Time goes back to the night of August 2, 1914, Wilhelmshaven Naval Base.
Although it is already 10 o'clock in the evening, the entire naval base is still brightly lit. Field Marshal Count Tirpitz, the First Sea Lord personally came here to take charge.
"Marshal, Kiel Harbor's fleet set off half an hour ago. It is estimated that it will arrive at Wilhelmshaven in another two hours." Admiral German High Seas Fleet Commander Reinhard? Scheer reported to Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz.
"Well, tell them to pay attention to safety when sailing at night. At the same time, keep confidentiality." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz nodded.
Although, Germany has not started a war with Britain yet. But Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz still plans to follow Oscar's suggestion and let the navy prepare first. Once a war breaks out, German Navy can respond immediately and launch an attack on Britain's sea transportation line. German Navy is usually deployed at the naval bases of Wilhelmshaven and Kiel Harbor. Before Kiel Canal was widened, these large warships could only be transferred by orbiting Jutland Peninsula. That leaves German Navy's battleship completely exposed to the threat of British Navy. Now? Transferring through Kiel Canal not only greatly shortens the distance, but also makes it safer and more confidential.
"Marshal, are we going to war with the Britain people?" General Reinhard? Scheer was a little excited. Challenging the hegemony of British Navy has always been what the generals of German Navy longed for. Especially as German Navy's strength continues to increase, their ambitions begin to grow crazily like weeds.
"Although we have not declared war with the Britain people yet. However, the war is unavoidable and no one can stop it. Not even God! Therefore, we must be prepared. Your Highness predicts that it will only take a day or two for us to declare war on the Britain people. Therefore, we need to dispatch the fleet first and launch an attack as soon as we receive the news of the war." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said.
"Yes, Marshal!" General Reinhard? Scheer nodded. He knew that he was planning to strike preemptively. Although, the main force of British Navy is gathered in Scapa Flow, which is not easy to deal with. But now is not the time for a decisive battle with British Navy. The generals have already understood the mission of German Navy in the early stages of the war, which was mainly to attack the sea transportation lines of the Britain people.
"Are the submarine forces ready?" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz asked.
"Marshal, we are ready. We have selected thirty submarines with good conditions and experienced Commander and soldiers to participate in this operation. Secretly armed submarine supply ships have also been dispatched in advance to ensure that each submarine can last longer at sea."
Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz nodded. The use of submarines is also a new subject for German Navy. They can only research and train some of the tactics mentioned by Oscar. As for whether they can perform well in war, it is very difficult to say. Of course, Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz believes that weapons like submarines can also shine in war. Not because of anything else, but because Oscar values submarines. German Navy, including Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz, all believe in Oscar, and it has even developed into a kind of worship.
Two hours later, three ships 'Blücher-class' Battlecruiser and three ships 'Moltke-class' Battlecruiser, originally anchored at the Kiel Harbor naval base, arrived at Wilhelmshaven.
Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz then held a combat meeting. High Seas Fleet's generals all attended the meeting.
"Gentlemen, the war has begun. The war between us and the Britain people is about to break out. According to Crown Prince's suggestion, Imperial Navy needs to take a preemptive strike and prepare for battle." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said.
The naval generals all looked at Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz, and from their eyes, Tirpitz could feel their excitement and excitement. Yes, German Navy has been longing for this fight for a long time.
"Admiral Scheer, give everyone this combat mission!" Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz said.
"Yes, Your Excellency." General Reinhard? Scheer nodded.
"Everyone, although we have not declared war with the Britain people yet, it is expected that the war will break out soon. Therefore, we need to prepare in advance. The target of this operation is not the Capital Ships team of British Navy, but the sea transportation line of the Britain people. All hanging Britain flag merchant ships and transport ships, or warships encountered, were all sunk. Of course, if they encounter the Capital Ships team of British Navy, it is better to retreat immediately. Now is not the time for a decisive battle with the Britain people." Admiral Reinhard? Scheer said.
"Hahaha!" All the generals laughed.
"Admiral Hipper, Admiral Spee!" General Reinhard? Scheer shouted.
Franz? von? Vice Admiral Hipper and Mark Similian? von? Vice Admiral Spee both stood up.
"You two, lead 1st Battlecruiser Squadron and 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron respectively, and set off in two hours to Western Britain's Atlantic Ocean sea area to carry out a hunting mission!" Admiral Reinhard? Scheer ordered.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander." Both Hipper and Vice Admiral Spee replied.
"Hit General Fiers, this time the submarine force will also send thirty submarines to the battle. I hope that the target of the attack will still be the sea transportation line of the Britain people." Admiral Reinhard? Scheer continued to issue orders.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander." A young major general replied, he was German Navy submarine force Commander Rear Admiral Ritter von Hipper.
"These are the specific combat tasks, Your Excellency, do you have anything else to add?" General Reinhard? Scheer asked.
"I want to explain two points. First, the target of this attack is the British sea transportation line. Therefore, try to avoid encounters with the British main fleet. We only dispatched two battlecruiser formations, a total of six battlecruisers, and do not have the strength to confront the main force of the British navy. Of course, if we encounter a suitable The opportunity, such as the battleship of the British Navy, can still be seized. The specific situation is up to you. The second point is to preserve yourself as much as possible. Both warships and submarines are valuable combat capabilities of the Imperial Navy and cannot be lost due to carelessness.
"Yes, Your Excellency!" everyone replied.
At 12 o'clock, German Navy's fleet began to leave the military port under the cover of night and sailed into the vast sea.