Although the trend of aircraft carriers becoming the dominant force in naval warfare is now irreversible, at this stage, aircraft carriers cannot entirely replace battleships. On many specific battlefields, the role of the battleship remains indispensable.
Moreover, among the admirals of the German Navy, there are still many staunch believers in the power of the dreadnought. Abolishing the battleship class entirely would be, quite evidently, unrealistic. After all, in the hearts of many, battleships still symbolize strength and might.
With these formidable vessels in the fleet, the German Navy would only grow in power.
"The four 'New Iron Duke-class' battleships from the British will be renamed the 'Nassau-class' battleships; the four 'New George V-class' battleships will be renamed the 'Helgoland-class'; the four 'Lion-class' battleships will be renamed the 'Kaiser-class' battleships! The three 'Renown-class' battlecruisers will become the 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers; the three 'Glorious-class' battlecruisers will be renamed the 'Moltke-class'; and the four 'Hood-class' battlecruisers will be renamed the 'Brandenburg-class' battlecruisers!" QinTian continued.
QinTian immediately re-designated the twelve battleships and ten battlecruisers seized from Britain, assigning them the names of German warships, including even those of the first-class pre-dreadnoughts built by the German Navy.
Far from weakening the German Navy due to the retirement of numerous capital ships, the acquisition of these British vessels actually enhanced its strength.
"In addition to these capital ships, the Imperial Navy will continue to build aircraft carriers over the next decade. The current carriers still lack sufficient numbers of aircraft, and their performance leaves much to be desired. They can only carry medium-sized torpedoes, and their bombers lack the necessary dive angles to strike targets accurately. Once our carrier aircraft are capable of launching heavy torpedoes and executing steep dive bombings, only then will our naval air forces truly possess formidable combat capabilities. Beyond the six aircraft carriers we currently have, the Empire will construct three classes of twelve more carriers in the next decade. Once these are completed and deployed, the Imperial Navy's power will undoubtedly reign supreme across the globe!" QinTian proclaimed. He had always believed that battleships were merely a transitional phase for the German Navy. Even though they had been key to defeating the once-dominant Royal Navy, they could never overshadow QinTian's unwavering focus on aircraft carriers. He was convinced that, in the next great naval battle, aircraft carriers would be the true protagonists.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Marshal Tirpitz and the other naval commanders responded with enthusiasm.
In ten years, the Imperial Navy would possess a formidable fleet of 22 battleships, 16 battlecruisers, and 18 aircraft carriers. They believed that such a force would establish German naval supremacy across the seas.
"Until now, the Empire's primary fleet has been the High Seas Fleet, which can be said to be synonymous with the Imperial Navy itself. However, as the Empire's sphere of influence expands across the globe, it is no longer feasible to concentrate all capital ships in the High Seas Fleet. The Empire must deploy multiple powerful fleets worldwide to safeguard our global interests!" QinTian declared.
Admiral Reinhard Scheer, commander of the High Seas Fleet, appeared somewhat uneasy. Dividing the Imperial Navy's capital ships into multiple fleets would undoubtedly diminish his influence. However, Scheer understood that this was an inevitable development for the German Navy and that anyone opposing it would be crushed without mercy.
Fortunately, Scheer was assured that he would succeed Tirpitz as Navy Minister, as this succession had already been firmly decided. Marshal Tirpitz, at the age of sixty-six, had reached the point of retirement, while Scheer, at fifty-two, was in the prime of his career.
"Your Majesty, how many fleets should the Imperial Navy be divided into?" Marshal Tirpitz asked.
"First, the fleet stationed at the homeland and in the Eastern Atlantic region will be tasked with securing the Empire's shores. Another fleet will patrol the Atlantic to counter any American and British forces fleeing to Canada, ensuring the safety of the Empire's Atlantic shipping routes. The Mediterranean, as a crucial artery between East and West, will require a fleet to maintain control, especially given the deteriorating relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Indian Ocean will soon become the Empire's most vital overseas colony, and with our colonies in Africa and Australia, we must deploy a fleet there to secure our interests. Finally, in the Pacific, where our relations with the island nations have soured, and with the vast interests the Empire holds in the central and southwest Pacific, a powerful fleet must be positioned to counter the islanders and potentially threaten the American West Coast." QinTian laid out his vision clearly.
The naval officers exchanged concerned glances. Dispersing the Imperial Navy's capital ships into five separate fleets seemed an impractical choice, spreading the force too thin. Yet, they understood that each fleet would dominate its designated waters. At least, for now, they would reign supreme in their areas. If war were to break out, the Navy could quickly concentrate its forces, maintaining overwhelming strength.
"The Homeland Fleet will consist of four 'Kaiser-class' battleships and four 'Brandenburg-class' battlecruisers. The Atlantic Fleet will comprise five 'Bavaria-class' battleships and three 'Mackensen-class' battlecruisers. The Pacific Fleet will be composed of five 'King-class' battleships and three 'Derfflinger-class' battlecruisers. The Mediterranean Fleet will consist of four 'Helgoland-class' battleships and three 'Moltke-class' battlecruisers. The Indian Ocean Fleet will have four 'Nassau-class' battleships and three 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers. As for the aircraft carriers, arrangements will be made later! Each fleet will be responsible for its respective region, but in times of crisis, the Navy Ministry will coordinate deployments accordingly." QinTian outlined the plan for the five great fleets.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the naval commanders replied eagerly, their eyes alight with excitement. After all, with so many new fleets, the opportunities for commanding officers and fleet staff would be bountiful!