Chapter 1020: Charles defeated the British Mediterranean Fleet in less than a day
Admiral Scheer was on a car traveling from Weimar to Wilhelmshaven. The actual distance between the two places was about 500 kilometers, which took most of the day.
Admiral Scheer raised his head from a pile of documents and looked through the car window at the farmers working on both sides of the road. Most of them were old people, women, and children. He couldn't help but sigh.
Admiral Scheer was unsure whether his decision was the right one.
Since being forced to retire a few months ago, he chose to settle in Weimar and began writing his memoirs, "The German High Seas Fleet in World War I."
The memoir even has a beginning.
But at this time Erzberger suddenly came and persuaded him to come back.
"I can't possibly come back," Admiral Scheer said firmly.
"We all knew Germany had lost. It was just a matter of surrendering to France, Britain, or the United States."
"I am thankful to have been relieved of my duties at this critical moment, which has saved me from the humiliation of surrender!"
"So, I'd have to be stupid to accept your invitation."
But Erzberger was very confident: "Admiral, I know you have always had a wish to lead the German Navy to break through the blockade of the British Royal Navy."
While in office, Admiral Scheer repeatedly suggested to William II that he launch a bold attack on the British fleet and break through the British siege through a decisive victory, especially after he learned the "torpedo plane" from Scheer.
However, this plan was considered more like a suicidal plan by William II and was therefore rejected.
Admiral Scheer laughed and said, "Do you think we are still capable of defeating the Royal Fleet?"
Erzberger nodded confidently: "Of course."
"You underestimate the Royal Fleet, Eike." Admiral Scheer stood up and poured Erzberger a glass of red wine, and filled his own glass as well.
"Even in its heyday, we only had a 30% chance of defeating the British fleet. That's why my attack plan was called a 'suicide plan'."
"The German navy is now fragmented, and disobedience and mutiny are commonplace."
"No one, not even God, can defeat the British fleet under these circumstances!"
A few months ago, the "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea Fleet" appeared in the German fleet. Under the impetus of this committee, the navy gradually got out of control and finally launched an uprising to overthrow William II.
Erzberger replied simply: "The Committee will fully cooperate with you, Your Excellency."
Scheer was not surprised by this. This was simply the work of the Provisional Government.
"Even with their cooperation, it won't help." Admiral Scheer sat back down in front of Erzberger, holding his drink, and shook his head helplessly: "The lost morale and military spirit can never be regained."
Morale and military spirit are invisible things, but they do exist.
Once broken, it is difficult to restore it to its previous state.
Soldiers will get frustrated, drag their feet, and run away during battles…
"I know," Erzberger said. "But what about Ciel?"
"What did you say?" Admiral Scheer looked at Erzberger in confusion. "Will Charles help us?"
"No," Erzberger replied, "it was we who helped Charles."
Seeing that Admiral Scheer still didn't understand, Erzberger explained:
"To make a long story short, we and Ciel now share a common interest, Admiral."
"The Shire offered us very 'lenient' surrender terms, but the British and Americans did not."
"Moreover, Britain is trying to force France to side with them and claim compensation from us."
As he spoke, Erzberger handed Admiral Scheer a document that recorded Britain's desire for France to accept $15 billion in compensation.
Erzberger added:
"This is saving Germany, Admiral. By helping Ciel, we are helping ourselves."
"If we lose this war, we will be forced to accept huge reparations of 15 billion from France, 13 billion from Britain, and 10 billion from the United States."
"But if we win, we just have to accept Charles' terms, and he's only asking for 2 billion!"
Erzberger stood up and looked out the window at the manor that Scheer had bought for his seclusion, and he sighed:
"Think about it, if we have to pay a huge sum of $38 billion, your secluded life here may be affected."
"High prices and extremely scarce supplies. Even a loaf of bread might cost 500,000 marks!"
"Do you think you can handle it on your own?"
General Scheer was stunned. He had not been concerned with worldly affairs for some time. He did not expect that the war situation would become so abstract and Germany and France would become "allies"!
…
Admiral Scheer had no choice but to agree to return and reorganize the High Seas Fleet.
But he had no confidence at all.
He read fleet documents almost non-stop in the car, even though it made him dizzy.
The entire fleet command was overthrown, and the officers in important positions, including the captain of the main battleship, were not people he knew.
Admiral Scheer couldn't help but wonder:
Is it useful to go back?
Will it be treated as a vase?
On the surface he is the commander, but in reality he is trying to make his old subordinates surrender?
The most important thing is: even if the High Seas Fleet could unite again, even if it formed an alliance with the French Navy, it would probably still be no match for the Royal Navy.
The final result was still $38 billion in compensation.
Just as Admiral Scheer was thinking about how to deal with this series of problems, the car was stopped at a checkpoint.
Admiral Scheer rolled down the window and urged impatiently, "I'm Scheer, I'm carrying out an emergency military order..."
"I know, Admiral." The sentry stood up and saluted. "The Prime Minister and Chairman Erzberger wish to speak with you."
Admiral Scheer frowned. The call cut him off midway. Could it be that he had to rush over again?
These bastards, they're playing me for a fool!
With some displeasure, General Scheer got out of the car and followed the sentry to the sentry post.
The call came from this side. Apparently, we had been instructed beforehand that once we intercepted the target person, we should answer the call immediately.
"I'm Scheer." Admiral Scheer said unkindly, "What's the matter?"
"Admiral, you won't believe this!" Erzberger's excited voice came from the other end of the phone: "We won, the British fleet was defeated! Yes, that arrogant British Royal Fleet was defeated!"
Admiral Scheer was bewildered.
I won before I even reached Port Wilhelm?
Defeated the British fleet?
Are you dreaming and haven’t woken up yet?
Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Albert's voice came from the other end of the phone:
"It's true, Admiral."
"Charles defeated the English fleet in the Mediterranean."
"The British fleet surrendered, more than a hundred warships surrendered!"
Admiral Scheer was stunned. He looked back at the sky. The sun had not yet set.
In other words, Charles defeated the British Mediterranean Fleet in less than a day?
(End of this chapter)
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