On the evening of September 5, 1914, at the naval base in Wilhelmshaven, Emperor Wilhelm II, Crown Prince QinTian, Admiral von Tirpitz, the Minister of the Navy, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral von Paul gathered to welcome the victorious return of the Imperial Navy's battlecruiser fleet.
In a resounding triumph during the Battle of the Central Atlantic, the Imperial Navy dealt a severe blow to the British fleet, sinking seven battleships and three battlecruisers while heavily damaging another battleship and battlecruiser. This remarkable achievement brought immense joy to the German Navy and plunged Wilhelm II into a state of ecstatic elation. For years, he had ardently supported the development of the Navy, nurturing the hope that such a day would arrive.
Wilhelm II had set the ambitious goal of surpassing the British Navy, a seemingly unattainable aspiration at one time. Yet now, this once-distant objective appeared tantalizingly within reach.
At 8 PM, the entire naval port was illuminated as if it were daylight under the glow of large searchlights. Battleship after battleship sailed into the harbor, their hulls marred by scars from battle and singed by flames. For those who had not personally experienced the ferocity of this naval engagement, these visible marks of conflict conveyed the true hardships endured during the battle.
Yet, in the end, it was the Imperial Navy that emerged victorious.
Admiral Reinhard Scheer, Vice Admiral Hipper, and Vice Admiral Spee descended the gangway to stand before Wilhelm II.
"Your Majesty, we have fulfilled our mission and defeated the British Navy," Admiral Scheer announced.
"Excellent! Very good! I am proud to have such generals and courageous sailors serving our Navy!" A radiant smile adorned Wilhelm II's face.
"The British have been the world's hegemonic power for centuries, treating the German Empire with disdain and disregarding our rightful demands. But now, we have given them a resounding lesson, making it clear that the German Empire is not to be trifled with. Any provocation against us will come at a steep price. I expect you all to lead our Navy to even greater victories in the future!" Wilhelm II declared to Admiral Scheer and his colleagues.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" they replied in unison.
Subsequently, Wilhelm II delivered a stirring speech to the returning naval personnel, instilling in them a renewed confidence for the future conflicts that lay ahead.
For the officers and crew of the Imperial Navy, this victory undeniably bolstered their confidence regarding future warfare.
Few, including Wilhelm II, could have anticipated such a smooth course for the conflict. Though the German Navy had rapidly advanced in capability before the outbreak of war, boasting a formidable fleet of modern battleships, these vessels had yet to undergo the crucible of real combat. Consequently, concerns lingered.
However, it soon became apparent that the performance of the German fleet could effectively dominate that of the British Navy, alleviating their worries. Moreover, admiration for QinTian, the chief designer of the German Navy's capital ships, swelled. Had it not been for his innovative designs and leadership in construction, such a glorious victory would have been nearly impossible for the German Navy.
What followed was a grand celebration. The Naval Ministry had prepared an abundance of food and various beverages at the dock. Except for the officers on duty, all were invited to partake in the festivities, significantly boosting morale within the ranks.
However, Wilhelm II and QinTian chose not to join in the celebrations. Instead, they remained in the conference room of the base, receiving reports from Admiral Scheer and coordinating plans for future military engagements.
Admirals Scheer, Hipper, and Spee each presented their combat reports. From their accounts, it was evident that although the German Navy had deployed fewer capital ships than the British, they had gained the upper hand from the very beginning of the battle, gradually transforming that advantage into an overwhelming superiority. This decisive edge allowed the German Navy to achieve a glorious victory at the cost of only one battlecruiser being heavily damaged.
"I never expected our ships to perform so powerfully. Oscar, you have done exceptionally well. If the Imperial Navy can defeat the British in this war, the credit will be yours!" proclaimed Wilhelm II.
Other high-ranking naval officers nodded in agreement. They voiced no dissent regarding Wilhelm II's assessment. Although QinTian had not fought on the front lines, his contributions were far more significant. Without the vessels he designed, it would have been a divine miracle for the German Navy to not be defeated, let alone achieve victory over the British.
Indeed, had the shipbuilding committee followed the conservative approach of merely trailing behind the British, they might have avoided pitfalls but would have lacked the opportunity for a transformative leap in capabilities. This outcome starkly highlighted the flaws in the British emphasis on firepower and speed while neglecting defense. The German Navy's commitment to prioritizing protection and survivability had proven correct, with QinTian's designs epitomizing this principle, enabling a swift and decisive victory.
"Father, esteemed Marshals and Generals, I merely fulfilled my duties. The Imperial Navy's triumph in this battle is vital for us. It determines our ability to break through the British blockade and continue the war. The British aim to use their formidable navy to seal our coastlines, sever our overseas trade, and slowly suffocate us. However, after this naval engagement, I believe their ambitions will be thwarted," QinTian remarked with a smile.
"The beleaguered British will find it impossible to maintain their blockade of the German Empire. We might be able to resume our overseas trade. Yet, the British will undoubtedly resort to attacking our merchant vessels. Therefore, I propose we refrain from reinitiating trade until the Imperial Navy has decisively defeated the British. After all, our pre-war stockpiles are sufficient for our needs for quite some time," suggested Admiral von Tirpitz.
Both Wilhelm II and QinTian nodded in agreement.