On the serene surface of the Mediterranean Sea, the sharp bow of the British warship USS Hood sliced through the waves, creating white foam that parted on either side and slowly dissolved into the water. On the bridge of the flagship of the British southbound blockade fleet, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of tension and routine.
"Captain, to block Germany without even a heavy cruiser in sight, why have we deployed such a formidable fleet? Two battleships accompanied by three cruisers—it's quite an assembly," the first officer remarked, his tone tinged with boredom as he stood beside the captain, who was peering through his telescope.
"Do you really think we're out here just to intimidate a couple of German fishing boats?" the captain replied, lowering his telescope with a smug smile. "We have three primary objectives. First, to block the sea routes in the Middle East and completely sever Germany's access to petroleum resources there; second, to show force to the local Arab populations, ensuring they relinquish any oil shares held by Germany; and third, to demonstrate our strength to the Italian navy, making them think twice about cozying up to Germany."
Despite the apparent confidence projected by the British government and its navy, there was an underlying unease about the effectiveness of this maritime blockade. Germany had, through various means, woven a complex web of interests in the region, involving both Turkey and Italy. Even without a significant German naval presence in the Mediterranean, the British felt compelled to deploy a substantial force.
The Italian government's stance of neutrality had yet to be convincingly declared, and the capabilities of the Italian navy were not to be underestimated. In 1934, the Italian fleet boasted two older battleships from the Cavour class—Cavour and Giulio Cesare—and two from the Duilio class—Caio Duilio and Andrea Doria. While these battleships were somewhat outdated, Italy's cruiser force was formidable, including the world-renowned Zara-class heavy cruisers: Zara, Fiume, Gorizia, and Pola. Additionally, Italy had two Trento-class and two Bolzano-class heavy cruisers, along with 10 light cruisers and 60 submarines—a fleet potent enough to give the Royal Navy a significant headache.
The British fleet, upon entering the Mediterranean, was immediately under scrutiny by the Italian navy. To avert a potential clash, the British hoped that diplomatic efforts had reached Mussolini, offering him a substantial share in German oil—10% directly, with further indirect benefits—hoping to keep the Italian fleet at bay.
"Signal the King George V to maintain speed and course. We should intercept the German shipping route within the hour," the captain ordered after laying out the strategic context to his first officer.
The response from King George V was prompt: "Two British destroyers have joined and are monitoring the nearby German shipping lanes."
"Our navy should teach the Germans a lesson they won't forget! But remember, we're not just any navy; we're the Royal Navy, and it's time the world remembered who rules the waves," declared the fleet commander, his voice imbued with a sense of historic pride. "Prepare all 5.5-inch guns and notify the fleet to advance at full speed. Any German ship encountered must be boarded for inspection, and if they resist, we are cleared to open fire."
The Hood, a battlecruiser launched in 1916, was among the most powerful warships of its time. Weighing over 48,000 tons, it boasted eight 15-inch guns mounted in four twin turrets, capable of striking targets up to 33 kilometers away. Its 12-inch thick armor could withstand most artillery attacks. Having served as a symbol of British naval supremacy since its commissioning, the Hood had traveled the world, demonstrating the might of the Royal Navy and capturing the imaginations of both allies and adversaries.
"Maintain course! Increase speed immediately!" shouted the first officer, as the ship bristled into action. "All personnel, return to your stations! We're at combat readiness level two!"
A reconnaissance plane soon sent a telegram reporting the sighting of two German D-class transport ships along their scheduled route. "Direct the destroyers to intercept and board those ships for inspection. If they encounter resistance, they are authorized to engage. Also, keep an eye on the northern Italian coastline—enter air defense alert if Italian aircraft are spotted. Prepare all anti-aircraft guns," the fleet commander ordered.
The crew tensed, readying the ship for potential conflict. Suddenly, an explosion sounded in the distance, causing a stir in the command room. The captain and fleet commander grabbed their binoculars, scanning the horizon, while combat staff plotted positions on the chart. Another explosion followed shortly, indicating that the British had engaged.
"Hello? Communication room? Confirm which ship has engaged the enemy. I need accurate information immediately," a combat staff officer demanded over the intercom.
"Understood," he said after a brief pause, receiving the update. "Report! HMS Brave has engaged. The German transport ship attempted to flee and was fired upon. An Italian navy ship appeared on the horizon and engaged one of our vessels, but the other German ship managed to escape under Italian protection. They did not pursue further."
The quick Italian response was not entirely unexpected, but its swiftness suggested that the Italians had anticipated the British movements, likely due to improved intelligence capabilities since World War I. The fleet commander lowered his binoculars, his mind racing with the implications of this encounter.
The thunderous explosion that followed dwarfed the earlier sounds of gunfire. Without needing binoculars, a massive plume of smoke was visible, marking where a German oil transport ship had been hit. The severity of the explosion meant that there would be no need for lifeboats or further intervention; the ship was lost.
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Colonel Smith of the British Embassy met with Akado, a high-ranking German official. The atmosphere was tense, as the implications of the British naval actions in the Mediterranean were not lost on either party.
"Because Germany forcibly expelled the Allied Arms Control Commission, the international community has serious doubts about Germany's commitment to peace and disarmament," Smith explained, his tone both firm and diplomatic. "As a result, initiated by the French government, we've implemented economic sanctions against Germany."
Akado, clearly frustrated, responded, "I don't understand why things have escalated to this point, nor why our armament expansion has led so many to consider sanctions."
"People speak plainly when stakes are high," Smith replied smoothly. "We need Germany to stand with us against potential threats, not expand its territory and upset the balance in Europe."
"We are merely preparing to ensure peace in Europe," Akado countered, his expression a mix of resolve and exasperation. "Yet, it feels like a stab in the back."
"Remember, if Germany truly intends to focus eastwards, you can always purchase oil from the Americans. They'd prefer to sell their share locally rather than ship it back across the Atlantic," Smith suggested, a strategic smile playing on his lips.
"That's an excellent suggestion," Akado conceded, his tone shifting as he pondered the new information. "Now, can we discuss the recent actions of your ships in the Mediterranean? They've fired on our civilian transport ships, sinking them."
"Yes, we can discuss that," Smith agreed, nodding. "But before we do, remember that the British Empire only targeted what it considered pirate activity."
Note: Historically, the destroyer HMS Brave was stationed in the Far East, alerting Japan. Military enthusiasts should note this for accuracy.