1421 Balkan sky 1
"I have always believed that the Air Force should fight as an independent branch rather than as a vassal of the Army and the Navy. The Bavarian Air Force is already a branch of troops that are equal to the Army. They can concentrate their efforts to strike at our key nodes. What about us? We must accept the command of the Army and the Navy, and disperse a large number of planes to cover ports, transportation lines and troop stations. Little do we know that the best defense is attack. When the Germans are frantically hit by our offensive, our rear will naturally be safe." General Trenchard, who has been promoted to general, wrote in a letter to the Supreme Command of the Allied.
According to the founder of the Royal Air Force, in order to ensure that the Balkan sky is an Allied country, he strongly suggested that all aircraft be taken over to the Royal Air Force and then concentrate on carrying out several large-scale offensive operations against the Bavarian Air Force, mainly targeting the airports and aircraft of the Bavarian Air Force. He also said that if the senior leaders of the Allied country are willing to accept it, he can go to the Balkans again to command the Allied country's air force to fight.
But unfortunately, his opinion was not adopted. British Navy Secretary Churchill and Admiral Hamilton, the highest commander of the British regiment in the Balkans, rejected the request. The entire British aviation department in the Balkans was divided into two parts. The first part was a sea-based aviation force controlled by the navy, with its main task being responsible for the security of major ports, anchorages and fleet air defenses. The second part was controlled by the army, with its main task also covering the army's traffic hub and providing limited air support.
"Your behavior is simply murdering Royal Air Force! Churchill, you are a complete villain! You ignore the overall situation for your own benefit!" Admiral Trenchard stopped Churchill, who was about to leave after a meeting, almost pointing at the other party's nose and scolding again!
"Sir Admiral, first of all, I understand your air force's efforts in the raid on the German Mediterranean Fleet, but this does not mean that you can slander the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy has its own air force and its mission is to serve the fleet. Why should we hand over the plane in our hands to others when we are facing serious air threats?" Churchill said righteously.
You can't say that on this issue, Churchill is really right. The Royal Navy Air Force is a subordinate department of the Royal Navy. It's up to you to decide how to use it. Why should you, the commander of the Army Air Force, take care of us?
"The supply of personnel and materials in the entire Balkan war zone requires the transportation of naval transport ships, and the Germans' air strike force is even stronger than that of Royal Air Force! If the encounter of the Russian Baltic fleet appears in the Mediterranean, then I can only say that a torpedo may cause thousands of people to be buried at the bottom of the sea. Then tell me, who will bear this responsibility? The HNA Air Force is responsible for covering the navy at least to keep us safe, but if we follow your plan, we may lose air supremacy within a few days!" Churchill continued.
It has to be said that the British intelligence was still very good. Based on the intelligence collected by British aviation personnel in Russia and the information provided by the Russians, the British roughly inferred that the number of aircraft that Bavaria could use in Poland's pocket was about 1,400... and throughout the entire battle, the losses of the Bavarian Air Force could be described as sporadic.
With the end of the Battle of Riga, the Bavarian Legion began to move towards Ukraine, and the air force moved with it. Therefore, the British estimated that the Bavarian Legion could concentrate and use the number of aircraft in the Balkans was at least 800! Then, Churchill and Lord Hamilton felt that their sky was Alexander... Although there was a saying that offense was the best defense, once they played big, for example, both sides lost 300 aircraft in one pk, the Bavarian Air Force said it was okay, so what would you do if you asked the British? Then add so many aircraft from Europe?! What are you thinking!
When the British Prime Minister summoned Lord Hamilton, he specifically emphasized the need to be stable, emphasizing that Britain and France had only one chance to save Russia. So Hamilton and Churchill decided to rely on the army and navy that had a huge advantage to advance. For the Air Force, it is better to be more conservative.
In fact, strategically speaking, the scale and production capacity of the British aviation industry are actually at the same level as Germany, and may be slightly stronger. But the problem is that Germany can obtain a large amount of aircraft engines from the United States and sufficient aviation fuel from allies. The plane of the French aviation industry is far inferior to Germany. The Western Front must be guaranteed, so Britain and France must maintain the aviation advantages of the Western Front. At the same time, due to the weakening of the Royal Navy, the British must now rely on a large number of air forces to ensure the safety of their own waters.
The British used a large amount of aviation resources to bombers, using bombers to ensure maritime security and suppress the German Army on the Western Front. While the German Army on the Western Front knew that there were not as many resources available as the British, they chose to produce large quantities of fighter jets and reduce attack aircraft. (At least for the time being.) to ensure the balance of air forces on the Western Front. In this way, although the Allied Air Force has some advantages, their strength in the Balkans is not as good as the prince's legion because of one or another.
"In fact, instead of thinking about how these aircraft are used, I think we might as well consider how to win more air force quotas. By the way, we should also bring the French over. They have not landed in Asia Minor yet, and the Turkish Air Force is not worth mentioning. 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 sides.
"But this does not solve the problem of command. Royal Air Force needs autonomy. We cannot follow the batons of the army and the navy." Admiral Trenchard was still a little dissatisfied.
"The Navy Air Force belongs to the Navy, so..." Churchill made a helpless expression, a joke, why should I give my plane to you to command? If a certain transport fleet sinks to the bottom, are you responsible? Take off your head and kick it as a ball?
"Well, before the Balkan General Command issued an order to the Air Force, the Royal Army Air Force and the French aviation forces were handed over to your command. In addition, we need to strive for more air force quotas, which requires the three of us to work together." Lord Hamilton compromised.
Chapter completed!