I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

The Minister of the Navy, like everyone else, spent a night trembling with fear in the darkness.

It was only at this time that the British realized they had nothing to counter the Zeppelin Airship, the airship in the darkness.

During this period, there were also two planes that barely took off trying to launch attacks on the airship, but the Zeppelin Airship hid in the dark clouds, and the planes could not effectively attack it, launching a few rockets without hitting the target.

(During World War I, many planes couldn't reach the height of the airship. Although new planes could reach it, nighttime visibility was low and the planes were fast, even if they knew the location of the Zeppelin Airship, it was hard to avoid collisions.)

Everyone could only watch as the airship dropped bomb after bomb, making a mess below before leaving leisurely.

(The image above shows the streets of London after the Zeppelin Airship bombing in 1915. The casualties were not large, but it caused great panic.)

Early the next morning, as the sky brightened, people with lingering fear slowly walked out of their homes and discussed the ruins bombed out last night:

"God, our army is helpless against it."

"Yes, they can't do anything."

"If this is the case, does it mean that as long as the Germans have enough airships, they can bomb us flat? What's worse than this?"

...

During wartime, people always amplify fear and feel that they are going to lose the war. This panic can even spread like a plague, even though last night's bombing only caused 35 deaths and 121 injuries.

The Minister of the Navy was furious at Major Kyle in his office:

"You know nothing about airships, and you don't even know what they are when the enemy is dropping bombs on us!"

"Today it's one airship, tomorrow it could be two, three, or even more!"

"If this continues, should we surrender to the Germans?"

Kyle knew this was the Minister of the Navy venting his anger. He nervously stepped forward and pointed at the map: "Sir, the main reason for such a situation is that the Germans chose to attack at night..."

"That's an airship." The Minister of the Navy interrupted Kyle: "They are as slow as snails. I want to know how they crossed the English Channel to reach London?"

Kyle explained: "They can reach a speed of 80 kilometers per hour, sir. They are not snails; our planes can only reach 100 kilometers per hour."

The Minister of the Navy was stunned. He didn't know that airships could reach this speed.

Kyle continued to analyze: "We cannot prevent them from flying over London. Because we don't know when they will attack or their flight route. Unless we deploy hundreds of planes to patrol the skies over the English Channel in rotation."

"So, we can only wait to be bombed?" The Minister of the Navy's face twisted with anger.

"We can catch up with them." Kyle's tone carried frustration: "But our fighter planes are not fast enough, even the new fighter plane, the Havilland DH2, can't catch up after daybreak."

The Minister of the Navy turned to look at Kyle, his voice low: "You mean that as long as our planes are fast enough, we could possibly catch up with these guys and shoot them down?"

"Yes." Kyle nodded: "This is easier than preventing them from entering London because we know their escape direction and speed. The only problem is, we don't have fast enough fighter planes."

The Minister of the Navy immediately thought of Shire's plane, which could reach a speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

After hesitating for a while, the Minister of the Navy reluctantly ordered: "Send a telegram to General Winter!"

...

Paris Command Post of the 105th Regiment.

Shire received the intelligence about the Zeppelin Airship bombing in London early in the morning.

The intelligence arrived last night, and considering its importance but not urgency, the staff did not wake Shire, as it was a matter for Britain.

Tijani got up earlier than Shire and saw the news a few minutes before.

Seeing Shire come in, Tijani shook the telegram in front of Shire with an incredulous look: "The Germans are still using this thing? I thought it would disappear from the battlefield after you used incendiary bullets."

"What?" Shire took the telegram and looked at it, understanding Tijani's meaning.

"The Germans chose night warfare, General." Shire said: "And in London."

At this time, planes almost had no night combat capability, and the British defense line in France, like the Western Front, was almost defenseless at home.

"You're right, Brigadier." Tijani sat back in his chair thoughtfully: "I assumed wrong, it can still play a role, although it's just residual heat."

Then Tijani said: "The Germans are smart, they use submarine warfare to block Britain and then bomb the homeland with airships, which could worsen the already resource-short Britain."

Shire smiled without saying anything.

The direction of the German Army is correct, attacking both internally and externally to make Britain's mainland resources scarce, ultimately forcing her to surrender. Coincidentally, they did the same thing in World War II.

However, it is not feasible tactically.

Airships are expensive, slow, cause very limited damage to the enemy, and are easy to destroy—almost without cost-effectiveness.

At this moment, General Winter appeared at the command post entrance. He couldn't care less about avoiding other "idle people" and directly walked to Shire, asking: "I want to know the flight data of the 'Camel,' Brigadier. I hope this doesn't put you in a difficult position."

"Of course." Shire replied: "Top speed of 187 kilometers per hour. If needed, you can send pilots to test fly it."

General Winter instantly breathed a sigh of relief. He believed this was true, as it was about the same speed the MI6 measured.

"Is there a problem?" Shire looked at General Winter in confusion.

"No, no problem." General Winter replied: "I just wanted to know if it could catch up with the German airship."

Shire suddenly understood.

The British were planning to use the 'Camel' to stop the Germans from bombing London, precisely to shoot down the airship on its way back.

This is not a good idea, Shire thought, the best method should be anti-aircraft guns that can fire incendiary bullets.

But Shire said nothing, he answered solemnly: "Don't consider it, General. The 'Camel' is the best choice; it will be the nightmare of airships."

"I hope so." General Winter took out a notebook from his pocket, found a page, tore it off, and handed it to Shire: "We need 30 to form a flying squadron, with ground personnel and technicians, also spare engines and parts."

Shire pretended to hesitate, considering for a moment before answering: "It's because of you, General. Otherwise, I wouldn't give so much."

General Winter gratefully nodded: "I know, Brigadier, thank you! Thank you very much!"