I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 920: Flight Training

The next day, Shire issued an unexpected order to everyone:

"In order for Major General Pierre to fully understand the takeoff and landing of warplanes and adapt to future changes in warfare, Major General Pierre is now transferred to the 5th Air Base as a staff officer and will also learn to fly a plane!"

The 5th Air Base is near the Toulon Shipyard, 13 kilometers away, allowing Major General Pierre to freely travel between the shipyard and the airbase.

But that wasn't the main point. The main point was this humiliating order. There had never been such a precedent where a Vice Admiral would be sent to the Air Brigade to learn flying.

Everyone thought Major General Pierre was finished, completely denied by Shire and cast aside.

Some even believed this was a graceful way for Shire to let Pierre leave: making Pierre resign in humiliation rather than dismissing him.

The British advisory group thought the same, bursting into laughter upon hearing the news:

"Isn't that the major general who argued with us about the carrier deck?"

"Yes, he's been sent to pilot airplanes, though I doubt he has the talent for it, considering he always emphasized a longer flight runway."

"If he masters it, I'd be more than willing to see him land on a carrier, and I'll be there to welcome him!"

...

The British advisory group laughed wantonly.

Stephen was quite satisfied with this outcome. He didn't mock Major General Pierre because he knew Pierre was right.

A runway of 80 meters was far from sufficient to support warplane landings, and Britain had even lost an excellent pilot because of it.

(Note: British Navy Major Ernest Dunning piloted a "Puppy" fighter, successfully landing once, failed the second time, fell into the sea, and drowned.)

Thus, Britain had already decided to dismantle all naval guns to extend the deck.

"This is a good thing," Stephen said with a wry smile, with double entendre: "I knew we didn't need to worry about France's carriers at all."

...

However, the reality wasn't as Stephen thought.

Major General Pierre did indeed go to the Air Brigade as a staff officer, and learning to fly was real too.

Even Pierre himself, and Gephardt, couldn't understand this.

"I am Navy, Vice Admiral." Major General Pierre looked at Shire in confusion: "While I'm willing to carry out your orders, but can you tell me why?"

My specialty is warships, and I will command them in the future, so why should I learn to fly a plane?

Admiral Gephardt also questioned Shire: "Didn't you say recently that he would be responsible for the carrier's modification..."

"That's it." Shire's response was brief.

"What?" Gephardt didn't understand. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Major General Pierre was equally confused, but the next second seemed to understand.

"You mean..." Major General Pierre hesitated to ask: "If you want to modify and command a carrier, you must learn how to fly?"

"No." Shire shook his head slightly:

"It's not just about learning to fly, but also understanding the tactics of planes, the suitable weather, environment, and timing for their deployment."

"Only then can you possibly become an excellent carrier commander."

"Otherwise, it's just theoretical, like a captain not understanding how far naval guns can fire, what they can destroy, or whether they will be affected by external factors."

For a carrier, planes are its "naval guns," and the bombs and torpedoes they carry are its "shells."

(Note: This is a basic modern requirement for carrier captains, who must have pilot experience.)

Pierre understood, stood upright, and said: "Yes, Vice Admiral, I agree with your view!"

Shire is right, Pierre thought, the combat mode of carriers is completely different, its weapon is the airplane.

However, he still underestimated Shire.

Shire continued:

"Leave the shipyard matters to Admiral Gephardt, just occasionally come back to communicate the modification plan with him."

"Your focus should be on the airport."

"Besides learning to fly, you should also train a group of pilots who can take off and land on carriers."

Pierre was stunned: "Vice Admiral, the carrier isn't built yet, training aircraft takeoff and landing might be impossible."

Shire answered: "Draw areas on the airport according to the planned deck size and conduct training according to that area."

Pierre and Gephardt looked at each other.

Indeed, it was a feasible training method, they just hadn't thought of it in that direction!

...

London, War Office Building.

The Minister of Military Supplies sitting at the desk received the telegram handed over by General Winter.

It was from Stephen at the Toulon Shipyard: Shire had transferred Major General Pierre from the shipyard.

The Minister of Military Supplies nodded in satisfaction.

Although he worked hard to persuade the parliament to agree to this project, in reality, the Minister of Military Supplies was the person least willing to complete the deal.

If it were someone else, the Royal Navy would not need to worry about being surpassed.

But the other party was Shire, the military genius Shire.

Although the Minister of Military Supplies himself was not sure about how much impact carriers would have in the future, what if Shire developed it successfully first?

Coupled with his advantage in warplanes, wouldn't the Royal Navy become Shire's target practice?

Fortunately, it seems Shire hadn't realized being diverted off course.

General Winter reminded:

"Minister, Shire seems to want to convert several battleships in the Toulon Shipyard into carriers."

"Doesn't this mean he'll wait until the carrier conversion is successful before fulfilling the promise?"

The Minister of Military Supplies shook his head: "No, of course not."

He had already thought it through, sending two more pieces of data would demand Shire to join the Allies' offensive team.

Additionally, the Minister of Military Supplies planned to put some pressure on Shire, or rather, to test him.

"Order Major Kyle." The Minister of Military Supplies enunciated: "To release information in Germany, saying Shire intends to negotiate with Germany."

Major Kyle was the MI6 director who had spies planted in Germany.

General Winter was taken aback: "Minister, Shire only mentioned a ceasefire, no intention of negotiating with the Germans..."

The Minister of Military Supplies, with a calm face and a hint of impatience in his tone, said: "Do as I say, Winter!"

"Yes, Minister." General Winter replied reluctantly.

After General Winter left, the Minister of Military Supplies read Stephen's telegram again, with a hint of satisfaction on his lips.

He couldn't wait to find out how Shire would react if the Germans wanted to negotiate with him.

Choosing to negotiate, Shire would violate the "London Treaty" and leave himself vulnerable for solo negotiations with Germany.

If not negotiating, Shire's unilateral ceasefire decision would be seen as an act of cowardice, allowing the Minister of Military Supplies to exaggerate it in the media.

So, regardless of his intentions, declare it publicly as soon as possible, Shire.

We are waiting for you to join us and lead our forces to completely defeat the Germans!