After three months of intense work, Arthur and William had finally completed the prototypes of the weapons Arthur had designed. During this time, they also worked tirelessly on constructing factories and machinery required for mass production.
One morning, as usual, Arthur began his day with his regular exercise routine. Afterward, he returned to his room, took a quick shower, and had a light breakfast. However, this morning was different. Arthur felt a sense of excitement bubbling within him. Today, he would personally witness the testing of the weapons he and William had worked so hard to develop.
The testing was set to take place 30 kilometers outside the city, on a flat expanse of land. Mounted on his horse and accompanied by six guards, Arthur began his journey to the test site. Upon arriving, he found William already waiting, with everything prepared for the demonstration.
"Welcome, Your Highness," William greeted him enthusiastically. "Everything is ready for the test."
William led Arthur to the test area, where the weapons were neatly displayed on a table alongside a 75mm field gun positioned a short distance away. Noticing William's eagerness to begin, Arthur gave the signal. "Let's get started."
The demonstration began with the Lee-Enfield rifle. William picked up the rifle and fired at targets positioned 50, 100, and 200 meters away. After each shot, he inspected the rifle, ejecting the spent casing and chambering a new round, while ensuring there was no deformation in the barrel. After emptying three magazines, the rifle performed flawlessly, much to Arthur's satisfaction.
Next, they tested the Maxim machine gun. For this, William was joined by a team of four assistants who managed reloading, transported ammunition, and maintained the water-cooling system. Once the gun was ready, William pulled the trigger, unleashing a rapid volley of fire at a dozen wooden targets positioned 100 meters away. Within a minute, the targets were shattered under the relentless barrage. Arthur watched with a satisfied smile and instructed them to move on to the next test.
Following Arthur's command, William and his crew prepared the 75mm field gun. They first fired a shrapnel shell at a target 500 meters away, followed by a high-explosive shell at the same range. The test continued with shots fired at various distances. Arthur used a telescope to observe the impact of each round, and with every successful strike, his smile grew wider. After 30 successful shots, Arthur declared the test complete.
With the tests concluded, Arthur and William retreated to a nearby tent that William had set up. Inside, William offered Arthur a glass of wine, and they began discussing the next steps.
"I'm quite pleased with the demonstration," Arthur began. "When can we expect the first deliveries?"
William nodded confidently. "Your Highness, the production facilities and machinery are ready. Once the machines are calibrated and the workers are trained, we can begin production. The first batch can be delivered within a month."
"Excellent," Arthur replied. "What's the status of the battleship?"
William leaned back slightly. "We've built a shipyard large enough to handle its construction and have installed all the necessary equipment. Last month, we completed the ship's keel. If we maintain this pace, we should be able to launch the first prototype in three months."
"Keep me informed," Arthur instructed.
"As you wish, Your Highness," William replied.
After discussing further details about production, Arthur mounted his horse and returned to the palace.
Upon his return, Arthur took a quick shower and had dinner. Feeling refreshed, he sat at his desk to draft his plans for modernizing the military further. His first task was to design a comprehensive training program for soldiers.
The program, modeled after the basic training regimen of the American military, was adapted to the kingdom's needs. It would begin with an intensive three-month course. In the first month, recruits would undergo rigorous physical exercises, learn basic map reading, and develop navigation skills for wilderness operations. From the second month onward, they would be trained in the use of firearms, ensuring every soldier was proficient with the new weapons.
Arthur then moved on to designing the education program for officers. While officers would undergo similar physical training, their academic requirements would be far more demanding. Arthur emphasized the necessity of strong mathematical skills, especially for artillery officers, who needed to calculate trajectories accurately on the battlefield.
He also stressed the importance of geography for navigation officers tasked with directing troop movements or plotting naval courses. Additionally, engineers among the officer ranks would need to identify and repair mechanical failures in ships and other equipment.
Fortunately, the university Arthur had founded provided an excellent source of highly educated candidates. Many of the current officer candidates were already members of the educated elite, making it easier to implement these academic standards.
Once the training programs were finalized, Arthur turned his attention to restructuring the military's command hierarchy. He divided the military into two primary branches: the Army (Land Forces) and the Navy (Naval Forces). Drawing inspiration from the British military, he created a rank system with clearly defined responsibilities and command scopes.
Army Command Structure:
1.Commander-in-Chief of the Army
•Oversees the entire army and reports directly to the Crown.
•Command Scope: Entire army.
2.General
•Commands divisions of 15,000–20,000 soldiers and manages large-scale operations.
3.Colonel
•Leads regiments of 3,000–5,000 soldiers and coordinates battalions.
4.Major
•Assists colonels and oversees logistics and operations within regiments.
5.Captain
•Commands companies of 80–150 soldiers.
6.Lieutenant
•Leads platoons of 30–50 soldiers under a captain's supervision.
7.Sergeant
•Directly leads squads of 10–12 soldiers and ensures orders are carried out.
8.Corporal
•Assists sergeants and oversees smaller groups of 5–6 soldiers.
9.Private
•Regular enlisted soldier executing tasks as directed.
Navy Command Structure:
1.Admiral of the Fleet
•Oversees all naval operations and reports directly to the Crown.
2.Vice Admiral
•Commands fleets of 20–30 ships.
3.Rear Admiral
•Manages squadrons of 5–10 ships.
4.Captain
•Commands individual ships with 150–300 sailors.
5.Commander
•Second-in-command on larger ships or leader of smaller vessels.
6.Lieutenant
•Oversees departments or operations aboard a ship.
7.Midshipman
•Officer trainees gaining practical experience.
8.Petty Officer
•Supervises small groups of sailors in technical or operational roles.
9.Seaman
•The core workforce performing day-to-day duties.
Specialized Units:
1.Artillery Corps:
•Responsible for operating heavy field guns and long-range artillery. These units specialize in calculating trajectories and delivering devastating firepower on enemy positions.
2.Engineer Corps:
•Handle the construction of fortifications, bridges, and defensive works. They are also tasked with repairing equipment, clearing obstacles, and improving mobility on the battlefield.
3.Cavalry Units:
•Serve as rapid-response forces, specializing in reconnaissance, flanking maneuvers, and hit-and-run tactics. With the kingdom's modernization, cavalry units are transitioning to include mounted infantry and light motorized units.
4.Infantry Divisions:
•The main fighting force, responsible for holding and capturing territory. They are trained to adapt to various combat scenarios, including urban, trench, and wilderness warfare.
5.Marines:
•Specialize in amphibious assaults, coastal defense, and boarding operations. These units are trained to fight both at sea and on land, making them invaluable for naval campaigns.
6.Logistics Corps:
•Ensure that troops have adequate supplies, including food, ammunition, and medical support. These units are crucial for maintaining the army's operational effectiveness over extended campaigns.
7.Medical Corps:
•Provide medical care on the battlefield and manage evacuation operations. They are trained in treating combat injuries and preventing the spread of disease within the army.
8.Signal Corps:
•Handle communication between units, utilizing technologies like signal flags, telegraphs, and runners. This unit ensures that commanders have accurate and timely information during engagements.
9.Special Forces (Planned):
•Arthur envisions the creation of an elite unit tasked with performing high-risk operations, such as sabotage, reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines, and counterintelligence missions
This military structure and the addition of specialized units ensure that the kingdom's armed forces are modern, adaptable, and capable of handling a variety of threats on both land and sea. Arthur's vision focuses on creating a well-rounded military force that leverages advanced training, innovative technology, and strategic organization to secure the kingdom's future.
As Arthur finished writing, he leaned back in his chair, a small smile forming on his face. The weight of responsibility still loomed large, and he knew there was much left to do. However, tonight, he allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction, reflecting on the progress he had made. The army, the navy, the weapons, and the training programs were all pieces of a grand vision that was steadily coming together.
He glanced at the neatly organized papers on his desk, each one containing the details of his military modernization plan. Tomorrow, he would present these plans to his father. It would be a pivotal moment, as gaining the king's approval was essential to moving forward.
For now, the kingdom was on a path toward modernization, and Arthur felt pride in the steps he had taken to secure its future. With that thought, he extinguished the lamp on his desk and prepared to rest, knowing that tomorrow would bring not only new challenges but also an opportunity to turn his vision into reality.