Father of France

Chapter 266 The Commander-in-Chief's Advice
"What is it?" Coleman asked Martin, looking like a carefree young man with his hands in his pockets. He had changed into civilian clothes before coming out, so as not to ruin the image of French soldiers.

"A military delegation has been formed in Damascus to visit the Ministry of Defense," Martin explained, sharing what he knew.

Koeman raised an eyebrow, having already guessed most of the purpose of the visit, and said in an evasive tone, "Your information network is really good; you found out about the military visit to Damascus so quickly."

“The Military Police Command is an internal military component, so of course they have to get through us.” Martin didn’t forget the main point. “This is clearly a request for help after the armistice, and they even want to see the Chief of the General Staff.”

"And then what?" Koeman asked nonchalantly. "Should we follow Britain's example and take over the command of the Syrian army? Or sell a batch of weapons that the Syrian army needs? Actually, there's not much we can do. Right now, the situation in the Soviet-occupied zone is clearly more alarming."

At the slightest disagreement, Koeman would lie. In reality, he wasn't even that concerned about the Berlin Crisis; France lacked a strategic air force and couldn't even get a piece of the action in the Berlin airlift. As for the current Middle East war, France joined in? And then what? Britain and France against the US and the USSR?
To be honest, the Marshall Plan has only been in effect for a few months, and now France is already acting like an emperor over Africa? Even if Koeman is in France, it's a bit too much to ask.

How big is the gap between France and the United States now? France's steel production has just recovered to seven million tons, while the United States' steel production is close to eighty million tons.

If you are unfamiliar with this figure, then comparing the steel production of the United States and a major Eastern power in the 21st century is equivalent to comparing France and the United States today.

France was still using Marshall Plan funds for postwar recovery at this time. Was it a joke for it to act like a colonial power and get involved in this Middle East war?

Martin thought about it and realized that was indeed the case. Although he didn't want to admit it, the industrial strength of the United States was terrifying. "Speaking of the situation on the Soviet side, Alan is still in Austria. Hopefully, there won't be any military confrontation."

“The possibility of ground conflict is unlikely, and Alan is safe. When he is transferred normally, we will find a way to get him into the St. Cyr Military Academy, so that he can quickly rise in rank.” Koman, of course, did not forget his comrades-in-arms and began to plan directly in front of Martin. “We cannot enjoy this honor alone. We came out of Syria together, and our friendship will last a lifetime.”

While Koman was winning people over, Ava Gardner waited and waited, glancing at the two of them here and there, then looking around indifferently, but she didn't come closer. She knew that her man sometimes didn't want him around when he was talking to his fellow officers.

Koman returned, hands in his pockets, swaying as he walked. Ava Gardner immediately hooked her arm around her man's. Her femme fatale appearance, coupled with her forced, girlish demeanor, was very strange.

The main reason is that after Ava Gardner's rare leave from her year of military service ended, she was preparing to return to North America to promote the Miss World pageant. The plans are almost finalized, with some details added: one evening gown to reflect modern civilization, and one traditional costume to showcase the unique characteristics of each country.

The former is provided by France and has already found a sponsor, while the latter is prepared by itself and is not mandatory.

Because many Western countries, especially the United States, do not have any traditional ethnic costumes, if contestants are asked to prepare their own, they will likely end up with a modern outfit.

As for how Ava Gardner will prepare for the Miss World pageant upon returning to the United States, it's simple: while the pageant is still in the works, she'll hold a Miss America pageant first. And it won't just be in the US; it might go to many other countries in the Americas.

The value of united front work should be used in this way, instead of just having any American official come out and ask Ava Gardner to go to Rome to promote American popcorn movies, and she has to go.

There are standards for beauty pageants. First, the woman must be unmarried, and second, she cannot have undergone cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery exists in this era, but it hasn't reached the point of altering the face. However, double eyelid surgery has begun to appear, which should definitely be prohibited.

Cosmetic surgery can only transform an unattractive face into a statically attractive one; it's completely unnecessary for truly beautiful women. Cosmetic surgery has also ruined the faces of many celebrities, such as Hedy Lamarr.

As people age, the side effects of cosmetic surgery will also become apparent. Based on Corman's understanding of Hollywood actresses of this era, the only one whose beauty remains striking even in old age is silent film queen Greta Garbo.

Although Greta Garbo looked older than her age when she was young, she hardly changed before the age of sixty, except for the appearance of wrinkles.

Back in Paris on vacation, Corman celebrated with Philippe de Gaulle, congratulating him on his promotion to captain, just one step away from major.

Philippe de Gaulle stated that Koeman deserved credit for this, and that the aircraft carrier design was very satisfactory to supporters of the aircraft carrier movement, with the angled flight deck design also attracting the interest of the British and American navies.

Koeman stated that this had nothing to do with him, and he dared not take credit for the reason that it had attracted attention. The angled deck aircraft carrier was originally conceived by the Royal Navy and was later adopted by the US Navy.

Having completed the angled-deck aircraft carrier design and received approval from the British and American navies, Koeman felt that a Richelieu-sized aircraft carrier wouldn't be a problem and would certainly appear much earlier than expected. His reasoning was simple: when he presented the design to Philippe de Gaulle, he referenced a widely circulated story—de Gaulle's theory of armored warfare.

In the 1920s, General de Gaulle proposed the theory of armored warfare, advocating the establishment of an armored force that combines mobility and firepower, and to achieve annihilation through rapid breakthroughs in enemy defenses and flanking maneuvers.

In his book "Establishing a Professional Army," published in the 1930s, he proposed the idea of ​​"selecting personnel to form mechanized assault forces."

Regardless of whether this story assumes that adopting De Gaulle's advice would have changed the outcome of France being slit by Germany, this story is flawed.

But one thing is certain: Germany's sweeping conquest of Europe during World War II was indeed due to its armored formations. France's victory or defeat did not prevent Germany from proving de Gaulle's advice.

In a different context, Philippe de Gaulle has now produced a classic angled-deck aircraft carrier design, which has already received high praise from the British and American navies.

At this point, does France intend to repeat General de Gaulle's story through his son Philippe de Gaulle? Is France going to do nothing and let the British and American navies prove its success?
If the British and American navies actually confirm their success, the French Navy will surely follow in the footsteps of the French Army and become the subject of new jokes about France.

Even for this reason, as long as financial conditions permit, France will try its best to catch up with the first group, even if it cannot build an angled-deck aircraft carrier before the United States.

Koeman believes that France has definitely deviated from its original path, and that at least a carrier no smaller than the British Eagle-class carriers will replace the 20,000-ton Clemenceau-class carriers, which are only usable, and will be available to the French Navy for a considerable period of time.

This would give them more flexibility in choosing carrier-based aircraft.

Two days later, a Syrian military delegation arrived in Egypt, led by Colonel Saleh. Just as Martin had been told, their purpose was clear: to seek help from France.

The Syrian delegation members, who were still wearing French military uniforms, briefly visited the open French military facilities before heading straight to General Dragon.

"Lady Adile? Did you take money?" Koman was particularly suspicious of this stepmother's background at this moment, because he had heard Admiral Dragon talk about similar pillow talk.

"No, I just saw that they were all your father's subordinates," Adile quickly denied, hoping to dispel Koman's suspicions.

“There’s no best option. Syria is now independent, and its relationship with France is not what it used to be. Traditional influence factors are not enough to get France involved in a war.” Koeman still decided to give the lady of the house a warning; there are some things she shouldn’t say.

"Brother." Claire said in a childish voice, reaching out her little hand to Coman and waving it haphazardly, trying to get the attention of this unfamiliar older brother.

"Here comes the little princess." Koman reached out and picked up his little sister, rocking her tiny body. The little girl giggled.

Meanwhile, at the French Army General Staff, listening to Colonel Saleh address him as Commander-in-Chief, General Dragon felt the veins in his forehead throbbing. "It's not that France doesn't want to get involved, but now that the US is funding the Marshall Plan and there are agencies monitoring where that funding goes, the government won't risk a direct confrontation with the US."

“Commander-in-Chief, the Syrian army is now under your command.” Colonel Saleh knew that General Dragon’s words made sense, but what else could he do?

"The Arab countries have no idea that this ceasefire agreement is actually buying time for Israel. European countries will not join the Arab side because they all received aid from the Marshall Plan. I can transfer a batch of ammunition, but I can't do anything about weapons."

General Dragon explained the difficulties faced by European countries; this was all he could do, and it was all because the other side addressed him as Commander-in-Chief. "We must take the Golan Heights defense line seriously. It was originally designed to counter the British, and although it wasn't ultimately used, as long as the Golan Heights stand, Syria will naturally have the upper hand against Israel. Another suggestion is..."

"What is it?" Colonel Saleh didn't interrupt intentionally, he just couldn't help himself.

"The Arab League must immediately establish a joint command; this is the most important thing you should be doing during the ceasefire," General Dragon said solemnly.

(End of this chapter)