Chapter 12: Saving Superman Udette

At the entrance of a villa in the outskirts of Berlin. Colonel Hans Rogen, wearing the titles of Deputy Chief of Staff of the German Air Force, Deputy Director of Air Force Weapons Production, and Deputy Director of Airborne Technical, finished half a pack of cigarettes before finally being greeted by Hermann Göring's adjutant. The adjutant calmly said:

"Sorry, Colonel. The Reich Marshal is feeling unwell today and cannot receive visitors. You should go back."

"Oh, is that so... Well, thank you, Major!"

Rogen sighed helplessly as he patted the seat behind the driver. "Let's go, Hank, back to the Air Force Headquarters!"

This was already Rogen's second visit to the legendary Karin Manor. Since recovering from a coma and stabilizing his condition, the Reich Marshal, Hermann Göring, had returned from the hospital in Berlin to this estate named after his first wife who passed away in 1931. It was said that every decoration in this mansion was of considerable value, and the collection had grown rapidly after the battles in Poland and France. Before the outbreak of the war, Göring even entertained dignitaries and celebrities such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and American pilot Lindbergh and his wife here. It could be said that this was one of the most favored properties among the many estates of the Reich Marshal.

The car sped along the tree-lined avenue. However, the natural beauty on both sides failed to arouse Rogen's interest. The last time, the doctors conducted a comprehensive routine examination; this time, the Marshal's indisposition prevented him from receiving guests. There would surely be another excuse next time!

Rogen never had a good impression of Hermann Göring, but now he was, after all, a senior officer of the Air Force with three significant titles, reportedly all proposed and approved by Göring. Before the launch of "Operation Sea God's Wrath," Rogen hoped to have a face-to-face conversation with Göring. Reconciliation seemed too difficult, but Rogen only hoped that through temporary compromises, this eccentric Air Force Commander could continue to support him during the operation—at least not sabotage him at critical moments. With the current situation, the outcome of this battle was no longer a matter of personal honor but the fate of the entire empire and the entire war!

Having been snubbed twice and seeing the operation date approaching, Rogen reluctantly put this matter aside, hoping that Göring, no matter how arrogant or conceited, would not be foolish enough to ruin the fate of the nation.

Just back from Karin Manor to the Air Force Headquarters, Matthew, Udette's adjutant, knocked on the door and said, "Colonel, the General has urgent matters to discuss with you!"

"Oh, alright, I'll come right away!" Rogen glanced at the pile of files on the table, sighed lightly, realizing that overtime tonight was inevitable—the plan to personally pick up the Dorin family at the train station had to be delegated to Auguste. As for the consequences of British and French women living under the same roof, Rogen didn't have time to think about it.

Along the way, Rogen tried to get some information from Matthew. However, the steady Air Force major was not clear about Udette's thoughts, just informing Rogen that the General seemed unusually cheerful today.

Unusually cheerful?

Rogen was somewhat surprised. In the more than a week since he took over as Deputy Director of Air Force Weapons Production, he had never seen Udette smile. This ace of the First World War, who had been engaged in flight performances for a long time after the war, now led a department with over 5,000 officers and technical personnel, dealing with matters such as development, improvement, logistical supply, finance, and system production, just listening was enough to give people a headache. In order to lighten the burden on this poor man, Rogen stayed up for two nights before his trip to Stettin, barely drawing up an Air Force production improvement plan, which was submitted to Udette before going on a business trip, then made a detour to Königsberg.

Adjusting his uniform, especially making sure the silver swords and oak leaves of the leader's insignia were properly positioned, Rogen knocked on Udette's office door.

"Come in!" The hoarse voice seemed a bit more energetic today.

"General, you wanted to see me?" Rogen stepped into this particularly "unique" room: airplane models were placed or hung everywhere, from old-fashioned biplanes and triplanes from the First World War to military and civilian aircraft from the twenties and thirties, to the main fighter jets of various air forces nowadays—even including the British Spitfire and Hurricane, there were nearly a hundred in total!

As a child, Rogen had dreamed of having such a room.

"Ah, Hans, come in! Have a seat!" The balding General immediately shifted his gaze from the documents to the young Air Force Colonel in front of him. Born in 1896, Udette was only 44 years old now. Such a hairstyle inevitably reminded people of rumors about "excessive indulgence leading to baldness." In fact, throughout the 1920s, he and his self-funded "Udette Airshow Troupe" toured Europe and South America. During the day, they entertained audiences with dazzling performances, but at night, Udette became an experienced womanizer and notorious drunkard, a playboy who enjoyed attending various parties with wealthy men from all over the world. He squandered money as soon as he got it, often spending it as soon as he received it. He often mingled with movie stars, producers, and other socialites. In Udette's autobiography, that period was the happiest and most carefree time of his life, although it directly led to his divorce from his first wife.

Rogen sat down in the chair opposite Udette's desk, and the General offered him a cigar. Lighting one himself, Udette sighed and said between puffs, "Hans, I've reviewed your proposal. It's a good idea, and implementation shouldn't be difficult! The only problem is... it will directly lead to an increase in our production costs, and the hiring of inexperienced workers will also slightly decrease our qualification rate!"

"Yes, General! My consideration is that the significant increase in production quantity can completely compensate for the slight increase in cost and defect rate. War is about strength. Every additional fighter we produce increases the hope of victory. As for the extra hundreds of marks in cost... the Empire is not short of funds at the moment! What do you think?"

Rogen patiently, politely, and strategically articulated his words. Udette indeed had no counterargument.

Rogen's proposed plan was quite straightforward: Firstly, increase the number of workers. Implement a 24-hour shift system, and to address the cost concerns of arms dealers, the Air Force would provide corresponding subsidies based on the quantity of engines produced, ensuring that the profits of arms suppliers would only increase; Secondly, the Air Force would invest in purchasing new production lines, and arms dealers only needed to ensure the startup rate of these production lines with old workers teaching new ones. After deducting product costs and labor expenses, profits would also only increase; Thirdly, standardize production, allowing as many components as possible of various types of aircraft to be interchangeable, enabling the Air Force to adjust production between different aircraft types as needed, thus maintaining overall production at a higher level.

"According to preliminary estimates, the production of Daimler engines can be increased by twenty percent in the short term, and in the long run, it may even reach an increase of over eighty percent!" Rogen added.

"Well, I reported it to Milch this morning, and he also thinks this plan is feasible. Anyway, as long as we don't exceed the budget too much in terms of funds!" Udet said as he quickly signed his name at the end of the document.

"Unfortunately, Hans, you won't be able to spare any time in the near future, otherwise, with your assistance, my pressure would be greatly reduced!"

"Haha, I'm actually a layman when it comes to technical production. I just studied the American production model back in school. If feasible, I suggest sending a group of inspectors to major factories and shipyards in the United States to learn from their advanced experience!"

"Experience from the United States?" Udet rubbed his chin, "Different countries have different practical situations, everything must proceed cautiously and gradually, and we must not easily harm certain interests! As for the inspection matter, let's plan it slowly in the future!"

Rogen pondered for a moment, realizing the truth in Udet's words. Although radical reforms might bring tremendous progress to the country, the fate of reformers didn't seem too promising. Examples like Shang Yang, Fan Zhongyan, and Wang Anshi in China were the best illustrations, and Europe had similar situations. Only the highly esteemed German Chancellor Bismarck seemed wise; he voluntarily retired in his later years, spending the last eight years in seclusion, writing books and memoirs, which was considered a good end.

"By the way, this test report is what you wanted!" Udet took out a document from the drawer and handed it to Rogen. "Unfortunately, our modification of the Junkers 87 basically failed. The effective bomb load of 250 kilograms is simply not enough to threaten a large warship! I have instructed Junkers to start improving from the design stage, striving to develop a dive bomber with longer range and larger bomb load before next spring!"

"Oh?"

Rogen took the report and glanced at it. As expected, after forcibly installing auxiliary fuel tanks, although the range of the Ju-87B increased to 1400 kilometers, the effective combat radius was only about 700 kilometers, and the bomb load capacity significantly decreased, only able to carry one 250-kilogram bomb.

As part of Operation "Sealion," the "Wrath of Neptune" operation seemed rushed from planning to implementation. At Rogen's request, the modification of the Ju-87B was launched without testing in two squadrons, mainly adding auxiliary fuel tanks to the wings and wing roots.

"It doesn't matter, 250 kilograms can still be the last straw that breaks the camel's back. What do you say, General, haven't you heard of this saying? It's okay, let these two squadrons participate in the battle as usual! If there's time, I also want these pilots to train in the Skagerrak for a few days!"

"That's no problem, all the aircraft will be tested today! Colonel, good luck!" Udet stood up from his chair, cigar in mouth, looking somewhat cocky, but his extended hand was a great support for Rogen.