Chapter 402： Operation Rainbow

While Mizick was fighting for his future, a group of German naval officers were fighting for what happened to their country.

In Scarpa Bay, the most important naval anchorage of the British Empire, there are as usual many steel giants galloping in the sea. However, in this era, mankind has built the strongest naval battleship, but a strong German style has appeared.

That's right, the German Empire worked hard to build the high seas fleet and was disarmed and parked in the military port of its old rival. Up to more than 70 ships have all unloaded all ammunition, all fire control, aiming devices and gun bolts. Since Germany announced an armistice, the High Seas Fleet has been escorted to dock here as a guarantee of its armistice.

The huge battleships that should fight **** battles for the motherland are like prisoners guarded awaiting the victor's verdict.

Because of domestic hunger and the outbreak of red thoughts, the influence of the Kiel sailors is disappearing. When the inner dissatisfaction is vented, rationality is returning. The punishment for the motherland after the defeat has been shrouded in the hearts of the navy officers and soldiers who piloted these warships.

In fact, in order for the High Seas Fleet, which was regarded by the Allied Group as a major concern, to accept the punishment obediently, the Allied Powers headed by Britain and France spent a lot of thought. First of all, these surrendered warships were not allowed to carry any ammunition, and secondly, the German officers and soldiers on the warships could only be maintained to the lowest level that could be activated. Therefore, this high seas fleet, which requires tens of thousands of naval officers and soldiers to guarantee the best condition, currently has less than 3,000 people on board. Even in a dangerous situation, self-rescue becomes difficult.

In addition, in order to appease the officers and soldiers of the High Seas Fleet who are still on the ships, the British side announced that it would not impose too severe punishment on Germany, while blocking the news about the peace talks.

Although the United Kingdom is blocking the news, the German naval officers and soldiers who are concerned about the motherland still have their own way to obtain the content.

When the clauses concerning the defeat of Germany were revealed, the officers and soldiers of the High Seas Fleet were shocked. Abandon all overseas colonies, ceded Alsace and Lorraine to France, and compensate 226 billion marks in compensation. The harshness of the Versailles Treaty was completely beyond their expectations.

More importantly, the high seas fleet that has been spent heavily to build will be used as part of the indemnity to be divided by the Allies. This condition broke the hearts of the naval officers and soldiers present. For them, it was tantamount to surrendering their dreams and love for the sea to their opponents, and no one could bear this grievance. Some people even said on the spot that if they knew this would be the result, it would be better to fight the enemy vigorously, even if the whole army was wiped out, it would be better than it is now.

Groups of passionate indignation have no effect, let alone a decisive battle with their opponents, they can't even drive out of the harbor. There are many forts in the tightly defended Scarpa Bay, not to mention the British fleet that is monitoring nearby in the harbor. Any slight change can cause a violent blow from the fully armed enemy. This left the officers and soldiers of the High Seas Fleet with no way at all, they could only wait patiently with the anger in their hearts.

In the British Empire, apart from being strict at the beginning, the guarding of the high seas fleet was gradually neglected. After all, as a symbol of the British Empire, the fleet cannot always be by the side of the high seas fleet. Trivial events such as its global colonies and the Red Revolution in Russia required the British Empire to show its strength.

So during this time, the guarding power of the British Empire has been declining. The officers and soldiers of the High Seas Fleet have been watching this.

On the "Prince William" of the High Seas Fleet, the crew looked around vigilantly. Because on this ship, a secret negotiation about the fate of the high seas fleet is underway.

"This treaty is too harsh on Germany, and the domestic opposition is very loud. It is very likely that the country will not agree to it. If this is the case, our warships cannot fall into the hands of the enemy. The German people spend a lot of money to build a fleet and cannot shoot shells. To our own people. Otherwise, we will be sinners of the country."

In a relatively secret cabin, Rear Admiral von Reuter, the commander, was expressing his heartfelt grief and indignation to the officers participating in this secret meeting.

As the commander-in-chief of the fleet, Admiral Hipper's favorite person, Rear Admiral von Reuter is also concerned about the safety of the fleet. Moreover, Admiral Adolf von Trotta, the commander-in-chief of the German Navy, had informed von Reuter before departure that the fleet could not be handed over under any circumstances.

The punishment for Germany's defeat this time was too harsh. What's even more worrying is that the local British newspaper's reports on "the armistice negotiations are on the verge of breaking down" and "may resume military hostility" gave Major General von Reuter a feeling that something was wrong.

Now the High Seas Fleet has been disarmed and detained in Scarpa Bay, just like a prisoner is being watched. If the war breaks out again, Major General von Reuter has every reason to believe that the warships of the High Seas Fleet will definitely become the vanguard of bombarding the German coastal zone.

Isn't this characteristic of the British? I always let others stand in the front, while I am waiting to harvest the spoils in the back. This has always been the case from the previous Thirty Years' War to the anti-French alliance during Napoleon's time. It was only when the enemy was dying before he stepped forward to give his opponent a final blow.

It is absolutely unacceptable for Major General von Reutt to let the German high seas fleet bombard the German people. If this happens, he and the navy officers and soldiers will become sinners in history. That's why Major General von Reuter convened this gathering in secret to discuss the survival of the fleet.

"Never let the fleet fall into the hands of the British, otherwise we will all become sinners of the empire."

Colonel Bilborough, who was the captain of the "Prince William", immediately stood up and said his thoughts after Major General von Reutt's voice fell. Judging from the fact that he still calls Germany an empire, it is also a staunch royalist. Even after the Kiel naval uprising, most of the high-level German navy were royalists who wanted to retain the imperial system. Therefore, for Colonel Bilborough still calling Germany an empire, no one in the room intends to change his words.

More importantly, in their opinion, Major General von Reuter was right. Once the war breaks out again, without the protection of the high seas fleet, the British will certainly not let go of the idea of ​​bombarding German coastal cities from the sea.

"Anyone else will take the fleet from us."

"That's right, we can't be sinners of history."

The local British newspaper will be read by everyone who cares about what happened to Germany. Regarding the reports of "the armistice negotiations are on the verge of breaking down" and "the possibility of resuming military hostility", as a German, no one is worried.

"Since everyone thinks so, then I will talk about the plan I have prepared."

After seeing everyone agree with his point of view, Major General von Reuter announced his plan.

"Now the number of British fleets guarding us is decreasing. I plan to open the Tonghai Gate and let the fleet sink when the time is right."

The word "self-sinking" made the atmosphere of the audience more dignified.

In fact, when fighting at sea, it is necessary to use self-sinking for warships that are too seriously injured to return to port. In addition, you can't escape if you can't beat the enemy, and sinking is also the default way. This time it was obviously the latter.

So in the following discussions, Major General von Reuter and many captains discussed a plan for the sinking.

They plan that if there is no news from the country by June 11 (the deadline for the Treaty of Versailles), then they will begin to sink the warship.

At the same time, in order to avoid too late to notify everyone when the news came, they agreed. The flagship "Emden" light cruiser first hung the international signal flags d and g on the masthead to show that everyone is ready. Wait until he informs the signal soldier again and hang up the pre-appointed signal "Section 11." to confirm the start of the sinking. "Section 11" is a common slang term used by Germans when drinking beer, which means to open a bottle and drink freely. This is his signal to the entire fleet that it is ready to sink.

Now the High Seas Fleet has prepared for the worst, waiting for the final news from Germany.

In Germany, the government formed by the Social Democratic Party is also arguing about the Treaty of Versailles. Many people disagree with this treaty, thinking it is too harsh for Germany.

The cession of some eastern provinces and colonies made everyone unable to calm down, as well as huge war reparations and long-term debts. In particular, the amount of compensation required makes everyone dissatisfied. Years of wars have almost emptied national wealth, and now they have to pay 226 billion marks (approximately £11.3 billion) in compensation, which is also paid in gold. Where can Germany now be able to compensate for these payments?

Even Friedrich Albert, the leader of the Social Democratic Party, can't hold down the voice of dissatisfaction, let alone the people in the country. Therefore, in response to the reply of the Allies, the new German government has been unable to take it down. It was delayed until early June. Seeing that time was approaching the deadline, Albert hurriedly convened several meetings to try to explain the representatives of all parties. (This matter can't be delayed, at last all parties reluctantly agreed).

However, in order to accommodate domestic dissatisfaction, the new government decided to issue a grace period of two days to the Allied powers that are still waiting at the Palace of Versailles in order to "decently prepare." The Allies also agreed to this. Now that the bell of peace has sounded, the European continent has returned to peace.

Is there something forgotten?

That's right, when the German government notified the country of this news, it had forgotten the high seas fleet that was still waiting for the news in Scarpa Bay. The telegram was not sent to Major General von Reuter, so a tragedy was inevitable.

On June 11, Major General von Reuter, who had been waiting for domestic news, did not receive a domestic telegram, so the misjudgment began.

"Order the signal flags d and g to be raised immediately."

After 10 o'clock, the international signal flags d and g hung on the masthead of the light cruiser Emden.

The captains of the ships, who were already familiar with the situation, immediately asked the crew to open the watertight compartments and at the same time let the observation post open their eyes to further check the flagship's next move.

When there was still no domestic news at 11 o'clock, the desperate Major General von Reuter notified the signal soldiers again and suspended the pre-arranged signal "Section 11".

As a result, German ships began to fly the forbidden German navy flags, and some were sending out light signals to pass the news to all ships. As a result, the Tonghai Gate was opened, and the turbulent water began to spread rapidly in the cabin.

At this time, the British side also discovered the abnormality of the German fleet, and for this reason British sailors rushed to their warships from various places. (Because of the end of the war, all relaxed)

The five R-class battleships responsible for guarding their first battleship squadron also set fire immediately, and at the same time sent a signal to warn the high seas fleet not to move. Only now I found out that it was too late. The continuous influx of sea water caused the warships of the high seas fleet to tilt to varying degrees. Moreover, the seawater gradually filled the cabin below, making it impossible to close the Tonghai Gate.

At 12:16, the battleship "Frederick the Great" sank first; at 12:56, the King Albert sank; 1:10, the Mochi sank; 1:15, the Prince William sank... the rest of the warships were also sunk. One after another submerged in the water. At 17:00, the last to sink was the battlecruiser "Hindenburg". The British fleet tried every means to try to remedy it, but it was simply unable to prevent such a large-scale collective sinking operation.

It took about 6 hours. 51 of the 74 detained German warships sank to the bottom of the sea, including 10 of the 11 battleships and all 5 battlecruisers. The tonnage of the sunken warship is 94% of the total tonnage of the seized fleet

This sinking action made all parties in the Allied Powers extremely angry. Soon, the four Nassau-class and four Helgoland-class warships originally allowed to be retained by Germany were announced to be extradited to compensate for the losses in Scarpa Bay.

On November 5, 1919, these eight battleships were declassified by the German Navy. The Nassau was finally compensated to Japan, and the remaining three ships were compensated to the United Kingdom. The four Helgoland-class warships were divided by Britain, the United States, Japan, and France. In addition, a large number of auxiliary ships designated by the Allies were divided up.

As a result, the German navy's capital ships after the war only retained six old battleships. These ships are not intended to be used for other purposes except for training and coastal defense. In addition, Germany has left several other outdated cruisers. Most of these ships are old-fashioned. Many warships have their weapons dismantled by the British, and they are not capable of combat at all.

At the same time, the same strict restrictions were imposed on the establishment of the German Navy stipulated that the size of the navy should not exceed 15,000 and the number of officers should not exceed 1,500.

This sinking operation was completely a tragedy, but it made the German navy face a more difficult situation. But because of the reason, I couldn't help but sigh.

When the news reached Edel, he couldn't help but lament that the inertia of history has not changed. Sure enough, the new German government made mistakes in its busy schedule and caused such bitter results. But for Romania, this is good news.

Thinking of Romania’s pocket-sized navy, it’s not bad to pick many people from the abolished German navy as consultants. After all, in Jutland and the British empire, they have just had some experience.

Moreover, those naval shipyards are facing the fate of bankruptcy and demolition, and skilled shipyard workers are faced with the fate of being laid off. Edel's heart was broken. He felt that as a member of the Hohenzollern family, he had a responsibility to help these poor people.

But to ensure that the best technical talents are needed, after all, the landlord’s family has no more food.

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