Chapter 914: Defeating Charles in the Battle of Image and Public Opinion
If we are only dealing with Germany and Britain, we may not need an aircraft carrier. After all, it borders Germany, and the narrowest part of the English Channel is only 34 kilometers.
Charles only needs to focus on increasing the range of fighters and bombers, and ensuring the advancement of fighters to keep air supremacy firmly in his hands.
But at this time, Charles' goal is to become the world's number one power, a "superpower", and a "world policeman" who maintains world peace and resolves global disputes. This would not be possible without an aircraft carrier.
If something happens in Algeria or Egypt, will France send battleships to threaten them?
The range of a battleship's guns is only a few dozen kilometers. As long as the imaginary enemy avoids this distance, it will be out of danger. In the end, it will still require infantry landing and then a war to defeat the enemy.
Obviously, this is a high-cost, high-investment, high-casualty process with extremely limited results.
It's different with an aircraft carrier. As long as it is placed in the waters near the enemy, the carrier-based aircraft can basically cover the entire territory with a range of hundreds of kilometers. It can hit and bomb wherever it wants and put great psychological pressure on the enemy without spending a single soldier.
(Note: The most powerful deterrent is actually the aircraft carrier, even in the modern era with nuclear weapons. Aircraft carriers have a process of sailing to the enemy's doorstep and then gradually increasing the combat readiness level to oppress them. They are the best deterrent equipment, while nuclear weapons can only be chosen between "launch" and "not launch" and are quite sensitive, so they can only be used as a last resort.)
Charles once wanted France to follow the footsteps of Britain and the United States and enter the aircraft carrier era, but the conditions were insufficient:
The Brest Shipyard was basically abandoned under the "biased" policy of the former Navy Minister, and was not revived until Charles came up with a new shipbuilding plan.
Although the newly acquired Toulon shipyard maintained its shipbuilding capacity, it was also in a state of chaos and semi-stagnation.
(The picture above shows the first French aircraft carrier, the "Bearn". It was converted from the "Normandy-class" battleship that had been started but not completed during World War I. There were a total of 5 battleships of this class, all of which were dismantled and sold in 1920. Only the last ship, the "Bearn", was converted into an aircraft carrier and completed in 1927)
Vice Admiral Gueprat sent Charles a general description of the Toulon Shipyard:
Shipyard workers were conscripted into the army, there was a serious shortage of technical personnel, a large number of shipbuilding talents were laid off and lost, the completed battleships' guns were requisitioned by the army or other warships, and there was a serious shortage of coal and steel because they were given priority to the army.
Vice Admiral Geprat gave a pessimistic conclusion: "If it is necessary to restart the construction of five battleships, it may be extremely difficult. If it is to be continued, the entire project must be replanned, and a large amount of funds, manpower and resources will be required."
Charles saw nothing wrong with that.
It may be a good thing that naval guns are requisitioned by other units, as aircraft carriers themselves do not need naval guns.
If these five unfinished battleships can be converted into aircraft carriers, coupled with the development of carrier-based aircraft, Britain's title as the world's strongest navy may very well change hands.
I thought so in my heart, but pretended not to care on the surface.
"This is just an alternative plan, Your Excellency," Charles said awkwardly, "No one is sure whether it is feasible. Do you intend to use 'uncertainty' in exchange for France's investment? I don't think I can convince the parliament!"
Parliament is the best shield, especially the opposition.
"No, Vice Admiral." The Quartermaster General exaggerated the role of aircraft carriers, even though he was sure they could be achieved: "Think about it, it is equivalent to an offshore airport, and it is mobile. It can carry fighters and bombers to any point of combat, as long as there is ocean there."
"The question is," Ciel shrugged, "Why don't I develop it myself?"
The Quartermaster General was stunned.
Yes, Charles is a military genius. He has developed countless equipments, and each one is a masterpiece.
Why doesn't Shire develop its own?
Why does he need British aircraft carriers?
I need a reason...
"Data, Lieutenant General." The Quartermaster pointed his finger into the air:
“We conducted a lot of test flights during the development process and obtained a lot of valuable data.”
“This can save you a lot of time in research and development, and even avoid many detours!”
“And the technology and experience associated with it.”
Charles seemed moved, and he stroked his chin as if thinking.
This is exactly what Ciel needs.
He knows the future development of aircraft carriers and what they will eventually look like.
However, the construction of an aircraft carrier is a systematic project involving many aspects. It is by no means as simple as a flying platform as it appears on the surface.
How much impact strength can the structure of a wooden aircraft withstand?
What is the take-off and landing stability of propeller fighters?
How to ensure the stability of an aircraft carrier?
What technological requirements are needed for the flight deck to meet the impact and landing loads of aircraft takeoff and landing?
…
All problems require the coordination, planning and design of countless experts; even the fire prevention, explosion prevention and scheduling of the hangar is a huge project.
If any one of these points goes wrong, chaos may occur in future battles, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Charles was almost clueless in these areas, and at the same time, France was suffering from a serious loss of shipbuilding talent and was extremely short of it.
On the contrary, Britain, the world's number one navy, has more advantages, and the data it provides may save France several years of exploration time.
Of course, Charles would not let the Minister of Munitions know this.
"Okay." Charles frowned and said reluctantly:
"It seems that this is the only way now. After all, we are allies."
"But to be honest, Your Excellency, what you said is not very tempting."
"I mean, even if we develop it independently, it won't take long."
The Minister of Munitions had no doubts.
The person who said this was Charles, the one who developed the "echo sounder" and the tank. How could a military genius like him be stumped by such ordinary technology? !
"Of course, Lieutenant General." The Quartermaster General nodded with a delighted look on his face. "So, you agree to join the attack?"
Ciel nodded slightly: "In principle, that's right, but..."
Charles stared at the Minister of Munitions and said, "Whether we will join depends on the value of the data and technology provided by your country."
"Yes, of course." The Minister of Military Affairs was relieved: "I promise I won't let you down!"
Baker looked happy, but there was a hint of coldness in his smile.
That's all Charles is like, he thought.
When Charles was tempted by these offers, he never thought about this:
He has vowed to everyone that France will cease fire and has established himself as a "peace messenger".
One day, when he once again launches an offensive against Germany, his image will collapse in an instant, even if he wins again as people expect.
This is what the United States really wants: to defeat Charles in the war of image and public opinion!
(End of this chapter)
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