Tirpitz has not been to the German Emperor's headquarters for a long time. Since the end of the Baltic Battle at the beginning of the year, the German High Seas Fleet has entered a long rest period. In addition to the submarine force still maintaining a high frequency of dispatch, the main fleet generally supports the Baltic coastal landing activities. The entire fleet's energy is focused on adapting to the new sea and air situation. The training of the German High Seas Fleet aircraft carrier team is coming to an end, and the land-based aviation force is gradually in place. If nothing unexpected happens, when Prince Ruprecht takes over the navy again, it will be the moment when the high seas and the British fleet engage in the last battle!

You can't blame the high seas fleet for doing nothing. Strategically, as long as the North Sea transportation line can be kept smooth, the German high seas fleet's minimum goal will be achieved. As for killing the British large fleet? The British had previously shrunk near the coast, and with the support of the Royal Navy Air Force, they just couldn't come out. The high seas fleet at that time did not have the ability to fight against the large fleet against the bombs. Therefore, it was in line with the situation at that time that the main ships of the high seas fleet maintained a low load, but when the North Sea blockade line was re-established, everything was different.

"Tirpitz, the blood vessels of the empire were once again severely threatened. The British had locked the passages in the North Sea again. This time, they even detained merchant ships from the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. The British fleets and planes were active in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea. Every day, the materials lost by the empire were calculated in tens of thousands of tons. At this time, we need the high seas fleet. The fleet established by the empire with a large amount of funds should not be an existence fleet. Before, we achieved a brilliant victory, and now, we want to break the British blockade again." The German emperor took a deep breath and said, "So, I order the fleet to attack immediately!"

"Your Majesty, this is probably very difficult. The Third Battleship Detachment and the Light Cruiser Detachment are cooperating with General Markensen to launch an offensive in the Gulf of Finland. The aircraft carrier detachment is training in the Baltic Sea. The Second Battleship Detachment is carrying out routine maintenance this year on the ship platform at Port Kiel. In a hurry, we cannot gather the fleet at all." Tirpitz said in shock. He thought that the German Emperor would let the fleet attack, but he did not expect that he would ask to dispatch immediately.

"Excuse me! A complete excuse me!" The angrily roar of the Emperor of Germany echoed in the hall. "You cowards, you are timid and avoiding war!"

"Your Majesty, you cannot insult the High Seas Fleet so much. We have put in hard work and blood for the strength of the empire!" said Tirpitz.

Tirpitz was very clear about the current situation of the empire. Although it was only an exception for Wilhelmshaven, where there was no foreign ship transporting cargo in one day, on the next day, six American ships arrived in Wilhelmshaven and sent at least 40,000 tons of various materials. However, it became an indisputable fact that Germany's material pressure became greater. In this winter, due to Russia's collapse, by various chances, Germany fought with the Allies at the same time on the Eastern Front, the Western Front and even the Transcaucasus Front! Especially on the Western Front, the British's desperate efforts brought certain pressure to Germany. At this time, the input of materials was only about 45% of the previous, and the consumption was already greater than the import volume. How could the German senior management not be in a hurry?!

Anger cannot solve the problem. After a period of disputes, Tirpitz promised the German Emperor that he would try his best to arrange the German high seas fleet to attack. In fact, although Tirpitz was rank of marshal, he was not a front-line general himself. The real battle still had to fall on Scher, Hippel and others!

As the commander of the German Navy's High Seas Fleet, although Scher was not as good as Crown Prince Ruprecht, he was still paying attention to the situation in the entire North Sea, especially recently, when the chains on the North Sea are getting tighter, the reconnaissance force of the High Seas Fleet has also begun to focus on important northern regions such as the Shetland Islands!

After more than a day of sailing, the U145 submarine commanded by Captain Denitz finally arrived at the exit of the North Sea. As a trumpet captain, this was Dunitz's 12th attack, and eight of them were circling the UK through the North Sea to enter the Atlantic hunting area. It can be said that the situation here can be described as a complete guide. This time, his goal was not to enter the Atlantic to hunt British merchant ships, nor to cooperate with camouflage cruisers to hunt British auxiliary cruisers. Instead, as a "spectator" to investigate the blockade forces around the Shetland Islands.

Don’t think that this mission is very simple. A month ago, the loss rate of German submarines entering the Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea has risen sharply. In less than a month, 8 submarines have been lost. According to the analysis of relevant departments, these submarines should have been destroyed by a three-dimensional offensive formed by camouflaged cruisers and seaflight institutions. It is inferred that in the Shetland Islands, the British had at least one aircraft group of more than 150 aircraft to cooperate with the auxiliary cruiser team to fight.

The pressure on German submarines has increased greatly. You should know that in this era, the war zone maneuver of submarines was almost sailed by water. Not to mention the first battle, even in the early stages of the second battle, German submarines spent more than 90% of the time on the water. Now, with the connection between the Shetland Islands and Norway as the central axis, an aviation warning area of ​​300 kilometers wide makes German submarines extremely uncomfortable! Because in this area, there will be a large number of seaplanes for reconnaissance during the day, making the submarines dare not show their heads!

If you pass through such an area at a submarine cruise speed of only 5 knots or more, it will definitely not work in less than three days! What? This calculation is wrong? The speed of 5 knots can run 120 nautical miles a day. Please, the endurance of 5 knots is very short, and you have to float and charge after walking for a few hours. Among the eight submarines lost last month, at least 5 were killed while charging!

So, at present, German submarines can only sail at night if they want to pass through this area. After all, planes do not have the ability to anti-submarine at night. However, what the Germans could think of, how could the British not think of? At night or in bad weather, the British would increase the number of auxiliary cruisers and anti-submarine destroyers. Although the British were not able to build a minefield that blocked the entire North Sea exit, it was still possible to deploy mines in some areas. Therefore, relying on mine networks and a large number of anti-submarine destroyers, German submarines sailing at night became very dangerous. Faced with this situation, the German high seas fleet immediately came up with a response plan.
Chapter completed!