plane was speeding down the makeshift runway. To the amazement of all present, it lifted off the ground, soaring into the sky.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Coanda skillfully maneuvered the aircraft, his joy evident even from the ground. After completing a flight of over ten kilometers, he landed smoothly, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd and eager reporters.
Edel approached Coanda, offering his congratulations. "This is a remarkable achievement, Henri. I look forward to seeing further advancements in your designs."
Coanda, smiling widely, credited the crown prince's financial support as crucial to his success. The next day's headlines celebrated the flight, proclaiming that Romanians had taken to the skies, and Coanda's name became well-known across the nation.
Reflecting on the potential of the fledgling Romanian Air Force, Edel decided to increase funding for Coanda's projects. "Authorize an additional 30,000 pounds for his work," he instructed his chief guard, determined to nurture this burgeoning area of national defense.