NovelOnline Chapter 1025 1025: This Is the Only Chance
Chapter 1025 1025: This Is the Only Chance
German Wilhelm Port, Admiral Scheer was busy reviewing the exercise reports in his office.
Admiral Scheer's way of managing the troops was unique.
After resuming his position, he didn't immediately place his old subordinates into key positions, knowing it would cause dissatisfaction among many.
He also didn't change the regulations set by the "Wilhelm Port and North Sea Fleet Secret Committee," understanding that regulations were just paper.
Moreover, he didn't dissolve the "Wilhelm Port and North Sea Fleet Secret Committee" that opposed the navy, as doing so would drag him into unnecessary political struggles.
The first thing Admiral Scheer did upon arriving at Wilhelm Port was to organize exercises.
The exercises were divided into two teams:
One stronger team was allocated 12 battleships as the Royal Navy.
The other slightly weaker team was allocated 10 battleships as the German High Seas Fleet.
Then, both teams practiced day and night in the North Sea, with commanders or officers being replaced immediately if found unqualified.
Through this method, Admiral Scheer swiftly restored the morale of the officers and soldiers and the combat effectiveness of the fleet, even sidelining the so-called "Wilhelm Port and North Sea Fleet Secret Committee."
However, for this, he had to thank Shire.
On the first day of taking office, Admiral Scheer delivered an impressive speech to all the officers and soldiers:
"I know how you see me. William II's lapdog, the emperor's pawn, a tool of dictatorship."
"I won't deny it; I indeed was."
"But that was in the past, three months ago. The Admiral Scheer you knew has resigned!"
As he spoke, he tore off his rank insignia and medals hanging on his chest, waving them in front of the officers and soldiers, and let them drop to the ground with a clang.
"I plan to start anew as a Captain," Admiral Scheer said:
"The reason I can command you is not due to the battles I've won or my past merits, but because I have more experience."
"So, standing before you is not Admiral Scheer, but Captain Scheer."
"A Captain Scheer who believes in Shire, who supports the 'Francophile spirit,' 'freedom,' 'equality,' and 'brotherhood'!"
"Will you join me?"
"Let us follow Shire, defeat hegemonic England, defeat colonialism, and defeat all inequities to return freedom to the world!"
The officers and soldiers cheered loudly, shouting enthusiastically:
"Welcome back, Captain Scheer!"
"We accept your command."
"We are willing to fight for freedom and equality!"
…
This scene left the "Wilhelm Port and North Sea Fleet Secret Committee" dumbfounded.
Before this, the committee was using the Francophile spirit to instigate naval officers, encouraging them to rebel against the dictatorship of William II.
Through a series of maneuvers, they gradually gained real control over the High Seas Fleet.
Unexpectedly, Admiral Scheer, upon taking office, used magic to fight magic by rallying the officers and soldiers around Shire and his alliance, and succeeded.
Admiral Scheer smiled slightly, glancing at the baffled members of the "Wilhelm Port and North Sea Fleet Secret Committee" by his side.
These fools really thought I would cooperate with them? Only a fool would do that!
Admiral Scheer turned his gaze to the officers and soldiers in high spirits, feeling secretly pleased. Shire was very useful, using him as a facade saved me a lot of effort.
…
Once the ideological work was done, reforming the navy was not difficult.
Admiral Scheer often urged the officers and soldiers:
"France is about to go to war with England, and we don't have much time."
"We must help Shire win this war, or the most hopeful prospects for equality and freedom in human history might be extinguished."
"Work hard, young men, for our ideals, for our future, for our freedom!"
…
This approach was even more effective than programs in Germany, rallying the officers and soldiers around Admiral Scheer like they were on a high, advancing eagerly.
Within a few days, Admiral Scheer had fully regained power and successfully restored the combat effectiveness of the High Seas Fleet.
Then, Admiral Scheer began seriously considering Shire's often-used "sea-air coordination" tactics in naval battles.
Admiral Scheer understood the British.
Due to the Royal Navy's dominant global position, British naval officers and soldiers did not typically spend much time and energy exploring new tactics.
Thus, Admiral Scheer could predict that the British, in blocking the German fleet, would use a tactic known as the "blinds" tactic:
The British fleet would utilize their speed advantage to position themselves in a "T" formation.
This formation favored artillery output but was vulnerable to torpedo attacks.
The British countered this by switching their ships from horizontal to vertical when under torpedo attack, opening like "blinds."
Thus, torpedoes would likely miss unless they coincidentally hit the narrow front of the ship.
Shire's response tactic was to use "torpedo planes" to attack from another direction, which proved effective repeatedly.
Germany should do the same, Admiral Scheer thought.
Moreover, the target should be the British's most powerful super-Dreadnoughts, like the "Elizabeth-class."
This wouldn't only deliver a blow in terms of firepower but also damage their command and the confidence of their officers and soldiers.
As Admiral Scheer pondered this, his aide handed him a telegram: "Captain, a telegram from Liege, the Germans have taken the bait, and they are dispatching reinforcements to the Atlantic."
(Admiral Scheer insisted that his subordinates address him as "Captain," since the words were spoken, the image must be maintained. Besides, whether he was called "Admiral" or "Captain" was unimportant with his reputation and strength.)
Seeing the telegram, Admiral Scheer was overjoyed:
"They actually dispatched two 'Elizabeth-class,' leaving only one 'Barham'?"
"Aren't these guys underestimating us?"
Admiral Scheer couldn't fully believe it, worrying that it might be a trap set by the British to lure the High Seas Fleet into action.
The aide understood what Admiral Scheer meant and said:
"I believe it's a normal reaction; the British have been driven to frustration by France and are now in disarray."
"Most importantly, they don't know that Shire is capable of blocking the English Channel."
"They assume the reinforcements they send, and even the second fleet in Brest, can return to the North Sea within a day, hence they consider the North Sea safe."
Admiral Scheer nodded, then ordered:
"All fleets return to port to refuel and rearm, prepare for battle."
"Officers and soldiers, make good use of the time to rest."
"At the same time, cut off all external communications of the fleet to maintain radio silence."
He didn't want the British to know any information about the German fleet actively preparing for battle.
"Yes, Captain."
After the aide left, Admiral Scheer stood by the window of the command center, looking out in the direction of the Royal Navy's North Sea Fleet.
This is the only chance, he thought, also the best chance imaginable!