Empire in Progress

Chapter 63: Launching ceremony

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Because of the help at this time, Deutsche Bank quickly became the world's largest bank after the war with the help of all the Juncker landlords. As a major international bank, Deutsche Bank maintains a huge network of branches and affiliated institutions around the world. It has 1,662 branches in Germany and 780 overseas. We have branches or representative offices in Luxembourg, Moscow, Madrid, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Paris, Brussels, Antwerp, Strasbourg, New York and Hong Kong, and in Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, India and other countries all have branches or affiliated institutions, completely overwhelming Morgan in the United States.

In the blink of an eye, 1934 is coming to an end. Today is Christmas, the biggest holiday in the Western world. In Western countries, Christmas is also a festival for family reunion and celebration.

Unter den Linden, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin TV Tower, Potsdamer Platz, Gendarmenmarkt, St. Hedwig's Cathedral, Berlin Cathedral, Nikolai Quarter, Alexanderplatz, Berlin Zoo, Kurfürstendamm, Charlotte Tenburg Palace and all the places Germans can think of, people have decorated Christmas trees in every corner to increase the joyful atmosphere of the holiday. Christmas trees are usually made of evergreen trees such as fir and cypress, symbolizing eternal life. The tree is decorated with various lights, colorful flowers, toys, stars, and various Christmas gifts. On Christmas night, people sing and dance around the Christmas tree and enjoy themselves.

Most municipalities will also support Christmas decorations by hanging Christmas banners on the streets or placing Christmas trees in squares. Speaking of Christmas trees, the Germans were the first to bring evergreen pine and cypress branches into their houses to display them. Later, the German missionary Martin Luther placed candles on the fir branches in the woods and lit them to make it look like The starlight that leads people to Bethlehem is just like the three wise men from the East who found Jesus by the stars in the sky two thousand years ago. Today, people have switched to using small light bulbs instead of candles.

As for the Air Force, Göring got the funds he had dreamed of and began to expand the Air Force according to his own ideas. The expansion work of the Air Force was in full swing, but this fat man still made Lin Wei feel unhappy because he rejected his proposal. The organization personnel were asked to conduct radar research. Even though Lin Wei promised to provide sufficient financial and manpower support, Goering still refused.

When Lin Wei and the radar researchers met with Goering and were asked if they wanted to continue research, Lin Wei said fiercely, "Continue the research for me. If the Air Force doesn't want you, just research land-based radars for me." , money is not a problem, if you dare to stop, Damon will be your destination." The researchers in question were covered in cold sweat.

Radar research in Germany actually started very early and has a solid foundation. As early as 1904, the German Huelsmeier obtained a patent for radar design.

(In the early 1930s, German scientists had made great progress in radar research and developed a practical air defense warning radar. However, because Goering believed that if the army equipped radar, it would be likely to leak secrets, which made the British After obtaining new weapons to deal with the German Air Force, they ordered a ban on the development of radars and the sealing and destruction of relevant data. It was not until 1937 or 1938 that German spies obtained information that the United States and the United Kingdom had successively developed radars, and Germany restarted the development of radars. This delay directly caused Germany to lag behind Britain and the United States in the development of radar.)

Berlin at Christmas seems to be immersed in a sea of silver. The Spree River flows slowly through the city from the south. Prussian-style ancient buildings and modern buildings complement each other. From the balcony of the Berlin Grand Theater, Lin Wei watched the Christmas immersion. People at night couldn't help but think that they were really tired from living.

"Hey, Lampard, what's wrong with you? Do you miss Linda? Why don't Essen accompany her?" Heydrich walked over gracefully in a suit holding Lina's hand.

"That's right, you should let Essen accompany Linda. Linda is about to give birth now, right?" Lina also said next to her.

"Huh!" Lin Wei didn't want to answer this question at first, but Heydrich and the two made Lin Wei upset, so he couldn't help but interrupted, "Linda should have no problem with her father and mother taking care of her in Essen. I was thinking about Ge How dare Lin, this damn fat guy, not listen to my suggestion."

"Okay, okay, Lampard, today is Christmas, let's not think about these things for now, the opera is about to start, let's go in first, I have already reserved a seat," Heydrich said.

"Hey! Heydrich"

"Okay, Lampard, you have to listen to me today and follow me in." Heydrich couldn't help but break up and drag Lin Wei back to the opera house.

To be honest, maybe it's because he was Chinese in his previous life, or maybe Lin Wei doesn't have artistic qualities. Anyway, Lin Wei didn't react at all to this opera that had Heydrich and Lina intoxicated. He just felt it was very noisy. However, Lin Wei still managed to survive with superhuman endurance.

After finally enduring the two-hour opera, Lin Wei resolutely refused Heydrich's invitation and returned to the SS headquarters, where he then dealt with the thick documents. It was not that Lin Wei was so hard-working and uncomplaining, but mainly because I really have no consciousness and can only pass the boring time through work.

In the busy life of Lin Wei every day, 1934 passed. During this period, Lin Wei's first child was born, a boy. After receiving the call from home, Lin Wei chatted with Linda for a long time, expressing his guilt that he was no longer with her. At the end, Lin Wei named him Albert & Krupp because Lin Wei wanted him to Become a scientist like Einstein.

During this time, the Navy's third Deutschland-class pocket battleship was launched (one year earlier than in history). The Navy sent invitations to Chancellor Hitler and various senior government officials, inviting them to attend the launching ceremony. The launch ceremony was held in Kiel, Germany's first port.

Hitler wore a German gray suit, with his Iron Cross First Class on the right chest, which he won in World War I. He was followed by Admiral Raeder, the commander of the navy. He was wearing a general's uniform with spiked epaulettes and rows of medals hanging on his chest. Next to Admiral Raeder was General Blomberg, the commander-in-chief, and behind them were Rudolf Hess, the Reich Minister of Commerce, and several other generals of the Wehrmacht.

The design of the ship was carefully designed and built within the limits of treaty restrictions and in conjunction with the tactical needs of the German Navy. The primary problem in battleship design is how to limit the displacement to 10,000 tons as much as possible to meet the long range required by the raiding ship. The solution is to use a diesel engine as the power source. Although it is not lighter than a steam turbine in terms of weight, it is The fuel consumption is much lower than that of a steam turbine using a boiler.

Therefore, the ship is equipped with eight "MAN diesel engines" with a total output of 54,000 horsepower, a dual-shaft four-drive arrangement, and a top speed of 28 knots. The ship is designed to carry more than 3,000 tons of fuel and has low fuel consumption. The system and the large fuel reserve make the endurance of the ship up to 16,000 nautical miles when sailing at an economic speed of 15 knots. In addition, the ship is also the first warship in the world to be built extensively using welding technology. The weight of the hull is higher than that of riveted Similar ships are at least 15% lighter.

The main weapons of the Deutschland class are six 11.1-inch naval guns, arranged in triplicate, with one turret at the front and rear. The auxiliary weapons are eight single 5.9-inch secondary guns, and there are four 533-mm torpedo tubes on the left and right sides of the long forecastle-type ship's stern.

The Deutschland-class pocket battleship can be said to have placed great expectations on the German people. As early as 1931, at the launching ceremony of the first ship "Deutschland", the then German Chancellor Heinrich Brüning said, "In this ceremony ", the German people will prove to the world that although we are still bound by the yoke of the treaty and the economy is in recession, we are capable of defending our homeland and defending our honor!"

Today's weather is very good. Under the blue sky, there is light green sea water (is the sea water green? It doesn't seem to be blue). In the distance, the huge hull of the German raider is like a huge whale floating on the water. superior.

The luxurious dock was paved with red carpet, and a group of soldiers wearing dark blue sailor uniforms stood majestically on both sides. The double rows of brass buttons on their chests looked quite dazzling.

Accompanied by Raeder, Hitler reviewed the guard of honor on the water. Hess, Lin Wei, and the military police brought by Lin Wei followed closely to prevent deliberate sabotage. Since the defeated Germany did not have much naval power, there were no ships. To set off this launching ceremony, it seems that this ceremony is a little deserted.

Fortunately, the morale of the navy is still guaranteed. This can be regarded as a highlight of the launching ceremony. Cambridge fired a salute, and all the sailors stood neatly on the port side of the ship to be inspected by the top leader.

With a solemn expression, Hitler raised his right hand 45 degrees, giving a very standard hand-raising salute to these naval officers and soldiers. Following Hitler's lead, Lin Wei and the military police behind him also raised their right hands and stood on the warship. The officers and soldiers on both sides saluted Hitler in unison.

Due to the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, the German Navy was not allowed to possess dreadnoughts and was only allowed to possess 8 old non-dreadnought battleships. These ships had no other use except for training and coastal defense. The replacement ship must not be built until 20 years after its launch. The maximum displacement is limited to 100 tons, and the caliber of its main gun must not exceed 280mm. These restrictions are to make the German Navy only a Scandinavian ship. Via Regional Navy.

And this Deutschland is the product of the Treaty of Versailles. Since the earliest non-dreadnought battleships had been launched as early as December 1902, how to achieve optimal combat performance within the constraints of the treaty became a top priority. Therefore, after preliminary research and intense construction, the warship was laid down at the Deutsche Were in Kiel on February 5, 1929. The construction time of the battleship is determined by whether the main gun turret can be provided in time, that is, by the construction progress of the main gun. In fact, the German Navy's construction plan is to build a total of five armored ships. The arsenal (rupp AG of Essen) ordered 10 3-unit 279.2mm turrets, which also significantly reduced the cost. The construction of the A ship progressed smoothly. The ship was named "Deutschland" when it was launched on May 19, 1931. .