Canteen System Assistance Notes

It cannot balance the four sides."

Suzuki Sadaichi thought for a moment and immediately added, "So, not only do we need to expel Matsuoka, we also need to find someone who is 'extremely fair' to take on this important task: Ah, this means changing the cabinet... overthrowing the cabinet..."

"The current Prime Minister, Duke Konoe, is already the head of the Five Regents and Nine Imperial Households. Where could you find someone more fair than him?" Itagaki Seishirō asked. "And Matsuoka was personally appointed Foreign Minister by Duke Konoe. How could he be dissuaded from leaving?" And why are you, Suzuki-san, so sure that the US will sign a Japan-US reconciliation agreement? Didn't the US President suddenly change his attitude after the Imperial Army entered Indochina, not only freezing Imperial assets but also banning oil imports?

Itagaki thought, but he didn't ask the question. "I've already discussed this with Minister Kido!"

Suzuki Sadaichi had clearly prepared an answer. He rested his hands on the table, stiffened his neck, and said, "We simply need to respectfully invite Prince Higashikuni Toshihiko to form a cabinet! As a member of the royal family and a general in the army, you can naturally balance the four sides and divide the interests!"

"If Itagaki-san can entertain his former colleagues at the General Staff and secretly push this matter forward, when the new cabinet is formed, not only will Itagaki-san be able to regain his position as Chief of Staff, but he might even go one step further and be reappointed as one of the Five Prime Ministers!"

Suzuki Sadaichi took the bottle and refilled their glasses. This was the last bit. Itagaki drank the whiskey and felt the ice in the glass melt, and the taste of the wine had faded.

This was indeed an attractive plan: to overthrow the cabinet, then form a new one and advance further as a contributor to its formation. Itagaki thought, however, that all this success would have to be based on the signing of the "Japan-US Cold Deal," the US recognizing the Empire's interests in China and repaying the loan.

This conversation didn't even answer my earlier question about how to resolve the Japan-US conflict, given the US embargo and sanctions. If this premise fails... "Suzuki-san, I'm stupid, but I have a question."

"Itagaki-san, what are you talking about? Please tell me, please tell me."

After much deliberation, Itagaki Seishirō finally asked, "What if the United States refuses, or if their demands are too harsh and they refuse to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Imperial Kingdom?"

"How is this possible? Isn't the delay in the Japan-US truce due to the obstruction of that little Matsuoka? If we just expel Matsuoka, the US President will surely continue with the old agreement and sign it with the Empire."

Suzuki answered doubtfully, but as if sensing Itagaki's gaze, he pondered the question for a while. Finally, the director of the Planning Institute, Suzuki Sadaichi, replied:

"If that's the case, then the march south can't be delayed, right? The Empire's conquest relies on the Nanyang lifeline, just like the Manchuria and Mongolia lifeline. I believe that as long as we properly protect the Nanyang countries, the United States will probably, no, definitely, be able to reach a mutual understanding with our country."

If you don't understand... well, it's probably just a new war, right?

After extensive experience on the battlefields of China, Itagaki Seishirō, former Chief of Staff of the Japanese Army, thought so.

Chapter 524: Cold Night of 1941 (3) Steel and Bear

"Hello, dear Comrade Stalin, I wish you good health."

"Well, hello, Comrade Dmitri Anatolyevich." "Yes, yes, Comrade Stalin."

snow.

In early November 1941, the cold wind in Moscow was already biting, as grim as the war situation.

The Battle of Vyazma Bryansk was over. Judging solely by the battle lines and the situation, the Nazis had reached the gates of Moscow. The Red Army, despite its desperate resistance, inflicted losses on the Germans but failed to halt the Nazi advance even a fraction. The broad avenues of Red Square, seemingly about to replicate the Champs-Élysées in Paris, were being trampled underfoot by Nazi hooves, boots, and caterpillar tracks.

Therefore, the snow at this time seems extremely cold both physically and psychologically.

But at least the Kremlin remains quiet for now.

A double layer of extra-thick brick walls, common in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, blocked heat loss and temporarily separated the workers, citizens, and students who were diligently building barricades and fortifications on the streets of Moscow. Dmitri Anatolyevich "Bearsky" Midi-Vedovsky entered the Green Living Room and found it slightly colder than the living room outside.

Comrade Steel left the window open, and placed a plate of minced fish with tomatoes, onions, and a spoon on the window - this might be his lunch, and it seemed like he hadn't finished it yet.

"Please sit down, Dimi."

Stalin called Belsky to sit down, using his nickname. "Let me think... We met two years ago: in 1939, when you returned from China with a small gift from our comrades in the friendly party. We were together." "I am honored to be able to contribute to the great Soviet Union to the best of my ability in my work."

Bielsky replied. The last time was shortly after the Winter War began. The front line expressed a need for submachine guns, and he brought two types of submachine guns from China and sent them directly to the front line by bomber to provide support. Afterwards, he was met by Dalin.

Stalin nodded, narrowing his eyes as he examined the representative in the black and white striped down jacket. Soon, his dark circles relaxed a little: "Our special envoy, Comrade Chuikov, told me that you look a lot fatter. But I think it might be because of the clothes you're wearing—they're not cheap in state-owned stores."

"Ah, this is what I brought from China..."

Bielsky shuddered, and the cup he had just picked up clattered and almost fell to the carpet. "Don't worry, Dimi, it's just a joke to lighten the mood.

It seems that our Chinese comrades are really good at taking care of people. "Dalinzi took the onions, tomatoes and chopped fish on the windowsill and put them on the table. He scooped a spoonful of food with a spoon and motioned to Belkov not to be nervous. "However, as far as I know, people in many places in China are still facing hunger, and our Chinese comrades still have a long way to go.

“Even the Soviet Union was like that.”

He raised his head, looked into Xiongski's eyes and asked: "Dimi, I want to ask you a question.

If you were still working in the General Logistics Command, and you found that the brave and fearless soldiers on the front line were suffering from hunger, cold and disease, and the number of soldiers who died from these causes was even comparable to the number who died from the Nazis' evil bullets, what would you do?

"I searched for supplies and delivered them to the front; and together with my comrades, I apprehended the corrupt officials."

Xiongsky's tone hardened. He certainly enjoyed drinking and the warmth of his down jacket, but he was also confident he had never engaged in corruption. Without hesitation, he replied firmly, "Finally, hang them, Comrade Stalin."

"That's good, Dimi. I'm glad you said that."

Stalin pushed the plate aside. "As for the latter half, there will be comrades who are responsible for this matter." He knocked on the table. "As for the first half, what are your thoughts?"

Although Dalinzi didn't say anything, Belsky knew what he meant - the 200 'Tn-40" Type 81 submachine guns (historically M/45) and 200 'TTK-40" Red October submachine guns (historically POBOS) he brought from China were transported to the front line by the TB3 of the bomber unit, armed two Soviet regiments, and received unanimous praise from the frontline soldiers.

Later, the Type 81 submachine gun was even selected by the Soviet Army for its excellent cost-effectiveness. After being re-barreled and modified, it became the Soviet Army's standard submachine gun. "I would choose to transfer and mobilize domestic production capacity, which is also what the Soviet Union is doing."

Bielsky started, gathering his thoughts. During this time, he had been accompanying comrades from friendly parties in China, inspecting factories and organizing the "return tonnage" transportation for the Northwest Passage, and had learned a great deal.

"All materials must be channeled towards the war effort and ensuring its needs. For example, priority should be given to ensuring the survival of workers who produce weapons and supplies. At the same time, the organization and management of production must be strengthened. Reckless production is a crime of waste."

He said, "In addition, production plans can be adjusted appropriately. In the current situation, we should produce enough equipment, not just good enough. For example, I know that the Chinese comrades' Inink-40 Red October submachine gun, while slightly inferior in accuracy and about 20% more expensive to produce than the Type 81, can reduce the production time by nearly a third. It would be more beneficial to allocate resources to such equipment in the plan."

"Very good, go on."

"Yes, Comrade Stalin. Furthermore, I think we can cooperate even better with our Chinese comrades." Belsky recalled the newspaper reports he had read in the past few days. His diplomatic and military experience enabled him to read Russian, Chinese, and English, and to stay informed on a wide range of issues. "I saw in the newspaper that both Britain and the United States have expressed their support for our country. That's great, but the Chinese comrades have already started providing us with supplies."

Chinese comrades are running no less than 20 truck transport groups on the Northwest Passage, and it takes about 10-15 days to complete a one-way trip.

- Once the payload is 500 tons, these 20 transport groups can at least complete the transport in a month.

Transporting 10000 tons of supplies!

"Chinese comrades have been fighting fascism alone for ten years, since 1931."

Xiongski organized his words. "Their wisdom and courage were unleashed in battle and successfully applied to the war effort. However, from what I've seen, they possess a number of valuable ideas—but lack the ability to mass-produce them. They face the same problem as us: their limited production capacity is tied up in guns, artillery, and ammunition."

"Before I came here, I was testing their newly produced handheld radio with Comrade Vasily Ivanovich. The gadget was very sophisticated, but the production capacity of about 1000 radios per month was really too low," he said. "So I thought it would be better for us to have an open and frank exchange with our Chinese comrades - to ask them what they can provide, what they need, and how they can require assistance from the great Soviet Union.

“Similarly, we should assist them in improving their production capacity, just as we did with aircraft manufacturing.”

Xiongsky concluded, "Before I came here, I also visited their 'Aircraft City' in the Guanzhong region. Comrade Nikolay Polikarpov told me that Factory 51 in Touhunhe, Xinjiang Province, has resumed production of Il-4 bombers using readily available parts and has begun producing prototypes of new fighter jets. As for the new aircraft city, it should be able to begin aircraft production in about six months."

"Such cooperation is beneficial to the Soviet Union." Stalin nodded. "Their victory over the Japanese is a contribution to the Soviet war effort."

"Comrade Stalin, they have just defeated the Japanese over a distance of 300 kilometers across two Chinese provinces," Bielsky said sarcastically, winking. "And some other Chinese comrades are gloating over entering a city the Japanese have evacuated."

"Your suggestion is very valuable. For the lives of the Soviet soldiers, Dimi, you must continue to keep this transportation line open and arrange the proportions of supplies reasonably."

Comrade Tietie leaned back in his chair, then leaned one side of his body against the table, his brows relaxed slightly. This was perhaps one of the few good news he had heard in the past few days.

Next, you need to write a more detailed report and plan on this matter. Once you're done, just hand it over to Mikoyan. I'll take a look at it—but time waits for no one, you need to hurry." He pulled out his pipe and tapped the glass ashtray. "I don't want our comrades to think of farmers wearing conical hats and soldiers starving when they mention China. Dimi, I don't want that, do you understand?"

"No problem, Comrade Stalin!"

"By the way, you can write the report here for the next few days. I'll ask them to arrange a room for you."

Finally, as if remembering something, Comrade Stalin gave another instruction. He muttered to himself and repeated, "It's just a few days. Go out later."

Chapter 525: End of 1941 (4) Each One’s Worries

In the world of 1941, war was already raging everywhere, and everything related to war seemed to be accelerated.

Under such a tight rhythm, everyone could be asked to contribute to the war, including the front line, logistics, and even the safety of the rear. This included German officer Heinrich Knippkamp.

As the Assistant Minister of the Ordnance Department, responsible for managing the development of new tanks, Knippkamp was a high-ranking official in the department, and logically shouldn't be overwhelmed by trivial matters. However, he had recently been suffering from insomnia for a long time, tossing and turning in bed, and even after taking sleeping pills, he couldn't fall asleep comfortably.

The main reason for this was Mr. Heinrich's work. He had recently been given an urgent task: to figure out how to deal with the Russian tanks. Damn them! They were like locusts! Damn Russian tanks!

Mr. Heinrich felt a headache when he thought of the several Russian tanks dragged to the experimental field: Yes, Russia was now retreating step by step under the German offensive, and the battlefield situation was very good. But this could not cover up an embarrassing fact: a Russian medium tank T-34 and a heavy tank KV-1 that appeared on the battlefield became the nightmare of all German troops.

one-one-one-one-one-one

Both tanks have almost completely indestructible front armor - the former is almost immune to the 375075mm guns of the Type 3 and Type 4 tanks at normal combat distances, and the infantry's anti-tank guns have almost no effect on it. Only the PAK40 and F-22 (captured) anti-tank guns in the experimental field have a chance to penetrate it; and the latter is even more deadly. Not only do all the aforementioned tank guns succumb to the 75mm thick front armor, even the shells fired by the omnipotent FLAK36 have a certain probability of being blocked by the turret wrapped in a layer of steel wire cage.

With such good protection, how did the Russians make their tanks so light? Mr. Heinrich was puzzled: For example, I heard that the designs of Henschel and Porsche for heavy tanks were over 50 tons!

At this moment, Knippkamp was extremely envious of his colleagues in the sixth department of the test site. Their task was to test these Russian tanks and then report the test results; and he had to come up with a plan to counter the Russian tanks based on the results.

Previously, I had pinned my hopes on a secret new concept: shaped-charge ammunition. In testing, this round easily penetrated armor several times its own caliber, killing crew members inside the tank. However, this round, along with similar Russian ammunition captured on the battlefield, inexplicably lost its "magic" on these two tanks.

According to the experiments of technical experts, the 16mm steel plate outside the main armor of the T34 medium tank seems to be able to interfere with the formation of the metal jet, thereby reducing the penetration of the jet by 30%-50%; and the metal grille welded between the KV-1 turret and the front of the vehicle body has about a one-third probability of jamming the Russian-made "individual anti-tank grenade launcher" ammunition, or similarly interfering with its detonation height, reducing the penetration of the metal jet by 20%-30%.

Bullshit! Sure enough, the Russians are better at making tanks—No, how could I have such a blasphemous idea?

Knippkamp was frustrated. He had heard that the tank soldiers on the front lines had developed a habit of loading a grenade into their guns and firing it at any vehicle they encountered. This way, the grenade's explosion would blast away any attached armor, making it easier for infantry to use captured launchers to attack Soviet tanks, while also increasing the chances of their own tanks' armor-piercing rounds penetrating the enemy.

Should we continue to push forward with PAK-41 production and find a way to fit the versatile Type 88 gun onto a carrier? Or should we increase investment in the development of the long-barreled Type 75 gun and equip it with more tungsten alloy armor-piercing rounds? Or should we propose issuing new requirements to tank development companies, asking them to cram longer and larger guns into turrets or hulls?

Never mind, let's attack them together anyway, and aim to penetrate these two tanks normally, so let's try them both first!

Mr. Heinrich scratched his head. Or perhaps, should he discard his dwindling "German pride" and learn from his enemies?

And on the European outlying islands, the British Isles, there is also a person who is going bald.

Major Stephen Mallory of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command was biting a red pencil. The paint on the pencil was pitted and it was obvious that it had suffered a lot.

Before him lay a high-precision map of the North Sea, encompassing the United Kingdom, northern Germany, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and the rest of the world. On the map, three large red dots, labeled "Sub A, B, and C," were marked, clearly representing the Gulf coast. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, northern Germany, and even Heligoland, red stars, arrows, and airplane symbols were marked, clearly representing the Gulf coast.

German stuff.

This was a situation map prepared for the "Bombing of the North German Oil Fields." A few months earlier, Mallory and his superiors had traveled to Canada, met with a Chinese man who was said to have discovered the oil fields, and obtained several coordinates from him. He quickly worked with his staff to plan a route and dispatched a reconnaissance plane for a detailed investigation.

Soon, a Hudson reconnaissance aircraft, conducting nighttime reconnaissance, reported back: indeed, three oilfield construction sites had been discovered at the coordinates provided by the Chinese in the Commonwealth. Using the cover of darkness, the aircraft flew over the oilfields, taking photos and revealing that the three sites were approximately ten kilometers apart. Each contained three to five wells emitting flames—these were associated petroleum gas produced during the drilling process, which had to be burned off on site.

There is indeed oil there, and the Germans have already started extracting it!

Perhaps because of the Chinese's information that the total reserves were estimated to be less than 100 million tons, but no less than 6 million tons, or perhaps because the well would make a perfect target and the excellent publicity it would generate if successfully discovered, the pipe-smoking man put the bombing of the "North German Oil Field" on the agenda, personally "directed" it, and quickly launched it.

As a staff officer, Major Stephen Mallory could still remember the plan for the disastrous bombing.

This was a massive operation, involving complex and interlocking feints and attacks.

Several cover attacks called "Big Yellow" would involve groups of 2-4 aircraft strafing multiple German coastal airfields in France and the Netherlands, creating a tense atmosphere;

The next operation, called "Driving Horse", would involve more than 10-12 squadrons of Spitfire and Hurricane fighters, which would conduct a demonstration challenge to German coastal ports and cities, pretending to be testing the air defense deployment; then, the feint attack, called "Spring Pole", would involve more than 10 fighter squadrons, covering one Blenheim bomber squadron, to bomb German airfields and draw German forces to France.

Finally, the Royal Air Force would dispatch 15-20 fighter squadrons, a mix of Spitfires and Tomahawks, to cover a squadron of Wellington bombers. They would form a "circus" cluster and descend directly upon the North German oil fields, dropping bombs and completely paralyzing the coastal oil fields that were currently exporting heavy crude oil!

However, as far as Mallory knew, apart from the losses incurred by Operations Rhubarb, Horse Control, and Spring Pole, the "Circus" bombing raids carried out during the day in October alone had crippled more than two Spitfire squadrons, nearly wiped out one Tomahawk squadron, and reduced one Wellington bomber squadron by more than half!

According to German intelligence, the oil well codenamed Sub B was only operating at a reduced capacity for a week of maintenance.

According to the intelligence sent back, the Germans had deployed three groups of aircraft to intercept the oil field. Although the first group missed the attack formation due to reconnaissance, weather, and coordination issues, the next two groups still posed a threat to the Spitfires and Tomahawks, and chased the clumsy Wellingtons fiercely. When the wounded bomber squadron approached the oil field, they found that a row of anti-aircraft guns on the barges on the ground had already raised their barrels and were waiting for them.

Although Prime Minister Churchill continued to tout the attack as a "significant success" in the media, severely damaging "one-fifth of the production capacity" of German oil fields, the Germans' tight defense only underscored the necessity and wisdom of the air raid... Mallory, however, felt a pang of guilt when he thought of the fighter and bomber crews who hadn't returned.

How to deal with this oil field?

The three operating areas are distributed near the north-south coast, and the one-way flight of more than 500 kilometers is at the edge of the combat radius of many fighter jets. If they delay too long in the fight, many fighter jets will lack the fuel to return. Those oil wells are arranged on the peninsula connected by the pier, and are protected by anti-aircraft guns, fighter jets, breakwaters and anti-aircraft barges. It is difficult to hit the target whether dropping bombs or using torpedoes.

Not to mention Heligoland, stuck in the shipping lanes. According to reports from the latest Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft, the Germans are using ships to transport construction materials to the island, apparently intending to build radar-like facilities there. Should they infiltrate with frogmen? Conduct precision air strikes under cover of night? Or perhaps conduct assaults using small boats?

Staff Officer Mallory felt his head begin to feel hot, and then a lot of hair fell out. Suddenly, a slightly fat figure emerged in his mind: Should I go to the North German oil field expert to ask about the situation?

Chapter 526: Facing (Part 1) Respecting the Wise and Gentleman Okamura

Compared to the Suginami Japanese-style room with a burning stove and a kotatsu, the wind in North China in winter is very strong.

This year's weather has been dry, with no snowfall. With sufficient detailed weather data and extensive historical experience, experts conducting long-term directional weather forecasts might be able to conclude that next year's precipitation is likely to be low, prompting the ruling government to focus on agricultural production. However, this was likely not Commander Okamura Yasuji's primary concern today.

The highest-ranking Japanese commander in North China stood in the cold wind, letting the wind blow his bald head and the hat on his bald head.

His adjutant stood aside, not daring to say anything to persuade him - Okamura had been standing like this for a long time, and the last person who tried to persuade him was hit hard by him with his cane and then scolded harshly. Finally, a car drove up in the distance.

The tires made a squeaking sound as they drove on the muddy road. Okamura Neiji stretched his neck slightly to check for the vehicle.

He did something that shocked everyone present.

As soon as the car stopped at the entrance of Tieshishi Hutong, Okamura Neiji tossed his cane to his adjutant. Then, under his adjutant's dazed gaze, he walked solemnly and attentively to the side of the car, like an orderly, opened the door, placed his gloved hand on the upper frame, and stood by the door with a half-bow, waiting for the passengers to emerge.

Huh? What happened?

Is that some distinguished person in the car? A marshal? A royal family member?

But it was clear that there were no marshals or royal family members in the car. Because Commander Okamura's actions obviously also exceeded the expectations of the passengers.

There was a thud from inside the car, evidently the unfortunate individual's head hitting the roof. Then, there was the clatter of papers being packed up, the clatter of things colliding. Finally, a round-faced, mustachioed fellow scurried out of the car as if fleeing for his life, talking as he went.

"Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me!"

But that wasn't the end of it. The guy's boots banged against the car door, and while dragging his lower body backward, his upper body fell forward. He was about to fall to the ground, but fortunately, Okamura Neiji reached out and held his shoulders, helping him to stand.

"Iimura-kun, this isn't a theater. No need to imitate 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms.'" "I'm so sorry, Commander!"

The man who arrived was Lieutenant General Iimura Jo. In front of General Okamura, he didn't act like a lieutenant general at all. He just nodded frantically, almost patting his head on Okamura Neiji's outstretched hand. He quickly clamped the briefcase in his left hand, and with awe and trepidation, extended his right hand to shake the commander's hand.