Lütjens's fleet sailed silently in the cold and silent water.
The patrol formation composed of 8 Z-class destroyers and 3 new cruisers drove in an inverted V-shaped formation at the outermost edge of the fleet. In the middle and rear defense of the inverted V-shaped formation, there were two large Zeppelin-class aircraft carriers.
The core and terminal new battleships and 10 F-class frigates exist as the rear reserve force of the entire fleet.
The speed of the fleet is very fast. On this cold sea water, they are like ghosts, flashing past in neat formation. On this sea surface, they are definitely a formidable and terrifying existence.
Ten brand-new modern warships and two huge aircraft carriers give people a majestic aura just by looking at them from a distance.
Lütjens stood beside the command platform of the flagship aircraft carrier "Tirpitz", looking at the dark sea in the distance, letting his vision drift.
Dönitz's submarines had long stopped attacking the British seawater transportation lines, and were concentrated and dispersed along the planned channel that Lütjens and the others were going to pass through, ensuring that there would be no sudden enemy ships along the way. This was
This is also the reason why Lütjens dared to continue his journey with the fleet at night.
Although it was still pitch black within his sight, Lütjens' thoughts were not as blurry as his vision at all.
Looking down at the port of Narvik marked on the chart, Lütjens couldn't help but smile proudly.
A war where people cooperate inside and outside is just different!
According to reports from informants arranged by Quisling in Narvik, although the British squadron supporting the landing force had strong firepower, it did not seem to bring an aircraft carrier. Otherwise, to deal with Narvik Port, which lacked anti-aircraft firepower, the British
It doesn't take that long at all.
"Deputy Commander, it will be dawn in about two hours. Before taking off the carrier-based aircraft, should we start preparing to contact Marshal Redl's fleet?" A combat staff officer drew an outline for Lütjens on the chart.
Said: "We are getting closer and closer to the target British fleet, but if they prepare an ambush nearby, they can launch a pincer attack on us with the fleet in Narvik Port. At this time, contact the large forces behind,
It should be much safer.”
"Yes, Marshal Redl's Second Squadron is huge, but due to excessive replenishment of captured Polish warships and slowing down its speed, it is estimated that it is now far away from us." Another staff officer was also nervous.
He suggested: "Now we finally confirm the position of the Second Squadron, slow down the speed, wait for them to get closer to us, and get timely support before attacking."
After listening to the words of the combat staff, Lütjens suddenly frowned and punched the command podium hard. Suddenly, the increasingly noisy voices of the staff disappeared.
"Breaking radio silence to contact the Second Squadron is tantamount to lighting a torch in the dark to greet your own people. If your own people can see it, the enemy will not be invisible like a blind man!" Lütjens clenched his fists and said calmly.
The voice said: "Dönitz's submarine has been wandering near our shouting. If there was any enemy, we should have discovered it long ago."
"However, once we wait until dawn, it will be difficult for us to continue hiding. It is just the difference between being exposed two hours in advance and waiting two hours. Is it really necessary?" A colonel staff officer with the highest rank asked Lütjens.
asked.
Everyone was silent, waiting for Lütjens's answer. Everyone hoped that this passionate commander could be persuaded and change his mind to choose a more secure way of fighting.
There is no need to fight beautifully, and there is no need to create a classic naval battle. As long as you can win, it doesn't matter if you fight more cautiously or even cowardly. After all, your opponent is the Royal Navy of the Empire on which the sun never sets.
They annihilated the Spanish Armada, defeated the French Napoleonic Fleet, and also defeated the ambitious German High Seas Fleet during World War I.
Against such an enemy army with the blessing of Poseidon, the final victory is a completely commendable glory, and it doesn't have to be a beautiful victory at all.
"It makes sense!" Lütjens did not change his mind as most people thought. On the contrary, he loudly said in an unusually firm tone: "We have a real advantage against a fleet without aircraft carriers.
If we are too timid in this situation, then when we face the British main fleet in the future, shouldn’t we flee back to the port in despair and become a group of shrinking cowards?!”
"The significance of this battle does not lie in how many British warships we annihilated or how many sailors we captured." Lütjens shouted loudly: "The significance of this battle does not depend on how much courage we can recall in the end. It lies in
Can we awaken the soul of the High Seas Fleet that has been dormant for 20 years!"
Germany once relied on its strong industrial strength to transform an inconspicuous offshore defense navy into a huge ocean-going navy almost overnight. Decades ago, in Hamburg, Bremen, and Kiel,
In Wilhelm's port, from the cold North Sea coast to the Baltic Sea, giant steel ships slid down the slipway, and batches of brave sailors stepped onto the battleships. The German Navy at that time was very proud!
In Jutland, they outnumbered the many and sank 3 British battlecruisers, 3 armored cruisers and 8 destroyers in the naval battle with a proud battle loss ratio. And their losses were almost only the British.
Half of the fleet.....
High Seas Fleet! This is not only the name of the German Navy, but also the ultimate goal of the German ocean-going navy!
"Operation Rainbow, the head of state saved our dignity. Now, it's our turn to use this dignity to awaken our sleeping proud souls!" Lütjens loudly said with fanatical eyes: "Defeat the British squadron.
, there is no need to bring the entire High Seas Fleet, our First Squadron is enough!"
In Lütjens's sonorous speech, everyone's eyes had a kind of light that was not seen before. Yes, they never lacked courage, everyone just gradually forgot that kind of command after being huddled for too long.
The feeling of blood rushing. And today, they are about to recall it!
"This will be a lonely and exciting last journey." Looking at the empty sea that had been dark for a long time, Lütjens said lightly: "Everyone go back to their posts and make preparations. The 'Awakening Plan' will be
It’s about to open…”
Lütjens's voice when he said the last words was very soft, but it was like thunder, stimulating everyone's hearts.
"Yes!" In response to Lütjens, countless people raised their arms and shouted at a far higher decibel level than before.