Chapter 1930： The heart of the French

In fact, in the history of World War I, the total number of Allied forces increased, but the number of units in each division declined. The density of heavy weapons and automatic weapons has increased. This shows that although brutal warfare has caused heavy losses of personnel, it is difficult for the frontline troops to guarantee full staff, but the industrial capacity can still keep up with the consumption.

But now, it's different! In addition to the huge size of the French army, both manpower and industry have reached the brink of exhaustion. It is important to know that in history, the French industry has supported the consumption of the country, and the equipment of the American troops that began to arrive in Europe was also provided by the French. And on this plane, the French can't even supply their own army equipment. If the equipment advantage is excluded, there is really no difference between the French army and the Russian army! As for the tactical advantage? Please, this requires hardware support!

Although Petain’s last sentence is a bit exaggerated. But now the situation of the French is really not optimistic. In fact, the Germans overestimated the number of armored forces in the Allies. For example, there are only 2,300 tanks that can be used by the British and French coalition forces on the western front. Among them, there are about 900 British tanks. The French is 1,400. However, the French's 1,400 tanks may not beat the British's 900 tanks, because more than 70% of these 1,400 tanks are Renault light tanks equipped with machine guns and 37MM rapid-fire guns!

Even these "armored car" tanks still want to resist the wolf tanks and wasps of the Bavarian Army? Isn't that a joke? You know, in the Bavarian Army, cricket tanks generally only undertake reconnaissance tasks. Most of the cricket tanks have been retired from armored battalions and handed over to infantry units to provide fire support. This quality is not a grade at all. As for the air force? Let alone, France’s doubling of the number of aircraft is also the result of being crushed by the Bavarian Air Force!

So, this time the French are really dying. The manpower and material resources have reached the limit. Prime Minister Ribo and Petain are more straightforward. Since they can't win anyway, the opponents are not fainted in strategy and tactics. They are naturally aware of the situation in France, and when France is exhausted, they can still make such a proposal, which is actually quite sincere.

"Marshal Foch, tell me your opinion." President Armand, who has not spoken, asked.

"If the Germans concentrate on hitting us, we will probably collapse! Although General Xiafei's telegram is a bit pessimistic, it is true. Even if we can repel two German attacks, France will be dead. "Marshal Foch said.

"Can the British help us?" President Armand asked.

"Their air force may be able to, but it may be more difficult for ground forces to mobilize on a large scale. As you know, our railway efficiency has dropped by more than 60%. It is already very difficult to mobilize large-scale troops on a front of several hundred kilometers." General Foch said. "And the Luftwaffe won't let us mobilize at will. There is no cover in the French air."

What is the biggest role of the air force? Not only does the war extend from the plane to the three-dimensional space, but it also completely breaks the so-called frontline and rear boundaries in the battlefield! You should know that a small number of artillery were produced in World War I. Most of the artillery had a killing range of 15 kilometers. In theory, if you hoard supplies, prepare troops and mobilize troops 15 kilometers away from the enemy position, you will not Under attack.

But now it’s different. Although the general level of technology is similar to that of the First World War in history, the use of a large number of aircraft directly changed the situation of the war. In fact, the aviation power in the later period of World War I was on the eve of taking off, just because the war ended. , So many things are useless. For example, the British carrier-based torpedo aircraft Cuckoo T1, such as the terrifying sky giant V1500 bomber and so on.

And now, it can be said that it is the luck of the aviation power or the misfortune of the Allies. Now the German air force gathered on the western front has the strength to launch a battle-level deep strike against the enemy! As the commander-in-chief of the French Army on the Western Front, Marshal Foch has always been concerned about the changes in the sky above the Western Front. In his opinion, if the Anglo-French Air Forces could still suppress their opponents and take the lead, then the situation might have been reversed now!

When the Bavarian Air Force entered the Western Front on a large scale, that wave of attacks by the British Air Force was simply too hurt! In just a few weeks, the British threw away more than four-digit aircraft due to battle damage, accidents and mechanical failure! This battle directly disrupted the backbone of British aviation. A large number of experienced British fighter pilots were caught off guard by joint strangulation from the air and the ground!

The air force is not the kind of army that will light up a division today and will immediately fill you up tomorrow. Any good pilot is a valuable asset, worth more than a 75 rapid-fire gun company! After the loss of more than four-figure crews Although the British pulled in a large number of air teams from the naval aviation to supplement the battle damage, Marshal Foch knew that this time it was just a return. After all, those naval aviation units did not perform too many ground attacks and combat missions. Most of them were patrolling and suppressing submarines!

The decline of the British Air Force has strategically led to any large-scale mobilization of the Allied forces, which may be attacked by the opposing air force. The opponent does not need to rely on bombers to destroy opponents' ground units, nor does it need to completely destroy a station or important node. As long as they can paralyze a station or a section of railway for a few hours, it may have a profound impact on the frontal battle.

"Mr. President, I think it is necessary for me to describe our current war situation from a strategic point of view. If the Germans choose us as an attacking opponent, for example, to launch an offensive in the middle of the front, we can only mobilize the French army to provide support. It is unrealistic for the British to traverse hundreds of kilometers and it is not worth the gain. The use of British wagons, fuel and locomotives can be used to transport more French troops. Therefore, our current situation is almost independent of each other. Before, the United Kingdom The aviation force can still provide some support, but now? I am not optimistic about them."

"The British suffered heavy losses in the winter offensive. Their armored forces lost a lot, and their vehicle ownership dropped a lot. Although the artillery was relatively complete, it was not easy to move. In terms of equipment, the current British army It would be better for defense. But the mobility is reduced very much." Marshal Foch said.

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