Bab 50: The Path to Naval Supremacy
"Oscar, how many 'Invincible' battlecruisers will the British build?" William II suddenly asked, his voice cutting through the room's tension.
Oscar, ever poised, nodded and unfurled a map of British naval developments on the table. "Father, according to the intelligence we've gathered, the British plan to build three 'Invincible' battlecruisers. The first will be named 'Invincible,' the second 'Indomitable,' and the third, likewise, 'Indomitable.'" His tone was measured, yet there was a subtle pride in the precision of the information.
William II, his mind already working in overdrive, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Three battlecruisers? Then we must ensure that we don't lag behind. Our own battlecruiser fleet should be no fewer than theirs. We shall build three," he declared, waving his hand dramatically, the light from the chandelier casting a regal glow over his face.
Marshal Count Tirpitz's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Three ships? This is monumental! Four 'Nassau-class' battleships, five 'Helgoland-class' battleships, and now three battlecruisers—this will bring our fleet up to a total of twelve new capital ships. That's a fleet capable of rivaling the British in terms of sheer power and combat effectiveness. For the first time, the German navy will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Royal Navy!"
Oscar felt a surge of satisfaction as he listened to the praise. But beneath it, he understood the deeper significance. With three battlecruisers, the remaining capacity of the German shipyards would be stretched, yet the prospects were clear—this was the foundation for a new era of German naval power.
Still, there were practical concerns to address. "Your Majesty, three battlecruisers will be a financial strain. In addition to these capital ships, we still have to maintain a sizable force of smaller vessels," Marshal Count Tirpitz reminded, his voice tinged with caution.
William II dismissed the concern with a wave. "Funds will be arranged. The royal family will extend a loan to the navy, similar to Oscar's contributions. I will commit 100 million marks per year. Once the war is over, we'll recoup this with war dividends." His confidence was unwavering, backed by his belief in the necessity of the naval arms race. "Victory in war will ensure our continued success. As long as we win, there will be wealth to sustain us."
Oscar was already calculating the long-term implications. The royal family's support was invaluable, but William II's understanding of power was clear—without victory, nothing was assured. This was not merely about national pride; it was about survival. The stakes could not be higher.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Marshal Tirpitz said, his voice filled with conviction. "With this level of commitment, the German navy will grow stronger than ever. In the coming wars, we will not be outmatched!"
"Royal father, how should we name these new battlecruisers?" Oscar inquired, his voice neutral but with a hint of curiosity.
William II paused for a moment, reflecting on the significance of the decision. "I remember that the Navy wanted to name a large cruiser after Marshal Blücher, did they not?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Marshal Tirpitz confirmed with a nod, his approval apparent.
"Then it is settled. This class of battlecruisers will be named the 'Blücher-class.'" William II's decision was firm, his voice imbued with the weight of royal authority.
Neither Oscar nor Marshal Tirpitz objected. The choice made sense. It honored the legacy of Marshal Blücher, one of the empire's most respected military figures.
The names for the ships followed swiftly: the first would be 'Blücher,' the second 'Von der Tann,' and the third 'Leopold.'
Oscar smiled, pleased with the decision. "Father, these 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers can be constructed in my shipyard. We still have three large berths available, and this will ensure that the project progresses without delay."
William II turned his gaze to Marshal Tirpitz, seeking his opinion. The Marshal was quick to respond. "There's no issue with that. The 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers will be built in His Royal Highness's shipyard. After all, he has designed the ships, provided the navy with the necessary loans, and has become a cornerstone of our naval expansion. It only makes sense that his shipyard be entrusted with such a significant task."
Oscar's heart swelled with a mixture of pride and ambition. His contributions to the navy, both financial and intellectual, had secured his position as a key player in the empire's military future.
William II nodded, adding, "However, let's not rely solely on military contracts. Deutsche Shipyard must also focus on civilian projects. We cannot build our empire's wealth solely on warships. We need to strike a balance."
"Understood, Father," Oscar replied, his mind already turning to plans for the future. The warships would form the backbone of the German navy, but civilian contracts would provide the steady income necessary to maintain and expand the empire's shipbuilding capabilities.
The discussion continued long into the day, with every detail of the 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers being ironed out. Even dinner was served in the office, a reflection of the urgency of their work. It was a rare occasion when such high-level discussions continued without interruption, and it stirred whispers of speculation among the court.
Yet, not everyone was pleased. Crown Prince William, always sensitive to any perceived slight, was growing increasingly frustrated. The royal discussions were happening without his input, and he suspected they were focused on naval developments, particularly the construction of the 'Blücher-class' battlecruisers.
His temper flared. "This is outrageous!" Crown Prince William shouted in the privacy of his quarters. "I am the Crown Prince! Why are they conspiring without me?" His fists clenched in anger as he paced. He had been humiliated once before with the rejection of his own naval designs, and now it seemed the navy was once again bypassing him in favor of Oscar.
His bitterness grew as he recalled the earlier snub. The commissioning of the British battleship 'Dreadnought' had caught the German navy off guard, and his own designs had been laughed off by experts. Now, as the German navy prepared to rival the British with the 'Blücher-class,' Crown Prince William could not shake the feeling that he was being left behind.
"Oscar! Marshal Tirpitz! How dare they!" he raged, his voice filled with fury. "They're making decisions without even considering my position!"
His anger was not just a matter of pride—it was about perception, and in the court of William II, perception was everything. As Crown Prince, he was supposed to be the heir to the empire, the leader-in-waiting. Yet time and time again, he felt overshadowed by Oscar's growing influence.
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