I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France

Chapter 1022 1022: Blocking the La Manche Strait

If Shire wants to use the German Fleet to engage the British Fleet, Eitzberger dares not oppose it.

To be precise, it is the temporary German government that dare not oppose it.

What circumstances and consequences could arise from opposing it?

Germany not only faces enormous reparations but also finds its naval warships unable to be preserved, possibly being "seized" as spoils by the British as is customary for defeated nations.

Therefore, opting to engage with the British Royal Fleet now, assuring a dignified surrender for Germany without bearing reparations, is certainly a worthwhile bargain.

Hence, merely with a thought, Eitzberger made a decision: "Rest assured, General, the High Seas Fleet will fight until the last moment, and we will do everything we can to weaken and hold off the British Fleet!"

"Engage?" Shire was stunned by the word, then realized Eitzberger misunderstood.

"No, Mr. Eitzberger." Shire said: "You must think this is a fight to the death, where the German High Seas Fleet will ultimately all sink to the ocean floor."

Eitzberger asked suspiciously: "Isn't it?"

The British Royal Fleet is far more powerful than the German High Seas Fleet, even if it suffered heavy losses in the Mediterranean, most were outdated pre-dreadnoughts.

Its true strength lies in its dreadnoughts and super dreadnoughts, with even those outdated pre-dreadnoughts not counted as "battleships" by the British.

In this situation, having the High Seas Fleet and France's Brest Fleet cooperate with the main force of the British Royal Fleet is hardly different from seeking death.

The temporary government dared to recall Admiral Scheer and organize the fleet for battle not with the goal to "defeat the British Royal Fleet," but to "hold off the British Royal Fleet" preventing its reinforcement to the Mediterranean, thereby increasing France's chances of victory.

But Shire is very confident.

"Of course not." Shire said: "This is a battle to completely defeat the British Royal Navy."

Eitzberger's eyes widened:

"This, this is impossible, Vice Admiral."

"I mean, your main force is already blockaded within the Mediterranean."

"And the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea, they are just at Britain's doorstep, have always been seas under their absolute control..."

Shire interrupted Eitzberger:

"I know, Mr. Eitzberger."

"It's not hard to imagine, then the British will divide their fleet into three parts."

"One part will be in the west of Gibraltar Strait to blockade the strait, one part will attack Brest Fleet, and the last part will continue to confront the German High Seas Fleet in the North Sea."

Eitzberger nodded with difficulty: "Yes, yes, Vice Admiral."

He always thought this was a meaningless battle, with the British Royal Navy overwhelmingly crushing the German High Seas Fleet in terms of quantity and quality.

Direct confrontation offers no chance of victory for the German High Seas Fleet, no matter how strategic Shire is or how advanced the equipment he possesses.

So, what Shire said seemed more like "deceiving the German Fleet to enter the game."

Shire paid no attention to Eitzberger's negative reaction, he continued his analysis:

"We will try our best to draw the British Royal Fleet's strength to Gibraltar Strait and Brest Port."

"Then, we will blockade the La Manche Strait."

"This will considerably reduce the number of British fleets you face, that is to say, the enemy you face may be evenly matched with you..."

Eitzberger didn't react for a while, he stared dumbly at Shire, hesitantly asked: "What?"

Shire said: "The enemy you face is not many, and you can defeat them."

"No, no, Vice Admiral." Eitzberger shook his head: "The previous sentence, you said you will blockade the La Manche Strait?"

"Yes." Shire nodded, his expression remained steadfast.

"I, I didn't hear wrong, did I?" Eitzberger was skeptical:

"I think you might be mistaken, Vice Admiral."

"The La Manche Strait has always been under British Royal Navy control."

"Only Britain can blockade other countries, no country can blockade it, even...even with the addition of Holland and Belgium they can't do it."

He thought Shire wanted to involve the countries around La Manche Strait to work together, like laying mines.

Shire laughed: "No, Eitzberger, we can do it without Belgium and Holland."

"But, how can it be done?" Eitzberger spread his hands, for him it was unbelievable.

Shire took another map from the drawer, spread it before Eitzberger.

On this map, four cities along La Manche Strait were marked with red dots, Shire pointed to these four cities:

"We laid out the plan some time ago, Mr. Eitzberger."

"From the westernmost Brest to Caen then to Dunkirk, finally to Antwerp. We have built a total of 4 airports."

"These 4 airports can easily control most of the La Manche Strait, and if calculating the airplane's range, they can control the entire strait."

Eitzberger immediately understood: "Aircraft, you mean aircraft that can bomb warships?"

Shire nodded.

Eitzberger exclaimed: "Incredible, Vice Admiral, those aircrafts not only can combat alongside aircraft carriers at sea, but also can take off from the land, right?"

Without waiting for Shire to answer, he muttered to himself:

"Yes, of course they can."

"Taking off from aircraft carriers is evidently harder, its runway is narrower and smaller, taking off from airports don't have these issues."

"I was so foolish for not realizing this sooner!"

Actually Eitzberger wasn't a fool, most people haven't considered it without access to aircraft carriers.

For example, Britain hasn't considered it.

They only hoped to blockade the aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean and were carefree, so they don't have to face bombers and torpedo planes that leave them defenseless.

Lacking the concept of aerial warfare, they didn't consider that aircraft carriers can't be blockaded.

As long as there's a bit of airport infrastructure on land, aircraft from aircraft carriers can relocate through them.

Therefore, air superiority is often the key in deciding victory.

Eitzberger looked at the map again, danced with excitement unable to contain himself:

"Amazing, Vice Admiral, amazing."

"Draw the British Fleet's main forces into the Atlantic, then blockade the strait, their return for reinforcement distance will increase several times."

"By the time they arrive, our battle may already be over, and we might already have won!"

"God, this is our only plan that might defeat the British Royal Navy, a perfect plan!"

(The picture above shows the route for the British Royal Fleet returning for reinforcement after being blockaded in the English Channel, which will be far longer than the original route, and unable to flank the German High Seas Fleet from behind)