Protecting the flock like a sheepdog might drive away a lone wolf with its bravery, but when faced with a more powerful pack of wolves or even lions, the outcome becomes inevitable—Hanno von Falkenstein.
"The radar room reports an unidentified aircraft detected 80 kilometers away, General. They're inquiring whether to dismantle the radar antenna on board according to the secrecy protocol."
While reporting to Captain Loen, Zhang Hainuo himself pondered how to handle the situation: the "Deutschland" and his two sister ships were currently sailing in formation in the Atlantic Ocean, about a day's journey from the target fleet reported by U-16. If things continued like this, the climax of the exercise would arrive in just over twenty hours, but encountering an aircraft at this moment was certainly unexpected...
"An aircraft?" Loen exchanged glances with his executive officer, Kalleig, and staff officers, "Does the opposing side have escort planes in the exercise?"
This question reminded Zhang Hainuo that, to enhance the realism of the exercise, the naval staff provided intelligence data to surface fleets in a manner similar to wartime. Despite the rough description of the target's size and composition, Zhang Hainuo could guess that the escort ships would likely be a vessel from the German navy's Konigsberg-class light cruisers, accompanied by either the "Emden" or the "Leipzig." As for the escort planes, several cargo ships in the Schneider shipyard's fleet were equipped with aircraft catapults and carried seaplanes produced using Curtis technology, enabling captains to dispatch small amounts of mail ashore without docking. Of course, these planes could also perform reconnaissance and escort duties during exercises or wartime.
Thinking along these lines, Zhang Hainuo promptly reported what he knew to Loen and added his opinion, "Currently, there are no commercial air routes between South America and Europe, so the possibility of foreign aircraft appearing here is very low, but we cannot completely rule out such a scenario!"
After a moment of consideration, Loen looked out at the sea beyond the port window and ordered, "Send a signal to the 'Graf Spee' to inform them that this is likely a reconnaissance aircraft sent by the opposing side. Inquire whether General Marshall approves sending carrier-based reconnaissance planes for disruption and interception!"
Shortly after, Loen preemptively ordered the aircraft crew and relevant personnel to prepare for launching carrier-based planes.
While the Heinkel He60 had minimal air combat capability, it wasn't entirely negligible—the 7.92mm machine gun mounted on its back could at least attempt to drive off enemy reconnaissance planes.
William Marshall, commander of the German navy's main fleet, and in Zhang Hainuo's eyes, the "Great Commander Brother," was currently commanding the attack formation from the latest and largest "Graf Spee." Soon, the senior officer signaled from his flagship, "Each ship dispatch one reconnaissance aircraft into the air. First, identify the enemy's identity and then seize the opportunity to disrupt their reconnaissance!"
The He-60 carried by the "Deutschland" was the first to take off. Due to the presence of an aircraft catapult, the launch was safe and convenient. Within five minutes, the other two reconnaissance planes took off from their respective mother ships, and the three He60s flew swiftly toward the direction of the detected target—equipped with wireless equipment, but with limited communication range greatly affected by weather conditions, an aspect the navy aimed to improve for the next generation of carrier-based reconnaissance planes.
At a distance of 80 kilometers, the aircraft weren't far off, and the situation was soon clarified: it was indeed an aircraft participating in the exercise, belonging to the escorting faction. While unarmed, it was faster than the He-60s, deftly maneuvering past the loose interception formation of the three He-60s and flying low over the three Deutschland-class armored ships. Through his binoculars, Zhang Hainuo distinctly saw Fred waving at him from his cockpit, a gesture that simultaneously irritated and amused him. Nevertheless, the attackers' movements were now exposed to the flock, and they had a day to prepare for any eventualities. Returning wasn't a viable option, as their speed was nearly half that of the Deutschland-class ships. However, if this were real combat, they could summon reinforcements via radio, perhaps even the enemy's main fleet!
In such circumstances, Zhang Hainuo's advice was straightforward: abandon the prey!
If this were wartime, such a decision would be wise and necessary—given that two Shanhorst-class ships were yet to be completed, Germany's most precious vessels were concentrated here. They couldn't risk the future of the navy for a mere convoy.
Yet, both Loen and William Marshall, aboard the "Graf Spee," decided to continue towards the target. Perhaps they considered the exercise's nature, closely watched by the Imperial Chancellor back home. Deploying a large number of ships for a fruitless action was indeed hard to accept.
Following the exercise's requirement to maintain radio silence, Marshall did not directly report the situation to the General Staff. In wartime, this restraint could be advantageous: if not for the command to "protect the ships first," the performance of the Shanhorst-class ships in the Norwegian campaign would have been even better; if not for the personal intervention of the Chancellor, Günther Lütjens would not have rashly launched the Bismarck and the Prince Eugen in the absence of the Shanhorst-class ships—originally, the Shanhorst and the Gneisenau were to sail from the Bay of Biscay to distract the attention of the British Navy, but just before the operation, the Shanhorst remained on the slipway due to power failure, and the Gneisenau was damaged in the British bombing. Hitler, however, refused to postpone the "Rhine Exercise," resulting in the irretrievable loss of pride for the German Navy.
Despite not immediately reporting the situation, Zhang Hainuo participated in the following exercise with a very depressed mood. Due to prior preparations, the escort fleet dispersed before the three Deutschland-class ships arrived, with two powerful "escort cruisers" conducting a diversionary operation in nearby waters, following the combat model of British escort ships during World War I. Nonetheless, the three Deutschland-class ships used their radar and carrier-based planes to find and pursue one prey after another. With their 280mm naval guns roaring, after two days and nights of pursuit, the exercise umpire eventually ruled that only four cargo ships from the target fleet managed to escape, while the two escort cruisers were sunk in battle. The "Deutschland" and the "Admiral Scheer" were deemed lightly damaged.
Such results were enough for William Marshall to lead the three Deutschland-class ships back triumphantly, but Zhang Hainuo independently calculated based on the information in his hands—if the opponent in this operation were the British, they would not remain indifferent for over forty hours from the moment the German attack ships were discovered until the end of the attack. According to the normal deployment of the British Navy in wartime, at least a battlecruiser accompanied by cruisers would enter the combat area as a vigilance detachment, and the Deutschland-class ships would likely encounter a large number of British ships, including aircraft carriers, on their way back to Germany. Additionally, the possibility of encountering British submarines should be considered. Without capturing Norway and France, it would be quite difficult for the attacking ships to return to Germany from the Atlantic under such circumstances, although there were still successful precedents in history. Commanders needed courage, wisdom, and insight in equal measure!
Since joining the German Navy, Zhang Hainuo felt for the first time the enormity of the risks involved in surface combat. At the same time, he increasingly sympathized with history's Günther Lütjens. Objectively speaking, this outstanding commander of the German Navy had fulfilled his responsibilities within his capacity—currently, he was in charge of personnel affairs at the General Staff, but with the continuous expansion of the German Navy, it was only a matter of time before experienced and capable officers like him assumed command of surface ships.
On February 16, not long after personally assuming the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces through the "Blomberg-Fritsch Affair," Hitler held a grand welcoming ceremony for the "triumphant" German main fleet at Wilhelmshaven. The Fuhrer, who held all German power in his hands, greatly appreciated the naval officers and sailors participating in the exercise because they had "successfully concealed the exercise from all countries and conducted a significant exercise."
That evening, in the study at the Führer's residence, Zhang Hainuo recounted the process of the exercise directly to Hitler. Regarding the reconnaissance aircraft from the escorting faction spotting the Deutschland-class armored ships, he merely glossed over the matter, believing that naval tactical issues were best resolved within the navy itself. Moreover, with Hitler recently resolving the army issue through unsavory means, nobody wanted a repeat scenario within the navy.
Hitler, with an unusual calmness throughout Zhang Hainuo's narration of the exercise, expressed his approval only with occasional nods. Perhaps he had already glimpsed Germany's naval prospects through the "Observer" exercise. He occasionally muttered phrases like "island nations have such fatal weaknesses." Afterwards, he asked Zhang Hainuo whether he thought Germany should continue constructing more large warships (the Bismarck and Tirpitz had begun construction in 1936, while the Z Plan was still in the discussion phase).
"Respected Führer!" Zhang Hainuo maintained the title he had used since 1921, expressing his views through analogy: "Just as the army requires tanks, artillery, and infantry, all equally indispensable on the battlefield, so too is it with battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other small vessels in the navy! Our enemies will not wait for us to complete all preparations before engaging us in battle. In my opinion, the German Navy should formulate several plans to respond to various potential situations."
Due to his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hitler had abandoned his civilian attire for military uniform. However, in the study, he still removed his cap to reveal his neatly parted hair—now showing more gray than before—and his facial skin displayed more signs of aging.
Hitler, as he often told Raeder, "I always believe that large and super-sized warships have the psychological capacity to deter opponents. To a certain extent, they can make our adversaries think twice before engaging mighty Germany in war! As for destroyers and submarines, they are merely auxiliary tools, like orderlies in an army. They are necessary but don't need to be excessive!"
"Respected Führer, a king usually requires many orderlies!" Zhang Hainuo subtly countered with a different perspective: "In the Battle of Jutland, our destroyer fleet effectively disrupted the British fleet's deployment using torpedoes. Submarines also performed admirably in that war! Battleships, like kings of the sea, instill fear just by anchoring in ports. Small-scale battles usually only require attendants to fight, and their task is to disrupt the enemy's formation at every opportunity!"
This time, Hitler considered for a long while. It was apparent that his expertise in naval affairs was not as professional as in the army—his specialization lay more in strategic aspects, whereas his tactical acumen might not even match that of a frontline army major!
"Hainuo, you are now a naval captain, but I'm considering appointing you as Admiral of the Navy!" Hitler said with a smile, though it was unclear how much jest was involved.
"In ten years, perhaps!" Zhang Hainuo half-jokingly replied, creating a moment of camaraderie between them. However, being a friend of Hitler was not secure. Hans von Stauffenberg, his former close friend, had recently been forced to flee Germany due to disagreements with Hitler on political issues. Although this news was strictly confidential, Zhang Hainuo had learned of it from Eduard, yet he had to feign ignorance in front of Hitler. Blomberg, initially a staunch supporter of Hitler's rise to power in 1933, had been disgracefully dismissed from his position as Minister of Defense due to his strategic conservatism and opposition on issues like reclaiming the Ruhr industrial area.
At this moment, Hitler extended his right hand—adorned with a swastika armband—and lightly patted Zhang Hainuo's left arm. "Hainuo, keep up the good work! Based on your outstanding performance during the Mediterranean cruise and your contributions to improving the Deutschland-class armored ships and this naval exercise, I have proposed to the Admiral of the Navy to promote you to Rear Admiral!"
Zhang Hainuo was very surprised, but Hitler's words didn't seem entirely jestful. After some thought, he responded in kind, "Thank you for your trust, Führer. I will spare no effort in contributing to Germany and the navy!"
Hitler nodded, his smile carrying an inscrutable meaning.
The next day, when Zhang Hainuo found Raeder and reported various aspects of the exercise, Raeder confirmed what Hitler had said the previous night. Although the Führer and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces did not issue a direct order, the senior naval officers displayed a positive attitude of compliance—despite their private discussions regarding the "Blomberg-Fritsch Affair," they showed even more respect towards the Führer himself. Just a few days later, Zhang Hainuo was promoted to Rear Admiral, and for his contributions to the navy, he was awarded an Iron Cross medal. Both the promotion and the award ceremony were presided over personally by the Führer, a rarity in peacetime for the German navy.
Undoubtedly, the name of Hainuo von Falkenstein carried much more weight within the navy, especially among the senior officers. This 43-year-old Rear Admiral seemed to have become the rising star in everyone's eyes—at least within the navy.
After weeks of meticulous compilation, Zhang Hainuo submitted a "Summary Report on the Observer Exercise" to the Naval General Staff, primarily outlining the necessity for frontline commanders to maintain independence and adaptability in naval warfare. It also comprehensively elaborated on the roles of naval aviation, particularly carrier-based aircraft, in fleet reconnaissance, air defense, and offensive operations, along with corresponding tactical concepts. To his surprise, this report not only received high praise from naval officers, but he himself was promoted to Chief of Staff of the Main Fleet and Director of Naval Aviation—an esteemed position second only to Admiral Rolf Carls, the commander of naval aviation. Carls, a diligent man dedicated to naval aviation development, had overseen the smooth progress of the Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier, which began construction in 1935 and was expected to be launched by the end of the year. Meanwhile, naval aviators were currently training with two converted vessels, the Schneider shipyard's flat-top freighter "Karl" and the old cruiser "Loreley."
In terms of carrier-based fighters, the navy had decided to use the technically mature Messerschmitt Bf 109T, suitable for deck takeoffs and sea combat. The first batch had already been delivered for naval use earlier in the year. As for carrier-based bombers, the navy had chosen the successful Stuka from its performance in the Spanish Civil War. However, due to the navy's order of the Ju 87 C-1 still in the prototype testing phase, naval aviation was currently training with the Luftwaffe's Ju 87A model.
At this moment, Zhang Hainuo somewhat understood the deeper meaning behind Hitler's smile: in this world, most people tended to ingratiate themselves with those in power and their favorites. And after Hitler became the undisputed leader of Germany, Zhang Hainuo found himself playing that role within the German navy.