The 105th Regint's landing operation proceeded without a hitch. Unlike the anticipated scene of intense machine-gun fire cutting down soldiers on landing boats, this particular coastline had been deed "impossible to land on" by the enemy. In the past, an assault here would have been futile unless Allied soldiers rowed ashore in tiny boats, only to be rcilessly annihilated before even reaching land.
However, now equipped with specialized landing boats and crafts, everything had changed. All the landing troops needed to do was disembark under cover of naval artillery, spread out, and secure victory.
Standing on the deck of the Henri transport ship, Charles raised his binoculars, watching the Ottoman soldiers break ranks and flee. "Impressive—they held their ground this long," he comnted.
Tijani nodded in agreent. On the battlefield, morale is critical, and any unforeseen "surprises" can shatter soldiers' resolve, making them feel destined to lose. The Ottomans had faced three such shocks in this battle:
First, the sight of the Allied fleet off this stretch of beach, bombarding their position; second, the swift landing operation, executed with astonishing speed and firepower by landing boats; and finally, the revelation of amphibious landing vehicles, able to roll up onto the shore like tanks.
Tijani could well imagine the shock that the Ottoman soldiers felt as they watched the amphibious craft drive directly out of the sea and onto the land. Though they'd managed to endure the first two surprises, it was this last revelation that finally broke their morale.
The landing forces did not hesitate. Under the protection of the amphibious landing craft, they advanced along the trenches built by the enemy. The attack ca from all angles:
On either side of the trench, a few amphibious craft took positions, firing down into the trenches with mounted machine guns and rifles. anwhile, a group of soldiers advanced thodically inside the trenches, eliminating any remaining defenders. Soldiers following behind with the amphibious craft used mortars to suppress any remaining machine-gun nests along the enemy's fortifications.
The Ottoman forces, already in disarray, found themselves powerless to hold back the tide of the landing forces, even for a mont.
anwhile, the landing boats returned to the transport ship, positioning themselves below the rope nets in preparation to ferry the second wave of troops to shore.
Tijani lowered his binoculars and turned to Charles. "There's no need for you to go ashore, Colonel," he urged. "We understand that you've done your part. You don't have to do this."
Charles shook his head lightly. "No, I need to be there."
Charles felt a sense of resignation. In the French military tradition, officers were expected to lead from the front. To inspire soldiers to advance and claim victory, they had to set an example by charging into battle themselves—a core principle of the French doctrine of offensive warfare. Though Charles did not fully agree with this doctrine, as a mber of the 105th Regint, refusing to land could certainly harm the morale of his troops.
Moreover, Charles knew that the French newspapers would be quick to amplify any sign of hesitation on his part with headlines like:
"All of the 105th Regint has landed—except for Charles, safe and sound on a transport ship.""Does he still think he can hide behind the excuse of being 'underage'?""Charles claims to be involved in the Dardanelles, but he's nowhere near the battlefield!"
Charles sighed inwardly. Such is the "loneliness of command," as they say. If landing was a necessity, then he would do it bravely. He resolved to go with the second wave, alongside Tijani and the command staff, ensuring there would be no room for anyone to criticize him.
With that, Charles gritted his teeth, stowed his binoculars, tightened his belt, and, like everyone else, clambered over the side of the transport ship, lowering himself down along the ropes.
Seeing Charles descend, the soldiers cheered in astonishnt:
"God, is that Colonel Charles? He's joining us on the front?"
"Incredible—I thought he'd stay on the ship!"
"I did too. He shouldn't risk himself like this!"
A few soldiers instinctively surrounded Charles, carefully escorting him down step by step. As he neared the landing craft, others reached up to help him down.
Gathering around him, the soldiers, one after another, urged him to reconsider:
"Colonel, you shouldn't have co! Your inventions and strategies have saved so many lives—we can't allow you to put yourself at risk."
"Exactly! You're far more valuable in other ways. Let us handle the fighting."
"If anything happens to you, it would be a great loss for France, for the people, and for us!"
Charles thought to himself, "If I'm going to do this, I might as well put on a good show." Since he was taking the risk, he figured he might as well present himself heroically and build up so morale.
Smiling slightly, he answered with conviction:
"No, soldiers. Here, I am not Charles, nor am I an inventor. I am simply a mber of the 105th Regint, and it is my duty to lead you into battle. I believe in your victory, and therefore, I have no fear."
Just then, Tijani, having jumped down from the ropes, let out a spirited cheer: "Vive la France!"
The soldiers, deeply moved, echoed the shout: "Vive la France!" Their cry spread like wildfire, quickly rippling through the ranks.
In no ti, word spread that Charles himself would be landing with the troops. The cheers soon resonated across the destroyers, battleships, trawlers, and minesweepers, nearly drowning out the roar of naval artillery. The morale of the entire force surged to new heights.
Landing was, without question, a dangerous endeavor. The Ottoman artillery had begun to zero in on the Ania Beach, sporadically bombarding it.
So shells struck the shore, carving out deep craters and sending cascades of sand flying. Others splashed into the sea, creating towering columns of water.
Charles had seen scenes like this before, but experiencing it firsthand was sothing else entirely. The swaying boat, the acrid smoke, the icy sea spray splashing down on him—it was enough to make him shiver involuntarily.
For a mont, he even felt a twinge of regret. Artillery shells are indiscriminate, and if one were to hit his boat directly, all his efforts might be lost in an instant.
But there was no turning back now, so he pressed on.
When they finally reached the shore, Charles was about to take a mont to steady himself when he caught sight of the grim landscape before him. The ground was littered with bodies, the air heavy with the stench of smoke and blood.
Among the fallen were both Allied and Ottoman soldiers, though mostly Ottoman. So lay with missing limbs or with grotesque wounds, others still groaned in pain. French soldiers, showing no hesitation, delivered a final shot to end their suffering.
Charles felt his stomach churn. Though he had ntally prepared himself for the battlefield, the reality was almost unbearable.
Tijani noticed Charles's pallor and stepped forward to offer comfort: "You'll get used to it, Colonel. I was the sa way when I first saw scenes like this."
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