World War II: Starting with the defeat of the Desert Fox

Chapter 49 Emperor Alfred the Great

Thorne was unaware of these matters and did not believe that the previously mentioned theory of infantry-tank cooperation would have much of an impact.

The weakness of the British military is a structural problem. They have been the world's number one and the global hegemon for too long, which has made them think they can continue like this indefinitely. They are always unwilling to break their old habits and stay in their comfort zone.

Therefore, the British tank warfare was completely wrong in terms of equipment, tactics, and soldiers, and did not match the actual battlefield.

This cannot be changed by a few words; they tend to let it go in one ear and out the other, or they might give it a brief thought but stop when faced with real-world difficulties.

Thorne was being interviewed by reporters at the time because of the air battle at the barrel factory.

There is a tiered conference room on the first floor of the command post, which Montgomery usually uses for meetings with officers, but it is now being used temporarily to receive reporters.

The camera flashes went off one after another as reporters bombarded reporters with questions:

"Captain, have you studied air combat before? Otherwise, how could you have set up a trap that the Air Force called 'perfect'?"

"Captain, do you have any intelligence channels that allow you to anticipate the enemy's flight paths and tactics?"

"Behind this victory, what untold hardships and sacrifices did you endure?"

……

Thorne was a little nervous during the last interview, but this time he was completely unconcerned.

It wasn't because of experience, but because I had actually experienced death on the battlefield, watching my comrades die beside me, watching their lives being slowly taken away by death.

If you've experienced that kind of fear, and then stand here facing this scene again, you'll realize how ridiculous it was to be afraid of reporters and cameras before.

"I haven't studied aerial combat," Thorne said, tossing the manuscript aside.

That was written by Montgomery's staff beforehand, and every sentence was carefully considered.

Today, Montgomery also mentioned: "We must also consider the centripetal force of the colonies; some of them think Britain is finished and are getting restless. You have to slap these guys in the face!"

But this has little to do with Thorne.

"The reason I was able to set this trap," Thorne replied, "is at least partly because the barrel factory was run by my father."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Degangan, who had been standing by with a smile, froze on his face the moment he turned to Thorne in astonishment and gave him a sharp look.

What's wrong with this guy?

I told him he absolutely couldn't tell anyone about this, lest people think he was "using his position for personal gain."

But Thorne ignored him.

This can't be hidden, sir.

Shell knew this, and so did those aristocratic councilors; they were happy to use this to shatter Thorne's glorious image.

Rather than having it exposed by someone else, it's better to be open and honest about it yourself, leaving the enemy with nowhere to run.

After a pause, Thorne continued:

"Yes, you heard me right, that's my father's barrel factory. He just bought it."

"My father and I are working to improve the logistics of the military."

"We sell fuel to the military at a very low profit margin, which is much lower than the normal price, which is enough to prove that we are not in it for the money."

These are facts and verifiable, and Thorne wasn't worried about reporters digging deeper, so he conveniently made a mess of things.

"Because only in this way." Thorne gradually raised his voice:

"Only then can we be free from the threat of death, achieve true peace, and live ordinary lives!"

"I believe this is what most of us would like to see."

"I am not a hero, I am just an ordinary person who wants to live an ordinary life, that's all."

The meeting room fell silent for a long while; the reporters even forgot to take pictures.

Then, someone started applause in the conference room. At first, there were only a few scattered applause, but soon it became a wave of applause.

Degang breathed a sigh of relief, and his smile returned.

This guy isn't just good at fighting, Degangan thought; he's practically God's Alfred.

(The image above shows Alfred the Great of England, who led the English people to resist the Viking conquest, unified the English kings, and for the first time brought together the concept of the "England" nation, shaping the prototype of modern Britain.)

At this moment, a reporter took the opportunity to squeeze out of the crowd, holding a notebook and pen, wearing wide-rimmed glasses, with a neatly parted hairstyle and hair wax.

Thorne recognized him; he was a reporter for the Royal Air Force News.

"Captain," he said, pen and paper in hand, ready to take notes, then looked up at Thorne. "What role do you think the air force plays in a war?"

Thorne was somewhat surprised; his question was irrelevant and seemed to have nothing to do with his heroic deeds.

Well, Thorne thought, maybe he wanted to use this opportunity to elevate the status of the Air Force.

Thorne, give me some face:

"I believe the Air Force plays a bigger role than most people realize."

"Its role is not limited to the main battlefield, but also includes reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and attacking enemy supply lines, among other things."

"It often plays a decisive role in a war."

That's the truth, but most people in this era don't realize it.

The Air Force reporter's pen flew across his notebook as he jotted down notes. After Thorne finished speaking, he nodded in satisfaction and followed up with his next question: "So, Captain, do you feel you can make a greater positive contribution to the war effort in the Air Force or the Army?"

Thorne was instantly stunned; he felt as if he had fallen into an elaborate trap.

"I'm not sure," Thorne replied, "because I don't know much about the Air Force."

An Air Force reporter immediately retorted, "But you were able to exploit the weaknesses of enemy aircraft to set a trap for them!"

"That's just..." Thorne tried to brush it off: "Sometimes you need a lot of luck, and I think I've had some luck."

The reporters laughed, thinking Thorne was being modest.

The Air Force reporter persisted in asking:

"If you could play a greater role in the Royal Air Force."

"I mean, to enable you and everyone else to realize the dream of peace sooner and faster."

What would you choose?

Thorne smiled and shook his head: "I have no choice. I'm even afraid of heights. If I were to fly a plane, I might scare myself to death!"

The reporters were amused.

But then a voice rang out from the crowd:

"I'm not sure if what you're saying is true, Captain."

"But if you're willing to become an Air Force staff officer, this isn't a problem."

"This position does not require you to fly aircraft in combat."

The speaker was a major general, an air force major general.

Thorne then realized that this was indeed a trap, a trap set by the Air Force to undermine him.

Degangan's expression changed, and his gaze towards the major general became hostile.

Under these circumstances, how could they openly snatch people from the army?

That doesn't seem quite right for you, General Corningham.