Chapter 1808： Royal Marines Shot

The British aviation industry is indeed very strong. There is no doubt about it. In terms of overall size, the British aviation force is also strong. This is true, but how should I say? The aviation force, which should have been dominant, actually gave a considerable part to the navy! You know, there are about 2,600 aircraft under the name of the Navy, and most of them are twin-engine aircraft. They are used for anti-submarine, patrol, blockade, and sea attacks. (Here, give a thumbs up to the German submarine forces. They have also made a huge contribution to the problem of dividing British aviation power. Now at least 200 seaplanes fly in the waters near Britain every day.)

So, in this case, General Haig cast his idea on the Royal Navy... It just so happened that at this time, because of the American intervention, the British Navy’s North Sea blockade was greatly discounted. Although this matter has nothing to do with the Navy, in the eyes of those who value the results, since the use of the blockade has been greatly weakened, it is reduced. Investment is also normal.... As a result, it is inevitable to reduce the number of naval aviation forces under the circumstances of a mistake!

However, this time, it was a coincidence that Chamberlain, as a special envoy, also experienced such a case of flying a German bomber on top of his head. Let Chamberlain "empathize" with the current situation on the Western Front! People are somewhat subjective. And looking at the bomber painted with iron cross flying over his head and the warehouse with flames in the distance, Chamberlain really believed the thesis that "the air power on the western front is now out of balance". And his tendentious report will naturally have an impact on the British senior management.

"Well, General Haig, I will objectively report the situation of you and the Western Front Legion to the high-level. I hope that the next time we meet, the sky will be peaceful and quiet." Looking at the still burning warehouse in the distance, As well as the sound of guns and airplane engines from the air, Chamberlain said.

"Come on, Mr. Chamberlain, all the soldiers on the western front, whether they are British, French, Belgians or Portuguese, will thank you for your righteous words." General Haig said.

However, for Chamberlain, when he accepted the gratitude of the British army on the Western Front, it also meant that he must accept the hatred and anger of the British Royal Navy! Of course, Chamberlain still has a clear understanding as a politician that his report may cause dissatisfaction with the Navy, but he has been persuaded by what he has seen and heard, and is even ready to face it. Everything, but it is a pity that he is only a politician after all, not a strategist, let alone a military strategist. He doesn't know how big things his decision will cause in the future!

But at least everything is proceeding according to Chamberlain's plan. After returning to London, Prime Minister Asquith gave him three hours to report on the situation on the Western Front. At the end of the meeting, Chamberlain submitted a report on the Supplementary Plan for the Western Front Air Force. Of course, this buddy is absolutely incapable of writing such a thing. This was done by Marshal Trentchard himself, and General Haig deleted it. The report submitted several times later, this report can be regarded as a model in terms of format, wording and arguments. And Chamberlain's role is just to pass him up, and then add his own attitude.

The efficiency of the War Cabinet is very high. In just one day, the British senior officials decided to adopt most of the opinions on this supplementary plan for the Western Front Air Force. However, the rest is easy. Prime Minister Asquith personally took the initiative to state to the Secretary of the Navy Churchill the decision of the empire's senior leaders on this air force redeployment and solicit the opinions of the other party! That’s right, this time it’s a solicitation of opinions, not a cutscene. After all, there are many senior leaders who understand military affairs. Even Horatio Herbert Kitchener, the most arbitrary and arrogant Secretary of the Army, thought this matter was “because of respect” the Navy. Views.

"Just today, Sir Jericho has returned to the station of the Grand Fleet, and now only General Betty is in the Admiralty fleet." An attendant said to Asquith.

"Very good, then go to see Mr. Churchill today." Prime Minister Asquith nodded in satisfaction and said. Asquith is not afraid of Churchill, because Churchill is a civilian, not a soldier, and Churchill knows how to compromise. If it were Jericho, this stubborn bull could really do things that would just throw his hat off! During the war, a civilian officer was changed, but a commander of a large fleet that could fight was difficult to get. Jericho quit, who would you go to? ! Therefore, the witty Asquith directly approached a person to negotiate with Churchill when Jericho was no longer... The first to be reduced was the land-based aviation unit of the Navy, and it would not directly trouble the large fleet!

"Your Excellency, with all due respect, the Navy cannot accept this new distribution plan. The number of aircraft we will get in the next quarter is less than 60% of the previous one! The total tonnage has dropped to half! And it is even more unbearable for us. Yes, you still want to reduce the number of our land-based aircraft! You have almost emptied about half of our bombers and personnel!" Even if Churchill does not understand military , he expressed extremes on the content of the entire report. Dissatisfaction.

(In this article, the author used tonnage in the description of the number of aircraft. This is not the author’s care. In fact, when describing a country’s aviation production capacity in World War II, the number of aircraft is not suitable to truly describe the production of a country’s air force. Strong and weak, for example, in World War II, Britain’s highest annual production of aircraft was 26,000, Germany’s 39,000, and Russia’s 40,000. But in fact, because Britain’s production capacity included a large number of four-engine bombers, More than 90% of Soviet aircraft are single-engine aircraft, so the actual production capacity is not as reflected by the quantity. In general, Britain and Germany should be of the same level. Whoever depends on the situation, the Soviet Union’s highest annual production capacity is actually It is not as good as the Germans, because more than half of Germany are twin-engine aircraft.)

"The Army lost nearly 500 aircraft in four days." Prime Minister Asquith raised his head and continued: "Do you want the British Air Force on the Western Front to disappear from our organization in a month? "Asquith's rhetoric was so sharp! Churchill was almost speechless.

"The Navy, with a large number of twin-engine aircraft resources, has undertaken the fewest attack missions. Whether it is the blockade aircraft group in the Shetland Islands or the patrol aircraft group used for escort, they have a handful of attacks. And the record is even more impressive. The low is terrible. Of course, the most important thing is that now that the cordon has been breached, it is impossible to use the blockade to stifle the Germans."

The third one is here~~~! Please subscribe for a reward~~~!