Capítulo 46: The Secret Arms Race
Germany's shipyards, once a proud bastion of industrial might, were now engaged in a delicate balancing act. Among the seven largest shipyards in Germany, including Oscar's own Deutschland Shipyard, the situation had become even more complicated with the addition of another prominent yard. Despite this, the interests of every major shipyard could not be considered equally. Only those with the closest ties to the imperial government were in a position to secure the coveted contracts for the construction of the next generation of warships.
King William II, ever the pragmatist, nodded thoughtfully as he listened to the plans. The construction of five new battleships, though expensive, was well within reach. Thanks to the loan from Oscar and the royal family's financial support, as well as the navy's allocated military budget, the price was manageable. Furthermore, the long construction timelines spread the financial burden over several years, easing immediate concerns.
After extensive discussions between William II and Marshal Count Tirpitz, the decision was made. Of the five new capital ships to be built, the first ship would be constructed by the prestigious German shipyard, while the remaining four would be divided among the Naval Shipyard, the Royal Shipyard, Vulcan Shipyard, and Weser Shipyard. This approach ensured the rapid expansion of the fleet without overloading any single shipyard, all while maintaining a balance of power in the shipbuilding industry. It was a strategic move, ensuring that the workload was spread out and that resources would be effectively utilized.
Oscar had no objections to this plan. He was aware that the eight large docks at Germany's primary shipyards were already occupied with the four 'Nassau-class' battleships. Adding four more massive dreadnoughts would have overburdened the existing facilities. By allocating construction to several shipyards, the work could proceed without delay, and the remaining slipways could be used to build additional crucial naval vessels.
As for the naming of these new battleships, William II had chosen 'Helgoland'—a name that would go down in history as the symbol of Germany's growing naval power. The 'Helgoland-class' battleships would consist of five ships, one more than in any other timeline, further cementing Germany's ascendancy in naval warfare. The ships would be named 'Helgoland,' 'Ostfriesland,' 'Thuringia,' 'Oldenburg,' and 'East Prussia.' These names would carry weight not only in military terms but also as symbols of the German Empire's industrial might and its relentless pursuit of naval supremacy.
Oscar felt a sense of moral satisfaction as he watched the German Navy's future unfold before him. The combination of the four 'Nassau-class' battleships and the five 'Helgoland-class' battleships would bring the fleet in line with the British Royal Navy, especially when compared to the British 'Dreadnought' class. With the additional firepower and superior armor of the German ships, the tide of naval warfare was about to turn. The British Navy would find itself at a significant disadvantage, and when war broke out, the German fleet would strike with overwhelming force, catching their rivals off guard.
"Oscar, when can construction of the 'Helgoland-class' battleships begin?" William II inquired eagerly, his voice tinged with anticipation.
Oscar paused for a moment before answering. "Father, I'm afraid we'll need to wait until next year."
"Next year? Why the delay?" William II responded, a hint of frustration in his voice. He could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of the German Navy gaining such formidable ships.
Oscar explained with practiced calm, "Krupp is currently focused on the development of the 305mm 50-caliber main gun, and there isn't enough capacity to develop the 343mm main gun just yet. We can only start working on the larger caliber once the 305mm gun is perfected. This process requires substantial manpower and financial resources, and Krupp is already stretched thin. It's best to wait until next year to begin construction."
The need for large-caliber guns, particularly those with a high aspect ratio, had become clear. Oscar's goal was to ensure the German battleships were armed with the most powerful guns available, capable of piercing the toughest armor and delivering devastating blows to enemy fleets. But this ambitious goal came at a cost. Developing such weapons was expensive and time-consuming, and the added pressure on Krupp's resources could delay the process further. Yet Oscar knew that the pursuit of superior naval power was worth every sacrifice, as it would ultimately guarantee Germany's victory.
"The construction will begin next year, and it will take about two and a half years to complete and put the ships into service," Marshal Count Tirpitz assured, sensing the growing impatience in the room. "There's no problem with the timeline."
William II nodded thoughtfully. "Very well, we will begin construction next year."
Oscar's thoughts, however, turned to the secrecy surrounding these new ships. "Father, it is crucial that the details of the 'Helgoland-class' battleships remain a closely guarded secret. The British will go to great lengths to gather intelligence on our ships, and we must be prepared for their attempts to infiltrate our plans."
"Of course," Marshal Count Tirpitz responded, "but we must acknowledge that it's impossible to keep the details of these ships entirely secret. We can, however, delay the release of that information for as long as possible. Every extra day we gain is critical."
During this period of heightened tension between Britain and Germany, both nations had deployed extensive spy networks, their agents operating throughout Europe in a relentless hunt for military secrets. It was nearly impossible to prevent information from leaking, but Oscar was determined to limit the damage.
"Let our secret services handle it," William II said firmly. "We'll do everything we can to ensure the details of our new fleet remain hidden for as long as possible. The more time we have, the better prepared we will be when the British finally realize what we've done."
Oscar agreed, his thoughts focused on the larger picture. "The sooner we can launch our fleet, the better. The British will react strongly when they learn the true capabilities of our battleships. If we give them time to catch up, the strength comparison could shift in their favor, and that would be detrimental to our plans."
"I understand," William II said, his tone resolute. "We will do whatever it takes to keep our advantage. Let's ensure the British are kept in the dark for as long as possible."
Oscar's mind raced with possibilities, each decision a crucial step toward securing Germany's future. He had worked tirelessly to ensure the strength of the German Navy, knowing that the success or failure of the Empire depended on the power of its fleet. If the war went as planned, his wealth and position would be secured, and Germany would emerge victorious. But if they failed—if the British or the French managed to outpace them—everything would be lost. Oscar understood that nothing in war was ever certain. All he could do was push forward, ensuring that Germany's strength would be unmatched when the time for battle arrived.
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