Chapter Summaries

Wilhelm II reprimanded the Naval Technical Committee for rejecting Oscar’s battleship designs, then approved the navy taking over four ships already under construction at Oscar’s German Shipyard. The news established Oscar as a genius shipbuilder and left the navy preparing to sign a contract with him.

• Wilhelm II accepted the Naval Technical Committee’s admission that Oscar’s predictions had been right, but warned its members not to repeat their mistake.
• Wilhelm II revealed that Oscar had bought the Imperial Shipyard, expanded it into the German Shipyard, and begun building four battleships with his own funds.
• Prince Heinrich proposed that the navy adopt Oscar’s battleships as its next generation of capital ships, and Tirpitz agreed.
• Wilhelm II decided that Oscar would return the next day to sign a contract with the navy.
• News of the committee’s reprimand and the navy’s decision spread, earning Oscar the title of genius shipbuilder.

Oscar transferred the four Nassau-class Battleships to the German Navy and offered to fund and donate the lead ship of the next class. He then outlined his plan for super-Dreadnoughts, leaving Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz interested in a more powerful design to surpass the British Navy.

• Wilhelm II witnessed Oscar and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz sign the documents transferring four Nassau-class Battleships to the Navy.
• Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz thanked Oscar for risking his fortune to build the ships, and Oscar said he wanted to strengthen the German Empire.
• Oscar said he would fully fund the lead ship of the next class and donate it to the Navy to fulfill his promise to Dean Ludwig Birkenhagen.
• Oscar explained his distinction between pre-dreadnoughts and dreadnoughts, placing Dreadnought and the Nassau-class in the latter category.
• Oscar proposed super-Dreadnoughts with greater firepower, stronger protection, and higher speed to give the German Navy an advantage over Britain.

Oscar persuaded Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz to pursue larger guns for Germany’s next-class battleships and offered the navy a confidential loan to help pay for construction. He pledged 100 million Mark, leaving the emperor and admiral surprised by the relatively modest amount.

• Oscar argued that the next-class battleships should carry the largest main guns possible, despite the added cost and size.
• Wilhelm II warned that higher naval spending would strain the government’s finances and face strong opposition in Parliament.
• Oscar offered to pay for one capital ship and lend the navy money at the bank rate, with the arrangement kept confidential.
• Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz welcomed Oscar’s offer, and Wilhelm agreed that the loan would be repaid from the spoils if the Empire won the war.
• Oscar offered a loan of 100 million Mark, surprising Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz, who thought the sum would fund only two ships.

Oscar promised the German Navy 100 million marks each year until the war ended and presented his design for the next-class battleship. Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz welcomed the funding and examined the proposed ship.

• Oscar clarified that he would provide the German Navy with 100 million marks annually until the war ended.
• Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz thanked Oscar and said the funding would help Germany build up its fleet against Britain.
• Wilhelm II said he would publicly attribute the loans to the royal family, and Oscar warned that Britain and France might eventually discover the truth.
• Oscar presented Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz with blueprints for a larger, faster battleship armed with 343mm guns and heavier armor.

Oscar presented Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz with plans for a powerful new Battleship class, and Wilhelm II agreed to fund its high cost. To accommodate Germany’s major shipyards, Oscar accepted that German Shipyard would build only one of the five planned ships, which he would fund himself.

• Wilhelm II praised Oscar’s new Battleship design, and Tirpitz questioned its cost of around sixty million marks per ship.
• Oscar argued that the ship’s superior combat power justified its price, and Wilhelm II promised to find the money.
• Tirpitz said the next capital ships’ contracts had to be shared among the major shipyards rather than assigned entirely to German Shipyard.
• Oscar agreed that German Shipyard would build only one ship and offered to pay for it himself, honoring his promise to Director Birkenhagen.
• Tirpitz proposed building five ships of the new class.

Oscar, Wilhelm II, and Tirpitz finalized plans for five Helgoland-class battleships, including their builders, names, and construction schedule. They agreed to delay construction until next year while Krupp developed the guns and ordered efforts to keep the ships’ specifications secret from Britain.

• Wilhelm II and Tirpitz assigned the five battleships to German Shipyard, Navy Shipyard, Royal Shipyard, Vulcan Shipyard, and Weser Shipyard.
• Wilhelm II named the ships Helgoland, Ostfriesland, Thuringen, Oldenburg, and East Prussia, establishing the Helgoland class.
• Oscar explained that construction had to wait until Krupp made progress on its 305mm guns before developing the 343mm main gun.
• Tirpitz said the ships could enter service two and a half years after construction began, and Wilhelm II approved starting next year.
• Oscar warned that Britain must not learn the ships’ specifications too soon, and Wilhelm II ordered secret units to delay any leaks.

Oscar listened as Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz discussed Germany’s growing isolation and the need to strengthen the navy. He urged Wilhelm II to weaken Britain by supporting resistance in its colonies and Irish independence.

• Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz warned that Britain, France, and Russia were drawing closer and that Germany might face a two-front war.
• Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz agreed to devote every effort to building up the German navy.
• Oscar proposed supporting resistance to British rule in the colonies to weaken Britain.
• Oscar suggested backing Irish independence, arguing that it could weaken Britain and create a pro-German neighbor even if the effort failed.
• Wilhelm II approved Oscar’s proposals as ways to make trouble for Britain.

Oscar proposed that Germany build battlecruisers to raid British sea lanes, arguing that their speed and firepower would let them threaten commerce while evading or defeating enemy pursuers. Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz accepted the proposal as a valuable addition to the navy.

• Oscar proposed building commerce raiders to attack Britain’s maritime supply routes.
• Wilhelm II questioned the need for specialized ships, but Oscar explained that ordinary warships risked being overwhelmed by Britain’s larger navy.
• Tirpitz asked Oscar what kind of ships he recommended, and Oscar described fast warships with battleship-level firepower and stronger defenses than cruisers.
• Oscar named the ships battlecruisers and explained that they should raid sea lanes and avoid direct battles with enemy battleships.
• Tirpitz endorsed the proposal, and Wilhelm II agreed that battlecruisers were a type of warship the German Navy needed.

Oscar presented his Battlecruiser design to Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz, explaining that Britain was also preparing to build Battlecruisers. His proposed ship outmatched the British Invincible-class on paper, and the Navy agreed to order it, though the number remained undecided.

• Oscar presented his Battlecruiser blueprints and warned Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz that Britain was preparing its own Battlecruisers.
• Oscar described the British Invincible-class specifications, and Tirpitz and Wilhelm II criticized its weak armor.
• Oscar explained that the British designed their Battlecruisers to hunt enemy cruisers and protect maritime transport routes.
• Oscar presented his design’s specifications, including heavier armor, greater firepower, and a top speed of 26 knots.
• Wilhelm II approved of Oscar’s Battlecruiser design, and Tirpitz said the Navy would order it after deciding how many to build.

Wilhelm II approved three German Blücher-class battlecruisers, funded them with royal loans, and awarded their construction to Oscar’s German Shipyard. Crown Prince Wilhelm suspected the secret naval meeting concerned new Capital Ships and erupted in anger at being excluded.

• Wilhelm II agreed that Germany would build three battlecruisers to match Britain’s Invincible-class ships, with the royal family lending the navy one hundred million Mark per year.
• Wilhelm II named the new ships the Blücher-class, with Blücher, Von der Tann, and Lothringen as the three vessels.
• Oscar persuaded Wilhelm II and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz to build all three battlecruisers at the German Shipyard.
• Wilhelm II, Oscar, and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz continued their naval discussion through dinner, drawing speculation from others.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm became furious when he concluded the meeting had concerned new Capital Ships and complained that the others were ignoring him.

Oscar and Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz discussed the German Navy’s challenge against Britain and the danger that a wartime blockade could cut off its oil supplies. Crown Prince Wilhelm confronted them with accusations that the navy was siding with Oscar, leaving Tirpitz angered by the charge.

• Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz praised the strength of Germany’s new capital ships, while Oscar warned that Britain’s shipbuilding capacity could still overwhelm the High Seas Fleet.
• Oscar and Tirpitz agreed that Germany had to keep pursuing victory against Britain despite the risks, and Oscar pointed out that a blockade could leave the oil-powered fleet without fuel.
• Oscar decided that Germany should stockpile oil before war broke out.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm approached Oscar and Tirpitz in a fury and accused Oscar of disregarding him.
• Wilhelm accused Tirpitz and the navy of supporting Oscar, and Tirpitz rejected the accusation as an insult to the navy’s reputation.

Crown Prince Wilhelm accused Oscar of coveting the throne and threatened him, while Oscar secretly planned to strengthen his support in the navy and army. After hearing about the confrontation, Wilhelm II began considering replacing Crown Prince Wilhelm with Oscar.

• Crown Prince Wilhelm confronted Oscar in the palace gardens, claimed the throne was his, and threatened him over supposed ambitions.
• Oscar denied wanting the throne and apologized, while Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz supported him privately.
• Oscar resolved to cultivate the navy and army’s support through weapons development and funding.
• Essen von Jonath reported the confrontation to Wilhelm II, who judged Crown Prince Wilhelm jealous and narrow-minded.
• Wilhelm II privately considered making Oscar the Empire’s Crown Prince instead.

Wilhelm II lamented Crown Prince Wilhelm’s jealousy of Oskar and ordered Essen von Jonath to warn him that further misconduct could cost him his position. Crown Prince Wilhelm reacted with fury and vowed revenge on Oskar, while Cecilia tried to reassure him that he remained heir to the Empire.

• Wilhelm II told Essen von Jonath that Oskar’s achievements had impressed him, but he was disappointed by Crown Prince Wilhelm’s intolerance and warned that the Crown Prince could be removed.
• Essen von Jonath delivered Wilhelm II’s warning to Crown Prince Wilhelm, who flew into a rage and wrecked his office.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm vowed to make Oskar suffer after he inherited the throne.
• Cecilia entered and tried to comfort Crown Prince Wilhelm by reminding him that he was the Empire’s Crown Prince.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm agreed that Oskar was only a prince, but his hatred of Oskar continued to grow.

Oscar arranged the creation of the German Energy Company to develop Germany’s oil industry and build large strategic reserves. He selected Moritz to lead the new company and directed him to organize it and begin planning refineries and storage facilities.

• Karl told Oscar that the Emperor was dissatisfied with Crown Prince Wilhelm and had nearly run out of patience with him, while Karl urged Oscar to become Crown Prince.
• Oscar told Karl not to discuss replacing the Crown Prince and asked about finding a manager experienced in oil extraction and operations.
• Karl registered the German Energy Company the next day, and Oscar chose Moritz as its general manager after interviewing candidates.
• Oscar gave Moritz three months to assemble the company and promised ten million Mark in funding from the German Welfare Lottery Company.
• Oscar instructed Moritz to plan northern coastal refineries and numerous storage facilities, aiming to reserve at least two million tons of crude oil for strategic purposes.

Oscar told Moritz that Germany needed to secretly build up oil reserves for its future navy and instructed him to develop oil-extraction capabilities. After Moritz left, Oscar considered Libya as a potential source of oil that Germany could pursue through Italy.

• Oscar told Moritz that Germany’s oil-fired warships would need vast reserves if wartime trade routes were cut, and asked him to keep the military secret.
• Oscar set two million tons as the minimum crude-oil stockpile and ordered Moritz to recruit oil specialists and build the company’s technical expertise.
• Moritz asked whether the company should pursue overseas oilfields, and Oscar told him to prepare for opportunities despite foreign control of most fields.
• After Moritz left, Oscar considered Libya’s oil resources and planned to support Italy’s campaign there in exchange for exploration and extraction rights.

At the Imperial Council, Oscar argued that Germany needed a state National Petroleum Reserve to support its growing oil-dependent navy and survive a wartime blockade. Crown Prince Wilhelm attacked the proposal and Oscar’s wealth, but Oscar’s response left the dispute unresolved.

• Wilhelm II convened the Imperial Council to discuss Oscar’s proposal for a National Petroleum Reserve, while Crown Prince Wilhelm viewed Oscar as a threat to the succession.
• Moltke the Younger questioned the expense, and Oscar explained that Germany’s oil consumption would rise as the Navy adopted oil-fired boilers and Steam Turbines.
• Tirpitz backed Oscar, arguing that imported oil could be cut off during war and that reserves were essential to naval strength.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm criticized the Navy’s decision and promoted coal-fired boilers, but Tirpitz said tests showed oil-fired boilers and Steam Turbines performed better.
• Bernhard von Bülow asked about the cost, and Oscar estimated that storing two million tons of oil would require around 120 million Marks.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm accused Oscar of failing to give back to the nation, and Oscar replied that he had earned his wealth legitimately and asked how Wilhelm knew he had not contributed.

Oscar defended his contributions to the Empire and secured approval for a national petroleum reserve, while Crown Prince Wilhelm grew more resentful of his influence. Oscar then began building Germany’s motor vehicle industry through acquisitions to support future military production.

• Oscar cited the German Welfare Lottery Company's contributions and his battleship donation as Crown Prince Wilhelm accused him of failing to repay the Empire, and Wilhelm II ordered them to stop arguing.
• Oscar proposed stockpiling two million tons of petroleum through his Energy Company, Grand Admiral Count Tirpitz offered another million tons for the Navy, and Wilhelm II directed the government to reserve two million more.
• Crown Prince Wilhelm privately fumed as Oscar considered whether five million tons of petroleum would sustain Germany through a prolonged war and planned to obtain oil from Libya.
• In May 1906, Oscar instructed Karl von Jonath to establish the German Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Company in Berlin as an acquisition vehicle for entering the motor vehicle industry.

Oscar traveled to Stuttgart to acquire Daimler Company, hoping to use its automobile and motorcycle patents to expand his vehicle business. He offered to buy more than eighty percent of the company’s shares while promising its key executives they could keep their roles.

• Karl von Jonath told Oscar that Paul Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, Karl Maybach, and Emir Jellinek were waiting for him in Stuttgart.
• Oscar set out to acquire Daimler Company because it was struggling against Benz Company and owned motorcycle patents he wanted for military vehicle production.
• On May 12, 1906, Oscar and Karl arrived at Daimler Company and met Paul Daimler and the other executives.
• Oscar toured Daimler Company, then told its representatives that he wanted to acquire more than eighty percent of its shares.
• Oscar warned the executives that Daimler Company was losing ground to Benz Company and promised Paul Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, and Emir Jellinek favorable positions or compensation after the acquisition.

Oscar acquired Daimler Company and announced plans to invest in its production lines and new products. He presented Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach with two motorcycle designs and asked them to develop the models for market launch.

• Emir Jellinek agreed to sell his shares to Oscar for a valuation of fifty million marks, while Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler each retained five percent.
• Oscar promised to invest another fifty million marks in Daimler Company, and the parties signed the share transfer agreements after lunch.
• Oscar became the owner of ninety percent of Daimler Company and told Paul Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach to develop two motorcycle models as quickly as possible.
• Oscar showed them designs for a men's motorcycle and a women's motorcycle, describing their performance and engines supplied by German Engine Manufacturing Company.
• Paul Daimler praised the designs and predicted the motorcycles would spread across Germany and Europe.

Oscar introduced designs for civilian and military motorcycles at Daimler Company and ordered preparations for production and promotion. Three weeks later, he inspected the completed civilian models in Stuttgart and anticipated a successful launch.

• Oscar showed Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler designs for two civilian motorcycles and two military motorcycles, and urged them to prepare for production.
• Wilhelm Maybach said the civilian prototypes could be completed within a month, and Paul Daimler began planning to expand production and recruit workers.
• Oscar set the civilian motorcycles’ launch for three months later and planned to begin newspaper advertising two months before it.
• German Energy Company began buying oil in the United States and building a refinery and storage facilities in Rostock.
• Three weeks later, Oscar returned to Stuttgart and inspected the completed civilian motorcycles with Karl von Jonath and Paul Daimler.