Chapter 574: The dark history of Mackenson

"What you said makes sense. This result makes me a little embarrassed. But if I have to make a choice, I think Ruprecht’s opinion is better. Let’s not be afraid that our sword is not too sharp enough. It is a war that determines the fortune of the country, and no matter which side it is, it will try its best to solve the problem.” After a while, Emperor William determined the outcome of this dispute with supreme authority, and His Royal Highness won again.

"From that time on, the Minister of the Imperial Navy became a vassal of Bavaria. Although the latter had no status, it replaced the Admiralty as one of the actual commanders of the Imperial Navy. I was very discouraged at the time. His Majesty finally chose to believe in one. The heir of the country is not me. But unfortunately, the ability of this person is indeed much higher than that of me, higher than Admiral Liol, higher than Admiral Boll, and the Imperial Navy has grown in his hands. Towards glory, if God gives Germany another chance, I hope that the empire will still choose His Highness Ruprecht instead of me.” Tirpitz wrote in his memoirs in his later years.

  And Ruprecht, who was the victor, was not ecstatic. The upbringing of nobles was one aspect, and more importantly, he knew the result! Because, at the very beginning of the plan of the Mackensen battlecruiser in history, there was a plan to use 6 380MM guns, and the plan was very popular at the beginning, especially with the support of the Kaiser!

Historically, the emergence of Queen Elizabeth-class battleships not only stimulated the German battleship plan, but also stimulated the German battlecruiser plan. The 12-inch artillery was accused of being too small, and in the subsequent battlecruiser plan, the Germans People proposed three caliber artillery ships, namely 340MM artillery, 350MM artillery and 380MM artillery. The tonnage of the warship was set between 29,000 tons and 30,000 tons.

  At first, the German Navy tended to use six 15-inch naval guns as the main guns of the new generation of battlecruisers. The reason is simple, because 15-inch guns have stronger penetrating power. Although it was pointed out in the subsequent meeting that the six artillery pieces were not good for fire control, when one of the turrets was destroyed, the battleship could not use half-volley to pinpoint, which would reduce the speed of the calibration. And it was suggested that other countries also criticized the 6 main guns when choosing the number of main guns. It was not technical reasons that really put this plan aground, but a false intelligence.

At the beginning, the Kaiser had approved the plan to carry the 15-inch artillery ship, but then the Germans received an information stating that the British preferred the latter in terms of better single-ship performance and more warships, so they Decided to reduce the number of ships carrying 15-inch artillery, and increase the number of ships carrying 13.5-inch artillery... The Germans naturally breathed a sigh of relief after learning the news, and some even called it "a victory without firing a shell." Since the British chose a smaller artillery, the Germans used 15-inch guns. Is it a bit too much?

  And this is one of the turning points in the design plan of the Mackensen battleship. And then, the naval conference in Germany believed that the 12-inch artillery can deal with all the British battlecruisers that have appeared so far. The 350MM-class artillery is sufficient to deal with all British battleships. So they think that 350MM artillery is enough. Instead of pursuing a large penetration depth, it is better to consider more artillery in order to obtain better artillery effects. In this case, the Germans finally chose the 350MM artillery as the weapon of the Mackensen-class battlecruiser, rather than the 15-inch artillery that they had begun to look forward to.

In fact, the Germans were obviously burned this time. The British battleships from the Queen Elizabeth-class battleships behind were all 15-inch artillery, 5 Queen Elizabeth, then 5 Vengeance-class battleships, then Hood, Prestige and others. . A lot of 15-inch artillery battleships.

As for the question of whether the 350MM artillery is sufficient, it cannot be said. After all, it has not been tested in actual combat. However, based on the personal experience of the prince, the 12-inch main armor belt of some of the British 13.5-inch artillery ships is still relatively high. Jutland may have been useful before, but after the Battle of Jutland, facing the strengthened British fleet battleships, this 350MM artillery might be difficult to kill in seconds. If you consider the advantages of Wicks hardened armor over German armor, in fact, the 750KG shells used by the 380MM artillery are not necessarily stable in actual combat. So the shells need to be changed.

"The second batch of battleships was divided into two groups. The construction of two battleships was started in 1905 and 1906 respectively. In the middle of 1906, I hope to get definite news about the 15-inch artillery. If the Bavarian side can complete the artillery before 1908 As for the development of the turret, then we use 15-inch artillery. If it doesn’t work, then I’m sorry. I gave you the opportunity and hope you can cherish it.” William II said seriously, this is very important to him. Once expressed his position, this means that His Highness has truly entered the highest level of the German government! He is no longer just a shareholder of a state ~www.wuxiaspot.com~, but a member of the board of directors, the decision maker of the empire's major policies!

"But if this is the case, if we follow the size of our previous fleet, our shipbuilding funds may have serious problems. We finally got the Parliament to pass this bill, but we could not maintain this bill. This is one thing... ...It's a pity." Tirpitz originally wanted to say it was a ridiculous thing, but considering the face of the emperor, if you say this, it will happen 80% of the time, maybe the cane in hand I just flew over... So finally changed a word.

"After this memory is over, convey your opinion to the prince of Bavaria and let him handle this matter. If he can't handle it, tell me." William II pointed to Rupp sitting on his left hand. Recht said.

   "There are still 5 days before our next meeting, can Your Highness handle this matter?" William II said with a smile.

   "But I am not very clear about the military expenditures of the Imperial Navy." Ruprecht said unexpectedly.

"Then study immediately, just now, you disrupted our entire plan, and now, you have to learn to make up! If you can't convince Tirpitz, then my impression of you will fall." William The smile on II's face grew stronger. Put on an attitude of watching the show.

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