cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 10, 2021 19:07:24 GMT -6
This is an AAR using the base game, told as a series of letters between Herr Schiffmann, the incoming Admiral of the Kaiserliche Marine (a devilishly creative name, I know.) and Herr Weissmann, the outgoing Admiral. (yet another great name. perhaps i should become some sort of professional person-namer?) It will begin in 1900. Research rate is 75%, aircraft development is slowed, and harsher peace terms will be in force. And so, here begins the thread. MASTERLIST OF GERMAN SHIPPING: Here
GERMAN GOV'T MARINE EXPENDITURES: Here
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 10, 2021 19:12:57 GMT -6
Re. Advice for incoming Admiral Schiffmann From the Desk of Former Admiral Weissmann
This nineteenth has been a century of great changes for the state of naval warfare. At its opening, steam was confined to land, ships were small, made of wood, and mounting guns on glorified wagons; as it closes, we have seen the rise of steamer frigates, ironclads, and now the battleship in its mature form. The industrial might and naval power of our nation would scarcely be imaginable to an admiral at the dawn of the former century. You, Herr Schiffmann shall lead our burgeoning empire into a new century, and your actions shall shape its future. An empire can only be defeated on land. Its naval policy can destroy it. I feel, in the tradition of the admiral under which I served, Herr von Rose, that I should give you some advice before you go on to take my place. Firstly, you must understand that you do not have nearly as much free reign as you would hope. The Kaiser, or one of his secretaries, will decide your budgets, authorize any naval plans, and tell you who to fight. The Naval League will lobby him, and against these hundreds of former naval officers and shipbuilders, you cannot hope to make your voice heard. Secondly, keep yourself appraised of the changes in naval technology. I will confess some wrong-headed thoughts about the linearity of technological progress, when, as we have seen from the last century, it is quite exponential. Had I not listened to my better half, who has contented herself with reading my back catalog of Jane's in my absences from home, I would not have begun our forays into turret ships, and then mature battleships. We are a second class power now, yes, but without her, we would have been utterly irrelevant, sailing barbette ironclads to this day. Thirdly, do not neglect the home front. The peasants may be below us, unable to comprehend the machinations of twentieth-century geopolitics, but even a right-headed government under the command of the Kaiser can be swayed by public perception and yellow journalism. Nationalism will be one of your greatest challenges. Our people were long divided, and now, I half hope, half fear that they will be swayed by the recent memory of German unification to expand relentlessly, even against the great powers of our European continent. The Balkans have long been a sore spot for our affairs. Exert what influence you can to pacify them, or, I fear, you may be tasked with fighting the world's navies alone. Do not neglect your own home front, either. The sea is cold comfort, and one wishes always when kept away by war for the peacetime and the security of their wife beside them in bed. Raise your children, instruct them in the ways of the world that, hopefully, they may replace you one day. I had hoped that Karl would, before the fire. They are simple precepts, and I am an old man, hands worn from my days afloat. I will not write any longer, but I hope for your correspondence. Even in my retirement, I must confess that the bridge of my barc suits me less than the bridge of the Sachsen, or the desk you sit at now. Allow an old man to live vicariously through the younger one, would you? Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Schiffmann.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 10, 2021 19:14:35 GMT -6
Re. Your Advice From the desk of Admiral Schiffmann For Former Admiral Weissmann, co. Frau Weissmann
Your letter has been most helpful in my earliest days in the new office. I cannot help but remark on the current state of our navy. We are in some respects ahead of, and in others behind the other navies of the continent. Our most likely rivals, the Russians and the French both lack the numbers of our battleships, though the four of the Zahringen class are of questionable quality, owing to their short range and limited gun armament. Our armored cruisers are equal in number only to the Italians, and we are forced to rely on the British for heavy fighting ships. Our cruiser numbers are equally laughable. Torpedoboat-destroyers do present something of a bright spot, though there are questions as to the reliability of their engines. It appears that squeezing 25 knots out of such small engines has led to some corners being cut. Our foriegn policy has resulted in something of a detente with the British, and we have negotiated for 13 inch guns from the French, which ought to aid our development of the 12 inch guns that seem to be the standard on the continent, even if they are laughably outdated. Still, with the current rate of dockyard expansion, and the new guns, one wonders if an all-German battleship to rival current designs becomes possible. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Weissmann. Give my regards to Frau Weissmann and the youths.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 10, 2021 19:15:36 GMT -6
Re. All-German Battleships From the Desk of Former Admiral Weissmann To Admiral Schiffmann
You have asked what I think of the all-German Battleship, and I have seen the naval architect's documents. I would urge caution. A battleship that does not require British support is a great proposal, but the 13-inch rifles could cripple it. I have seen firing demonstrations of the French guns, and must tell you that these proposed Hessen-class ships could be lions without teeth. However, trust between giants is a fragile thing, and a battleship with antiquated rifles is better then the best British-made ship if the British are at war with us. This is the best advice I can give you on the subject. My wife, Frau Weissmann asks that you do not clutter her studio with letters regarding official affairs, but has sent you the attached miniature of the Sachsen. Perhaps you will find some use for it as a paperweight? Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Schiffmann.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 14:40:41 GMT -6
Re. Hessen-class Battleships From the Desk of Admiral Schiffmann To Former Admiral Weissmann
Concerning your advice, I must confess that I have ignored it. Our reliance on foriegn shipbuilding must be reduced. I have the same fears as you regarding the guns, and can only hope that the ships do not turn out, as you have said, to be "lions without teeth." Their shells are massive, even if they are inaccurate, and may provide a competitive edge in terms of penetration. The Hessen-class mark an important step forward, even if they are not the ideal ship. They are the first ocean-going battleships that have been built by our country. If you cannot take pride in the quantitative data regarding the guns, take pride in the momentus occassion for our industry. On another note, perhaps you would like to take a tour of the Hessens? I am certain that with your naval connections, you could arrange one. Auf Weidersehen, Herr Weissmann. Perhaps I can take a tour of your barc as repayment?
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 14:50:44 GMT -6
Re. Foreign Policy and Decisionmaking in Office From the desk of Former Admiral Weissmann For Admiral Schiffmann
Every day now, the press is reporting on rising tensions with the Russians. I would caution against allowing this to escalate into full scale war. While your influence on foreign policy is rather limited, it appears that the Kaiser waits on promises of naval superiority before declaring war. Do not give assurances until you are sure of your own victory. Doubly sure, in fact. We need cruiser superiority to beat the Russians, and our cruiser force is lacking. As such, if I may lower myself to the state of an armchair naval architect, I would suggest the following cruiser design parameters, so as to defeat the Russian Pamyat Azovas.
PUTATIVE CRUISER PARAMETERS: "ANTI-AZOVA"
Ought to make at least 24 knots at flank ahead Ought to mount at least 3 of our 11-inch guns Ought to have at least 5.5 inches of armor on the belt and turrets Strong secondary battery for defeating destroyer attacks Tertiary guns may be deleted in favor of large mid-caliber secondary battery Torpedoes for defeating crippled enemy CAs without wasting main battery ammunition stores
Whether this is achievable with current technology is another question, but, Herr Schiffmann, this is what you will need to turn the tides. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Schiffmann. Send my regards to Krupp and his men.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 14:53:37 GMT -6
Re. Exciting News From Krupp and Company From the Desk of Admiral Schiffmann For Former Admiral Weissmann
Herr Weissmann, I write to inform you that our men down at Krupp have created a new 12 inch gun. Strangely, this comes shortly after a vacation of one of their middle managers to the coast of the Black Sea. Of course, while this does allow us to finally create battleships on the level of foriegn powers, it will make the Hessen-class ships obsolete. Of course, this means that our nearly 97 million marks invested into the new ships are for nothing. This is unfortunate, but I have chosen to see it as a stepping stone to success. At the very least, our men at the shipbuilders have learned how to build ships of their size. Concerning your advice on foreign policy, I have written the Kaiser about my concerns as we creep closer to war with the Russians. Your proposed cruisers may yet be feasible, though perhaps only in quite large ships. I fear that the war may be inevitable, and that our loss may be equally so, though I do not wish to sound defeatist. In any fleet battle, we can take the Russians, at least in terms of numbers. If our men on the torpedo-boat destroyers can get their shots in early, we can add to this advantage. Our torpedos are rather lacklustre, however. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Weissmann. Si vis pacem, pare bellum, as they said in the days of Rome. Post Scriptum: As I was about to mail this letter, the preliminary plans from the shipbuilders arrived. Some sacrifices had to be made. The ship will only make 22 knots, though it will make these via an extremely well-behaved engine. Perhaps it does not outspeed the Pamyat Azovas, but their engine will wear, and their stokers will tire before ours. A fine enough hull form to make 24 knots is simply impossible on such a large ship. I had hoped to mount a battery of 16 6 inch guns, though we have had to cut this down to a somewhat respectable battery of 12 5 inchers. The ships will also be extremely expensive, almost as much as the Hessen-class ships. However, one can see the trend in armored cruiser development stretches towards something between the cruisers we know, and a battleship. One wonders how a ship with battleship guns and cruiser armor would survive on the modern seas. Now is not the time for such experiments.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 14:55:49 GMT -6
Link to preliminary plans Here
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 14:57:34 GMT -6
Re. War, Cruisers, and Blockades From the Desk of Former Admiral Weissmann For Admiral Schiffmann
Herr Schiffmann, allow me to congratulate you on your recent victory at sea against the Russians. Though the cruiser engagement was rather abortive, it has shown the superiority of German fleet power against the Slavic foe once again. Your execution of the blockade has been something of a tactical masterstroke, and I can already tell that the war will be decidedly in our favor. However, do keep in mind that the blockade is only possible given that our battle-line is much larger. The same tactics will not work against the Britons, nor the French. You have spoken as to the numerical superiority, and, as seems to be my role in these things, I must urge caution. While we do, in fact outnumber the Russian fleet at sea, this is with nearly half the battlefleet being of outdated coast-defense battleships. I would suggest a modernization program if the economics of our post-war society allow it. Your observations on the state of armored cruiser design seem accurate. It has been said by some more radical naval theorists that a ship which can outfight what it can't outrun and outrun what it can't outfight would be the most dangerous on the seas, but the hull-form required for such a ship is simply physically impossible. I would urge you to concentrate on building the best ships you can now, rather than charging headlong into the future, only to find out that it is not as bright as you'd hope. Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Schiffmann. Get your head out of the clouds.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 18:16:29 GMT -6
Re. Putative Modernization Program From the Desk of Admiral Schiffmann Memo For All Admirals of the Kaiserliche Marine
Given the current state of the war with Russia, and the ever-improving state of naval technology, a post-war modernization program will be in the works. Thus, it falls to us to determine the state of the naval doctrine of the Kaiserliche Marine. I do not wish to act on this alone, and thus put it to you to answer the pressing questions.
Firstly, what is to be done with the Zahringen-class battleships?
Secondly, what is to be done about our cruiser force? The Anti-Azova proposal seems to have struck promising ground, but may be too expensive to approve.
Thirdly, should a new class of battleship be developed? The modern 12-inch guns have yet to see service, and with our dockyards now capable of producing ships of up to 17,000 tons standard displacement, and the advent of technology that would allow a mixed-caliber main battery could produce a new type of super-battleship.
I wait with bated breath for your written proposals.
Auf Wiedersehen, alles.
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 11, 2021 18:19:50 GMT -6
Update to update: Having finished the war and gotten through 1905, economic data was not collected
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cvl
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Post by cvl on Nov 13, 2021 14:30:46 GMT -6
Attn. Readers:
The Kaiserliche Marine needs the input of the German people!
Two proposals by German designers have come forth, and a popular fundraising campaign has only given us enough funding for one of them.
The proposed ships are of two classes:
The Vineta-class Armored Cruiser: Armed with 4 12 inch and 8 10-inch guns, these ships are essentially a battleship and two advanced armored cruisers glued to the same hull. They will also be as fast as and better armored than the proposal for the Anti-Azova which caused such a great stir. Enemy cruisers will stand no chance against these ships. They will be the largest ships ever sailed down the Kiel Canal by 5700 tons.
The Wittlesbach-class battleship: Packing 4 14 inch naval rifles and ordered from the finest British shipyards, already well known for their production of the Wettin-class ships, the Wittlesbach-class ships are sure to be the pride of the fleet for years to come. Displacing 17400 tons, these beasts outclass our largest ships by 1100 tons and have armor to match. What they lack in speed, they make up for in sheer hitting power.
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Post by flessar on Nov 13, 2021 15:02:03 GMT -6
I would vote for the Wittlesbach, keep the friendly purchases up while avoiding war until a position of strength has been found.
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