Chapter 797 Route Safety
The actual combat results exceeded Admiral Scheer's imagination.
Admiral Scheer's battle plan was very detailed.
The total distance from Hamburg to Bergen Port is 800 kilometers, which is exactly the distance that the "UWD" seaplane can fly with auxiliary fuel tanks. It is definitely not possible to make a round trip, not to mention patrolling over the target sea area.
However, the "UWD" is a seaplane.
The advantage of seaplanes is that they can land on the sea, refuel via warships or even submarines, and, when necessary, can use supply ships to add torpedoes or replace pilots.
This solves the problem of insufficient range and payload.
Admiral Scheer even took into account that if these seaplanes malfunctioned while performing high-intensity missions, it would be very difficult to recover and repair them.
Therefore, replacement parts and maintenance personnel are prepared in the supply submarines so that they can be repaired and maintained at sea.
The biggest difficulty was the sea conditions in the North Sea. Once the wind and waves were too strong, seaplanes could not land for resupply, and it was almost impossible for them to return to Germany without fuel.
But Admiral Scheer, who was eager to break through the blockade, had no time to care about these things and sent out the seaplanes overnight.
At dawn the next day, an unprepared British fleet was attacked by torpedoes from seaplanes.
The seaplanes released a total of 23 torpedoes, sinking one battleship and two destroyers.
The cheers of victory instantly resounded throughout General Scheer's headquarters and William II's study.
William II was so excited that he even shed tears, not only because he had the hope of regaining power, but also because Germany had finally broken through the blockade of the British Royal Navy.
He closed his eyes slightly, made a cross on his chest, and said in a choked voice: "Mother, I did it, but you won't be proud of it, right?"
(Note: William II's mother, Queen Mary, was a British princess. Since William II was old enough to understand, Queen Mary had always taught him that the British Royal Navy was invincible and that he should not try to challenge the British Royal Navy but should obey it.)
…
The news that the German Navy broke through the blockade in the North Sea caused a sensation among the Allies like a bombshell.
The French did not feel much about this. To them, the German navy was a matter on the other side of the English Channel, a dispute between Britain and Germany.
Charles was enough for France, and they were more concerned about whether they could win the war on land.
Therefore, the newspapers expressed some concerns in a bland manner:
"The Germans broke through the North Sea blockade, giving them access to the resources of northern Europe."
"This will undoubtedly ease tensions within their country."
"This also proves that Charles's estimate is correct. There is no need for us to continue this war. We should start armistice negotiations with Germany as soon as possible."
…
The British media was in an uproar.
The Times almost described this war as the end of Britain:
"Our army has performed so poorly on the battlefield that the only thing that supports our belief in being a great power is the Royal Navy."
"This is the most powerful navy in the world, but now it can't even block a port or a shipping route."
"More importantly, the mode of naval warfare seems to have changed dramatically since then."
"It is no longer the warships that decide the outcome as before, but the aircraft, which are much cheaper than battleships, but can decide the life or death of battleships!"
…
The Guardian's report was also very pessimistic:
"We have always felt safe because Britain is an island country surrounded by the sea."
"In principle, as long as we have the most powerful fleet, no one can threaten the British mainland."
“But the facts tell us otherwise.”
"If the Germans can use their planes to force back our powerful fleet, does that mean they can also open our ports and land directly?"
"These planes can even drop bombs directly on our heads!"
…
War Office Building, London.
The Minister of Munitions held a cigar in his mouth and frowned in the smoke as he read the battle report from the North Sea.
General Winter walked up to him, stood up and saluted.
The Quartermaster General said "Hmm" and slowly pushed the battle report in front of General Winter: "You know about this, right?"
"Yes, sir," General Winter replied.
"Although this is a naval matter," said the Minister of Munitions, "it is also related to my duties, that of munitions. I want to know whether my transport routes are safe?"
"Of course, sir." General Winter said affirmatively: "The Germans have taken advantage of a loophole. Our Camel fighters do not have enough range to fly over Bergen for escort. But it is different in other places."
The Minister of Munitions was slightly relieved: "So, what the newspaper said is not true?"
"Of course." General Winter explained: "The Germans can't use this kind of aircraft to attack the island. Our Camel fighters will shoot them down before they reach the coastline. They will also protect the safety of our routes."
The Quartermaster General said nothing, but stared coldly at General Winter with a frown on his face.
General Winter seemed to understand what the Minister of Munitions meant: "Yes, sir. In view of the amazing performance of torpedo planes, we are already developing this aircraft."
"You misunderstood, General." The Quartermaster took the cigar from his mouth: "Can you answer a few questions for me?"
"Of course, sir."
The Minister of Munitions nodded slightly. "How many Camels do we have in total? How many airports and fuel do these Camels need to ensure that our routes are not attacked by the enemy?"
General Winter was stunned.
The Quartermaster General hit the nail on the head.
Britain now has only about 50 Camel fighters, all of which have been deployed to the Western Front to fight for air supremacy. Only a few are left in the country for teaching and training.
(Note: Nowadays, there are special trainer aircraft for training. During World War I, airplanes had just been invented and there was no concept of trainer aircraft, so fighter jets had to be used instead.)
There are nearly a thousand kilometers of air routes in the North Sea that may be attacked by the German army. How can the safety of these routes be guaranteed with only a number of "Camel" fighters that can be counted on one hand?
"Do I need to remind you?" the Minister of Munitions continued, "Our merchant ships carry tens of thousands of tons of supplies. Just one torpedo, one torpedo, can send them all to the bottom of the sea."
"I understand, sir." General Winter said with shame: "I will, I will ask them to speed up the production of fighter planes..."
The Quartermaster shook his head slightly: "No, General, this is not what you want. You need to go to Paris and meet Charles."
"Char?"
"Yes," replied the Minister of Munitions. "I have heard that he is producing a kind of warship, a warship equipped with a new type of anti-aircraft machine gun. That is what we want, understand?"
General Winter suddenly realized: "Yes, sir!"
(End of this chapter)
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