The decisive battle against the Third Reich

Speaking of Marshal Erich Leider, Qin Chuan knew a little bit about him.

His name is not well known because the performance of the German Navy during World War II was not ideal, but Marshal Erich Redel actually led the German Navy for 15 years, so there is no doubt that the reconstruction and operations of the German Navy Basically they are all made by Redel.

But Raeder is a tragic figure... Although he worked hard and could be said to have made no mistakes during the battle, Hitler unfortunately paid more attention to the army and air force. After several failed battles with the British army, the navy was It was completely abandoned to the point where warships were dismantled to make tanks.

The only thing that can be commended is the submarine blockade of Britain.

But the submarine warfare was commanded by Karl Dönitz and had nothing to do with Raeder. (Dönitz was appreciated by Hitler and eventually replaced Raeder)

From this aspect, it is not surprising that Redel would appear in Algiers with the navy, because he hoped to use the fleet in Algiers to boost the German navy.

"Lieutenant!" Redel stared at Qin Chuan closely and said, "Before you came here, I listened to the reports from Colonel Slaine and Major General Oxster, which also included your defense plan in the Mediterranean. That was your plan. Bar?"

"Yes, sir!" Qin Chuan replied.

"You seem to have arranged everything?" Reidel said.

Qin Chuan couldn't help but was stunned, and then he realized that he seemed to have exceeded his authority... If a rear admiral came now, there might be no problem, because the commander-in-chief was undoubtedly Rommel.

So Qinchuan's suggestions can be forwarded to Rommel, and Rommel will instruct the major general on what to do.

But now it was a marshal who had a higher military rank than Rommel and was much older. This made Qin Chuan look arrogant.

"Report to the commander!" Qin Chuan replied: "That's just an idea of ​​mine, or it can be said to be a suggestion!"

"Uh-huh!" Reidel took the cigarette from the lamp, took one out and held it in his mouth. The staff officer next to him hurriedly lit it for him.

After Leidel blew out a cloud of smoke under the light, he said to Qin Chuan: "Lieutenant, do you want to tell me that it is time for the Army to teach us how to fight naval battles?"

Qin Chuan heard the meaning of Redel's words, and at the same time he could understand Redel's mood at this time... At this time, the German Navy was at its most depressed and frustrated, especially when the army had achieved brilliant victories again and again. . (Note: At this time, the campaign to attack the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front was also going very smoothly)

In comparison, the navy is useless. Now even a lieutenant can point fingers in front of the navy marshal... How can one swallow such a sigh of relief? !

"No, sir!" Qin Chuan replied: "I just think that our upcoming battle is likely to be a battle that requires high coordination of sea, land and air. Otherwise, even if we have the Strait of Gibraltar and the invasion Even in the Straits of Nicaea, we may not be able to win!”

In addition to the superficial meaning, Qin Chuan's words also had the hidden meaning of making Redel forget about the conflict between sea and land.

But maybe Redel didn't understand this, he became interested in a term.

"Cooperation between sea, land and air?" Reidel asked: "Lieutenant, I would like to know, how can the army coordinate with the navy? Do you swim into the sea to fight with us against the enemy?"

Several staff officers beside Leidel couldn't help laughing.

Qin Chuan now knew that the navy, including Redel, wanted to laugh at them and the army.

As for breaking up with Qin Chuan and others... that's not a big deal, after all, we are all sitting in the same boat now, and breaking up would not benefit anyone.

Thinking of this, Qin Chuan stopped talking nonsense to Redel. Ignoring the surprised looks of Colonel Slaine and Oxster, he pushed the map in front of Redel and said, "Sir, since you have heard the plan I mentioned. , then you should know that the navy’s focus is on the Tunisian Strait..."

Before Qin Chuan could finish speaking, the staff officer shouted angrily from the side: "Lieutenant, please pay attention to your identity. Do you really think you can teach us how to fight?"

Another staff officer echoed: "I have to remind you, this is a naval battle, not a land battle!"

"You are right!" Qin Chuan said: "But gentlemen, you seem to have forgotten who took those warships from the enemy's hands! I don't remember the navy having the same great results!"

Qin Chuan's words immediately silenced the staff, especially since they knew that the reason why the navy now has warships is entirely because of Qin Chuan.

Colonel Slain and Major General Oxster could not help but secretly applaud Qin Chuan's words, but when they saw Redel's gloomy face, they quickly pretended not to hear anything.

The staff member wanted to say something else, but Redel stretched out his hand to stop them.

"You are very brave, Lieutenant!" said Redl. "Perhaps I should also express my gratitude to you!"

"No, sir!" Qin Chuan replied: "You don't need to express gratitude to me, because I did this not for you, but for the survival of myself and my comrades. The same goes for you! Now, in the African navy, The army, the air force, and even the Algerians... must be like this, otherwise none of us will be able to escape the consequences of being annihilated by the enemy!"

Leidel was stunned for a moment, then handed Qin Chuan a cigarette and said, "Tell me what you think!"

"Tunisia Strait!" Qin Chuan pointed at the map and said, "This will definitely be the focus of the enemy's attack in the future!"

Redel nodded slightly in agreement.

"But the Tunisian Strait is not just a strait!" Qin Chuan said: "It is composed of Sicily and Tunisia. Sicily is an island, and it is also stationed with heavy Italian troops. It is very difficult for the British to attack it. .But Tunisia…”

Redl nodded again: "The enemy can directly attack Tunisia from land. If Tunisia falls into the hands of the British, the British will set up artillery along the Tunisian Strait, and then the navy will have to face Yes, it’s a double strike from the enemy’s navy and coastal defense artillery!”

"There is still air!" Qin Chuan said: "If Tunisia falls into the hands of the British, then they can deploy a large amount of anti-aircraft firepower in Tunisia. It will be difficult for our fighter planes to engage the enemy in the air over the Tunisia Strait. Fight with the machine!"

Leidel was stunned for a moment and then said: "That's right, so... what you mean by sea-land coordination is that the army will work with the navy to block the strait, and the navy will work with the army to defend Tunisia, right?"

"Yes, sir!" Qin Chuan replied: "In addition, we need to add the air force, so it requires a high degree of coordination among sea, land and air!"