"Marshal Scheer is gone. He left this world after watching the growth of the High Seas Fleet and not being as good as its peak. He passed away peacefully, without worries or sadness." Looking at the aging Hipper beside him, Raeder looked carefully.

Said, Scheer passed away. And Hipper, who succeeded him, was also in poor health, so he just left with a smile at the funeral of his old boss.

, for people of Hipper's level, their physical health is no longer a personal issue. After losing Marshal Scheer, if the opponent finds that Hipper's physical condition is also unable to fight again, then the opponent will be evaluating

There will definitely be a slight discount on the combat effectiveness of the German Navy! The navy strives not only for equipment and national strength but also for excellent commanders.

"No, he did not go peacefully or at ease. He had already seen the shadow hovering over the High Seas Fleet. Do you know what he was saying when I last saw him by his bedside?" Hipper

He asked after pausing and taking a sip of black tea.

"He kept repeating the word "Persian" and didn't know what it meant." Redel was also present at the time, watching the somewhat delirious old marshal keep mumbling something. But because the distance was a bit far - top - point - novel, so

I couldn't hear it very clearly.

"I know! What he means is not to let the German navy cross Persia and enter South Asia! If this is the case, direct conflict between us and China is inevitable. He has privately tried to persuade the Kaiser to stop Persia many times, but he was always rejected.

Dismissed, I can

Taking over the affairs of the navy was not just because of the old marshal's health, but because the emperor had become disgusted with the old marshal and needed someone else to replace him! And now? I am dying too, so who will replace me?

Hipper said melancholy.

"We are not hopeless in the future. China needs a lot of oil. But currently we are the only one that can provide so much fuel. We control oil fields in the Middle East, Romania and Transcaucasus, and will also add oil fields in Libya in the future. Although the United States' fuel output

There are many, but we have to supply the needs of the mainland and Britain and France, so we can no longer meet the needs of China. As long as we leave some benefits to China, they may not really fight with us." Reidel on the side comforted.

"Really? I remember you once said in the naval salon that it is ridiculous for a country as vast as China to not have large oil fields. Why has it changed now?" Hipper showed a smile. "You don't need to comfort me.

I. Is there something you should know? China has imported a batch of deep well drilling equipment from the United States. Do you think they have money and nowhere to spend it, or do you think Nanyang needs such equipment?"

"Actually, even if these equipment are imported, it doesn't mean anything. Maybe the oil layer they discovered in the end was too deep to be mined, or there was no oil underneath at all? And even if a large oil field is discovered, the relevant infrastructure will take a long time.

time. As long as they haven't finished it when we take action in South Asia. When the British are completely defeated, the Americans shrink in America, and we gain a foothold in South Asia, even if China wants to go against us, who can it unite with?

What?" Redel said pretending to be relaxed.

"You are right. This incident may be just a false alarm, but what if it is true? Is the German High Seas Fleet ready for a full-scale war with China? Are you really so confident that the German fleet can

Fight against the Chinese, British and American fleets at the same time? Don’t think that our victory at sea in World War I was the work of the German High Seas Fleet. How many times have I said that?

Times. Without the support of allies like Italy and Austria-Hungary, we cannot win. No matter how good we fight, we can't fight against the Grand Fleet! Have you all forgotten?" The excited Hipper coughed violently, but he still put it down

That's it. "And we will now lose an important ally. The Italians must have felt it, but they decided to fight us to the end!"

"Soon the Italian Navy will fall into our hands. We have already begun to deploy in Spain, and the Spanish have expressed their willingness to cooperate with our actions. In three months, a squadron will head to the Mediterranean. In this case, the Allies will

The navy would have the upper hand in the Mediterranean, General Richthofen's air force and

The Austro-Hungarian Empire's air force also has an advantage, and with internal support, we will definitely succeed." If it was about facing the Allied Powers and the Chinese Navy, Redl did not dare to say anything. But if it was talking about the Allied Powers' combined fleet dealing with the Italians, then

What is it if it's not a sure thing? It's just a piece of cake for Zhang Fei to eat bean sprouts!

"The Allies and China have already begun to take action. If Ribbentrop's information is correct, many French and Americans have entered Italy through customs, as well as some strange cargo ships in Tarant Port and other places. These are all

It is worth arousing our vigilance. Are we prepared?" Hipper asked rhetorically.

"In fact, I personally think that it is a very stupid move for China and the Allied Powers to declare war and compete with us in Italy. Italy is too close to us, and the export of the entire Mediterranean is under our control. Are China and the Allied Powers confident enough to use their fleets?

Forcibly penetrate the Strait of Gibraltar, and then fight with our territory

Are the Chinese naval fleet and land-based aviation able to compete with each other? Are they crazy?! And from the perspective of national strength, the outbreak of a large-scale war at this time will be an unbearable price for the three Allied Powers." Raeder felt that Shippey today

What I said became increasingly unbelievable, and some of it even violated the most basic logic!

In the face of absolute strength, any strategy is powerless. Even the worst officer can see the outcome of this confrontation. Raeder really can't figure out what Hipper has to worry about? Could it be that he is worried about the loss of the fleet?

Or should we say that the Italians will destroy the shipyard and facilities before they fail? Thinking of this latter point, Redel somewhat understood.

"Sooner or later, Italy will fall into our hands. China and the Allies know this very well, and even Tycho will understand it, so they acted, not to prevent us from gaining this country, but to find ways to evacuate this country! Southern Italy

Some consortiums started investing in China a few years ago. Various equipment and technical personnel have also left.

Less. It is said that Italians account for about 20% of the shipyards in China Longtai! If the Italian Navy slips away again, what else can we get? The Italian Army? Or Alitalia, which can’t even build engines?

Industry? If this is the case, who is the winner in this game? Is it us? Or is it our opponent?" Hipper asked.

"So I hope that our actions against Italy can be advanced. China and the Allied Powers have already expressed their position with actions. Although they will not fight for Italy and us, they will definitely turn Italy into a quagmire! But it is a pity.

Unfortunately, this time I have no chance to compete with Tycho or someone from China, so I hope you can take command of the Mediterranean Squadron in my place. I will equip you with the best warships to help Austria.

The Hungarian Navy stalled the opponent and forced the Italians to surrender!" Hipper had already understood the plans of China and the Allied Powers in Italy. But unfortunately, it was a bit late, and he himself could not go into battle again. Germany

The navy has risen too fast. Apart from equipment, it has no successors and too few people who can take on important tasks. After Scheer passed away and Hipper became seriously ill, it was difficult to find another person who could take on important tasks in a short period of time.

of people.

In fact, not only Hipper in Germany was aware of this, but German high-level leaders also discovered something from this series of abnormal actions in Italy. The other party will definitely take action, but when and how they will do it, they don't know yet. Hipper

After the meeting with Redl, he immediately wrote a report to the Kaiser and mentioned the need to step up the action arrangements of "Plan L". (Plan L is specifically for Italy, while Plan K is for Persia in the future.)

And it was recommended that Raeder serve as commander of the Mediterranean detachment of the German High Seas Fleet.

But it is a pity that Hipper's suggestion was not fully adopted this time because there was too little time. Germany had just announced its withdrawal from the treaty and two new aircraft carriers were under construction. According to Germany's original plan, it was planned to wait until at least one was completed.

It will take action after 1 aircraft carrier and one reserve aircraft carrier. If Hipper's new timetable is followed, I am afraid that at most only one reserve aircraft carrier can be completed. It would be good if two armored aircraft carriers can be launched!

"Then first concentrate resources and manpower to directly convert the two reserve aircraft carriers into aircraft carriers, and put the others first. The weapons that can be used are the best weapons!" Hipper ordered very annoyed after learning the news.

The merchant ships Bremen and Europa were directly recovered, and then they were converted into aircraft carriers. And Raeder couldn't wait any longer. Two months later, the German Mediterranean Squadron was completed and left Wilhelmshaven for Crete in the Mediterranean.

island.

Hipper is still very interested in Raeder. His fleet includes the new armored aircraft carrier Moltke, the high-speed improved battleship Bavaria, the aviation cruiser Emden, plus two heavy cruisers and 14 destroyers. They will

and the Austro-Hungarian fleet to deal with the Italian navy. The Allies sensed that

Fang's arrangements began to accelerate the pace of their actions, and Germany and Austria also stimulated their opponents. China and the Allies also began to speed up the pace. The three fleets in the North Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea began to reorganize, and then the Chinese Navy's first

A cross-oceanic expedition, this time is not a visit, but a preparation for war!
Chapter completed!