I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 998: The French Army Likely Also Has Aircraft Carriers

Colonel Will guessed correctly; the reason the Minister of Military Supplies wanted battleships to engage in sea battles at a distance of about 150 kilometers from Malta was to exhaust the French Army's fighter planes.

"150 kilometers is the limit of the French Army's fighter combat radius." In the operations conference room, the Minister of Military Supplies distributed a data analysis chart and a range diagram to the attendees.

"150 kilometers there and back is 300 kilometers." The Minister of Military Supplies had great confidence in his plan:

"And the total range of the French Army's fighters is about 400 kilometers, meaning they only have 100 kilometers of fuel for combat."

"The real situation will be worse, as aircraft often engage in overpowered maneuvers in dogfights, resulting in fuel consumption potentially twice as much or even more than usual."

"Therefore, they may only have fuel for about 50 kilometers, which is only enough for them to dogfight in the air for 15 minutes."

Officers from the Royal Flying Corps, including Major General Trunchard, nodded in agreement.

Many of them had participated in air battles with the German Army, gaining extensive combat experience and knowing this was the most suitable distance to lure the enemy into battle.

If the distance was too far, for example, 200 kilometers from the battlefield to Malta Island. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The fighter planes taking off from Malta Island couldn't possibly reach the battlefield; the French would make no move, and the strategy of "luring the snake out of the hole" wouldn't succeed.

If it was too close, like 100 kilometers from the battlefield.

This would leave the enemy's aircraft with too much fuel, and even if British pilots flew what they believed to be the more advanced "S.E.5a" fighters, they would likely still be unable to defeat the French Air Force.

150 kilometers is just right.

It allows the French Air Force the possibility to engage and win, but they are at an absolute disadvantage in terms of air time:

No matter how advanced the French Army's aircraft, no matter how experienced or skilled its pilots, after 15 minutes of dogfighting, they must turn back.

Otherwise, their planes can't return to Malta Island and will have to "land" on the sea surface.

It's not just a matter of time and fuel, but it also places immense psychological pressure on the pilots.

Conversely, the British Army's aircraft can fight with ease.

The British Army's planes take off from carriers 50 kilometers away, and even if they waste some fuel while forming up, their air time is still several times that of the French Army's planes.

When the French aircraft have to return due to insufficient fuel, the British can take the opportunity to pursue them.

At that time, the French planes will find themselves in a desperate situation of being passively attacked.

In other words, this tactic almost puts the British aircraft in an invincible position.

But Major General Trunchard was not too confident:

"The French have the 'Jeanne A' fighter, Mr. Minister."

"If you haven't forgotten, this new aircraft recently defeated the Germans' 'Fokker D.VII'."

"And the 'Fokker D.VII' defeated our 'S.E.5a' at the port of Emden."

As the chief of staff of the Royal Flying Corps, Major General Trunchard was reluctant to continue speaking.

But the conclusion was obvious: despite the 'S.E.5a' being the most advanced new aircraft for the British Army, it still is not a match for the French Army's 'Jeanne A'.

The Minister of Military Supplies nodded: "Yes, you are correct, our new aircraft may well be inferior to the 'Jeanne A', and may even suffer a total defeat."

But then he changed his tone:

"Think about it, gentlemen."

"The intelligence I've received indicates the 'Jeanne A' is an all-metal skinned, fully enclosed fighter."

"Do you know what that means?"

Major General Trunchard seemed to understand: "You mean, it possibly has a shorter range and faster fuel consumption?"

The Minister of Military Supplies gestured:

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting."

"Even if its range is roughly the same as other fighters, around 400 kilometers."

"We can still use the same tactic against it. Or, the moment we see its unusual wing structure from afar, we just fly in the opposite direction."

Major General Trunchard nodded lightly in agreement.

The 'Jeanne A' is easily recognizable, with its inverted gull wings that can be spotted from far away.

And its speed is only about 20 kilometers per hour faster than the 'S.E.5a', so if flying in the same direction, it might catch up but would likely have no fuel to return.

The Minister of Military Supplies added:

"Moreover, we have the advantage in numbers."

"During this time, we've expanded the production of the 'S.E.5a' and have been manufacturing them non-stop, so as of now, we have over 300 units."

"However, according to reliable intelligence, the production of the French Army's 'Jeanne A', due to its complex craftsmanship, is only about ten units per month."

Major General Trunchard looked confused:

"But our numerical advantage cannot be fully realized, Mr. Minister."

"Our aircraft are launched from carriers, each with a maximum capacity of only 25 aircraft."

"Meaning, we can only deploy 50 aircraft at a time."

The Minister of Military Supplies nodded toward Major General Trunchard: "Yes, but the point is 'at a time.'

As if showing off, the Minister of Military Supplies had another set of data handed out.

"Look at this, Greece is over 800 kilometers from Malta Island, and our 'S.E.5a' has a maximum range of 438 kilometers."

"And our carriers are stationed at a position about 200 kilometers from Malta."

"In other words, as long as the carriers sail about 170 kilometers in the direction of Greece, they will be able to meet the aircraft taking off from Greece."

The Minister of Military Supplies pointed to the calculated time at the bottom of the document for everyone to see: "It only takes 5 hours to meet them, and 5 hours to return to the battlefield; any thoughts?"

Minister of the Navy Belfort understood: "That's a night's time."

"Exactly." The Minister of Military Supplies pointed at Belfort for confirmation: "You are very astute, Mr. Minister of the Navy."

In fact, it was a roundabout compliment to himself.

"Everyone knows aircraft cannot operate at night, so what can we do at night?"

"Our carriers can return to Greece or, to be precise, just head in the direction of Greece."

"But unfortunately, there are operational difficulties with this: our aircraft cannot land on carriers at night."

Prime Minister George, flipping through the data, asked: "So, we need to replenish the carrier-based aircraft by daylight and then it would take another 5 hours to return to the battlefield, is that right?"

"Yes." The Minister of Military Supplies nodded:

"If the combat losses are low, there's no need for replenishment."

"By repeating this, our new aircraft can quickly deplete the enemy's 'Jeanne A' fighters."

"Against the French Army's 'Camel' or 'Ibis', we have the advantage in performance and speed."

The officers and officials in the conference room nodded in agreement.

The Minister of Military Supplies' operational plan was detailed and clever.

He had grasped the strengths and weaknesses of both sides' aircraft and, using the carrier as a mobile airfield, meticulously designed a targeted trap for the French Army's aircraft.

However, Minister of the Navy Belfort looked worried: "Your plan is well thought out, Mr. Minister, but you seem to have overlooked one point—the French Army may also have aircraft carriers, possibly constructed under our guidance!"