I was a tycoon in World War I: Starting to save France - Chapter 646

As time goes by, the key to success in naval battles is not the warship itself, but air superiority.

One reason is “intelligence.”

Due to the curvature of the earth, the two fleets cannot detect each other every 40 kilometers or so, because the other side has been blocked by the curved sea water.

The original solution was to have sailors climb tall masts and look through telescopes. The higher you stand, the farther you can see.

The next step is to equip the warship with a hot-air balloon and release the balloon for reconnaissance when necessary.

After that came the seaplanes. The battleships launched seaplanes to expand the reconnaissance range and transmit intelligence back to the fleet.

However, once entering the aircraft stage, the struggle for air supremacy is inevitable.

The enemy’s and our seaplanes will start fighting in the air before they have time to detect the opponent’s fleet.

Ultimately, the party that seizes air superiority has the right to information. It can detect the enemy’s position and make timely adjustments, and continuously dispatch fighter planes and bombers to bomb.

But the enemy fleet is as ignorant as a blind man and can only be passively beaten. They don’t even know which direction the enemy fleet is.

This is the fundamental reason for the rise of aircraft carriers and the elimination of battleships in modern times.

The North Sea is quite special. It is 643 kilometers wide from east to west. Caproni bombers can detect most of the sea area with auxiliary fuel tanks.

Thus, the entire North Sea situation was under its wing.

Before giving this suggestion, Charles thought about a question: If the British knew this method and found that they could control the North Sea and block the German navy with their own abilities, would they not need the French navy and put France aside? ?

In fact, this was indeed General Winter’s first thought after learning about this method.

At this time, Britain had produced at least more than two hundred Caproni bombers. Although most of them were fighting on the Western Front, considering national needs, it was not a problem to transfer dozens of them to the Royal Navy.

So, do we still need a French navy?

Thinking of this, General Winter rolled his eyes and glanced at Charles from time to time.

How could Charles not know what General Winter was planning? He chuckled:

“General, I think I need to remind you that reconnaissance by Caproni bombers is not the same as deciphering codes.”

“Deciphering the code is a direct way to get the German combat plan, and it is not affected by night and weather.”

“Bomber reconnaissance doesn’t have these advantages.”

General Winter thought about it and felt that this made sense.

Direct access to the entire battle plan is not to be confused with simply knowing the location of the German fleet.

More importantly, in rainy days, foggy days, and dark nights, the reconnaissance effect will be greatly reduced.

Therefore, it may not be possible without the cooperation of the French fleet.

At this time, General Winter relaxed. He had been thinking about what excuses he could find to “decline” the French fleet to join, but now it seemed completely unnecessary.

Then, Charles spread the map in front of General Winter, pointed at the map and added: “Our army can also participate in reconnaissance missions. Our bombers can take off from Antwerp Airport to reconnoiter the waters west of the Heligoland Bay.”

“You’re right, Charles, that’s a good idea.” General Winter nodded repeatedly, which would undoubtedly alleviate the serious shortage of British bombers.

General Winter was completely unaware that this was a hole dug by the Shire for the Royal Navy.

The airfields used by the Charles to block the Strait of La Manche were not three, but four.

From the westernmost Brest to Caen and then to Dunkirk, these three points can only cover most of the Strait of La Manche.

The fourth point is also an extremely important strategic point, which is Antwerp.

Caproni bombers taking off from Antwerp can not only completely block the Strait of La Manche, but also block the German navy in the port if necessary.

To be precise, it was not a blockade in the port, but a bombing and sinking of the entire German Navy in the port!

General Winter only thought it was reconnaissance, but he never imagined that what Charles was thinking was: in the future, he would use an improved version of Caproni to throw torpedoes everywhere. Even if it was as powerful as the British Royal Navy, it would not be able to enter the English Channel. .

But this is only the first pitfall. What Charles really wants to do is to remind the Germans: It’s time for you to develop similar bombers and use them at sea.

…

In northwest Germany, Germany’s most important port is located in the Yarde Bay on the coast of the North Sea: Wilhelmshaven.

The water depth of Wilhelmshaven is 18 meters, and the waters of Yarde Bay are wide and never freeze or silt all year round. It is the main military port of the German High Seas Fleet.

(The yellow dot in the picture above is the location of Wilhelmshaven)

In the naval port headquarters, the radio kept buzzing, and documents were delivered to the fleet commander, Admiral Scheer, like snowflakes.

Admiral Scheer looked at the telegrams with a trace of joy on his face. Several of the German High Seas Fleet’s sorties had achieved results.

Although the results are not great, it is undoubtedly a good start.

There is no mistake in every song, one post, one content, one 6 one, one book, one book, take a look!

As long as we continue to maintain this advantage, we will be able to close the distance with the British Royal Navy over time.

One day, we will break through the British blockade, Admiral Scheer secretly made up his mind.

At the same time, he sighed in his heart: Falkenhan is still somewhat wise. In other words, it was Ciel’s wisdom, Falkenhayn just learned a little bit from Ciel’s tactics.

What kind of person was this? Major General Scheer couldn’t help but become curious about Charles.

As long as some of his tactics are given to Falkenhayn, they can become the magic weapon for the German Navy to win!

Before this, the German Navy had been troubled by the blockade of the British Royal Navy, and no one knew what to do.

At this moment, a staff officer came forward and reported: “General, we received intelligence that the French Navy has left the port. It is a fleet stationed in the Brest naval port. They entered the English Channel to reinforce the North Sea.”

Admiral Scheer frowned: “French Navy?”

Colonel Maximilien, a staff officer, analyzed: “General, I don’t think the French Navy can change anything. They will always expose their weaknesses. This cannot be solved by adding another fleet.”

Admiral Scheer shook his head slightly: “It’s not just the French fleet, Maximilien, but also Charles and his new invention.”

Maximilien was silent.

An additional fleet may not be a big deal, but if there is more Charles and a bunch of destroyers that can find submarines, it will cause great trouble to the High Seas Fleet.

But this is just the beginning.

Soon, a signalman ran up with a telegram and reported in panic: “General, the Third Task Force found French bombers.”

“Bomber?” Admiral Scheer looked at the signalman in shock: “Did it bomb our warships?”

“No, General.” The signalman replied: “It circled around our fleet.”

Admiral Scheer was stunned, and his face changed immediately.

These bastards, they used bombers as reconnaissance planes!