() After returning to the "Reverse Cross" on Monday, Ron made some preparations, and then took a C-47 transport plane to Washington on Wednesday morning.

Ron went to Washington this time mainly for two things. First, he was about to leave the "Reverse Cross". He had some suggestions and plans that he had not yet had time to implement and he had to talk to General Arnold. Second, he

You also have to decide your future choices.

After a few days of thinking, Ron decided to choose Europe. Although psychologically speaking, it is more satisfying to make a small budget, but it is a pity to miss a historical event like Operation Overlord. In comparison,

, although the battle to return to the Philippines cannot be said to be exciting, but compared with Operation Overlord, it is nothing.

They are not on the same level at all. What's more, in this much smaller operation, the Army Aviation does not have a big share. Most of the fat, such as Japan's fleet and so on, will fall to the Navy.

When Lu Hang got there, although he couldn't be said to be a soy sauce actor, he was definitely just a small supporting role.

However, it's different when it comes to Europe. Apart from coastal bombardment and transporting people ashore, the navy can only play a limited role. Especially in air matters, the navy can't get involved. Army aviation doesn't worry about being useless. Besides,

Judging from the history that Ron knew, after finishing the war in Europe, he would come back just in time for the strategic bombing of Japan. That was when the Army Aviation could really take the lead. Considering this, Ron felt that he should go to Europe.

It's better to go to the battlefield.

…

"So, Ron, you are planning to go to Europe." General Arnold said, "Then tell me your views on the European battlefield and your thoughts on the construction of this new wing."

"Okay, General." Ron said. He collected his thoughts for a moment, and then said:

"We have boarded a unit in Italy, but the terrain in Italy is not suitable for large-scale operations. General, the northern part of Italy is surrounded by the towering Alps. The Germans are defending in danger, and it will be very difficult for us to attack.

.I heard that it was the British idea to attack from this direction. The British hoped to attack from the "soft underbelly" of Europe and liberate more areas before the Soviets. From the political impact after the war

It's certainly tempting to think about it. However, the Alps make

This idea is difficult to realize. Even if we can break through the Alps, how much supplies can our logistics provide and how large an army can we support after crossing the mountains of the Alps? Not to mention, in the Mediterranean, we are not like the British.

Such a very close material distribution point. Therefore, if we want to make a difference in Europe, if we do not want the Soviets to control the entire Europe after the fall of Germany, we must land in France. Only in this way,

Only in this way can this situation be avoided.”

"That's right!" General Arnold nodded appreciatively, "Well, Ron, where do you think it would be better for us to land?" He seemed to want to continue to test Ron.

"We have to consider hydrological issues, General. Although I have stayed in the UK for a while, I am not a navy and know nothing about these things. But I know that the Germans built some kind of Atlantic barrier along the French coastline, and here

In the ramparts, the Germans paid special attention to Calais. I know that they built huge forts in Calais. For example, Lindemann

The fort has a 406mm cannon installed on it. These cannons are well protected, and the reinforced concrete roofs on them are very thick. Our British allies believe that its defense strength will never be better than theirs at Dover.

The turret is poor. In their words, 'even if you throw a grand slam on it accurately, it won't do anything'."

"General, I think that when the Germans set up defenses in this area, they obviously realized that this place is the most dangerous and the most suitable for landing. But with these forts, the price we have to pay for landing here is too high. And we are still here.

There is a lack of means to deal with these batteries. So, I thought, we might be able to give the Germans the illusion that we would land at Calais, but choose another location - as far as I know, the French coast is not like the British

The coast is so steep that there are many places suitable for landing."

"Haha, Ron, it seems that you have been thinking about this issue for a long time." General Arnold laughed, "Have you been eyeing this opportunity for a long time?"

Ron smiled and did not deny General Arnold's view. As a low-level officer, it is enough to know some tactics. As a general, only by showing his strategic vision in a timely manner can he win the favor of his superiors.

"General, once we take action to smash this so-called 'Atlantic Barrier', it will definitely be a great battle that has never been seen in human history. Being able to participate in such a battle is attractive to anyone.

of."

"Then tell me about your idea for the new alliance. You know, the new alliance hasn't had time to be formed yet."

"General, the German air force basically has no combat capabilities now. Therefore, the number of pure air superiority fighters can be reduced. One squadron is enough. And it is best to be multi-purpose and have better low-altitude performance.

Aircraft, such as the P-81, are good. Among attack aircraft, considering the need to cross the strait, the attack version of the P-38 has an advantage in range. Therefore, I think

There should be two squadrons of P-38 attack aircraft in this wing. But once we have a stable foothold in Europe, I would prefer the more robust P-47 attack aircraft. I hope that by then,

It can also add one or two P-47 attack squadrons to us. In addition, I think one or two B-25 squadrons are also indispensable when performing battlefield interdiction missions."

Hearing this, General Arnold laughed: "Ron, the wing you want is big enough, with a full 7 squadrons! It is seriously overstaffed."

Ron looked at General Arnold and found that although he was saying that the regiment was seriously overstaffed, he did not seem to refuse outright, so he also smiled and said: "General, Europe is a key area, and the troops deployed here are

The establishment has always been relatively large, right? For example, the Eighth Air Force is larger than other air forces."

General Arnold just smiled and did not answer. So Ron simply continued to speak like a lion.

"Planes alone are not enough, the key is the pilots. The Eighth Air Force no longer needs so many fighter pilots. It would be good to transfer some of their fighter pilots to us and then send them to the 'Reverse Cross' for a round of training."

Already."

"Poaching is not a good habit, Ron." Arnold said, "However, this is indeed an essential skill for a general. I did not let the batch of students who had just been trained by the 'Reverse Cross' return to their original army.

, I leave them all to you. Of course, their number is not enough to build a coalition, and they are certainly far away from the super large coalition you want. You can go with Doolittle

General, good cooperation

Adjust it and ask him to add some more pilots to you so as to establish a normal wing including one squadron of P-81 fighters and two squadrons of P\A-38 attack aircraft. With your appeal in the fighter unit, you will be able to

There are many pilots willing to follow you. As for your requirements for the size of the wing, we will discuss it seriously. Your unit must form combat effectiveness as soon as possible, and there is not much time left for you."

"Okay," Ron replied, "but General, I still need a team. You know, I can't take Banger and MacGea to Europe, and then no one will care about the 'Reverse Cross'

But I need a group of mid-level and senior commanders."

"There are many guys you are familiar with in our joint force with the Soviets. I will transfer Boynton back and make you the flight commander. In addition, these pilots have to be rotated constantly anyway, so you can start from there.

Pick some more people. I have prepared ground staff and other personnel for you. Here is their information, you can take it and take a look."

So General Arnold's aide-de-camp gave this information to Ron.

"If you have any questions, you can come to me at any time in the next few days." General Arnold said, "If you are satisfied with the candidate, I hope you can fly to England in a week. We are in Portsmouth, England.

A new base has been built nearby, including two adjacent airports - this is the base of your new wing. The designation of your new wing is the 21st Attack Wing. As for the team logo and nickname,

You go take care of it yourselves."

…

It was already past five o'clock in the afternoon when Ron came out of General Arnold's office with the information. His adjutant Scott had been waiting for him outside the door. When he saw him coming out, he took it from his hand.

Put that document into the briefcase. A lieutenant took them to the Pentagon restaurant for dinner, and arranged for the next car to take Ron and the others to a hotel.

…

In the evening, Ron sat at the desk and carefully studied the document that Arnold prepared for him. In that document, it was recorded that Arnold had prepared for him those who could serve in the maintenance group, mission support group (ground support), and medical group.

Information about officers and officers at all levels. Several candidates like this came into Ron's sight.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomson Baker was born in Claywood, Colorado, in 1899. He joined active duty after graduating from college in 1923. He served in the 3rd and 5th Air Forces successively, serving as squad leader, squadron leader, etc., and the war began.

Later, he was transferred to the 8th Air Force and served as the deputy commander of the fighter wing maintenance group for nearly two years. The fighter jets of his wing had maintained a very high attendance rate during the important week of air battles in the previous period.

Colonel Clark Speier was born in 1892 and entered the army in 1911. He was a veteran of World War I. He had been engaged in ground support since he entered the U.S. Army Air Service (the predecessor of the U.S. Army Aviation) in 1918.

working since 19

Since 2026, he has served as squad leader and squadron leader of the Mission Support Group. He retired from active service in 1935 and rejoined the army after the outbreak of the war. He served as deputy captain and acting captain of the mission support group in two wings. He is a

Experienced ground crew.
Chapter completed!