The Rise of the Third Reich

After hearing Churchill's question, First Sea Lord Marshal Pound shook his head slightly and said: "Prime Minister, this naval battle in the Eastern Mediterranean shows that the maritime superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean belongs to the side with air superiority. And Germany and Italy are in the Mediterranean They have a huge number of Ju88, S.M.79 and Fokker Zero, as well as a new fighter that looks similar to the P-36 but has superior performance than the Fokker Zero and BF-109. "

On the evening of January 15, during the air attack on the Italian aircraft carrier fleet by British aircraft, several "Blenheim" aircraft escaped back to Crete. From the crew members of these aircraft, the senior British military officials knew The existence of Fw-190. After analysis by Royal Air Force mid-air combat experts, it is believed that this aircraft is likely to have a greater range than the BF-109 and can be used in high-low matches with the Fokker Zero in the air far away from the airport.

The P-39 Flying Snake used by the British for high-low matching with Spitfires (since Hersman brought the Zero to Europe, the high-low matching tactic emerged) was proved by actual combat to be completely different from the Fokker Zero. opponent. As for the British's own "Rubbing Swallow" carrier-based fighter, it has also been proven that its performance is poor and cannot beat the Fokker Zero, let alone the latest fighter.

The First Sea Lord continued to say with a frown: "Mussolini's declared target of Crete is only more than 500 kilometers away from Benghazi, Italy's large stronghold in North Africa. If the Germans deploy 10 squadrons of Fokker Zeros there, And the same number of Ju88 and S.M.79, our fleet will not be able to reinforce Crete..."

The combination of Fokker Zero, Ju88 and S.M.79 can only be described as terrifying!

The Ju88 can dive and drop bombs, and can also drop two 500kg armor-piercing bombs at once (the British Royal Navy is also worried that this aircraft will soon be equipped with a 1000kg armor-piercing bomb). If it were not at war with Germany, the British Royal Navy would want to buy this kind of aircraft.

The S.M.79 is the fastest torpedo bomber, and even slower carrier-based fighters cannot catch up with it. And its low-altitude operating performance is excellent (the engine on the nose can be turned off to improve low-altitude performance), almost comparable to biplanes such as the "Swordfish" and "Mackerel". It is simply the shore-based torpedo bomber that navies around the world dream of!

Not to mention the Fokker Zero. British Royal Navy pilots have wanted a copycat version of the Fokker Zero since the Battle of the Azores in 1939.

Churchill looked at the Minister of Aircraft Production, Baron Beaverbrook, who looked a little haggard. "Baron, we can now produce more than 1,200 aircraft per month. This number is likely to exceed Germany. But in every month, we can produce more than 1,200 aircraft." Among the more than 1,200 aircraft, there are no such useful aircraft as Ju88, S.M.79 and Fokker Zero. This puts us in danger and loses many excellent pilots in vain."

The loss of aircraft is not a problem, because with the support of "lease" supplies from the United States, British aircraft production has grown rapidly and has now surpassed Germany. However, the training of pilots, especially excellent pilots, is more difficult than aircraft production. In the English Channel, the North Sea, the northwest waters of Ireland, the Mediterranean and the Balkan battlefields, battles between British aircraft and German aircraft were taking place every moment, but the losses of British pilots were far greater than those of their opponents. This caused British pilots and crews to Members have become quickly expendable and it is difficult to accumulate enough experience in air combat. Moreover, the Royal Air Force's pilot school has been forced to repeatedly shorten the training time for trainees, which has further led to a decline in pilot quality and greater losses on the battlefield.

The carrier-based aircraft pilots lost by the Mediterranean Fleet in the battle on January 15 must be replaced by truly outstanding and rigorously trained pilots. If insufficiently trained rookies are used to make up the numbers, it is very likely that the aircraft will not even be able to take off and land from the aircraft carrier. None of the abilities!

"Prime Minister, we actually have several very nice aircraft."

Baron Beaverbrook argued: "For example, the 'Mosquito' aircraft being developed by De Havilland Company is very good. In the test, it flew at a speed of 631 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 6,700 meters. Any German fighter jet can fly at a speed of 631 kilometers per hour." It cannot catch up with it at such a height, and its range is large and its combat radius is enough to cover the entire Germany. With such performance, we can even launch bombings against Germany during the day. In addition, the 'Lancaster' has just begun to be delivered. The bombers were also excellent enough to undertake night strategic bombing missions against Germany.

If we can begin large-scale strategic bombing of Germany before the end of this year, we will surely make all Europe realize that Germany will fail and we must win. "

"But we have to wait until the end of this year..." Churchill felt helpless. Defeating Germany with strategic bombing and blockade is Britain's current general war line - because it has always failed to win over the Soviet Union, and the German army seems to be very capable of fighting, so the British Empire's The top management could only think of bombing and blockade.

Therefore, the UK's focus in aircraft research and development is heavy and high-speed bombers that can carry out strategic bombing of the German mainland. But now Britain is not ready for strategic bombing, but Germany is trying to break the blockade first.

"Okay, large-scale bombing can start at the end of the year. But the Germans are preparing to seize Crete in one month, and they also invite naval observers and reporters from various countries to visit..." Churchill looked at the Admiralty Minister and the First Minister in pain. Sea Lord, "Do you know what this means? It means that the whole world will know that the invincible Royal Navy of our British Empire is no longer good. It cannot even defeat the Italian Navy! A Britain that cannot even defeat Italy can still rely on What leads the world?”

In fact, after the Great War in the Eastern Mediterranean, Churchill's enthusiasm for the Balkans Front was no longer very high. If the Germans quietly seize the island and launch a surprise attack, he may take the opportunity to retreat. But now Mussolini is shouting and shouting, and wants to pull naval observers and reporters from various countries out of the site to visit!

If people see the Italian Navy showing off its power, the British Royal Navy will shrink back. So people all over the world who love democracy, freedom and the British pound must not become discouraged and all defect to the side of Nazis and fascists?

Therefore, Hessman's "advertising war" strategy suddenly pushed Churchill and the British Empire into a corner.

"So we cannot retreat," Churchill said through gritted teeth, "otherwise France, Spain and Turkey will all fall to Germany, which will have fatal consequences!"

Once France falls to Germany, the German Navy will immediately be able to "obtain" two "Richelieu" class ships and two "Dunkirk" class ships. Spain's defection to Germany would cause Britain to lose the fortress of Gibraltar, which blocked the entrance from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Turkey's surrender to Germany will allow German armored forces to advance into the Middle East, and the oil problem will no longer trouble Germany.

If these three situations occur at the same time, then Germany will be able to attack the British mainland in 1941!

France's two "Richelieu", Italy's two "Veneto" and Germany's two "Bismarck", without waiting for the H-class to be built, these six super battleships can kill the British Empire. .

"Marshal," Churchill looked at the Imperial Chief of Staff Sir John Dill and the First Sea Lord Marshal Pound, "the Middle East Theater and the Mediterranean Fleet must defend Crete! At any cost... In addition, inform us in the United States military delegation, tell the Americans our plight and ask them to help no matter what.”

The "military delegation" that Churchill was referring to was the "Tri-Service Staff Delegation" led by Baron Ironside, the former Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and Lord Forbes, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet. The purpose of the delegation's trip to the United States was to hold talks with the U.S. military to discuss strategic guidelines for defeating Germany.

Although the United States is still branding itself as neutral, the Roosevelt administration and the U.S. military have made up their minds to go to war with Germany.

But it's one thing to make up your mind, and it's another thing to actually go to war. Although the isolationist sentiment in the United States ebbs sharply on the eve of the presidential election in 2040, the vast majority of the American people are still opposed to joining the war "immediately". Therefore, President Roosevelt also needed an excuse to join the war that could convince all Americans. Before this excuse appeared, he could not directly send troops to fight the British.

"Two generals, how do you think we should help Britain avoid a terrible defeat in the Mediterranean?"

In the Oval Office, President Roosevelt asked two of his key military staff, Army Chief of Staff Marshall and Chief of Naval Operations Stark.

"Mr. President, I don't think there is such a way!" said Admiral Stark of the Navy. "The German and Italian offensive will begin in one month...if the fascist leader keeps his word. And even if we Even if you are willing to send a fleet, it cannot be deployed within one month.”

"And we can't possibly send a fleet!" President Roosevelt said lightly. "At least it's not possible right now."

"It is too late to provide tanks and aircraft," Marshall said. "Even if they are shipped now, they may not arrive in a month. Even if they are shipped to the Mediterranean battlefield, it will take time for the British to master our weapons proficiently."

"So, there's nothing we can do?" Roosevelt asked, somewhat disappointed. "Can we just watch Britain lose the war alone?"

Marshall and Stark looked at each other, and Marshall said: "Mr. President, maybe the British can consider implementing a strategic bombing plan in advance, which may relieve some of the pressure on the Mediterranean fleet. We now have some ready-made B-17s, which are Can be loaned to the UK.”

"Will it be useful?" Roosevelt was doubtful. "As far as I know, the Germans have high-altitude aircraft."

"No, not bombing Germany," Marshall said, "but bombing Italy!"