Chapter 133 Chapter 22 Even the winner is destroyed by victory (Dryden) (3)

Two days later, Admiral Raeder reported to Hitler at the Chancellery.The two discussed the "Sea Lion" plan cautiously, as if neither of them believed in it very much.Finally, Raeder asked a question that would have provoked a fierce rebuttal. "In case the 'Sea Lion' campaign is not fought", he asked, "What are the political and military instructions of the head of state?" Hitler, however, was not at all annoyed.Raeder told his colleagues with some satisfaction that "the Führer's decision on the British landings is not yet final, because the Führer has the conviction that Britain may surrender without the landings. However, as before, From all perspectives, the Führer saw the landings as an offensive means of ending the war. If the risks were too great, the Führer would not want to undertake a landing.”Obviously, Hitler would not tolerate the defeat of the "Sea Lion", because it would certainly enhance Britain's prestige.What he wanted was a successful blitz that would end the war in one fell swoop—a blitz without risk.Puttkammer's eyewitness report of the recent landing maneuvers at Boulogne reported that barges towed by tugs had been messed up by the tide.This particularly worried Hitler.A similar situation would have been equally disastrous in landing on the English coast, Puttkamer thought.

The success of the invasion, and the surrender of Britain, depended entirely on the conditions of the air raids.So, the day after his one-on-one meeting with Raeder, Hitler approved a large-scale air raid on London.Team after team of German planes flew to England.Later that afternoon, the 320 bombers, heavily guarded by their wingmen, flew over Goering's head—he was watching from the cliffs at Cape Brown.The dense swarm flew like bees across the English Channel and towards the Thames, bombing Woolwich Arsenal, power stations and docks.As soon as Goering heard that the last target was "a sea of ​​flames," he hurried to the microphone and broadcast to the audience that London was being destroyed.He boasted that his plan was to "hit the heart of the enemy".This devastating attack continued until dawn and resumed the following night.In two days of terror, 842 Londoners were killed.Using the threat of "razing their cities to the ground," Hitler struck while the iron was hot, authorizing another massive air raid—on September 15.This would be the last major air raid, aimed not only at punishing London, but at eliminating the Royal Air Force.

Churchill was once again warned of "super" secrecy.So, four days before the air raid, he made a radio speech.A warning was issued to the whole country. "There is no doubt that Herr Hitler is consuming his fighter fleet at a rapid rate. At this rate, after many weeks, his air power will be weakened and his main body will be exhausted." At the same time, he warned, " The Germans are orchestrating a general invasion of the island. It may be now—in England, in Scotland, in Ireland, or all three at once. We must not turn a blind eye to this danger." Happened within days. "So, we have to look at the next week or so as a critical juncture in our country's history. It's the same thing as the Spanish fleet approaching the Channel and Durek playing football, or Nelson standing among us and Napoleon at the Blau Nirvana is as urgent as the situation." His words boosted the morale of the people on the fortress island, encouraging them to feel like they were fighting too.

In public, although Hitler showed confidence, but at the military meeting on September 14, he showed worry.After praising the Air Force's "frightening" effect in the "Battle of the Eagles," he admitted that the prerequisites for the "Sea Lion" campaign were "immature."Due to the harsh climate, the air force has not yet achieved air supremacy.However, he still refused to cancel the invasion plan.This is because the air raids are frightening the British, and within ten or twelve days there will be mass hysteria in England. Goering's lieutenants seized on this and proposed plans to bomb civilians to bring Britain to its knees.Raeder, who seemed to be enthusiastic about everything but the naval invasion, wholeheartedly supported it, but the Fuehrer insisted that air attacks be allowed only on major military targets. "The last resort is bombing with the aim of causing mass terror."

All talk has disappeared.It turned out that the decision to launch the "Sea Lion" campaign is now just a dead letter, and it is only agreed to be resolved on September 17.Meanwhile, the "Battle of Britain" intensified, and German losses became heavier and heavier.For example, on the 15th, the German army lost 60 aircraft, while the British lost only 26 aircraft.So Hitler had to face reality. On Tuesday, the 17th, he admitted that air strikes would never bring Britain to surrender.Then, he announced succinctly: Due to the inability to gain air superiority, the "Sea Lion" plan has been postponed, and when it will be launched, further notice will be given.Postponement meant cancellation; from this point on, the invasion of Britain was only a matter of talk. "Ultra" secrecy and a small corps of British pilots exemplified the solidarity of the people that led to Adolf Hitler's first military defeat. "This sacred land, this earth, this kingdom, this England," was thus saved.

"We conquered France at the cost of 30,000 soldiers," Hitler told Puttkammer after the decision was made. Not sure yet." His naval adjutant thought he seemed happy that the Sea Lion project had been shelved.On the same day, "super" secrets learned that Hitler had approved the dismantling of the bombing equipment installed at various airports in the Netherlands.In the evening, Churchill held a meeting of the chiefs of staff of the armed forces."It was like in the middle of a boring concert, and someone snapped all the violin strings," Venterbodham recalled. "There were suppressed smiles on the faces of these people." He did what everyone privately hoped for: He believed that Hitler had abandoned the Sea Lion project, at least for this year. "Churchill was all smiles as he lit the big cigar. He also suggested that everyone should get some fresh air."