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44.44% The rise of the third reich / Chapter 64: Cheap goods

Bab 64: Cheap goods

At the naval dock in Kiel, Germany, Acardo, accompanied by several naval generals, visited the shipyard of the German Navy. This facility was employing the latest staged construction technology to simultaneously produce two identical destroyers, known within the German navy as Z-type ocean-going destroyers. General Redell was clearly pleased with the progress of his forces. He had recently phased out most of the older destroyers and torpedo boats, replacing them with twenty new Z-type ocean destroyers. This class of destroyer was still under continuous production, with plans by the German Navy to construct up to 67 ships.

The recent economic crisis had significantly reduced the size of the coalition arms control committee stationed at Port Kiel. Their focus had shifted primarily towards the rapidly expanding German Army and the burgeoning air force, while naval oversight had slackened. The relaxation in naval monitoring was largely due to the extended construction periods required for large warships. Even if surveillance ceased immediately, the German Navy would not be able to launch battleships and battlecruisers within the next two years, thus the Coalition Arms Control Committee felt confident in reducing their monitoring forces in Kiel Port.

Acardo had previously negotiated with the British Navy, and through concessions such as grain exports and other preferential policies, he had secured an understanding that allowed Germany to maintain a limited submarine force at Kiel military port for what was termed maritime self-defense. Consequently, the German navy had recently launched eight of the latest U-type submarines at Kiel naval port in one go, cleverly maintaining the same number by concealing the seven submarines it had earlier, thus keeping one of the 15 most advanced ocean-going submarines under wraps.

In addition, Acardo inspected two new battleships with strong German origins constructed by Britain. These battleships were built in response to the naval threat posed by the Soviet Union. However, recent intelligence indicated that the Soviets were significantly ramping up their submarine production and acquisitions, causing headaches for the British Navy, which had to purchase ten older destroyers from the United States for escort duties.

Acardo was very satisfied with the recent developments in the Navy. He also visited the workers' canteen at the dock and the Navy's dormitories. He then inspected the air defense facilities around the naval base and observed the soldiers' emergency air defense drills.

Of course, the primary purpose of his visit to Kiel was to oversee the construction of naval aviation. In anticipation of the German aircraft carriers, Acardo had arranged for two He-51 biplanes from the Air Force to be made available to the Navy for training purposes.

Back at the office of the Naval Command, Acardo, exhausted from his day's activities, although he had spent most of his time in a car, requested, "General Rader, could you please help me get a glass of Coca-Cola?"

"Your Excellency, I heard that Coca-Cola is now your property?" Rader asked as he went to fetch the drink.

"Yes, indeed! If you consider it, Coca-Cola is essentially a German company now!" Acardo replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

"General, you've placed all your bets on aircraft carriers and submarines for future naval engagements. Isn't that a bit risky? If we were allowed to build a super battleship, I believe my generals would feel more confident," Rader expressed, sitting on the adjacent sofa.

"My decisions are based on precise analysis and prediction of the future!" Acardo reassured him with a smile. "So, you need not worry, General Rader. My strategy will prove to be entirely correct."

"Recently, our Japanese friends have shown great interest in our shipbuilding plans," Rader reported. "They are willing to share their naval aviation combat experience and support our engineers in designing the latest aircraft carriers."

"And what do they want in return?" Acardo inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Rader handed Acardo a document, "Here, take a look at their proposal. They are requesting our tank design blueprints, some steelmaking technology, and a significant number of submarine engineers."

"They must be joking! They offer an outdated design of the 'Kaga' aircraft carrier in exchange for our top-secret blueprints and technical expertise! Do they think we're fools?" Acardo scoffed, dismissing the Japanese proposal.

"General, considering the practical experience the Japanese have in naval aviation, perhaps we could benefit from their knowledge..." Rader suggested cautiously.

"Their experience is nothing compared to what we can discover on our own! Learn from them? I suspect they'll end up learning from us!" Acardo retorted.

"So, General, about our aircraft carrier design, would you consider incorporating any elements from the Japanese Kaga?" Rader ventured one last time.

"Would an eagle ask a sparrow how to fly?" Acardo scoffed. "Our aircraft carriers will be built using segmented construction technology, with a tonnage exceeding 25,000 tons, serving as the core attack and defense force of our fleet. The flight deck will be straightforward, equipped with only minimal air defense weapons, and will primarily host fighters and bombers as long-range attack forces."

"Your Excellency, the bombs dropped by planes are not yet fast or powerful enough to pose a significant threat to battleships. While our fleet can handle the enemy's cruisers and destroyers, we could be outmatched by their battleships," Rader pointed out the concern.

"Mercedes-Benz is developing a new aero-engine. The future aircraft will be faster, larger, and more advanced. The aerial bombs will also be increased to weights of 300 kg, possibly even exceeding 500 kg. Furthermore, the technology for launching torpedoes from aircraft will become simpler and more reliable," Acardo explained confidently.

"God! Is that true?" Rader asked, astonished.

"As for the battleships we're currently building for the Soviets and the British, let's just say I didn't mention anything," Acardo replied solemnly.

"Yes, I didn't hear anything," Rader agreed, smiling.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Anna entered with her chin held high. "General, Merkel has returned from the United States. He reports that he has important matters to discuss with you."

Acardo nodded and glanced at Rader. "My dear General, I believe I need to use your office to discuss some business matters concerning the Greater German Consortium."

"Of course! Please feel free to use it," Rader responded, leaving his office respectfully with his lieutenant, who had brought in two bottles of Coca-Cola, following him out.

"Anna, our operations are increasingly on track!" Acardo exclaimed, holding a bottle of Coca-Cola.

"Then I shall toast to your success," Anna replied, clinking her bottle against Acardo's.

"Cough, aren't you bothering us?" Merkel joked from the doorway.

"Knowing you're interrupting, shouldn't you be leaving?" Acardo retorted playfully.

"Oh! Then I'm out," Merkel said, turning to leave without hesitation. Anna laughed heartily, her cheerful demeanor more apparent since her recent intimate moment with Acardo.

"Alright, come back here! Tell me about your achievements in the United States," Acardo said, turning the conversation to business.

"We took $300 million with us and were hailed as saviors by many factories there," Merkel began, proudly detailing his trip. "We've acquired a variety of equipment in such large quantities that you wouldn't believe it."

"Ninety percent of the machine tools for screw processing are brand new, with no wear on the edges! They practically gave them to us as scrap metal," Merkel continued, pulling out a stack of documents from his bag and handing them to Acardo. "We've signed cooperation agreements with four major U.S. consortiums. They will provide us with at least 3,000 machine tools of various models and more than 400 precision machining equipments within a year. They've also helped persuade about 120 senior engineers to immigrate to Germany."

Acardo frowned slightly but couldn't suppress a smile. "Merkel, did you also sign an industrial raw material cooperation agreement? Did you order a large quantity of non-ferrous metals from the United States? Good ones?"

"We purchased rare metals like molybdenum," Merkel continued, smiling as he recounted his achievements. "We also managed to secure a significant amount of oil and steel from American companies."

"How is the transport work being handled?" Acardo inquired.

"We've arranged for about 40 Hercules-class freighters to travel between Germany and the United States. That's the largest transportation force we could muster," Merkel explained regretfully. "Of course, if needed, we can rent some Japanese and British freighters, or even buy them outright."

Acardo laughed heartily, "Who would have thought, amid the global economic crisis, we'd still have spare funds to purchase those relics."

The conversation continued as they discussed further strategies and plans, reinforcing the trajectory of Germany's naval and industrial expansion. The mood in the room was optimistic, with each participant aware of the significant strides being made to strengthen not only Germany's military capabilities but also its industrial base.


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