The battle with the British, it can be said that the navy is the busiest branch of the army. In the battle with the Soviet Union, the navy became a quiet yamen.

In addition to undertaking some transportation tasks in the Baltic Sea, the German Navy can be said to have entered a period of recuperation.

Raeder, as the field marshal of the German Navy, was very busy at this time, because he now had to appoint more than 100 captains to replace the British naval warships in his hands.

The captains of several battleships needed his personal arrangement, and more than 20 cruisers also needed the command of German captains.

At the same time, more than 70 destroyers have now entered serial service with the German Navy.

Although most of the destroyers were old models, after all, so many warships joined the German Navy at once, so the German Navy was instantly reduced to a semi-paralyzed state.

It is a very laborious task to transfer the elite sailors who have served on the battleship to serve on the new warship.

At once, Germany had to feed more than 3,000 British naval officers and men who were responsible for handing over these weapons and equipment, and it also had to be vigilant against these people causing havoc on the warships.

What made Raeder even more troublesome was that now that he had exhausted all the cadets in the Naval Academy, he still couldn't meet the minimum requirements for operating these warships.

There were about 20 destroyers waiting to be taken over in the harbor, all of them army soldiers or SS troops who had been drawn from the army.

Among the battleships above and below, there are about 30 destroyers and 7 cruisers that can only complete routine maintenance and sea navigation training tasks, and cannot participate in combat.

Because of the serious shortage of personnel, although Germany had these warships, it could not put them into the direction where they were needed for a time to fight.

The remaining ships were barely usable, but they also needed a lot of time to do acclimatization training.

The Warrior, parked at the Gibraltar Naval Base, is still waiting to be picked up. It's a pity that the flagship of the German Mediterranean Fleet has not even been assigned to the commander.

The German navy was like a landlord who suddenly became rich overnight, and he did not know what to do with the rest of his life.

"Führer, you mean to hand over the Atlantic Fleet to Lütjans, and I approve of this." In the office, Raeder was discussing the future arrangements of the Navy with Li Le.

He had to respect the Führer's will, because according to the current naval establishment, more than four-fifths of it was brought to him by the Führer.

"In terms of the navy, in this conquest of Britain, at least two people must be promoted to marshal, this is not to empty you, but a normal promotion." Li Le pressed the appointment of Lütjans, and instead talked to Raeder about the promotion in the Navy.

Regarding the promotion of marshals, there has long been a basic conclusion within the navy, that is, the two generals with the most outstanding military achievements, it is estimated that this time it is possible to be promoted to marshals.

This is indeed an invisible pressure on Raeder, after all, the more marshals, the more unstable his position as commander-in-chief of the navy becomes.

However, the conquest of Britain was such an exhilarating operation that every commander who performed well in this war was bound to be promoted.

Comparing the French campaign, we can see that when France was defeated, the Führer gave more than a dozen marshals in one go.

So this time when he was promoted to marshal, it is estimated that the two of them will definitely not be able to stop it. On the air side, there must be at least one marshal, and Goering, the imperial marshal, doesn't care how many more marshals in the air force support the scene.

In the Army, the Führer had already promoted three SS generals, all of whom were now in the rank of SS generals, and the units under his command would be expanded into corps units in the future.

The rest of the navy, everyone has guessed, Dönitz and Lütjans, eighty percent of them are going to become marshals.

"I plan to transfer someone to serve in the navy, and you have to take care of this person, after all, the tasks he will have to undertake in the future are relatively heavy in the navy." Li Le looked at Raeder and commanded.

He seemed to be talking aimlessly, and Raeder didn't have time to think about it. Hearing that the Führer had suddenly changed the subject from the matter of being promoted to marshal, he quickly replied: "Please rest assured, I will definitely support his work." ”

"In terms of the navy, a new combat arm should be established, the Marine Corps! The commander-in-chief of this force, I decided to appoint to General Herman. Li Le opened his mouth to continue his topic, and stuffed an army general to the naval unit.

At the same time, the fortress was given to the navy, as well as the 1st Marine Division and the 2nd Marine Division, which were separated from the 112th Division of the Army.

"My Führer! Raeder thank you so much for your trust in the Navy! Hearing that the other party was not in vain, and that he was going to bring the Marine Army, Raeder was of course overjoyed.

This means that he can command a lot more troops, and his naval combat intelligence extends to land.

Li Le's move was also a last resort, and as the times changed, Germany's tactical thinking must also change with it.

Future battles, not only in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but even in the Pacific Ocean, island warfare is a mode of warfare that Germany cannot avoid.

If you don't prepare in advance now, and then find a way to coordinate with the navy and army when the time comes, things will become much more troublesome.

"The combat training of the Marine Corps, I have communicated with General Herman a little, and the rest is up to you." Li Le looked at Raeder and slowly instructed.

He looked sideways at his admiral, and finally gave his request: "When I need Herman to fight, you must guarantee that you can fight, this is my request, understand?" ”

"Yes! My Führer! Raeder quickly stood up and saluted in response to the Führer's request.

Li Le nodded, and then hooked the topic back to the promotion issue itself: "Lütjans was promoted to the rank of Admiral, and Dönitz was also promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Navy, do you have any opinions on this issue?" ”

"Nope! My Führer! The two of them did very well in the war, and I personally very much hope that they can continue to fight for the Empire in a more suitable position! "Raeder is definitely an expert when it comes to official words.

"Lütjans is to take over the future formation of the Atlantic Fleet, as the main fleet of the Empire, stationed in ports such as England and France." Li Le now has so much capital in his hands that he can't even believe it.

First of all, the port of Liverpool became a German lease, and with the cover of this port and Ireland's Axis allies, this port was simply a natural fortress.

At the same time, Germany now has two ports, Portsmouth and Brest, and the Reich fleet can be completely dispersed and concentrated to prevent trouble.

And the fleet in the hands of Lütjans has also expanded to the point of making people feel extravagant.

The future Atlantic Fleet of the Third Reich had seven battleships, at least two battlecruisers, and four aircraft carriers, and the scale was staggering.

In addition, Germany will build the Indian Ocean Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet, and form a situation in which the three fleets are horns against each other.

The Atlantic Fleet is the strongest, the Mediterranean Fleet is slightly weaker, and the Indian Ocean Fleet is the smallest. And this arrangement may also change with the course of Germany's war against the Soviet Union.

"I'm in favor of that decision." The Führer brought up the question again, and Raeder had to nod his head again.

He has now basically become the head of administration, mainly responsible for naval training and construction and other general affairs, and the actual combat is almost handed over to the front-line generals.

To be honest, if Raeder is now on the front line, he will no longer be able to adapt to the changing situation of naval warfare. The current naval battle is completely different from the naval battle that Raeder understands.

"Hines was assigned to the Navy by me, and now that he has given me an answer, I should also give him an account." When Li Le talked about Hines, a smile appeared on his face.

The seed he planted before really took root in the navy and grew into a towering tree.

"Hines is indeed a very good commander...... Lütjans wrote a recommendation report saying that he was a rare talent. Raeder smiled bitterly inwardly, but replied quietly on the surface.

A few days ago he was preparing to submit a report to the Führer requesting the promotion of Hines to lieutenant general of naval aviation.

Now it seems that this report has been handed over late, and the Führer has moved the mind of skipping the ranks and promoting his confidants and favorite generals.

It's normal to think about it, it's natural for the Führer to install his own people in the navy, and strictly speaking, isn't Raeder himself also the Führer's person?

"The Führer meant to promote Hines to Admiral of Naval Aviation?" Raeder felt that the corners of his mouth were bitter when he asked this.

In one go, he promoted several admirals in the navy, many of whom were promoted by leapfrogging, which basically showed the attitude of the Führer, and he intended to make the navy have more marshals.

Presumably, in the near future, there will be marshals in the naval aviation and marines, and Raeder feels that he envies Hines and Herman, because it is almost inevitable that they will become marshals.

"You also think that Hines can be promoted to admiral of naval aviation?" Li Le admired Raeder's "upper way" and asked with a smile.

By this time, the Führer's meaning was already obvious, and Raeder certainly knew how to answer: "Of course! My Führer! I think so too! ”

"Excellent! Then record it, and I'll see Hines's promotion report later, and I'll approve it as soon as possible. The Führer looked happy and instructed Raeder.