The Germans came, and they didn't plan to leave after they came, under the cover of the ex-dreadnoughts, well, yes, you read that right, the ex-dreadnoughts, after successfully plowing all the places in the Gulf of Riga that could be called batteries, the main forces of the German High Seas Fleet went to the vicinity of the Gulf of Finland, blocked the Russian fleet to death, and established a temporary supply point on the island of Gotland. The fire support of the Gulf of Riga was entrusted to the few remaining former dreadnoughts, although the largest guns on these ships were of the 11-inch L40 class. But don't forget. Even the long-barreled 150 guns, which can only be used as secondary guns on battleships, are army-level artillery, and this is still the German Army, if it is the Russian Army, I am afraid that all the Russian Army does not have many long-barreled 6-inch land guns. Therefore, even if the former dreadnought fights the other party, it is definitely a casual rhythm, provided that it is within reach.

"I've been pitted!" When Scheer saw the telegram from the General Staff, he angrily threw it aside! "These goose-plucking guys! These shameless guys! "It turned out that after the German army's elite troops landed in the Gulf of Riga, they began to develop in depth under the cover of naval guns, but soon, they found that once they got out of 15KM, the naval guns were almost useless and out of reach. And because it has already invaded the hinterland of Tsarist Russia, the resistance is even more fierce! The quality and equipment of the Russian army are not good, but the personnel are enough! The waves of people overwhelmed the German army, which had landed a small number of people, and could not continue to advance. Heavy artillery and even fortress guns were transported to the front by rail. For the first time, the Russian Army had an advantage in firepower!

However, it is clear that the German Army does not have enough stocks to supply a large number of heavy artillery to the tens of thousands of elites fighting in the Gulf of Riga while supporting operations on both the eastern and western fronts. None of the German army divisions have 6-inch canons. Where to go now, to find them heavy artillery that can suppress the opponent's artillery? And it's hard to transport! As a result, when everyone was worried. Ludendorff patted his thigh and said, "It's easy!" Aren't there ready-made ones on the former dreadnoughts of the Navy? Those light cruisers and battleships had a large vote of 150 guns, 105 guns and 88 anti-mine guns. Some are even ear cannons! This thing can be dismantled and put on the shelling and can be used! What's more, there are ready-made gunners and shells! The British had marines in the Boer War that year. Why can't we Germans do this? And it's a completely no-brainer deal! The price is nothing more than an approval!

As a result, the sad High Seas Fleet had to send the Army home. And then give them fire cover, and they will be demolished by the army! Although Schell was reluctant to do so, he still couldn't stop his brothers from happily unloading a gun from the battleship. Mounted on the army's artillery mounts to participate in battles. But don't say it, with the support of the navy, the efficiency is indeed much higher, and with the support of reinforcements from afar, the German troops who landed in the Gulf of Riga began to advance slowly.

It's only half a month. The German army in Riga completely occupied the surrounding area and established relevant logistics support facilities, so that the idea of the Russians driving Germany to the sea was completely in the past. The Russians, who knew that they could no longer do anything, began to distance themselves. Build fortifications to defend against the next German attack. Although the fighting in the Riga direction has temporarily quieted down. But the frontal battlefield was completely turned upside down. The main forces of the German Eastern Front began to launch a centripetal assault in the direction of St. Petersburg, and the Austro-Hungarian Army and the Turkish Army went on the offensive in the direction of Ukraine. Ukraine is the breadbasket of Russia, as long as Ukraine is taken away. In the absence of foreign aid. Russians have a problem with eating, so what else is there to talk about fighting?

Of course, maybe China may sell grain to the Russians, but with the tragic capacity of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the huge population of the Russians, even selling grain is almost a drop in the bucket! The Allied Powers were almost ruthless, and after receiving a constant supply from China by sea, the Allied Army, which had been trapped in a shortage of supplies, had no worries! The war to end Russia once and for all began! This time. The Allies destroyed not only the Russian army, but everything that supported the regime! The population, the ruling structure, the supply of goods, everything, everything will be wiped out under the attack of the Allied troops!

The Russian government is really scared. The previous strategy of delaying through large populations and vast lands does not seem to be able to defeat the enemy in front of them. Because the current situation of the war has changed. It is no longer the era in which the war can be perpetuated by population and food. He needs a complete industrial system to support him. It is necessary to continuously convert various resources into weapons and various tools to sustain it. Russian industry is hardly worth mentioning compared with Germany, and a considerable part of this unworthy industry is still occupied or about to be occupied, and Russia's combat power is close to the limit. And the foundations that support this battle are about to collapse! The Russians are fighting back with their best efforts, but in the eyes of the discerning person, this is just a flashback!

Faced with the threat of collapse, Nicholas II began to mobilize all the forces he could muster to block the opponent's attack. The age of enlistment was once again expanded, and many gray-bearded elderly people and underage children were also drawn into the ranks. The troops that were drawn as far as possible began to assemble to the front. Kolchak's marines, who had originally belonged to the Navy, would also be transferred from the shipyards near St. Petersburg, where they would serve as the backbone of the defense against the Russian offensive on the Riga side. And the navy under Essen's command was also preparing for the battle at the end of the day.

"In Tallinn. We cannot set the battlefield in St. Petersburg, which is our capital. It is also the cradle of the Russian Navy. Essen said with a long sigh. Essen was right, St. Petersburg was definitely the largest naval shipbuilding base in Russia at that time, and a series of well-known warship production enterprises such as the Baltic Shipyard and the Admiral Shipyard were all located near St. Petersburg. It has the best port facilities in Russia, a comprehensive shipbuilding industry, and the place where the Russian naval dream begins!

"Your Excellency, do you think we can win? Although the Germans were not necessarily able to occupy St. Petersburg. Kolchak paused and continued: "But their naval guns are enough to reduce everything under the banner of St. Andrew to ashes. Originally, Kolcha wanted to say that St. Petersburg could not be defended, but after thinking about it, he finally changed his tune.

"Do you think I'm trying to keep the shipyard?" Essen's already gloomy face suddenly showed a trace of hideousness and ruthlessness! "I'm going to buy time for the complete destruction of the shipyard facilities! They're too big! It's so sturdy! So much so that when it was built, the possible situation of facing the enemy was already taken into account. I need time and supplies! ”

"General, are you crazy?" Kolchak said dumbfounded. As he spoke, Kolchak took a few steps back, and almost pulled out his gun, as an admiral. Well, it's the general of the Marine Corps, he just can't stand it. Even if this sentence was uttered by the boss he had always admired!

"Originally, I was going to let you carry out this most difficult mission. But alas, you're going to war. Essen didn't even look at Kolchak next to him with a panicked face. Instead, he walked to the map and said, "See, the Germans have 4 Caesar-class battleships are also here." The number of their capital ships here has reached 14, and the total number of various auxiliary warships is more than 100! The total tonnage is more than 500,000 tons! Tell me, how long will my fleet hold out, even with the cover of minefields and shore artillery? The opponent's strength is at least 3 times more than ours! I have experienced the offensive and defensive battles of Batavia, and the Chinese navy dared to attack the port of Batavia when the strength was almost similar, although the Germans may have been worse, but with the support of such a huge superior force, it was only a matter of time before the defense line was breached. What is even more terrifying is that we do not have enough world and materials to operate in this direction. And this line of defense, in addition to the sea, is also to defend against attacks from land! ”

God knows whether the German Navy will replicate its operations in the Gulf of Riga, landing directly on the outskirts of Tallinn and then flanking the Russian Navy's rearmost defensive line! Essen knew very well that the German Navy was not a matter of ability but of attitude to break through this line of defense, and if it did not want to fight, it naturally could not break it. If they want to fight, all they can do is stall for time. And it's not easy to procrastinate. Now under the cover of naval guns, the Germans have begun to pull out the outer batteries and minefields in the sea. Even submarines snuck in and began attacking Russian ships in the Gulf of Finland. What the? You ask what the destroyers and submarines of the Russians are doing?

Although outside the port of Danzig, the Russian fleet was in great prowess and directly sank a large number of old warships of the German Navy. But old dogs also have a few teeth. Fearless before a vote, but also collapsed the Russians before they died! Naturally, the main battleships were fine, but in the smoke, the Germans were able to beat the Russian auxiliary warships badly, and after the First World War, the Russian destroyer fleet, which was already small, was disabled. And the submarine also suffered heavy losses in a series of attrition. Well, there were not many submarines for the Russians.

Essen tried his best to improve the defense around Tallinn, but later found that no matter how hard the Russian Navy tried, the speed of deployment was not as fast as that of the German Navy! Supposedly, after gradually weakening the defenses near Tallinn, the German High Seas Fleet should launch a general attack, and now all the capital ships of the Russian Navy together cannot defeat four Bismarck-class battleships. But the Germans seemed to be waiting for something. The main fleet did not launch a general offensive, but continued to confront. "What the hell are the Germans doing? Destroy us, and they will be the true Baltic kings! Essen couldn't figure it out.

Not only did Essen not understand, but so did Scher! Why don't the high-level people let themselves do it? Is it obvious that the fight is just a matter of a few days, and it is over with direct pushing. What a hassle. But after receiving a telegram, Scher was happy, this was the happiest thing he had done this year, not even when the 4 Bismarck-class battleships were in service!

Thank you for the monthly ticket support of the constellations soaring in the universe~~~. (To be continued......)