88 – Episode 88 Air Battle over the British Mainland (1)
Britain’s blockade of bypass trade took effect immediately. All items suspected of being exported or imported indirectly from Germany were blocked at sea.
Neutral countries vented their anger at the British government. When trade with a huge country like Germany was completely blocked, there were more than one inconvenience.
The supply and demand of chemical products was a problem.
What is ironic is that it was the United States that was thought to protest the loudest.
“The British are going to great lengths to prevent this asshole from dominating Europe, so why should we interfere if we can’t help?”
“It is not in the interests of the United States to have a superpower emerge on the other side of the Atlantic. “Even if we can’t go to war, we have to keep things in check.”
The Senate, which decides America’s foreign policy, decided to acquiesce to Britain’s request, believing that the balance of power was tilted toward Germany.
There were conditions.
First, chemical products that the United States could not sustain on its own had to be cleared through customs.
Considering that Germany accounts for 90% of the chemical market, it was difficult to stop this.
Second, we had to hand over ‘several’ islands in the Caribbean that were an eyesore to the US. The Bermuda Islands were of interest.
“No, that’s a bit much.”
“Oh, so you’re not going to make a deal?”
Is there any transaction in the world that benefits only the UK?
When helping, it was the Anglo-Saxon’s duty to pay a reasonable price.
“Use it. There’s nothing I can do.”
Britain accepted America’s conditions.
Once the two sides reached an agreement, various industries that had been enjoying themselves through roundabout exports complained.
“It is for the national interest of the United States.”
Although there was opposition from the business community, the voices of capitalists could not break through the walls of the Senate in a world where the anti-monopoly laws were threatening even America’s best trusts.
The Wilson administration also agreed with Congress’ judgment.
“Selling things is important, but shedding more blood among the former powers is beneficial to the long-term national interest. Let’s give strength to the Senate.”
However, the United States did not go to the level of joining the war on Britain’s side or providing loans.
In any case, there were tens of millions of Germans in the United States, and public opinion itself was reluctant to intervene in the war.
Thanks to the cooperation of the United States, Britain increased the intensity of pressure by exerting pressure on other neutral countries.
When this happened, Germany could no longer sit still.
“We have to make the British hungry too. “Let’s begin unlimited submarine warfare!”
The Navy advocates unlimited submarine warfare.
“That’s crazy.”
When the Kaiser refused, the Army went one step further.
“If neutral countries listen to the British, we just have to show them that our fists are closer. “If you give me the order, I will start a military demonstration at the border.”
In fact, the Junkers were ready for that.
“If you do that, your head will be cut off first.”
The German military changed its mind due to the Kaiser’s repeated refusals.
His Majesty does not like to mess with neutral countries.
No submarines or armed demonstrations.
Then what?
What caught their eyes was a bomber.
The German Army Air Corps, founded in 1914, operated a variety of aircraft while gaining practical experience for three years.
The product that reached its peak was the bomber.
Originally, the object used by the Army Air Corps for bombing purposes was not an airplane but an airship.
The Army Air Corps carried out an operation to drop leaflets on the mainland of the negotiating countries using airships.
However, as the war prolonged, the vulnerabilities of the airship itself began to be revealed.
Once exposed to enemy aircraft or anti-aircraft fire, there was no way to survive. The enormous amount of hydrogen gas itself was nothing short of a bomb.
Even if there was no gas problem, the airship was too slow and large.
It was fatal that once discovered, there was no way to escape.
As a response, the Army Air Corps requested a bomber design from Gotha, which manufactured railroad cars. Their idea was that a fast airplane would have better survivability than an airship.
Starting in 1914, the German military began to partially use bombers like this, but at first only unusable products were produced.
However, the recently released product was a different story.
Gotha G.IV.
This powerful bomber was a ‘true bombing weapon’ that solved most of the problems of the previous generation of bombers.
The new bomber ordered in 1916 began to be delivered in March 1917.
The problem was that longer range was needed to bomb Britain, but that shortcoming was completely resolved with France’s surrender.
As there was no need to waste oil in the North Sea bypassing Belgium and the Netherlands, more bombs could be loaded.
All conditions were smiling at the bombing.
“It’s just right. “It’s very good stuff.”
The Junkers hit their knees.
“Place an order. “200, No, 300 would be better.”
Gotha was unable to come to his senses due to the unlimited orders pouring in from the Ministry of War. The existing quantity was only 100 units.
Work also poured into the German aviation companies Siemens and Fokker.
By early May 1917, the number of Gotha bombers owned by the Army Air Corps was close to 80.
In a situation where such a decisive retaliatory weapon was prepared, the Kaiser did not remain silent as Britain was struck in the face.
“I will authorize the bombing of London.”
Buuung.
Dozens of aircraft prepared to take off with their engines whirring at the aircraft base in Boulogne, just in front of the English Channel. These bombers could carry up to 500 kg of bombs.
“Show the British bastards an example.”
They soared into the skies of London to deliver Germany’s response to the blockade of bypass trade.
*
May 9, 1917 was a relatively sunny day. A cool breeze blew away the thick coal dust, allowing people to enjoy clean air for the first time in a while.
King George V was also enjoying a peaceful afternoon while taking a walk in the garden of Buckingham Palace.
Thump. Thud. Thud.
Hearing a soft sound ringing in the distance, the king wondered if the navy was practicing naval gunfire.
Because we were at war, we couldn’t say anything about training, so the king decided to end his walk.
‘It was a nice afternoon after a long time, but it’s a shame.’
At that time, the chamberlain hurriedly ran to find the king.
“Your Majesty! Your majesty!”
“What’s going on, all the fuss?”
“It’s a bombing, Your Majesty! “You must evacuate to a bomb shelter immediately.”
“What is that?”
Britain also knew that Germany was operating bombers. And I also knew that those items were not very useful. If they were really useful, the British military would have been impressed.
However, sometimes new, unexpected weapons pop up.
If Tank No. 1 Appeared on the ground, there was a new Gotha bomber in the sky.
“Oh my God. “So, the sound you heard was the sound of a bombing?”
“There is no time for this.”
Without a moment of alarm, King George V was dragged by the Chamberlain’s hand and took refuge in a bomb shelter.
Within 30 minutes after the bombing fell, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) also began interception procedures. Everyone was anxious because the capital, London, was being bombed, not just anywhere else.
The Airco biplane fighter flew into the sky and looked around for a while looking for the enemy. The squadron spread out in all directions, looking for enemy bombers.
‘Where the hell are Jerry?’
From Noble mtl dot com
I looked around the Port of London area where the bomb fell, but there was nothing to see.
“Take a good look from the back.”
Lieutenant Owen Baldwin gave instructions to the rear gunner and scanned the sky.
As he was looking around the sky for a while, the rear gunner shouted.
“Lieutenant! “Up there.”
“Up?”
When Baldwin raised his head, there were shadows of German flags in the distant sky. The German flags were flying so high that their appearance was blurry.
Baldwin was astonished at the sight.
The altitude of the Airco fighter is 4,300 m.
But even when held low, they were flying over 6,000m.
‘How do I intercept that thing?’
Although Baldwin was an outstanding ace, he was not capable of exceeding the plane’s altitude limit.
Baldwin followed the enemy’s shadow and moved.
The intention was to intercept the enemy if they came down for precision bombing, but the Gota bombers had no intention of coming down.
‘If you’re going to do that, then why did you bring the bomb?’
That was not a military operation, it was literally terrorism.
Baldwin chased the enemy for a long time, but the opportunity never came.
When he came down to the ground, Brigadier General Tusu, commander of the 1st Brigade, approached him and asked about his criminal record.
“Enemy bombers? “How many did you catch?”
“I have no criminal record.”
“What?”
No criminal record when London was attacked?
It was a shocking story.
What is the reason why something that has never happened before happened?
The answer was simple.
This is because ‘France’ surrendered.
The German Army Air Corps was now able to operate across the Channel.
The reason the attack did not come immediately after France surrendered was because time was needed to build and prepare a new airfield.
The Prime Minister, who was briefed on the results of the interception operation in his office, threw away the sandwich he was eating.
“So? “If the same attack repeats itself, you can’t stop it?”
“For now, yes.”
“Ha.”
As we prepared to strangle Germany by humiliating ourselves as much as we could, Germany launched a fatal attack on the regime.
If this were to happen, the calls to hasten strengthening negotiations were bound to grow louder.
“You don’t have to choose any method. “Get ready to stop their bombers as quickly as possible.”
“I will try my best.”
The Prime Minister did not say why we do not bomb Germany.
Even if they tried to bomb Germany, an obstacle called Netherlands-Belgium stood in the way. There was no reason to send expensive bombers unless they could hit the Ruhr area, the enemy’s core.
“If I can last just 6 months, it’s a fight worth trying.”
The Prime Minister decided to withstand the attack from the sky in some way. If there were no submarines, this would be Germany’s only card. If Germany does not back down from this battle, Germany will also accept Great Britain’s compromise.
The Prime Minister consoled himself for becoming weak and gathered all his will.
The fate of the British Empire, which was in crisis, rested on his shoulders.