The Rise of the Empire

After several days of discussion, Prince Ruprecht and Tirpitz settled on an original plan and submitted it to Berlin by telegram. Support for the Bavarian-Austro-Hungarian marriage indicated that the prince could leave the fleet for Vienna after the fleet visited Turkey. Also comes with an honorary title of Admiral of the Navy... In short, on the surface, it looks very tall!

As for the composition of the Mediterranean cruising warships, Berlin also quickly responded that the cruisers Prince Bismarck and Hamburg, which had beaten the French Navy in Africa, would definitely participate. Admiral von Pohl's flagship, Kaiser Friedrich III, also participated, and the other battleship was the battleship Brandenburg.

"The Kaiser is like a peacock. This time, he chose almost all the first-line warships in the empire, just like a peacock showing off its most beautiful feathers when courting a mate." After seeing the order signed by the Kaiser , Admiral von Pohl said rather helplessly.

In fact, from a purely military point of view, he is not satisfied with this arrangement. There are a total of 4 warships, belonging to 4 different models. Moreover, two of them have experienced battles, and the Prince Bismarck still needs some maintenance and repairs. Such a fleet is really not suitable for further visits.

His Royal Highness also agrees with Admiral Bohr's opinion. In his reply to Berlin, His Royal Highness requested that the armored cruiser Prince Bismarck return to the mainland, but let Hipper, Scheer and others accompany the fleet to visit. In this case, the latter The Kaiser's consent was quickly obtained.

However, the plan of the German Navy to invite the U.S. Navy to visit the Mediterranean countries was rejected by the U.S. side. On the one hand, the Americans are not fully prepared. In the eyes of the Americans, going out is not showing off but shameful. of...... On the other hand, Germany is going to Malta for a trip, and the Americans don't want to have any contact with the British even if they die, so they can only give up for the time being.

However, the Americans said that after the German Navy cruises the Pacific Ocean with the US Navy next year and takes Hawaii into its hands, it can hold a worldwide cruise in the name of the two countries. In this way, the "deep friendship" and "quasi-ally relationship" between the United States and Germany are shown to the outside world.

For this cruise, the German Foreign Ministry also made some efforts. On the one hand, it contacted the British and proposed the idea of ​​the German squadron visiting Malta. The British, who claimed to be a gentleman, agreed to this request. Yes, after all, when the Kiel Canal was completed in history, the most elite George V-class super dreadnought in the British fleet also visited Germany on behalf of the Royal Navy. You know, this time was June 1914! The movie opened within a few days, and before leaving, the slogan "Whoever was a friend will always be a friend" was played.

In short, in this era, even if the two sides become rivals sooner or later, even if the dog's head is about to be broken in the next moment, basic etiquette still needs to be discussed, not to mention that the relationship between the two parties is still so-so, and Yingde has the intention of repairing the relationship. It was just a small fleet visiting, which was nothing to the British.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire naturally welcomed the visit of the German fleet, and the person who led the team was the prospective son-in-law of the Austrian Emperor...  No matter from the perspective of the relationship between the two countries or their own relationship, there is simply nothing better than this. The Austro-Hungarian Empire expressed its welcome to the visit of the German fleet the next day. And said that he would give "reception in line with the status of a king."

The reply from the Turkish Empire was also very fast, although Turkey and the purpose of this big country in central Europe are not very familiar,

But no matter what, they are all guests. Such a powerful country that can overthrow France is not something that Turkey can easily offend. Although there are some doubts and worries in his heart, Turkish Sultan Hamid II agreed to the German fleet to visit Istanbul. Require.

What surprised the Germans most was that Italy, Germany's nominal and actual ally, was very indifferent to this visit to Germany. However, if you think about it carefully, you can understand that Italy was originally opposed to Germany on this matter. Ah, but what I didn't expect was that Germany settled Portugal with three attacks and five divisions.

What did the German fleet want to do here? Italy can also guess some, it must be a demonstration! To put it bluntly, it means that after the fall, it is time to settle accounts. Italy is naturally unwilling to visit this demonstrative nature. And this time it was the prince of Bavaria who came with the fleet. This prince will become the son-in-law of the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the future! Can this attitude be any better?

However, Italy, which is stern and inward, is not tough enough to fight the Germans. This time, the Germans have been hated. If you slap them in the face again, then Italy will be really isolated and helpless. France will kill you because of Italy’s statement. Be friends? Certainly not. Will Britain, which is preparing to restore relations with Germany, help Italy? Probably not, will the Austro-Hungarian Empire take the opportunity to make things worse? 80% will! Will the Germans help the evildoers? It's almost a certainty!

After careful consideration, Italy decided to accept the invitation of the German government, but when the German fleet arrived, the Italians also wanted to take the opportunity to show their strength!

The final itinerary for the visit was as follows: first, the port of Taranto in Italy, then the island of Malta, Istanbul in Turkey, and finally the naval port of Pola in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

A week later, the German Naval Task Force Africa under the command of Count Spee arrived in Gijón. Then the fleet began to form. Four capital ships and two supply ships left the port of Gijon and started the Mediterranean tour of the German squadron. what.

"Admiral von Pohl, Chief of the German Navy's General Staff, Admiral Tirpitz, Secretary of State for the Navy, the three most capable men in the German Navy in history, Earl Spey, Scheer, and Hipper, among the three, except Except for Earl Spey, who was forced to hang up with the British BC, the remaining two are the future commanders of the High Seas Fleet!" Seeing this lineup, the prince couldn't help being shocked.

Of course, in terms of the highest status in name, it is still Prince Ruprecht, who now has the honorary title of Admiral of the Navy! The Kaiser said that the relevant dresses, medals and other related matters can be delivered before Germany enters Taranto, and it is guaranteed that the prince will wear the full set of the German admiral to visit the Italians... .

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