Chapter 24: A Leap into the Dragon Gate

Throughout the 1920s, constrained by the Treaty of Versailles, the German military dared not openly develop armaments. However, steadfast officers did not miss any opportunity to enhance the combat effectiveness of their forces. They exploited various loopholes in the treaty to maneuver strategically. Many weapons and tactics that would have significant influence in the next war were developed during this period.

After being granted access to the most tightly guarded technical secrets within the navy, Zhang Hainuo increasingly realized that since the end of the war, the German Navy had been engaged in a series of precautionary preparations: widening the channels connecting Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea to accommodate large warships; developing a new type of magnetic mine with significantly greater effectiveness than previous contact mines; designing aircraft capable of deploying magnetic mines, aerial bombs, and torpedoes to expand the navy's operational depth. The German Navy High Command had never envisioned building an aircraft carrier in the 1920s, but their engineers designed a successful aircraft catapult, which could launch reconnaissance planes from warships into the air. The military even tested this equipment on commercial ships.

In his capacity as a special supervisor, Zhang Hainuo shuttled tirelessly between various secret research facilities and factories of the navy, learning about the actual progress of these secret technologies and equipment. Overall, a series of new equipment, including magnetic mines and aircraft catapults, were successful. However, all these research projects were currently facing varying degrees of financial difficulties.

To address the financial challenges facing these technological research projects, Zhang Hainuo spent over a week writing a report exceeding 50 pages. The report, based on his findings of actual problems, combined with his relevant experience operating in Schneider Shipyard, proposed integrating these research projects under a unified financial management group to more efficiently allocate funds. Furthermore, it suggested broadening existing channels for fundraising: projects that could generate revenue should take a limited commercialization route, while those reliant solely on government subsidies could explore additional avenues such as loans or secret donations.

Zhang Hainuo's report immediately caught the attention of Admiral Reeder, who convened a meeting of the key staff of the Navy General Staff to discuss it, inviting Zhang Hainuo to make a special presentation. Regarding objections, mainly concerning the confidentiality of technology, Zhang Hainuo calmly addressed each concern, proposing strict departmental distinctions and additional security measures.

On the issue of fundraising, Zhang Hainuo's language was more tactful, politely reminding the generals present that the limited budget of the navy could not cater to all aspects. He advocated for the integration of various research departments under a common umbrella, managed by a shared higher authority, which would not only prevent leaks but also prevent the shortage of funds from impeding military development.

After the meeting, Admiral Reeder singled out Zhang Hainuo and had a private conversation with him.

"Excellent presentation!" he sincerely praised.

"Thank you! I hope my efforts can make the generals understand the necessity of this plan!" Zhang Hainuo sighed with relief. If possible, he would like to learn from his friend, Edvin, how to persuade his audience. Truth be told, although he disliked the conservative leaders, sometimes their considerations were more comprehensive.

Optimistically, Reeder said, "From today's situation, your plan is almost certain to be approved. So... be prepared; the upcoming tasks will be heavy. The Navy General Staff lacks talents who can raise funds externally, and reliable individuals need to be selected to oversee the integration of various research departments. You will be responsible for both!"

"It is my honor to assist you in any way!" Zhang Hainuo was mentally prepared for this. Publicly and privately, he hoped to contribute more beneficially. Although his position in the Navy was not low, compared to the glittering stars in the General Staff, his rank was somewhat lacking.

"I am very pleased that you think so!" Reeder said solemnly. "The affairs of the Overseas Projects Department still need you and Lieutenant Colonel Hessen to pay more attention. According to my plan, before the end of the year, the German Navy will organize the first submarine squadron after the war, comprising the eight submarines currently undergoing trials and training in South America. The six submarines under construction at the Schneider Shipyard will be assigned to the second squadron. After Germany can openly establish a submarine force, the focus of submarine construction will shift back to Germany!"

Subsequently, Reeder revealed another important piece of information to Zhang Hainuo: "The Chancellor assured me that Germany will reach an agreement with the British favorable to the German Navy's liberation from the constraints of the Treaty before 1936! The British do not want the situation in Europe to lose control like it did in the Far East!"

As far as Zhang Hainuo knew, this time Hitler did not lie. The British were indeed concerned that Germany, like Japan, would greatly expand its navy, leading to regional military imbalances. Therefore, they were eager to sign a binding agreement with Germany. The tonnage limit proposed by Germany, not exceeding 35% of Britain's total naval tonnage, perfectly matched Britain's strategic considerations.

"I hope that when the war comes, we will be fully prepared!" Zhang Hainuo said meaningfully.

Reeder nodded in agreement, "So do I!"

"Another very important thing is about radar!" For the sake of confidentiality, Zhang Hainuo did not submit this plan in writing, as he had previously mentioned to Reeder.

"After improvement, Gema's F-type radar has met the requirements for shipboard testing. I am eager to conduct tests on a warship or merchant vessel as soon as possible! As far as I know, the British are at a similar stage in their research. We cannot afford any delays!"

Unexpected yet somewhat expected, Reeder said, "General Meidoms has already reported to me about radar. He assured me that this technology is leading worldwide, and our top priority now is to ensure absolute secrecy!"

Calmly, Zhang Hainuo asked, "What if I have evidence that shows the British research is at least not lagging behind ours?"

"Oh?" With one being a veteran naval officer and the other his trusted assistant, Reeder was somewhat confused for a moment.

After about ten seconds of confrontation, Zhang Hainuo spoke affirmatively, "Respected Admiral, I humbly request that you utilize the naval intelligence department's resources in Britain to investigate this matter. It is crucial for Germany's future!"

Using espionage during peacetime for a specific research was a matter to be considered carefully. Reeder said, "I will give you a response as soon as possible. But until then, the F-type radar will remain in its safest place!"

"I will await your good news!" Zhang Hainuo replied.

A few days later, Reeder brought good news, but it was not about radar. With their efforts, the plan to integrate research departments finally received high approval from the top echelons of the navy. The Technical Logistics Department of the Navy would still be in charge of these secret projects, but the coordination work would be overseen by a newly established Technical Logistics Room. The leadership of this new department inevitably fell on Zhang Hainuo's shoulders. From then on, he could legitimately provide "blood transfusions" to various technical departments while integrating new technologies with the work of the Overseas Projects Department, with shipborne radar and aircraft catapults being his most focused projects.

In the following days, while Zhang Hainuo was busy, he also hoped for intelligence on British radar to arrive soon. Personally, he had an infinite desire to establish an efficient intelligence network in various countries, but for a non-professional, this was completely impossible. Just the infiltration in Brazil had already stretched his brain. The difficulty of espionage and infiltration in Britain and America could be imagined.

Fortunately, two months later, British intelligence agencies did not disappoint, sending back important information: the British National Physical Laboratory was indeed engaged in research on radio detection. This was confirmed by excellent intelligence operatives who learned the news from gatherings of British elites.

!ChatGPT

Later Zhang Hainuo learned that the outstanding intelligence operative mingling among the British upper class was none other than Heydrich, the blond demon he recommended to the Naval Intelligence Department's British spy unit a few years earlier. Two years later, Heydrich was promoted to head the spy unit with his excellent work. In 1939, after the Naval Intelligence Unit merged into the wartime intelligence department under the leadership of the Imperial General Staff, he made significant contributions to the German military's understanding of British intelligence.

In early 1934, Zhang Hainuo returned to Brazil once again, accompanied by a special observation group led by the current Chief of Naval Staff, Kyte Guse, to comprehensively evaluate the overseas projects department's work in South America. This evaluation would serve as one of the reference bases for the Navy's future five-year development plan.

Off the coast of Salvador Harbor, where the first test of aircraft takeoff and landing from a cargo ship's deck was conducted that year, the specially designed flatbed freighter, the "Carl," transformed into the German Navy's first experimental auxiliary aircraft carrier. Five Eagle Aviation Company-manufactured land-based aircraft sequentially landed and took off from its full-deck design. This successful test greatly encouraged the accompanying officers because given Germany's current financial situation, the Navy couldn't afford to construct a true aircraft carrier while building armored ships and cruisers simultaneously. The success of this auxiliary aircraft carrier allowed the German Navy to develop carrier technology and train carrier-based pilots.

After the aircraft takeoff and landing tests, the crew of the "Carl" reconfigured the freighter back into its original appearance as a flatbed cargo ship within 30 hours, reinstalling deck structures, erecting smokestacks, and removing part of the flight deck to make it look more like a standard cargo vessel. When serving as an auxiliary aircraft carrier, the smoke from the boilers was vented through the inclined auxiliary funnels located on the ship's sides, which somewhat affected its combat effectiveness as an aircraft carrier but was currently the best choice for the German Navy given its actual situation.

At the Schneider Shipyard, staff officers and technical officers from the German Navy's General Staff eagerly visited an almost completed American destroyer. In the U.S. Navy, this class of destroyer was named the Clemson class, with 162 built during the war, but due to the war's end, 50 were left unfinished. The ship they observed was constructed using technical data and surplus parts from the William Cramp & Sons shipyard by the Schneider Shipyard. Although these destroyers, called "flush-deckers" by the Americans, were emergency products of the war, they were outdated compared to the new destroyers of the 1930s from various countries. However, since they were built based on experiences from World War I, their technical designs were still worth studying.

In contrast, there was a noticeable gap in Germany's shipbuilding technology over the past decade. With the start of naval reconstruction, German naval engineers only had outdated technology from World War I at their disposal. For example, the planned 1934-class fleet destroyers, while reaching the tonnage level of British fleet destroyers for the first time and equipped with five single 5-inch guns and quadruple 21-inch torpedo tubes, with a speed of 38 knots, were anticipated to face various problems due to the use of heavy guns and unstable power systems.

The submarine production line at the Schneider Shipyard remained Zhang Hainuo's pride and joy. It also opened the eyes of the staff officers who visited for the first time. With sufficient funding and material supply, up to eight 600-ton medium-range submarines or four ocean-going submarines could be built here each year.

Taking advantage of this opportunity in South America, Zhang Hainuo modestly and actively engaged in positive exchanges and communications with the General Staff members led by General Kyte Guse to understand their naval strategic views and categorize them into different factions based on their different perspectives. General Guse belonged to the typical battleship and big gun faction, but his ideas differed from the naval strategic thinking of World War I: he believed that the era of traditional naval battles emphasizing fleet formations and collective combat had passed. Large fleet formations were easily detected by enemy reconnaissance and lacked flexibility in naval battles. The German Navy should focus on developing special task forces for warships, small naval formations formed at any time for special tasks, and the Deutschland-class battleship was the minimum requirement for forming such small formations. By constructing several powerful heavy warships and employing flexible tactics to challenge British naval dominance, this strategy aligned with Germany's current situation.

Although Zhang Hainuo's overseas projects department was responsible for ships other than capital ships and some "non-mainstream" technologies, General Guse still gave him high praise during this inspection process. Because he also understood that even with enough heavy warships, a variety of auxiliary vessels were needed. He especially supported aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft as the reconnaissance force of the fleet. However, his reasons sounded somewhat ridiculous: he believed that a perfect battleship should be equipped with various guns rather than carrying fragile aircraft like auxiliary vessels. "In intense gun battles, a small piece of shrapnel could render them useless. Only powerful firepower and thick armor are the keys to winning naval battles!"

In the current German Navy, battleship and big gun ideology still dominated, but some believed that the strategic thinking of the wartime period was not suitable for Germany's current economic plight. Among the 18 members of the inspection team, a young and talented staff officer named Helms Heyer caught Zhang Hainuo's attention. He was born in 1895, just two months older than Zhang Hainuo. During World War I, he served on an auxiliary cruiser and later served as a tactics instructor at the Kiel Naval Academy, showing keen interest in surface attacks and submarine warfare.

The coincidence of age and rank, along with similar military ranks, led to an immediate mutual affinity between Zhang Hainuo and Heyer. Through some time spent together and exchanging ideas, they quickly found common ground in tactical applications against the British Navy. Heyer believed that the weakness of the British Navy lay in the sea lanes vital for Britain's survival. To exploit this weakness, Germany could launch intensive attacks on the frequent British merchant shipping routes. Executing these intensive attacks would be numerous small and fast ships, so he advocated for the vigorous development of ocean-going submarines and large destroyers, light cruisers, and even surface attack ships like the Deutschland-class battleship. However, the time-consuming and laborious large warships had little help in such a strategy.

If Zhang Hainuo didn't have a comprehensive understanding of the impending war several years later, he might have fully agreed with Heyer's viewpoint. However, relying solely on submarines and light attack ships could only temporarily disrupt British sea routes and even put Britain in unprecedented difficulties. But single tactics could only cope with single situations. Once the British regained their strength and fully committed to various escort and anti-submarine measures, especially with the widespread use of radar, the German navy's tactics would face enormous challenges and even failure.

Zhang Hainuo did not impose his own understanding on Heyer, a naval lieutenant born in the late 19th century who had experienced both World War I and its aftermath. Instead, he refined his own strategic thinking through Heyer's insights. Soon, he discovered that Heyer's greatest advantage lay in his thorough understanding of the performance and tactics of light ships, including torpedo boats and minesweepers, something Zhang himself lacked.

After the inspection team returned to Germany, new discussions began among the navy's top brass. Due to the lack of an accurate prediction of when Germany could break free from the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles, the General Staff ultimately only put forward a relatively vague plan: to establish a small-scale secret submarine force within the next two years, to form a coastal defense fleet consisting mainly of the 1934-class fleet destroyers and various torpedo boats, and to use a core fleet of five Deutschland-class armored ships (initially planned for 5 ships, but the last two were replaced with the more powerful Scharnhorst class due to the Anglo-German Naval Agreement) to deal with the ambitions of the expanding Poles and the neighboring French on the western front. Several years later, people would be surprised to find out how short-sighted such a strategic plan was. However, at this moment, besides Zhang Hainuo, who could have guessed that the Austrian corporal who recently took over the Imperial Chancellery would rapidly elevate Germany to a first-rate military power and recklessly launch a world war in just a few years?

In June 1934, Zhang Hainuo finally received his second promotion since returning to the German Navy: he was promoted to Navy Lieutenant Commander. In comparison, his joy was even greater when Gema's F-type radar was finally installed on the Brazilian freighter "Força" and began an eight-week sea trial. Despite the various flaws and shortcomings of this experimental radar, when the ocean-going freighter belonging to the Schneider Shipyard sailed into the depths of the ocean, the relevant technicians could collect various crucial data through practical tests to improve their development of practical shipborne radars.

Two months later, when the "Força" returned to Germany, an almost inevitable event that would affect the fate of the entire Germany occurred: President Hindenburg passed away during his term in office, and after a cabinet vote, Hitler assumed two titles — Chancellor and Head of the Empire. This meant that he was also the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Two days later, the Chief of the Armed Forces and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy swore allegiance to Hitler:

"I swear by almighty God this sacred oath: I will at all times loyally and honestly serve my people and country and, as a brave soldier, I will be prepared at any time to stake my life for this oath."

This oath was unprecedented — previous oaths only required allegiance to the constitution and the president. This oath, made directly to someone, established a personal connection between the head of state and every soldier in the army, navy, and air force. Yet, not a single officer raised even the slightest objection or questioned the unprecedented wording of this oath.

Before the end of the day, every soldier in the armed forces took the same oath, pledging loyalty to the individual.