I have to admit that American Navy is still very powerful. As early as before the fearless ship was born, American Navy built a total of 24 Pre-dreadnoughts in 7 levels, becoming one of the three largest navies in the world. In order to deter Japan, American Navy also organized Great White Fleet to tour the world to show American Navy's strength.
However, after the Britain and Germany dreadnoughts were completed and put into service, those old-fashioned Pre-dreadnought became obsolete overnight. As a last resort, United States had no choice but to start building dreadnoughts and began to catch up with British-German in the footsteps of the two navies.
So far, American Navy has built twelve level six dreadnoughts. And there are still many warships on the slipway, and they are under intense construction.
This makes American Navy's strength firmly ranked third in the world. However, compared with the top two British Navy and German Navy, the gap is a bit big.
When a large number of United States merchant ships were detained by German Navy, and there were also United States civilian casualties, all walks of life in United States were angry. They all asked US government to express a strong attitude to Germany, and asked Germany to apologize, compensate for losses, etc. At the same time, US government also wanted to find a step down, so he asked American Navy to send a fleet to escort the merchant ships. In addition, there is another purpose of doing this, which is to test the determination of Germany. Provide reference for US government's next step.
"General Fletcher, you should understand what your Excellency the President means. This time, our naval escort merchant ship is not really going to break into the Germany people's Prohibited Navigation Zone. Of course, if the Germany people don't intercept it, we can try it. However, this possibility is very small. Therefore, we must try our best to avoid conflicts with Germany," Minister Daniels said to American Navy Commander of the Atlantic Fleet Franz? Admiral Fletcher.
Admiral Fletcher nodded. "Mr. Minister, I understand what you mean. Although such an order makes people feel a little aggrieved, but who makes our strength so different from that of Germany people? How big is it? If our navy were stronger, the Germany people might not dare to be so unscrupulous. Our people would not die at the hands of the Germany people."
"Yes, General. Your Excellency the President has approved a new round of warship construction plan. In a few years, we will have more powerful Battleship in service. By then, we will no longer have to be afraid of Germany people." Minister Daniels said.
"Yes, Your Excellency, Minister." Admiral Fletcher replied.
"Your Excellency Minister, what if we are attacked by Germany people? We have to fight back, right?" Admiral Fletcher asked.
Minister Daniels thought for a while, and then said, "If the Germany people attack first, then naturally we can't sit still and wait for death. I think the order from your Excellency the President is that we cannot provoke conflicts or open fire. The first shot. But if the Germany people dare to attack, we can naturally fight back. However, I think the Germany people will not be so Audacious."
Admiral Fletcher was relieved after getting the authorization from Minister Daniels. It would be too boring to just take a beating without fighting back. Of course, Admiral Fletcher also knows that German Navy is very powerful, far beyond what American Navy can fight against. Therefore, it is naturally the best to be able to prevent the gun from misfiring.
"General, this time it's up to you. May God protect us!" Minister Daniels said.
"God bless America!" Admiral Fletcher looked determined.
On February 22, 1915, the main force of American Navy Atlantic Fleet set off from Naval Base Norfolk and sailed into Atlantic Ocean. This time, American Navy Atlantic Fleet can be said to have assembled all the main battleships of American Navy, namely two 'Nevada-class' Battleship, two 'New York-class' Battleship, Two 'Wyoming-class' Battleship, two 'Florida-class' Battleship, two 'Delaware-class' Battleship and two 'South Carolina-class' Battleship. United States A total of 12 dreadnoughts of the sixth level that have been built are all here. Among them, 'Nevada-class' Battleship and 'New York-class' Battleship are equipped with 356mm Main Gun. Other battleships are equipped with 305mm Main Gun.
In addition to these Capital Ships, there are also a large number of cruisers and destroyers, bringing the number of warships in the entire fleet to more than fifty. There is no doubt that this is already a very large fleet. Except for Britain and Germany, other countries may not be able to gather so many warships.
American Navy went out in large numbers, which immediately aroused the vigilance of Germany. Field Marshal Count Tirpitz, the First Sea Lord, Chief of Naval Staff Marshal von Boll, Admiral Commander of the High Seas Fleet Reinhard? Scheer, and Imperial Crown Prince Oscar were all called to the office by Wilhelm II.
"Everyone, Americans's fleet has left the port. Twelve new Battleships, plus other warships, there are more than fifty large and small ships. I want to know, what is Americans planning to do? Does it want to start a war with the Empire?" Wilhelm II looked gloomy.
Although American Navy is not very strong, German Navy's current main force is used to suppress British Navy. If American Navy starts a war with German Navy at this juncture, it will inevitably contain part of German Navy's power. It may even have a certain impact on the entire battle situation. In that case, the situation would not be good for Germany. What Wilhelm II hopes most now is to defeat Britain and France and win this war. He does not want to cause any complications.
"Father Emperor, in my opinion, Americans sent the fleet to sea just to express their attitude. Therefore, we don't have to be afraid of them at all." Oscar said.
"Oskar, what if Americans and British has any conspiracy?" Wilhelm II obviously hasn't completely relaxed yet.
"Father Emperor, we will order Commerce Raiding Fleet to intercept Americans. If they dare to break into Prohibited Navigation Zone, then we will launch an attack and eat American Navy's fleet in one fell swoop. Lost this After forming a fleet, Americans can no longer make waves. At the same time, the main force of High Seas Fleet also went to sea, approaching Scapa Flow, so that the main force of British Navy did not dare to act rashly." Oscar said.
"If a fight breaks out, can our Commerce Raiding Fleet be able to deal with American fleet?" Wilhelm II asked. Although Wilhelm II knows that Commerce Raiding Fleet of German Navy is very strong, Commerce Raiding Fleet's main force and approach is Battlecruiser. And American Navy's Battleship is also a famous turtle battleship.