Iron Cross

Hoffman's second sentence followed closely: "Have you really said this? Or, even if you haven't said it publicly, do you think so in your heart?"

Hahn was speechless and lowered his head involuntarily, not daring to meet Hoffman's aggressive gaze - he neither dared to admit nor categorically deny.

"Since you are unwilling to answer, then I think this matter is true, at least that's what you think in your heart." Hoffman's face was so gloomy that he was almost dripping with water. "I will ask you one last time, if I need You are building a bomb, will you really refuse? I can promise that no matter how you answer, I will not embarrass you..."

"I...this...I..." Hahn was speechless and speechless.

Hoffman knew what was going on, and ended his barrage of questions about Hahn, and turned to address the crowd: "I listened to the special speech today and learned about the progress of the Apollo project. Overall, I am satisfied with it, but there are also many dissatisfactions. As satisfying as possible..."

Everyone's eyes turned to Hahn, who lowered his head.

"One thing I must state again: I know that many of you are opposed to making such bombs and think it is inhumane. Some of you do not appreciate the party's ideology and political system. Some even have opinions on Jewish policies and refuse to serve the country. Efficacy... I don't want to defend these policies today. The facts have long existed. Some of the inside stories are much more complicated than what you see. For example, the graphite adulteration was done by a few Jewish technicians. I divided it. I don’t know who is the good Jew and who is the bad Jew, so I can only deal with it this way for the time being, but I don’t want to kill easily, and this idea is sincere.

Regarding inhumanity, it depends on how you look at it and what position you stand on. As the leader of the German people, I will never allow my people and future generations to live in fear of uranium bombs, and I will never allow the enemy to use This powerful weapon comes to destroy or threaten us! The enemy has it, and we must have it too, and it should be bigger than theirs! More! better! Earlier! In fact, you have all seen it. Who has dropped megaton bombs on our heads in the past few years? Who threw bombs into civilian areas and into cathedrals? In the past few months, I had ordered a cessation of air strikes against the United Kingdom, and used all the power to manufacture bombers to manufacture defensive weapons such as fighter jets. However, the enemy has not restrained at all. To fight back, they can only rely on strength and cannot expect the enemy's conscience to notice.

I have a different view on morality than you do: death by a sword is no more noble than death by a bullet, and death by an ordinary bomb is no more humane than death by a uranium bomb! Whether a weapon is manufactured humanely or not does not depend on the scale and effect of the damage, but on how it is used! I would never believe that an enemy dropping bombs indiscriminately on our non-military targets and civilians would be more morally responsible than uranium bombs dropping on their own troops.

I can reveal some more news to you today: The investigation results of the Reich Security Service show that Professor Heisenberg's experimental reactor in Leipzig was not destroyed due to an accident, but was completely deliberately sabotaged; people continue to sabotage the Norwegian heavy water plant, There were no less than three air raids by planes alone. What does this mean? This shows that the enemy is also making bombs themselves. They are afraid of us and of Germany's speed and efforts.

What are you going to do if this terrible enemy threatens us with uranium bombs in the future? Is it still too late to catch up at that time? The army is winning every day on the battlefield. Will it be forced to surrender in the end because of such a powerful weapon? Will the German people who have stood up again accept a humiliating peace treaty and groan in pain? "

At this point, Hoffman slammed the table and roared: "I will never allow such a thing to happen. It is a betrayal more intolerable and unacceptable than a stab in the back in 1918! Who is confused today because of a moment of mercy? , who will be nailed to the pillar of shame in German history tomorrow because of his stupidity!

As the leader of the German people, I am clearly aware of the value of this thing. This is why I have repeatedly emphasized the priority of bombs. Regardless of whether we end up fighting with this kind of bomb, Germany must not live without it! We cannot trust the enemy's promises and cheap guarantees, Germany must have it - no matter what the cost! It would be better for the enemy to tremble under our bombs than for Germany to tremble under the enemy's bombs.

I can solemnly promise you that if I had this bomb, I would not use it on the enemy first - the Empire has an overwhelming advantage in conventional power, and there is no need to use this ultimate weapon unless the enemy first or threatens to attack it. We use.

Finally, I would like to draw a conclusion for today’s academic exchange: I plan to divide nuclear research into two levels. The first level is dedicated to the research of nuclear bombs, and we will focus on investing strength and funds; the other level is dedicated to the research of nuclear energy, war The investment will be less during the period and will increase after the war.

I will give each expert three days of thinking time and ask you to freely choose your future academic research direction. Every expert, including Professor Hahn, can rest assured that I do not doubt your loyalty, let alone your moral orientation. You are free to choose your future scientific research direction, and no one dares to persecute you. Everyone should decide the direction of academic research based on independent ideas and judgments. You will not be able to achieve results in fields that you hate and hate.

One thing I must declare is that after you have made your choice, please study it wholeheartedly, do not point fingers at other people's choices, do not comment on national decisions, and do not fall into ideological or political entanglements within us - Germany can no longer afford a defeat. Otherwise, it would be the complete sinking and destruction of the entire nation!

You are a scientist and I am a political leader. We think about issues from different standpoints and angles. For the rejuvenation of Germany, I can even sacrifice my life, not to mention a mere reputation? Since taking office as the head of state, I have been sorry to anyone in the world, but I have never been sorry to the German people! "

With a "wow", under the leadership of Himmler, everyone stood up, even Hahn stood up: "For Germany and the Führer, we must go all out!"

"Very good." Hoffman nodded majestically and glanced at everyone, "I hope everyone remembers today's promise!"

After the meeting, Hoffmann, Speer and Himmler held a secret meeting. He asked Speer calmly: "Can we increase the power supply to the rubber company? Their work results are much better than others. Are you considering increasing the current base by 1-2 times, or even more? Then There will be more raw materials available - whether for research or bomb making."

"It is possible to increase, but it requires diverting supplies from other sources. I will work hard to adjust." Speer asked, "I wonder what your ultimate goal is?"

"Refining 1-2 kilograms of highly concentrated uranium-235 a month while ensuring the supply of other raw materials."

"This is impossible!" Speer exclaimed, "100-200 grams may be possible, but more than 300 grams will crowd out the energy supply of other projects. If it is 1-2 kilograms, I don't know what the consequences will be. A systematic evaluation is necessary.”

Himmler asked: "How much electricity is needed to achieve the Führer's goal? I can't calculate the electricity. There are too many zeros. Let's talk about coal."

The architect immediately calculated and finally came to a rough conclusion: to achieve this monthly output, 100-200 million tons of coal are needed per year. If it is 30 kilograms, a total of 500 million tons of coal is needed - which is more than the current annual coal output of the Third Reich. A little more than half.

Speer frowned: "What's even worse is that even if 500 million tons of coal suddenly fall from the sky, I can't find a power plant that uses this coal to generate electricity. After all, coal is not equal to electricity, and power plants need to be converted. And to build a power plant It doesn't happen overnight. It takes at least two years to build a thermal power plant. Last year, I arranged for the construction of four power plants at once, and they will not be put into operation until at least the end of 1944. "

"What if 100 million tons are arranged this year?" Himmler asked, "Farben's power plant still has some spare capacity, but the problem is insufficient coal."

"It's very difficult. Every ton of coal has a place to go, and they can't consume 100 million tons of coal." Speer laughed, "The installed capacity of Farben's exclusive power plant is 2.4 million kilowatts, 700 kilowatts a year. -Eight million tons of coal is enough, but the rubber company now consumes more electricity than the entire Berlin area, and has long been diverting the surplus from other power plants. "

"How much can be squeezed out at most?" Himmler was a little impatient. He actually had no idea how much coal a power plant would consume. His concept was still at a very crude stage - ensuring demand at all costs. "Don't follow I said it’s not okay at all, won’t the Donbas coal mine be repaired?”

"Three million tons, no more." Speer gritted his teeth, "This is the amount of coal that can be squeezed out this year, and it is also the amount that your secret power plant can consume at full capacity. After all, their normal consumption is guaranteed. "

Himmler said nothing, only looked at Hoffmann, signaling the Führer to put more pressure on Speer.

"Three million tons is too little. Let's give it 30 million tons. All power plants within a 150-kilometer radius of the concentration camp will be assigned to the Apollo project management. The annual power generation hours will be increased to more than 8,000 hours. If we can stably generate 8,500 hours of power, we will have to manage the power plants To commend the engineers and technicians." Hoffman stopped Speer who was about to speak again, "If it is not enough, we will stop some coal-to-liquid production and divert the personnel to other projects - I had this plan at the beginning of the year."

"That's equivalent to a loss of nearly 4 million tons of crude oil a year." Shi Pei muttered, somewhat reluctantly.

"I have seen the report you submitted. Fuel consumption is lower than the estimated value. As the war in Africa comes to an end, the level of crude oil consumption will be further reduced." Hoffman said with a smile, "There is no need to build so many reserves, just release them appropriately. "

Speer had no choice but to comply.