Gloomy clouds shrouded the sky over Hamburg, Germany. Hundreds of workers stood on the dock. They were all silently watching a behemoth not far from the port, the battlecruiser Mackensen!
With a displacement of more than 30,000 tons, this huge warship surpasses most battleships. Moreover, this warship also has an impressive speed of 28 knots, which is far ahead of the warships of this era. In 1917, this huge warship was
Blomfors Shipyard officially launched.
At that time, all the workers who participated in the construction cheered enthusiastically, as if they were watching the birth of their own children, and they were full of pride. But for these people, this was just a little joke before the tragedy.
Soon the Germans were defeated, and the huge High Seas Fleet became a prisoner of the British, and then scuttled in Scapa Flow. The Mackensen, which had never completed outfitting, was lucky enough to survive, but with the Treaty of Versailles, it
With the signing, Germany was disarmed, the navy disappeared, and the warship also faced the fate of being dismantled.
There are still three warships of the same class, and the demolition work has begun one after another. All the German workers are full of tears. They have to use the hands that have built warships to dismantle these warships, just like forcing a mother to pinch them.
The pain of dying a newborn child is simply indescribable.
At this time, a sudden turning point occurred. The Chinese decided to purchase the Mackensen and transport it back to China for dismantling. The price given was US$2.2 million, which was 20% higher than the domestic dismantling price, and the British also acquiesced.
The government of the Weimar Republic urgently needed to import a large amount of grain from China, so it would not object to this cooperation. This business was a hit.
Today is the day when the Chinese took away the Mackensen. Four tugboats pulled the Mackensen and slowly sailed away from the Port of Hamburg. The huge warship gradually sailed towards the North Sea. At this moment, the German workers on the shore
Tears burst out. They didn't know what fate they would have. Waiting for this warship, they only felt the pain as if they were tearing out their hearts and lungs.
Among these German workers, there was also a young German officer. He was also looking at the retreating figure of the Mackensen. A contemptuous smile appeared on his face: "Only a ghost can believe that the Chinese will use such a powerful warship.
To dismantle it and turn it into scrap metal, the British are simply stupid. They will definitely pay a bloody price for this!"
This young man is Randall. He once led a group of German military officers to go to China secretly. Just a month ago, he had just secretly returned to Germany. This trip was really fruitful for Randall.
It’s so rich. First of all, we got a clear picture of Fengjun’s industrial level and finalized the cooperation plan between the two parties.
They also obtained the most advanced set of military concepts from China. What fascinates the Germans the most is the application of tanks. Concentrating armor power, with the cooperation of the air force, to carry out rapid charges can produce unparalleled powerful assault capabilities.
.
In the recent war, although tanks were also used, due to their poor performance and because they were only used as infantry support weapons, the tanks did not play their due value.
However, in the competition between China and Russia in the Far East, Fengjun concentrated on using armored forces, which impressed the Germans. They vaguely felt that they had grasped the key to winning the future war.
China, which can explore new tactics, is definitely an opponent that cannot be underestimated. Although China's industrial level is still relatively backward, the Chinese are using their ingenuity to quickly catch up with the world's trends. However, there are many people in the world who are still
Unaware of this trend, I continued to dream.
Based on Randall's understanding of the Chinese, he never believed that the Mackensen would become a pile of scrap metal. The Chinese would definitely rebirth the warship and become a powerful maritime weapon. By then, the British
I'm afraid there is no way to be arrogant. A powerful China will make this empire on which the sun never sets suffer.
China has begun to explore the road to the ocean, just like Germany back then. A fire is burning in Randall's heart. The Germans will not be willing to fail. They will also launch a sprint towards the ocean.
The Mackensen left Germany at a speed of five knots, slowly crossed the English Channel, and headed south. Along the way, it encountered many merchant ships and warships. All of them pointed at this big ship and couldn't help but
uttered an exclamation.
What a huge battleship, what a mighty sea castle, it is simply a miracle in the history of industry. The only problem is that all the main guns are missing, but this is enough to make people sigh sincerely.
Chen Jiliang, who was responsible for escorting the ship, didn't care what others thought, nor did he care about the main guns. He also understood some domestic ideas. This huge warship would be converted into China's first large-scale aircraft carrier and become the core force of the future navy.
The only thing Chen Jiliang cares about is how to transport this warship back to China. He must ensure the absolute safety of the warship. This giant ship, which carries the dreams of hundreds of millions of people on the sea, must not make any mistakes.
The Mackensen slowly but surely headed south, bypassed the Cape of Good Hope, entered the Indian Ocean, then passed through the Strait of Malacca and sailed into the South China Sea.
The journey was uneventful and there were no problems. However, Chen Jiliang knew that the real test was about to come. The most difficult part of the entire route back to China was finally here. He did not rush back north to Northeast China, but arrived in Hong Kong.
Take a break.
After more than two months of sailing, all ships need to adjust their status, and so do the crew members. They need to restore their physical strength and energy. While the crew members were relaxing in the dance hall and bar, Chen Jiliang secretly went to a hotel. The person in charge here
The person was an agent of the Fengtian Military Intelligence Bureau. In fact, from the day the Mackensen left Hamburg, Fengjun intelligence personnel had been secretly monitoring it.
In order to ensure that this giant ship returns home smoothly, Fengtian has made great efforts to conduct a detailed assessment of all potential risks, and have corresponding plans for possible troubles.
The intelligence officer smiled and said to Chen Jiliang: "Captain Chen, please introduce yourself. I am Ge Yuexuan, the head of the Hong Kong Station of the Military Intelligence Bureau. I have another piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which one do you want to hear?"
Chen Jiliang glared at him: "What time has it been? I still have time to tease Mengzi. If you have anything to say, please tell me quickly!"
Ge Yue
, even without artillery, the Japanese are not willing to let this warship fall into our hands."
When Chen Jiliang heard the news, he was very calm. He had repeatedly thought about it many times along the way. The only ones that could prevent the Mackensen from returning to China were the United Kingdom and Japan. From all aspects, the Japanese had the greatest chance of taking action.
, Chen Jiliang said with a smile: "As expected, the island countries are so determined to maintain maritime hegemony. There is nothing surprising. What I want to know most is whether there is any way to deal with it. Will they just watch it?"
Ge Yuexuan said with a smile: "Of course there are ways to deal with it. In fact, two submarines have arrived in the Taiwan Strait. These are the submarines with the strongest endurance in the Fengjun army. They will provide protection underwater. In addition, we have arranged for Guangzhou
Some aircraft were deployed to provide air cover to ensure that ships could safely pass through the Taiwan Strait. However, the next section of the route, from the East China Sea to the Yellow Sea, was all under the surveillance of the Japanese. If their combined fleet was determined to deal with it,
The Mackensen will be in serious trouble."
Chen Jiliang frowned, gritted his teeth, and said firmly: "No matter what, I have to try. I believe that the Mackensen will return home smoothly, no matter how much it costs!"
"Captain Chen, it's great to have this confidence. After you leave Hong Kong, there will be some friends aboard the Mackensen. When necessary, they will play a very important role."
After a brief meeting, Chen Jiliang became more worried about the future. They deliberately took a leisurely rest for more than twenty days before setting off again. The tugboat pulled the giant ship and sailed on the rippling blue sea. Soon they entered
the waters of the Taiwan Strait.
Not long after driving, I saw two smoke pillars, heading here quickly. The two sides were getting closer and closer. It was the Japanese warships that came, a destroyer and a patrol ship. They saw Mackensen.
After seeing the huge body, there was also a moment of horror.
They didn't expect that the Chinese would get back such a huge thing, but when they discovered that the Mackensen had no main guns and no power, they became extremely arrogant and followed the warship closely, like
It's like a ghost, unwilling to leave at all.
Moreover, the Japanese sailors on the deck kept taunting, cursing, and showing an extremely arrogant attitude. After seeing this, the Fengjun crew members were all extremely angry, with fire shooting out of their eyes.
Chen Jiliang said calmly: "Don't think too much, just pretend they don't exist, keep everything as usual, drive north, and they continue to go north." Japanese warships kept appearing in sight, and they were obviously organized into groups, every two
A group of ships has been following the Mackensen. Although Chen Jiliang is calm on the surface, he is constantly beating the drum in his heart. The Japanese are keeping a 24-hour surveillance. They may take action when, and they don't know if they can.
You can't get through this level smoothly.
After this trepidation, they crossed the East China Sea and entered the Yellow River. After arriving in the Yellow Sea, there were obviously more and more Japanese surveillance ships, and warships such as cruisers also appeared.
Not only did they follow the Mackensen, but they also ran in front of the warship from time to time to provoke. The Japanese Navy even hung up a flag and conducted a shooting drill.
Facing various actions of the Japanese, Chen Jiliang seemed indifferent and continued to sail silently. However, when they were still more than a hundred nautical miles away from Weihaiwei, several huge black smoke pillars suddenly appeared in the distance.
What is supposed to come will eventually come! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile phone users please go to m. to read.)
