< World War II - Darkest Hour (1) >
June 12, 1940
Kiel Naval Port, Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany The Army was rapidly resolving the chaos of the coup attempt and was in the midst of preparing for the capture of Italy.
The reason we hadn't launched the offensive yet was to deploy 88mm Anti-aircraft guns, dium artillery, self-propelled guns, and new model Panzer IVs to apply the lessons learned from the last battle.
The terrain was awful anyway, making maneuver warfare difficult. Our conclusion, then, was to simply pulverize the enemy's defense line itself by unleashing overwhelming firepower.
Rather than pushing our precious soldiers and tanks into a defense line, it was better to just pour ammunition on the opponent until they were shattered.
Unlike the Nazis, who chaotically produced all sorts of equipnt due to their ss of an economy, we were producing under the motto of "fewer types, more quantity."
And since our economic situation was better, we had been significantly reinforcing our artillery power. Especially the 88 Anti-aircraft gun.
The deploynt for the operation preparation was nearing completion, and this ti, we were scheduled to initiate the operation only after projecting the overwhelming firepower of the air force and artillery, even if it ant delaying the start of the operation due to bad weather.
In the midst of this, I was out at the Kiel naval port with Emperor Wilhelm III for the first ti in a while.
Accompanied by the splendid performance of a military band, the sight of the newly commissioned battleship Bismarck's hull gracefully cutting through the sea was certainly sothing to behold.
Unlike the Bismarck of the original history, there was no Hakenkreuz painted on the deck, and seeing the tricolor flag fluttering made
feel a surge of battleship pride I never knew I had.
"Hmm, so this is how I get to have the Bismarck."
"…"
Just as I was thinking, 'What's with this emperor's obsession with Bismarck…' the Emperor sidled up to
and whispered discreetly.
"But, to be honest, I find the Scharnhorst more to my liking for its elegance."
"…I-Is that so, Your Majesty."
Why is he being so creepy? Honestly, to my eyes, they're all just weapons of steel, one and the sa.
Ever since the military governnt's coup, the Emperor has been consistently favorable toward the Fourth Reich and .
The fact that we secured the oath for civilian control of the military during the recent coup attempt by the three branches was largely due to the Emperor's support and signature.
Of course, that alone won't make the German Army transition into a fine military under civilian control in a democracy, but the first step was clearly thanks to the Emperor's help.
And yet, seeing as I don't like him one bit, could it be that I'm just physiologically incompatible with this man?
The Emperor, seeing
cringe, chuckled as if he found it amusing, then turned his gaze to Admiral Raeder.
Well, Admiral Raeder, watching the Bismarck with eyes full of pride and satisfaction, would be quite sad if he heard the Emperor's true feelings.
Of course, the Emperor was an extrely political man and wouldn't make such a mood-killing statent.
"Truly magnificent, Admiral Raeder. I have high expectations for the battleship that will be responsible for the future of the Reichsmarine."
"It is an honor, Your Majesty! All the gentlen of the Reichsmarine and the crew of the Bismarck will surely live up to Your Majesty's expectations!"
Wilhelm III smiled warmly, creating a pleasant scene with Admiral Raeder, but honestly, I found it hard to place such high hopes on that Bismarck.
At least its final outfitting was done with British engineers and the budget was larger than in Nazi Germany's ti, so so of its design flaws were corrected, making it better off than its original history counterpart.
We reinforced the turret's armor protection and the deck armor, and installed a British-made radar, but the basic design is still obsolete, so I honestly don't know how it will fare.
Still, there was no need to rain on Admiral Raeder's parade, his face full of a proud smile. To be honest, the German Navy of the original history was a group that one couldn't watch without shedding a tear.
"A clash with France is all but certain at so point. The Fourth Reich governnt has great expectations for the feats the Navy will show in an ergency, Admiral."
"I am well aware, Vice-Chancellor. As per your request, we have been constantly conducting damage control drills, so you can look forward to its performance in actual combat."
"That is welco news."
Although the Reichsmarine's main ships were a considerable help in the defense of K??nigsberg, we still had to tear off a significant portion of our already insufficient budget for the Navy.
While I was at it, in order to solve, even if just a little, the German Navy's chronic problem of being neutralized every ti it was hit, I had ordered damage control simulation drills for situations where ships sustained damage.
With our naval power already inferior, there would be nothing more wasteful than losing those expensive ships every ti they took a hit.
The Reichsmarine initially showed a disgraceful conduct that could only be described as a total ss in my presence, but after the pride-wounded Admiral Raeder trained them fiercely, they now seem to be tolerably competent.
"The production of the Type VIIC U-boat is proceeding smoothly, Vice-Chancellor."
Next up was D??nitz.
When we first t, he was an admiral who wouldn't even speak to , but now he at least looks at
with a relatively favorable gaze, which is a relief.
"That's good to hear. It's impossible for us to catch up to other countries' navies with our surface fleet right away, but the submarine fleet, as an asymtrical force, has been the German Navy's strength since the last Great War."
At the ti of the naval budget increase, the shipbuilding plan Admiral Raeder submitted to us had no ntion of strengthening the submarine fleet at all.
Even considering the naval high command's strong dreadnoughtism and D??nitz's pro-Nazi sentints, I felt this was going too far. Thanks to
pointing that out, the navy at least began the construction of new U-boats, for which designs already existed.
Well—but.
"Admiral D??nitz. You've already promised, but you must keep unrestricted submarine warfare off the table."
"…I am aware, Vice-Chancellor."
D??nitz affird with a subtle expression, but I also held great concern for that U-boat fleet.
Of course, I'm well aware that the international law standard of warning a submarine, then confirming its identity before sinking it, is absurd.
So I can't tell them to follow that, but sinking every ship that cos into sight is sothing only the Nazis would do.
"It may be frustrating tactically, but in return, we are producing reconnaissance seaplanes for the navy to use, so I ask for your understanding on that point."
But not using submarines at all was out of the question, as they were one of the few things the German Navy could boast about.
Moreover, D??nitz was an overly competent admiral, so this was the compromise I found.
Unlike in the original history where he operated a handful of seaplanes he practically begged G??ring for, we were allocating a significant number of specialized reconnaissance seaplanes exclusively for the navy.
The plan was to first identify the enemy convoy using the radar technology and seaplanes received from Britain, and then attack with the Wolfpack tactic (a coordinated attack by multiple submarines) that D??nitz devised.
Of course, I don't know how effective it will be in actual combat yet, but we'll have to try and improve as we go if it doesn't work.
"Understood, Vice-Chancellor."
The problem is that in the original history, the submarine fleet willfully engaged in unrestricted submarine warfare in opposition to Hitler, who told them to follow international law…
At the very least, since I opposed the initial shipbuilding plan that completely excluded the submarine fleet, leading to the addition of U-boat construction, Admiral D??nitz has been relatively cooperative.
Well, of course, with the incident of the 3rd Army's coup, I can't trust what I see, but I suppose I can view this as slightly positive.
"It is now ti for the first test firing."
While we were talking, the Bismarck had moved far enough from the port, and a naval officer handed binoculars to
and the Emperor.
I feel sorry for the overjoyed-looking Admiral Raeder, but I really couldn't hide my worry about this navy.
The submarine fleet is one thing, but didn't the Bismarck in the original history also get sunk after disobeying orders to evade engagent and fighting instead?
In any case, the sight of the magnificent battleship turning its massive turrets, seen through the binoculars, was certainly a grand spectacle.
And then, thunder struck.
As the massive main guns fired in unison, a sound literally like thunder erupted, the sea seed to be torn apart, and the sight of the great ship's hull shaking seed to make
understand the hearts of the dreadnoughtists, if only a little.
"Ooh… Truly magnificent."
Seeing the normally cool-headed Wilhelm III's eyes sparkle with admiration at a ti like this made
wonder if such things are inherited by bloodline.
It's very famous that Wilhelm II was a dreadnought aficionado. Co to think of it, that mustached Kaiser was throwing a fit, denying the legitimacy of our new governnt and his own son.
I wonder if he's still at it?
"Whoa-whoa-"
My thoughts were shattered by the flustered sounds from the naval high command.
I raised the binoculars again and couldn't hide my embarrassnt at the sight.
Smoke was rising from the radar installed on the Bismarck.
"…"
What the hell, did it just get damaged by the shockwave from a single main gun salvo?
"M-My apologies, Your Majesty. We will imdiately investigate if there is a design flaw."
Seeing Admiral Raeder break out in a cold sweat as he spoke, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pity.
"Well, let's just consider it a warding off of bad luck."
Wilhelm III, who was particularly lenient with the navy and battleships, let it slide, but I struggled to hold back a sigh that was about to burst out.
Damn it, that radar costs as much as several tanks!
Our navy, is it going to be okay like this…
---
June 18, 1940
London, the capital of Britain
"The state of our proud Royal Navy is a disgrace, Pri Minister. We're at a point where we have to cut the sailors' pay!"
The face of Admiral Dudley Pound, the First Sea Lord (Chief of the Naval Staff) of the world's strongest navy, the Royal Navy, was filled with dissatisfaction and deep worry.
"I understand the Navy's situation, First Sea Lord. But in an era of peace, shouldn't the Navy also adapt? Our navy still possesses the world's strongest fleet."
Dudley Pound couldn't hide his desire to click his tongue at Halifax's statent.
Halifax was a competent diplomat and dostic politician, but having served in the Army, he had no interest in the navy.
"Pri Minister, I won't deny that our navy's strength is the greatest, but most of our main force ships are obsolete.
The construction of the new KGV (King George V-class) battleships is delayed due to a budget shortage, while France has commissioned the Richelieu and Germany the Bismarck, have they not?"
Admiral Pound and the Royal Navy were burning with anxiety, but Halifax regarded it as no big deal.
"Hasn't it been concluded that the Bismarck, built with an obsolete design philosophy, is not that threatening for its displacent, Admiral? Besides, even if the Richelieu is new, the number of main force ships in the French Navy is less than half of the Royal Navy's."
Rather, Halifax inwardly disliked the navy, which, despite already possessing transcendent power, was not satisfied unless it was also the best in the performance of individual battleships.
Germany itself made no attempt to hide that its navy was a tin can with bloated displacent, and France was, after all, an ally.
The enemy they were supposed to face had vanished after the last Great War, so for how much longer did they have to bear this imnse expenditure for their pride?
"I understand the Navy's feelings, but the budget given to the Navy even now is by no ans small. The Royal Navy may be Britain's pride, but you must know that it is also a great burden on our finances."
"But Pri Minister, the current budget is woefully insufficient to maintain our existing forces, construct new ships, and conduct training.
Without constant maintenance and training, we cannot maintain our current strength!"
Admiral Pound was about to explode with anger, but Halifax remained calm.
"Then we must cut what needs to be cut. The British Navy is still number one in the world, Germany has beco a pro-British nation to the point of voluntarily informing us that they are no threat, and France has also shown it has no intention of being hostile to us by withdrawing from Italy as we demanded."
Looking at the completely dissatisfied Admiral Pound, Halifax smiled bitterly with a face as if looking at a relic of a bygone era and opened his mouth.
"It is now an era of peace, Admiral. Britain cannot carry this heavy burden forever just to protect its pride."
---
After Admiral Dudley Pound withdrew with a thoroughly angry face, Halifax clutched his forehead with a tired expression.
His belief that he could not spend useless military funds in this era of peace was firm, but the warmongers of the old era were constantly tornting him.
Isn't it absurd to want to maintain over 15 battleships, each costing an astronomical amount of money to build, and to keep them as the latest models?
When Britain was an empire on which the sun never set, that was possible, and there was an enemy nation to overwhelm.
But Britain was no longer such an empire, and the maintenance costs of the bloated navy and colonies alone were a considerable burden.
If there was money for that, it would be better to invest it in the ho country or the dominions still suffering from the aftermath of the Great Depression, to further strengthen the solidarity of the British Commonwealth.
Besides, with the heat of the independence movent constantly spreading in India, how much money does it take to strengthen public security there? How long can we keep satisfying their pride?
However, contrary to Halifax's expectations, the shadow of war was approaching steadily.
"The French Army is moving on a large scale, you say?"
"Yes, Pri Minister. It's a report from MI6."
Halifax took the report and stared at it with narrowed eyes.
What the report indicated was a single conclusion. A large force of the French Army was being deployed to Northern France, and near a naval port at that.
Halifax couldn't erase the puzzled look from his eyes as he read the report. What's the reason for this? A simple military drill? Or—
And finally, Halifax's gaze reached the end of the report, and he let out a hollow laugh at MI6's opinion.
[Based on the movents above, the possibility of the French Army conducting a large-scale joint army-navy-air operation cannot be ruled out.]
"These warmongering bastards are desperate to fan the flas of suspicion to increase military spending again."
Halifax crumpled the report, then sighed and spread it open again.
He was extrely tired of these warmongers' tricks, but he still had enough flexibility as a national leader to seriously consider the possibility.
If this report were true, he couldn't completely rule out the possibility, however remote, of hostile activity against Britain.
But Britain and France are an undeniable alliance. Even if it's only nominal and the relationship is very strained, would they suddenly go mad and attack their ally?
Moreover, the power of the Royal Navy is truly overwhelming.
As long as the seas are under British control, there are almost no nations that can truly threaten Britain.
"Perhaps they're planning an amphibious landing on Germany, which is focused on the Italian front."
It doesn't seem like a very wise idea, not unless it's Churchill.
Halifax pictured Churchill's angry face and chuckled.
Britain is the one that knows best the difficulty of amphibious warfare and the potential for massive casualties, thanks to the lessons of Gallipoli.
Halifax tapped the desk—tok, tok—and fell into thought.
If this suspicious movent of the French is true, the right thing to do would be to consult with the cabinet and the military and prepare counterasures for the unlikely event.
The problem is, whether this is true or not, the military, which is very dissatisfied with the current disarmant situation, will obviously start talking about increasing military spending as soon as the words are out.
Then, all the disarmant he has painstakingly pursued while struggling against belligerent warmongers throughout his term will lose all aning.
Moreover, France had just withdrawn its hand from Italy, proving that they still had no intention of severing diplomatic relations with Britain.
And yet, would any politician make the choice to tear up all the policies built up until now, based on uncertain information, for the reason that an ally might do sothing crazy?
In the end, after much thought, Halifax gave an order.
"This requires a more certain judgnt. Tell MI6 to investigate for more concrete evidence and a potential attack target."
"Understood, Pri Minister."
For him, it was the best judgnt made prudently, based on the situation and common sense.
But history has also shown that the best choice does not always bring the best result.
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