Radar coverage had been badly hit, with losses in sets and trained staff quite high. These small installations seemed to have come in for particular attention from Soviet infiltrators and paratroopers.
Clearly, the Soviets saw reducing the allied air force capability as crucial, something neither of the two generals could deny.
Before the list had been fully read, another one arrived in the hands of a young and obviously nervous army officer, this time reflecting losses in general supply, ammunition and POL. Ike gestured for the Captain to hand it directly to Bradley and continued reading.
Squadrons deploying home had been untouched and quite a number were still in France and available for the following days actions. Others could be returned from the UK to be ready for Wednesday.
The air force Colonel who stood waiting beside Eisenhower was instructed to ask Tedder to work out a basing plan for all the squadrons that would return to his command, allowing for the further advance of the Soviet army for the next five days.
As the officer strode briskly away Bradley’s sigh got his full attention.
Eisenhower’s lighter flared as Bradley indicated a piece of paper in his hand.
“You’ve seen the report from Kransberg I assume?”
Eisenhower grimaced, as the list of the dead and wounded represented some stellar leadership talent lost to him.
“Yes Brad. Shocking. They hurt us there.”
A deep draw on his cigarette covered his emotions.
“Deputies in place of course. I shall be writing to the family’s first chance I get.”
Nodding his understanding, Bradley set aside that awful report, confirming the deaths of three US and one British Corps and four US Divisional Commanders. Two more Divisional commanders, one each from the British and the French had also succumbed. Moving to a different file, he raised an eyebrow in enquiry.
“OK Brad, let me have the good news.”
“In short, there is little except to say that we have reasonable supplies throughout Europe that will ensure we will be able to function. Attacks on the PLUTO facilities have reduced the supply of gas for everything but we won’t notice that for a little while as we still have some stockpiles left. Some are gone, by air raid or commando attack. You will not be surprised to learn that air force supplies were a favourite.”
Eisenhower almost winced and motioned Bradley to go on.
“Aircraft munitions are greatly reduced. Airfields that received visits from the reds all seem to have their stockpiles prioritised for destruction and it seems few of our air units retain enough bombs, rockets, and ammunition. We can get more to them all but it will take time. We can get that firmed up but I suspect that we will be told that offensively the air force is out for two-three days minimum, what with losses in machines and pilots as well.”
Bradley read on as Eisenhower informed him about the transit squadrons in France.
Nodding Bradley quoted from the piece he was just reading.
“The report says we can do some offensive ops with the French based units but to continue them we need to marry the aircraft up with stocks in munitions and POL.” Taking his eyes away from the report, Bradley paused for thought.
“If we can it will be nice but we will need to give the ground attack boys cover with fighters. Can’t afford any more losses.”
“We will find plenty of work for those poor boys tomorrow and the days to follow. And we will make sure they are covered. Arthur will be working on that Brad.”
Coffee arrived and the two rested their legs in two comfortable chairs facing the map.
“So, I don’t think we were too far off the mark with our predictions this morning, do you Brad?”
“No sir,” His comment punctuated by a sip of scalding coffee, “Hamburg was an easy one to call. Cuts Denmark and a lot of the Brits off. Atlantic access too, so let’s say Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven possibly.”
Gesturing with his mug, he described the lines in the centre of Germany.
“There they can go anywhere they want but I will bet the farm that they are after the Ruhr and the Rhine beyond that.”
Eisenhower nodded, not yet courageous enough to sample his drink but savouring the rich aroma none the less.
Taking the mug away from his face, he spoke in general terms.
“A countrywide attack to find weaknesses, push us back on as broad a front as possible, clog the roads with refugees and to burn up as much of our supply as possible manoeuvring backwards. Destruction of our ground-attack capability so we cannot interfere with them as much as we would like. No-one ever said the Reds were stupid did they?”
“That they certainly ain’t Ike, but there are some questions here.”
Ike ventured his lips to the mug and encouraged Bradley to carry on.
“They haven’t touched the bomber force; maybe they couldn’t or didn’t have enough assets. I would have tried at least. Why is that?”
Coffee mug placed on the period table set between the two chairs, Ike cleared his throat and then fed his nicotine habit once more.
“That’s occurred to me too Brad. Incredibly, I believe they don’t see them as a huge problem. Their use tactically is limited without planning and control, and we have lost so much of that control capability. Secondly, strategically, I am unsure if we can bomb the Urals or beyond but you can bet your bottom dollar they have worked out what they are risking to our mainstream bomber force and it’s acceptable to them.”
Bradley nodded, as this was the conclusion he had also arrived at.
“The Russians will have cities we can bomb and sure as hell we can bomb infrastructure like bridges and rail yards. I reckon they expect they can absorb the casualties, which we would have to say they can, and I guarantee you that they already have their supplies stockpiled near at hand and it would be the very devil to find. Another reason for their big hit on tac-air, limiting our ability to interfere with their resupply. Main bomber force can hit these dumps but I would be surprised if they are overly concentrated and not comprising smaller dumps nearer to the points of delivery.”
Eisenhower’s eyes narrowed as if something had just illuminated his thoughts, which it had.
“Mind you, they don’t actually have a bomber force of heavies like we have, do they?”
Bradley understood it was a rhetorical question and so left his commander to continue.
“You might think they would have learned a little from the use we got outta them during Normandy operations.”
For a second or two both men developed glazed eyes as their minds raced ahead.
“When we go back at them then we can look at that, given time to get the control systems back online. In the meantime, I think we should scare up some plan to use them in support of defence as best we can.”
“Or.”
“Or if Intelligence can find us something worth bombing then we will attack it. Command and control and the like.”
Bradley commented mischievously.
“Tedder and his tribe will be busy.”
Air-Chief Marshall Arthur Tedder was Ike’s number two and was already snowed under, having been given responsibility for cleaning up the air mess, as well as developing allied offensive air capability as quickly as possible.
“We all will be Brad, especially you I think. I have something in mind for you.”
That obviously got the General’s full attention.
“You and your army are the best I got, and on you falls the bigger burden here.”