"Your Excellency, this morning's bombing operation has concluded. All 107 targets, large and small, in Maine have been destroyed," reported Major General Günther Korten, Chief of Staff of the Strategic Air Force.
"Very good. It seems we have won our first battle," Marshal Edward Milch said with a satisfied nod.
"Were our losses heavy?" Marshal Edward Milch asked.
The German Air Force hoped to keep the strategic bombing going continuously, at least until the German Army launched its large-scale offensive against the United States. Only then could they weaken the United States' war potential to the greatest possible extent and create more favorable conditions for defeating the United States afterward. Therefore, the Air Force's losses during the bombing had to be kept effectively under control.
"Your Excellency, during this operation, we lost more than two hundred fighters and over one hundred bombers. The Navy's Carrier-based Aircraft Unit also lost more than a hundred carrier-based aircraft," Major General Günther Korten reported.
Marshal Edward Milch could not help frowning. Those losses were fairly substantial.
"Your Excellency, this was mainly because we encountered interception by US Army Air Corps fighter units. In addition, the Americans had clearly been prepared, and their ground-based anti-aircraft fire was extremely fierce. As the US military loses more and more fighters, the threat they can pose to us in the coming battles will become smaller and smaller. Our casualties can then continue to decrease," Major General Günther Korten continued.
Marshal Edward Milch nodded. "Keep the losses under control as much as possible. Our strategic bombing will not last merely a day or two—it will continue without end. Furthermore, I will contact Germany and draw in as many additional units as possible to reinforce the front."
"Yes, Your Excellency," Major General Günther Korten replied.
The unceasing stream of support