General Stüdent's second surgery was generally successful. The reason for using the word "generally" is because the surgery process went as smoothly as expected, but he remained in a coma after the surgery. The final result could only be determined once he regained consciousness.
On June 4th, the day after the German army issued the report on the Battle of Dunkirk, a stunning announcement was made from Buckingham Palace across the Channel: on the issue of war, the royal family and the government unanimously declared that the British Empire must never bow down to the barbaric, cruel, ruthless, evil, and dictatorial Nazi Germany! The fight will continue, on the continent, in the British Isles, in North Africa, and in various corners of the world!
Facing the mighty Third Reich, the British displayed the traditional arrogance of a maritime power, but the media of various countries generally believed that the remnants left at Dunkirk could no longer become a fresh force to resist the Nazi invasion. Even the hastily withdrawn British troops left their weapons, courage, and will on the other side of the Channel. If the Germans launched a full-scale invasion, Britain's situation would be precarious!
Regardless of the ultimate impact, the dust of the Battle of Dunkirk had settled. As a low-ranking airborne officer, Logan set aside his previous apprehensions and wholeheartedly devoted himself to the construction of the Model Airborne Camp.
"General, do you think it's realistic for every soldier in an airborne unit to be proficient in both parachuting and air-dropping, capable of flying planes and driving cars, skilled in machine guns, artillery, and everything else?" Not a word missed.
In front of General Püschel, the "acting division commander," Logan spoke without deliberately playing down his words because he had previously learned from Steinfelberg that "Hans Logan" had been working with Püschel for more than two years and seemed to be highly appreciated by him.
"Not realistic, and not necessary! To train such a force, it would take at least two or three years!" Püschel openly expressed his opinion.
"Oh!" Logan was slightly disappointed. He then reiterated the doubts he and Steinfelberg shared.
"I've already considered this. For a newly formed unit, having a hundred percent seasoned veterans is ideal, but many units suffered losses in the previous phase, and it's impossible to mobilize over a thousand soldiers!"
After saying this, Püschel picked up a sheet of paper covered in pencil marks and handed it to Logan.
"General Stüdent previously discussed this matter with me. After much consideration, my personal recommendation is this: the Model Airborne Camp will still be built according to the conventional model of three airborne combat companies, one machine gun company, one mortar company, one heavy weapons company, plus the direct subordinate units of the camp. To enhance combat effectiveness, the mortar company can be converted into a heavy weapons company. As for personnel, the three airborne companies will be formed by active-duty troops and reserve troops from the 7th Airborne Division, with a one-to-one ratio of veterans to recruits. The number of squad and platoon personnel will increase by ten percent based on the standard establishment; the machine gun company and heavy weapons company will be formed by active-duty troops from the 22nd Airborne Infantry Division as the backbone, supplemented by reserve troops and other volunteers, with a twenty percent increase in squad and platoon personnel based on the standard establishment!"
After listening to Püschel's suggestion, Logan didn't need to calculate the numbers with his fingers because they were clearly written on the paper:
Airborne company: 212 personnel per company, 7.92mm machine guns × 12, 50mm mortars × 2; Machine gun company: 220 personnel per company, machine guns × 18, 50mm mortars × 2, 37mm anti-tank guns × 2 (at that time there were no tapered bore guns, which are expensive but lightweight); Mortar company: 220 personnel per company, 7.92mm machine guns × 12, 50mm mortars × 2, 80mm mortars × 4, 37mm anti-tank guns × 2; Heavy weapons company: 220 personnel per company, 7.92mm machine guns × ?, 50mm mortars × ?, motorcycles × ?, four-wheeled armored vehicles × ?, tanks × ?
Camp headquarters: 104 personnel, motorcycles × 4, 7.92mm machine guns × 4, four-wheeled armored vehicles × ? (communication vehicles × ?)
In this way, the entire camp would reach exactly 1,400 personnel, the upper limit of Stüdent's initial plan.
Impressed by General Püschel's thoroughness, Logan couldn't help but admire him a little. However, his attention was quickly drawn to the question marks regarding the heavy weapons company. Clearly, there were many numbers left for discussion.
"As for tanks and armored vehicles, I remain cautious personally. But considering the predicament we faced in the Netherlands, General Stüdent believes that the Model Airborne Camp must have this type of heavy equipment. He said the Führer has already instructed the Air Force Technical Department to start developing new large gliders!" Püschel spoke gently, indicating his hesitation about the combination of paratroopers and armored vehicles.
"To be honest, General, you've considered this more thoroughly than we have!" Logan, not good at flattery, clumsily offered a compliment. He couldn't claim to understand the technical capabilities of the German Air Force at that time, let alone make promises, but he thought that since leading-edge jet aircraft could be developed, it shouldn't be impossible to build transport planes capable of carrying ten tons of cargo!
Püschel lit a cigarette for himself. "Hans, you're a young man with ideals and ambitions. Your intellect and character are superior among your peers, and you're determined and decisive. However, you lack magnanimity in your actions and are not good at expressing yourself. I've always said that if given the opportunity, I'll definitely send you to the grassroots units for tempering. Fate is like this—if you seize it, you'll succeed! Keep up the good work!"
The "imposter Logan" put on a deeply touched expression, thinking to himself: It seems that this "Hans Logan" is quite capable, with good character, and superiors hold him in high regard. I just wonder if his family background is strong enough. I'll have to ask Stefenberg about that later.
"Regardless, I'll fully support you and your model paratrooper unit. This also aligns with General Stüdent's long-standing efforts, right?" Püschel flicked his cigarette lightly on the exquisite glass ashtray. "This morning, I spoke with General von Schrannecke over the phone. He has no objections to the decisions made by the High Command, but regarding tank crews and armored vehicle drivers, he's currently powerless. After becoming a parachute division, most of our combat vehicles have been reassigned, leaving only some logistics trucks and communication vehicles. You'll have to think of solutions for this aspect yourself!"
"Well, actually, I have an immature idea that I'd like to consult with you about." Logan deliberately used modest language. "As you know, my unit fought alongside the Führer's bodyguard regiment in the Battle of Dunkirk. They have the most advanced combat vehicles at the moment, so I'm thinking, could we borrow personnel and equipment from their unit?"
"The Waffen-SS?" Püschel's voice suddenly rose, causing Logan to feel a pang of uncertainty: Is it a lost cause?
However, Püschel didn't rush to make a statement. He took a drag from his cigarette, waiting until the ember seemed about to burn his fingers before stubbing it out forcefully in the ashtray. "If the Waffen-SS is willing to provide personnel and equipment, it wouldn't be a bad thing for us. But... General Stüdent was ultimately wounded by soldiers from the Führer's bodyguard regiment—although the investigation determined it to be a mistake, even if the general agrees, our officers and soldiers will have their own thoughts."
There's an old saying: loyalty and righteousness are hard to reconcile. Logan also knew that to establish a firm foothold in this fluctuating unit, the respect of colleagues and the support of friendly forces were crucial. Püschel's words had already indicated his stance: While assistance from the Waffen-SS would be welcome, for the sake of internal cohesion, they had to proceed cautiously!
Early the next morning, Logan placed the proposal he had worked on all night on Püschel's desk. After some final adjustments, Püschel submitted the "Model Paratrooper Unit Formation Plan" to the High Command and the Air Force Command on behalf of the 7th Parachute Division as the acting commander.