Chapter 1241: Post-War Summary (Grand Chapter)
"Well, the responsibility for this battle is not on everyone, I will take all the responsibility. @ζ¨@ζ@ε°@θ―΄ | Looking at the group of attack aircraft, which lost almost seventy percent. Count Spee said in a trance. He really couldn't understand why the air battle, which had been a big advantage a few days ago, ended up with such a result! However, thanks to the exchange ratio of the previous period of time, it has been a great advantage, so although this attack was a complete failure, the overall exchange ratio is not ugly, and the Air Force has also paid a heavy price for this interception. And in the end, the German General Staff concluded that the Navy had a slight advantage in this exercise. After all, while destroying a large number of air force aircraft, the Navy also attacked a large number of ground units such as the machine punishment material transfer station. And the Air Force never posed a real threat to the naval fleet. This judgment is also appropriate. Of course, if the fighting continues, then the Navy will inevitably be forced to withdraw from the battle due to the insufficient number of carrier-based aircraft. Whether it is a win or a loss must be combined with the actual situation.
Although for the Navy, this ending is quite "more decent". But after the exercise, there was no optimism within the Navy. War is definitely not only about the exchange ratio on the battlefield, but also about strategic objectives, logistical supply, and the training of technical personnel. According to the words of Count Luknall, if this had been a real battle, the losses in the last battle alone would have been enough to wipe out the pilots replenished by the German naval aviation in three months. This rate of loss is absolutely unacceptable. Compared with the opponent, even if the navy occupies a certain exchange advantage, it is more convenient for the other side to replenish, and the training of land-based aviation pilots is simpler. And the unexpected loss will be much smaller. After all, if there is no fuel, pilots who fall to the mainland can be rescued, while HNA pilots who fall into local control areas will either hang up or be captured. As for the knocked out supplies? This stuff is replenished more quickly.
β The calculation of the exchange ratio of the single and the comparison of the overall losses and gains are only the superficial effects of the results of this exercise. The deeper impact was that the German Navy was more cautious about attacking from sea to land, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that it was conservative#The Army reformulated the way of fighting against land attacks from the tactical level and the technical level, and they finally abandoned the tactics of fighting hard. In the history that followed, the German Navy placed more emphasis on short-term and violent strikes at the opponent's key nodes with strong intelligence support, rather than finally seizing air supremacy by repeatedly attacking a certain area over a long period of time. Because the price that the latter needs to bear is too great, and even if the goal is achieved, this advantage is not consolidated, not to mention that the other side increases its forces and then recaptures it, it is impossible for a simple fleet to cruise on the sea for a long time.
"In addition to the regular intelligence channels, we need to equip the fleet with more special aircraft, and they must be equipped with various radio direction finding equipment and jamming equipment in order to cover the relatively safe passage of the aircraft group through the opponent's air defense warning network."
"The target of the fleet attack should be as good as possible to the coastal target. Try to avoid hitting enemy units in depth. In the absence of an essential increase in the range of fighters, sea-based aviation forces should try not to penetrate deep into areas that are kilometers deep on the ground. β
"The direct coordination between the fleet and the fleet must be tighter, and we must determine in advance the positions in which the fleet can be transferred before the attack. And inform the fleet as early as possible in order to save fuel. Because the landing of pilots at sea caused by various accidents is unavoidable, the fleet should send special seaplane carriers or use submarines and destroyers to rescue these pilots who have fallen overboard. β
"Although the land-based aviation did not pose a mortal threat to the fleet during this exercise, in practice this threat must be taken seriously, and the other side has a way to steadily track the fleet's whereabouts for a long time. Moreover, relying on long-range aircraft equipped with radar, it is possible that the other side has the ability to search for the fleet day and night. We must pay attention to this situation, even at the expense of preparing night combat aircraft to meet this challenge. ββ¦
"For the Grand Fleet. A small assault of land-based aviation forces does not pose much of a threat. But if the other side relies on long-range fighter escorts. If a large number of torpedo planes and bombers were suddenly concentrated to attack, it was possible to inflict heavy damage on the fleet. After all, land-based bombers strike harder. The fleet must be flexible and mobile so that it can evacuate the battlefield in the event of a foreboding crisis. Sea-based aviation forces must also have reliable airborne radar early warning capabilities. We are trying to install radars on our aircraft in order to detect each other's large fleets as soon as possible, but unfortunately it is difficult for our country's electronic technology to provide these equipment. β
If the change in tactics and strategy is a change that is expected or expected, then there is one change that is unexpected by everyone. That is, the German Navy's desire to control the Iranian coast has become even stronger! If at the beginning the German Navy could barely tolerate the British Air Force in the southeast of Iran, after this exercise, the German Navy made plans with the intention of controlling the entire Persian Gulf at all costs, because in the eyes of the German Navy at this time, the British Air Force located here was tantamount to the sword of Damocles hanging over the head of the High Seas Fleet!
This may seem to be in conflict with the German Navy's policy of attacking land just laid out, but in fact this is not necessarily the case. Because the new policy developed is only a situation in which aircraft carriers alone face ground targets, and in the Persian Gulf, although the forces of the Navy are not very sufficient, they have more means at their disposal! Although Fao was a bit far away, it was barely enough for a twin-engine bomber to attack. The German Army, if not keen to capture all of southern Iran first, would at least advance a little in order to force the separation of the American and British armies from the Chinese armies. Ground-based aviation, which belongs to the navy, can establish forward bases to reduce the direct distance between the two sides.
"Will the Army cooperate with us? Prior to this, the other side was on the side of the Air Force, and at the meeting, the Army also believed that the elimination of the Chinese Army in northern Iran and the occupation of Tehran were the key to solving the Iranian problem. Count Luknall said with some hesitation.
"They are just telling the truth, if we want to take Iran completely, then Huaxia is indeed our biggest enemy. While there may be some tendencies, they are not proof that the Air Force and Navy have joined forces. What's more, we also have chips in our hands. Compared with the Air Force, the consumption of the Army will be even greater, and sea transportation is almost an inevitable choice. It is also unlikely that the Army will allow the safety of navigation in the Persian Gulf to be threatened. I think the Army is probably here to prepare for both, and the first preparation is to cooperate with the Air Force to make a quick decision. The second preparation was to switch to the southern front when the offensive on the northern front was blocked. At the very least, we must cooperate with us to suppress the British air force in the southeast of Iran. Raeder thought for a moment and said.
Compared with Count Luknar, Raeder, who has been on the battlefield and sat in the office, coordinates the relationship between the fleet internally, and has dealt with both the army and the air force externally, is naturally much stronger in politics and the overall situation than the former. Moreover, as a relatively old bureaucrat, he also had many friends in the army, and in the open and covert contacts, he could feel that although the army agreed to attack the Chinese troops in the north, it was also quite afraid of the Anglo-American coalition forces. And if the RAF continues to build up its presence in the Persian Gulf, it is quite possible that the Army will change its strategy if necessary!
"General Raeder has a point. In any case, we still need to enlist the support of the Army as much as possible in future meetings. But if necessary, I think we will still have to rely on our own means to solve the problem, if our fleet sailing in the Persian Gulf is attacked. We will retaliate against the British fleet sailing in parts of the region. General DΓΆnitz's submarine force needs to be prepared. Earl Spee said. β¦
"This, I'm afraid it will lead to the expansion of the war, and the empire is not ready for a full-scale showdown with the opponent. I don't think His Majesty the Emperor necessarily supports you. This one is too dangerous. The Empire also had a large number of merchant ships sailing at sea, and if a large-scale attack on civilian ships was launched, the whole situation would spiral out of control. After hearing the earl's words, both Luckner and Raeder looked at the naval commander in shock. The former even expressed his concerns and opposition.
"We can limit the scope of the attack, for example, we can use parts of the Arabian Sea as a theater of operations, and we can restrict the entry of some foreign ships. And then take this to see how the British reacted. If the British dare to attack our transport ships in the Arabian Sea. Then we, we agree, can attack transport ships heading from India to Iran. Although there is direct land transportation between the two, sea transportation is still an important means. "Count Spee's idea was a bit radical, though. But there is also a clear hierarchy of priorities. The Germans would not have touched this red line of attacking the coast of India unless absolutely necessary. "As for Huaxia? I don't think they will choose the route of the Persian Gulf. Because it is more convenient to supply Iran with supplies and assistance from the Caspian Sea. In this case, the main target we are targeting becomes the United Kingdom. China and the United States will not react too violently. β
Count Spee's idea also had its reasonableness, although Huaxia sided with the Entente. However, they did not join the Entente, and from the perspective of the layout of the other side in Iran, the differences between the two sides are also quite large, the Chinese are trying to protect the northern Iran and the current regime, while the British are inclined to the south, especially the southeast. Huaxia will not change its set goals for the sake of the British. So it was feasible for the German Navy to concentrate its forces on suppressing the British, as for the Americans? Their power in Iran is much inferior to that of China and the British, so put it aside for the time being. One way or another, the German Navy absolutely could not tolerate the British presence in southern Iran! It's an immutable strategy!
If the Navy was somewhat reluctant to accept the results of the exercise, then Richthofen was pleased with Kesselring's final blow. In actual combat, the final blow alone would allow the High Seas Fleet to withdraw from the battlefield and take at least four months or so to recover. More importantly, Richthofen felt that Kesselring had found a way to deal with sea-based air power. After the exercise, the Luftwaffe also conducted a special discussion and study on the advantages and disadvantages between sea-based and land-based aviation, and this will have an extremely far-reaching impact on Germany's future strategy.
"The biggest advantage of sea-based aviation over land-based aviation is its high mobility and concentration of troops. An aircraft carrier has a deck of only about 6 square meters, but it can fully perform the functions of a medium-sized airfield in a short time. I think that both the Italian War and the recent exercises in the Ibilisi Peninsula have proved this, and today our opponent is the High Seas Fleet, and tomorrow we may have to face the more powerful Chinese and American and British navies, and we must pay close attention to that. "During one of the meetings, the Red Baron strategically pointed out the seriousness of the problem. He then motioned to Kesselring to let the general speak his mind.
"From a tactical point of view. I think the most likely combat method for the opposing aircraft carrier fleet in the future operation is to use the night to carry out long-distance high-speed raids, and if the time of 1 hour at night is calculated, the fleet sailing speed knot, then their journey can reach about KM in one night! This is a very shocking number, perhaps one day our opponent was still cruising the open sea, and by the next day, the opponent's fleet had already flown over us and dropped deadly bombs! They used aircraft carriers to make up for the lack of range of aircraft, and solved the dilemma of total strength with concentrated forces. If we're not careful, maybe we'll lose a three-digit plane. This is quite a fatal situation. Of course, you might say that there is a navy to handle these things, but I think. We should not pin the security of the Air Force at coastal airfields on the Navy. Isn't it? Kesselring's last words sparked laughter in the room. In the final battle, Kesselring's outstanding performance raised the eyebrows of the Air Force. Coupled with the recent disagreement between the two sides, this sentence can be said to be deeply popular. β¦
"In the face of such a lightning attack, reconnaissance and anticipation are the two most important aspects. It is only with advance warning that we can take targeted measures. If it weren't for the fact that the high seas fleet played too bluntly this time, allowing us to guess in advance what the other side thought, we would not have achieved such results. The long-range reconnaissance aircraft program under the Air Force must be accelerated, and at the same time, the establishment of a ground-based radar network must also be given great attention. Reconnaissance aircraft as they are can provide us with early warning, and the ground-based radar network is the key to guiding us to intercept our adversaries. Other than that. If you can. I would like to be able to equip an air alert radar that can be maneuvered, or at least a radar that can change positions in a relatively short period of time. In this exercise, we have already used radiolocation technology. I think the other side will definitely have such technology, or even more advanced. It is easy for the other side to find a gap simply by fixing the radar station. β
"Unlike against large bombers, carrier-based attack aircraft, although the number is somewhat large. At present, except for the high seas fleet, which has a formed twin-engine aircraft, other countries still mainly use single-engine aircraft, and these single-engine aircraft generally take the attack method of low-altitude horizontal bombing or dive bombing. They drop bombs with less accuracy, but they are also easier to shoot down. And in the choice of routes, they may also choose to rely on the terrain at medium and low altitudes to avoid our radar. So in the future, we need to equip more small and medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns to deal with the enemy's attacks, and at the same time, we also need to enhance the early warning capability at medium and low altitudes, not only radar, but also air defense posts and visual observation. β
"Defense alone will not solve the problem, and the weakness of the Air Force's naval attack capability is one of the most critical factors in our incomplete efforts this time. I think the best aircraft carrier for the future is the JU88 twin-engine bomber, which can dive and attack with precision. At the same time, it can also be used as a torpedo machine, and has a large range and high speed. The four-shot bomber was too precious and the attack effect was not very good. Single-engine aircraft are too fragile and have insufficient range. We should train a specialized force for attacking the sea, and even if we don't use them to attack aircraft carriers, at least we can attack transport ships at sea. Of course, we also need to equip these bombers with fighter escorts with longer ranges, and although the BF19 has acceptable performance, the range is really not flattering. I hope that the development of new fighters will be faster. Kesselring concluded.
Everything in the world is interconnected, and like the Navy, this exercise also led to a number of other things, the most important of which was that Richthofen was ready to compromise with the Navy. Or at least start by changing the relationship between the two parties. Of course, this compromise does not mean that Richthofen intends to give away the share of twin-engine fighters that he has just acquired, but that he has decided to make some concessions in the use of airfields and the allocation of fuel. This concession would be very beneficial in improving Germany's presence in the Middle East, where the air force had a large number of airfields that were not fully functional, and naval airfields were overcrowded. As for fuel? Germany in this plane has three more oil fields than in history! The Germans really don't lack oil!
As for the original intention of the Red Baron to change the direct relationship between the two sides, it is not because he is afraid of the navy, but because in the future Indian Ocean strategy, the air force cannot do without the support of the navy, and if the navy is present, the air force can save a lot of trouble. The two sides are originally mutually beneficial, and there is no knot that cannot be solved!
"In the future. Our main area of operations will be in India, and judging from the map, India has a relatively vast strategic depth, and it is very difficult to rely solely on tactical forces to strike at the opponent's important units located in depth. As an important ally of Britain and the United States, China's bases in Southeast Asia are beyond the strike range of the Imperial Air Force, and in fact, it is difficult for our strategic bombers to cover the entire Indian region. This will have a very negative impact on the operations of the Air Force. So at some point we have to rely on the navy to strike at those targets located in depth, not to mention that the main mode of transportation of the Entente to India is by sea, and the performance of the navy in the Bay of Bengal will directly determine whether we win or lose. Privately, the Red Baron and Kesselring said. β¦
"Isn't it in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean? Are you so confident in the combat effectiveness of the Navy? Can you be sure that the other side can suppress the Entente's fleet in the Indian Ocean? Kesselring said confusedly. If it were someone else, Kesselring would even have sneered. But then, the Red Baron proved with good reasons that the reason why he was able to become an air marshal was because of his real talent!
"Our primary objective is to attack France. You know this very well that the navy will open a gap in France's fragile southern region, paving the way for the army to attack the French heartland. If this plan goes well, we will soon gain a foothold in the south of France. And then the High Seas Fleet will definitely not only stay behind and use valuable carrier-based aircraft to support ground operations, but also leave these to the Air Force and Navy land-based aviation. They would definitely move to Spain, and then cut off the ties between France and the United States and Great Britain as much as possible. The destruction of diplomatic relations between submarines and the deterrence of the Grand Fleet have brought great pressure to the other side. The Red Baron said.
"But the combined forces of the fleets of the United States, Britain and France are no weaker than the high seas fleet. Even considering that the US Pacific Fleet and the British Indian Fleet were not in the Atlantic. The strength of the other side is also very terrifying, and I don't think the navy is desperate at the beginning. Even if they have this confidence. But whether the other party gives them a chance to fight is uncomfortable, and more importantly, it's uncomfortable. The Navy must maintain its strength to solve India's problems, and it is not realistic to rely on the Navy. Kesselring replied.
"You misunderstood, I didn't say that the High Seas Fleet would gain an advantage in the Atlantic. The Allied fleet may not be weak, but it is difficult for them to keep the lines of communication open, submarines will be an important force hindering the other side's sea transportation, and the fleet will make it impossible for the other side to allocate enough resources to meet the needs of anti-submarine warfare. Even if you don't fight, just a shock can make your opponent feel tricky! Even if it's only for a while, but it's enough. We must try to reduce the time we have to deal with France. Decide the winner in 3 months! The value of the Navy to us is behind! If we defeat France, then the High Seas Fleet can enter the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean in a very short time to attack the Indian fleet of the British! Even if the British understood our arrangement, they would definitely lag behind us in scheduling, which would create a time gap! If we can inflict a heavy blow on India's Entente** team, then it will be a great advantage for us! β
"And once the German navy enters the Bay of Bengal, then India will be divided up, unless China and the empire have a complete showdown, otherwise, India, which has lost its aid, can only finally succumb to the sword of the empire! How much strength did the British Indian fleet have? The High Seas Fleet can completely suppress it. There's no doubt about this, right? Richthofen said with some pride.
The Germans had always been accustomed to concentrating their forces to break through the weak links of the other side. And Richthofen is the same, if the French campaign can be successfully ended, then it will not be the air force but the navy's carrier-based aircraft that can launch a large-scale attack on targets in India first! The reserve bases of the British in India were all on the southern coast of India, where even bombers like the HE177 could hardly deliver effective strikes. Carrier-based aircraft can use the maneuverability of aircraft carriers to achieve this, not only the west coast of India, but also the east coast of India will also be within the strike range of German carrier-based aircraft! So just for this reason, Richthofen must also have good relations with the Navy! Not to mention the fact that the Navy has the opportunity to cut off India's maritime communications!
Thanks to the book friend zhouyu1976, the heart dance flying 86 for the reward~~~, and the book friend small 3 monthly pass support ~~~. (To be continued.) (γ ))