Chapter 240: Using the Germans
"Is it just a matter of allowances?" Cobbod prodded the major to continue.
"No, of course not!" Major Langueff gestured toward the planes behind him. "Look at our aircraft—all reconnaissance planes, and not a single fighter with a machine gun, not one!"
Several pilots nearby couldn't hold back, crowding around and grumbling:
"Even our reconnaissance planes are outdated. They've been flying for over a year and constantly break down."
"We don't have the parts to fix them."
"The infantry just cares about one thing—they want us to go up there and take a look whenever they need it. They act like it's so easy."
…
Their complaints grew louder and soon turned into full-blown grievances, with some pilots even wishing they could make the infantrymen experience their daily grind firsthand.
Cobbod, sensing an opportunity, added fuel to the fire: "I heard one of the planes shot down by the Germans recently was from this airfield?"
This quickly ignited the pilots' anger.
"Yes, it was Adrian—an excellent pilot and our best mechanic!"
"We don't know what the future holds. The Germans already have planes with machine guns, while we're up there with only handguns. The infantry keeps saying it's safe, but that's far from the truth!"
"It doesn't make sense—we were the first to deploy fighter planes with machine guns, so why are we now the ones taking the hits, and living in fear? Where are our own fighter planes?"
…
Cobbod explained, "That might be because you're in two separate command structures. Although we do have machine-gun-equipped planes, they might not even know you're in danger."
"Yes!" Major Langueff agreed, nodding with frustration. "We might fly in the skies, but in terms of organization, pay, and command, we're still under the army. Charles' air squadron, on the other hand—that's a real air force. We'll never get fighter plane reinforcements unless we have our own fighters."
Other pilots chimed in, their voices overlapping in discontent:
"That's impossible, though! Every army corps has its own reconnaissance planes, along with its own airfield."
"Even the infantry divisions have their own planes."
"There are over twenty of these makeshift airfields near the front. Equipping each with enough fighters would require hundreds of planes!"
…
As Cobbod wrapped up the interview, he avoided dwelling on Charles or his air squadron too heavily, merely mentioning the "Flying Club" in passing. Cobbod understood that if he were to bluntly ask, "Would you want to merge with Charles' squadron and come under his command?", the pilots might say yes. But it would raise questions:
The Merit Chronicle was Charles' publication, and Cobbod was one of its reporters.
Thus, Cobbod's true goal could appear as an attempt by Charles to "take over" these airfields—a move that could easily be used against him by rival factions.
So, Cobbod approached the matter carefully, exercising restraint in his interviews. At the end of each interview, he left the pilots with one question: "What would you want to improve your current conditions, and what direction should the Army's aviation develop?"
They visited more than one airfield. Excluding a few that Joffre had marked "top secret" and thus off-limits, The Merit Chronicle managed to interview almost every improvised airfield across the Army's aviation units, documenting their challenging conditions in detail for the paper.
One unavoidable question now loomed:
Were these numerous, makeshift airfields—many poorly equipped and barely managed—truly necessary?
Discussion grew louder among the public and the press:
"This is practically suicide; they're more like street workshops."
"These pilots are just sitting ducks against German fighters. They're not contributing and are simply target practice for the Germans!"
"The Germans will pick off these airfields one by one. They don't stand a chance!"
With the story in the spotlight, other papers jumped on board, and the conversation shifted toward the future:
"These airfields should be consolidated and centrally managed."
"The best candidate to lead them is clearly Charles; he's run the First Air Squadron exceptionally well."
"Yes, under his leadership, the First Air Squadron has always succeeded. He invented the fighter plane with machine guns. He understands aerial combat!"
…
Gallieni smiled approvingly, leafing through the stack of newspapers piled on his desk, which included Le Petit Journal, Le Petit Parisien, Le Matin, and even Le Figaro, popular among the elite.
"Well done, Cobbod!" Gallieni sipped his coffee and nodded as he browsed through the papers. "The public narrative is moving in our favor."
"Yes, General," Cobbod replied, glancing at Charles. "We don't need to rush this. Charles' accomplishments speak for themselves, plain for everyone to see. Letting the public call for Charles' command is far more effective than Charles asking for it himself."
Gallieni nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, The Merit Chronicle began shifting its focus to other topics, a clever strategy that Cobbod expertly used to guide public opinion.
"And then what? Are we just supposed to sit back and wait?" Lieutenant Colonel Fernand asked impatiently. "The German fighters could be ready at any moment. They could strike our Army's planes at any time!"
"Oh, they'll strike back." Cobbod replied cryptically.
"The Germans, you mean?" Fernand asked, confused.
"No, Lieutenant Colonel." Cobbod lowered his voice. "At this moment, the Germans are not our real adversaries."
Fernand was momentarily taken aback but soon understood. Cobbod wasn't referring to the Germans—he meant Joffre.
Gallieni agreed with a quiet "Hmm." "Of course, he won't just sit idly by. He'll try to steer public opinion in another direction."
Charles now understood Cobbod's entire strategy. When it came to shaping public sentiment, Cobbod's tactical acumen rivaled Charles' own.
As if on cue, Cobbod continued, "Yes, I suspect that to maintain control over these airfields, Joffre will allocate fighters to them, along with more personnel and resources."
"And?" Fernand scowled, skeptical. "I don't see how that's good news."
Gallieni and Charles exchanged knowing glances, both wearing slight, secretive smiles.
Finally, it dawned on Fernand: in the end, this would be resolved in battle.
By deploying fighters at these vulnerable airfields, Joffre would directly expose his units to German fighter attacks. One battle—or perhaps a few losses—would reveal the futility of his strategy.
Cobbod was, in essence, using the Germans to defeat Joffre, ensuring that eventually, Joffre would have no choice but to concede.
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