The war of 1916 almost drained the blood of the German people.
In Germany this year, the agricultural harvest was very poor. Even after conquering Romania, Germany still did not have enough food to eat. Because of the poor agricultural harvest, there was a food crisis in Germany. The winter of 1916 to 1917 in Germany was known as
Kale Winter is the reason why Germans have to rely on kale, an ugly and unpalatable vegetable that is usually looked down upon.
At Christmas time, the chief physician of a major hospital in Berlin reported that throughout the winter, approximately 80,000 children died of hunger, and that was just in that one hospital.
The situation of Britain and France is much better. Britain and France have vast colonies, which gives them almost unlimited human resources compared with the Germans. Coupled with the support of the Americans, Britain and France can still maintain their overall status.
Stablize.
The United States did not participate in the war at this time. As a neutral country, Americans provided support not only to Britain and France, but also to Germany.
But the Germans couldn't afford it, they had no money, and what little war reserves they had had been consumed in 1916.
So it seems that the disadvantages of the Germans are becoming more and more obvious.
If the maritime support from Britain and France is not cut off, the Germans will be defeated sooner or later. In fact, even if it is cut off, the Germans will be defeated sooner or later, but for now, no one is willing to admit this.
Against such a gloomy background, the Germans held a meeting on submarine warfare in January 1917. The meeting was of a very high level. Kaiser Wilhelm II and Hindenburg Ludendorff both attended the meeting. At the same time,
Also present were Chief of the Naval General Staff Henning von Holchendorff, and the last person present was Prime Minister Betmann Hollweg.
We need to lift the restrictions on submarine warfare. Only in this way can we cut off the British's maritime supply lines and force the British to give up the war. Because the meeting was hosted by the Navy, Holchendorf was the first to speak, and he was always energetic.
Chief of the Navy Holchendorf was a supporter of submarine warfare. He was passionate about submarine warfare and insisted that only the use of unrestricted submarine warfare could bring the British to submission.
I don't think so. If the restrictions on submarine warfare are lifted, we may be able to reduce the British advantage in some aspects and bring us to the same level in some aspects. But then we will also face the Americans.
Under pressure, Germany now cannot afford the consequences of Americans joining the war. Bateman is opposed to it.
Although Beitmann partially agreed with Holchendorff's views, he was more worried about the intervention of the Americans. Because of this, most military generals opposed Beitmann, whether in the navy or the army.
As a civil servant, Bateman had his own considerations. Once unrestricted submarine warfare began, it would be regardless of nationality. In 1914, the Germans did this, but they met with strong opposition from the Americans. After that, the Germans forced
Due to pressure from the Americans, the submarine war was suspended in September 1915.
Americans will not join the war. They only want to do business and make money. Businessmen control this country. And the American army. I don’t think they have the ability to change the situation. Imagine what the American army is famous for.
They have no record at all. They are not even as good as the recently famous Chinese. As for the American navy, whether they participate in the war or not, we are at a disadvantage. So we must carry out submarine warfare, submarine warfare without any restrictions. Holqin
Dov insisted.
Didn't the Chinese join the war? William II couldn't figure out the situation.
Your Majesty, war has been declared. Just three days ago. Bateman looked heavy. The Chinese population put a lot of pressure on him: before that, they had already sent troops to France, although it was in the name of the Foreign Legion.
But he did participate in the war.
Is that so? Wilhelm II was very angry.
The impression left by the Chinese on William II was not good. William II himself was a stubborn racist who discriminated against all people of color, including Chinese.
It's like this, His Majesty Ludendorff has just returned to Berlin from the Western Front. He is now the German commander on the Western Front and has the best say on this: the Chinese army was led by a general named Qin Zhiyuan, and they participated in the war.
He has strong fighting power and a very flexible fighting style. Your Majesty may have an impression of Qin Zhiyuan, and he is the angel promoted by the Holy See some time ago.
Oh, I remembered him. He adopted several Germans living in France. William II did have an impression of Qin Zhiyuan. The humanity he showed in the war is more worthy of respect.
The number is now more than a thousand, and it is continuing to increase. Ludendorff said it painfully, the larger the number, the worse the living environment of Germans living in France.
If possible, Ludendorff would like this number to be 0.
Well, William II lowered his head and showed no expression. No one knew what he was thinking.
Please come back to the topic. If we start unrestricted submarine warfare, we will force the British to surrender within six months. This is the fastest way to end the war. Holchendorf made a promise.
It's too bad that two years ago the Admiralty's promise was six weeks, and now it's six months, and during that time your military spending has tripled and the number of submarines has doubled.
Why it took so long was beyond Betelman's mind.
In early 1915, the admirals demanded that restrictions on submarine warfare be lifted, and they were convinced that Britain would be subdued within six weeks. Two years had passed, and the size of the submarine force had expanded a lot, but its combat effectiveness seemed to be declining.
Terman was puzzled.
Compared with the British Navy two years ago, the current British Navy is also more powerful. And if the Americans are allowed to transport supplies unscrupulously, the gap will become wider and wider. Holchendorf is also full of complaints.
A new line of defense was being built on the Western Front, which required more supplies and more support. Ludendorff also had complaints.
After Ludendorff took office, he changed the way of fighting on the Western Front. He wanted to build a strong defense line to resist the planned counterattack by the British and French coalition forces. At the armament conference in Paris, Nivelle thought he had a plan and proposed a plan.
A combat plan was prepared to launch a counterattack in April.
This battle plan is now in Ludendorff's drawer.
The Eastern Front is not optimistic either. Although Russia seems to be showing signs of collapse, beware of their desperate measures. Hindenburg is also asking for support.
Okay, now, give me an answer, if unrestricted submarine warfare is launched, how likely is it that the Americans will join the war? Wilhelm II decided to cut the knot quickly.
As an officer, I can promise you, Your Majesty, that no American will land in France. Holchendorff swears by that.
Very good, then go ahead and do it. Wilhelm II has had enough.
Unrestricted submarine warfare was the trigger for Americans to join the war. To be continued.
