"The Luftwaffe's maneuvers are becoming more and more frequent. Wing-sized maneuvers no longer attract our attention because they are too many and too frequent. Our observation posts in the Mediterranean can hear the deafening roar of Allied aircraft almost all the time.

Roaring. The Germans transferred a large number of aircraft from the mainland and Eastern Europe. Our intelligence even showed that in just two days, four wings of strategic bombers transferred from the Baltic Sea coast to Italy and even

As for Spain! In less than 2 months, the Germans have transferred at least 5,000 aircraft of various types to Italy and Spain. I never thought that the Germans could actually save so many aircraft for use in overseas bases

"Our assessment of the size of the German Air Force is still somewhat conservative." When Marshall sent the compiled information to Roosevelt, the giant in the wheelchair seemed very calm, as if he was waiting for this to happen!

"The Air Force has finished talking, as well as the Navy and Army. Tell me everything you know. What is coming will eventually come. If we want to change the world, we must face it all." Roosevelt tapped his fingers.

Marshall said with a smile on the table.

"In terms of the navy, the German High Seas Fleet has completed its assembly in the Mediterranean. In more than 2 years since the end of the Iran War, the Germans have completed more than 6 aircraft carriers, two of which are Moltke-class armored aircraft carriers, and the other one

Judging from the size, it should be a Europa-class aircraft carrier. In addition, 3 to 4 medium-sized aircraft carriers have also been built. Judging from the tonnage, it seems that it should be in

Less than 20,000 tons. In addition to aircraft carriers, the Germans also completed nearly 8 cruisers of various types and more than 50 destroyers of different types. The number of submarines is unknown, but the navy is based on the frequency of German submarines found in the Atlantic and the number of submarines obtained in ports.

According to the news, the current number of available submarines in Germany should be more than 220. It can keep 90 submarines on the front line at any time."

"In addition to the Germans, the Austro-Hungarian Empire already has 5 aircraft carriers, as well as Spain and the Turkish Empire. These two countries together also have more than 4 aircraft carriers. However, the Turkish aircraft carriers are deployed in the Middle East and there are no

Join the Allied fleet in the Mediterranean. The Allies are in the Mediterranean

It can gather more than 20 aircraft carriers. This scale is very astonishing for any country. The commander of the Atlantic Fleet has reminded us many times that in the North Atlantic, the Allied navies are at a disadvantage. Not only are logistical lines of communication difficult to guarantee, but even decisive battles

They are all not optimistic." Marshall said worriedly.

"Can't we take some actions to stop our opponents? The Pacific Fleet can concentrate most of its warships in the Atlantic Ocean. We now need to contact the British to see where the future combined fleet will be stationed." Roosevelt took a deep breath.

, let yourself calm down. Then he said.

"This is somewhat difficult to implement. The German air force is deployed around France. France is surrounded by the Allies to the east and south. The German bomber force can take off from Spain to shock most ports in western France. It is difficult for the fleet to find a safe place in France.

anchorage. And our

The fleet is too large, with more than a dozen aircraft carriers and a large number of battleships, cruisers and destroyers. Together with auxiliary ships, the total number is nearly 200 warships of various types. No port in Europe can accommodate so many battleships.

"Admiral Jin next to him said with some embarrassment.

What Admiral King said is indeed true. The Allied Powers' fleet stationing locations are indeed not as good as those of the Central Powers. The Central Powers can station their fleets in Crete, the Adriatic coast, Sardinia and even the east coast of Spain. All along the Mediterranean coast

The port can supply the entire fleet

Provide and protect. And because of the distance, it is difficult for the Allied air force to threaten the Allied fleet in the Mediterranean. High-altitude horizontal bombing poses a very low threat to the fleet. If you want to rely on low-altitude shallow dive bombing or torpedo bombing by twin-engine bombers, the aircraft range

Not enough.

In addition to this objective reason, there is one more thing that Admiral Kim did not say. That is what if the U.S. fleet is severely damaged in a battle with the Allied fleet! The navy is different from the land base. The latter's personnel and material replenishment

The cycle is very short. But the navy is different. If an Essex aircraft carrier sinks, it will take at least more than a year to replenish it.

During the war, not to mention waiting for more than a year, a few months or even ten days will have an extremely profound impact on the direction of the war. Any major sea power is cautious about decisive battles at sea. Especially with an army

Enemies with comparable fleet strength are fighting against each other. Coupled with the dismal record in the history of the U.S. Navy, the top brass of the U.S. Navy are becoming more conservative when making plans.

Moreover, the United States is still one of the parties that must ensure sea power. The prerequisite for Britain and France to continue fighting on the European battlefield is that American troops and materials can be continuously sent to the European continent. According to American estimates, in the first few months after the war begins,

In the first month, the U.S. Navy must ensure that it can send 250,000 to 400,000 troops and logistics personnel to Europe every month.

, this number should ideally reach 500,000! Only in this way can the weaker British and French armies block the German attack. Therefore, for the US Navy, the first thing it has to do is not to annihilate the German fleet, but to first ensure North Atlantic transportation.

The line must be smooth. Otherwise, not only Britain and France will be destroyed, but also the hundreds of thousands or even millions of American troops on the European continent!

When things came to a close, Roosevelt discovered that things were not as good as everyone imagined. Without the support of China, the Allied Powers group was struggling to describe it. The Allied Powers did not have more fleets on the European front than the Allies. When the number was huge,

After the convoys were used to ensure the safety of the traffic lines, they had no advantage against the Germans. Not only was the U.S. Navy afraid of a naval battle in which the entire war could be lost in one day, but Roosevelt was also a little frightened when he thought about it.

However, as a determined leader, Roosevelt knew that now is not the time to be afraid. The Germans' war preparations have entered a countdown, and war is likely to begin this year. In this case, how to strengthen the Allied military power in Europe is the key now.

.At least maintain the strategy in Europe

"General LeMay, if war breaks out, what role can you and your air force play? How much can the total amount of air force deployed in the UK reach in the next three months? Can it contain the Germans' attack on the United Kingdom?"

Strategic bombing by Britain and France?" Roosevelt turned his attention to LeMay and said.

"More than 70% of the Eighth Air Force has been stationed in the British mainland, and we have deployed more than 800 bombers and more than 1,000 fighter jets there. These aircraft and the Royal Air Force ensure that there are no problems in the area north of the English Channel.

, we are in contact with the French. We hope to deploy some of our troops in France to more directly support the battlefield. At present, the French have agreed in principle to our plan.

Opinion. However, the two sides have not discussed the specific base location, logistics supplies, etc. To be honest, the French's preparations have been too poor. Neither the quantity nor quality of the air force can be compared with the German army, and it is more critical.

What's more, I think France has a problem in judging the direction of attack on Germany!" Le Mei hesitated again and again before saying this. But this sentence was tantamount to dropping a bomb on calm water.

"What do you mean?" Roosevelt asked alertly. LeMay's words gave him an ominous premonition. "It's simple. The Germans' primary target of this attack may not be eastern France. They may attack from eastern France at the same time.

Starting with the south, judging from the current layout, it is indeed possible. The Germans are likely to first use the land-based air force on the Mediterranean coast and the German High Seas Fleet to launch air attacks on southern France, and then land in southern France under the cover of the fleet.

Then push north." Li Mei said seriously.

"And if the Germans really do this, don't we currently have any effective way to stop our opponents?" Marshall said, looking at the huge map hanging on the wall. The French have concentrated the main forces of their air force and army in northern France.

Used to resist German attacks, the south is the border between France and Switzerland and the border between France and Italy. These two places are mountainous, and large-scale troops are difficult to mobilize. Moreover, Switzerland is a permanent neutral country, and Germany is unlikely to cross Switzerland to attack France.

Launch an attack. Compared with the Maginot Defense that stretches thousands of miles to the east,

Although the south faces the Mediterranean Sea, France's fragile shore defenses in the south are simply vulnerable to the powerful Allied fleet with more than 20 aircraft carriers. Corsica is very far away from Sardinia and mainland Italy.

It's close. Soon after the war starts, we will be attacked.

The Fang Air Force and airborne troops solved it. Now Marshall somewhat understands China's original idea of ​​asking France to control Sardinia. Sardinia at least has some depth, which can hinder the pace of the opponent's attack. But now, the Germans can poke it with one sword.

Where the French are most vulnerable!

The Army is deployed in the north and in the Maginot Line. The Air Force is also deployed in these areas along with the Army. The number and infrastructure of the Air Force in the South are relatively small. LeMay estimates that if the Germans begin to concentrate their efforts on attacking southern France, I am afraid that

It won't take long to completely defeat the air force in southern France. France is too small, and German fighter jets can almost cover the entire bomber force operating in southern France.

"Don't the Royal Air Force have any plans? Do the French know their weaknesses?" Roosevelt wiped the cold sweat from his head. Then he looked at Marshall and LeMay. One person was responsible for high-level coordination within the Allied Powers.

The other one was an air force expert. Roosevelt believed that before that, they must have communicated with Britain and France and were solving the problem. Although this idea was a bit wishful thinking, Roosevelt couldn't help but think so.

.

"I have talked about this issue with the British and the French. The British said that the Royal Air Force may not be able to cope with it in a short period of time. Because in the original plan, the Royal Air Force's mission has three points. The first point is to ensure

For the security of the British mainland, the second point is to help France ensure air supremacy in the north. The third point is to deploy some maritime patrol aircraft to deal with German submarines. If we change the plan now, we will invest a lot of money in the south.

The Air Force may have some difficulties. The range of the Spitfire fighter jets taking off from the north is a bit short. (The Spitfire fainted from crying in the toilet again) The French have made some preparations. General de Gaulle has suggested that the French government allocate mobile forces to form a team.

A quick reaction force is needed to deal with German attacks, while the French Air Force is stepping up its efforts to build field and temporary airports. This is the only thing they can do." Marshall replied.

"Then can we use strategic bombing of Germany to contain the opponent's attack on southern France?" As the saying goes, offense is the best defense. Since pure defense can no longer solve this problem, then take the initiative to attack and launch offensive air strikes.

Force the opponent to refocus their attention on the French and German front lines.

"That must be a disaster! We only have 1,000 fighter jets in the UK, and no more than 600 can be dispatched at one time! And the range of all British aircraft is not enough to cover the bomber group. Even our P47 and P40 fighter jets have a range of

It is far from enough to cover the air force entering the interior of Germany. And the bomber group without fighter protection is definitely a nightmare when faced with the interception and ground-to-air firepower of the Luftwaffe. It is worse than the Germans in Italy back then.

It's even worse!" Although Li Mei had known that the situation was serious before, but faced with the president's whimsical ideas, Li Mei found that her nerves were not strong enough. The British had a small-scale night bombing plan, and the French

He wanted to keep his own roof wholeheartedly, and relied on the few American planes to bomb the German mainland. Isn't this seeking death? If Roosevelt forcibly promoted this attack plan, LeMay would consider threatening to resign!

"The bombers we deploy in the UK are actually more to block the German army. We will attack the opponent on the front line and even target Belgium. But this is completely different from carrying out bombing deep into the German mainland. We have also

I thought about attacking the dams in the Ruhr area and other targets. However, the Germans had taken precautions in advance and lowered the water level. Such an attack would most likely lead to crazy retaliation from the other side, so in the end they had no choice.

Let’s not put it aside for now. In this confrontation, it is actually just the British Air Force and the French Air Force against the entire Allied Air Force. Our 2,000 aircraft play a really limited role. In addition, we have some geographical disadvantages, and the British are inevitable.

Selfishly, the situation of the Allied Air Force is indeed very difficult. The only way is to immediately increase the number of American air forces stationed in Europe." Li Mei decided that what he said before was not enough, so he added.
Chapter completed!