The Rise Of A Billionaire 1943

Do you want to bomb Tokyo?

Right at this very moment!

I dream about it!

For Roosevelt, every bomb dropped on Tokyo is an invaluable piece of propaganda—and it's also his guarantee to defeat Dewey.

Although Pierre's voice wasn't loud, it still caught Roosevelt's attention.

"Pierre, do you have a suggestion?"

"It's not a suggestion, Mr. President. It's technology," Pierre replied with a smile.

"I'd like to show you a movie."

Soon, in the White House screening room, Roosevelt and several generals sat on the sofa, their eyes fixed on the screen, not wanting to miss a single detail.

Aerial refueling!

As the refueling plane in the movie completed its task and the two aircraft disengaged, Pierre stood up to explain.

"Mr. President, an aerial refueling tanker can refuel at a rate of 300 gallons per minute. With aerial refueling, the range of long-distance bombers can be increased by more than 30%. Last year, the US military recaptured Attu Island from the Japanese. If we can build an airfield on Attu, our bombers could use aerial refueling to bomb the Japanese mainland—including Tokyo."

Attu Island!

It's the westernmost island in Alaska's Aleutian chain. It was once occupied by the Japanese and called "Hoten Island." Last May, US forces fought fiercely to retake Attu, and it was here that the Japanese first fought to the bitter end, "gyokusai." After that, they kept getting shattered, until finally they were shattered into peace—nuclear peace, that is.

Attu Island was the base Pierre chose as the launch point for the US bombing campaign.

"Pierre, is this technology complicated? I mean, in terms of using it," Roosevelt asked. What he really cared about was how long it would take to retrofit and train crews.

"Mr. President, only simple modifications are needed for the aircraft to be put into use. Any skilled pilot can easily accomplish aerial docking," Pierre replied, looking at Roosevelt.

"As is well known, the military originally planned to bomb Japan from Chengdu. But we all know that every drop of fuel and every bomb for bombers taking off from Chengdu must be flown in over 'The Hump.' For every ton of bombs dropped on Japan, eighteen tons of various supplies must be flown to China—and all of it has to be shipped halfway around the world to India first."

"You mean it's not economical to bomb Japan using bases in China?"

The military had emphasized this point repeatedly, but Roosevelt needed bombing Japan to help him defeat Dewey and win the election.

"Yes. If we keep fighting this way, we can forget about winning," Pierre said, pointing to the refueling plane on the screen.

"That's why this is the solution. Of course, it's only temporary. In the future, as we advance step by step, maybe next year we'll occupy some islands suitable for large airfields. But until then, with just one aerial tanker and a few tons of fuel, we can drop bombs on the heart of Japan—in Tokyo!"

At that moment, Pierre felt a surge of indescribable emotion, his heart pounding.

By now, the film had ended. As the lights came up and the generals whispered among themselves, Roosevelt looked at the young man before him, the corners of his mouth lifting to more than sixty degrees.

This young man… he's got something!

"I'll call General Arnold personally. Pierre, get in touch with him. I hope to hear good news soon."

The words seemed to come from a great distance, finally reaching Pierre's ears, sounding like music from heaven. A surge of hot blood rushed to his head.

"Mr. President, you won't be disappointed!"

That night, when Pierre returned to his hotel, he hadn't even had time to shower before receiving a phone call.

"Hello, is this Mr. Pierre?"

"Yes."

"This is Henry 'Hap' Arnold. I'm in your hotel's restaurant. If it's convenient, I hope we can meet tonight."

Arnold was the commander of the US Army Air Forces and deputy chief of staff. He had spearheaded the B-29 bomber program. From the B-17 to the B-29, it was thanks to Arnold's full support that the US built the world's largest long-range bomber force, ultimately bringing destruction to Germany and Japan.

And now, he was downstairs.

"Please wait a moment, I'll be right down!"

A few minutes later, Pierre met Arnold in the hotel restaurant. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Arnold got straight to the point.

"Two hours ago, I got a call from the President. Aerial refueling—he said you've already made this technology practical, is that right?"

Why did Arnold come so quickly?

Not just because of the President's call, but because he didn't agree with using Chengdu as a base to bomb Japan.

Not because it was too expensive, but because bombers from Chengdu couldn't reach Tokyo!

Bombing Tokyo!

That's what really mattered!

"Yes."

"The President said the combat radius can be increased by 30%, is that right?"

"At least."

"Excellent."

From Attu Island to Tokyo is 3,200 kilometers, while the B-29's combat radius is 2,600 kilometers—30%... it can almost cover the entirety of Japan!

In an instant, Arnold made his decision.

"Bring your planes and technology to Washington. If it works, we'll adopt your proposal."

"General, you won't be disappointed."

Many times, things can move forward even more smoothly than imagined—sometimes all it takes is a single phone call to resolve everything.

The next morning, two DC-2 aircraft took off from New York and flew directly to Washington. That very afternoon, they performed an aerial refueling demonstration for high-ranking Pentagon officials, including General Arnold. After the planes landed, the Army Air Forces almost immediately placed an order for 100 refueling units and 100 sets of receiver equipment.

As for the company's two DC-2s, the Air Force bought them at the high price of $150,000 to be used for pilot aerial refueling training. As compensation, the Air Force transferred six B-17s to the company for aerial refueling experiments and further research.

Although they weren't B-29s, this still made the Cobham Company the world's largest private user of B-17 bombers overnight. Even though these planes were for research, they still retained military equipment, including the Norden bombsight.

Actually, compared to the B-17, Pierre wanted the DC-4s even more. After all, they were civilian aircraft, and for "human-powered" cargo transport, civilian planes were preferable. Besides, the DC-4's range was long enough. But in those days, you couldn't be picky.

Soon, Cobham delivered the first batch of aerial refueling and receiving equipment to the military. While Boeing was modifying the B-29s, heavy machinery shipped from the mainland to Attu Island was already upgrading the airfield there.

Bombing Tokyo.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion...