Chapter 254: The Aerial Combat System
Following their success, the bombers were dispatched again to destroy another German howitzer position.
The pilots barely rested; after landing, they conducted a quick check, refueled, loaded their bombs, and took off again. Carter expressed concern over potential fatigue and suggested a break, but the pilots dismissed his worries:
"This is nothing, Major. It's practically a sightseeing tour!"
"Exactly! We don't have to worry about anything—just fly over the enemy, drop the bombs, and that's it!"
"I think I could do this all day!"
The pilots laughed, relishing the "golden age" of the bombers. No fighter plane could catch them, and there were no significant anti-aircraft threats from the ground, allowing them to perform missions without stress.
Just two hours after their first bombing, another German artillery position was reduced to rubble.
These two successful bombings instantly caused a sensation in the media.
The latest issue of The Herald rushed to print with a special report, hitting newsstands just half an hour after the battle. The article had even been prepared in advance of the attack:
"This morning at 8 and 11, our bombers destroyed two enemy artillery positions."
"One of these was a concealed artillery position in the Chimoussa region, hidden so well that even our frontline infantry hadn't detected it."
"Yet, it was obliterated by our bomber squadron!"
The Herald deliberately omitted the real details of the bombing operation. Reporting that the success depended on prior intelligence about the artillery's location could alert the Germans, leading them to tighten security and potentially endangering the "Lady in White."
Following Charles's instructions, Cobdo attributed the operation's success to the coordination of reconnaissance and fighter planes.
In the article, Cobdo subtly suggested:
"Indeed, the bomber, with its large size and limited maneuverability, isn't suited for reconnaissance."
"But the 'military experts' seem to have overlooked one point: bombers can collaborate with reconnaissance and fighter aircraft."
"With reconnaissance planes identifying targets and fighter planes providing cover, the success of the bombing becomes almost inevitable!"
"In other words, any target that a reconnaissance plane can spot can theoretically be bombed into oblivion by bombers."
…
The Germans had no doubt, as that's exactly what they'd witnessed.
"Seeing is believing" was ingrained in people's minds, and any German soldier who'd survived the battlefield would vouch for it to anyone who doubted.
Even French "military experts" had no choice but to concede, as the approach seemed foolproof and had proven itself in combat.
In reality, however, reconnaissance planes at the time lacked high-powered cameras or radar, making it nearly impossible to locate hidden ground targets unless the Germans left a glaring oversight.
With this narrative, the media flooded the public with articles celebrating bombers, and the tide shifted entirely from skepticism to praise. Even Le Matin, controlled by Schneider, and the right-wing Le Figaro were no exception.
They didn't necessarily want to write this way, but they had to in order to stay relevant.
Media outlets ultimately rely on "hot topics" to meet the public's expectations.
If Le Matin and Le Figaro had stubbornly gone against the trend, continuing to criticize and oppose bombers despite their recent achievements, their influence would have quickly waned, and readership would have declined.
One day, when Le Matin and Le Figaro tried to promote a certain viewpoint, they would find themselves unable to sway the public, having already alienated their audience.
…
The British Prime Minister studied the newspaper, lost in thought.
France and Britain were separated only by a channel—a mere few dozen miles. Even calculating from Paris, the straight-line distance to London was only a bit over 200 miles.
If one day French bombers extended their range, would it mean they could drop bombs on London without hesitation?
No, Britain had to develop a comprehensive aerial defense system, including reconnaissance planes, fighters, and bombers, or else the entire country would be at risk, not to mention its influence on the global stage!
After a moment's thought, the Prime Minister turned to his aide. "Send someone to France. Tell them we need bomber technology to fight the Germans!"
While they were still allies, it was easier to discuss cooperation under shared interests.
…
At that moment, Kaiser Wilhelm II was lunching with Falkenhayn.
Lunch was simple: two steaks, some fruit, and red wine.
Wilhelm's mind was focused on one thing—how to quickly defeat the enemy and end the misery of his stifling existence.
Wilhelm II's life could be seen as tragic; he'd once been a carefree prince—that was his true nature.
But since ascending to the throne, every action he took felt contrived, making him a puppet controlled by the expectations of others.
As he saw it, only by defeating the enemy and ending this drawn-out war could he reclaim his authentic self.
After lunch, as the two sipped coffee and discussed the Western Front, Falkenhayn maintained his usual optimism:
"Although our resources are stretched thin, and the frontline troops are under immense pressure, the enemy is struggling just as much."
"They're like a dam about to burst, barely holding back the flood!"
"I believe if we push just a bit harder, they'll crumble before us, and we'll march to a comprehensive victory!"
Just then, a staff officer brought a telegram to Wilhelm II, who read it with a frown, then handed it to Falkenhayn with a sardonic tone.
"General, why does it feel like our front lines are the ones about to burst?"
Falkenhayn took the telegram and blanched. The message read:
"French bombers have destroyed two of our concealed artillery positions."
Unlike the previous bombing of two airfields, this time the French had targeted hidden units.
If the French could so easily locate and destroy concealed units, could they still hold the Western Front?
Without artillery, planes, and possibly even food and ammunition, would German soldiers be able to keep fighting?
Surely, it was the German lines that were actually on the verge of collapse!
…
The Russian Tsar received the news over dinner, and upon reading the telegram, he dropped his knife and fork in a flash, springing to his feet with excitement.
"We're saved! If the French can use this approach against the Germans, then we can too!"
"Send someone to France immediately to contact Charles. Spare no effort to buy—no, to negotiate the rights to produce these bombers."
"I believe they'll agree—they don't want the Eastern Front to collapse, and this would be the best reinforcement for us!"
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