Chapter 649： Allied Mediterranean Fleet II

The mainland coastal areas of the Austro-Hungarian Empire need the most basic defensive force, which will inevitably disperse the originally weak fleet. At the same time, the British will never allow the French navy to be defeated in the Mediterranean, and the British are suppressing the German high seas fleet. At the same time, it is still possible to separate a fleet to be stationed in the Mediterranean. The prince finally underestimated the British determination and perseverance. The number of warships they produced was too large for part-time jobs. Even the prince believed that the size of the British fleet when the war started in 1912 on this plane might even exceed the size of the British fleet in 1914 in history. scale!

And the Russians are now spreading the news of buying dreadnoughts. Germany should also beware of the Baltic Sea. This means that it is not easy for Germany to seek a breakthrough at the beginning. At the same time, it also means the direction of the Mediterranean. The French are very likely to receive aid. Of course, there is another problem with Italy. The prince really does not know how Italy will make a choice this time, if it is still the same as in history. If so, even if the Allied Mediterranean Fleet can be formed, I am afraid the situation will be very difficult.

"In fact, if not for the sake of being more confusing, I think it would be more appropriate for the Allied Mediterranean Fleet to be called the Allied Black Sea Fleet. The most important and core issue of the entire fleet is how to completely destroy the Russian Black Sea Fleet and, when appropriate, in Ukraine And the landing in the Caucasus! This is the most important issue, not thinking about how to take the entire Mediterranean, because this is not realistic, or it is difficult to achieve at the beginning."

"So, I hope the two generals can keep this center in mind. I am the person in charge of the entire German-Austrian naval cooperation program. I have the right to suspend all matters related to cooperation. So I hope you can remember this." Rupley Hitt even emphasized in a nearly tough stance.

Finally, on the issue of the Mediterranean fleet, Germany and Austria reached the following consensus. First, Germany provides technology and no less than 20% of the funds for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to help the Austro-Hungarian Empire build a super-dreadnought ship modeled on the Helgeland-class battleship. The total number is 4, and all warships will be in Construction started between 1908 and 1909.

Second, before the war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire took at least two super-dreadnoughts, one quasi-dreadnought, two armored cruisers, plus a certain amount of auxiliary warships, and submarines to join the Allied Mediterranean Fleet in the wartime. Constantinople in Turkey is the home port.

Third, the main combat mission of the fleet is to ensure the suppression of shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean of the Allied Powers, to ensure the safety of the Aegean and Dardanelles, and to suppress the Black Sea Fleet in preparation for possible future landings.

This plan actually formed a general framework and has not been finalized. After all, the construction of the Austro-Hungarian super-dreadnought has not yet begun, the naval base of Constantinople has not yet started, and the Turkish Navy has not yet completed a construction plan. ...... Judging from the current situation, the size of the fleet in the mind of the prince is still far away. Yes, it is like that.

"In fact, we are somewhat optimistic about our own situation. The Turks may not be able to build a strong navy, and even the construction of dreadnoughts has a question mark. The strength of the fleet is the foundation. If the foundation is not met, The Confederate fleet will not do anything in the Mediterranean or the Black Sea. Therefore, I hope that the imperial government can help Turkey build a fleet, or simply send a Mediterranean squadron.” Ruprecht’s letter to the Kaiser Wrote in.

While the three parties were still discussing the future Allied Mediterranean fleet, a message from the United Kingdom changed the atmosphere of the entire meeting immediately! The Royal Navy plans to re-adjust the size of the British Mediterranean fleet in Malta within the next four years. In this adjustment plan, the Royal Navy will at least deploy a battlecruiser formation and an armored cruiser formation in the Mediterranean!

"The one who should come will come back after all!" After receiving the news, the prince said darkly. Then he held back the others and began to reconsider this layout. The prince was worried that the British would maintain a continuous military presence in the Mediterranean, but now it seems that the British did intend to continue their historical deployment, at least at the beginning. This makes the entire maritime situation very bad for the Allies.

If the Turkish Navy did not develop significantly, then the Austro-Hungarian fleet would definitely not be able to defeat the French and British fleets. After all, the British deployed indomitable, indomitable, and tireless second battle cruisers on the island of Malta in history. In the fleet, there are 4 10,000-ton-class armored cruisers, Defense, Black Prince, Duke of Edinburgh, and Warriors. With the addition of the French fleet, at least 7 Dreadnought and Dreadnought warships fought 2 to 4 of the Austro-Hungarian Empire! With the addition of quasi-dreadnoughts, it won't be possible to fight!

More importantly, the strength of the British and French navies in the Mediterranean will also affect Italy politically As far as Italy’s current situation is concerned, joining the Allies may not overwhelm Britain and France, but joining the Allies, then It is equivalent to ordering the last coffin nail for the Adriatic Sea! Just as the captain of the Geben and German Rear Admiral Su Xiong said in history, entering the Adriatic Sea to seek refuge in Austria-Hungary is forever blocked.

Soon, General House and Earl Spey also got news, and this news really surprised them. After Britain and France reconciled with 1904, the British had begun to shrink their power from the world. The same was true in the Mediterranean. The strength of the Mediterranean Fleet is the highest in the entire army, and the part-time command of the Mediterranean Fleet is the only way for future navy leaders. But now, cutting-edge battleships have been taken away from the Mediterranean one by one. When everyone thinks that the British are about to hand over the defense of the Mediterranean to France and are ready to leave, who would have thought that the British once again updated the Mediterranean. fleet! Three or even four dreadnought ships directly gave the Allies an absolute advantage in the Mediterranean.

"Maybe this is the response of the Allies to the Empire’s new battleships, right?" Admiral House frowned. It is no secret that the Austro-Hungarian Empire is preparing to start construction of 4 battleships. In fact, once construction is started, although the performance of the battleships may not be clear, the number and size can still be determined. The British move directly aimed at the Austro-Hungarian naval expansion plan.

"It seems that the two are under a lot of pressure." The prince said with a wry smile and shook his head.

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