Chapter 4: The Wisdom of the Sage

The most imposing were the 15 pre-dreadnought battleships (German class, Brunswick class, and Wieserbach class), which once enjoyed great prestige. Unfortunately, the significant technological gap between dreadnoughts and pre-dreadnoughts rendered these warships, which were only a few years older than their successors, regrettably outdated. Under the strong recommendation of Xia Shu and the personal intervention of the Kaiser, two large shipyards in Danzig began modifications on these three classes of pre-dreadnoughts in the autumn of 1913. They converted half of their old coal-fired boilers to oil-fired boilers and installed more powerful reciprocating steam engines. The cancellation of underwater torpedo launchers and these important improvements effectively enhanced their previously outdated speed, ensuring that they would not become a burdensome liability when integrated into the main fleet. Furthermore, when facing formidable enemies, the reasonably effective 240 mm quick-firing guns and robust defensive armor could alleviate considerable pressure on the main fleet.

The battlecruisers of the classes of Von der Tann, Moltke, and Seydlitz constitute the spearhead of the German Navy. Their displacement, speed, and firepower increase progressively, and the advanced design of the Atlantic bow ensures their seaworthiness at high speeds. The Hubert engines provide ideal power efficiency, while the increasingly mature naval armor and high-speed naval guns significantly enhance their balanced performance compared to contemporary British battlecruisers

The most eye-catching should be the 6 torpedo boat carriers converted from the old-style protected cruisers of the Erin class and the HMS Auguste class. They are equipped with the high-speed boats known as "Water God," which are regarded as blades on the water. When operating at full load, these two-man torpedo boats can achieve remarkably impressive speeds, and with the new high-speed torpedoes, they are undoubtedly the most dangerous maritime assassins of this era. No fleet commander dares to underestimate their power!

In the German Navy, only Tirpitz and a few other generals firmly believed that the purpose of the German Navy was to bravely challenge formidable adversaries. These adventurers were so isolated, having once fallen into a hopeless situation, and at the moment when von Scharnhorst, with a generous and resolute attitude, successfully persuaded the Kaiser to set sail from Wilhelmshaven, embarking on their journey, they felt a sense of relief in their hearts, with no more regrets

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The most bizarre appearance belongs to the modified battleship "Bismarck". The original masts, bridge, and turrets were completely dismantled, and the tall smokestack was relocated to the far right side of the hull. A spacious platform was constructed above the main deck using steel frames and wooden boards. Observers found such modifications utterly incomprehensible, until the aircraft taking off and landing on the ship demonstrated exceptional reconnaissance capabilities, ultimately leaving people in awe of its ingenious design

Xia Shu did not look at the content of the newspaper, but instead gazed at the undulating surface of the sea and remarked with what seemed to be an unrelated comment: "On this sunny day, the waves are somewhat turbulent"

At the time of the construction of the Caesar-class and King-class dreadnoughts, Xia Shushu was promoted to the Director of Shipbuilding for the German Navy, which provided him with greater scope for development. Both classes of battleships are equipped with high-performance 12-inch naval guns with a caliber of 50, and all four twin-mounted main gun turrets are arranged along the centerline. The accuracy of the firepower has been significantly enhanced due to the upgrade of the unified command system throughout the ship. The popular yet impractical side gun casemates have finally been eliminated, replaced by twin-mounted secondary gun turrets positioned on the ship's deck, ensuring the integrity and defensive capability of the main armor belt of the vessel.

Among the German main fleet sailing proudly into the depths of the North Sea, there are many vessels infused with the "Xia style." The Dresden class, Kolberg class, Magdeburg class, and Karlsruhe class light cruisers, as well as the large torpedo boats of the 1898, 1906, 1911, and 1913 classes, are characterized by distinct features and outstanding performance, capable of demonstrating astonishing combat power when employed with appropriate tactics. In addition to these conventional combat ships, there is also a group of older vessels revitalized by Xia Shu accompanying the High Seas Fleet on its expedition.

Xia Shu stayed on the observation platform of the bridge for less than a quarter of an hour when the flagship's communications officer sent a telegram to the fleet commander. After reading it, Feng Yingnuo immediately handed it to the distinguished fleet chief of staff: the British had deployed a large number of torpedo boats, and Hipel had ordered the shelling to cease, directing the bombardment fleet to proceed in a northeast direction

More than seventy hours ago, when British Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith publicly announced the declaration of war against Germany on behalf of King George V, the total tonnage of the Royal Navy's vessels reached 2.35 million tons, while the German Navy, ranked second in the world, had a total tonnage of only 1.15 million tons. In terms of the core forces determining the outcome of naval battles, the British Navy outmatched the German Navy with 20 dreadnought battleships and 9 battlecruisers compared to Germany's 14 dreadnoughts and 6 battlecruisers, while the British Navy had an even greater numerical advantage in pre-dreadnought battleships, armored cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers.

The Nassau-class and Helgoland-class battleships were originally designed as eccentric vessels equipped with six twin-mounted main gun turrets, arranged in a hexagonal configuration. However, through the vigorous advocacy of Summer Tree, they were brought back on the right path, with elongated hulls, optimized structures, and improved configurations. The four triple-mounted 45-caliber 11-inch (280 mm) main guns provided substantial firepower for the first class of dreadnoughts in the German Navy. Additionally, the Krupp armor, with a maximum thickness of 12 inches (305 mm), offered excellent protection for the battleships, complemented by a first-class internal subdivision design. Their survivability far exceeded that of the early models of British dreadnoughts.

Emperor Wilhelm II placed great importance on the development of the navy. Without his trust and support, Tirpitz might not have had the opportunity to create such a powerful High Seas Fleet. However, this German emperor, who had half British ancestry, harbored a deep respect for the British Navy. He feared that his fleet would be utterly destroyed and sunk to the depths of the sea by the invincible Royal Navy. He also believed that the German Army was bound to achieve decisive victories. Therefore, the initial task of the German Navy at the onset of war should be to preserve its strength and restrain the opponent. Once Britain's allies on the European continent fell one by one, it would serve as an important bargaining chip to compel the British to yield. This included the Emperor's brother, Prince Heinrich, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral von Pohl, and Minister of Shipping Admiral von Müller. Most naval officers were supporters of this "existence of the fleet theory." They opposed the High Seas Fleet taking risks in offensive actions, believing that even if they could defeat a formidable enemy, it would only be a victory at a tremendous cost. Many others, while not in favor of confining the German fleet in safe harbors, also did not support the navy launching proactive attacks at the beginning of the war. They felt that patience was needed to seek opportunities, continuously weaken the British Navy, and only when the strengths of both main fleets were comparable, or even when Germany had achieved superiority, should they engage in a decisive battle to determine the outcome.

In the history of World War I, during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, the participating British and German dreadnoughts numbered 28 to 15, and the battlecruisers were 10 to 5. Although the German Navy achieved a tactical victory, it failed to break the British blockade in the North Sea and remained inactive until the end of the war. As a condition of the armistice, the German High Seas Fleet was escorted to Scapa Flow. In 1919, fearing that their ships would be used against their own country, the German naval officers and sailors launched a tragic scuttling operation, codenamed "Rainbow".

As a professional naval engineer and warship model enthusiast a century later, Xia Shu is well aware that the quality of a fleet cannot replace its quantity. Unfortunately, Germany's foundation lies in its land, and its geographical position as the "Crossroads of Europe" means that it can never fully devote its primary efforts to shipbuilding. Therefore, Xia Shu, like a skilled housewife, meticulously prepares a feast with limited ingredients. For a long time, he has strived to incorporate a simple and practical design style into every class of dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, and most medium and light warships, as well as auxiliary vessels built in Germany.

14 dreadnoughts, 15 pre-dreadnoughts, 23 cruisers, 55 large torpedo boats, and 6 torpedo boat tenders carrying 72 high-speed torpedo boats, along with 1 aircraft carrier of 10,000 tons equipped with 6 twin-seat reconnaissance aircraft and 12 single-seat attack aircraft, combined with the 5 battlecruisers and 6 fast cruisers of the Hipper reconnaissance fleet, the German Navy revealed its full strength without reservation at the onset of war. The real difficulty did not lie in the mobilization and assembly of ships and personnel, but rather in the subjective resistance from the national decision-making level. Combined with the 5 battlecruisers and 6 fast cruisers of the Hipper reconnaissance fleet, the German Navy revealed its full strength without reservation at the onset of war. The real difficulty did not lie in the mobilization and assembly of ships and personnel, but rather in the subjective resistance from the national decision-making level

The German prince, who had set out in the capacity of Chief of Staff for the fleet, arrived on the bridge. Fleet Commander von Ingolstadt, with a weathered face reflecting resilience and composure, reported: "Hipper sent a telegram ten minutes ago, stating that the reconnaissance fleet has reached the British coast and has commenced shelling Grimsby, sinking several coastal vessels and destroying at least one oil storage facility"

At this time in Beihai, the waves are about one meter high. Not to mention the large and medium-sized vessels with steel bodies weighing thousands to tens of thousands of tons, even the large torpedo boats weighing hundreds of tons are not significantly affected while navigating. The light cruisers and destroyers used by the British for coastal patrol and defense can operate normally, but those highly anticipated British high-speed torpedo boats, which weigh only a few tons and have a flat-bottom design, encounter trouble in such wind and waves. When the British Navy purchased this design at a high price, they only saw its sharpness under ideal sea conditions and did not foresee such a significant flaw in actual combat. Over the years, the British Navy has built more than 400 high-speed torpedo boats, equipped them with powerful 500 mm torpedoes, and established dedicated training bases. The funding invested in equipment and personnel is sufficient to build several cruiser squadrons or two advanced dreadnoughts, and the impact on naval strategy cannot be reflected in straightforward numbers.

Xia Shu's lips curled slightly; apart from the oil storage facilities and a few patrol vessels, Grimsby held no other military significance. According to the plan, Hipper's bombardment fleet departed from Wilhelmshaven three hours earlier than the main force of the High Seas Fleet, with the two now over 70 nautical miles apart. The sounds of cannon fire striking the British coast could not possibly reach Xia Shu's ears, yet he could easily imagine what such a scene would look like. The proud Royal Navy of Britain would never tolerate such humiliation, and feelings of anger are most likely to disrupt rational judgment.

In terms of data, the German Navy is completely at a disadvantage; however, the vast colonies and busy trade routes make it difficult for the British Navy to concentrate all its elite forces in one place. At the time of declaring war, the deployment of dreadnought battleships in the home waters of the British and German navies was 20 to 13, and the battlecruisers were 6 to 5. Both sides also possessed a considerable number of pre-dreadnought battleships and armored cruisers, but the former two were the decisive forces that dominated the outcome of naval battles.