I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 294

Chapter 294: The Submarine's End

"Emergency surfacing!" Colonel Höxch shouted, his voice trembling with fear. "Immediately!"

The Europeans, including the Germans, knew that once the outcome of the battle was irreversible, their only option was to save themselves and their soldiers.

Colonel Höxch was no different. He chose to surrender.

Unfortunately, the submarine could not raise a white flag in the water, and Colonel Höxch had no idea what was attacking the submarine.

If they could raise a white flag, the destroyers on the surface would immediately cease their attacks upon seeing it.

Had Colonel Höxch known that what was attacking him were depth charges, and understood their method of attack, he might have ordered the submarine to stop its engines or change its course. This way, the destroyers would have misjudged its position and dropped the bombs elsewhere.

But in war, there are no "what-ifs."

Under Colonel Höxch's orders, the U-21 submarine surged forward at full speed while surfacing, as this would allow the submarine to rise to the surface more quickly.

However, above them were three destroyers, lined up in formation and sailing at 9.5 knots, constantly dropping ten-meter-deep bombs from their stern as they moved.

(Note: The U-19 class submarine's maximum underwater speed is 9.5 knots.)

The outcome was predictable.

As Colonel Höxch ordered the signalman to destroy the telegraph cipher machine and confidential maps and documents in preparation for surrender...

"Boom! Boom!"

The hull of the submarine shook violently, and seawater rushed into the vessel amidst the sailors' screams and wails.

Colonel Höxch sighed inwardly—everything was over, and they hadn’t even had a chance to surrender!

...

The sun leaped up from the horizon, and in just a few minutes, the world shifted from a dull gray to a brilliant shine.

The battleship Gallant continued its bombardment of the enemy on V Beach, but aboard, nearly everyone, including Captain Meyer, had their eyes fixed on the three destroyers operating on the surface.

They were throwing what looked like "bombs" into the water. Soon, columns of water shot up into the air, and beneath them, the belly-up bodies of fish appeared on the surface.

"What are they doing?" The deputy captain asked with mockery. "Do they think they can hit the submarine like this? I’d say this method is great for fishing, though. We can have a feast tonight!"

Laughter rippled around them. Their thoughts mirrored those of the deputy captain—they thought this method was primitive. Bombs like those couldn’t possibly destroy a submarine.

But Captain Meyer remained serious. He used a telescope to closely observe the sailors on the destroyers and seemed to understand the purpose of the "bombs."

The destroyers, following the potential escape route of the submarine, were dropping depth charges at a fixed depth, causing explosions underwater. Though primitive, it was simple, cheap, and likely effective.

"Charles!" Captain Meyer lowered his binoculars and asked the deputy captain, his gaze still fixed on the destroyers. "If that’s a creation of Charles’s, would you still think it’s meant for fishing?"

The deputy captain didn’t reply, because Charles’s inventive genius was well-known.

Still, he wore a smug smile. Charles didn’t understand the navy, he thought. Naval equipment reflected a country’s most advanced technology and strongest industrial capabilities. It was a different matter entirely compared to inventing a simple hand grenade for the army.

Now, Charles was attempting to invent a "hand grenade" for the navy. The reality would give him a harsh lesson...

Suddenly, someone shouted, their voice full of excitement: "Look, what is that?"

Someone else answered: "It’s oil—submarine fuel—God, they’ve sunk the submarine!"

A cheer erupted around them.

The deputy captain frowned. He still held to his belief that a little oil didn’t mean the submarine had been sunk!

However, soon, other debris began to float to the surface—books, boxes, backpacks, and various other items—followed by several corpses.

The cheers grew louder, and even the gunfire ceased. Everyone was waving in salute to the destroyers:

"Well done, you’ve succeeded!"

"You’ve taught the Germans a lesson!"

"Great job, you’ve solved a big problem!"

...

This had indeed been a big problem, and it had even strategic significance:

The Allies' battleships had been too afraid to provide fire support for the landing troops because of the submarine’s presence. This was one of the reasons the landing forces had repeatedly failed.

...

Tigani was as happy as a child. He excitedly hugged Charles and kissed him on the face, shouting, "We did it! You’re incredible, Colonel! Simply unbelievable! You’re invincible, you can do anything!"

Charles wiped his face with a look of disdain, privately considering whether he should keep his distance from this guy in the future.

"What should we do next?" Tigani gasped, still glowing with excitement, as if he wanted to continue the attack on land.

"What else is there to do?" Charles answered calmly. "Today's mission is completed. Let’s go back."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Tigani’s eyes, but he still acknowledged the order and relayed it to the men.

...

Vice Admiral Robeck was currently having breakfast in the "Queen Elizabeth" battleship's dining room with Captain Forbes.

The breakfast wasn’t lavish: steak, red wine, caviar, and some fruit.

But for a military force at the front, this was luxurious—soldiers were rationed to limited fresh water and bread.

"Do you think Charles will succeed in landing on V Beach?" Captain Forbes asked as he skillfully cut his steak.

"I'm not sure." Vice Admiral Robeck shook his head. "It’s complicated. Sometimes I hope he succeeds, but sometimes I hope he doesn't."

Captain Forbes nodded, understanding Robeck’s dilemma:

If Charles succeeded in landing, it would mean the French army was stronger than the British.

If Charles failed, it would mean the landing operation was still in trouble, and they could even suffer heavy losses in a counteroffensive from the Ottomans.

After a moment’s thought, Captain Forbes suggested, "If the 'Queen Elizabeth' provides fire support for the landing troops, I think we might succeed..."

"No," Vice Admiral Robeck interrupted Captain Forbes firmly. "The German submarines are still active, Forbes. With that threat, the 'Queen Elizabeth' cannot be deployed."

Then Vice Admiral Robeck added, "The 'Queen Elizabeth' is the morale pillar for everyone. She’s a symbol of the Royal Navy, a representation of Britain. She cannot be put in danger!"

"Understood, Admiral!" Captain Forbes replied.

Vice Admiral Robeck had emphasized many times that if the Queen Elizabeth were sunk, it would severely damage the morale of the Allied forces and tarnish Britain’s reputation.

At that moment, O'Connell burst into the dining room, his face full of excitement, nearly shouting in joy, "Admiral, he did it! He succeeded!"

"What?" Vice Admiral Robeck looked at O'Connell in confusion.

It had only been a little more than an hour since the Gallant began firing, and they had already successfully landed?

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