As of today, he has led the German Navy for 12 years. Over the past 12 years, the situation in Europe has changed dramatically. Germany is no longer the weak country it was when he first led the navy. And the Empire
The navy has also become fuller again from its original poverty.
Until today, Reinhard's instructions to him had always been to stay safe and avoid getting involved in the war.
But today, at this moment, for the first time, the head of state explicitly ordered himself to prepare for war - a war!
Whether all the struggles over the past 12 years are meaningful or not, whether all the efforts over the past 12 years have turned into waste will be decided in this battle.
Redel's body was shaking a little because of the nervousness. He slowly opened his eyes and met Reinhard's gaze again.
"My Führer," Redl said sincerely: "It has been 21 years since our representatives signed the surrender agreement in the special compartment of Fuchs in the Compiègne Forest. In these 21 years, the only time the navy has had dignity
The performance was still due to the Operation Rainbow planned by you. Before that, all the weapons on board our warships were dismantled by the British, and they did not have combat effectiveness at all. Our fleet has not been replenished for a long time, and it has been under the control of the British for a long time.
Under surveillance.”
"We were short of ammunition, fuel, maintenance parts, food, and water. It can be said that except for useless morale, we had nothing."
"But, even then, everyone still resisted the powerful British Empire at that time because of your words."
"I clearly remember how hesitant General Ludwig was when he proposed this impossible task. I also clearly remember that when the old general finally raised his arms and shouted, let those who are willing to participate come out.
At that time, the scene was so shocking!”
"No one stood out, and everyone took a step forward neatly! Faced with this dangerous action initiated by the navy without authorization, the consequences may be unimaginable, everyone present, without exception, participated neatly and firmly!
"
"That's hundreds of officers!" Redel's face was full of pride: "I am among them."
Are you there too?! Reinhard looked at Raeder in disbelief. At that time, he had just traveled through time, and he was already very excited when he encountered such a big event as Operation Rainbow. He didn't bother to carefully record who participated in his first trip.
A big move.
If Redel hadn't said this, he really wouldn't have known that he had worked with the current marshal nearly 20 years ago. So, Redel could be considered his old comrade-in-arms?
But it also makes sense, why Reydel, who is not a direct descendant of Reinhardt, would be the first among a group of veterans to choose to trust this seemingly careless head of state.
Simply because he was the first person to see the opportunity brought by Reinhardt.
Not noticing Reinhard's surprise, Redel continued to be silent in his memories and said: "Back then, when you were still a sergeant, you led me, a colonel, and others like me who were confused all day long and stayed in the shadow of failure.
The frustrated officers here did everything that everyone wanted to do but didn't dare to do."
"One person, one sentence, and one plan actually integrated the opinions of hundreds of senior officers and involved the entire Imperial Navy..." After a long silence, Redel continued: "Subordinate, if you are willing
Continue your legend, continue the courage left by countless people, and continue the original pride of the Imperial Navy..."
"Operation Rainbow, we lost most of the main battleships that no longer belonged to us. But it was also at that time that we planted a seed called unyielding. Now, this seed has finally blossomed and bear fruit, reappearing the original
So gorgeous..."
"Indeed, I have always been cautious about combat operations. Some people even call me as timid as a mouse. However, this does not mean that I am willing to be a coward!"
"Over the years, I have personally participated in the launching ceremony of every new battleship, and witnessed every process of the Imperial Navy from scratch. I am excited for every additional battleship, and I am proud to be part of it. Today's
The Imperial Navy reminds me of the fearless 'Ocean Fleet' of the past."
"So I'm afraid. I'm afraid that one day, because of a careless move, everything that the empire has worked so hard to manage will change back to what it was 20 years ago. I'm afraid that when there was just a little bit of hope, the light will turn into nothing again.
Nothingness."
"As long as there is a chance of victory, I will never back down even if I am shattered to pieces."
"My Führer!" Reidel looked at Reinhard expectantly and said word by word: "Can you guarantee that this battle will be as smooth as Operation Rainbow?"
Reinhard raised his eyebrows and fell into thought.
If it were the original Operation Rainbow, he could have patted his chest and said it was 100% successful. After all, everything was based on lessons learned from past experiences, and it was not his own initiative. But now this Norwegian naval battle is completely based on 20 years of development.
Now this is the first initiative made by Reinhardt's Third Reich.
In fact, he really wanted to appear as confident as before, using his cynical tone and posture, and understatement to boast, saying that everything was expected and that everyone only needed to do what they did to achieve success.
But now Reinhard suddenly discovered that when he faced a decision that decided the fate of the country for the first time without any reference, he would be so worried about gains and losses. Originally, he thought that he had overcome everything and had something like
He has the same perseverance and determination as those famous historical figures. But after having a heart-to-heart talk with Redl, he seemed to be infected with Redl's cautious thinking.
Yes, this is not worry and avoidance, it is also thinking about the empire from another aspect.
No one can say that caution is a fault.
Until the end, Reinhard did not give the definite answer that Redl was expecting. He smiled bitterly and gave an answer that was neither a clear affirmation nor a negative: "Sooner or later, this battle will have to be fought, and fight it now,
We can use Denmark's airports and Norway's coastal defenses, and we can attack when we want to. There is an old saying in the East, "After passing this village, there will be no such store." It also means that if time does not wait for me, opportunities will not
It happens every time. I think, if we don’t take advantage of the favorable geographical location to fight a war now, where can we find a better opportunity in the future?”
"Just go ahead and do it! If you win, I will congratulate you later. If you lose, it won't be you generals who will be hanged in the end." Reinhard gritted his teeth and said, "But if we are afraid of our hands,
If those who are afraid of their feet do nothing, then the empire will definitely fail in the end. All of this has long been determined by our poor geographical location."
"If we cannot win this naval battle, then we will lose all opportunities to win future wars. In that case, as the leader of the empire, I will be in a dark basement, holding a gun, stuffing it into my mouth and button
Pull the trigger and use my life to pay the price of failure!"
"To be honest, I am a life-loving person, or to put it bluntly, I am a person who is somewhat afraid of death." Reinhardt smiled slightly and said in a very light but firm voice: "So, I will not let you fail!