This military port located in the province of Nordland, Kingdom of Norway, is the world's northernmost ice-free port and the northernmost port city in the world. Here, Germany can continuously transport iron ore bought from Sweden back to its homeland.
, turned into a steady stream of aircraft and cannons.
Through this natural harbor that does not freeze all year round, Norway earns a large amount of foreign exchange from Germany - and Germany paid all of it directly with gold obtained from the Spanish Civil War. It is an absolutely reasonable and cost-effective transaction!
Reinhard attached great importance to such an important military port for material transfer. For this reason, he even told Quisling, whom he didn't like very much, that as long as he could control Narvik, he would use German power to help the country.
Slin strives for a higher status - the nominal title of Prime Minister second only to the King of Norway, plus actual control of Norway!
In order to show loyalty to Reinhard that would not have existed in the first place, Quisling used his authority as Minister of Defense to appoint his most trustworthy confidant, Colonel Sundero, as the garrison commander of Narvik Hill.
The 5th Infantry Division of the Royal Norwegian Army under Colonel Sundlow (actually only one infantry brigade) has a low combat effectiveness. And Reinhardt does not expect them to be able to block the landing of the British and French expeditionary forces alone and successfully defend Narvi.
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The combat effectiveness of the Norwegian Army has been tested by history. Reinhardt is convinced that if we want to give them a score, if the Italian Army is used as a reference standard, the Italian Army will be counted as fifty points, and the Norwegian Army can barely score three points.
, one point is for encouragement, one point is for expectation, and the other point is for fear that they will be discouraged, so I add more points.
Looking at the history of World War II, Norway’s real starting point was their coastal defense forces and navy.
If Reinhard follows the historical course and allows the German army to launch the Norwegian Campaign, the Imperial Navy will be severely damaged by the Norwegian coastal batteries. The light cruiser "Königsberg" and an auxiliary ship will be severely damaged by the Norwegian minelayer "Olav.
"Trygfussen" sank a German torpedo boat and damaged the light cruiser "Emden". Finally, about 15 miles south of Oslo, it was bombarded by a Norwegian shore artillery force and a naval torpedo attack, and a boat was lost.
The fleet flagship - the brand new heavy cruiser "Blücher".
The foundation of the German navy is already weak, but it cannot afford to suffer losses.
Not only did Reinhard not want to lose naval ships in Norway, but he also hoped that the Royal Navy of the British Empire could make a small comeback in Norway.
The mantis stalks the cicada, but the oriole is behind! When the British fleet entangles the Norwegian navy and coastal defense forces to cover the landing, he only needs to quickly put the Imperial Navy originally scheduled for the Norwegian campaign into interception, and he can fight against the Norwegian army.
The British Royal Navy caused secondary damage.
This time, the empire will dispatch all its main forces and eat up all the fleets sent by the British to escort the expeditionary force.
Four "Zeppelin" class large aircraft carriers have formed combat effectiveness, and eight "Flying Fish" class small aircraft carriers of only 15,000 tons have also been incorporated into the aircraft carrier fleet. Theoretically, these 12 aircraft carriers will be able to carry a total of 632 modified FW109s
Carrier-based aircraft. However, due to various factors, the actual carrying capacity of the "Zeppelin" class aircraft carrier is only 105, and the actual carrying capacity of the "Flying Fish" class aircraft carrier is only 20 aircraft.
But if it can be accomplished in one battle, all the forces are devoted to the Norwegian naval battle, and the entire foundation of the entire Third Reich navy is suppressed in one fell swoop, forming a local advantage over the British squadron dispatched this time. In addition, the Norwegian coastal defense forces and
Due to the early attrition of the Norwegian Navy, this Norwegian naval battle, which has been changed beyond recognition, may not be unwinnable.
"My head of state!" In the office of Reinhard's head of state's residence, the always cautious Redel said bravely: "With all due respect, if you want to deal with the Norwegian navy, the strength of the imperial navy is more than enough. But if you want to,
In a fight with the British Royal Navy, even if it is what you said, coupled with Norway's naval combat power, it may be difficult to achieve the strategic goal... I still recommend giving up this action plan."
After all, the British Empire suppressed the entire World War I. The German Navy once showed unprecedented excellent combat quality and fighting courage, but in the end it only resulted in infinite regrets after Operation Rainbow. Although it kept shouting that it would restart
Although it ranks among the world's most powerful naval powers, a certain inferiority complex has already taken root in the hearts of the handful of German naval commanders left behind in the last world war.
Reinhard understood that what he had to do now was not only to strengthen the Imperial Navy's body, but also to retrieve their souls more urgently.
"Raeder, can I ask you a question?" Reinhardt did not reprimand Raeder who was contradicting him. On the contrary, he was looking at Raeder with very sincere eyes.
"Of course it's no problem, my head of state." After all, he had just refuted Reinhard, and Reidel looked a little cautious and said, "My subordinates must tell everything they know."
Reinhard smiled faintly and asked a question that seemed to have nothing to do with the current atmosphere: "Don't be nervous, my marshal. I just want to confirm, how old are you this year?"
"Huh?" Reidel obviously didn't hear what Reinhard said. Although he heard it clearly, he still had some doubts about whether he heard it wrong just now.
"I'm 64 years old!" Reinhardt answered his own question before Redel could speak.
"64 years old, 64 years old..." Redel chewed on the age that Reinhard specially emphasized, and seemed to understand something.
"My marshal, I hope you will not be unwilling to listen to what I am going to say next." Reinhard said slowly and solemnly: "At 64 years old, your physical strength and energy are already in a decline stage. Maybe in a few years,
It’s time for you to step aside and leave the heavy work to newcomers.”
Reinhard's tone when he said this was very pertinent and serious. So Redel also understood that the current head of state was very serious!
"Don't you want to take advantage of the time when you still have enough energy to make changes with your own hands and complete the regrets that your ancestors failed to complete?!"
"It's rare that you hope to stand in front of the command podium of the Naval Command, leading the army, but watch helplessly as the once heroic and fearless Imperial Navy slips into the abyss of cowardice and incompetence. You will spend the rest of your life in pain and regret.
Pass?!"
"My teacher, General Sickert. He is the person I admire most and the fighter who has the greatest influence on me. In my opinion, his biggest regret in life is that he did not see the day when Germany regained its strength.
"
"I don't want you to be like my teacher..." Reinhard covered his face in pain and said: "At least, you now have a chance to make a comeback. You have the first batch of Germans in history.
Aircraft carrier, with brand new battleships and cruisers, and with me supporting you in your attack, I can take all the responsibility for the consequences for you!"
