Chapter 421 Persecution

On the afternoon of March 20, 1915, a huge fleet was cruising at a low speed in the waters 200 kilometers southeast of the Orkney Islands. The center of the fleet is the heavily guarded battleships. On the periphery, there are cruisers and destroyers. Even, in this sea area, there are still many submarines.

After the German Navy was determined to launch a decisive battle against the British Navy, the German Navy began to shrink its strength as much as possible. Not only the surface battleships have completed the assembly, but also the underwater submarines are densely scattered in the North Sea. These submarines can not only carry out sneak attacks on the surface warships of the British Navy. More importantly, they can form an intelligence network. As soon as the main force of the British Navy leaves the military port, they will soon be discovered by these submarines, and then report to the flagship to prepare the fleet to deal with the British Navy.

Of course, the seaplanes carried by large warships will also become the main force for detecting the enemy's situation in this naval battle.

On the battleship 'Bavaria', the flagship of the German Navy's High Seas Fleet, Admiral Reinhard Scheer, Lieutenant General Franz von Hipper and Lieutenant General Maximilian von Spee are discussing the current situation have a discussion.

"There is no doubt that our fleet left Wilhelmshaven last night. The British will not be unaware of this. However, judging from the information obtained so far, the main force of the Royal Navy is still staying in Scapa Flow. Very Obviously, they don't plan to have a decisive battle with us." Admiral Reinhard Scheer said.

The purpose of the German Navy's battle is to completely defeat the British Royal Navy. If the main force of the Royal Navy has been huddled in Scapa Flow, this will make it impossible to achieve the strategic goals of the German Navy.

"Your Excellency, Commander, can you confirm that the main force of the Royal Navy is staying in Scapa Flow?" Vice Admiral Hipper asked.

After all, it is impossible for the British not to know that the German navy left the port with such great fanfare. It would be too disappointing if they were indifferent to this. After all, they were the former sea overlords! So far, do you even have the courage to fight the German navy? No matter how you look at it, the possibility of this will be very small.

"It has been determined that the main force of the British is still staying in Scapa Flow. We have deployed more than one submarine in the important waterways around Scapa Flow. In addition, we have also sent seaplanes to fly over Scapa Flow It is concluded that the main force of the British is still staying in the port." Admiral Reinhard Scheer said.

"It seems that the British are frightened by us and dare not go to sea to fight with us anymore. The former maritime overlord is nothing more than that now!" Lieutenant General Spee said disdainfully.

Admirals Reinhardt Scheer and Admiral Hipper nodded again and again. They also believed that the Royal Navy was really scared by them this time. Facing the powerful German navy, the British Royal Navy thought it had no chance of winning. Under such circumstances, he had no choice but to avoid fighting.

"However, the British have been hiding in Scapa Flow like this, is it not a solution? Maybe our headquarters will directly attack Scapa Flow? In that case, it will be just as the British want." Lieutenant General Hipper said.

As the home port of the British Navy's large fleet, Scapa Flow is also an important base for blocking Germany. Over the years, the UK has piled up resources there. The entire Scapa Flow is almost surrounded by coastal defense guns, and the defense is extremely strong. Even if the High Seas Fleet has dozens of battleships, if they launch an attack, they may not be able to take advantage of it. What's more, there are twenty or thirty battleships of the British Navy in Scapa Flow. Once a war starts, those capital ships can also berth in the port and attack directly with naval guns. At that time, the German navy may not only be unable to defeat the British navy, but will also suffer a big defeat.

As for sending submarines to carry out sneak attacks again, that would not work either. The last time the British suffered such a big loss, they will definitely strengthen Scapa Flow's underwater defenses. It is no longer possible for the submarines of the German Navy to easily enter Scapa Flow.

"Gentlemen, since the British avoid fighting, it is impossible for us to spend time with them like this. The huge fleet is performing missions at sea, and the fuel burned every day is an astronomical figure. What's more, for this In one operation, we also transferred the main force of the breaking fleet. This caused a big loophole in our blockade against the British. The British will definitely seize this opportunity and frantically transport all kinds of weapons to their homeland. Materials. Therefore, it cannot be delayed any longer." Admiral Reinhard Scheer said.

Lieutenant General Hipper and Lieutenant General Spee nodded again and again. The German Navy's previous blockade of the British mainland was undoubtedly very successful. Not only did Britain's industry suffer a devastating blow, but it also greatly weakened Britain's war potential. It even caused many social problems. If the blockade becomes useless because the main force of the fleet is transferred, it will make all previous efforts in vain.

"Your Excellency, Commander, it seems that there is no other way. The British will not go to sea to fight, so we have to find a way to force them out. Let's act according to the predetermined plan!" Lieutenant General Spee said.

"General Spee, according to the predetermined plan, the 2nd battlecruiser detachment you lead is going to attack the British coastal cities in order to force the British to go to sea to fight. In this case, it will damage your personal reputation. It will have a big impact." Admiral Reinhard Scheer said.

Lieutenant General Spei smiled slightly: "Your Excellency, as long as the empire can win this war, there will be no problem with my personal reputation at all."

Admiral Reinhard Scheer nodded. Indeed, not only Lieutenant General Spei, but other generals would never shrink back when encountering such a thing. Personal reputation is indeed very important. However, in comparison, winning the war for the empire is the most important thing. As a soldier of the German Empire, for the benefit of the empire, he would even give his life, not to mention his personal reputation?

"Well, let's act according to the scheduled plan! General Spee, you lead the 2nd battlecruiser detachment to set off. This evening, launch an attack on Edinburgh and destroy it. Especially the port and shipyard must be completely destroyed. Let the British Know that if they avoid fighting again, we will destroy all their coastal cities." Admiral Reinhard Scheer ordered.

"Yes, General!" Lieutenant General Spei nodded.

Subsequently, Lieutenant General Spee led the 2nd battlecruiser detachment to set off.