"First of all, I definitely do not underestimate the ideas of Minister Yang and the senior leaders of the navies of various countries, but I have to say that the plan designated by the Fleet Joint Command is too broad and too conjecture! You guys have indeed had brilliant achievements in the past, but that one

It can be seen that they were the victors in the era of large ships and cannons, but in this era, naval aviation was the decisive force in determining maritime battles. In this era

In the plan, they did not put forward constructive suggestions for the aviation force, and it violated many principles for the use of air power. I came here just to conduct some research with the front-line commanders on the upcoming air campaign." I just took a plane to catch up.

Major General Porter who arrived in Sicily, Commander Su Mo of the Chinese Air Force, and Commander of the U.S. Air Force in Italy Li Mei said this.

"But at least they know to let professionals handle professional matters. This is enough. Aircraft carriers are battleships after all, and some basic principles must be followed. Next, General Le Mei will introduce the form of air combat on the Italian Peninsula, and then

I will make some additions later and come up with my own plan for everyone's reference." Su Mo finished and motioned for Li Mei to continue.

"From the situation point of view, the situation is very bad. Since the collapse of the ground battlefield in central Italy, our air force has been forced to shrink to the front line of Naples for defensive operations. It can only be responsible for the air defense of surrounding areas. It is no longer visible in most areas of central Italy.

Our planes were destroyed, but relying on the protection of avoiding battle and ground anti-aircraft firepower, we still stayed

The most cunning ones were the Italians. Although their navy invested 8 fighter squadrons, in actual combat, they fought completely according to their own plans. If they could fight, they would fight. If they couldn't, they would run away. Their losses

It’s not big, that is, so far, the flying squadrons on the Italian aircraft carriers are still there.”

"Can we understand it this way? Although the situation is not good, our central aviation force is still capable of fighting? In addition, how many air forces do the Italians have in Sicily?" Portel thought for a while and asked.

"Ability in World War I? It depends on the situation. Maybe it's because we retreated too fast and the Germans couldn't keep up with us in building field airports. In addition, the last battle in Naples hurt them. So far

Their actions are still very conservative. The targets of bombing are mainly unprotected ground troops. The fighter jets will stay in the air to ensure control of the battlefield. However, due to the restrictions on ground support and supplies, there are many loopholes. I doubt that they

We are accumulating strength. As long as there is a suitable opportunity, a big action may hit us hard!" Li Mei paused and then said: "As for Sicily? There is good news and bad news here. The good news is Sicily

The island has just received the aviation force that was withdrawn from North Africa. In terms of the number of aircraft, there should be about 200. The bad news is that the German aviation force can already launch an attack on Sicily from North Africa!"

"Oh God. We thought that Sicily's air force could provide us with cover, but now the situation has become that the Allied East African Air Force and the Balkan-Italian Air Force are like two pairs of pliers, clamping down on Sicily and the people who are about to arrive.

Fleet? Isn’t this a bit too..." Porter said with a rather embarrassed expression.

"From a quantitative point of view, the opponent is indeed terrifying. But the actual combat effectiveness is questionable, especially the ability to attack maritime targets is relatively poor. The German air force in Libya has repeatedly attacked Italian minelayers performing minelaying operations in the Tunis Strait.

But so far, the Italian minelayers have not suffered any losses, but the German aircraft have lost three due to technical failures." Li Mei said with a smile.

"This joke is not funny." Porter disapproved of Le Mei's method: "Everyone, we have to cover the evacuation of the US and French armies this time. You can imagine how much transportation is needed to evacuate tens of thousands of troops and equipment from this place.

Ships and ports will be so crowded that a monkey might sit on a plane and throw a grenade.

We can achieve results. Our sea-based aviation has a very heavy task, including protecting the port, covering the army's retreat, and the direct air defense of the fleet, all of which must be drawn from these aircraft. I want to know how many aircraft can be dispatched to the front lines of the United States and France now?

How much? Don't deceive me, I am also from the Air Force." Porter asked seriously.

"If all aircraft are counted, we still have 220 aircraft in Italy, of which about 80 are dispatched, all of which are fighter jets. The remaining aircraft can only lie dormant due to lack of parts and various fuels. If

If supplies and technical personnel can be in place, the number can reach about 120." Li Mei's face changed slightly, and then she decided to give it a try.

"Very good, we can still make up the aircraft capacity of an aircraft carrier. It seems that we made the right choice to leave more accessories in the aircraft carrier's hangar. Then Mr. Su Mo, doesn't China have any air force that can be mobilized?

Are you done?" Porter asked.

"Well, before the fleets of the five countries arrive, the planes we provided to Italy this month should arrive. There are about 150 of them. They are all fighter jets, and some pilots can be added. Apart from that, there are only seas to the north.

The Dongqing Brigade can be called upon. Now the Allied air force is concentrated in Italy

In the central part of the country, I think it is enough to have your air force in the north." Su Mo smiled slightly, and then kicked the ball to the opponent. The meaning of his words was very clear. If the United Kingdom requires China to provide an air force, then it can only send the air force in the north to the other side.

Haidongqing's brigade has been transferred over. Apart from this, China has no extra strength in Italy.

"If you are correct, excluding the Haidongqing Brigade, the number of aircraft we can use in this battle will not exceed 1,800. Our situation is very unfavorable, and Germany alone in the Balkans and North Africa has

Four aviation armies have been deployed, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire also has one aviation arm. Our situation is very bad. Except for distance and mobility, we are disadvantaged in every aspect," Portel said.

"So our plan must not be conservative. It is absolutely not advisable to passively fight for consumption and wait for the other party to come. According to intelligence, the Germans are strengthening the construction of frontline airports, and their air barriers are approaching Naples step by step. Our

The distance advantage is shrinking." Su Mo continued.

"But simply attacking the airport will not bring much change. Their field airport is built to a very low standard and can only take off and land fighter jets, but it is also very convenient to maintain. If we cannot destroy their aircraft, then one shot

If the bomb goes down and causes losses to the other party, it may not be worth the price of the bomb." Li Mei said.

"The opponent's tactics are very simple, which is to use frontline airports to increase the escort time of fighter jets. Most of their bombers fly over from the Balkan Peninsula. There are two types of German frontline fighter jets. One is the escort aircraft used to accompany the bombers.

, and the other type is the safari team. They are mainly composed of 4 aircraft formations. In some cases, they may have the size of a squadron. Generally, their targets are our fighter jets, but special

Under certain circumstances, they will also attack ground targets. The whereabouts of this kind of safari team are erratic. They are usually composed of top flight experts. When performing tasks, they completely rely on their own feelings. It is difficult for us to determine the opponent's location through reconnaissance or radio monitoring.

But this kind of opponent is often the most difficult to deal with." Li Mei introduced the German Air Force's fighter tactics, and then started the operational characteristics of German bombers.

"The Germans have recently come up with a new gadget, which we call aerial gunships. These are loaded with bombs and machine guns and fly in the air at an altitude of 300 to 500 meters to implement non-stop suppression of our ground units, especially

Machine guns and machine guns are very lethal to infantry and lightly protected units. More importantly, they

Their impact on morale and interference with the marching speed. They trapped us like a shackle, and when we were exhausted, we were caught up by the German army and wiped out. Of course, their self-defense capabilities are terrible, as long as they can

We can drive them away by flying planes. Unfortunately, we have too few fighter jets at our disposal."

"On the one hand, the German bomber force bombed our retreat route. They concentrated their targets on the highway. As for the railway, they bombed several key stations. The main purpose was to limit the speed of our army's retreat. In addition,

In addition, the German Air Force also began to conduct probing attacks on Naples.

Targeting the surrounding ports, the Germans came almost every time. Judging from the time they stayed and the number of bombs they dropped, they should have taken off from the Balkans, and aerial reconnaissance did not find the Germans on the Italian mainland.

Signs of a massive buildup of bomber forces," LeMay explained.

"So are there any airports occupied by the Germans that are relatively well preserved and can be put into use quickly? Mine is a larger one." Porter thought for a while and asked.

"Ancona's airport is one, and the other one is probably Foligno. Although it was bombed once by artillery, its underground oil depot and other facilities are still very intact. If the airport runway is repaired, it can be put into use soon. But now

Probably not." Li Mei thought for a while and said.

"I have a question that I don't understand. If this information is correct, then the construction speed of the opponent's field airport is quite fast. Even if it can only take off and land fighter jets, this speed is still amazing. I think

Let me ask, how do the Germans ensure maintenance and supply support for fighter jets at such an airport?" Sumer asked, sending a piece of information to Li Mei.

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Chapter completed!