Chapter 0421: Bombardment

The German Navy's Second Battlecruiser Squadron boasted not only six battlecruisers but also four light cruisers and six destroyers. Such a formidable force was indeed commendable. With the strength of the German battlecruisers, as long as they did not encounter the Royal Navy's main fleet, they faced little danger.

Moreover, the Second Battlecruiser Squadron included three "Derfflinger-class" battlecruisers, whose performance had already been proven in actual combat. Their 380 mm main guns, with a caliber of fifty, possessed formidable armor-piercing capability, rendering them invulnerable to any active British capital ship.

Onboard the flagship "Derfflinger," Vice Admiral Spee wore a serious expression. Although this mission posed no significant challenge for his squadron, the prospect of attacking a major city's port and shipyards weighed heavily on his conscience, as it would inevitably result in numerous innocent casualties. As a noble of the German Empire, such actions troubled him deeply.

"I undertake this for the German Empire, for its victory in this war. Furthermore, it is the British who are to blame! They know they have no chance of success in this conflict, yet they stubbornly refuse to surrender and continue to prolong the fighting. Therefore, we are left with no choice but to resort to such measures. All of this is the result of their own making. If they wish to place blame, they should direct it at their government!" Vice Admiral Spee thought to himself, finding a measure of solace in this rationalization.

Often, individuals can quell their moral scruples if they can justify their actions.

The Second Battlecruiser Squadron surged resolutely toward Edinburgh, while the British remained blissfully unaware. The bulk of the Royal Navy's main fleet cowered in Scapa Flow, with only a few light vessels venturing forth for reconnaissance, while the rest remained docked, too fearful to engage. They seemed to realize that a confrontation with the German Navy would only lead to their own defeat.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and the largest city in northern Britain, served as not only a political and economic hub but also an industrial center. Its chemical and shipbuilding industries thrived, with large shipyards capable of constructing battleships. However, for safety reasons, the Royal Navy typically relegated battleship construction to southern yards, where defenses were undeniably stronger.

On the evening of the 20th, workers in the Edinburgh port area finished their shifts. The shipyards continued to toil late into the night, but they were not crafting warships; they were constructing merchant vessels. Under the onslaught of German submarines and the disruption caused by the blockade, British merchant shipping suffered substantial losses. In an effort to restore maritime capacity, a mass production of merchant ships became imperative. This situation persisted until the German blockade was fully implemented, prompting a shift toward conserving resources for military vessels, which left many shipyards bereft of new merchant orders. Consequently, numerous shipyard workers faced unemployment.

At present, the entire British economy was in disarray due to the German blockade, preventing their industrial goods from being exported. As a result, many factories ceased operations, leaving all but those related to military production to lay off workers. These individuals relied entirely on government assistance to survive. The British Army took this opportunity to recruit a significant number of young men, thereby alleviating their manpower shortages. Faced with hunger, many were willing to join the military they once looked down upon.

"Damn it, this war has dragged on for over six months! When will it ever end? I can no longer endure such hardship," grumbled a shipyard worker, collecting his bread after a long day and trudging home.

Currently, the cost of living in Britain was skyrocketing; the pound had lost its value. Workers received their wages in bread. Yet, they gladly accepted such payments, as food had become scarce in the market, making it difficult to purchase even with money.

"Come now, Jack, enough complaining. At least we still have jobs and can support our families. It's far better than those beggars starving on the streets," replied an older worker.

Indeed, the economy in Britain was dire. Many workers, after losing their jobs, found it nearly impossible to secure new employment, leading countless individuals to become beggars. In a situation where no one had extra food, compassion for the needy was scarce. This resulted in numerous deaths from starvation in British cities, with more than a hundred succumbing each day in large cities like Edinburgh.

Hearing this, Jack nodded in agreement. Their lives might be hard, but at least they were not starving. Compared to the corpses carted away each morning, they considered themselves fortunate.

"God save the British Empire and grant us victory in this wretched war!" Jack found himself praying.

Suddenly, a thunderous explosion echoed through the air. Jack and his companions stood frozen in shock.

Then, a series of explosions erupted relentlessly.

"That's coming from the port!" Jack's face paled.

"Quick, let's see what's happening!"

They climbed to a vantage point overlooking the port, witnessing a catastrophe unfold.

On the sea, several enormous warships, towering like mountains, unleashed their fire upon Edinburgh. Shells exploded in the harbor, illuminating the night sky with flashes of light and clouds of smoke.

Buildings in the port were systematically reduced to rubble. Countless individuals fled in terror.

"Oh God! Our shipyard has been hit!"

"Damn the Germans! Our shipyard merely produces civilian vessels; how can they not spare it?" Jack cursed vehemently.

The destruction of the shipyard meant immediate unemployment for them, leaving their lives in jeopardy, potentially forcing them into the same fate as the beggars who starved.

Workers who shared Jack's plight turned pale with fear.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The relentless sounds of explosions continued as the German warships fired mercilessly, transforming the Edinburgh port into a visible wasteland.