King William II's solemn demeanor reflected the gravity of the situation as he grappled with the profound impact of the British Navy's "Dreadnought" battleship launch on the German Navy.
In the midst of a heated discussion with key military and naval figures, including Marshal Earl Tirpitz and Prince Heinrich, William II sought insights into the implications of the British battleship's outfitting. The launch of the "Dreadnought" had not only surprised but deeply unsettled the German leadership.
Marshal Earl Tirpitz acknowledged the formidable advancements in the British battleship's design, particularly its focus on full-heavy artillery. Prince Heinrich compared the British design with Prince Oscar's rejected proposal, creating an atmosphere of regret within the German Naval Technical Committee. Count von Warren, the committee's chairman, found himself in a difficult position, bearing the weight of the committee's prior decision to reject Qin Tian's plan.
The revelation that the British intended to use the "Dreadnought" as a model for future naval capital ships intensified the frustration and dissatisfaction among German leaders. The implications were dire: Germany's significant investment in constructing battleships, including those still in progress, suddenly rendered them obsolete.
William II expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that the battleships had become outdated overnight, questioning the value of Germany's substantial investment. The dreams of maritime supremacy were now perceived as a joke, and the anger and unwillingness of William II were palpable.
Count von Warren, facing the brunt of responsibility, admitted the mistake of the Naval Technical Committee. Despite their expertise, their failure to anticipate the future development direction of naval battleships led to a severe lapse in judgment.
Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow redirected the focus to rectifying the mistake rather than assigning blame. William II was urged to consider the impact on naval development, emphasizing the need to address the widened gap between the Imperial Navy and the British Navy.
While the gaze of the assembly remained fixed on Count von Warren, the chairman acknowledged the committee's failure and expressed regret. He proposed adopting Prince Oscar's design as the next-level capital ship for the German Navy, emphasizing its superior foresight. Count von Warren advocated leveraging this design to bridge the gap with the British Navy and restore Germany's competitive standing.
The naval experts, particularly Prince Heinrich, supported this suggestion, highlighting the potential for catching up and even surpassing the British Navy's advancements. The consensus among the German leadership was to prioritize solutions over assigning blame, recognizing the urgency of addressing the setback and formulating a strategic response to secure Germany's naval future.