Iron Cross

After the discussion on equipment, it was about technical cooperation. Due to the success of three carrier-based aircraft in Germany, several major German aircraft manufacturers are full of interest in cooperating with Japan to develop follow-up aircraft models. In this context, staying in Germany The trio reported on the past 16 test high-speed ship reconnaissance (Caiyun), 16 test carrier-based attack aircraft (Meteor), 17 test carrier-based fighter (Gale), type 1 local fighter (Zidian) and other semi-finished product design ideas, which attracted high attention The Aviation Headquarters of the Navy Ministry also suffered from the inability to overcome technical bottlenecks in development, so they hit it off and were willing to develop it together.

In order to strengthen its technical strength, Germany also named the technical backbone of the above-mentioned projects, including Zero War designer Horikoshi Jiro, to work in Germany.

"Why is this person named as the group leader?"

"Because he has worked in Germany and has certain connections, he can communicate effectively with the German side. At the same time, the German side has also expressed its willingness to export electrical exploration and combat vehicle technical experts to Japan to help us improve related levels."

When the big guys from the army and navy met, they thought this was a good thing and hurriedly agreed. Especially the army, which wanted to increase the power of mechas. But Narumi Inoue poured cold water on them mercilessly: "Ozawa said that according to the German introduction and his judgment, there is a big gap between us in the field of mechas. Not to mention the Tiger type, it is the technology of No. 4 that gives us It is also difficult to master in the short term. The Germans believe that our most suitable way is to imitate the T-34.”

"The Army needs to work harder. The telegram also said that the German army has captured millions of army equipment in Western Europe and Russia, ranging from rifles, machine guns, artillery, tanks, armored vehicles, etc., and only a small part has been used. , most of the rest are piled in the warehouse and can be disposed of cheaply by us if needed.”

In the past, things that were so embarrassing would have to be fought. Now the atmosphere among the army and navy bosses is good, and it’s okay to joke occasionally. Ishihara smiled and said playfully: "I know, I know, the navy has strong technology, Germany wants to curry favor with you, and the army's technology is not good." , it’s only our share of fawning over Germany. But if we attack India and steal the gold, will the navy get a share?”

Koga Hoichi also had a rare moment of humor: "The Army has the final say whether to separate the gold, but the Navy has the final say whether to transport supplies..."

Everyone laughed.

"Now that the route has been opened and there are ships, it seems that normal trade can be started. It is not enough to just sit there and have nothing. This time we sent hundreds of tons of metal. The German side was very satisfied. Next time we can continue to toss in minerals, rubber, Agricultural products, arrange something for the Prime Minister to prevent him from being bored." Inoue Narumi teased Prime Minister Ugaki, and everyone laughed wildly again.

"But we need to strengthen anti-submarine warfare. In the past two months, more than 10 merchant ships have been sunk by US submarines in the Nanyang region alone. The Indian Ocean route is so long and there are more dangerous areas." Koga Mineichi said with a frown.

Tada Shun was also shocked: "The Navy has sunk so many ships? I thought we were the only ones who sunk 20 ships..."

Yamamoto Isoroku and Ishihara Wanji looked at each other and shook their heads together: "This won't work. We need to strengthen measures, otherwise no matter how many we build, there won't be enough for the Americans to blow up."

After saying these two sentences, the naval generals fell silent again. They have commanded the military for many years and have a deep understanding of the navy's problems - the combined fleet has always been prepared for fleet decisive battles, and has never bothered to do the "dirty and tiring work of escort". Of course, objectively speaking, it cannot spare troops to provide escort. The navy's own submarines also serve the fleet in decisive battles, and they have never thought of breaking diplomatic relations. This is completely different from Germany's. Transportation in the South Ocean can still be sustained, but transportation in the Indian Ocean will be a big trouble - what if a cargo ship full of tanks and aircraft is sunk? Arranging the construction of escort destroyers in the Marukyu Plan was an unprecedented move.

"Perhaps we should follow the approach suggested by Ozawa, introduce an escort system, and prepare escort aircraft carriers. There are still a few small aircraft carriers now."

"We have to build more escort destroyers."

"Ask a few more German submarine instructors for support and ask them how they broke the diplomatic relationship."

"We also have to send submarines to bomb American merchant ships. The Yankees rely more on supplies than we do."

"Horikoshi sent me a personal telegram." Seeing that the discussion on the topic was almost over, Yamamoto Isoroku said slowly, "He said that if we can grit our teeth and persevere in Nanyang, he would like to bring the Germans together to fight in the East. Coast, of course, is still an immature idea and has not yet been communicated with the German side.”

"Eastern coast of the United States?" Fushimi Miyahiro Kyouo, who has always boasted of being "calm during major events," finally couldn't stand it anymore and stood up in a panic, "Is he crazy?..."

"What a great idea! What a great idea!" Ishihara smiled and clapped his hands, "Since the visit of the black ships from the United States, no Japanese warship has ever gone to the United States to show off its power. The army is willing to accept the defeat."

Inoue Narumi glared angrily at Ishihara Wanji, who was worried that the matter was not big enough, and said worriedly: "The Atlantic Fleet is indeed not strong now, but what will happen if we fight? We can't land, and we have to come back in despair. After going back and forth like this, let alone March or June, I can't even think of coming back. Nanyang may still be able to withstand it, but it will be too late to attack India. Now that Britain has suffered consecutive defeats in the Middle East and North Africa, Indian people's hearts are unstable. As time goes by, I'm afraid There are changes.”

"This is the East Coast... it's not Pearl Harbor. Only a courageous person like Commander Horikichi dares to think about it." Koga Mineichi showed an expression of endless yearning, "When I think about Musashi's 460 artillery having the opportunity to attack New York or When Boston fires, this life feels worth it.”

"Forget it, let me reply to him in my own name: prepare a plan and act according to the opportunity. Don't think about it for now."

Everyone nodded: Yamamoto Isoroku's answer can be advanced, retreated or defended. It can be said that it is watertight. He is indeed an old classmate and has a very accurate pulse.

"Don't consider it for now?" Horikichi received the reply, sighed, and silently put away the telegram. The good news is that the request to sell Ise and Hyuga was approved, and the domestic hope is that the total price will not be less than 60 million yen.

The original cost of the two Ise-class battleships was 80 million yen. Later, they were successively modified, and the total cost has already exceeded 100 million. But after all, they are old ships of nearly 30 years, and their relationship with Germany is also very important. In addition, Ise One of the turrets on the USS was broken. In the end, the Japanese Navy didn't dare to say anything. They only gave a reasonable price and planned to sell it in a package for 60 million. This cost is barely enough to build a new one now.

Horikichi offered the Germans 70 million Reichsmarks (actually the Marks were slightly more valuable than the Japanese yen, but for the convenience of calculation, the exchange rate was basically 1:1). The Germans reduced the price by 3 million symbolically, and finally settled for 67 million. Reichsmark deal. This number was transmitted back to Tokyo, causing everyone in the base camp to tell another joke: The commander of the combined fleet really wanted to select someone who was good at doing business, and the money for these 12 Tigers was squeezed out at once.

Redl was very satisfied with having two more battleships out of thin air, but Speer was somewhat unacceptable: "Führer, although 67 million is not enough for us to build half a Scharnhorst (140 million German marks), it is still two battleships after all. It’s an old ship, and it’s an outdated battleship. Is it really useful to buy it?”

"It's useful. Besides, the Japanese don't take the money. They still have to purchase arms - which means we only spent less than half of the money. Why not?" Hoffman said with a smile, "You can't simply look at the price. They The purchased aircraft and tanks can cause greater damage to the Americans than these two battleships. As long as this is met, why else would I send 200 aircraft to the Combined Fleet? If an ally has strength, then Churchill should take care of it? With the combined fleet's record in these two months, Roosevelt would not even frown if he sent 20,000 aircraft, let alone 200."

It dawned on Speer.

Speaking of which, Japan and Germany have different tolerances for arms prices. In Japan's annual budget, the price of a Zero Fighter is about 220,000 yen. This time Germany priced the Bf-219 at 250,000 Reichsmarks. The base camp thought it was cheap - considering the advantages of the Bf-219 over the Zero Fighter. , the extra 30,000 yuan is completely worth the money, and the Japanese side believes that Germany is giving the cost price.

In fact, the German industry is far more developed than Japan, and the output is larger. In addition, most of the technical information is basically produced by Japan. Germany has very little initial research investment. The cost of the new Bf-219 is less than 140,000 Reichsmarks. Speer It is estimated that as production increases, it can be further reduced to less than 120,000 - the price of the Bf-109 during the same period was less than 90,000 Reichsmarks.

The same is true for Japan's price judgment on the Tiger. Germany's production cost of the Tiger is about 250,000 Reichsmarks (historically it was 300,000. In this book, due to the increase in Tiger production and the reduction in weight and components, the price dropped to 250,000). The Japanese-made Type 97 tank, which is only 15 tons, costs nearly 180,000 yen. The Tiger's price of 600,000 Reichsmarks is completely reasonable in Japan's eyes.

But when it comes to shipbuilding, the costs for both sides are reversed. Germany's cost is about twice that of Japan's - a Scharnhorst can catch up with Yamato's price. Japan and Germany don't know each other about these inside stories. Only Hoffman knows it clearly. It doesn't matter if the army and air force equipment is doubled and sent to Japan. It's a pity that Japan's warship production is not good, otherwise it would be a good idea to purchase directly from Japan. way.

"And what I bought now is a battleship. It will not be used as a battleship in the future. The specific plan will be seen in the naval rearmament case. The storage will surprise you."

The Combined Fleet finally agreed to help attack Kenya in exchange for 100 carrier-based aircraft, and then allocated 7.2 million from the 67 million sold for the battleships to purchase 12 Tigers. The remaining money was used by Hortiji against all objections. Aviation arms procurement - Based on the average price of 60,000 marks, Horikichi bought 1,000 engines of various types, mainly the DBW703 series (the German improved version of the Rong 21 engine) and the BMW801 series. The engines that Mercedes-Benz had accumulated some time ago suddenly It's all gone.