The news that Romania purchased the German Kolburg-class cruiser is not big news to the world. The daily arms race between the Allies and the Entente is news. Only the Balkan countries paid a little attention to it. After all, they are Balkan countries and the warships cannot go ashore.
Just pay attention.
In the Romanian Navy Ministry, Minister Rear Admiral Lomodan and Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nestacu are discussing the list of personnel to receive. Since signing the ship purchase contract with Germany, Minister Lomodan has been thinking about bringing the warship back.
, now he asked Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nestaku about the list of recipients. "How are you preparing for this warship reception, Nestaku?"
"I have almost selected the personnel, but the captain has not yet decided who to choose." Rear Admiral Nestaku, who had just returned to the Admiralty, answered his question.
"Don't you have the right people?"
Faced with Major General Romodan's question, Nestaku replied. "It's not impossible. Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael of the artillery formation and Major Tiscorcu of the Elizabeth are the most suitable candidates I have thought of.
.”
Rear Admiral Lomodan had been a fleet commander before, so of course he knew these two officers. They are also the most suitable candidates in the Romanian Navy now, but both of them have their own shortcomings. Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael has a good
His artillery skills are also good in navigation and ship coordination. But this person is quite outspoken and expresses his opinions on things he doesn't like.
Major Tiscorcu was on the other hand. He could faithfully perform the tasks given by his superiors, but his naval skills were weaker than Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael. For this reason, Major General Romodan had a hard time choosing.
"It's not easy to choose between these two candidates."
After hearing the words of his old superior, Major General Romodan, Nestaku also knew the problem. One had excellent skills, but was a bit unruly, and the other was obedient, but had little ability. It would be nice if the advantages of these two people were balanced, in my heart
Nestaku thought.
In order to ensure the combat capability of Romania's largest warship, the two decided after some thought to first let Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael serve as the leading officer to receive the warship. If he said something that should not be said while in Germany
, and went in lieu of Major Tiscorcu. After making this decision, Major General Lomodan sent a telegram asking Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael to report to the Admiralty.
At the Constanta Naval Base, after receiving the telegram, Midrafael asked his friend Bilke. "Bilke, what does the minister want to do with me at this time?"
After hearing Midrafael's question, Bierke asked, "Have you said anything nonsense in front of someone recently?"
"Not at all. I usually turn to you for my opinions. Besides, I'm not stupid. How could I say something wrong about my superiors in front of others." Midrafael refuted his friend's speculation.
"Then it should be the leading officer who received the warship." Bierke expressed his guess.
Midrafael also knew that the recipients had been decided this time, but the leading officer had not yet been decided. Everyone in the Navy was speculating this time. He and Major Tiscorcu were the most suitable candidates among the few.
possible.
Although Midrafael believes that it is not appropriate to purchase a light cruiser, who doesn’t want the battleship under his command to have strong combat power. And if he can serve as the captain of the largest Romanian battleship, he will be a fleet commander and even the Minister of the Navy in the future.
It became very possible. Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael would inevitably breathe heavily when he thought of this. After a little discussion with his friends, he planned to meet Minister Lomodan in his best condition.
Midrafael took the train to the capital early the next morning, and in the afternoon he was already standing in the office of Rear Admiral Lomodan, the Minister of the Navy.
"I have met His Excellency the Minister."
Romodan looked at Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael standing upright in front of his desk. He was wearing a neat navy lieutenant colonel uniform, his leather shoes were polished, and his hair was meticulously combed. He looked heroic. Not bad, this is Romodan.
Dan's inner thoughts.
"Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael..."
After Midrafael heard the minister's speech, he stood more standard. Major General Lomodan looked at the actions of the lieutenant colonel in front of him and felt that he was not that difficult to discipline. After nodding with satisfaction, he continued. "
The Admiralty feels that you are the most suitable candidate to receive a new cruiser this time. Do you have anything to say about this?"
After Midrafael heard this wonderful news, he knew that his final test was coming. After thinking all the way, he had prepared an answer. After sorting out his thoughts a little, he said.
"The Kolburg class received this time is Germany's latest light cruiser. Its equipment is more than ten years more advanced than our current warships. It requires organizational personnel to seriously study the technology on board. Moreover, it is also larger than our largest cruiser Elizabeth.
It is three times larger, and the speed is also 7.5 knots higher. Therefore, the navigation is also different from the past, which also requires us to focus on training. In addition, in terms of firepower, the eight 150 mm 45-caliber naval guns it is equipped with are also our
The focus of training is also a type that we have not been exposed to before. In general, the reception of the German Kolburg-class light cruiser this time is an important test for the Romanian Navy, which is dominated by British warships. I
I feel deeply responsible for the heavy responsibility, but I am also confident that this warship can exert its maximum combat effectiveness."
After listening to Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael's wonderful performance, Major General Lomodan felt that he had found the right person this time. It could be seen that Lieutenant Colonel Midrafel's ability made him very satisfied.
"I am very satisfied with your answer, Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael. I hope you can do exactly what you said. The Romanian Navy needs to use this battleship to its maximum power."
After hearing what Major General Romodan said, Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael knew that he was the officer selected to lead the team to receive the warship, which meant that as long as nothing unexpected happened, the captain's position would definitely be his. Faced with this,
With such good news, Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael suppressed the joy in his heart and told Major General Romodan. "Thank you to the Navy for trusting me. I will take my words as a requirement and keep pushing myself."
Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael laughed loudly after walking out of the Admiralty. He couldn't wait to share the news with his friends. When he returned to Constanta, he told Bilke the good news, and his friends were also happy for him.
.
"Midrafael, when are you leaving?"
"We have to go there before the keel is laid at the end of September." Midrafael explained.
After hearing Midrafael's words, Bierke was a little surprised and said, "Isn't it only half a month?"
"Yes."
On September 25, 1910, Lieutenant Colonel Midrafael led the warship reception crew of 187 people on a train bound for Germany, where they would prepare for the newly built Romanian warship "Count Dazira" cruiser.
Also going together is Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Nestaku, who will lay the first keel for warship construction.
