Chapter 1421 Balkan Sky 1
Chapter 1421 Balkan Sky 1
"I have always believed that the air force should operate as an independent branch rather than as a vassal of the army and navy. The Bavarian Air Force is already a branch on the same level as the army. They can concentrate their forces to attack our key nodes, but what about us? We must accept the command of the army and navy and disperse a large number of aircraft to cover ports, communication lines and military depots. As everyone knows, the best defense is to attack. When the Germans are overwhelmed by our offensive, we The rear will naturally be safe." General Trenchard, who had been promoted to general, wrote in a letter to the Allied High Command.
According to the opinion of the founder of the Royal Air Force, in order to ensure that the skies in the Balkans belonged to the Allied Powers, he strongly suggested that all aircraft be returned to the Royal Air Force, and then concentrate on carrying out several large-scale offensive operations against the Bavarian Air Force. , the main target is the Bavarian Air Force's airports and aircraft. He also stated that if the Allied leaders were willing to accept it, he could go to the Balkans again to command the Allied Air Force.
But unfortunately, his opinion was not adopted. British Lord of the Admiralty Churchill and the supreme commander of the British Army in the Balkans, Admiral Hamilton, rejected this request. The entire British aviation department in the Balkans is divided into two parts. The first part is the sea-based aviation controlled by the navy. Its main task is to be responsible for the security of major ports, anchorages and fleet air defense. The second part is controlled by the Army, and its main task is also to cover the Army's transportation hubs and provide limited air support.
"Your actions are simply murdering the Royal Air Force! Churchill, you are a complete villain! You ignore the overall situation for your own interests!" General Trenchard stopped Churchill who was about to leave after a meeting. He almost pointed at the other person’s nose and cursed!
"Mr. Admiral, first of all, I fully understand the efforts made by your air force in the raid on the German Mediterranean Fleet. However, this does not mean that you can slander the Royal Navy wantonly. The Royal Navy has its own air force. Our mission is to serve the fleet, so why should we hand over our aircraft to others when we are facing serious air threats?" Churchill said righteously.
Don't mention it. On this issue, Churchill was really right. The Royal Naval Air Force is a subordinate department of the Royal Navy. It is up to you to decide how to use it. You, the commander of the Army Air Force, why should you care about us?
"The supply of personnel and materials in the entire Balkan theater requires naval transport ships. The German air strike power is even stronger than the Royal Air Force! If the encounter of the Russian Baltic Fleet occurs in the Mediterranean, then I can only say that it may be Thousands of people can be buried under the sea by sending torpedoes, so tell me, who will bear this responsibility? The HNA Air Force is responsible for covering the navy. At least we can protect ourselves, but if you follow your plan, we may be in a few days. Lose air superiority within 2 seconds!" Churchill continued.
have to say,
The British's intelligence was quite good. Based on the intelligence collected by British aviation personnel in Russia and the information provided by the Russians, the British roughly deduced that the number of aircraft available to Bavaria in Poland's pocket was around 1,400... . Throughout the entire campaign, the Bavarian Air Force's losses could be described as sporadic.
As the Battle of the Gulf of Riga came to an end, the Bavarian Army began to move towards Ukraine, and the air force also moved with it. Therefore, the British estimated that the number of aircraft that the Bavarian Army could concentrate and use in the Balkans was at least 800! Then both Churchill and Lord Hamilton felt their own Sky Alexander…. Although there is a saying that offense is the best defense, once the game gets too big, for example, both sides lost 300 aircraft in a PK, and the Bavarian Air Force said it doesn't matter, then what do you ask the British to do? How about adding so many more planes from Europe? ! What are you thinking!
When the British Prime Minister summoned Lord Hamilton, he specifically emphasized the need for stability and emphasized that Britain and France only had this chance to save Russia. So Hamilton and Churchill took the matter together and decided to rely on the army and navy, which had huge advantages, to advance. As for the air force, it was better to be more conservative.
In fact, strategically speaking, the scale and production capacity of the British aviation industry are actually about the same level as Germany, maybe slightly stronger. But the problem is that Germany can obtain a large number of aircraft engines from the United States and enough aviation fuel from its allies. The French aviation industry is far inferior to Germany. The Western Front must be guaranteed, so Britain and France must maintain their aviation superiority on the Western Front. At the same time, because of the weakening of the Royal Navy, the British must now rely on a large amount of air force to ensure the security of their own sea areas.
The British spent a large amount of aviation resources on bombers, using bombers to ensure maritime security and suppress the German Army on the Western Front. The German Army Group on the Western Front chose to produce a large number of fighter jets and reduce attack aircraft, knowing that the available resources were not as many as those of the British. (At least this is the case for the time being.) To ensure the balance of air power on the Western Front, and in this way, although the Allied Air Force has some advantages, due to one or other reasons, their power in the Balkans is not as good as that of the prince. Legion.
"In fact, instead of worrying about how to use these aircraft, I think we should consider how to get more air force quotas, and by the way, we also need to bring the French over. At present, they have not landed in Asia Minor, and the Turkish Air Force is not worth it. Mention it. Those precious aircraft cannot be wasted." Lord Hamilton didn't know when he came here and raised a question that could resolve the conflict between the two parties.
"But this does not solve the problem of command authority. The Royal Air Force needs autonomy. We cannot completely follow the batons of the Army and Navy." Admiral Trenchard was still somewhat dissatisfied.
"Naval aviation belongs directly to the navy, so..." Churchill made a helpless expression, joking, why should I leave my plane to your command? If a certain transport fleet sinks, will you be responsible? Take off your head and let me kick it as a ball?
"Well, before the Balkans Allied Forces General Command issues an order to the air force, the Royal Army Air Force and the French aviation forces will be unified under your command. In addition, we also need to strive for more air force quotas, which requires the three of us Let's work together." Lord Hamilton compromised.
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