Chapter 143: Chapter 23: Great Potential
Radar is an electronic device that utilizes electromagnetic waves to detect targets. It emits electromagnetic waves to illuminate targets and receives their echoes, thereby discovering targets and determining their position, motion direction, speed, and other characteristics.
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly who the first inventor of radar was. Both Americans and Britons conducted early research in this area and achieved certain results. However, it is generally believed that the earliest practical military radar was developed by the British, with British scientist Robert Watson-Watt playing a crucial role. Watson-Watt, then the director of the Radio Research Laboratory at the National Physical Laboratory in Britain, had led research on the use of radio waves to detect the ionosphere in the early 1930s. He used cathode ray tubes to receive and display radio echoes and measured the time it took for radio waves to be transmitted and reflected back, thus determining the height of the ionosphere. In January 1935, when he was commissioned by the British military to research devices for detecting aircraft using radio waves, he quickly developed a test device for air surveillance radar based on the research results he had obtained. On February 26, Watson-Watt demonstrated the radar to military leaders, detecting aircraft 16 kilometers away. After further improvements, by January 1936, the detection range of Watson-Watt's radar had reached 120 kilometers. Due to the advantages of radar, such as its minimal susceptibility to weather and long observation range, the British decided to mount radar on aircraft to deal with German submarines surfacing at night. In July 1937, the world's first airborne radar was successfully developed by a research team led by British scientist Edward Bowen. Starting from 1935, Bowen and his team developed airborne radar and by mid-1937, they had developed a small radar which was installed on a twin-engine Anson aircraft, making it the earliest aircraft equipped with radar. From July to September, airborne radar underwent multiple tests, proving its ability to detect surface vessels up to 16 kilometers away.
German research on radar was initially almost on par with that of other countries. As early as the Weimar Republic era, a company sponsored by the German Navy and founded by submarine commander Admiral Metz formed the Gema company, which secretly engaged in radar research during the war. By 1935, they had successfully developed Germany's first practical radar, Seetakt. The radar operated at a wavelength of 82 centimeters, with antennas being horizontal or vertical dipole arrays. The Seetakt radar could be used on land as well as on surface vessels. However, the leaders of Nazi Germany believed they possessed a unique secret technology, thus strictly keeping it confidential and slowing down its development. Unbeknownst to them, this measure gradually caused Germany's radar technology to fall behind its adversaries.
Upon returning to Berlin, Zhang Hainuo and Redel had some differences regarding their future plans: Zhang Hainuo wanted to serve as a departmental officer on a cruiser or the newly commissioned battleship "Deutschland", while Redel hoped he would temporarily focus more on the work of the overseas project department. He told Zhang Hainuo that Hitler assured him that Germany would soon break through the Treaty of Versailles and build submarines and large warships, and the naval aviation would also be rebuilt. Therefore, he hoped the overseas project department could accelerate the progress in submarines and naval aviation, and various weapons should be put into practical use as soon as possible after the trial phase.
After careful consideration, Zhang Hainuo respected Redel's decision but also made a new request: to be authorized to participate in various technical research projects of the German Navy, including the most confidential ones.
Similarly, after weighing the options, Redel agreed to Zhang Hainuo's request. In addition to reappointing him as the head of the overseas project department, he also gave him the title of Special Technical Supervisor of the General Staff — essentially giving Zhang Hainuo a key to the most confidential technical research field within the German Navy. As expected, Zhang Hainuo soon noticed the radar research project of the Gema company.
All along, Zhang Hainuo had been consciously recruiting professionals in wireless communication, and under the research department of Schneider Shipyard, he established a small-scale radio group. Initially, this radio group consisted of only seven individuals who had served as communication officers or radio maintenance technicians in the military, relying on wireless radios and technical materials obtained from the German black market to research and replicate military radios. Later, several professor-level professionals were also introduced from Germany, initiating more in-depth research. By the late 1920s, the size of this research group gradually expanded, and it was able to produce professional radio equipment independently. Communication devices of this kind were equipped on ships under Schneider Shipyard, and continuous improvements were made through practical applications.
Around 1929, Zhang Hainuo officially requested the technical head of this research team to develop radio detection equipment, but significant progress had not been achieved so far. This once made Zhang Hainuo very worried because if Germany's radar technology lagged behind that of its adversaries as history showed, being passive in wartime was inevitable. Unfortunately, he didn't have the memory to recall the names of many scientists related to radar technology.
After consulting Redel, Zhang Hainuo was allowed to inspect the technology and research progress of the Gema company. In the eyes of the outside world, this was just an ordinary radio equipment manufacturing company, but anyone who had seen its well-equipped large laboratories and research teams of hundreds of people would not think that only simple radio transmitter research was being conducted here. Here, Zhang Hainuo was delighted to see two experimental radars — Type E and Type F. Although both radars were bulky and operationally complex, they were leading technological products of the time. Zhang Hainuo thought to himself that somewhere in Britain, British scientists were probably also busy around such cumbersome machines!
Due to instructions from the senior levels of the German Navy, Dr. Rudolf, the technical head of Gema company, earnestly introduced to Zhang Hainuo the operating principles and approximate performances of these two experimental radars. Although Zhang Hainuo was not very familiar with professional terms such as wavelength and array antennas, he knew how to evaluate the performance of a radar: detection range, accuracy, and anti-interference capability.
Currently, these two experimental radars differed slightly in their working principles. Dr. Rudolf told Zhang Hainuo that Type E could detect aircraft up to 10 kilometers away in tests, while Type F could reach a detection range of 12 kilometers, but it was highly susceptible to weather interference. As for detecting surface targets, the detection range of both radars did not exceed 6 kilometers, and they were greatly affected by waves.
Despite these experimental radars being primitive and their performance being unsatisfactory, Zhang Hainuo was already very optimistic. The only bad news was that due to the impact of the economic crisis, civilian product sales of Gema company had sharply declined, and the research department's expenses had been affected to some extent, forcing some new technology projects to be postponed.
After returning to the General Staff, Zhang Hainuo soon submitted a written report to Redel, elaborating on the significant role of radar in shaping the course of the war and strongly requesting the Navy to allocate funds to expand the scale of this research institution and provide active support in terms of personnel and equipment.
Although Hitler promised to double the military budget in the next fiscal year, the Navy's funds were still relatively tight. Especially with the construction of the second and third ships of the Deutschland-class battleship underway, Redel's budget was even tighter. Therefore, Zhang Hainuo had to find ways to persuade him to temporarily provide a secret assistance fund from Schneider Shipyard to maintain the normal operation of this project. Shortly thereafter, he also obtained direct supervision rights for this project from the Naval Technical Department.
Amidst his fervent engagement in naval affairs, Zhang Hainuo received an invitation from the Prime Minister's Office. For over a year, he had devoted most of his energy to training courses and naval exercises, only sparing time for Munich under the guise of support from the Aegean Consortium and Schneider Shipyard. Upon Hitler's appointment as Chancellor, Zhang Hainuo had sent a congratulatory letter from distant South America. After his return, he hadn't actively pursued relations with the Prime Minister's Office. People, once they prosper, often distance themselves from their less affluent relatives. Recognizing this, Zhang Hainuo adopted the opposite strategy: he waited.
On the surface, Zhang Hainuo's recent contributions to the National Socialist Party seemed minimal. Yet, when the party was still struggling and frequently facing financial challenges, he repeatedly offered valuable assistance. As the party rapidly expanded and made its way into national politics, he secured support from consortiums, industrialists, and even the Naval High Command. Though Hitler's tireless speeches and industrialist support were pivotal during the final stages of his bid for the Chancellorship, they lacked the sincerity of hardship. Moreover, Zhang Hainuo had a good rapport with senior figures in the National Socialist Party, such as Rudolf Hess, Hans Frank, and "Hans Lommel," as well as cordial relations with Ernst Röhm, Goebbels, and others.
Although the bait was taken, Zhang Hainuo was no greedy fisherman. He promptly reported the situation to Redel and pledged to visit the Prime Minister's Office only as a private individual. Despite his sympathy for the National Socialist movement, he made it clear he wouldn't join their ranks or engage in internal naval recruitment for them. Redel was pleased with this arrangement, recognizing the need for a channel of communication between the Navy and the Prime Minister's Office. Consequently, he readily arranged for Zhang Hainuo's transport to the meeting.
After 19 months, Zhang Hainuo met Hitler again at the most important room in the Chancellor's Office: the Chancellor's office. To outsiders, it was a great honor for a naval lieutenant commander to enter this room, let alone engage in a one-on-one conversation for an hour and a half. However, Zhang Hainuo saw it as a form of return on his previous investments.
Upon meeting, Hitler reproached Zhang Hainuo for not visiting Munich to see old friends. However, he expressed gratitude for Zhang Hainuo's substantial financial support. What Hitler didn't mention was the millions of dollars in funding provided to the National Socialist Party in the name of the Aegean Consortium and Schneider Shipyard, all under Zhang Hainuo's directive.
Despite his clear reasons for not being directly involved, Zhang Hainuo explained his recent endeavors in skill development through training courses and sailing training on the "Gorch Fock," emphasizing his aspiration to become an excellent surface ship commander.
Hitler, an enthusiast for drawing battleships in his sketchbook, praised Zhang Hainuo's aspiration, promising to join him on a voyage aboard a ship under his command once he became a captain. He then inquired about the Naval Training School and sailing training, asking Zhang Hainuo to provide information about the current vessels in the German Navy.
In a casual tone, Hitler then asked Zhang Hainuo if he would be interested in serving in the current government, offering him a prominent position. Just as he had declined the initial invitation to join the National Socialist Party, Zhang Hainuo politely refused. He addressed Hitler with respectful language, maintaining his position with dignity.
Though Hitler transitioned smoothly to other topics during their conversation, he eventually returned to political struggles and the Jewish question. Zhang Hainuo patiently listened, knowing that his reward was a lunch with the Chancellor and several cabinet ministers.
Despite the delicacies on the table, Zhang Hainuo was more intrigued by the familiar faces around him. Some were flourishing, having risen to prominence alongside Hitler's ascent, while others seemed hesitant or subdued. Among them, Zhang Hainuo held the lowest status. A few months ago, his rank as a naval lieutenant seemed enviable to National Socialist Party members, but now he was the most inconspicuous figure.
Upon leaving the Chancellor's Office, Zhang Hainuo returned directly to the Naval Staff Headquarters. Though the Chancellor wielded great power, he often hindered rather than helped in specific matters, leaving Zhang Hainuo to address submarine, aviation, and radar technologies on his own. Nevertheless, for the current German Navy, the Chancellor was not entirely useless. At the annual budget meeting held at the end of the year, he secured a threefold increase in naval expenditure compared to 1933. Additionally, with his support, the Naval Air Service retained its position within the new framework set by the Ministry of Defense. The Army Air Service also enjoyed relative autonomy—without Göring, a key figure in the Air Force, Germany's independent air force wasn't established until 1935. Despite this, efforts to develop new fighter and bomber aircraft continued vigorously, supported by several knowledgeable individuals. Moreover, the Chancellor displayed the foresight of a strategist, appointing a group of officers who had served in mid to senior positions in the air force during the Great War to oversee the reorganization of the air force affairs. Among them were three key figures who later became backbone figures of the German Air Force: Colonel Hugo Speer, who had commanded the 7th Army Air Squadron during World War I, Major Robert von Glem, who had commanded the 34th Fighter Squadron during World War I, and the famous Red Baron's cousin, Dr. Richardhofen, a Ph.D. in Engineering from the Berlin Institute of Technology.
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