Chapter 544 Target: Sultan’s Palace
The Russian Empire has many enemies, but fighting against the Ottoman Empire does not require mobilization.
From 1676 to 1911, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire had been fighting for a full 235 years, from flintlock guns to heavy machine guns. This was the real feud.
Calculated at 20 years per generation, the hatred between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire has accumulated for 12 generations.
Varna is only 250 kilometers away from Constantinople. When the Russian Empire’s letter of challenge was sent to the Ottoman Empire’s legation, the first batch of bombers had already flown over Constantinople.
Constantinople was founded in 658 BC. In 330 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine I moved the capital here and named the city after himself. In 1453, Constantinople became the Ottoman Empire 's capital.
In the Tenth Russo-Turkish War, if the British had not sailed their fleet to the Dardanelles Strait, the Russian Empire would have had a chance to seize Constantinople, but unfortunately it fell short in the end.
George used the reinforcement fleet to block the Dardanelles Strait in order to prevent possible interference from Britain and France.
If it can be prevented, Britain and France will definitely not want to see the Russian Empire seize the Black Sea outlet.
However, Britain and France are not so tough that they will risk everything for the Black Sea outlet.
In another time and space, in 1916, Britain, France, and Russia signed the Treaty of Sazonov-Sykes-Picot. The Russian Empire used its interests in the Arab region in exchange for Britain and France to agree to the Russian Empire's occupation of the Black Sea outlet.
Similar to the Tenth Russo-Turkish War, this is the best time for the Russian Empire to seize the Black Sea outlet.
Unfortunately, the troops attacking Constantinople had not yet set off, and the Russian Empire collapsed.
For the vast majority of Ottomans, airplanes were a strange new thing, and bombers were unheard of.
Although the Ottoman army in North Africa has been bombed by the Italian Air Force, the Ottoman Empire has not yet begun research in this area. Constantinople is a completely undefended city for the bomber group.
Vladivostok's heavy bomber adopts a bi-wing structure, uses four engines, has a maximum bomb load of 800 kilograms, and a range of 600 kilometers. The aircraft is equipped with four heavy machine guns, which can be used not only for air self-defense, but also for attacking ground targets.
The first wave of bombers dispatched by George included as many as 50 aircraft. In addition to aerial bombs, the planes also carried incendiary bombs for indiscriminate bombing of Constantinople.
Since the Ottoman Empire did not have anti-aircraft weapons, the flying altitude of the bombers was maintained at about 500 meters.
Within the naval aviation, simulated bombings of Constantinople have been carried out many times. The crews have long been familiar with all the key units. In order to achieve the best effect, the bombers are divided into 11 squads. Bombing of important targets in Constantinople was carried out.
The first team led by Captain Sikorski was responsible for bombing the palace, consisting of 4 bombers.
"I feel so sad when I think that so many rare treasures will be burned to ashes in the raging fire!"
Sikorski was very excited. His plane was filled with high-quality treasures. Explosive bombs and incendiary bombs, each bomb has a greeting handwritten by the ground crew officers and soldiers.
Eight high-explosive bombs and eight incendiary bombs, each weighing 50 kilograms, can cause devastating damage to a palace-shaped building with just one.
The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire enjoyed things more than the Czar. The Sultan’s palace reached 700,000 square meters, which was comparable to a small city, and there was more than one such palace in Constantinople.
"God bless, I hope the Sultan will stay in his palace."
Ivanovich, the co-pilot who served as the navigator, prayed devoutly. Thinking that the Sultan might die in his hands, Ivanovich trembled with excitement.
“Even if he escaped this time, he will not be able to escape the next time.” Sikorski served as a test pilot in the Amur Military District. During the Russo-Japanese War, Sikorski served as an airship unit Member, carried out bombing of Japan.
The Ottomans had indeed never seen an airplane, at least not a bomber.
Through the portholes, you can clearly see that most of the Ottomans stayed where they were like fools, looking up at the plane at a loss.
Finally, someone noticed the double-headed eagle logo under the bomber's wing. Some people actually raised their guns and fired like the bomber. Unfortunately, at this distance, they couldn't hit anything.
In a battle in North Africa a few days ago, an Italian Air Force plane was wounded by an Ottoman soldier using a rifle, setting a first record of shame.
Soon, Sikorski led the first team to fly over the Ottoman Palace.
After Ivanovich confirmed that the target was correct, the plane piloted by Sikorski opened the door first and dropped all the bombs.
At this time in Constantinople, the ground was full of fire, smoke was rising into the sky, and the heat wave from the ground could be felt in the bomber.
Sikorski did not linger over Constantinople, and returned immediately after clearing all the bombs. If you hurry up, you can do it again.
When the naval aviation bombed Constantinople, the reinforcement fleet bombarded the forts on both sides of the Dardanelles Strait, and prepared to send troops to land in the Dardanelles Strait to cooperate with the fleet attack.
The Dardanelles Strait is 61 kilometers long and the narrowest point is only 1.2 kilometers. Without the cooperation of the landing force, the reinforcement fleet entering the Dardanelles Strait rashly is courting death.
Rakitsky did not have many troops to send, and there were only 1,500 troops available for landing operations.
However, arriving at the Dardanelles with the reinforcement fleet, there is also an infantry division from the Kingdom of Greece. This infantry division will also be used for landing operations.
Regarding Rakitski's plan, Greek Crown Prince Constantine expressed firm opposition, believing that the troops were not prepared for landing operations and would be in desperate situation if they rashly landed in the Dardanelles Strait.
After the Military Alliance Coup of 1909, Crown Prince Constantine was relieved of all military duties.
After the outbreak of the Balkan War, Constantine was appointed commander-in-chief of the Army of the Kingdom of Greece, and occupied Thessaloniki before the Kingdom of Bulgaria. This was Constantine's glorious moment.
"The main forces of the Ottomans are in Constantinople. As long as our troops land, we can take the Dardanelles."
Rakitsky is not distressed and is ready The sailors who landed were all Japanese, standard cannon fodder.
Cossacks are too tall and are not suitable for serving on warships.
The Japanese soldiers were not only short in stature, but also hard-working, extremely patient and obedient. Like the Korean sailors, they were deeply loved by Rakitsky.
"I will never send my soldiers to die!"
Constantin was determined. When he was robbing Thessaloniki, he ran faster than anyone else.
But when it comes to cooperating with the reinforcement fleet, Constantine is a bit passive.
(End of this chapter)