Iron Cross

Everyone was in a dilemma: long-term occupation of Newfoundland was not an ideal choice. The Führer had made a good move, but unfortunately the Americans did not take the bait. The news that more than 50 aircraft were lost on the first day of the war and the Strasbourg was severely damaged made everyone generally afraid of difficulties.

Dönitz and Jodl exchanged glances and advised: "Führer, if this strategy does not work, we should retreat as soon as possible."

"It's not time to retreat yet." Hoffman sighed, "If there were not so many captured, I could simply announce the withdrawal of troops. At most, I would look for another opportunity to seek a decisive battle. But Roosevelt suddenly gave me such a large amount of supplies, and I suddenly felt a little disrespectful... Should I take it or not?"

Dalgus read out the report on the captured supplies sent by the fleet in public:... According to incomplete statistics such as checking the cargo list and on-site inspection, the above-mentioned fleet has more than 700 Sherman tanks, the latest P5 1 fighter, SBD dive bomber, TBF torpedo attack aircraft and other types of aircraft complete machine and spare parts more than 1,400 sets, 150,000 tons of high-grade aviation fuel, more than 2,700 jeeps, more than 1,600 Dodge and other types of trucks, more than 700 types of large and medium caliber artillery including Long-legged Tom, nearly 10,000 mortars, light and heavy machine guns... The rest include various materials including helmets, military boots, rain gear, military rations, Spam meat cans, and other types of finished rare metals. The initial estimated value is 2.5-3 billion US dollars, which can be fully equipped with an army of about 300,000-400,000 people-this does not include the value of these ships themselves.

Hearing the value of 2.5-3 billion US dollars, everyone couldn't help but breathe quickly. After having more contact with Americans, everyone knows the meaning behind this number-an Essex fleet aircraft carrier, including the ship, aircraft and all equipment, adds up to less than 200 million US dollars, which is equivalent to taking down more than 10 aircraft carriers in one go. If there were only a few ships, everyone would have abandoned them without hesitation. It would be a pity to abandon such a large amount of supplies.

"Let the fleet attract firepower in Newfoundland for another two days. At most, we will lose some planes and warships..." Keitel said, "Although the captured ships will take at least 4 days to reach the Azores, they can leave the bombing range of US aircraft in just two days, and then the fleet can set off to return home. By the way, the Marines can also use this time to destroy the facilities and supplies on Newfoundland. These 100 ships and the supplies on them are very important to us. With them, the Führer's reinforcement of the Falkland Islands after the New Year will be much more convenient. I have to remind you that the construction of Libyan oil projects also requires a large amount of supplies to be transported, and the transportation capacity will be very tight in the future."

Everyone nodded in agreement. After more than half a year of hard exploration, under the guidance of the Führer, European joint exploration experts finally discovered large oil fields and high-yield oil wells in northern Libya, with preliminary proven reserves of more than 4 billion tons.

Hoffman has said many times about the Libyan oil fields, and everyone is skeptical. Italians did not believe that there were oil fields in Libya at first, and later they did not believe that there were large oil fields. In addition, the production of oil fields in the Middle East continued to expand, so they were not very enthusiastic about exploitation. Mussolini hoped that the Germans would be the scapegoats and Italy would reap the benefits. So when discussing the distribution of benefits after exploitation, Berlin received a clear reply from Rome: Germans can move freely, explore and invest freely throughout Libya, and the relevant time limit is 99 years. Italians do not want to pay, but hope to share possible benefits.

Hoffman instructed Speer to provide two plans. The first plan is to provide Italy with 2 million tons of guaranteed oil every year after the oil well is successfully exploited, and the excess will be divided into 28% between Italy and Germany; the second plan is that Italy and Germany will be divided into 55% on a fixed basis. The premise is that Germany is responsible for the investment, but Italy promises that it will never impose taxes in the future. After consulting experts, Mussolini chose the former without hesitation, because the experts told him that only when the annual crude oil production exceeds 5.68 million tons, the second plan will be more cost-effective for Italians. Now there are less than ten countries in the world that produce more than 6 million tons of oil per year. Romania has an oil field as large as Ploiesti, but the annual output is only 9 million tons. From a probability perspective, the German plan is completely a gamble.

Now this gamble has obviously succeeded. According to the grade and geographical conditions, experts believe that the oil production of Libya's oil field will exceed 6 million tons three years after it is officially built, 8 million tons after five years, and 10 million tons after ten years. Moreover, this clause applies to the entire territory of Libya, which means that there is a great chance to expand to more production.

No one will complain about too much oil. In order to solve the oil problem, Germany not only marched into the Middle East, but also felt strange about the head of state's attitude at the beginning - Hoffman had an ambiguous attitude towards Turkey's occupation of Baku, neither opposing nor actively repairing it. Now I finally understand that the foreshadowing is here.

As for why Keitel took the initiative to talk about this matter, it was because the Libyan oil fields were closely related to everyone's interests: the Führer told these trusted subordinates more than once that he would find a fair way for them to make money, so that these generals and marshals could live a decent life and the grassroots officers and soldiers who fought bloody battles would have a good destination in the future. Everyone thought that the Führer was just talking at first, but when Hoffman put forward the "oil fund" plan, everyone realized that the Führer was serious.

According to Hoffman's suggestions and arrangements: a certain share of the oil fund will be allocated to officers according to merit, military rank, and job level. All shares do not need to be purchased now, but will be deducted from military pay and consolation money in the future, and then Capitalists advanced funds to mine and gradually returned them. In short, it is to set up a company. Officers and soldiers at all levels are dry shareholders. Hoffman serves as the chairman and introduces venture capital. In the future, it will gradually expand the shares, introduce strategic venture capital and increase investment, and finally IPO. The shares will be gradually diluted, but the value will increase rapidly. Hoffman believes that the original stock can gain at least 25-40 times of appreciation.

This not only solved the future and dignity of senior officers, but also eased future social conflicts - otherwise, the demobilization of the huge army would cause chaos. Although the specific amount has not been disclosed, Speer and Bowman have already let it go. Now, marshals and ministerial figures start with 1 million marks. There is no one who does not support this kind of easy and morally risky benefits. Hoffmann left shares in the fund to the National Socialist Party, major capital oligarchs, friendly European dignitaries and fallen soldiers - he insisted that giving shares was more beneficial, more lasting, and more conducive to mobilizing everyone than direct payment of money. Positivity.

Now that the Mediterranean has become an inner lake in the axis, as long as there are materials and transportation capabilities, the Libyan oil construction project can be carried out comfortably. Marshal Milch, who is in charge of the Toth Organization, vowed that if these basic conditions can be guaranteed, as long as he is given 10 Months later, he must have brought Libyan oil to Germany, so Keitel immediately thought of it.

No amount of oil is enough. Now Germany has mastered an annual oil production of more than 40 million tons. Compared with the United States' production of more than 200 million tons, it is still stretched thin compared to the huge European demand and the ever-expanding sea of ​​tanks and warships. Speer believes that at least 8000 to 100 million are needed to meet demand. If the EU's future crude oil demand is taken into account, 200 million tons will be indispensable, and oil will be indispensable for Germany to control the Petroleum Mark and support German hegemony. Weapons, even if the war is over, will be a top priority.

Seeing that everyone had initially reached an agreement, Hoffman nodded with satisfaction: "Then follow this plan first. The freighter will go to the Azores, and at the same time let the reconnaissance planes pay attention to the surroundings to prevent Britain and the United States from attacking the fleet itself. If the Strasbourg cannot To salvage or salvage those that will slow down the fleet, they can be beached on Newfoundland to serve as fixed firepower points.”

Dönitz felt a pain in his heart, but he did not express any objection. When Japan sent two battleships to block the Panama Canal, he naturally understood the principle of giving and taking.

With these words from the head of state, Lieutenant General Bei was relieved and continued the attack. He transferred the injured Strasbourg to shallow water - he believed that the Americans would give priority to dealing with this ship in the next step, regardless of How to at least be prepared to seize the beach and sink.

Time passed by, and in the afternoon the German army continued to launch a fierce offensive against Canada, gradually expanding the landing site. Now not only tanks and naval guns were attacking on the front line, but even the huge guns of the Strasbourg were also attacking fiercely. The 330mm-caliber heavy artillery caused great psychological pressure on the Canadians. After a single bombardment, no bones were left within a radius of hundreds of meters.

By 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the second round of U.S. air strikes was launched, they still failed to find the German aircraft carrier formation, and finally dumped bombs on the head of the German artillery fleet again. Just as Lieutenant General Bayi estimated, the Strasbourg It was the target of the enemy's siege, and several other battleships were also attacked. The Imperial, Veneto, and Tirpitz all suffered bombs, but they were not seriously injured. Sturt received three bombs again. However, the Russburg could not hold on any longer. Under everyone's attention, it used a speed of 14 knots to seize the beach and sank. Until the moment it ran aground, the 128mm anti-aircraft artillery at the rear of the ship was still firing sharply...

The US military fought for a day, sinking a battleship with the loss of more than 200 aircraft, shooting down more than 50 German aircraft and killing more than 40 landing Germans. Other than that, there was nothing good to say.

As soon as the U.S. aircraft retreated, the Germans launched a sharp attack. After the Strasbourg ran aground, the more unbridled close support fire made the Canadians feel uncomfortable, as if suffocated, and retreated involuntarily.