Time goes back to the night of August 2, 1914, at Wilhelmshaven Naval Base.

Although it is already 10 o'clock in the evening, the entire naval base is still brightly lit. Marshal Earl Tirpitz, Minister of the Navy, arrived here to sit in charge in person.

"Marshal, the fleet at the Port of Kiel has set off half an hour ago. It is estimated that it will arrive in Wilhelmshaven in two hours." German Navy High Seas Fleet Commander Reinhardt? Admiral Scheer reported to Marshal Earl Tirpitz.

"Well, tell them to pay attention to safety when sailing at night. At the same time, do a good job of keeping secrets." Marshal Earl Tirpitz nodded.

Although, Germany is not at war with Britain yet. But Marshal Earl Tirpitz still planned to follow Qin Tian's suggestion and let the navy prepare first. Once a war breaks out, the German navy will be able to respond immediately and launch an attack on British sea transportation lines. The German Navy is usually deployed at the naval bases in Wilhelmshaven and Kiel. Before the widening of the Kiel Canal, these large warships could only be diverted by circumnavigating the Jutland peninsula. That made the warships of the German Navy completely exposed to the threat of the British Navy. Now? Transferring through the Kiel Canal not only greatly shortens the distance, but also makes it safer and more confidential.

"Marshal, are we going to go to war with the British?" Admiral Reinhard Scheer was a little excited. Challenge the hegemony of the British navy, which has always been the desire of the German navy's generals. Especially as the strength of the German navy continues to increase, this makes their ambitions start to grow crazily like weeds.historical

"Although we have not declared war with the British yet. However, the war is inevitable, and no one can stop it. Not even God! Therefore, we must be prepared. Your Highness predicts that we will declare war on the British, that is, It's been a matter of a day or two. Therefore, we need to send the fleet out first, and once we receive news of the war, we will launch an attack immediately." Marshal Count Tirpitz said.

"Yes, Marshal!" Admiral Reinhard Scheer nodded. He knew that this was a pre-emptive strike. Although, the main force of the British navy is gathered in Scapa Flow, which is not easy to deal with. But now is not the time for a decisive battle with the British navy. The generals have already understood the mission of the German navy in the early stages of the war, and it is mainly to attack the British sea transportation line.

"Is the submarine force ready?" Marshal Earl Tirpitz asked.

"Marshal, it's ready. We have selected 30 submarines with good conditions and experienced commanders and soldiers to participate in this operation. The secretly armed submarine supply ship has also been dispatched first. . to ensure that each submarine can last longer at sea."

Marshal Earl Tirpitz nodded. The use of submarines is also a new subject for the German Navy. They can only study and train some of the tactics mentioned by Qin Tian. As for whether they can perform well in the war, it is very difficult to say. Of course, Marshal Earl Tirpitz believes that weapons such as submarines can also shine in war. Not because of anything else, but because of Qin Tian's emphasis on submarines. The German Navy, including Marshal Earl Tirpitz, believed in Qin Tian very much, and it even developed into a kind of worship.

Two hours later, the three "Blücher-class" battlecruisers and three "Moltke-class" battlecruisers originally moored at the Kiel Harbor Naval Base arrived in Wilhelmshaven.

Marshal Earl Tirpitz immediately held a combat meeting. All the generals of the High Seas Fleet attended the meeting.

"Gentlemen, the war has already begun. The war between us and the British is about to break out. According to the suggestion of His Royal Highness, the Imperial Navy needs to be preemptive and ready for battle." Marshal Count Tirpitz said.

The admirals all looked at Count and Marshal Tirpitz. From their eyes, Tirpitz could feel their excitement and excitement. Yes, the German Navy has longed for this battle, for a long time.

"General Scheer, let everyone issue this combat mission!" said Marshal Earl Tirpitz.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Marshal." Admiral Reinhard Scheer nodded.

"Everyone, although we have not declared war with the British yet. However, it is expected that war will break out soon. Therefore, we need to prepare in advance. The target of this operation is not the main fleet of the British Navy, but the British Sunk all the merchant ships and transport ships flying the British flag, or the warships encountered. Of course, if it encounters the main fleet of the British Navy, it is better to retreat immediately. Now, but It's not time for a decisive battle with the British." Admiral Reinhard Scheer said.

"Hahaha!" All the generals burst out laughing.

"General Hipper, General Spee!" Admiral Reinhard Scheer shouted.

Franz von Hipper Lieutenant General and Maximilian von Shippe Lieutenant General both stood up.

"The two of you, lead the 1st battlecruiser formation and the 2nd battlecruiser formation respectively, and set off in two hours to go to the Atlantic Ocean in the west of England to carry out hunting missions!" Admiral Reinhard Scheer ordered road.

"Yes, Your Excellency Commander." Both Hipper and Lieutenant General Spee replied.

"General Hitterfels, this time the submarine force will also send 30 submarines to fight. I hope that the target of the attack is still the British sea transportation line." Admiral Reinhard Scheer continued to issue orders .

"Yes, Your Excellency Commander." A young major general replied, he is the commander of the German Navy submarine force Rear Admiral Hitterfels.

"That's all for the specific combat missions, Marshal, do you have anything else to add?" Admiral Reinhard Scheer asked.

"I want to make two points. First, the target of this attack is the British sea transportation line. Therefore, try to avoid encountering the British main fleet. We only dispatched two battlecruiser formations, a total of The six battlecruisers do not have the strength to confront the main force of the British Navy. Of course, if there is a suitable time, such as the British Navy's main ship that is alone, they can still seize the opportunity to sink it. The specific situation, Take care of yourself. The second point is to preserve yourself as much as possible. Whether it is a battleship or a submarine, it is a valuable combat power of the Imperial Navy, and it cannot be lost due to carelessness." Marshal Count Tirpitz said.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Marshal!" Everyone replied.

At 12 o'clock, the German Navy fleet, under the cover of night, began to leave the naval port and sail into the vast sea.