Chapter 83: Spanish Campaign 2

"Latest news, everyone. Just yesterday, there was a rebellion in Spain."

The senior military officials gathered in the conference room were stunned for a moment, and then their faces showed excitement.

The chaos in Spain had already attracted international attention, especially from the Soviet Union and Germany. As for why they are happy, the German high command has already learned from the analysis of the intelligence department that unrest will occur in Spain sooner or later. They have already reached a consensus to test the combat effectiveness of the German army through the Spanish battlefield!

What is the purpose of all these years of tireless efforts? Isn't it just for the coming war? Now, Spain is finally at war! This is the best time!

Take your newly developed weapons to Spain and test the combat effectiveness of these new weapons! At the same time, it is also a test for the army!

Yannick continued. "Although it's not our turn to intervene yet, I believe we will have the opportunity soon."

Because the Spanish government had no time to react at first, Franco quickly occupied Spanish Morocco, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and the northern and southwestern provinces of mainland Spain. On July 30, he established the "National Defense Executive Council" in Burgos. In an attempt to attack Madrid from the north and the south, and then seize power across the country.

In this overwhelming situation, Franco certainly would not ask Germany for help, not to mention that he had a better backer, the United Kingdom.

And what about the UK? Due to the pessimistic domestic economic situation and the opposition from Congress, the original plan to support Franco was ultimately aborted. Franco's army lost its only support from external forces, and the offensive gradually slowed down. It just gave the government troops a chance to breathe.

The Spanish government called on people from all walks of life across the country to take up arms to defend the Republic. Within two days, a total of 300,000 people signed up to join the militia organization, the Popular Guard. Rebellions in large and medium-sized cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Cartagena, Malaga, and Bilbao were quickly put down. Franco only controlled Andalusia in the south and economically backward provinces such as Galicia, Navarre, and Old Castile in the north. The Republican Army controlled all industrial and political centers, major ports, transportation arteries, and important agricultural areas.

Only in such a crisis would Franco seek help from the Germans, and Yannick could take the opportunity to offer a good price.

Rundstedt spoke. "Your Highness, this is really good news. So how many troops do we need to send there?"

Yannick thought for a moment. "The advance dispatched army has two infantry divisions, one armored company, two army aviation bomber regiments, one air force combat aviation regiment, one army aviation reconnaissance group, and the Nogan Guards. Which unit specifically has The chiefs of staff make their own decisions. This time, the Army plays the main role, which is to firmly control the air."

Everyone responded in unison. "yes."

After discussing the dispatch, Yannick looked at Kesselin. "General Kesselring, how is the construction of the Bird's Nest going?"

Albert Kesselring stood up and said respectfully. "Your Highness, according to your order, the Bird's Nest has been expanding. Counting those in the Ming Dynasty and the Soviet Union, there are 3,200 chicks that have graduated. There are 2,250 chicks that can graduate this year."

"..."

"??" The people below couldn't help but look at each other. In their opinion, this was a quite astonishing number, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looked worried.

Yannick was really worried, more than worried, he was scared to death! Thinking about the number of 300,000 aircraft produced by the United States during World War II (nearly 20,000 bombers alone), he felt terrified and his calves were trembling. (Of course, not all aircraft produced in the United States are produced and sold by themselves. Many aircraft are supported by the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and other countries)

What's even more frightening is that the most powerful thing about the US military is not its aircraft production capacity, but its huge pilot reserve. In fact, before the outbreak of World War II, there were already many amateur pilots in the United States who usually flew airplanes in the sky. When the war broke out, these people could get on the battlefield with a little training.

Not only that, many farmers in the United States can fly airplanes, and many farmers own their own airplanes. There is a plot in the famous movie "Pearl Harbor". The two protagonists, who were only five or six years old, secretly flew a plane into the sky while their father was not paying attention. After flying into the sky, although it was surrounded by dangers, they finally managed to find safety. Landing. It is not difficult to see from this plot that flying an airplane was not unusual for ordinary Americans at that time.

Therefore, after the outbreak of World War II, 430,000 pilots were delivered to the US military under the mobilization and collective training of the United States. If the Japanese knew that the target of their sneak attack had more than 430,000 pilots, they would probably not dare to provoke such a behemoth.

Depending on the situation, Japan in this time and space will not inflame the face of the United States. If the United States devotes all its energy to Europe, it will be a bit overwhelming.

"Increase recruitment efforts. I want to see at least 5,000 chicks graduating every year. I'm just talking about fighter pilots. We can't let up on the crews of strategic bombers. In the future, we will have super bombers with a crew of 10 to 14. I We plan to equip around 3,000 aircraft so that there will be no organic or unmanned aircraft.”

Albert Kesselring suddenly felt that the burden on his shoulders was much heavier, and responded solemnly. "Yes, Your Highness."

Just as he was about to sit down, he remembered something. "Your Highness, the pilots who returned from the Soviet Union reported that the Soviet Union had recently produced a primary trainer called 'U-2', which has excellent operating performance and is very suitable for beginners to train."

"U-2?" If he remembered correctly, it should be the biplane primary trainer designed by the famous Soviet aircraft designer Nikolai Polikarpov. The design principle of this trainer is "simple, reliable and low cost", which lasted until 1953, with a total output of about 33,000.

Its fuselage uses a pine frame, linen skin, and steel wires between the upper and lower wings. The power unit uses an M-11 air-cooled piston star 5-cylinder engine, driving a two-blade wooden propeller with a power of 100 horsepower.

This trainer immediately won the favor of a large number of aviation personnel after it was produced. It has a simple structure, low cost, easy production and maintenance, especially excellent operating performance and outstanding take-off and landing performance. It has trained a large number of aviation talents for the Soviet Union.

"Got it. I will ask the Soviet Union for a blueprint. General Richthofen, General Stumpf, your Army Air Force and Naval Air Force must not let down their guard either."

"Yes, Your Highness."