Chapter 60: A Fork in History

After Hess accepted Zhang Hainuo's plan in principle, the two began to discuss and refine the details over the next two days. Apart from eating, walking, and sleeping, they spent almost all their time in the study perfecting the plan. By the time they each returned to their respective ports, although there were still some minor uncertainties, Zhang Hainuo felt much more at ease.

Before leaving Fink Manor, Zhang Hainuo briefed Hastings on Anna's situation and left a long letter for him to personally hand over to her when she arrived at the estate.

On the last day of his vacation, Zhang Hainuo returned to Wilhelmshaven as scheduled. During his absence, nothing particularly significant had happened, which relieved him. He didn't want anything similar to the Kiel mutiny, which had precipitated the collapse of the German Empire, to disrupt his plan.

Over the next month, he deliberately strengthened communication with each crew member, especially focusing on understanding their family situations, recent moods, and thoughts on the war. This was partly to bridge the gap between himself and the young crew members, given their relatively short time together, and partly to identify any crew members who might be unwilling to join his plan. For those who seemed uncertain, he figured he could deal with them specifically when the time came.

Zhang Hainuo was pleased to find that although the crew members lacked experience, they were all enthusiastic. Their morale was quite high after returning from the Americas, and they all looked forward to another venture into the ocean. For Zhang Hainuo, their admiration and respect were palpable: admiration for his calm and wise command of the submarine in battle, and respect for his and Edward's fearless spirit during the storm.

After talking with the crew members, Zhang Hainuo felt reassured about most of them. For the small number of undecided individuals, he figured he would deal with them specifically later if necessary.

The biggest challenge for Zhang Hainuo after this was how to get his superiors to approve another mission for U148. He tirelessly lobbied senior officers at the submarine headquarters, emphasizing the strategic deterrence of sailing to the Americas—forcing the Americans to strengthen their defenses on the East Coast. He also sought Redel's help to build momentum within the Navy Staff.

Zhang Hainuo had to admit that Redel's network within the navy far exceeded his own. With the broadcast information he had recorded during his coastal voyages in the US and the intelligence relayed by German spies in the US, naval officers gradually realized the significant military significance of sending submarines to the US East Coast. This made them rethink the decision to keep U139-type submarines in "storage."

However, while the navy was still hesitant, the situation on the ground was developing further unfavorably for Germany. On August 8th, a day known as the "Dark Day of the German Army," the German Army's lines in the Marne and Ypres areas collapsed under the onslaught of Allied forces, signaling the end of the Western Front stalemate. Subsequently, the remaining German forces were forced to retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Despite being guarded by Germany's most combat-ready reserve troops, the difference in numbers and equipment, as well as the morale of the German troops, led to the line being breached. 

On August 14th, the US 1st Army and Canadian forces launched an attack on the extension of the Hindenburg Line to the north of the Drocourt-Quéant Line. By the morning of the same day, two main German lines of defense on this line had been destroyed, and the southern end of the Hindenburg Line suffered heavy damage.

On September 12th, the American troops launched an attack on the Saint-Mihiel salient. They captured the area that evening, putting the Hindenburg Line in a precarious position.

On September 26th, the Allies launched a final attack on the Hindenburg Line. Ten days later, they completely occupied this famous defensive line.

The once formidable German Army collapsed in the face of fierce enemy attacks, shaking the confidence and foundation of the empire. At this point, the German Emperor and his ministers were desperate. On the same day that the Hindenburg Line was breached, they made a painful decision: to request a ceasefire from the Allies.

On September 29th, Germany's ally Bulgaria announced its surrender, and the alliance front finally reached a point of disintegration.

On October 4th, the German government appointed Prince Max von Baden as chancellor and began negotiations with the United States on accepting Wilson's Fourteen Points and a ceasefire. However, just a week later, the liner "Lusitania" was torpedoed and sank in the Irish Sea, with over four hundred people, including many Americans, perishing. An enraged Wilson decisively announced the suspension of negotiations.

The Allied forces continued to advance into Germany!

The German Empire was in an unprecedentedly dire situation, and the naval high command, like history, made a desperate decision: to engage the British in a fight to the death at sea, and if necessary, to "gloriously sink in place."

As the most ruthless weapon at sea, German submarines were also among those sent into action. One by one, submarines hastily loaded with ammunition and fuel sailed out of the ports. On October 19th, Zhang Hainuo and his U148 finally received the order to sail to the US East Coast again. But to his astonishment, this time the navy had

 only provided enough fuel—75 tons—for U148 to reach the American East Coast.

That meant U148 would be unable to return to Germany after reaching the US East Coast!

On October 20th, two weeks before the Kiel mutiny erupted, U148 set sail from Wilhelmshaven on an unknown voyage.

Two days later, the German submarine command received U148's final Morse code message:

"Our submarine is under attack by British warships. Sinking imminent. Long live Germany!"