Keitel was puzzled, didn't he succeed in shooting down all the enemy planes, why did the Führer complain about the problem of radar operations, he was a little at a loss, he had heard the news that the light volley line that Kamhuber relied on to become famous had worked well at first, and then gradually lost in value and disbanded.

"Aside from the fact that you are unable to achieve early warning due to the lack of radar networks due to insufficient resources, the strategy you have adopted in guiding fighter jets into combat is, in my opinion, very inefficient." Hoffmann pointed to the huge map of air operations, and then pointed to the telegram he had just received informing him of the bombing of the Ruhr area, "The success of the radar operation in the Berlin area today is very accidental, and the main reason is that there are too few enemy planes, and you can gather night fighters that far outnumber the enemy planes. If there were hundreds of enemy planes in the air at this moment, as in the skies over the Ruhr area now, would the dense spots of light be able to be busy by the guides alone? Even if you have enough guides, it's not easy to distinguish between them, not to mention that today's radar can't monitor so many targets at the same time. ”

Colonel William explained in a whisper: "Our fighters are equipped with a friend or foe identification system, which answers the response signal when the radar beam scans. "It's a huge step forward, but it's clear that this equipment doesn't help much to solve the problem of density.

To the surprise of Keitel, Jeshunek and others, Kamhuber quickly admitted Hoffmann's criticism, and he said frankly: "Although the defense line I designed seems to be very tight, as long as the enemy lines up in close formation, continuously pours through the gaps, and even consciously abandons some small formations to confuse the interceptors, the system will soon collapse due to the lack of tracking and volleying capabilities, just like the original light volley line was breached, but this is the ideal tactic we have designed at present." ”

"Although the Führer has repeatedly and humbly stated that he does not understand air defense operations, it seems that at the present time it is clearly not realistic, and he stands taller and sees farther than any of us, and knows at a glance the problems that exist in our operations, and I now very much hope that the Führer will show us the direction and the way as he has just given his revolutionary idea." Now others no longer think that this "mustachioed general" who imitates the Führer in every way is a sycophant, but instead take it for granted that the Führer, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Air Force, has put forward reasonable proposals.

"General Dönitz's submarine wolf pack tactics are highly relevant, and to some extent, intercepting enemy planes is the same as sinking merchant ships, and you must have the concept of thinking from the big picture." Hoffman asked Colonel William to get a map of Europe, "Your current tactic is to use the command centers distributed in various places to divide the entire Western European defense zone into block-like air defense zones, and each independent command center is responsible for its own area. But in fact, after the enemy planes set off from the British Island, they were in a large formation of about 400 or 500 planes at every turn, and they were a whole, and when they passed through each air defense zone, they encountered our isolated and scattered air defense forces, and our fighters in these areas were insufficient, and they either could not digest because there was too much food or because their own strength was weak to pose a comprehensive threat to the enemy structures, while the fighters in other air defense zones were on standby on the ground because they had not received relevant orders. I asked Dönitz what to do if one of his submarines met a large group of merchant ships at sea? He said, 'Don't alarm the other side yet, let our submarines follow them, judge their course and general target, and then call all the submarines that can pose a threat and give them a full-scale attack at the designated time and location.' ”

Hoffman drew several markers on the map of Western Europe: "First, we should set up long-range radar bases on the continental side of the English Channel, which they could build together with the fortifications of the Western Wall, so as to build a continuous early warning system, and when the British bombers began to assemble, our radar began to estimate the number and course of the enemy; Secondly, when the British bomber group crossed the strait, that is, roughly along the lines of Belgium, Holland, and France, we should use anti-aircraft guns, night fighter units, and other means to disperse them, not for the purpose of destroying the enemy, but to disrupt the formation of the enemy and force it to disperse, because a scattered enemy is easier to deal with than a concentrated enemy; As the British fleet continued to advance into the German hinterland, the command center had to quickly identify the main targets of the enemy aircraft and then mobilize all the fighters to attack, at which point the fighters on the first line of defense could go to rest and replenish their fuels. When the British planes returned, the fighters near the strait were supposed to make a second battle. Generally speaking, an air raid lasts 6-8 hours, and the crew is already exhausted by the time they return home, and their vigilance will be greatly reduced, and many aircraft will be injured, which is relatively easy to shoot down at this time. You should know that every time the English come they give us at least two chances to attack, and we know their return, for the planes are always going back to the island of Britain, and we can wait for them on their way. ”

The wolf pack tactics of U-boats have been heard by the Air Force, but they have never thought about the use of naval tactics by the Air Force. After listening to Hoffman's explanation, everyone fell into deep thought, and Kamhubel felt as if he had pushed open another door that could help find what he had been waiting for.

"Of course, the technology and equipment of the navy and air force are different, and the use of wolf pack tactics cannot be simply copied. For example, the Air Force radar can detect all British targets, which is superior to anti-submarine warfare, but at the same time, because the speed of aircraft is much higher than that of ships, the time for joint operations and intermediary coordination is very tight, and efficient command is required. Hoffman encouraged them, "After you have enough radar and fighter units, I'm sure you can try this completely new tactic." In addition to this, airborne radar is a very beneficial piece of equipment, but it is clear that there are many shortcomings in the current performance and methods of use, and there is an urgent need for improvement, and I recommend that it be included in the highest priority. ”

Everyone nodded frequently, indicating that they would implement and try the Führer's new tactics as soon as possible.

On the way back, Speer deliberately got into Hoffmann's car, apparently as if he had something to say, and drove the Führer's chief aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Dahlges, into his car for the sake of secrecy. Hoffman didn't expect Speer's move, so he asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Speer did not say anything about himself, but talked about air defense operations that had nothing to do with it: "I feel that the Führer seems to be still unfinished with air defense operations. ”

Hoffman nodded: "There is indeed a third question, but I don't know what to say, so I finally decided not to say it in order to prevent it from causing them trouble." In view of the existing air defense system, we should develop the kind of bombs that can automatically track enemy aircraft to deal with heavy bombers, they are extremely powerful, only 1-2 bombers can shoot down a bomber, and at the same time can have the function of automatic tracking, far better than anti-aircraft guns in terms of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. ”

"What kind of invention is this?" Speer pondered the new term "cost-effectiveness" and pondered for a long time, and after a long time asked tentatively: "Führer, are you referring to those rockets in Penemünde?" ”

"That's them." Hoffman nodded, "Since the rocket has the ability to rush into space, it will definitely be used for air defense operations, I plan to visit the Penemünde base in a few days, and by the way, talk to scientists about this topic, I hope you can go with me." ”

"I'd love it." Speer now turned his attention to what he wanted to say, "My Führer, what I want to say is also related to military projects. Although we have further optimized and enriched our resources and projects after moving to a full-scale wartime system, we cannot guarantee that each of them will be a priority project and achieve priority development. ”

Hoffman nodded in agreement, and he knew from the gesture alone that Speer must have something to say. Sure enough, the other party took out a file from the leather bag he was carrying: "After the general mobilization system was activated, the Ministry of Armaments registered and coordinated all resource requirements, and in the process of inventory, we found a confidential project -- how to say it......" He suddenly became a little embarrassed.