Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Berlin, Führer's Residence.

Seckt was walking fast, his face solemn. He had just stepped off the plane and rushed straight to Hidler's office without even taking a break. This news was too important to delay.

"Führer," Seckt pushed open the door and saw Hidler looking at the battle map, "I brought back an extremely important intelligence from China."

Hidler looked up and saw Seckt's slightly tired but unusually serious expression. He immediately put down the document in his hand and said, "Speak."

"Ingrid is secretly deploying a bombing plan codenamed 'Thunder'," Seckt took a deep breath, "They have developed a new type of bomb, codenamed 'London One', weighing two tons and with three times the amount of explosives as ordinary bombs."

Hidler's brows furrowed slightly.

"The explosion radius of this bomb can reach 100 meters, and the shock wave can destroy all buildings within a radius of 300 meters." Seckt continued, "What's worse is that England has modified 20 bombers specifically for dropping this bomb."

"What's the target?" Hidler's voice turned cold.

"There are three batches of targets," Seckt said quickly. "The first batch is the arsenals and weapons factories in East Prussia, the second batch is the railway hubs, and the third batch..." He paused, "is several of our important headquarters."

Hidler's face suddenly darkened: "Time?"

“In the first week of next month,” Seckt said, “they plan to take off from an aircraft carrier in the North Sea and conduct a raid around the Baltic Sea. The entire operation is expected to be completed within three days.”

Hidler stood up suddenly: "Is the information reliable?"

"It was Yan Shuangying, the director of the Chinese Intelligence Bureau, who told me personally," Seckt said in a deep voice, "and..." He hesitated, "Yan Shuangying also hinted that they have more of our secrets, including the minutes of your secret meeting with the General Staff three days ago."

Hidler's pupils suddenly contracted: "What?"

"Yes," Seckt smiled bitterly, "China's intelligence capabilities are far beyond our imagination. Yan Shuangying said that as long as he wants, any confidential document can appear on his desk in the shortest time."

Hidler was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Why did he tell you this?"

"This is the key point," Seckt said seriously. "I think China is showing us its strength and conveying some goodwill. They could have just sat back and watched England's bombing plan, but they chose to remind us."

Hidler paced back and forth in the office, with a complex light flashing in his eyes: "China is playing a big game..."

"Führer," Seckt reminded, "the most important thing now is to deal with the British bombing plan. If they succeed, our supply lines on the Eastern Front will be cut off."

"Convene the General Staff immediately," Hidler ordered decisively, "adjust the air defense deployment on the Eastern Front and strengthen the protection of important targets. At the same time..." He glanced at Seckt meaningfully, "give China a suitable response."

"Yes!" Sekt stood at attention, saluted, and turned to leave.

Looking at Seckt's departing back, Hidler's eyes became deep. China made a brilliant move, showing both its strength and goodwill. But the question is, what kind of calculations are hidden behind this goodwill?

Half an hour later, the core generals of the Bird Empire General Staff gathered in the Führer's office. Air Force Commander-in-Chief Kleist, Army Commander-in-Chief Brauchitsch, Navy Commander-in-Chief Raeder, and several important chiefs of staff all sat at the conference table with solemn expressions.

"Everyone," Hidler looked around, "We just received an important intelligence from China. England is preparing to launch a large-scale bombing on our Eastern Front, codenamed 'Thunder'."

He signaled Seckt to explain the situation in detail. Seckt immediately gave the performance of the "London No. 1" bomb, the number of bombers, the attack targets and other information.

"Damn it!" Kleist was the first to slam the table and stand up. "If they succeed, our supply system on the Eastern Front will be paralyzed!"

Brauchitsch also frowned and said, "There is a fierce battle with the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front. If there is a problem with logistics, the front-line troops will soon run out of ammunition and food."

"The most dangerous are the headquarters," Chief of Staff Halder analyzed. "Once the command system is destroyed, the entire Eastern Front will fall into chaos."

Hidler interrupted the discussion: "Now is not the time to complain, I want to hear the solution."

Kleist immediately said: "I suggest that we mobilize the fighter squadron immediately to strengthen the air defense force on the eastern front. At the same time, we should activate the radar early warning system and closely monitor the direction of the Baltic Sea."

"Air defense alone is not enough," Raeder interrupted, "We must find England's aircraft carrier formation. I can mobilize U-boats to search the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. As long as we find the aircraft carriers, we can cut off their actions at the source."

Brauchitsch added: "The army can strengthen the camouflage of military facilities and prepare mobile forces. Once enemy aircraft are discovered, important supplies can be immediately transferred."

"Time is too tight," Halder reminded. "According to intelligence, they will take action next month. We have less than thirty days to prepare."

Hiedler said in a deep voice: "Then we will split up. Kleist will be responsible for the air defense system, Raeder will be responsible for searching for aircraft carriers, and Brauchitsch will be responsible for ground protection. We must complete the deployment in the shortest possible time."

"Yes!" the three commanders-in-chief responded at the same time.

"There is another question," Seckt suddenly said, "This information was provided by China. Should we..."

Hiedler interrupted him: "That's exactly what I want to say. China has demonstrated its strong intelligence capabilities and also expressed a certain goodwill. We must respond appropriately."

"But be careful," Halder warned, "China must have their own plans for doing this."

"Of course," Hidler sneered, "We know exactly what they want. But the most urgent task now is to deal with the British bombing. We can talk about other things later."

"The Führer is right," Brauchitsch said. "I suggest that we act immediately. Time is of the essence and we cannot lose a second."

Hidler nodded: "Okay, then we will start the operation immediately according to the division of labor just now. Kleist, you first tell me the specific air defense deployment plan."

Kleist immediately unfolded a map of the air defense deployment on the Eastern Front: "According to intelligence, English bombers will enter from the Baltic Sea. I suggest deploying three air defense networks along this line."

He used his baton to draw several lines on the map: "The first line of defense is located on the coastline, with radar stations and anti-aircraft artillery groups deployed. The second line of defense is 200 kilometers inland, where our most elite fighter squadrons are concentrated. The third line of defense directly guards important targets."

"What is the specific troop deployment?" asked Hidler.

"I'm going to transfer the 109rd and th Fighter Wings from the Western Front," Kleist replied. "Both wings are equipped with the latest ME- fighters, and their pilots are all aces. Together with the existing air defenses on the Eastern Front, they should be enough to deal with bombers."

Brauchitsch interrupted: "But will the mobilization of air forces on the Western Front affect the war on the Western Front?"

"We have to take this risk," Kleist said solemnly. "If we let Ingrid succeed, the losses will be even greater. And we can use other air corps to fill the gaps on the Western Front."

"Admiral Raeder," Hiedler turned to the Navy Commander-in-Chief, "what is the deployment plan for the U-boats?"

Raeder pointed to the North Sea and said, "I have ordered the 7th and 9th submarine squadrons to gather in this area. These two squadrons are our most elite hunters. They will set up an ambush on the route where the Ingrid aircraft carrier may appear."

"At the same time," he added, "I have also mobilized several reconnaissance ships. They will disguise themselves as merchant ships and patrol the Baltic Sea. If they find any trace of the Ingrid aircraft carrier, report it immediately."

Halder mused, "That way, we can spot them before the Ingrids take off."

"Marshal Brauchitsch," Hiedler asked again, "what are the specific measures for ground protection?"

Brauchitsch unfolded another map: "We will camouflage all arsenals and weapons factories. At the same time, we will deploy mobile forces near each important facility and equip them with sufficient transport vehicles. Once the enemy is discovered, we will immediately transfer the supplies."

"The headquarters must also prepare for relocation," he continued. "I have ordered the engineering corps to build multiple underground bunkers around each headquarters to store important documents and communication equipment."

"Very good," Hiedler nodded, "This way, even if we are bombed, the damage can be minimized."

"One more thing," Seckt suddenly said, "Should we consider counterattack? For example, when their bombers take off, launch a surprise attack on their aircraft carriers?"

Kleist's eyes lit up: "This is a good idea. If we can find their aircraft carrier, we can turn the tables."

"It can be considered," Hiedler murmured, "but it requires very precise intelligence and perfect coordination. Kleist, you discuss with Raeder and see if you can work out a surprise attack plan."

"Yes!" the two commanders-in-chief responded at the same time.

"Okay," Hiedler concluded, "it's settled then. Kleist will be responsible for the deployment of three air defense networks, Raeder will be responsible for searching for aircraft carriers, and Brauchitsch will be responsible for ground protection. At the same time, prepare a counterattack plan."

He looked around at the generals and said, "Remember, this operation is related to the entire Eastern Front. No matter what method I use, I must thwart England's bombing plan!"

"Yes!" All the generals responded in unison, with firm expressions on their faces.