Although the Allied operations received the strongest cooperation from the Führer, Cherbourg was still a very troublesome target for the US military. The Germans had a large number of fortifications near Cherbourg, and the artillery in these fortifications could target both the sea and the sea.

But these are not big problems. Because the Americans now have a big killer weapon specially used to deal with fortifications-fuel-air bombs. Although the Americans can give the Germans a while, they have already understood this

The Germans who have discovered the principle of bombs can probably change these fortifications into special airtight fortifications that can resist it. But now, no matter how you look at it, the Germans don't have time to complete such a task. What really makes the US military scratch their heads is that they don't

Knowing how far the Germans would destroy Cherbourg.

"If I were a German, I would definitely turn Cherbourg into ruins." General Eisenhower talked about this issue without worry at a military conference. "I would blow up all the docks, trestles, and everything in between."

The channel was filled with mines, and all the houses in Cherbourg were demolished, and then all the rubbish was filled into the channel. In this way, we may not be able to use this port for several months."

Subsequent aerial reconnaissance also confirmed that Eisenhower's concerns were not unfounded.

"Ron, come and take a look." Eisenhower said to Ron.

Ron walked over and saw many photos spread out on Eisenhower's desk.

"Are these pictures of the port of Cherbourg?" Ron asked?

"Yes." Eisenhower replied, "Over there is a photo from yesterday, and here is a photo from today. Look, the Germans are destroying things so fast!"

Ron picked up these photos and looked at them. In these photos, you can easily see the difference in the photos taken in the past two days. There are still some tall gantry cranes in yesterday's photos, but in today's photos

In the photos, some of them have completely disappeared, some have been mostly broken off in the dock, and the remaining half is still standing there. In addition, you can also see traces of blasting in many places on those dry docks.

"They destroyed it very quickly." Ron sighed.

"That's right, if this continues, by the time we reach Cherbourg, nothing will be left of Cherbourg." Eisenhower sighed, "Ron, do you think it is possible for us to take Cherbourg with just one paratrooper unit?"

However, before Ron could answer, Eisenhower laughed to himself.

"This is impossible. There are four entire regiments of German troops in Cherbourg, and airborne landings in the city are simply suicide. But seeing them destroy like this is really..." Eisenhower said while shaking his head, "Ron, I'm looking for you this time.

Mainly it's another thing. We got intelligence that in order to reinforce the defenders of Cherbourg, the Germans urgently transferred the 17th SS Panzer Division from the Brittany Peninsula. I think they may be planning to attack from the flank with a detachment of troops.

We are delaying our march to Cherbourg. Obviously, every extra day we spend on the road now will cost us an extra week clearing the harbor. In order to contain the German armored divisions' attack, I need your cooperation.

team to make more contributions. Now that the German assault on Sword Beach has been repulsed, I think they have lost the possibility of taking the beach, so your wing no longer has to perform interdiction near Caen.

Highway and anti-tank missions are over. I hope you can quickly transfer the combat direction of your regiment to the Saint-Sauveur area to help us repel the enemy's armored forces and break through the enemy's defense lines. For this plan, you have

What do you think?"

Ron walked to the wall, where a huge map hung. Ron looked at the map carefully, then turned around and said to General Eisenhower: "General, you know, in a ground battle, land forces are

Our reaction time requirements are very high. To meet this requirement, we must ensure that there are cruising aircraft carrying bombs in the sky at least during most of the day. From Portsmouth to St.

Although the Sovo area is not far away, it still takes a while. Moreover, the frequency of pilots' dispatches was very high some time ago. This caused them to be extremely tired. I think it will be difficult for them to continue like this for such a long time.

High attendance rate. To continue to maintain pressure on the Germans under the condition of declining attendance rate, I think it is best to have an advanced airport."

General Eisenhower also walked up to the map. He looked at the map and asked, "Ron, where do you think this forward airfield should be placed?"

"It's best to be in an area within 100 kilometers of the Saint-Sauveur line of defense." Ron said. This forward airport does not need to be too big. It only needs a dirt runway that can take off and land attack aircraft, as well as some supporting refueling, bomb hanging and

The operation and management facilities only need to be able to support a squadron of attack aircraft.

"Very well," Eisenhower said, "I will discuss your suggestion with the relevant departments."

…

In the afternoon of the same day, Ron received another notice from Ike that there would be a meeting about moving forward to the airport at three o'clock, and he must attend on time.

In the afternoon, Ron showed up at the meeting on time. Eisenhower did not appear at this meeting. He was very busy now and couldn't stop spinning like a top. The person who chaired this meeting was one of Ike's men named Mitterrand.

Lieutenant Colonel Staff Officer. Except for Ron, the others who attended the meeting were mostly engineering and technical personnel.

"General, we have conducted a survey in the area you want. There are not many places suitable for building a forward airfield that can support a squadron in operations. From the terrain point of view, there are only four such places. Two of them are in the German coastal forces.

Within the range of the coastal artillery. The remaining two places do not have this problem. It is just that it will still take a certain amount of time to build such an airport, especially now that the transportation capacity is limited. It is difficult for us to get enough materials to build it.

We estimate that it will take about 9 to 11 days to complete such an airport."

"No," Ron said immediately, "We can't wait so long on the battlefield! Is there any other plan?"

"There are other plans. But... General, look, starting from here," a major pointed at the map, explaining to Ron, "all the way to here, this road has a flat section of nearly one mile.

A straight road. As long as we slightly strengthen the weak points of this section of the road, it should be enough for attack aircraft to take off and land. In fact, if the foundation problem is not considered, the C-47 can take off and land here."

"So what about the supporting facilities?" Ron asked. He knew that an airport is not as simple as a runway.

"The refueling can be temporarily handled by oil tankers, and other facilities can also be temporarily used first and then slowly built. If this section of road is used, we can convert it into an airport in about three days."

"Would other troops need to use this road?" Ron asked again. Ron had heard Pokryshkin talk about using the road as a way to the airport. In fact, the Soviets often did this. But Pokryshkin

Shijin also mentioned that once their plane had just parked on a stretch of road, they encountered a group of friendly forces racing tanks. Then, an out-of-control tank crashed into at least four fighter jets. Ron did not want to

This kind of situation where tanks and attack aircraft compete for the way will also happen at the forward airport.

"No, General, there is a road from here to here. Although the road condition is poor, it is not impossible to walk. Other troops can take that road."

…

Ron personally flew a PA-38 attack aircraft over France. Just last night, there was news from Ike that the "forward airport" mentioned in the last meeting was basically completed and could receive

The plane was on the ground. So Ron personally piloted the attack plane and took half of the squadron's 12 PA-38s towards the "airport".

Above Ron's head, Boyington was escorting Ron with 12 P-81 fighter jets.

"Hey Ron, do you believe I can shoot you down within 45 seconds?" Boynton said to Ron on the radio. The so-called 45 seconds was when Ron first established the "Reverse Cross" force.

Allusion, at that time, Ron declared that if any student could persist in a dogfight with him for 45 seconds without being shot down, he would lose $100 to his opponent. As a result, no student could take away the money until he left the "Reverse Cross"

.Ron, on the other hand, received the nickname "45 Seconds" at the time.

"Haha, didn't you just bully me that this is an attack aircraft? Are you so afraid of me that you only dare to use fighter jets to fight against my attack aircraft?" Ron also hit back unceremoniously.

Amidst such laughter, a straight stretch of highway appeared in front of them. At the same time, three green flares rose from the ground in front. The "Forward Airport" was right in front of them.

Ron lowered his height and began to circle around this "runway". He also took this opportunity to make some preliminary observations of the airport. There are some board houses next to the runway, and some are still under construction. The airport tower has already been built.

, but from a distance, the thing seemed to be built with some steel bars and some plates.

Ron lowered his altitude and started flying towards the runway.

The runway was very narrow, but fortunately it was relatively flat. The rear wheels of Ron's plane landed on the runway first, jumped slightly, and then began to glide along the runway honestly. Then, the nose part of the plane

The front wheel also fell to the ground. Finally, the plane successfully stopped at one end of the runway.
Chapter completed!