Hitch in the plan
Although Akado's speech at the Congress had been a resounding success and was perceived by the international community as a reassurance from the German government, choosing to discuss border issues before fully addressing the economic crisis was arguably a reckless decision. Akado himself was aware that his strategies were not yet fully formed. However, what no one anticipated was his furious reaction upon returning to his office, where he swept everything from his desk onto the floor in a fit of rage, startling his secretary, Anna.
"These imbeciles! Do they have pig brains? Since I am the chairman! Since I am their leader! They should be executing every command I issue faithfully! Not disputing it!" Akado yelled at the line of officials gathered at the door of his office. It was hard to fault him for this outburst, given the sense of panic and despair he was experiencing at the time. Recent events in the Czech Republic had shown that his control was being challenged, an unprecedented situation that indicated many in the German Party were not following his directives. What was even more alarming was the realization that if things continued to deviate from his plans, he would lose any semblance of control over future events. He was transforming Germany, but the more he changed, the more uncertain the future seemed. Now, with limited visibility into upcoming developments, Akado felt increasingly fearful of this uncontrollable future.
"Merkel!" Akado snapped, "Tell me what the hell happened. Why was the action in the Czech Republic moved forward? This disrupts my entire strategic deployment!"
Just a few hours earlier, the former German Chancellor Streismann had been thrust into a precarious situation due to the Czechoslovak issue, necessitating intervention by British mediators. Although Germany's response appeared commendable, it was merely a temporary solution wrapped in a guise of expediency. Streismann had acted under Akado's covert orders, which stated that if Britain refused to support Germany on the Sudetenland national issue, Germany would announce unilateral military action against Czechoslovakia.
"The regional leaders believed they could garner more support and assistance by initiating earlier than planned, so they moved ahead of schedule," Merkel explained, clearly unnerved. It was his first time witnessing Akado's fury, and he was visibly uncomfortable.
Akado had long been orchestrating the Austrian national issue, hoping to emulate Hitler's tactics with slight modifications, such as advancing the timing of incidents and choosing strategic points of action. However, he now realized he was losing control over the unfolding global scenario.
"The initial plan was to launch Austria's 'Apostate Plan' next month to bring the Austrian national issue to the forefront and gauge the reaction from Britain and France. But now, it seems we must revise this plan," Merkel said, looking helpless.
"That was one of the top ten industrial nations in the world! A country with a thousand tanks and complete fortifications along the border. If they resist, we will be mired in war! You expect me to go to the Presidential Palace and persuade Hindenburg to order a nationwide mobilization? Idiot!" Akado rubbed his forehead in frustration, gesturing for Anna, who was approaching with coffee, to stay back.
"Britain and France aren't ready for war, and intelligence from various countries suggests that they, like us, are in a wait-and-see position," the intelligence minister Gascole interjected, trying to calm the situation.
Akado looked up at him and shook his head. "Gascole, the difference is that these countries still have options, and we no longer do! If we don't seize control of the Czechoslovak border issue now, we'll never have another chance. Do you understand?" he said gravely.
After a heavy sigh, Akado turned to General Hammetstein, who had remained silent, and asked, "How is the army preparing? Is everything proceeding according to plan?"
"Mr. Prime Minister, the troops from five divisions of the National Defense Forces are moving towards the border. If necessary, we can also mobilize three reserve divisions nearby," Hammetstein responded, referring to the independently prepared action plan by the Defense Forces for specific troop deployments.
"There are no outsiders here. Don't worry about leaks!" Akado waved dismissively, then pointed to the map. "Give me an overview of the deployment plan."
"The 25th Armored Division under Guderian's command has moved to Chemnitz, but they need a day or two to rest due to the rushed deployment," Hammetstein explained, pointing at the map. "The 23rd Armored Division has been ordered to stand by in Dresden, and the 21st Motorized Infantry Division is also moving towards the area."
"Fine! Can you guarantee that the Wehrmacht will break through the Czech border defenses immediately? I've heard they've built a permanent fortification there, nicknamed the 'Little Maginot Line,'" Akado interjected, eager to get to the heart of the matter.
"Mr. Prime Minister," General Hamelstein began, lowering his head, "in recent times, the National Defense Force has focused on weapon standardization and logistics simplification. Our artillery caliber is small, which allows us to carry more equipment and achieve greater firepower density. However, the downside is clear—we lack heavy cannons capable of attacking fortresses and reinforced concrete fortifications."
He paused before continuing, "So, if the Czech troops use those fortifications to mount a counterattack, I cannot guarantee that my forces will quickly overcome those obstacles and defensive lines."
"This is the second time we've placed our fate in someone else's hands! How many more times do you plan to do this?" Akado exclaimed angrily, standing up and glaring at his subordinates. His thin cheekbones and piercing blue eyes gave him an intimidating presence.
Everyone understood what he meant by "twice." The previous instance was when, under his sole commitment, the German forces had entered the Rhineland Demilitarized Zone. At that time, the German army was not as formidable as it is now, and both the French and British armies could have easily overpowered Germany. Now, Germany was once again in a precarious situation, and only Akado understood the full implications of his words.
When he had made the decision to move into the Rhineland, he was gambling based on his predictions of future events. He had a fair idea of the possible outcomes, which gave him some confidence. Now, unable to predict the outcomes, he truly felt he was leaving fate to chance.
In recent years, Germany had seen a stream of positive developments, with significant advancements in various fields of science and technology. Early in his tenure, Akado had acquired Sumitomo Metals in Japan, which successfully developed high-strength aluminum alloy technology. This technology was sold at a high price to "Japanese friends" in the Far East and was also used in the construction of the new fighter aircraft of the National Defense Forces Air Force, codenamed "Young Eagle." This aircraft utilized the material in non-primary components to reduce weight, with the aluminum comprising no more than 20% of all materials used.
In a cooperation agreement with Japan, Germany imported large quantities of aluminum, and also purchased millions of aluminum ingots from the United States, which were shipped to China for strategic storage. Although these reserves were not sufficient for a large-scale war, they represented a significant strategic planning effort.
As a secret weapon of the Air Force, the ME-109 fighter, codenamed "Hawk," had been designed and two prototypes built. During test flights, the aircraft's performance was nearly flawless, surpassing all existing models. It featured a fully enclosed cockpit and a much higher operational ceiling than other military aircraft of the time. The main drawback was the aircraft's range, which, although short at 800 kilometers, was still a significant improvement. The aircraft could also be fitted with a disposable auxiliary fuel tank.
Drawing on his knowledge from a previous life, Akado knew that liquid-cooled engines had outperformed air-cooled engines in the latter stages of World War II. Determined to avoid the mistakes made in past German aircraft engine development, he insisted on the development of related cooling technology. Initially, the engineers were baffled by his stubborn and seemingly unreasonable decision, but after several failed protests, they were forced to accept that the National Defense Forces Air Force would only commission fighters with liquid-cooled engines.
The design specifications for this aircraft were stringent. Designers were tasked with maximizing the engine's horsepower within a compact space. The culmination of new engine designs and material replacements met the military specifications set by Akado. BMW, in response to these standards, abandoned their original air-cooled engine designs and devoted their efforts to developing proprietary liquid-cooled engine technology, which quickly led to significant breakthroughs. The ME-109 fighter directly benefited from this innovative approach to engine cooling.
This new engine represents a revolutionary advancement in military weaponry. It enables the Me-109 to achieve a staggering speed of 570 kilometers per hour, surpassing all currently active fighters. This unprecedented velocity not only allows the Me-109 to outmaneuver its adversaries but also grants it an unmatched climbing capability. Consequently, Catherine, the Luftwaffe commander, has aptly named this new asset the "King of Climbing." No one considered her proclamation an overstatement; instead, Colonel Dick's succinct appraisal of the engine as "deserved" resonated unanimously.
The engine's compact design has facilitated a more sophisticated armament configuration. The super fighter is outfitted with a formidable 20 mm caliber cannon mounted on its nose, ensuring potent penetration and destructive firepower. Additionally, it is equipped with two 13 mm heavy machine guns to maintain a high level of firepower continuity. These armaments guarantee that the Me-109 will remain competently armed for at least the next five years. An optional modification allows for the addition of two more 20 mm cannons on the wings, significantly enhancing its firepower. However, this modification compromises the aircraft's range and maneuverability and limits the ammunition for the wing-mounted cannons to just 60 rounds, a frustrating limitation.
The Me-109's cockpit design is another highlight, though not without its drawbacks. The cockpit provides limited visibility due to its design constraints but is a fully enclosed, supercharged space. This feature enables the aircraft to ascend to high altitudes, which is crucial for outmaneuvering opponents or engaging higher-altitude targets. The main design challenge lies with the compressed landing gear, which makes landing the most perilous aspect of operating the Me-109. Pilots require extensive training to adapt to the aircraft's landing characteristics, and the manual strongly advises against taking off and landing in strong winds.
The aircraft's exceptional speed and climbing abilities come at the cost of reduced low-altitude performance, which precludes any role in ground-attack missions. This is considered a minor flaw, as the Me-109 also proves inadequate as a bomber. It can carry only a single bomb and no additional fuel tanks, and bombing runs must be conducted in level flight, akin to "flying blind."
Despite these limitations, the Me-109 was designed to dominate the skies, a goal it achieves with its superior capabilities. Pilots who have flown the Me-109 have often disembarked with high praise for the aircraft, asserting it as the most formidable fighter they have piloted. Performance data corroborates this sentiment, showing the Me-109 outperforming all contemporaries in speed, agility, and climbing efficiency.
Since its mass production began in 1931, the Me-109 has consistently outperformed its rivals. Only a select few engineers at Messerschmitt were aware that the aircraft had shattered the world flight speed record back in 1930. To address the Me-109's limited ground-attack capability, under the direction of Akado, a German aircraft manufacturer introduced the Luftwaffe to the Stuka dive bomber. Additionally, Germany began designing a twin-engine long-range bomber, destined to become the backbone of future Luftwaffe ground attacks.
Akado faced a dilemma similar to that encountered by Goering and Hitler: a chronic shortage of aircraft. Opting to prioritize fighter development was the quickest solution to align with global air force standards, albeit at the expense of long-range attack capabilities. To circumvent this, unlike Hitler's reliance on impractical solutions like the V2 rockets, Akado championed the development of long-range strategic bombers to bolster the Luftwaffe. Despite his considerable resources, Akado realized that simultaneous development of long-range bombers and air superiority fighters was financially untenable. He pragmatically chose to prioritize the Me-109 fighter project but also laid plans for an ambitious Air Force strategic bomber initiative. This project envisioned the design and development of a superior four-engine large multi-purpose aircraft, which would also propel the advancement of civil aviation in Germany. This design was later modified to serve as a military transport aircraft to support German paratroopers and crucial military air transport operations, ensuring that Germany remained at the forefront of large aircraft technology and experience.
From the outset, Akado dismissed any proposals that sought to combine bomber performance with dive-bomber capabilities in large aircraft, marking such suggestions in the Air Force's reports with a decisive red X and noting "Outweigh the gains." The design trajectory for German bombers thus mirrored the four-prop configuration of the American B-17. Initial trials revealed inadequacies with the single vertical tail design, prompting German designers to adopt a twin vertical tail configuration, which, despite slightly limiting the defensive gun's firing arc, provided enhanced stability and was aesthetically pleasing to Luftwaffe officials.
Despite not being a professional aircraft designer, Akado faced numerous technical queries from engineers with a mixture of coughs and nods, often concealing his lack of detailed technical knowledge. Moreover, he continued to support the development of air-cooled engines for various strategic reasons. In confidential meetings with Navy officials like Redel, Akado discussed the benefits of air-cooled engines in naval aviation. Approximately 15% of the Navy-specific Fw-109 models, which utilized air-cooled engines and featured a redesigned aerodynamic structure, were compatible with the Army's Me-109s. These models were thicker but more robust, suited to the demanding conditions of naval aircraft carriers. Air-cooled engines also eliminated the need for precious fresh water on carriers and were less likely to be rendered inoperable by minor battle damage.
In total, Germany's aviation strategy encompassed four aircraft models: two fighters, a dive bomber, and a multi-purpose large aircraft series. While this appeared to increase the burden on the aviation industry, most of these projects were still in the experimental and flight-testing phase. In contrast, the development of the German Navy was more overt. Following the "Naval Clause" of the "New Versailles Treaty" with the United Kingdom, which imposed lenient tonnage restrictions on destroyers and light cruisers, Germany was able to significantly expand its naval fleet. This allowed for the commissioning of the X-class cruiser, enhancing the naval force. Germany's naval capabilities now included 41 ocean-going destroyers, 5 cruisers, and 23 large submarines, providing robust offshore defense.
Plans for an aircraft carrier, codenamed "Blue Whale," were already on the drawing board. Given Germany's proven shipbuilding capabilities, the construction of this carrier posed no technical challenges and could commence immediately upon command. Moreover, the carrier was designed to share parts with the German Hercules-class transport ships, with which German ship designers were already familiar. The acquisition of related patents from Japan and the United States had resolved any lingering technical difficulties in aircraft carrier design. With a simple order, construction of the "Blue Whale" could begin, promising a launch within a year and the capacity to deploy 60 various fighters.
Systematic training of naval aviators was also underway, with the reserve of German pilots now exceeding 1,100. These pilots were stationed in aviation flight clubs across Germany, where they received unified militarized management and systematic military training. Additionally, advancements in radio technology had significantly improved communication distances and call quality. Although many Leopard tanks were still equipped with outdated radios, the Defense Force Equipment Department was actively increasing production of the new radios to meet the comprehensive needs of the armed forces.
Near Berlin, the Wehrmacht had covertly established a base for a new type of equipment featuring a massive steel antenna array, affectionately named "radar." Akado's trusted generals, including Catherine, along with his chief of staff Weaver and the deputy commander of the Air Force, were progressively enhancing Germany's air defense radar system. With the integration of anti-aircraft guns and fighter jets, they were confident in securing the absolute safety of German airspace.
The successful testing of the radar system brought immense satisfaction to all German technicians involved in its development. This advanced electronic equipment allowed for 24-hour continuous surveillance of Germany's airspace and, when used to direct aircraft operations, was nothing short of revolutionary.
Reflecting on these numerous positive developments, Akado felt a momentary sense of relief. He reclined in his chair, visibly exhausted, and remarked, "Now we can only wait! Waiting for the good news from Streisman from the UK!" His tone was one of resigned anticipation, underscored by the immense responsibilities resting on his shoulders.