Instruction No. 7 of 1919 of the German High Command:

In view of the intricacies of the relations between the belligerents in the South American War, this directive is hereby promulgated as a guideline for the conduct of the three armed forces. 1. The Empire has declared war on 6 April against Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, and Uruguay, and the Empire may attack the targets of these five countries within the limits prescribed by international law; 2. The Empire has not yet declared war on the United States, and the United States has not declared war on our country, so the Empire should not take the initiative to attack American targets, especially non-military targets, but can issue a warning to the other side and expel them from the war zone. 3. If the U.S. target is mixed with the above-mentioned five-nation target, it should be cautious in taking offensive actions and make every effort to avoid direct damage to the U.S. target.

20 May 1919, Portuguese Azores.

With the consent of the port authorities, a large fleet of German-flagged ships slowly sailed into Angra de Marísmo on the island of Trassai. What is striking is not only the seven huge 10,000-ton ocean-going freighters in the fleet, but also the three slender German escort ships. Those who are familiar with the German Navy can easily identify their models, one is a Guardian-class escort cruiser with a displacement of 7600 tons, the two smaller ones are obviously lower-class destroyers, and the one in front is the classic type of German destroyers - the standard-class destroyer with a displacement of 1080 tons, and it is also the first class destroyer with the largest number of active ships in the German Navy, a total of 42 were built from 1911 to 1916, which belong to the Thunderbolt destroyer, That is, with four 533 mm torpedo tubes on the ship as the main weapon, supplemented by three 105 mm rapid-fire guns, it played an indelible role in the German-British naval war, and was mainly used for anti-submarine after technical modification, and was one of the ship types that the German Navy was ready to replace in the next five years; The latter one, which is more simple and sleek in shape and equipped with twin naval guns, is the latest class destroyer of the German Navy, the Bayonet class. The ship has a displacement of 2,100 tons, nearly 1 times larger than the standard class, due to the use of new oil-fired boilers, the speed and endurance have also been greatly improved, equipped with 6 120 mm naval guns, 2 torpedo tubes, a DD sonar system and two sets of depth charge launchers, it is said that the single ship combat capability is far stronger than any destroyer in the world at present.

Judging from the direction from which the fleet was coming, they came from Europe, and most likely from Germany itself. As for where they went, when the war in South America was raging, no one thought that they would send ships full of supplies to Africa, and since this is a ground and sea relay station between Europe, the United States, and Africa, it is not difficult for people to guess where they are going.

In May, the Azores are enjoying the warm sea breeze, which is facing Gibraltar, the gateway to the Mediterranean, and has a typical Mediterranean climate, with a hot and dry summer before entering May. The temperature here has quietly climbed into the mid-20s. Although it was not unbearable heat, it also made the sailors on the ship look forward to soaking in the cool water for a while.

Immediately after docking at the dock, the 10 ships in the fleet announced that outsiders were not allowed to board the ships. Sailors with loaded guns were stationed at the ramps of each ship, and the crew who procured fresh vegetables, meat, and fresh water were also accompanied by sailors.

On the bridge of the fleet's only Bayonet-class destroyer, an officer in a blue-and-black uniform stared into the harbor.

"Major Andrey, do you have anything on your mind?"

Another officer, also dressed in the ground, stepped out of it, lit himself a cigarette as he went, and politely handed the silver cigarette case to the pensive fellow.

"Oh, Captain. Thank you! ”

The man, known as Major Andrey, hesitated slightly, but took a cigarette from his case, and then took out his lighter and lit it himself. Although they are in the same attire, they have one more star on their shoulders than they do on their shoulders.

"You're welcome, you're not homesick, are you?"

Despite his ranks, the young captain did not have the slightest hint of domineering, and he leaned peacefully against the railing next to Major Andrew, his dark blue eyes roaming back and forth over the busy docks.

"No, of course not! It's not the first voyage! "In terms of age. The lieutenant colonel was in his early 30s at most, and the captain next to him was in his 40s.

"But after all, you are a newlywed Yan'er, maybe the war is too inopportune!"

The major looked very determined, "As long as the country is recruited, even if you miss the wedding, it's not a big deal!" ”

"It's good to think like this, soldiers should put their mission first!" The captain took two puffs of his cigarette sullenly, "Then are you worried about our trip this time?" Rest assured, the Chilean Navy is in control, our task force is also swimming in South American waters, and there will be no Brazilian or Argentine ships to attack us! ”

"Captain, let's be honest, we're about to enter the heart of the Atlantic Realm, and it's really hard to say what lies ahead! It's nothing to run into a Brazilian or Argentine warship, it's a big deal to fight them! But in case we run into the American fleet......" At this point, Major Andrey did not continue, but smoked the same sullen cigarette.

"I've also thought about this damn question, although the command has just issued Order No. 7, there is still a lot of room for us to make decisions on the fly! For example, if a U.S. ** ship escorts an Argentine merchant ship, or the situation is the other way around, we have to make a trade-off, it's a big deal to go our own way, and no one will mess with anyone! ”

"What if it's a submarine of unknown nationality?" Major André asked suddenly.

"This ......," the captain was silent for a moment, "it's better not to run into this situation, otherwise it's really troublesome!" ”

The Major half-comforted himself: "I hope it's just my mind!" It seems that I haven't heard how many submarines there are in Brazil and Argentina! ”

At this time, the captain happened to see several sailors in the ship repairing the set of depth charge droppers on the port side near the stern, so he shouted loudly: "Boys, give me a careful inspection, maybe you will be able to use it soon!" ”

After saying this, even the captain himself felt that this was not a good omen.

After six hours of replenishing fresh food and overhauling the ship, the fleet, codenamed G512, set sail again.

Puerto Pelosta, Brazil.

"Reliable intelligence of the Americans? Hum! Before the outbreak of the war, the Americans had sworn that the Germans would not enter the war, because their intelligence showed that the Germans showed no signs of preparing for war. But what happens in the end? On the first day of the war, the German ground fleet threw shells on our heads and brought in damned Japan and Britain! "In a slightly gloomy room, a fierce-looking man in a white military uniform was in a very violent mood, and the poor man standing in front of him was afraid to make a sound.

"Reliable Intelligence...... Reliable intelligence ...... By the way, what does the intelligence of the Americans say? ”

The man who came to report the situation was a well-mannered man with glasses who was somewhere between a young man and a middle-aged man, and he hurriedly replied: "Report to the general, the Americans said that there is a large fleet of ships loaded with important military supplies that just replenished fresh water and food in the Azores yesterday. It is expected to travel along the Gibraltar to Rio de Janeiro route to South America and then switch to Chile, and if nothing else, they should be more than 100 nautical miles away next Friday or Saturday! ”

"No surprises...... More than 100 nautical miles......" the fierce-looking Brazilian general scratched the back of his head, "which means that everything is still uncertain!" ”

The man with glasses said with a worried expression: "I'm afraid so! ”

A large thick hand slammed on the table, and the poor table almost fell apart in a tremble.

"Shit! And what else to say about reliable intelligence, what a idiot the Americans are! ”

The man with glasses didn't dare to speak.

After a while, the Brazilian general's morale finally subsided a little, "What do the Americans want us to do?" ”

"Report to the general, the Americans mean. It was for us to send submarines to attack that German fleet. It is very cost-effective to exchange a torpedo for a 10,000-ton ship......"

"Submarines? Damn it, the Americans are really beating the idea of our two precious submarines again! When I bought submarines with them, I didn't see them so active! ”

The general got up indignantly and walked to the window. When I opened the window, the warm sunlight made the room much brighter. Through this window, you can see the beautiful harbor, and not far away, next to a small nondescript pier, two black submarines are quietly moored there. The general was thinking that if the Brazilian Navy could have more of these weapons, and if the submarines sold to Brazil by the Americans performed better, I am afraid that the Chilean Navy would not be as arrogant as it is now. Although the two "Holland DV" submarines were equipped with three torpedo tubes and two cannons, they were designed by John Holland in 1897, and although the submarine itself was not more than ten years old, it could not keep up with the times in terms of performance. The US Navy's current best "diver"-class submarines are already on par with German submarines. However, this submarine was classified as "absolutely forbidden for export" by the U.S. government, so until the outbreak of the South American War, the Brazilian Navy could only use this old submarine to contend with a powerful enemy.

After thinking for a long time, the general turned around and said, "Tell the Americans that the Chilean Navy is blocking our military port, and it is almost impossible for our surface ships to leave the port!" Even if we send all two submarines, it will be difficult for them alone to spot the enemy's traces in the open sea! However, if they can send ships to pick up targets for us. We can consider using these two broken submarines to give the Germans a little color! ”

"Understood, General!"

June 2, 1919, in the southwestern Atlantic.

"Ahead...... Distance...... Brazil Coast ...... 150 nautical miles...... Fleet...... Veer...... West-South...... 10 degrees ......"

After the flag was issued from the flagship "Haosen", seven 10,000-ton ships full of cargo and three escort ships collectively turned 20 degrees to the left and embarked on a new course. Already very close to the South American war zone, the "Hausen" quickly lowered its seaplane, and after circling over the fleet for a few times, the Heinkel quadruplane flew towards the front of the fleet.

At the same time, more than 20 nautical miles southwest of the fleet, two ships flying the Stars and Stripes were swimming in the sea with bad intentions, and behind them, two submarines towed by cables looked listless, most of the sailors in white uniforms were lazily basking in the sun on the front and rear decks of the submarines, and the two 50-millimeter American-made guns were also tightly covered with tarpaulins.

If neither fleet detects the other, then such a morning will be harmonious and stable.

At 10:19 a.m., a telegram was sent from a reconnaissance plane revealing two cruisers and two submarines flying the American flag on the right front of the flotilla, and the identity of the submarines was unknown. Just two minutes later, an American-made biplane appeared over the German G512 fleet, and the officers and sailors of the entire fleet immediately became vigilant.

Major Andrey walked out of the command room, stood on the bridge and observed the white plane with his binoculars, at first it was still a little far away, he could only vaguely distinguish that it was a two-wing seaplane, similar in appearance to the Exocet DV, when the other party got closer, he found that the plane was very different from the German seaplane, and the pentagram under the wing could not be more obvious.

"Sure enough, I still ran into it!"

André muttered to himself, but he didn't have time to dwell on these things, and the flagship "Hausen" quickly signaled that the freighter would maintain its current speed and course, the escort ships would move at full speed, the "Fleicher" would advance forward, the "Herman" would sweep the tail forward, and the cruiser "Hausen" would sit on the right side of the fleet.

The "Fleicher" is Andrey's bayonet-class destroyer, the captain of the ship, Lieutenant Commander Walter Eyler, who participated in the raid on Pascaflo, and previously served as the captain of an old destroyer for five years, is an extremely experienced mid-level naval officer.

Soon, the officers and men on board the ship were in place, and the "Fleicher" quickly accelerated to a speed of 29 knots, and then went forward to three or four nautical miles in front of the fleet, and turned on the sonar system to begin an antisubmarine alert in the nearby sea areas.

After that, the commander of the fleet, Colonel Friedrich Vik, captain of the cruiser "Hausen", ordered the radio silence to be broken and sent a telegram to the German Special Command in San Diego, asking if there were Chilean or German ships swimming in Brazilian waters.

Shortly after the unidentified seaplane left, a telegram from Santiago arrived, informing the fleet that there was currently a Chilean fleet in Brazilian waters, and a German fleet, with the Chilean fleet blockading the southern Brazilian military port of Pelotas and the German fleet roaming near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to this information, Colonel Friedrich knew that there was no fleet of his own within 50 nautical miles, in which case his escort would have to face the two unidentified submarines alone, as well as two ill-intentioned American cruisers.