Father of France

Chapter 271 The French System Has Problems

On the runways of an airport in western Germany, rows of C-54 Skybreakers and C-47 transport planes, like crouching behemoths, stretched their wings in the hazy morning light.

One after another, the engines of these steel eagles roared to life, powerful blasts of air erupting from behind their propellers and scattering dust from the ground. The first C-54 at the end of the runway began to slide; its fuselage was heavy, loaded with flour and milk powder.

Acceleration and takeoff were completed in one smooth motion, followed by the second, the third... They taxied and took off in sequence at intervals accurate to the second.

The voices from the control tower were orderly and methodical. The transport planes at other airports were no different from those here. These transport planes had only one destination: West Berlin, which had been cut off from the outside world by the Soviet army.

The British and American air forces must guarantee 160 transport missions per day, delivering at least 2,000 tons of various supplies to ensure the livelihoods of two million West Berlin residents.

The last time the Germans saw such a large and massive formation of aircraft was during the strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Britain and the United States. Several years later, the significance was completely different. The steel eagles soared high, and Britain and the United States used their unparalleled air superiority to build a steel bridge over Germany.

West Berlin was filled with anxiety, its citizens unsure of their future. Apart from broadcasts from East Berlin to West Berlin, the entire city was eerily silent.

Suddenly, a continuous humming sound came from the western horizon. People looked up in unison and stopped what they were doing. The massive C-47 transport plane seemed to be flying so low that those below could almost see the U.S. military insignia on its fuselage.

Then came the second, the third… They formed a flowing steel bridge, and at that moment the broadcast from the West Berlin garrison base sounded, as if in response to the Soviet broadcast from East Berlin: “The free world will not give up on guaranteeing all the needs of the two million citizens of Berlin, and will use resolute air action to retaliate against the Soviet Union’s tyrannical blockade.”

Throughout West Berlin, citizens who heard the broadcast erupted in cheers, many with tears in their eyes, jumping up and down on the spot. If Koeman had seen this, he would have thought the general was nearby.

Every few minutes, a plane would roar over the city, bringing flour, milk powder, coal, medicine, and even candy for children. The roar of engines became the background noise of West Berlin, making the broadcasts from the Soviet command in Germany, which claimed all responsibility to the Americans, seem utterly powerless in comparison.

The world is ultimately materialistic, and the Soviet Union should have known this best. When the massive steel eagle took flight, the helpless Soviet Red Army became so powerless.

At the airport where British and American transport planes landed, thousands of ordinary Berliners—teachers, shop assistants, housewives, and students—formed a long human chain, using their hands to pass sacks and wooden crates from the cabin to trucks.

In Paris, the French capital, Koeman, who had finished his vacation because British treasure had come at his invitation, came out to recover his strength when he heard about the outbreak of the Berlin Crisis, the Soviet Union's blockade of Berlin, and the United States' immediate countermeasures using strategic transport. A thoughtful look flashed across his face. "So the United States completed its countermeasures plan and began to act in less than half a day? What terrifying military power."

The Soviet Union would not be able to accomplish this kind of airlift mission for at least twenty years, until the Il-76 transport aircraft entered service in large numbers.

Koeman doubted whether the United States in the 21st century could achieve the strategic airlift that the United States did in 1948. After comparing the two in his mind, he tended to think that... it couldn't.

Currently, the two major air power nations in the world conducting strategic airlift are the United States and Britain. The United States is relatively better off. What is Britain like in the 21st century? I have seen it. It is a country whose military spending is only 10 percent less than that of Russia before the war, which was engaged in special military operations.

Everyone in the Eastern superpower knows that the US military budget is heavily embezzled. The old imperialist powers of Europe are different; the US military budget can be explained by corruption, while Britain, France, and Germany seem to have no military budget at all.

Most importantly, the US-led strategic airlift completed a series of countermeasures on the same day. Before Berlin was blockaded, the Americans thought the Soviet Union had no choice but to accept the status quo.

This is a response to a sudden event. Not only is the United States' military strength formidable, but the top leadership also ensured that the decision-makers could act as if they were on their own.

“It’s truly terrifying.” Martin agreed with Corman’s assessment. Just moments ago, Corman had looked listless and half-asleep, but now he was wide awake. “How do we handle the public opinion now? Can we vouch for the General Staff? The standoff has begun, proving our earlier concerns in France true.”

“Of course, but we need to be smart.” Koeman said as he thought, “We can’t use a dig-and-pull approach, that would only backfire. France’s attitude should be that it is convinced that this action will be successful, but the key point is that this confrontation could have been avoided. We can’t directly mock Britain and the United States for being brainless in order to show our own intelligence.”

Unity among imperialist powers is still important. France is still receiving funds from the Marshall Plan, but considering that trade with the Soviet Union is also ongoing, it would be appropriate to say something moderate, center-right.

“Judging from what the Americans say, I can’t imagine how much investment it will require to continue,” Alan said with admiration. “The operation was brilliant, but it must have cost a fortune, right?” “Last year our military budget was $800 million, which included the suppression of the Madagascar uprising,” Koman said helplessly to his comrade. “So the investment must be enormous.”

The combined investment of the US and UK in the Berlin airlift was enough to cover France's annual military budget. All for West Berlin, a city of two million people—strength is indeed advantageous, Koeman thought enviously.

This industrialized nation, which stands above all other nations, is incomparable to the United States of the 21st century. The America in Koeman's mind is merely a financial nation teetering on the edge of a precipice.

As for Britain, it has already successfully deindustrialized. Apart from a few heirloom-like companies, such as Rolls-Royce, only those who understand military affairs know about them. Ordinary people would not think of any other industries Britain has.

The United States under Trump's second term was weaker than during his first term, and the key turning point was the pandemic.

Putting aside conspiracy theories, the impact of the pandemic on the United States was far greater than that on the major Eastern power. Before the pandemic, the actual purchasing power of the US dollar and the RMB was roughly one to three.

Despite the pandemic, the US economy grew by 36 percent in the four years of the "Sleeping King" election, yet the US was still voted out. This suggests that the purchasing power of the dollar has declined; otherwise, it wouldn't have been voted out.

During Trump's second term, the actual purchasing power of the US dollar and the Chinese yuan could not have been one to three, but Koeman could not calculate exactly one to two points.

The role of the Berlin Airlift project in France was largely that of an observer. France does not have a strategic air force. Fortunately, the Bader team's passenger plane was not yet completed, otherwise France would certainly have been fortunate enough to share a portion of the task, contributing more than 20 million pounds like Britain did, to support the image of the responsible big brother, the United States.

Thinking about it this way, Coman felt much more at ease. At most, he would just provide some aviation fuel and offer some encouragement from the sidelines, which suited France perfectly.

The day after the strategic airlift, British and American transport planes arrived in West Berlin again. Within a day, major French newspapers also unified their statements, confirming that the French General Staff had warned about the crisis caused by the currency reform, praising the French military for its foresight, and making sarcastic remarks that the Berlin crisis could have been avoided.

The conclusion is that although the mistake has been made and a great deal of investment is needed to turn the situation around, with the support of many European countries, victory will ultimately be achieved.

These reports certainly made Britain and the United States uncomfortable, but that's about it. Does it have to be portrayed as the savior of Europe? That doesn't fit France's maverick style.

Even if Taylor, a new generation of British treasure earning a monthly salary of $100,000 and fulfilling his duties, is doing his duty, he cannot say that such reporting is wrong, otherwise he would have to eat a baguette.

For Koeman, a key figure in the political arena, the Berlin Crisis was just a trivial matter. But for most people of that era, it was certainly not the case. With the direct confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union looming large, the hearts of the people of Europe were in their throats.

Their own security issues no longer allow them to bury their heads in the sand; the future of Europe has become a very serious question.

At the end of his leave, Koeman had to invite the newlywed Philippe de Gaulle out for a meal, citing his return to his overseas provinces for military service as the reason. During the meal, he grumbled, not without complaint, "Britain has been pushing us to invite American troops to Europe and join the US-led military alliance. The government has always insisted that Algeria must be included in the collective defense scope as a negotiating condition. Now it seems that, spurred by the Berlin crisis, this military alliance is about to take shape."

“The most worrying thing is that France may be held hostage by Britain and the United States in the future. Did we drive out the Germans just so that the Americans could ride roughshod over us?” Alain, who was usually not very talkative, absolutely could not let Koeman’s words fall flat.

"The French system has serious problems. The parliamentary system is too easily influenced by public opinion. There have been six different governments already." Martin looked indignant. Could these insects possibly manage politics?

“Sigh.” Koeman glanced at the other two members of the Syrian trio and said to Philippe de Gaulle, “They’re talking nonsense. They don’t understand Parisian politics. Actually, we’ve lived abroad for a long time, so we do find elections a bit puzzling. Did they really elect such a government?”

It doesn't matter how Philippe de Gaulle answered, since the words weren't spoken to him, but rather to General de Gaulle, who is certainly present in the narration.

(End of this chapter)