Chapter 1029 This is the only chance
In Wilhelmshaven, Germany, Admiral Scheer was busy reading the exercise report in his office.
General Scheer's way of commanding an army was unique.
After he was reinstated, he did not make drastic changes to place his old subordinates in important positions, as he knew that this would make many people dissatisfied.
He also did not change the rules and regulations drawn up by the "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea Fleet", knowing that the rules and regulations were just a piece of paper.
He also did not, as everyone expected, abolish the "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea Fleet" that was against the navy, because this would drag himself into unnecessary political struggles.
The first thing Admiral Scheer did after arriving in Wilhelmshaven was to organize an exercise.
The exercise is divided into two teams:
One group was more powerful, with 12 battleships assigned to it as the British Royal Navy.
The other, slightly weaker team, consisted of 10 battleships assigned to the German High Seas Fleet.
The two teams were then sent to the North Sea to conduct day and night drills and confrontations. Any captain or officer found to be unqualified in command would be replaced immediately.
Admiral Scheer used this method to restore the morale of officers and soldiers and the combat effectiveness of the fleet in a short period of time, and even undermined the so-called "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea Fleet".
But I have to thank Charles for this.
On his first day in office, General Scheer delivered a memorable speech to all officers and men:
"I know what you think of me. Wilhelm II's lackey, the emperor's pawn, a tool of the dictatorship."
"I don't deny it, I do."
"But that was in the past, three months ago. The Admiral Scheer you knew has already resigned!"
As he spoke, he tore off his military rank and the medals hanging on his chest, waved them in front of the officers and soldiers, and then he loosened his grip and they fell to the ground with a clang.
"I plan to start as a captain!" said Admiral Scheer.
"The reason I can command you is not because of my achievements or battles, but because I have more experience."
"So, the person standing before you is not Admiral Scheer, but Captain Scheer."
"A Captain Scheer who believed Charles supported the 'French spirit', a Captain Scheer who supported 'freedom', 'equality' and 'fraternity'!"
"Will you join me?"
"Let us follow Charles and defeat hegemonic Britain, defeat colonialism, defeat all injustices, and restore freedom to the world!"
The officers and soldiers cheered loudly and shouted in unison:
"Welcome back, Captain Scheer!"
"We accept your command."
"We are willing to fight for freedom and equality!"
…
This scene stunned the "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea Fleet".
Before this, the committee had used the French spirit as an excuse to incite naval officers to rebel against the dictatorship of William II.
After a series of operations, he gradually gained control of the real power of the high seas fleet.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Admiral Sher took office, he used magic to defeat magic, and called on officers and soldiers to join the war on the grounds of Charles and his allies, and he succeeded.
Admiral Scheer smiled slightly and glanced at the members of the "Secret Committee of Wilhelmshaven and the North Sea Fleet" who were accompanying him and didn't know how to respond.
Do these guys really think I'll cooperate with you? Only a fool would do that!
Admiral Scheer turned his gaze to the officers and soldiers who were in a state of excitement, and was secretly proud of himself. Charles was very useful. Using him as a cover saved me a lot of effort.
…
Once the ideological work is done, the reform of the navy will not be difficult.
General Scheer often called on his officers and soldiers:
"France and England are about to go to war. Our time is short."
"We must help the Shire win this battle, otherwise the most promising equality and freedom in human history may be extinguished."
"Work hard, boys, for our ideals, for our future, for our freedom!"
…
This method was even more effective than the German one. The officers and soldiers united around General Scheer and rushed forward enthusiastically as if they were injected with chicken blood.
Within a few days, Admiral Scheer was back in power and had successfully restored the combat effectiveness of the High Seas Fleet.
Then, Admiral Scheer began to seriously consider the "sea-air coordination" tactics that Charles often used in naval battles.
Admiral Scheer understood the British.
The British are firmly ranked first in the world because of their naval strength. In this atmosphere of arrogance and overconfidence, British naval officers and soldiers generally do not spend too much time and energy studying new tactics.
Admiral Scheer could therefore guess that the British would use a tactic called "Venetian blinds" to stop the German fleet:
The British fleet took advantage of its speed to occupy a "T"-shaped horizontal position.
The horizontal position is good for artillery output, but its weakness is that it is easily attacked by torpedoes.
The British way of dealing with it was: when attacked by torpedoes, the warships would change from horizontal to vertical and open like "blinds".
At this time, unless the torpedo hits the narrow head of the warship by coincidence, it will be perfectly avoided.
Charles's response tactic was to use "torpedo planes" to attack from another direction, and it was always effective.
Germany should do the same, General Scheer thought.
Moreover, the target should be the British Navy's most powerful super-dreadnoughts, such as the "Elizabeth" class.
This not only strikes a blow to the enemy in terms of firepower, but also undermines the confidence of their command and officers and soldiers.
While Admiral Scheer was considering this question, his staff officer handed him a telegram: "Captain, a telegram from Liege says the British have been fooled and are sending reinforcements to the Atlantic."
(General Scheer insisted that his men address him as "Captain." Now that the word was out, he had to act accordingly. Besides, whether he was called "General" or "Captain" was irrelevant; his reputation and strength were there.)
Admiral Scheer took the telegram and read it, and jumped for joy:
"They actually sent out two Elizabeth-class ships and only kept one Barham?"
"Don't these guys take us too seriously?"
Admiral Scheer was skeptical, fearing that this was a trap set by the British to lure the High Seas Fleet into attack.
The staff officer understood what Admiral Scheer meant and said:
"I think this is normal. The British have been pushed into a corner by France and are now at a loss."
"Most importantly, they don't know that the Shire is capable of blocking the English Channel."
"They believe that the reinforcement fleet sent, and even the Second Fleet in Brest, can return to the North Sea within a day, so the North Sea will not be in danger."
Admiral Scheer nodded and immediately gave the order:
"All fleets return to port to replenish fuel and ammunition and prepare for battle."
"Officers and soldiers, take this time to rest."
"At the same time, cut off all external communications with the fleet and maintain radio silence."
He did not want the British to know anything about the German fleet's active preparations for war.
"Yes, Captain."
After the staff left, Admiral Scheer stood up and looked out the window of the command center. That was the direction of the British North Sea Fleet.
This was the only chance, he thought, and the best chance he could think of!
(End of this chapter)
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