On the afternoon of March 20, 1915, a huge fleet was cruising here at a low speed in the sea two hundred kilometers southeast of Orkney Islands. The center of the fleet was the Capital Ships that was guarded quite tightly. On the periphery are cruisers and destroyers. There are even many submarines in this sea area.
After German Navy decided to launch a decisive battle against British Navy, German Navy began to shrink its strength as much as possible. Not only the surface warships have completed the assembly, but also the underwater submarines are also densely packed in the North Sea. These submarines can not only carry out sneak attacks on British Navy's surface warships. More importantly, they can form an intelligence network. As soon as the main force of British Navy leaves the military port, they will soon be discovered by these submarines, and then report to the flagship to prepare the fleet to deal with British Navy.
Of course, the seaplanes carried by large warships will also become the main force in detecting the enemy's situation in this naval battle.
German High Seas Fleet's flagship 'Bavaria' No. Battleship, General Reinhard? Scheer, Franz? von? Vice Admiral Hipper and Mark Similian? von? Vice Admiral Spee, are discussing the current situation.
"There is no doubt that our fleet left Wilhelmshaven last night. The Britain people will not be unaware of this. However, judging from the information obtained so far, the main force of Royal Navy is still at Scapa Flow. Obviously, they do not intend to fight a decisive battle with us." Admiral Reinhard? Scheer said.
German Navy The purpose of this battle is to completely defeat British Royal Navy. If the main force of Royal Navy has been hiding in Scapa Flow, this will make it impossible to achieve the strategic purpose of German Navy.
"Sir Commander, are you sure that all the main players of Royal Navy are staying at Scapa Flow?" Vice Admiral Hipper asked.
After all, it is impossible for Britain people to know that German Navy left the port with such great fanfare. It would be very disappointing if they were indifferent to this. After all, they were the former maritime overlords! Do you even have the courage to fight German Navy now? No matter how you look at it, the possibility of this is very small.
"It has been confirmed that the main force of the Britain people is still in Scapa Flow. We have deployed more than one submarine in the important waterways around Scapa Flow. In addition, we have also dispatched The seaplane flew over Scapa Flow for reconnaissance and concluded that the main force of Britain people is still in the port," said Admiral Reinhard? Scheer.
"It seems that the Britain people are frightened by us and no longer dare to go to sea to fight with us. The former maritime overlords are nothing more than this now!" Vice Admiral Spee said disdainfully.
General Reinhard? Scheer and Admiral Hipper also nodded. They all thought that British Royal Navy was really frightened by them this time. Facing the powerful German Navy, British Royal Navy thought that he had no chance of winning. Under such circumstances, one has no choice but to avoid fighting.
"However, the Britain people have been hiding in Scapa Flow like this. Isn't that the answer? Our headquarters may directly attack Scapa Flow? In that case, it will be just what the Britain people want." Vice Admiral Hipper said.
Scapa Flow, as the home port of British Grand Fleet, is also an important base for blocking Germany. Over the years, Britain has been piling resources there. The entire Scapa Flow is almost surrounded by shore defense guns, and its defense is extremely strong. Even if High Seas Fleet has dozens of Capital Ships, if they launch an attack, they may not be able to take advantage. What's more, within Scapa Flow, there are twenty or thirty British Navy's and Capital Ships's. Once a war breaks out, those Capital Ships can also be parked in the port and directly attacked with Naval Gun. By then, German Navy may not only be unable to defeat British Navy, but may also suffer a huge defeat.
As for sending submarines for sneak attacks again, that won't work. The last time Britain people suffered such a big loss, they will definitely strengthen Scapa Flow's underwater defense. German submarines, it is impossible to enter Scapa Flow easily.
"Gentlemen, since the Britain people are avoiding fighting, we cannot continue to fight with them like this. The huge fleet performs tasks at sea, and the amount of fuel burned every day is an astronomical figure. What's more, for this operation, we have also transferred the main force of Commerce Raiding Fleet. This leaves a big loophole in our blockade of the Britain people. The Britain people will definitely seize this opportunity and frantically transport various supplies to their homeland. Therefore, we cannot delay it any longer," said General Reinhard? Scheer.
Vice Admiral Hipper and Vice Admiral Spee both nodded. German Navy's previous blockade of British mainland was undoubtedly very successful. Not only did Britain's industry suffer a devastating blow, but Britain's war potential was greatly weakened. It even caused many social problems. If the blockade becomes ineffective because Commerce Raiding Fleet's main force is transferred, all previous efforts will be in vain.
"Your Excellency Commander, it seems there is nothing we can do. If the Britain people don't go to sea to fight, then we have to find a way to force them out. Let's act according to the predetermined plan!" Vice Admiral Spee said.
"Admiral Spee, according to the predetermined plan, the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron you are leading will attack the coastal cities of Britain to force the Britain people to go to sea to fight. This will have a great impact on your personal reputation." Admiral Reinhard? Scheer said.
Vice Admiral Spee smiled slightly, "Your Excellency Commander, as long as Empire can win this war, there will be no problem with my personal reputation at all."
General Reinhard? Scheer nodded. Indeed, not only Vice Admiral Spee, but also other generals would never flinch when faced with such a thing. Personal reputation is indeed very important. However, in comparison, winning the war for the Empire is the most important thing. As a soldier of the German Empire, you can even sacrifice your life for the interests of the Empire, let alone your personal reputation?
"Well, let's act according to the predetermined plan! Admiral Spee, you lead 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron to set off. This evening, launch an attack on Edinburgh and destroy this place. Especially the port and shipyard, we must Completely destroy. Let the Britain people know that if they continue to avoid fighting, we will destroy all their coastal cities." General Reinhard? Scheer ordered.
"Yes, General!" Vice Admiral Spee nodded.
Then, Vice Admiral Spee led 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron and set off.