Chapter 638 Reminding the Germans
As time went on, the key to victory in naval battles was not the warships themselves, but was determined by air superiority.
One of the reasons is "intelligence".
Due to the curvature of the earth, the two fleets could not detect each other every 40 kilometers or so because the other side was blocked from view by the curved sea water.
The initial solution was to have sailors climb up tall masts and look through telescopes. Standing high meant seeing farther.
The next step is to equip the warships with hot air balloons and release them for reconnaissance when necessary.
Next are the seaplanes. Battleships launch seaplanes to expand the reconnaissance range and transmit intelligence back to the fleet.
However, once the aircraft phase is reached, the fight for air superiority is inevitable.
The seaplanes of both sides would engage in a fight in the air before they could even detect the other fleet.
Ultimately, the party that gains air superiority will have information power. It can detect the enemy's position and make timely adjustments, and continuously send fighter jets and bombers to bomb.
The enemy fleet, however, was like a blind man, knowing nothing and could only passively take the attack. They didn't even know which direction the enemy fleet was heading.
This is the fundamental reason why modern aircraft carriers have emerged and battleships have been eliminated.
The North Sea is a special area. It is 643 kilometers wide from east to west. The Caproni bomber with auxiliary fuel tanks can reconnaissance most of the sea area.
Thus, the entire North Sea situation is under its wing.
Before giving this suggestion, Charles thought about a question: If the British knew this method and found that they could control the North Sea and block the German Navy with their own capabilities, would they no longer need the French Navy and would they leave France aside?
In fact, this was General Winter's first thought after learning of this method.
At this time, Britain had produced at least two hundred Caproni bombers. Although most of them fought on the Western Front, from the perspective of national needs, it was not a problem to transfer dozens of them to the Royal Navy for use.
Do we still need a French navy?
Thinking of this, General Winter's eyes rolled around and he would steal a glance at Charles from time to time.
Charles knew what General Winter was planning. He laughed:
"General, I think I need to remind you that Caproni bomber reconnaissance is not the same as code breaking."
"Deciphering the code means directly obtaining the German battle plan, and it is not affected by darkness or weather."
"Bomber reconnaissance does not have these advantages."
General Winter thought about it and felt that this made sense.
Direct access to the entire operational plan is not to be confused with simply knowing the location of the German fleet.
More importantly, the reconnaissance effect will be greatly reduced in rainy, foggy and dark days.
Therefore, it might not be possible without the cooperation of the French fleet.
At this time, General Winter relaxed instead. He had just been thinking about what excuse he could find to "politely decline" the French fleet's joining, but now it seemed completely unnecessary.
Then, Charles spread the map in front of General Winter, pointed at the map and added: "Our army can also participate in reconnaissance missions. Our bombers can take off from Antwerp Airport and scout the waters west of the Heligoland Bay."
"That's right, Charles, that's a good idea." General Winter nodded repeatedly. This would undoubtedly alleviate the serious shortage of British bombers.
General Winter had no idea that this was a trap set by Charles for the Royal Navy.
Charles had not three but four airfields to blockade the English Channel.
From Brest in the west to Caen and then to Dunkirk, these three points can only cover most of the English Channel.
The fourth point is also an extremely important strategic point, which is Antwerp.
Caproni bombers taking off from Antwerp could not only completely block the English Channel, but also, if necessary, blockade the German navy in the port.
To be precise, it was not about blocking the port, but about sinking the entire German navy in the port!
General Winter only thought it was reconnaissance. He never expected that what Charles was thinking in his mind was: in the future, an improved version of Caproni would be used to drop torpedoes everywhere, and even a powerful navy like the Royal Navy would not be able to enter the English Channel.
But this was only the first pitfall. What Charles really wanted to do was to remind the Germans: It’s time for you to develop similar bombers and use them at sea.
…
In the northwest of Germany, on the coast of the North Sea, lies Germany's most important port: Wilhelmshaven.
Wilhelmshaven has a water depth of 18 meters and the wide waters of Jade Bay are never frozen or silted up all year round. It is the main military port of the German High Seas Fleet.
(The yellow dot in the above picture is the location of Port Wilhelm)
Inside the naval port command center, the radio station kept on beeping and documents were delivered to the fleet commander, Admiral Scheer, like snowflakes.
Admiral Scheer looked at the telegrams one after another with a hint of joy on his face. The German High Seas Fleet had achieved success in several attacks.
Although the results are not great, it is undoubtedly a good start.
As long as we continue to maintain this advantage, we will be able to narrow the gap with the British Royal Navy over time.
One day, we will break through the British blockade, Admiral Scheer secretly determined.
At the same time, he sighed in his heart: Falkenhayn still has some wisdom. Or rather, it is Charles' wisdom. Falkenhayn just learned a little from Charles' tactics.
What kind of person is this? Major General Scheer couldn't help but become curious about Charles.
If only some of his tactics were passed on to Falkenhayn, they would become the magic weapon for the German Navy's victory!
Before this, the German Navy had been troubled by the blockade by the British Royal Navy, and no one knew what to do.
At this time, a staff officer came forward and reported: "General, we have received intelligence that the French Navy has left the port. It is a fleet stationed in the Brest naval port. They entered the English Channel to reinforce the North Sea."
Admiral Scheer frowned: "French Navy?"
Colonel Maximilian of the staff analyzed: "General, I don't think the French Navy can change anything. They will always expose their weaknesses, which cannot be solved by adding another fleet."
Admiral Scheer shook his head slightly. "It's not just the French fleet, Maximilien, but also Charles and his new invention."
Maximi was silent.
One more fleet might not mean much, but if there were more Charles and a bunch of destroyers that could find submarines, it would cause a lot of trouble for the High Seas Fleet.
But this is just the beginning.
Soon, a signalman ran up with a telegram and reported in panic: "General, the Third Task Force has spotted French bombers."
"Bomber?" Admiral Scheer looked at the signalman in shock: "It bombed our warships?"
"No, General," the signalman replied. "It's circling our fleet."
Admiral Scheer was stunned and his expression changed immediately.
These bastards, they use bombers as reconnaissance planes!
(End of this chapter)
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