Standardization and large-scale industrial production tend to apply to large markets such as the United States and the Soviet Union, but not to Europe with its many small countries -- just the development of uniform standards is a matter that can be endlessly argued. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

However, now that the European market is being formed and Germany has become a leading country, the conditions for "European standardization" are already in place.

In fact, in Germany, the Directorate General for Armaments has been working tirelessly to promote standardization since the day it was founded. Most of Germany's weapons and equipment are now the product of standardization, and parts and components can be exchanged between weapons of the same model.

However, in terms of civilian products, unified standards have not yet been established. In the European Community countries outside of Germany, standardized production is even worse.

Therefore, Hersmann hopes to work with France to solve the problem of European standardization step by step.

At the same time, France (and in the future, the United Kingdom) will be involved in the development of improved versions of the E-50 and Me-262, and of course, there is also the intention of abolishing Britain and France and other countries to independently develop tanks, aircraft and other large weapons systems.

It is enough for one country in the future European Community to have the ability to independently develop large weapons systems.

And Hersman's calculation, Darlan even understood and couldn't refuse. After all, in the two fields of tanks and jets, France lagged too far behind and could no longer catch up with Germany. Following Germany's lead would be a shortcut to France's possession of advanced weaponry, and French companies would certainly benefit from it.

Therefore, the negotiations between France and Germany on military-industrial cooperation easily reached a high-level consensus. Of course, the specific negotiations will not be completed so quickly, and all parties will have to pull the skin for months.

The verbal agreement with the French prime minister to cooperate in the development and production of advanced weapons and equipment, although far-reaching, was a by-product of the Cairo conference. There were only two main issues discussed at the Cairo Conference: first, how to win the war; The second is how to construct the post-war order.

On 5 January, the day after the meeting between the heads of state of France and Germany, Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, Navy Minister Isoroku Yamamoto, and Foreign Minister Masayuki Tani, accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to Germany Shigeru Oshima, arrived at Saladinburg, which is full of historical vicissitudes.

The meeting took place at the majestic "Alabaster Mosque" in the castle, officially known as Muhammad. Ali Mosque has the nickname "Alabaster Mosque" because of its milky white dome that looks like alabaster.

"That is Muhammad. Ali's grave," Hersman said, standing in an open westward window on the third floor of the mosque, pointing to a solemn cemetery outside, to Hideki Tojo, Isoroku Yamamoto, and Masayuki Tani in English, "he was a great man who did something similar to your Meiji masters." He carried out truly effective reforms in Egypt, established a Europeanized navy and army, developed industry and education, and twice sent troops to Western Asia between 1831 and 1841, defeated the Ottoman army trained by Count Moltke, captured Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and forced the Ottoman sultan to recognize his dominion over the Arabian Peninsula and Crete. But in the end, he became a loser and died in anger and remorse. Do you know why? ”

"Because of the joint intervention of Great Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia." Yamamoto fifty-six replied that of course he knew Muhammad. What kind of character is Ali, the elite of the Japanese Navy are people who know world history very well.

"No," Hersman shook his head, "his failure was due to his excessive greed. He wanted to grab more benefits than he could have, which is why he invited the unanimous intervention of the European powers. If he stops at Lebanon and Syria and lives in peace with the Ottoman Sultans in Istanbul, Egypt will have a valuable historical opportunity to become a modern power, just like Japan is today. If you had decided to attack Beijing in 1895 and replace the Tatars in China, your country would now be the same as Egypt. ”

Hersmann then repeated his words in German, and both Hideki Tojo and Shigeru Oshima spoke German—the army's scarer and the shameless navy, of course, could not learn the same foreign language.

The four Japanese devils are all human spirits, how can they not understand what Hersman's words mean - the Japanese Empire should not be too greedy now, it will be difficult to end up if it is too greedy.

"The expansion of the Japanese Empire was moderate," Hideki Tojo replied with a smile, "and we will not be like Muhammad. Ali, at the moment our national policy is only to maintain the security of the absolute defense sphere. ”

Prior to today's meeting, Hersmann and Hitler had already received a report from Ribbentrop -- the German Foreign Minister who had participated in the meeting at the Mohammed Mission. The banquet held at Ali Palace also had a separate meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Masayuki Tani, so he knew the Japanese side's position on the Hawaiian Islands, and also knew that they wanted to attack the Panama Canal to buy time to set up defenses.

So both Hersmann and Hitler knew that the so-called "absolute defense circle" was centered on the Hawaiian Islands. However, they also know that the United States will not give up its efforts to recover the Hawaiian Islands, which are undoubtedly as important as the mainland states of the United States, and cannot be given up.

Hersman nodded, although it is impossible for Japan to negotiate peace with the United States if it does not give up the Hawaiian Islands, but the United States is also not prepared to let Japan go. That would only allow Japan and the United States to spark a little in Hawaii!

"First of all, we do not support any territorial claims of your country to the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand!" Hersmann began to state Germany's position, "But in view of the needs of the present war against the United States, we will support your country's deployment of defense in the Hawaiian Islands." ”

As Hersman spoke, everyone had already visited the tombs of the great Egyptian men, returned to the halal-style conference room, and sat down the guests.

A list that had been prepared long ago was put in front of Tojo, Yamamoto, and Masayuki Tani. The list contains a list of weapons and equipment that Germany could provide to Japan (on a barter basis).

The list includes FW-190 fighters of A (medium and high altitude combat type), G (long-range fighter-bombing type), T (carrier-based type) and other models; No. 4H tank, Rhino tank destroyer; Fritz-X remote-controlled gliding bomb system, HS293 remote-controlled gliding bomb system, V3 remote-controlled missile system; BMW 801 series (excluding the four cutting-edge series of T, F, TS and TF) engines, BMW 802 series engines (excluding the T series with turbochargers), BMW 300 series engines (excluding any series with a supercharger and MW50 system installed).

"The weapons and equipment listed in the directory can be provided immediately from stock." Hersman added, "All weapons can be supplied immediately with 300-1,000 units/piece, and the delivery location can be Singapore." ”

Yamamoto Isoroku and Hideki Tojo exchanged opinions in Japanese in a low voice. The Germans offered something that was urgently needed and some that was not needed.

"Your Excellency the Imperial Marshal," said Hideki Tojo, "we don't need aircraft of the FW-190 family, nor do the engines of the BMW801 and BMW300 families." Remote-controlled glide bombs and remote-controlled glide missiles are urgently needed, and we hope that your country will immediately provide 500 each. 100 units of the Type 4H tank was enough. BMW802 engines we need 400 units. ”

"That's all?" Hersman frowned slightly, the equipment listed on the list has been carefully studied by the General Staff and the Navy Command, and it should be useful for the defense of the Hawaiian Islands. So he thought that the Japanese would make a big purchase, but he didn't expect that the other party was not very interested.

"We also need your country to provide technology in order to speed up the development of several Pacific decisive battle aircraft." "What we need most now is 18-cylinder air-cooled engine technology with more than 2,000 horsepower. ”

"2000 hp 18-cylinder air-cooled?" Hersmann frowned, this thing is really not available in Germany, and the power of the BMW802 production model is now going straight to 3000 horsepower.

"Is it a special design of a small 18-cylinder?" Hersman asked again.

"Yes." Yamamoto fifty-six nodded.

Japan's weapons development standards are different from those of Germany, and they are looking for small and lightweight, but also simple structure, easy to produce and maintain. And Germany is now pursuing big and heavy, and it is very complex.

Taking the 18-cylinder air-cooled as an example, although Germany has mature products, it can only be installed on bombers and heavy fighters because of its overweight and oversize, while the development idea of Japanese fighters is to continue the myth of the Zero and pursue excellent grappling performance. They don't even look down on the FW-190, let alone consider the heavy battle of manufacturing and installing the BMW802, so there were serious differences between the two sides at the beginning on the cooperative development of the "Seventeen Test Ship Battle".

Fokker wanted to build a "baby bottle" with a practical BMW802 engine, while the Japanese wanted a combat fighter with perfect aerodynamic performance, and for this they needed a practical, light and small 18-cylinder air-cooled engine - in fact, they already had such an engine, but it was not perfect.

"Well," Hirschman replied, "I'll order BMW's technical department to assist you in perfecting your little 18-cylinder air-cooled engine as much as possible." ”

"Thank you very much," Yamamoto nodded with a smile, and then added, "Also, we hope that the United European Fleet will open up the Caribbean theater this spring." (To be continued.) )