November 11, 1902.
The agreement between Wilhelm II and Edward VII was officially signed.
Germany and the United Kingdom agreed that the issue of Venezuela must be resolved in a manner satisfactory to both sides.
In simple terms, if either side does not agree to the agreement, the other side cannot unilaterally reach an agreement.
This was a demand from Germany.
To be honest, who knows if the United Kingdom, like countless times in the past, will stab Germany in the back and reach a separate agreement with Venezuela?
Moreover, such a situation may lead to the American's involvement.
Of course, the unscrupulous British media has issued a large number of negative reports, claiming that the United Kingdom is being led by the nose by Germany. But in any case, the United Kingdom has accepted Germany's demand.
One month later, on December 7, 1902.
The United Kingdom and Germany issued an ultimatum to Venezuela, demanding the revocation of the decision to suspend the repayment of foreign debts and the payment of substantial compensation to make up for the losses suffered by the citizens of the two countries in Venezuela.
In response, Venezuela stated that its national laws take precedence, and the issue of foreign debts is not within the scope of discussion at all.
In essence, this was tantamount to saying, "Get lost."
Of course, the United Kingdom and Germany, having anticipated Venezuela's response, in accordance with the previous agreement, quickly dispatched their fleets to the Caribbean Sea, ready to impose a comprehensive naval blockade on Venezuela.
In addition, to support the blockade of Venezuela, the Kingdom of Italy also dispatched its fleet.
Thus, the fleets of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, filled with anger towards Venezuela, gathered in the Caribbean Sea.
"Over there is the Italian fleet."
At this moment, Maximilian von Spee, the deputy captain of the SMS Friedrich der Grosse, stood on the bridge, looking through the binoculars at the ships slowly approaching in the distance, and murmured to himself.
What would the pirates who once ruled these waters think if they could see this scene?
Thinking about the upcoming battle, he seemed somewhat nonchalant. Perhaps it was because the southern sun was particularly warm in the winter.
"Captain, General Robert Archibald James Montgomerie of the British Navy and other British captains request to board the ship."
"Alright, permission granted."
As Spee focused his attention on the slowly approaching Italian fleet, Eugen Kalau vom Hofe, the first captain of the SMS Friedrich der Grosse, readily nodded in agreement to this request.
Robert Archibald James Montgomerie, the commander of the British Navy's special fleet, was also the highest-ranking figure among the naval officers of the three countries present.
He boarded the SMS Friedrich der Grosse to negotiate and coordinate the upcoming joint operation.
Originally, Captain Hofe and Deputy Captain Spee should have gone to the HMS Scylla, Montgomerie's flagship. However, since the HMS Scylla was an armored cruiser, and the SMS Friedrich der Grosse was the only battleship in the European fleet.
Considering the pride of the German Navy and the more comfortable meeting environment provided by the SMS Friedrich der Grosse, Captain Hofe offered his ship as the meeting place, and the British readily accepted.
"Welcome aboard the SMS Friedrich der Grosse, General Montgomerie."
"Thank you for your warm reception, Captain Hofe, Deputy Captain Spee."
General Montgomerie listened to the somewhat stiff English of Hofe and Spee, held back a smile, and accepted their greetings while scanning the interior of this latest German battleship with his eyes.
"It's truly magnificent."
Although he had heard about it before, seeing it with his own eyes still made his heart race.
However, according to the information he received from the United Kingdom, the performance of this battleship did not seem to be as excellent as its appearance.
Nevertheless, General Montgomerie did not reveal these thoughts. After all, the German Navy was an ally of the British Navy at present, and this was a German ship. It would be extremely impolite for him to mock the German Navy's stupidity on a German ship.
Subsequently, under the guidance of Spee, Montgomerie and the British captains went to the conference room. Soon after, the Italian captains also boarded the ship and took their seats in the prepared conference room. Then, the formal operational meeting began.
"Our primary objective, and the most important one, is Puerto Cabello. Gentlemen, there should be no objections to this, right?"
General Montgomerie pointed at a city on the map with his finger, and the captains of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy all nodded in agreement.
Puerto Cabello, as the outer port of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, was also the most important port in Venezuela.
For the joint fleet of the three countries, this place must be blockaded at all costs. If necessary, they would even use force.
"Currently, the Venezuelan Navy has assembled off the coast of Puerto Cabello. Of course, as you all know, most of their ships are high-speed boats, a few gunboats, and an old armored cruiser provided by the United States..."
As a typical naval officer, General Montgomerie took a puff of his cigarette and continued,
"The problem is that a few hours ago, the reconnaissance unit reported that the American fleet had been spotted in the vicinity."
There was an uproar all around.
The captains, who had secretly been pleased with the vulnerability of the Venezuelan navy just moments ago, now wore expressions of surprise. The American fleet? Was the United States really going to go to war with the combined fleets of the three countries for Venezuela's sake?
"Who is the commander of the American fleet?"
"According to the intelligence, it's General Dewey."
Upon hearing the name "Dewey", the uproar grew even louder.
George Dewey, the most outstanding general in the United States Navy and a hero of the Spanish - American War. Everyone present knew his name.
"However, the American fleet is still quite far from the location where the Venezuelan navy is assembled near Puerto Cabello. I think the Americans want to avoid a direct engagement with us."
"Hah! Just another warning, right? These cowardly Yankees are just barking like scared dogs."
Spee's mockery was met with the approval of General Montgomerie. He nodded and then firmly said to the captains,
"The plan remains unchanged. We will blockade Puerto Cabello as originally planned. But please pay attention, try to avoid a conflict with the American fleet before they open fire on their own initiative. Do you all agree?"
"Certainly."
"The Royal Italian Navy also agrees."
The German and Italian captains all expressed their agreement, and General Montgomerie then stood up.
"Well, there's no need to waste any more time. Gentlemen, let's teach these Venezuelans a good lesson."
The meeting came to an end.
Next, it was time for action.
...
Off the coast of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.
"Damn it, what on earth is the president thinking?"
After receiving the order, the Venezuelan navy gathered all the ships that could be mobilized. Whether they were warships or small boats with no combat effectiveness, they were all dispatched to carry out the defense mission in Puerto Cabello. However, all the soldiers cursed in low voices with an uneasy tone.
The Royal Navy, that was the Royal Navy of the British Empire.
Not only that, but the German navy and the Italian navy had also joined this operation.
In comparison, the Venezuelan navy's only equipment consisted of some high-speed boats, gunboats, and an old cruiser that the United States had "bestowed" on them recently.
"Those damn guys are clearly sending us to our deaths!"
Both the sailors and the officers of the Venezuelan navy cursed the president and the government.
In fact, they had no loyalty to Castro at all.
After all, he was no different from the previous incompetent and corrupt Venezuelan leaders.
"At two o'clock direction, a large number of ship shadows are found!"
When the fleets of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy finally appeared, the anger towards the president reached its peak.
"Damn it...!"
"We're finished, completely finished!"
The awe-inspiring appearance of the enemy fleet before their eyes made the Venezuelan soldiers despair just by looking at it. They realized that such an enemy could easily destroy their weak fleet in an instant.
However, this was not the end.
Fate was cruel, incredibly cruel.
"War... battleship!"
When a giant battleship several times larger than the other ships in the European fleet grandly made its appearance, flying the black, white, and red tricolor flag at the rear of the European fleet, the Venezuelan sailors completely broke down. They knelt on the deck and let out desperate wails.
"Are they crazy? The Germans actually brought a battleship!"
"These cruel Germans! We're not Brazil or Argentina. Where could we possibly have a battleship!"
It was all over.
The Venezuelan navy was finished.
The battleship, a huge sea monster.
How on earth could they deal with such a behemoth?
"Since it's such a pointless sacrifice, it's better to surrender directly..."
"Send a signal to the European fleet."
"What... what? Commander?"
"Tell them that this is Venezuelan territorial waters and they should retreat immediately."
However, the commander's order completely shattered the sailors' last hope.
"Is he crazy?"
The soldiers cursed in their hearts and stared at the commander with shocked eyes. But he seemed to have his own support and urged his subordinates to send the signal again.
"The Venezuelans are crazy."
"Isn't that right?"
After seeing the Venezuelan signal, Captain Hofe and Deputy Captain Spee reacted almost the same as the Venezuelan sailors.
"Captain, should we reply to them?"
"Has the British fleet replied?"
"No, there's no response at all."
"Then we'll ignore them too."
Captain Hofe gave this order and raised his binoculars to continue observing the Venezuelan navy.
Just then—
"At ten o'clock direction, a large number of ship shadows are found!"
"What?"
The unexpected report left Spee speechless for a moment, and then he hastily raised his binoculars.
"The Stars and Stripes! It's the United States Navy!"
"Damn Yankees."
Upon hearing Spee's report, Captain Hofe frowned.
The American fleet emerged from the flank of the European fleet, flying the Stars and Stripes and approaching with great momentum.
Such a blatant appearance was as if the European fleet were the villains and they were the righteous heroes.
"It's the United States Navy! We're saved!"
"I knew they would come!"
For the Venezuelan navy that had seen hope on the verge of death, the United States Navy was indeed a hero.
The American fleet approached amidst the cheers of the Venezuelans and slowly stopped at a position outside the firepower range of the European fleet.
Then, they sent a signal to the European fleet.
[Do not approach the Venezuelan fleet any further.]
Spee gritted his teeth.
He really wanted to suggest to the captain that they teach these arrogant Yankees a lesson with the powerful firepower of the SMS Friedrich der Grosse, but doing so would mean a full-scale war with the United States.
At this moment, they could only endure.
They could only endure, but—
[Withdraw from Venezuelan territorial waters immediately, or we will use force to expel you.]
"These damn Venezuelans!"
But in the face of the provocation from the Venezuelan navy, which had become arrogant due to the appearance of the United States Navy, Spee could no longer hold back.
"Captain, how about a warning shot at the Venezuelan fleet?"
"A warning shot? Hmm, that's a good idea. Send a signal to the HMS Scylla."
"Yes, Captain!"
[Permission granted.]
General Montgomerie's reply was brief and swift.
It seemed that the other side was also very annoyed by the arrogant behavior of the Venezuelan navy.
"All hands, prepare for a salvo. The target is slightly ahead of the Venezuelan cruiser."
"Yes, all hands prepare for a salvo!"
Captain Hofe ordered to aim at the armored cruiser slightly behind the formation of the Venezuelan navy, that is, the USS Philadelphia, the former United States Navy ship, and carry out a warning salvo.
This distance was not enough for traditional warships to even hit the target, let alone reach the target, but it was more than enough for the SMS Friedrich der Grosse.
According to the captain's order, the officers quickly operated the fire control device according to the usual training procedures.
It was said that in order to develop this device, not only were advanced technologies such as gyroscopes purchased, but British scientists like Arthur Pollen, who studied the fire control system, were also recruited at a high price, and all the technicians of the German Empire were mobilized.
Although the result was not perfect, it was already worth the cost.
Creak—
Soon, the main guns of the SMS Friedrich der Grosse made a loud noise and slowly adjusted the angle, aiming at the vicinity of the enemy cruiser.
However, Spee didn't know.
Captain Hofe didn't know, and General Montgomerie didn't know either. Even the Venezuelan navy and the United States Navy didn't know.
Because this was an accident.
Perhaps the strong wind was blowing exactly in the direction of the Venezuelan navy, or perhaps the nervous German officers made a slight mistake in their first actual combat. In short, this was purely an accident.
But sometimes, such accidents converged, and a result that no one could predict would occur.
"Fire!"
Boom—!!
Accompanied by the violent sound of gunfire, the 12-inch main guns of the SMS Friedrich der Grosse simultaneously spat out flames and shells, and fired a salvo in the direction of the Venezuelan cruiser.
The shells passed through the thick smoke and flew into the distance...
"Hmm?"
"Hmm? Hmm?!!"
Boom!!
The shells directly hit the Venezuelan cruiser.
"..."
At this moment, no one spoke.
No one could speak.
Because no one had expected such a situation, and no one could understand what had happened.
"Damn it..."
The first to speak was General Montgomerie, who had experienced many actual combats. He was the first to come to his senses.
Montgomerie stared in disbelief at the Venezuelan cruiser that was ablaze and gradually sinking after being hit by the shells in the ammunition depot.
What on earth was going on?
Hadn't the Germans said that it was just a warning shot?
"But why did the Venezuelan cruiser sink!"
No, more importantly, at such a distance, how could they have hit the target?
General Montgomerie was dizzy from this incomprehensible situation.
Just then, the figure of Admiral Fisher, who had talked about his ideals to General Cole, suddenly flashed through his mind.
"Damn it."
General Montgomerie realized an unbelievable fact and hugged his head.
It was all over.
It wasn't just him; the British Navy was also finished.