The Rise of the Third Reich

"The temporary solution is to install an engine on the BF-109 that can perform at an altitude of 11,000 meters." Kesselin said, "This aircraft is code-named BF-109H. Compared with other models of BF-109, it has improved The aerodynamic shape is improved, the lift is increased, and the supercharger and injection combustion device are specially designed.”

The air at high altitude is thin, and the output of an engine without a special supercharger will drop rapidly when it reaches an altitude of 10,000 meters. In order to increase the lift of the aircraft, the aerodynamic shape must also be modified accordingly.

In addition, because Germany has a leading advantage in fuel injection systems, it has developed an injection combustion device that "drugs" the engine, temporarily increasing the engine's power by injecting water and ethanol (at the expense of shortening the engine's life). This method is now also used on BF-109H.

But every advantage has its disadvantages. A supercharger that can fly at high altitudes is not easy to use at medium and low altitudes, and the aerodynamic shape that focuses on lift is often not conducive to flexibility. Therefore, this BF-109H is a dedicated high-altitude interceptor aircraft, and it will not be able to exert its power when it reaches high altitudes.

But that doesn’t matter. Aircraft during World War II were divided into high altitude and low altitude. However, the aerodynamics and engine supercharger of the BF-109H have been modified, but the problem of short legs cannot be corrected. Because this aircraft is inherently small, the fuel it can carry is naturally limited. Moreover, superchargers suitable for high altitudes are often heavier and larger in size, which is even more detrimental to increasing the range.

The short range not only prevents the BF-109H from acting as a high-altitude escort aircraft to cover German high-altitude bombers to counterattack the British, but also limits its cover range and stay in the air, so this is only a temporary solution.

"There are two final solutions," Marshal Kesselring continued, "one is the jet solution. The air intake method of turbojet engines is different from that of piston engines, which makes it easier to adapt to high-altitude oxygen-deficient environments. Moreover, the speed of jet aircraft It is also much faster than piston aircraft and is a very ideal solution. Currently, we have two jet aircraft that have entered the prototype stage, respectively, belonging to Messerschmitt and Heinkel. The company's prototype is progressing relatively quickly and will be ready for test flight in April at the latest. However, the jet engine jointly developed by BMW and Fokker used by Messerschmitt has not yet been completed, so the first flight may be postponed until the end of the year. ”

Heinkel's plan is the He-280, which is progressing relatively quickly and currently has an engine. Messerschmitt's plan is the famous Me-262. Because the strength of Messerschmitt cannot be compared with that of Heinkel and it does not have its own engine, so although the prototype was built, there was no engine available for the time being.

"As for the second option, it is Fokker's turbocharged engine solution." Marshal Kesselring said, "The turbocharger developed by Fokker has been successfully tested on the Fokker D31 aircraft. However, the Fokker D31 is too It was too big and bulky to be used as a bomber rather than a fighter. Therefore, the Air Force's technical experts suggested integrating the Fokker turbocharger into the Fw-190. However, the Fw-190's fuselage was too short to install the Fokker's turbocharger. The machine needs major improvements, which should be completed by the end of the year.”

The German Air Force liked the Fw-190 so much that it almost regarded it as a "treasure of air combat" and looked down upon other new piston aircraft. But it makes sense for them to do this. After all, too many models are not conducive to mass production.

According to Marshal Kesselring's plan, in the future the German Air Force's fighter jets will transition to the Fokker Zero series for medium and low altitudes and the Fw-190 series for high and medium altitudes (different sub-series are required to fight at different altitudes). The fighter acts as the final killer combination.

In addition, the German Air Force and Naval Aviation have now proposed plans to convert the Fw-190 into a fighter-bomber and carrier-based aircraft. There are even plans to continue improving the Fw-190 into the "final solution" for the piston fighter.

"How many BF-109Hs are ready now?"

Hessman can probably guess what Britain and the United States are planning. Now that the situation in the Mediterranean is becoming critical, the mighty army cannot defeat it. So they wanted to attack Germany by massacring civilians and scare the European people at the same time.

"There are currently 10 squadrons that are ready, and another five squadrons are undergoing training for high-altitude operations. They will be ready for combat by the end of February at the latest."

Hessman nodded, feeling relieved. 15 squadrons equal 240 BF-109Hs that can be put into combat. If there are not too many incoming B-17s, they can be dealt with.

And Germany will not just take a beating without fighting back. Now that Fokker has successfully developed a turbocharger, and BMW has the 18-cylinder BMW802, high-altitude and high-speed bombers are not a problem for Germany.

As long as the Middle East is captured and there is sufficient supply of oil and non-ferrous metals, whether it is bombing or direct landing, the small problem in the UK that hinders European integration can be solved.

As for how to deal with the last big BOSS in the United States, it depends on whether Japan is willing to cooperate. This time, the invitation letter sent by Italy to invite the Japanese military observation group came. With the intervention of Hessman, it specifically stated the invitation. Combined Fleet Commander Yamamoto Isoroku came. Moreover, Hersman also wrote a personal letter to Japanese Navy Minister Oikawa Koshiro, specifically introducing the Scapa Flow air raid and the naval battle in the Eastern Mediterranean.

…

Wujun Port, the flagship "Nagato" of the Japanese Navy's combined fleet.

After receiving the invitation letter from the Italian Embassy and Hersman's handwritten letter, General Oikawa Koshiro immediately sent his deputy, Toyoda Sadjiro, to take Hersman's letter to the "Nagato" anchored at Kure Port. On the number.

Hirschman's letter was written in English, and Japanese naval officers were proficient in English and could understand it without a translator.

Yamamoto Isoroku read it very carefully and read it word for word twice before gently placing the letter on his desk.

"Yamamoto-kun, this German field marshal also proposed a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, which coincides with the suggestion you made to Navy Minister Oikawa on January 7."

Toyoda Tejiro looked at Yamamoto, who frowned slightly, and said with a smile.

He was also a pro-German element in the Japanese navy. Japan's joining of the German-Italian Steel Alliance in September 1940 was also due to his contribution.

Inspired by the bombing of Scapa Flow and the Toulon incident, Yamamoto Isoroku began to envision a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. On January 7, he wrote to Admiral Oikawa of the Navy, proposing a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. conception.

"Marshal Hessmann also proposed the same idea, and he also carried out a successful surprise attack..." Yamamoto Isoroku smiled bitterly, "Maybe someone in the United States will come up with the same idea?"

"Yamamoto-kun," Toyoda Sadjiro laughed and said, "The United States does not have Zero aircraft, and their naval training is lax and cannot be compared with ours. The air attack on Pearl Harbor, regardless of whether it can achieve a surprise attack, will definitely be able to successful."

Yamamoto Isoroku nodded. Toyoda Tejiro is right. The U.S. Navy is relatively lax now... no, it should be said that the entire United States is relatively lax, so surprise attacks are likely to be successful.

However, even if a successful surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and paralyzing the Pacific Fleet would only give Japan a strategic window of 6 to 12 months at most. Whether Japan can win in the future, in Yamamoto Isoroku's view, is not something Japan can win.

It’s up to Germany to fight this! If Germany is defeated by Britain and the United States, Japan alone will not be able to defeat it no matter what.

However, judging from the current situation on the European battlefield, Germany seems to be very hopeful of victory.

"As long as Germany can conquer the Middle East," Toyoda Teijiro said, "our empire can conquer Singapore and open up Malacca, and then both sides can join forces with India. The German-Japanese-Italian Steel Alliance will be invincible!"

He paused and then said: "Therefore, Minister Oikawa hopes that Mr. Yamamoto can go to Italy in person to interview Marshal Hessman about joint operations."

Yamamoto Isoroku glanced at Toyoda. In fact, he knew that Oikawa Koshiro was not in charge of things. The Navy Department was actually in charge of the junior officer Toyoda Sadjiro. Therefore, it was actually Toyota himself who wanted him to go to Europe to meet Hirschman.

"Then what request does Minister Oikawa want me to make to the Germans?" Yamamoto Isoroku knew that Toyota came in person, so it must be a "face-to-face meeting". However, Toyota's qualifications were not as good as Yamamoto's, and his military rank was one level lower, so naturally he had to speak in the name of Minister Oikawa.

Seeing Yamamoto hand over the steps, Toyoda Sadjiro smiled and said: "There are some conditions. Minister Oikawa hopes that Germany can provide the technology of the Ju88 bomber... This aircraft is very powerful in ship attacks and can carry out dive bombing at a 60-degree angle. . If the Imperial Navy can equip a large amount of equipment, it will be helpful to establish a defense circle against the United States.

Second, Minister Oikawa also hopes to jointly develop the next generation of Zero fighter jets and Type 99 bombers with Germany. We also hope that Germany can transfer the most advanced engine technology to us, which is also necessary for the empire to maintain sustained operations.

Third, Minister Oikawa also hopes that Germany can send some ace pilots with actual combat experience to Japan to serve as instructors in order to provide intensive training for our carrier-based aircraft pilots. It would be best if Japanese carrier-based aircraft pilots fully understand real air combat and the characteristics of British and American fighter jets before going into battle.

Finally, Minister Oikawa also hopes to contact Germany on the issue of the Dutch East Indies... The oil in the Dutch East Indies is necessary for the empire. If it cannot be obtained, the empire will not be able to carry out war. "