Chapters 113 to 114 Submarine

Togo Heihachiro couldn't help but be shocked.

Since the French submarine Gustav Zied sank the British battleship Malta with torpedo in a practical exercise in 1898, the submarine has received attention from major naval powers. For the purpose of curbing China, France not only provided large loans to its traditional allied Russia, but also selectively transferred many submarine technologies and tactics, helping Russia build a considerable submarine combat power. By the way, the island country, which exists as a Russian quasi-ally, has also obtained twelve submarines from France and formed two submarine fleets.

Despite this, because Britain has always been disdainful of submarines, the older generation of island naval generals who were deeply influenced by the British navy also generally despised submarines. The island navy at that time did not have a very clear understanding of how submarines would affect naval warfare and naval structure. This naturally included Hirahachiro Togo, who had studied in the UK for a long time.

"Akiyama, what you mean..." Hirahachiro Togo said early, "The Chinese may use submarines to deal with us? But the second division of the Military Command and the Navy Ministry have no definite evidence that China has formed a large-scale submarine force..."

"Many colleagues from the Military Affairs Bureau, Shimamasa Headquarters and Military Command Department II have discussed the issue of submarines," Akiyama said with a frown. "Although there is no definite evidence, my classmates at the Indianapolis Naval School in the United States told me one thing a while ago. Thirty years ago, an Irish-born designer John Holland proposed submarine design to the U.S. Navy, but was rejected by the U.S. Navy. Twenty years ago, this person went to China and it seems that he has an official background. No one knows about him yet."

"I remember something about submarines." The combat staff who had been silent, Kenji Nakasa Ii, the pioneer of the submarine sect of the island country's naval naval mission, interjected, "When the Navy Adjutant, Major Takasaburo Oguri, worked in the British Naval School, he was notified in the submarine class that foreign students were not allowed to attend classes. He wrote to me at the time, thinking that my point of view was correct. The British had actually realized the huge threat of submarines, so they denied submarines on the surface, downplayed the attention of countries to submarines, and secretly developed their own submarine power."

"From the naval drills and the situation reflected by Kawasaki Shibayyard, submarines are still offshore weapons." Chief of Staff Soo Shimamura said, "These submarines have too short a range and extremely limited torpedo loading. The joint fleet has proved that as long as the warships adopt z-shaped routes, submarines cannot achieve a hit. Last night, it was just because Russian warships were berthing on the open sea and lacked defense..."

"The problem is that we do not know where the Chinese submarines have developed." Akiyama Matsuyuki said seriously, "Our submarines were bought directly from the French. Although the Russian submarines were built in Germany, they were also designed by the French. Although it is currently recognized that France has the strongest submarine technology, who knows what the Chinese trump card is? At least we also know that if a submarine launches a sneak attack on a warship berth in the harbor at night, it may achieve amazing results. We can arrange an anti-submarine net at the entrance of the harbor, but in the enemy's harbor or near the sea?"

"What Akiyama said is very reasonable. Commander, Chief of Staff, in the 18898, the Army underestimated the technological progress of the Chinese and suffered a great loss." Kenji Nakasa Inide said, "This time, the fate of the empire is suspended in one battle, so you must not be careless!"

Shimamura Soo was silent for a while and finally nodded: "It seems that we must be cautious. This time, we insisted on the strategy of advancing south, and the army still insisted on their advance north. If we suffer heavy losses here, we may have to go north to support the army's operations and become vassals of the army again... In the 18898, the Navy maintained the security of the empire's local security, and the little bit of autonomy it won would be shattered."

Everyone's eyes turned to Hirahachiro Togo at the same time.

Hirahachiro Togo sat on a chair, his eyes closed slightly, his face calm, and he didn't know what he was thinking. After a while, he suddenly said softly: "Akiyama-kun, if the Chinese have a submarine force that is as powerful as us... or even several times stronger, how do you think our army should deal with it?"

Akiyama Masato looked solemn and said slowly: "In the following view, in addition to conventional formations, shooting, formation changes, contact, night patrol and other drills, anti-submarine maneuvering exercises must be added. All ships of our joint fleet must be proficient in the z-shaped maneuvering method. In addition, the observation of submarines and artillery tactics, pursuit tactics, and anti-submarine patrols by destroyers and light patrols must be strengthened. The anti-submarine networks, anti-submarine mines, and submarine destruction patrols of each port also need to be further strengthened. In addition, Hiraga, the shipbuilding technicians, once proposed a transformation plan, preparing to transform a batch of submarine destruction special boats of about 100 tons. I urge you to support it and report to the Navy Ministry. It is necessary to complete the transformation as soon as possible!"

Togo Heihachiro just listened silently, but did not make any statement.

"In addition, I plead with the Commander-in-Chief to reconsider the plan for the empire's southward advance."

As soon as Akiyama Masaki said this, the audience was shocked.

Shimamura Soo shouted sternly: "Akiyama! Do you know what you are talking about? The southward plan is the fundamental plan of the Imperial Navy, and it was also formulated by you myself! Now you have to oppose this plan. Have you figured out your position?"

Akiyama Matsuyuki bowed to Shimamura Suoichi and said sincerely: "Your Excellency Chief of Staff, I am not going to deny the plan to advance south. But at present, many of the issues in the original plan may need to be carefully considered."

"The United Fleet is the patron saint of the empire." Akiyama Masao's eyes flashed with light. "If the United Fleet is defeated again due to the wrong judgment of the enemy situation, the empire will probably be doomed!"
Chapter completed!