Iron Cross

On October 26, Rommel, exhausted from the journey, set off from Central Asia and flew to Berlin on a specially modified Ju-290 passenger plane. This is not an ordinary passenger plane, but a special plane for the head of state. Not only is the interior luxurious and comfortable, but it also has unique layouts. Since it was manufactured not long ago, and the head of state basically travels by train, this plane is mostly parked or used for short-distance testing. This time to Central Asia to pick up people is the first long-distance mission.

Even if you don't understand the status and reputation of Field Marshal Rommel, you will understand it as long as you see this Führer's special plane - not everyone is qualified to use the Führer's special plane or special car. It has been rumored that the Führer has three favorites: the economic favorite is Speer, who was promoted by the Führer from an unknown third-rate architect to one of the four giants of the National Socialist Party and the German Economic Tsar by the Führer's own efforts;

The military favorite is Rommel, the commander of the Führer's guard baton rose at a rocket-like speed. Not only did he get the marshal's baton that all soldiers dream of, he also served as the commander of the army group and was recognized as more favored than Model;

The political favorite is Leon Degrelle, the youngest political leader in Europe before World War II, the founder of the Belgian "Rex" Party, who joined the foreign SS as a party leader and made many military exploits from the most ordinary soldier. The Führer has always admired this outstanding young man and once said in public: "If I have a son, I hope he can be like Leon." Everyone believed that as long as Leon could survive until the victory of the war, he would be the undisputed head of Belgium.

Leon and Rommel also had some connections. Leon had been serving in the Viking Division, following Rommel from Africa to the Middle East and then to Central Asia, and had repeatedly performed well. Although many people in the army thought that Rommel was not easy to get along with, strangely, he had a good relationship with young foreign political leaders. Iranian King Pahlavi, Leon and even Argentine President Peron were his friends and fans. However, the Viking Division left because the armored division was no longer suitable for Central Asia, and Leon also left the Viking Division to assist in the establishment of the SS "Walloon Assault Brigade" (Grenadiers) composed mainly of Walloons.

Along with the head of state's special plane, there were also a group of Fw-190A8 fighters and Ju-290 transport planes with the same appearance. They were all the latest Ju-290E, with a maximum speed of 450 km/h, a practical ceiling of 7,000 meters, a maximum range of 7,000 kilometers, a maximum range of 4,000 kilometers when transporting 5 tons of cargo, and a maximum range of 2,400 kilometers when transporting 8 tons of cargo (maximum load). The performance is not as good as the C-92 transport plane modified by the Americans from the B-29, but it is slightly better than the C-47 or C-54.

Most of the time, the Ju-290 is not used for ordinary cargo transportation but only as a paratrooper carrier, because the appearance of the aircraft is more like a civil airliner, with a slender body, suitable for carrying people and ordinary cargo, not suitable for carrying heavy equipment and has high requirements for runways. Most of the air transport missions were undertaken by Me-323 or Ar-232, especially Ar-232, which had many small wheels under the belly and was nicknamed "centipede". It was very suitable for field airports with uneven ground, and could even easily handle large pits. Its short depth and large door design were very suitable for carrying heavy equipment. Therefore, after the rapidly expanding German Air Force transport aircraft force basically eliminated the Ju-52 Junkers (only used for training or occasional transportation between European mainland), it was equipped with three types of military transport aircraft at once.

Stimulated by the British and American strategic air transport and the transatlantic British and American transport of thousands of aircraft on the African battlefield, and due to the vastness of the German combat area and the continuous increase in supply requirements, senior officials including Hoffman and Jeschonnek now attach great importance to the construction of transport aircraft forces. After counting the more than 200 Ju-52s in reserve, auxiliary and training, the total number of transport aircraft has now exceeded 1,000, making it the second largest transport aircraft country in the world. Unfortunately, the gap with the United States is still too large, less than one-third of the other side - the number of American transport aircraft active in the Pacific battlefield (including India, Australia and New Zealand, and the Hump Route) alone exceeds the total number of German transport aircraft, and most of the Axis allies, except Japan and Italy, which have a few of their own transport aircraft, are happy to be able to use Ju-52.

This transport aircraft force is basically used to maintain transportation and supply in the Central Asian battlefield. The Supreme Command cannot transfer troops of the same size to the Central battlefield, so Zeitzler hopes that the Central Asian cluster can temporarily transfer to Iran to free up transportation capacity, but it is obvious that this wishful thinking is about to be shattered.

Rommel's mood was not much better. He had received a call back from the Supreme Command, which was ready to replenish his supplies and 1-2 infantry divisions, but his request for 100,000 reinforcements was not responded to. Keitel's call only asked him to return to Berlin as soon as possible, and also specifically noted that "this is a clear instruction from the Führer himself!", so Rommel, sitting in the core cockpit, had been thinking hard about what to do next.

The core cockpit is a special place in the Führer's special plane. It is protected by 12mm armor plates and 50mm bulletproof glass. There is a special escape hatch on the floor, and the seat above is equipped with a parachute. In an emergency, you can sit in the seat and put on the parachute quickly, then open the hatch with a lever handle and roll out quickly through the opening. The driver said that the test had been carried out using a life-size mannequin of the Führer, showing that everything was successful, and it was not a problem for Rommel's body size.

Rommel obviously had no intention of thinking about these things. Although Keitel's telegram was vague, he had heard through other friends in the Supreme Command that the head of state might not increase the number of troops by 100,000 as he wished, and that he might also be transferred back to the country. , which made him extremely anxious: on the one hand, he was worried about the head of state's opinion of him; on the other hand, he was worried about the war situation in Central Asia - the Red Army's movements had become increasingly clear, and a steady stream of troops were entering Central Asia, and they were deployed in an orderly manner after entering. Changed from the hurried movements in the past, everything indicated that there would be a battle here.

After much deliberation, he decided to leave Gauss in Central Asia and return to Berlin alone to communicate with the head of state in person. He believed that with his relationship with the head of state, he could persuade the other party to change his mind.

Just as Rommel hurriedly flew to Berlin, Hoffmann was reading the telegram sent by Paulus in his office. Although the Red Army Staff had not yet sent detailed opinions, the general conclusion had been communicated by Paulus first. Sri Lanka sent it over and believed that it was feasible to conduct a defensive war in Central Asia, provided that there were relatively sufficient material reserves and the construction of defense lines.

Paulus's original text is: "...if the Red Army really plans to dispatch 500,000 to 600,000 elite troops to attack, our army will need to add 1-2 more infantry divisions (preferably mountain infantry divisions) to build a circular defense line, with armored divisions Serve as a mobile defense and reserve force, maneuver inside, conduct short assaults, and reduce fuel use as much as possible..."

Hoffman nodded. The red and blue parties had reached a consensus. General conclusions and orders could be issued, and Scherner's appointment letter could be issued as soon as possible.

The next morning, when he was communicating with Jodl about the specific content of the battle, a call came in from Dargos: "Führer, Marshal Rommel is ready to meet."

"Let him come in." Hoffman motioned for Yodel to go into the next room to avoid it.

After Rommel came in, he raised his hands respectfully. Hoffman immediately came up from behind the desk to greet him, and said with concern and greetings: "Seeing your appearance now, I know that you worked hard in Central Asia and your health is Can you still persist?"

"It's a small problem, but it doesn't prevent me from continuing to lead troops and command operations. I can still serve you for many years." Rommel just said a few words about the situation on the battlefield in Central Asia, and then asked anxiously, "Führer, I heard that you Are you planning to replace me?"

"Who did you listen to?"

"Last night at the airport I met General Jodl who came to greet me. He said that he proposed that I return to China and nominated General Scherner to go to Central Asia to replace me."

Hoffman smiled and said noncommittally: "I feel relieved to see that you are in good health and in high spirits. You know what Yodel is like, and you are more cautious. You will not tell the truth without my explicit authorization." I told you.”

When Jodel in the room next to him heard this, he thought to himself: It's so dangerous. Fortunately, I talked to Rommel yesterday and had a few words. Otherwise, this matter would not be settled today. But what was the truth told by the head of state? I couldn't remember any major decisions discussed with the head of state.

"What is the truth?" Rommel asked eagerly.

Hoffman smiled slightly: "What do you think we need to achieve to finally win the war?"

"At least one of the United Kingdom or the Soviet Union has to withdraw from the war. If both sides can withdraw from the war, and only the United States is left to oppose us, basically there will not be much trouble, and the probability of achieving victory is probably more than 85%. Therefore, forcing Britain or the Soviet Union withdrawing from the war is a necessary condition for victory."

Hoffman nodded: "Like me, there is a certain degree of certainty that the Soviet Union will withdraw from the war. What about Britain?"

"This..." Rommel was speechless for a while.

"On the one hand, I have called you here to consider the war situation in Central Asia, and on the other hand, there are more important tasks that need you to complete." Hoffman looked at the other party with a smile, "In my mind, the command mission of the Central Asian battlefield is far inferior to Erna can complete it for you, but for the new task, among so many marshals or generals, I can’t find anyone more trustworthy..."

These words praised Rommel without any trace of it. Hoffman knew the opponent's temper well, and it would be difficult to start the conversation without this foreshadowing. Sure enough, Rommel's spirit was lifted and he no longer struggled with matters in Central Asia. Instead, he asked urgently: "What new task? My head of state, I am honored that I can be your first choice."

Hoffmann led Rommel to the map and excited him with just one sentence: "Remember Project Sea Lion?"

Rommel screamed: "Führer, do you plan to let me fight against Britain? Fight across the sea?"