The Rise of the Third Reich

October 20, 1939, London, England.

The city is immersed in an atmosphere of joy and peace, and the loudspeaker has just announced the good news of the victory in the "Battle of the Atlantic". It was announced that the German battleship "Scharnhorst" and the cruiser "Leipzig" had been sunk, and Iceland and the Faroe Islands were occupied. Not only did it smash Germany's conspiracy to use the break-up fleet to cut off British transportation lines, but it also completely blocked Germany's external traffic.

Not only will German battleships be unable to break through the multiple island chain blockades composed of the Onik Islands, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands and Iceland, but even German submarines will be unable to break into the Atlantic Ocean!

At the same time, the "thousands of planes bombing London" that had been widely discussed before the war did not happen because of the strict defense of the Royal Air Force. Until October 20, not a single German bomb fell on London. Instead, it was Berlin, the German capital, that suffered a massive air raid (the one that killed the elephant).

Standing at the window of the Admiralty Building on Whitehall Street, Winston Churchill held a cigar in his hand and looked at the city, which was no different from the peace era. After a while, he turned around and looked at his chest. Admiral Charles Forbes and Admiral Pound, who were wearing the Order of the British Empire, sighed softly.

"The Seydlitz has returned to Wilhelmshaven?" Churchill asked.

"Yes, they returned together with the remaining battleships of the High Seas Fleet." Charles Forbes said, "The Renown did not find them in the Norwegian Sea. These Germans are too cunning."

Admiral Pound added: "Minister, this time it is mainly because we have insufficient forces deployed in the Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands and Iceland. When the airport expansion is completed and the ground radar station is repaired, the Germans will have no chance to break out. Ours is on lockdown!”

At this time, Britain had only one airport on the Shetland Islands, and it was attacked by German aircraft at night before the German High Seas Fleet passed by. Several deep craters were blown out of the airport runway. As a result, 12 Spitfires and 6 Bristol Beaufort torpedo bombers were unable to take off - in fact, it was useless even if they could take off. The Spitfire's range was too short to escort the Beaufort torpedo bombers to the German fleet. Without Spitfire escort, the six "Beaufort" torpedo bombers would have died.

As for the battlecruiser Renown, because its speed is 4 knots slower than the "Seidlitz", there is no hope of intercepting the "Seidlitz" before it merges with the main force of the High Seas Fleet.

After the rendezvous, the German side had a lineup of two aircraft carriers, one battle line, and three armored units, which was simply not something that the Reputation and three British heavy cruisers could contend with.

"What about the German submarines?" Churchill looked at the two admirals with medals on their chests.

Using battleships to break diplomatic relations must be a strategic mistake! But Germany has not only battleships, but also a large number of submarines!

"The German battleships can't get out, and their submarines can't be blocked by the island chain." Churchill took a puff of his cigar. "We lost 350,000 tons of merchant ships in September alone, and this doesn't include France and Loss of neutrality!"

Historically, at the beginning of World War II, Dönitz had only 46 available submarines, of which only 22 could fight in the North Atlantic.

In this time and space, Dönitz had as many as 300 submarines, 263 of which could be put into combat immediately, and 60 of which could enter the Atlantic Ocean for combat!

"In the first 19 days of October, we lost another 220,000 tons (including five merchant ships sunk by the German break-up fleet)."

Churchill's words seemed to hit the hearts of the two British admirals with a heavy hammer, and their good mood suddenly disappeared.

Hersmann's failure to change the German naval fleet's idea of ​​breaking diplomatic relations was obviously a mistake, but he strongly supported Dönitz in establishing a truly powerful submarine force, but it cost Churchill his life!

Originally, the losses in early October were reduced due to the deterioration of the weather. However, starting from mid-October, the number of merchant ships sunk by mines increased suddenly. It turns out that German submarines were not idle when the weather was bad, but went to the doorstep of the British Empire to lay mines. As a result, many British ships struck mines and sank!

Now, the rate of loss of merchant ships has far exceeded the rate of British shipbuilding! If the Royal Navy cannot curb the destruction of German submarines as soon as possible, all more than 2,100 merchant ships in the British Empire will sink into the icy ocean within a few years.

"Minister, we need more destroyers and minesweepers..." Charles Forbes said, "and the routes that need to be protected are too long and too many to guard against."

Admiral Pound frowned even more tightly and said: "Minister, after the Germans' fleet-breaking tactics failed, they are likely to accelerate the construction of submarines. The number of their submarines will increase rapidly in the next 12 months! "

During September and the first 19 days of October, German submarine losses were minimal, with Admiral Pound receiving only six reports of sinking submarines. Taking into account the factors of false alarms, there may only be three German submarines that were actually sunk. The submarines delivered by the Germans in September and October must exceed this number.

Churchill remained silent, frowning more and more. After a while, he said: "You will report the situation of the convoy operation at the cabinet meeting later, and make the problem more pessimistic."

More serious? Isn’t it pessimistic enough now? ? Forbes and Pound looked at each other.

"How much will we lose in the next 12 months?" Churchill asked again.

Forbes frowned and said: "In the next 12 months, if there are no accidents, we will lose 4 million tons..."

"Is this more pessimistic data?"

Pound said: "If we make pessimistic predictions, the predicament of 1917 is likely to reappear!"

In 1917, Germany sank a total of 2,566 Allied merchant ships, with a tonnage of 5.73 million tons!

Churchill nodded, "Okay, that's it!" He looked at the two admirals with puzzled faces and said with a wry smile: "We must now let the people who lead the empire and our friends across the ocean know this. A reality: If it fails to go all out and use all means, the British Empire is likely to lose the war!

So from now on, we and they must use our best. "

…

"Marshal, you mean we want to protect Norway?"

At No. 73 William Street, in the Ministry of Defense, the German High Command held another meeting, and the discussion was about Norway.

Now Denmark accepted "neutrality under German protection", which also gave Germany a springboard to invade Norway. And Quisling, the leader of the Norwegian National Unity Party, is willing to lead the way. Therefore, Marshal Raeder of the Navy believed that he should seize the opportunity to capture Norway, but Hitler was not very interested in this. Hirschmann proposed a compromise solution - the creation of a Viking legion influenced by the National Socialists.

"No, it's not that we have to protect Norway," Hersman said, "it's that Norway has to defend itself!"

"Is it necessary?" Foreign Minister Ribbentrop didn't seem to understand.

"Yes!" Hessman nodded and said, "If they still want to remain neutral, then they should show their determination to defend neutrality! Neutrality is not a verbal statement, but a way to defend their independence and independence. The determination to fight for freedom to the end.

If the Norwegians were so determined, then they should build a truly combat-ready army... and deploy it at Narvik to deter possible invasion. And we and Sweden, which benefits from it, should provide some help to Norway. If Norway refuses to defend itself, then we will immediately invade and install Quisling in power. "

In fact, "helping" Norway strengthen its national defense is a means to support Quisling. Because Quisling was an officer, and most of his supporters were related to the military (in fact, all "fascists" in this era were like this). If Norway really agrees to build a truly combat-worthy corps to defend Narvik. Then Quisling's influence will definitely expand, and with the financial support of the National Socialist International, he will gain more military followers.

As for whether he can become the leader of Norway in the future, it depends on his own ability!

"It sounded like an ultimatum," Ribbentrop said. "It's just that the content is a little strange."

"It's an ultimatum," Hessmann nodded seriously. "They can either defend themselves, or we can protect them... let them choose what to do." Then he looked at Hitler, "Leader, what do you think? How about this plan?”

Hitler frowned, "If our military operations on the Western Front go smoothly, Quisling may be able to come to power."

"We should help him, but try not to invade and extend the war to Norway."

"But the German navy has no ports to attack!" Marshal Redl protested. "After the British occupy the Faroe Islands and Iceland, it will be difficult for the High Seas Fleet to rush out."

"Then don't go!" Hessmann said coldly. "The destruction of the Scharnhorst has shown that it is not feasible for the fleet to break diplomatic relations. We now have submarines and camouflaged assault ships available, so we don't have to rely on Fleet. And after we occupy France, Fw-200C and He-115 can also take off from the Brittany Peninsula in France (near the Atlantic Ocean) to cooperate with submarines to break up the enemy. The effect will only be better than using the fleet. "

Hitler also nodded and said in agreement: "The main fleet cannot be allowed to take risks at the moment. They should prepare for a decisive battle with the British Home Fleet in the future." He then said to Ribbentrop, "Go to Oslo and tell Norwegians, in view of British aggression in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, we have reason to fear an invasion of Narvik and Gallivare. Norway should establish an army and air force that can defend Narvik, which Germany is willing to provide. Help. But we will not interfere in Norway’s internal affairs. We have no ambitions towards Norway and hope that Norway can remain neutral.”