The Imperial Navy was suddenly divided into five fleets, each with a roughly equal strength. The eight main warships assigned to the Home Fleet were slightly more powerful due to the planned use of 410mm main guns. The Mediterranean and Indian Ocean fleets, however, would each have one fewer main battleship, making them somewhat weaker. Nevertheless, overall, the strength of each fleet remained quite comparable.
As for the distribution of aircraft carriers, Qin Tian had not yet made a decision. At present, the German Navy only possessed six aircraft carriers. If they were allocated to every fleet, their power would be spread too thin, rendering them less effective. Once the number of aircraft carriers in the German Navy increased, a more strategic distribution could be arranged, ensuring that each fleet would have a formidable force. After all, a single aircraft carrier alone has very limited combat potential, but when two carriers are combined into a carrier battle group, their combat capabilities would multiply. Thus, the allocation would only occur once the Imperial Navy had at least twelve aircraft carriers.
Fortunately, large-scale naval battles were unlikely to occur in the near future. The German Navy had sufficient time to prepare. With Germany's industrial prowess and economic foundation, by the time war broke out, each fleet would likely be powerful enough to guarantee victory on any battlefield.
For instance, in the Atlantic, the Home Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet could unite to confront the Americans and the British. Even the Mediterranean Fleet could provide reinforcements for the Atlantic theatre. The Pacific and Indian Ocean fleets could combine forces to deal with the Japanese Navy and the United States Navy. The combined strength of these two fleets would be enough to secure a significant advantage in any conflict with the Japanese Navy.
As for the selection of fleet commanders and staff officers, Qin Tian had not yet made any appointments, leaving these positions temporarily vacant. After all, dividing the German Navy into five fleets was still a reform in its early stages. The reform had not officially begun, and there was plenty of time for modifications and adjustments.
The commanders of the Imperial Navy were undoubtedly supportive of the naval reforms. Not only would this make the German Navy more formidable, but it would also offer greater opportunities for individuals to rise to higher positions.
"Finally, we come to the Imperial Air Force! From this moment, the Imperial Army Air Corps will be restructured into the Imperial Air Force. General Seckt will serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Air Force!" Qin Tian declared.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" General Seckt, his face alight with excitement, responded. He had awaited this day for a long time. To become the commander of a newly established branch of the military was, for him, an unparalleled honor.
Although he had not yet been promoted, General Seckt was confident that he would soon be elevated from the rank of major general to full general. In fact, it was even possible that he could one day ascend to the rank of field marshal and serve as the Air Minister! The mere thought of this filled him with fervor.
"Although the Imperial Air Force is still in its infancy, I have great expectations for it. In future wars, the Air Force will become a decisive force. Whoever masters air superiority will control the initiative on the battlefield and, ultimately, win the war!" Qin Tian continued.
Although there was still a long way to go before Qin Tian's vision could be realized, with the current state of the Air Force and its limited aircraft, it was clear that it would not meet his lofty expectations for some time. However, with technological advancements, increasingly sophisticated aircraft would emerge, allowing the Air Force to grow stronger.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost!" General Seckt vowed.
Although General Seckt himself might have doubts about the Air Force becoming the decisive factor in future wars, he could not help but feel immense pride in the trust Qin Tian had placed in him. This faith inspired him to devote all his energy to realizing this vision.
"Currently, the Imperial Air Force possesses twelve air wings, six fighter wings, and six bomber wings. While this seems substantial, it is still far from the true strength I envision for the Imperial Air Force. Over the next decade, I hope to see the Imperial Air Force expand to twenty fighter wings and twelve bomber wings. Among them, no fewer than four long-range heavy bomber wings!" Qin Tian stated.
"Long-range heavy bombers?" General Seckt asked, clearly intrigued. It was the first time he had heard such a term.
"Indeed, long-range heavy bombers. The bombers currently in the Imperial Air Force's arsenal can only target objectives within a 300-kilometer radius. The operational range is simply too limited. Many of our enemies have vast territories, or we may need to cross vast oceans to reach them. Therefore, it is essential that we equip the Air Force with long-range heavy bombers capable of striking targets at distances of up to a thousand kilometers or more. Additionally, the payload must be significantly increased. Imagine what it would be like if we could amass hundreds, or even thousands, of these long-range heavy bombers to attack enemy strategic positions deep within their territory or bomb their key cities into rubble. What kind of impact would that have?" Qin Tian said, his voice filled with intensity.
General Seckt's eyes lit up. What Qin Tian had described was a completely new approach to warfare that he had never imagined before. He was already eager to begin building the kind of Air Force Qin Tian envisioned—one that would unleash a torrent of long-range heavy bombers, flattening enemy cities and leaving them in ruins. Such a strategy would undoubtedly force the enemy to pay a terrible price in the war, crippling their war potential and allowing Germany to secure an easy victory.
"Your Majesty, from now on, the Imperial Air Force will increase its investment in advanced aircraft. We will swiftly develop more advanced fighters and bombers. The long-range heavy bombers will be outfitted as soon as possible!" General Seckt pledged.
Qin Tian nodded. He was confident that General Seckt would see this mission through to its successful completion.
The commanders of the Imperial Army and Navy were equally shocked by the scenarios Qin Tian had laid out. While they had previously viewed the Air Force as a nascent branch of the military, if strategic bombing could truly be as powerful as Qin Tian suggested, then the role of the Air Force in warfare would be far more significant than they had ever imagined. Qin Tian's earlier analogy was no exaggeration at all.