Chapter 384: Turning Point
On May 1, 1865, the Russian Navy launched a surprise attack on East Prussia. Baltiysk fell, and a turning point in the Prusso-Russian War had emerged.
In Berlin, wails of despair filled the Prussian Government. William I hastily convened a military council.
War Minister Roon analyzed the situation. "With the fall of Baltiysk, our strategy of keeping the enemy beyond our borders has collapsed. To avoid being attacked from behind, we have no choice but to withdraw our forces to West Prussia.
"Before the war broke out, we did not recall the fleets stationed in the Far East in order to maintain the stability of the colonies. Our home fleet now lacks the strength to contend with the Russian Navy. Coastal defenses must be reinforced."
This was merely an excuse. Even if the entire Prussian Navy were gathered together, it would not actually make much difference.
The Danish Navy alone could contend with them. How much more so the stronger Russian Navy?
They could not overlook the Russians' strength just because the Russian Navy had made itself a laughingstock.
From the very beginning, Roon had never placed any hopes on the navy. Facts proved that his assessment of the Prussian Navy's strength had been highly accurate.
After the war began, the home fleet had clashed with the Danish Navy several times, then been bottled up in port. Its greatest contribution to the war had been tying down the main force of the Danish Navy.
Even if the Far East Fleet were recalled, at most it could suppress the Danish Navy. If they truly fought a decisive battle, whether they could win at all remained unknown.
The Kingdom of Prussia had developed its navy for too short a time. Whether in shipbuilding technology, naval training, or the