Iron Cross

"Headmaster, the Japanese have captured Christmas Island."

Hoffman nodded: "Marshal Hori made a good move. The US military currently has little naval power in the Pacific. If Japan wants to occupy the island, the Americans can't stop it at all."

"But the losses of the Combined Fleet are greater than expected. Tokyo told us bluntly that 400,000 tons of ships were lost."

"Was it caused by American submarines?"

"The submarine threat is not much, maybe 30,000 to 40,000 tons. Japan also sank several submarines, mainly caused by US aircraft." Keitel reported, "The Japanese claimed that they shot down more than 1,200 US 4-engine heavy bombers (actually 826 were shot down, Another 203 were scrapped after returning), 500 twin-engine medium attack aircraft (actually 391) and at least 300 fighters (actually 178), a total of more than 2,000 combat results, severely damaging the US Army, Navy and Aviation. After analysis, experts believe that a 70-80% discount is more credible. "

"How much discount should we give for our results in South America?"

"This...may also be 70-80% discount." Keitel's old face flushed. The report jointly submitted by Marshal, Rommel and Galland (the commander of the South American theater air force) claimed that 3,500 US aircraft of various models were destroyed and shot down in half a month, and their own losses were only more than 400, and half of the crew members were eventually rescued.

Keitel thought it was a lot of water, but he was a smart man and knew that there was no need to expose it. The South American campaign was so smooth and fast, which showed that the operation was very successful. What's wrong with exaggerating the results?

In fact, the German army's statistics were more accurate than the Japanese army. Japan's 80% discount was an accurate number, while the German army's results were basically 90% - the US military lost a total of 3,064 aircraft.

After clarifying the priority of the South American battlefield, in order to cover the army's operations and protect the few skilled crews, Arnold sent a large number of rookies to the front line. Especially in the recent week's attacks, only 20% of the US military's front-line pilots were skilled crews, and the remaining 80% were novices who had never been on the battlefield or had only performed limited security patrol missions in the war zone.

Arnold knew that they could not deal with the German veterans, but seeing that half of the parachuting crews could be rescued, he hoped that they could accumulate experience in the fierce fighting - if they did not accumulate experience through actual combat now, it would be more difficult in the future.

German pilots, especially fighter pilots, instantly regained the pleasure of brushing up their achievements on the Eastern Front, and even scrambled for the missions of attack regardless of fatigue. None of those who could serve as fighter pilots and survived to this day were fools. Everyone knew clearly that with the end of the European war, Germany's war road would soon come to an end. South America and South Africa would be the sites of the last few major battles. If they didn't take advantage of this time to brush up their achievements and military exploits, would they still have to wait until the armistice to endure?

Military exploits are no longer a cold medal and spiritual reward, nor are they just military honors and social status. They are linked to the oil fund - the higher the military exploits and the more shares, the more dividends will be in the future! Ordinary people don't understand the power of the oil fund. Pilots who deal with fuel every day can still not know how valuable and profitable oil is?

Don't refuse the heads that come to your door. Anyway, you will accumulate points for shooting down a plane. Who can distinguish which points are for veterans and which points are for rookies? Perhaps only a proud super ace like Marseille would declare that he would only fight fighters and not attack aircraft, but there is only one Marseille in Germany. Even the top ace of the Navy, Hartmann, is desperately trying to accumulate achievements to exchange his war medal for a diamond-studded Knight's Cross? Not to mention that a number of domestic night fighter aces heard that they were going to fight in South America, and they all tried their best to petition Garland for a position to fight - there are so many smart people!

Hoffman laughed: "The American air force is going to have problems. Losing 5,500 aircraft in half a month? Even at a 40% discount, there are still more than 3,000 aircraft. I don't doubt that the Americans can produce so many aircraft, but can they train 3,000 crews in half a month?"

"Absolutely impossible!" Keitel denied flatly, "We fought the Russians on the Eastern Front for three years and tried our best to train more than 10,000 crews. If we can train 3,000 crews in half a month, why don't I double the air force? Anyway, we can build 50,000 aircraft a year at full capacity."

Hoffman nodded: "Tell Rommel to eat the Fifth Army first. The US troops in Recife should not be so anxious to eat it up. Let the Empire consume the US pilots. If we want to fight the Caribbean next, it will be much easier."

"Are you really going to fight the Caribbean?" Keitel was stunned, "I thought the Americans should wisely admit defeat after conquering South America."

" Why not fight? "Hoffman said, "If we don't fight, do we expect the Americans to obediently hand over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Honduras, Bahamas, Granada, Trinidad, Dominican Republic and other territories? Didn't the independence of Cuba and Puerto Rico in the Cairo Declaration come true?"

Keitel took a breath. As the war continued to win, the head of state's appetite grew bigger and bigger: at first, he said that if the Americans were willing to cease fire, both sides would have half of the power in South America; now he said that South America should be dominated by Germany, and Venezuela and Guyana must be dominated by Germany; if the war continues, the Americans will even divide Central America and the Caribbean with Germany, and South America may only be enjoyed by the United States...

Hoffman didn't pay attention to Keitel's expression, but called Goebbels: "Doctor, I want to make a radio speech to North America in two days, and I need you to help me prepare some information. "

"Glad to help, what information do you need?"

"If the Americans still refuse to surrender, I am determined to fulfill the promise made by Mr. Zimmerman in the telegram to the Mexican people: to help them get back the land seized by the Americans. Germany will never recognize the annexation of the United States, including Texas. Legality of Mexican Territory!”

Hoffman smiled and said: "Tell them, since the Americans used this telegram to fight a war with us more than 20 years ago, we will stay with us until the end! The Central American and Caribbean territories occupied by the United States during this war must be taken care of by the London and Paris governments." At the same time, I will reiterate that Canada’s independence and territorial integrity will not be harmed by the U.S. regime. The British people on both sides of the Atlantic recognize that there is only one United Kingdom in the world, and Canada and Newfoundland are indivisible from the United Kingdom! Sacred territory, the London government is the only legal government representing Great Britain! The axis countries led by Germany always adhere to the principle of one Britain and oppose any form of two Britains or one Britain and one plus..."

The Zimmermann Telegram was the most sensational news in World War I. At that time, Arthur Zimmermann, the Foreign Secretary of the German Empire, sent an encrypted telegram to the German Ambassador to Mexico on January 16, 1917, proposing to negotiate with Mexico to form a military force against the United States. alliance, but was intercepted by British intelligence agencies and later became an excuse for the United States to incite public opinion and declare war on Germany.

Goebbels laughed on the phone: "Führer, I understand, I understand what you mean."

Keitel asked doubtfully: "Listen to your tone, are you not prepared to have all South America, Central America and the Caribbean occupied by Germany?"

"No, if this is the case, we will directly confront the United States. Once there is a conflict with the United States in the future, other European countries will definitely please both sides or even have both sides. I must bring the United Kingdom and France in, and even consider giving the Italians a little sweetness to realize the European With shared interests, on the one hand, these territories can be used to exchange Britain, France, and Italy for their obedience and cooperation to the German-led European and world order, and on the other hand, they can be firmly tied to our side," explained Hoffman. "For example, I want to hand over the administrative affairs of Panama to the British control, station the European Joint Force in the Canal Zone, and share the rest of the economic benefits with Europe as part of the joint force's military expenditure and EU administrative expenses. Will any British politician be willing to hand over Panama to the United States? ?”

Seeing that Keitel was still a little confused, Hoffman made another analogy: "You see, this time the Japanese wanted oil tankers and asked European countries to find a solution. The Japanese originally wanted to defeat each other and negotiate alone, but after we intervened, It becomes a package deal between the European group and Japan. Without my approval, the Greeks, Romanians, Turks, French, and Spanish can of course sell their tankers, but the prices they sell will be different from those of the German leaders. Can the price be the same?”

"This time you finally killed Horikichi."

"Don't underestimate Horikichi. He is a smart man. He is willing to let me kill him this time. If the price is not set like this, the Japanese will not be able to get the four Giant-class aircraft carriers first. Who will follow the continuous flow of oil tankers, petroleum products, and aircraft? Guarantee supply for him? As long as I have a slight jam, Japan will be in a tight situation in the Pacific. So the Japanese are very smart - they are much more flexible than you think. Was it successful to ask Stalin to buy a tanker?”

Keitel suddenly realized why Japan could get a Giant-class aircraft carrier as a priority this time. It turned out that the head of state was behind the push, and the purpose must be to consume the Americans - Americans would be really unlucky to meet the head of state.

“The more countries involved in the interests of Central America and the Caribbean, the easier it will be for Germany and the EU to exert their power. If Britain, France and Italy are isolated, they can only be eaten by the United States one by one. Only by uniting in the EU led by Germany Under the banner, relevant interests can be protected! You have to remember that if there is a third world war, it will not be a national war between Germany and the United States, but an alliance war between the North American Alliance and the European Union." Hoffman said confidently. , "What I have to do now is to prevent this North American alliance from being formed - who said Mexico and Canada must follow the Americans? Don't Americans hypocritically like isolationism? This time they can finally understand it deeply!"