Chapter 133
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: The Fall of the Giant (3)
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Brigadier General Billy Mitchell.
Think of him as the most famous aviator in America right now.
The Air Force still had a long way to go before becoming an independent branch. At best, it had leveled up from the Signal Corps' aviation section to the Air Service, but it hadn't made it to Air Corps or Air Force yet.
In this situation, Mitchell served as the number two in the Army Air Service, as deputy chief, and was more aggressively combative than anyone else... a real fighting cock.
During the Great War, he'd commanded the Army's aircraft, and afterward, he became completely obsessed with aviation, constantly preaching that air power would be the key to future wars.
Yeah, he definitely had vision.
But this was the guy who'd become buddies with MacArthur. There's that old saying about going to Gangnam if your friend does, or birds of a feather flock together.
Billy Mitchell's personality was just as charming.
"Future wars will be decided by air power."
"Britain has already established the Royal Air Force separately, recognizing its independence from the Army and Navy. We can't lag behind the global trend."
"If Japan attacks us, their first strike will definitely be a surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor with massive air forces. We need to prepare for it now!"
Damn, a prophet was among us.
Up to here, it's all good. It's truly admirable that someone like him existed.
But if it ended there, I wouldn't have needed to get involved in the first place, right?
Mitchell's temperament was as prickly as silk embroidery thread.
I sent letters to my old aviation buddies—McNaney, Straightmeyer, and Harmon—after a while, and the replies were a sight to behold.
"This bastard, contacting us after getting promoted just to ask about his curiosities?"
"Don't live like that, you stingy prick~"
"$5 if you're curious."
Sons of bitches.
Yeah, these were the guys I knew. I was worried they'd gone soft from too much time in service, but nope, same as ever.
Only after shedding a few more tears on the stationery did I finally get the info I wanted.
"Billy Mitchell? Forget about him. If only he'd ditch that temper of his."
"Arrogant, overbearing, thinks he's always right."
"Don't forget racist too."
The common thread was "smart but a total asshole personality"... sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it? Birds of a feather, indeed.
But soldiers gotta badmouth when badmouthed.
"Welcome! I've heard so much about you from Douglas."
"It's an honor to be welcomed by the star of aviation. Nice to meet you, Eugene Kim."
Brigadier General Billy Mitchell was cheerful, and at least he had the basic manners not to call me a yellow monkey to my face. That was enough.
But it didn't take long for my modest expectations to shatter.
"I've been curious since you said you were coming. Are you here as Doug's friend, or as the Chief of Staff's aide?"
"Both. Both of them wanted to see you, Brigadier General."
His expression turned profoundly ambiguous.
"Doug probably sent you to talk me down a bit, and those stuck-up old fogeys sent you to shut my mouth, right?"
Are you a ghost? No, someone who knows it all shouldn't just blurt it out like that.
"Come on, since you're here, hear me out. Once you do, you'll realize how thoughtful, rational, and absolutely essential my proposal is—something that needs implementing right now!"
"Ah, yes..."
"The future belongs to those who seize the skies. We all learned the importance of air superiority in the Great War, but that was just the beginning.
Air superiority isn't just tactical advantage. Can the Army or Navy burn down the enemy's capital or destroy their industrial zones? Only an independent air force can do that. It's far better to shatter the enemy's will and capacity to wage war with overwhelming bombing than shoving millions into trenches for meaningless deaths!"
His insights were sharp, no doubt.
But... is that even feasible in this era?
He was right about the future, but in my view, it was way too distant. It was like me preaching about the internet age right now—pointless.
Look at World War II in the original history. The Allies seized air superiority and turned Germany into a sea of fire, but no bombing broke Hitler's or the Nazis' will. It took the Soviet flood crashing into Germany's spine to do that.
The era of strategic bombing he envisioned wouldn't arrive until World War III with nukes flying freely, or maybe the Gulf War in original history.
Even though it was far off, his efforts and passion, combined with his massive ego, confidence, and media battles, were already sparking huge conflicts.
"Those incompetent Navy bastards still deny the age of aircraft and obsess over building more of those obsolete battleships. The Army's the same! How can they not see the flow of the times?"
"Heh, but didn't the last defense act at least solidify aviation's position a bit more?"
"What are you talking about? That was a dirty compromise! 'Take this and get lost.' It's the cowards afraid of the air force era colluding with politicians to stifle progress."
"Hahaha..."
"I've heard you have pretty open eyes yourself. You submitted an aviation report during the war. So why are you obsessed with toys like tanks? If you have a brain and eyes, it's obvious. With the budget for 100 tanks, 10 bombers could wipe them out in one go!"
This bastard?
Can't even grasp the era, playing with firecrackers, and dares insult my precious baby tanks?
I thought we shared the pain of scraping for non-existent budgets, but to Uncle Mitchell, tanks were just greedy parasites sucking up aviation funds.
Ah, screw MacArthur friendship or whatever. I'm done.
"Haha. Hahaha. Doesn't every weapon have its own use?"
"What? Even if I spell it out, you don't get it. Think about guns. When firearms appeared, didn't bows, spears, swords—all obsolete weapons—get pushed aside?
Just like that, the obsolete Army and Navy branches will be swept away by the new era of the air force. If you still don't understand this simple truth—"
After stacking up frustration from his monologue, I returned to the War Department in D.C. and immediately met Chief of Staff Hines.
"So, how was Brigadier General Mitchell?"
"He wants to bury the Army and build an air force cathedral on top."
"That bastard really..."
Sorry, but I need to live too, right? He wasn't even wrong.
Firecrackers aren't just simple arson; they're a dignified extreme sport full of humor and tradition. If we both burn together, I'm an arsonist accomplice, not a firecracker player.
In that sense, I couldn't join his reckless mouth turning the entire Army and Navy against him. He pissed me off in just 10 minutes.
Even if helping Mitchell led to good results, it'd birth an air force obsessed with strategic bombing. I don't need that crap.
What I—and the Army facing future WWII—need isn't a specialized air force lost in stone-age ground support fantasies.
Better to cozy up to Arnold, who'll become Air Force Chief of Staff later. We have past ties, so time to rekindle.
MacArthur knew that and asked me to intervene, but sadly, that guy's beyond saving. Not even trying to escape the grave—he's digging deeper!
"Whatever."
"You're really not taking any measures? At least in public opinion outside the military, Mitchell has the upper hand."
"What can we do? His term ends in March, and that's it."
Chief of Staff Hines's tone was quite firm.
Recently, Mitchell had lumped them up in Congress as "incompetent traitors," landing him on newspaper headlines as incompetent overnight. No wonder he was pissed.
Hell, Mitchell had trashed Pershing too for being incompetent and ignoring new tech. I don't disagree, but at least I wouldn't do it surrounded by crowds and reporters.
Wishing "Unlucky Eugene Kim" Billy Mitchell peace in the afterlife, I took the thick stack of documents General Hines slid over.
"Forget that. You have a lot to review."
"What's all this...?"
"What else? To beg Congress for funds, we need a thorough field survey. You'll assess units nationwide and write the reports."
"Isn't this too much for a mere major...?"
"Nonsense. Who could match the accuracy of the Amiens hero's on-site reports? Where else is there talent like you in unit organization? Even Major Marshall praised your abilities. No excuses—get to it."
Marrrrrshall!!
While cursing him—probably laughing it up with his wife on a ship to China—Hines continued in a calm voice tinged with amusement.
"And you, I hear you like starting all sorts of ventures."
"No, sir. My family handles them, and I never abuse my authority—"
"Sure, sure. Let's say that. What's wrong with soldiers making the weapons troops need most? Don't sweat the small stuff. The point is, you developed the most needed weapon at the perfect time for our men."
Something smells like money.
The scent of business. A reward for my efforts?
"Once we boot Billy Mitchell, his aviation pals will be furious. Any interest in aircraft development?"
"Of course. Not Mitchell's extreme air power supremacy, but aircraft will clearly become core Army strength."
"Can't offer official support. Bluntly, develop it with your family's funds. It'll take time—okay with that?"
Even if it means vows to the king of hell, it's a wish granted. Exactly what I wanted.
Better than getting tangled in supply scandals. Winning business on merit is way better.
"I'm no businessman, so discussions first. As you said, it's not a cheap one- or two-day job..."
"Not ordering you now. Exactly: I want a way to soothe pissed-off aviation friends. Bait them lightly, or have your family jump into aircraft manufacturing—you're free to choose."
Hey, come on.
Start small like a mid-sized company, then hunt big firms during the Depression.
Since we're at it, dabble in Army, Navy, Air Force all a bit.
Brother's got cash. Nothing scares me now!