Chapter 2090 Raiders of the Strait of Dover II
It is impossible to clear the entire minefield with such a reckless method, but there is no problem at all in opening up a minefield for submarines to pass through. Therefore, Ruprecht's initial layout was just to The main force of the German High Seas Fleet is temporarily excluded from the battlefield, but submarines and light fleets can still enter. Of course, losses are inevitable, but the German navy with a big business can afford losses!
"If the weather conditions do not permit, then I will not conduct a large-scale mobilization during the day, but if I stand in your position, it is not safe to enter a cruiser-class warship during the day, because the British have shore artillery on the opposite side , There are also long-range artillery near Dunkirk, those 6-inch long-range artillery are still lethal to light cruisers, and the risk of battleships entering during the day is also very high, I need you to pay attention." Ruprecht reminded On the opposite side, Scheer then moved the model representing the light warship towards the entrance of the eastern section of the English Channel.
"I will choose to evacuate at night. In this operation, my light cruiser squadron, destroyers and minesweepers will establish a blockade east of Dunkirk, and when the time is right, I will arrange some The capital ship will assist in the north of the exit of the strait. The light cruiser squadron will withdraw from the strait at dawn, while the destroyers will remain in the strait, relying on smaller ships to hide the coast from daytime attacks by the Luftwaffe." Rupre Hitter said.
"Enter at night? This is a troublesome thing." Admiral Scheer frowned, because the dispatched light cruisers and destroyers, so the British, who are familiar with the sea conditions in the coastal areas of the United Kingdom, can fully take advantage of the shallow draft of warships Entering the strait, if the German light cruiser squadron and destroyer squadron go to night battles, the Germans will probably suffer a disadvantage. Let alone the battle situation, the number of German light cruisers will be significantly less than that of the British. The number of German light cruisers is not even the number of battleships. many....... This is embarrassing. Even if the tactical exchange is superior to Germany, the German High Seas Fleet will definitely suffer, and if the British mix two more armored cruisers in the light cruiser squadron, the problem will be even bigger. These old guys can't solve it without battleships!
And if battleships are sent, few of them may be counterattacked. After all, the British Navy will also use capital ships to provide cover at night. Going a lot, going to the British coast to face British submarines? Scheer didn't have this idea, the reason has already been said before. Moreover, the German navy was not familiar with the sea situation in the coastal waters of the United Kingdom, and it was a night battle. It is indeed very troublesome to have a large-scale night battle rashly. Especially when the Grand Fleet may be on the side! Therefore, the method of intercepting outside the strait is not easy to use.
"If this is the case, then during the day I will use submarines to attack the British sea lanes or other places. As for the night? We will arrange destroyers and torpedo boats to enter the strait and forcibly attack the British transport fleet! If you are lucky , Our light cruisers can also take advantage of the chaos to attack." Admiral Scheer said.
"It's a solution, but you need to bear some losses." Ruprecht nodded, affirming Scheer's solution to a certain extent. In the narrow sea area, it is definitely not wrong to lay some mines when there is nothing to do. It is feasible for Scheer's offensive to lay mines to block the British Navy's access to the channel and Dunkirk in the south, but the effect depends on the situation. While deploying minefields, it is true that some safe passages are reserved to facilitate the attack and evacuation of the fleet. Light cruisers are very precious, but if only destroyers are platooned, then it is to deliver food to the British light cruisers. If Germany does not want to give up the Battle of the Dover Strait, then some light cruisers still need to be sent.
As for the difference between using light cruisers near Dunkirk and using light cruisers to intercept the British fleet in the northern section of the strait? Of course there is a difference,
Leaving aside that the latter may have to face the battleships of the British Grand Fleet, simply looking at the level of confrontation between light cruisers and destroyers, it is more beneficial to the German army to actively fight inside the strait than to fight in the open sea!
The reason is simple, if you intercept the British fleet in the open sea, the British can fight you with all their strength, because there are no transport ships in the open sea that need your protection. But the interior of the strait is different. The primary task of the British fleet is to protect the transport ships entering and leaving the port of Dunkirk. Don't dare to chase. What if the British cruiser chased out and the two German destroyers got in? Once a torpedo goes up, it may be the name of thousands of people!
From the perspective of the German fleet, if there is a battle inside the English Channel, his attack target is not the British light cruiser, but the German target is the transport ship! If you can resist the artillery damage of the British cruiser, and then use the 175mm main gun to kill a large transport ship, then it is also profitable for the German light cruiser. Anyway, the German battleship is relatively rough and thick, so it doesn’t matter if you hit it a few times.. … The difference in the battle situation and the main mission has caused the difference in strengths and weaknesses of the two sides. Therefore, Admiral Scheer is weak in intercepting the British fleet in the open sea, but it becomes an advantage in fighting in the strait. Then the strength of the two sides has not changed, but the offensive and defensive momentum has. Already reversed!
As for the inside of the strait, you also need to face British mines, submarine ambushes, and destroyer sieges. The two sides are almost equal, but the Germans still have the advantage technically. After all, German mine fuzes are still very reliable. This part of the loss is the so-called part that needs to be borne. War is not just a game, and there must always be sacrifices.
Of course, although Ruprecht has a certain positive meaning, it does not mean that Scheer's plan is perfect. The simple mixed strangling of light cruisers, destroyers, submarines and minefields will cause some troubles for the British, but it may not Fatal, after all, the British are stronger than the Germans in terms of auxiliary warships, anti-submarine and mine clearance. Even though the Germans can take advantage of some tactical advantages, it is an advantage rather than a victory after all!
"If I were Jericho, during the critical period of the retreat, I would consider sending capital ships into the English Channel to enter the battlefield." After a moment of silence, Ruprecht said.
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