CHAPTER 250: CHAPTER 250: AERIAL COMBAT SYSTEM

Afterwards, the bombers took off again and destroyed another German artillery position.

The pilots had hardly any rest. After landing, they conducted brief checks, refueled, and reloaded their bombs, then took off once more.

Carter was slightly concerned about their fatigue, suggesting a rest period, but the pilots nonchalantly replied:

"This is nothing, Major. It’s almost like a trip!"

"Yes, we don’t need to worry about anything, just fly the plane over the enemy’s head and drop the bombs, that’s all!"

"I think I could do this all day long!"

The pilots laughed easily.

This was the "golden age" for bombers, with no enemy fighters capable of catching them and no anti-aircraft fire on the ground that posed a threat, allowing the pilots to carry out their missions without pressure.

Thus, merely two hours after the first bombing, another German artillery position was destroyed by bombers.

The two successful bombings instantly caused a sensation in the press.

The latest, the Merit Newspaper, urgently printed a special report, hitting the stands within half an hour of the battle’s end, the article even written before the attack:

"At 8 AM and 11 AM this morning, our bombers destroyed two enemy artillery positions."

"One of the artillery positions was a hidden one in the Qimusa Region, even our frontline infantry hadn’t discovered it."

"But it was still destroyed by our bomber fleet!"

The Merit Newspaper did not report the true process of the bombing.

If reported truthfully, saying that the mission succeeded because of prior intelligence revealing the howitzer position, it would alert the Germans to inspect themselves, potentially putting the "Lady in White" in danger.

Shire instructed Kobudo to put the blame on the reconnaissance planes and fighters.

Kobudo subtly suggested in the article:

"Indeed, bombers, due to their size and poor maneuverability, aren’t suitable for reconnaissance."

"But the ’Military Commentators’ seem to overlook one point: bombers can coordinate with reconnaissance planes and fighters."

"Reconnaissance planes find the targets, and under the cover of fighters, guide the bombers, making success inevitable!"

"In other words, as long as a target is detected by reconnaissance planes, it can be destroyed by bombers in principle!"

...

The Germans were thoroughly convinced because that was what they had witnessed.

"Seeing is believing," and anyone who doubted it would face the wrath of those surviving German soldiers returning from the battlefield!

Even the French "Military Commentators" had to believe it because this theory was foolproof and achievable in practice.

But in reality, at that time, reconnaissance planes lacked high-powered cameras and radars, making it very difficult to locate hidden ground targets unless the Germans made blatant mistakes.

Then the media began to overwhelmingly report on the bombers, shifting from skepticism to praise, including The Morning Paper controlled by Schneider and the right-wing controlled Figaro.

This wasn’t something they wanted to do, but they had to for survival.

Media ultimately exist to cater to the public’s expectations by riding on "hot topics."

If The Morning Paper and Figaro went against the trend, continuing to doubt, slander, and oppose after the bombers’ significant success, their impact would be minimal and they would become marginalized with fewer readers.

One day, when The Morning Paper and Figaro needed to introduce certain views to the public, they would find themselves unable to do so because no one would pay attention to them.

...

The British Prime Minister looked at the newspaper, deep in thought:

France and Britain were separated by a mere channel, specifically only dozens of miles; even from the French capital Paris to the British capital London, it was only over two hundred miles in a straight line.

If one day, the French bombers extended their range, wouldn’t that mean they could drop bombs on London without any hesitation?

No, Britain must develop reconnaissance planes, fighters, and bombers to establish an air control system. Otherwise, all of Britain would be unsafe, let alone having any say!

After considering for a while, the British Prime Minister said to his aide: "Send someone to France, tell them we need bomber technology to fight the Germans!"

Now that they are still allies, it should be easier to negotiate cooperation under common interests.

...

The German Emperor William II was having lunch with Fajin Han.

The lunch was simple, just two steaks with some fruit and red wine.

William II’s mind was focused on one thing: how to quickly defeat the enemy and end his oppressive life.

William II’s life could be described as tragic. He was a debauched prince in his youth, his true self.

But since ascending the throne, everything he did had to be deliberately crafted, making him like a puppet controlled in a cage.

As long as he could defeat the enemy and end this war, William II thought, he could end this life and return to his authentic self!

After lunch, the two sipped coffee while discussing the Western Front situation, with Fajin Han remaining optimistic:

"Although our manpower is very tight and the frontline troops are under tremendous pressure, the enemy is the same."

"They are like a dike on the verge of collapse in front of us, as fragile as eggs piled up!"

"I believe that if we apply just a little more pressure, they will collapse in front of us, and our army will once again march to complete victory!"

At this moment, an aide brought a telegram to William II. He looked at it for a moment, then handed it to Fajin Han with a somewhat ironic tone:

"General, why do I feel like our line is the one that’s truly about to collapse?"

Fajin Han took the telegram and instantly turned pale. It read:

"The French dispatched bombers, destroying two of our hidden artillery positions."

Unlike the previous two airports being destroyed, this time the French targeted concealed units.

If the French could so easily find and destroy hidden units one by one, could the Western Front still be held?

The Western Front soldiers would very likely have to fight without artillery, planes, or even food and ammunition!

Shouldn’t it be the German Army that’s truly collapsing?

...

The Tsar of Russia learned this news during dinner. Upon receiving the telegram while chewing his food, he threw down his knife and fork as if electrocuted, stood up with a bang, and excitedly shouted:

"We are saved! If the French can deal with the Germans in this way, so can we!"

"Send someone to contact Shire in France immediately. Spare no expense in buying... no, securing authorization for production."

"I believe they will agree. They too don’t want the Eastern Front to collapse. This is the best reinforcement for us!"