Chapter 1379 Before the War

Chapter 1379 Before the war

"Your Excellency, Commander, the German fleet's actions in the Gulf of Riga have become more and more rampant. They even brought minelayers to deploy minefields near our ports and important waterways." Standing on the Baltic Sea flagship Borodino Super Dreadnought, the commander The unstoppable Lieutenant General Bashilev said this to Admiral Essen.

"Unless our fleet is permanently stationed in the Gulf of Riga, there is nothing we can do against those hit-and-run German light cruisers. Even if they don't use naval guns, simply using mines and submarines can cause us huge damage."

Lieutenant General Bashilev looked at the hesitant Admiral Essen and expressed his opinion. Although Bashilev was defeated in the last battle and his entire army was wiped out. But in the end, it gave some transport ships time to escape. If they can't defeat it, it's a matter of strength. If you were replaced by Jericho, you would still have to kneel under such a huge gap in strength. This is an objective law and not a matter of personal will. of....... So this guy is still in the Navy.

"Have you seen the battleship under our feet? Look at the majestic four triple-mounted 14-inch main guns, as well as the large number of 6-inch secondary guns in the gun gallery in the middle of the hull. Is there an indestructible and sharp skin? How does it feel?" Essen's answer seemed to answer something rather than asking the question.

"However, these are of no use to the German fleet. The Germans only need one chance to destroy us. What we have is not enough for the German fleet to fight in one go." After speaking, Admiral Essen looked meaningfully. The other party glanced at him: "Doesn't it feel scary? But this is the fact."

"To be honest, it is difficult for us to fight now. Maybe after the main force of Poland is eliminated, the Germans have a plan to march to St. Petersburg. I think the Gulf of Riga cannot be defended, so it is better to use the precious fleet to defend the capital. "

"Your Excellency, Commander, this is an order from His Majesty the Tsar. We must ensure the smooth flow of transportation in the Gulf of Riga, at least until the German High Seas Fleet arrives." Lieutenant General Bashilev said tactfully.

"Yes, so I am preparing. After our battleships are equipped with enough 3-inch anti-aircraft guns and machine guns, and after the air force assigned to us is in place, we will take action immediately. Otherwise, we will die. No With enough air cover and reconnaissance, we may not even know that our opponent's fleet is in sight. Of course, there is another possibility, which is to directly deal with the bombs and torpedoes of the Luftwaffe." After Admiral Essen finished speaking, he motioned to the latter Go get ready now, no nonsense.

How to fight fleet air defense? If we say that the German fleet used to use capital ships to bring aircraft and seaplane carriers. In the future, the air venting problem will be solved through aircraft carriers. So for the Russians, the only thing their fleet can do is to quickly install some rapid-fire guns with an elevation angle that can barely reach 65 degrees and replace the gun mounts for the army's machine guns. In exchange for some psychological comfort. Aircraft in World War I were indeed cheap, and the German fleet could equip each battleship with more than 4 aircraft. But unfortunately, the Russians can't do it, there are too few planes.

And now it’s too late to install a temporary crane and build a hangar...

But even so, Admiral Essen is still doing his best to arm his fleet so that it will not be completely destroyed when at least facing the German Air Force in the future! This time, the Russian government's work efficiency was quite good. The two aircraft squadrons in the Gulf of Riga were placed under the command of the navy, and Admiral Essen could contact them by radio at any time. Another squadron is responsible for the reconnaissance of the Essen fleet from the Gulf of Riga to the Gulf of Finland.

As a result, Essen's Baltic Fleet finally set off from the Gulf of Finland and headed for the Gulf of Riga. Also cooperating are the German submarine forces, but their main task is to approach the German Baltic Sea coast and head against the German ports to see if the main force of the High Seas Fleet will suddenly enter the Baltic Sea from the North Sea through the Kiel Canal!

"Your Highness, the Russian fleet has entered the Gulf of Riga. Is it necessary for us to allow the main force of the High Seas Fleet commanded by General Scheer to enter the Baltic Sea?" After receiving the news, the German Navy's liaison officer in Bavaria first contacted the prince.

"Where is Hipper now?" asked the prince.

"General Hipper's fast fleet is cruising near the Norwegian coast and should not have been discovered yet. There are not many Russian submarines, most of which are deployed in the Gulf of Finland and near our ports, and General Hipper's fleet has already 2 Zhou has not come back. And does the Russian fleet have any long-range reconnaissance aircraft?" the naval officer said.

"Is the Russian fleet stationed in the Gulf of Riga or just escorting and returning to the Gulf of Finland every day?" the prince asked again.

"They are stationed in the Gulf of Riga. They have firmly controlled the entire bay. Our light cruiser detachment can no longer enter. But the stationing location is uncertain and changes every day." The officer said.

"Get me the Bavarian Second Air Force and ask them if they have a chance of winning this air attack?" the prince ordered after taking a deep breath. This time will be the Bavarian Air Force's first sea attack! He doesn't want his prey to slip away because of problems with the air force's performance!

"Major General Harrell said that they only need a clear day." Half pay later, an attendant handed the prince a telegram from the Second Air Force.

"In that case, let Admiral Hipper and Major General Harrell decide for themselves. Tell them that I only want the results, not the process!" the prince ordered.

"Your Excellency, General, Major General Haller of the Second Bavarian Air Force suggested that the general attack time be set for the morning of the day after tomorrow, and said that we can only block the exit on the north side of the Munn Strait." In the evening of that day, Shippe I received Major General Harrell's campaign plan.

"Okay, by the way, send some more submarines into other entrances and exits of the Moon Strait to monitor the actions of the Russian fleet. In addition, send a message to His Highness the Prince that my fleet will sail to the exit of the Gulf of Finland tomorrow night, and at Get into your designated position early in the morning," Hipper said.

"General, how many Russian battleships do you think the Bavarian Second Air Force can destroy this time?" At this time, the chief of staff next to him asked meaningfully.

"This. According to the plan, the Bavarian Air Force will mobilize 6 K-6 bomber squadrons to deal with the battleships. One squadron has about 20 bombers, which is 120. Refer to the British tactics to severely damage three It is not a big problem for a ship to kill two cruisers smoothly. In short, if we can block the opponent, the Russian fleet will not be more difficult to deal with than Betty's battle cruiser." Hipper said easily. "Betty's battlecruiser" has become a joke within the German Navy, used to describe an enemy that seems powerful but is actually vulnerable.

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