The response and deploynt speed of the NATO Allied Army is truly astonishing.
In just ten days, advance units from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and other countries arrived at major military bases and ports in the "Freedom Alliance" states such as Kentucky and Ohio through various transportation thods.
For a mont, all sorts of NATO uniforms and equipnt filled the towns and highways in the heart of North Arica, bringing a strong "exotic" feeling and a surreal war atmosphere.
However, this seemingly powerful coalition force had not yet found its footing when deep-seated internal contradictions and historical grievances imdiately erupted, centered on that ancient and deadly issue: command authority.
In a luxurious conference room temporarily requisitioned and decorated with the Star-Spangled Banner and Alliance flags within the forr state governnt building in Frankfurt City, Kentucky, a eting to determine the frawork of the coalition's actions was deadlocked.
"I must emphasize that soldiers from the Royal Air Force and the Anglo Regint cannot be subjected to senseless frontal attrition under inexperienced command!" The British representative, a newly appointed brigadier general replacing the unfortunate Williams, tapped his knuckles on the table, "We possess indisputable expertise in operating in complex terrains and enemy infiltration, and any overall combat plan must fully consider and respect this, with our side leading the special operations segnt."
Colonel Durand of the French Foreign Legion imdiately let out a chuckle, leaning back in his chair, "'Inexperienced'? To whom are you referring, Brigadier General? Those legion officers who have accumulated decades of combat experience in Algeria, Chad, and Côte d'Ivoire? As for command structure, I believe the most reasonable approach is to establish a joint command committee composed of representatives from all participating countries, making decisions based on consensus."
He deliberately avoided the issue of who should lead, but the word "consensus" in the current situation was almost equivalent to paralysis.
These are all Europe's "gentlen," and they all have grudges against each other.
"Committee? Consensus?"
Major Schmidt of the German Federal Defense Army adjusted his glasses, his tone rigid, "Far too inefficient; modern warfare requires a clear and unified chain of command. I believe that combat areas and responsibilities should be clearly divided based on the equipnt characteristics and mission attributes of each nation's forces, with national commanders having full authority in their responsible areas, needing only to report to a coordinating body."
"Full authority? In their own area?"
The commander of the Polish "Lightning" brigade, a resolute-looking Colonel Sohaski, suddenly raised his voice, historical sentints making him extraordinarily sensitive to any form of "area division," "And then what? Reproduce history? Let so units watch from the sidelines when we need support? No! The Coalition Forces must act as one, and command authority must be centralized! Furthermore, our Polish Army has proven its courage and combat strength in successive wars, and we absolutely will not accept marginalization or obey command from those who, historically... hmpf, have a disgraceful record!" His gaze aningfully swept over the German and French representatives.
These words were like stirring a hornet's nest.
"Colonel Sohaski! Please watch your language!" Major Schmidt turned pale, "What are you insinuating?"
Colonel Durand also sat up straight, his tone sarcastic, "Courage is admirable indeed, but modern warfare relies more on technology and systems. The level of professionalism and equipnt of the Foreign Legion is likely incomparable to so... hmm, 'erging' forces."
The British Brigadier General attempted to maintain decorum, but his tone was also barbed, "Gentlen, arguing won't solve anything, but we must face reality. The British Empire has a long and successful tradition of organizing multinational coalitions..."
"A successful tradition? Including in Dunkirk and Singapore?" Durand unceremoniously interrupted, bringing up old grievances.
"At least we didn't surrender at the outset of a war!" The British Brigadier General retorted, raising both hands, then mimicking a crab.
This gesture...
As comical as can be.
"And how would you evaluate your 'success' at the Suez Canal?" The French Colonel instantly counterattacked.
"Better than so countries' 'colonial managent' in Africa!"
"What did you say?!"
The eting instantly turned into a marketplace, with English, French, German, and Polish shouts and table thumping echoing together.
Several Governors from the "Freedom Alliance," including the Governor of Kentucky himself, at this mont huddled at the end of the long table, speechless and shivering.
They watched as these senior military officers from the "civilized world" traded insults and exposed one another's shortcomings like scolding fisherwon, the glimr of hope they held for foreign aid slowly being devoured by cold reality.
They dared not diate nor knew who to diate for.
Just as the argunt was escalating, almost turning into an all-out brawl, Colonel Bertolini, the commander of the Italian expeditionary force, who had remained mostly silent, tapped a coffee cup with a spoon to draw everyone's attention.
"Gentlen! Gentlen!" Colonel Bertolini spread his hands, "We are gathered here to assist our Arican friends and to combat that Southern dictator, aren't we? Rather than to reenact debates like Waterloo or Dunkirk."
He cast his gaze around, looking at the angry faces, "Since we can't agree on who should command—I believe even after bickering for three days and nights we couldn't—why must we have unified command?"
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