"Your Highness, western waters of Britain is too vast. It is almost impossible for us to completely form a tight blockade in this sea area. Especially at night, the line of sight is affected, which is not conducive to our blockade." Empire Field Marshal Count Tirpitz, the First Sea Lord said to Oscar.
Oscar nodded, there was no Radar in this era. When warships search for targets on the sea, they can only rely more on visual inspection. A warship can monitor a sea area of dozens of kilometers at most. To ensure that Prohibited Navigation Zone is not in name only, German Navy needs to invest a lot of effort. Otherwise, Prohibited Navigation Zone will be of little use.
"What's High Seas Fleet's opinion?" Oscar asked.
"The opinion of the High Seas Fleet is to first destroy the communication fleet, and then send a large number of destroyers and light cruisers to monitor that area of the sea. Destroyers and light cruisers are fast and can search large areas of sea. The battlecruisers of the destroying communication fleet are to deal with enemy warships. If the Americans are not bold enough to send warships to invade, If so, destroyers and light cruisers are enough to deal with all problems. Of course, we also need to guard against the British. Their 'Queen Elizabeth-class' battleships and 'Revenge-class' battleships are powerful battleships equipped with 381 mm main guns, which pose a great threat to our breakup fleet," said Marshal Count Tirpitz.
"Just follow High Seas Fleet's advice! However, remind the submarine force that they only need to provide intelligence to Commerce Raiding Fleet, and there is no need to intercept those merchant ships." Oscar said.
Last time, the trap set by the Britain people against the Germany submarine caused them heavy losses. Oscar doesn't want such an accident to happen again. The submarine force is undoubtedly very valuable, and Oscar must not allow it to be wasted on these aspects.
Although, Germany's major shipyards have received orders from the Naval Ministry and have begun to build more submarines. However, those submarine soldiers are undoubtedly the most precious. Especially experienced submariners who have participated in actual combat are all valuable assets. Oscar doesn't want these precious wealth to be lost like this.
"Yes, Your Highness." Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz nodded.
German Navy's Commerce Raiding Fleet originally owned nine Battlecruiser. After the 'Mackensen-class' Battlecruiser was put into service, it was also strengthened to Commerce Raiding Fleet, bringing the number of Battlecruiser owned by Commerce Raiding Fleet to 12. Among them, six ships are equipped with the powerful Battleship of 380mm Main Gun. The strength of German Navy and Commerce Raiding Fleet alone is estimated to be second only to the two countries British-German. Even American Navy has to concentrate its main force to be able to fight against it. It can be seen that German Navy is powerful.
In addition to these Battlecruiser, Commerce Raiding Fleet also has a group of cruisers and destroyers. The total number of warships reached more than fifty. Although there are a lot of them, it is undoubtedly very difficult to completely block western waters of Britain. Therefore, High Seas Fleet transferred more than twenty Light Cruiser and destroyers to strengthen Commerce Raiding Fleet. After ensuring that Prohibited Navigation Zone is established, it is not empty, but can actually intercept merchant ships from other countries heading to Britain, France and other countries. In particular, the United States merchant ship will be their focus of interception. In other countries, Oscar does not believe that they really have the courage to confront German Empire.
Mark Similian von Vice Admiral Spee was appointed Commander responsible for Prohibited Navigation Zone intercepting merchant ships from various countries. And Franz? Feng? Vice Admiral Hipper was transferred back to the high seas Fleet Headquarters. After all, the decisive battle between German Navy and British Navy is about to begin. General Reinhard? Scheer is also very busy. Vice Admiral Hipper will serve as the assistant to General Reinhard? Scheer, formulating various combat plans to ensure that German Navy can win in this decisive battle.
A large number of Germany warships gathered at western waters of Britain, forming an airtight blockade. It is impossible for ships from other countries to enter Britain.
However, Britain people were not frightened by Prohibited Navigation Zone set by German military. British government placed a large number of orders with United States, ranging from food to oil, to minerals, weapons and equipment, etc., allowing United States's industry to begin rapid development. At the same time, British government also hired United States merchant ships to transport these materials.
Although, many United States merchant ship owners were frightened by the Prohibited Navigation Zone set by Germany and did not dare to take risks again. But there are still many people who are willing to risk their lives for money, let alone just break into the Prohibited Navigation Zone defined by Germany people. Besides, they are all Americans, and United States is a neutral country. These merchant ship owners are not worried about what the Germany people will do to them. In other words, what Germany people dare to do to them. At worst, they just turned around and returned after being intercepted by Germany people. In that case, you will just lose some gas money. For these merchant ship owners, the gas money is nothing. If you can find a safe route, that is a way to make money!
The 'Statue of Liberty' is a large cruise ship. If the entire cruise ship is fully loaded, it can carry 12,000 tons of crude oil. After the war broke out, Britain's consumption of oil began to soar. Although Britain has oil fields in Middle East, many of Royal Navy's warships have been replaced by oil-fired boilers, which requires Britain to consume a lot of oil.
The largest oil-producing country in the world now is undoubtedly United States. United States petroleum has also become Britain's key imported petroleum. Almost all oil tankers traveling on Atlantic Ocean are United States oil tankers.
However, after Germany was designated as Prohibited Navigation Zone, there were not many tankers that dared to continue transporting oil to Britain.
"Captain, tomorrow we will enter Prohibited Navigation Zone designated by Germany people. If we are intercepted by Germany people, what should we do?" asked a sailor.
"Stupid! We are all Americans, what can Germany people do to us? The boss has already said that if our oil can be delivered to Britain safely, everyone will get an extra bonus." The captain's face was full of smiles.
"Don't worry, God will protect us, and Germany people won't find us. Even if we are discovered by them, they will only return home. We will be very safe." The captain looked determined.
However, this statement is too absolute.
The next day, the tanker 'Statue of Liberty' sailed into Prohibited Navigation Zone designated by Germany. However, in less than two hours, they were discovered by a destroyer of German Navy.
"Stop the ship and accept inspection!" The German military destroyer immediately notified the tanker 'Statue of Liberty' via radio.