Prince Henry of Prussia: The Rise of U-Boat.

[Sam R.]

Twists?

British economic stress leading to:
*Anti-war workers movement on the OTL german scale by 1916–1917; this will include the development of a "Maximalist" revolutionary position within the British working class, though as isolated as the KAPD in Germany.
**Can include a Maximalist strike leading to a heavily put down revolt if the war is "lost", or if the economic impact (cf: Germany's food situation) is sufficiently severe.
**Can include a post-war general strike of the kind of agonising brutality that we associate with Spain in the inter-war period.
*Mid and/or Late war mutinies:
**Mid war demanding the trial of the admiralty for treason? Or possibly a proto-workers movement.
***Your choice of the brutality of the repression.
**Late war as a German/Russian style revolutionary mutiny.
*Ireland. Being put down. Worse.
**Post war anti-Irish radical right wing populist movement.

French economic stress:
*I don't know sufficiently about the movement from Maximalist social-democrat and syndicalism in France to the Bolshevik French party.

German economic stress:
*It will still occur.

What of the Mire of Russia?

* * *

The ultimate twist would be a negotiated cease-fire leading to a council of Europe and peace in 1916.

yours,
Sam R.

 

[Reichenfaust]

Yeah, but at the same time, the public realizes they have been lied to... By their own Government that has promised them the Royal Navy is invincible.

 

[Adler]

SMS Lützow was still not completed and although SMS König was introduced, she was still far too new to be used in an attack. Since the loss of the armoured frigate SMS Großer Kurfürst in 1878 the German fleet did not use ships, which were too new.

Furthermore: I don't think that a single hit would lead to the destruction of a German ship. Indeed the German ships were far better constructed against torpedo hits than the British. So I think one German Kaiser or König class BB would need at least three eels. Even the Nassau and Ostfriesland classes would need as many, especially as they were very broad. And the BCs? Well, Seydlitz survived 21 heavy shells and a torpedo. I guess here they would survive 2 or three torpedoes as well.

I think that in the end three German capital ships should be damaged heavily but still brought into harbour.

Adler

 

[MUC]

I think that in the end three German capital ships should be damaged heavily but still brought into harbour.

I agree. Perhaps you can have the Germans sink one of the British subs, which tried to get closer for a second hit on the damaged vessels.

 

[SAVORYapple]

I agree. Perhaps you can have the Germans sink one of the British subs, which tried to get closer for a second hit on the damaged vessels.

seconded. Have Germany not lose any ships, but have three heavily damaged.

 

[BlondieBC]

SMS Lützow was still not completed and although SMS König was introduced, she was still far too new to be used in an attack. Since the loss of the armoured frigate SMS Großer Kurfürst in 1878 the German fleet did not use ships, which were too new.

Furthermore: I don't think that a single hit would lead to the destruction of a German ship. Indeed the German ships were far better constructed against torpedo hits than the British. So I think one German Kaiser or König class BB would need at least three eels. Even the Nassau and Ostfriesland classes would need as many, especially as they were very broad. And the BCs? Well, Seydlitz survived 21 heavy shells and a torpedo. I guess here they would survive 2 or three torpedoes as well.

I think that in the end three German capital ships should be damaged heavily but still brought into harbour.

Adler

I agree. Perhaps you can have the Germans sink one of the British subs, which tried to get closer for a second hit on the damaged vessels.

seconded. Have Germany not lose any ships, but have three heavily damaged.

Since this may well be the last major surface action in the North Seas, it will get a rewrite. Lets makes sure the concept is plausible. To the concept of the operation, the High Seas Fleet commander wants the following items:

1) German Admiralty believes the Grand Fleet is located in Irish or Channel ports. The British have enough small ships at Dover to walk from France to England. So a full speed run is decided at a more Northern target.
2) They only want ships that can do a sustained 16 knot run in the daylight part near England. This means 18 knot speed, to leave a little reserve speed. They want at least 20 ship with 10" or larger guns. Is this doable with the German fleet?
3) High speed run straight at Scarborough England at 14 knots.
4) Turn parallel to coast for 3 hours 16 knot run.
5) Turn NE, still at 16 to get distance from U boats, head toward Norway.
6) When about 50 miles from Norway, turn south to home port.


This post was to show a fleet being used per actual stay at speed doctrine, not the way the British did. Also, besides ramming and surface guns, did the German Navy have any weapons to use against subs? The British do not, so I assumed the Germans don't.

It would also help to have the names of 3 Germans ships to be damaged.

I have spent all my research time on what the U-boats could do to the British, not surface battles.

Thanks

 

[Adler]

www.german-navy.de is a good site for infos about surface ships.

Nassau class: 20 kn
Ostfriesland class: 20,2 kn
Kaiser class: 23,4 kn

That are 13 BBs ready for this action in 1914.

von der Tann: 27,4 kn
Moltke: 28,4 kn (Goeben, too, but I assume she's in the Med)
Seydlitz: 28,1 kn

Derfflinger, 4 König class BB will join the fleet in 1914, Lützow in the beginning of 1915. Hindenburg still on the stocks. These ships are way too new to be used now.

Thus you have 16 ships with 11,1" guns and higher. There is, too, SMS Blücher, an AC but with 12 21 cm guns and 25 kn speed. The other AC available can also go 20 kn, but have also only 4 21 cm guns. Except SMS Fürst Bismarck with 4 24 cm guns, but she is too old and can in no way sustain her top speed of hardly 19 kn anymore. She wasn't used in ww1 anymore.

The German HSF had a DC C/15, http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMGER_ASW.htm

It seems that DC was already designed in 1914 and introduced in 1915. Here I guess that could have happened before.

Adler

Ships damaged: SMS Kaiser, SMS Rheinland, SMS Seydlitz.

 

[BlondieBC]

www.german-navy.de is a good site for infos about surface ships.

Nassau class: 20 kn
Ostfriesland class: 20,2 kn
Kaiser class: 23,4 kn

That are 13 BBs ready for this action in 1914.

von der Tann: 27,4 kn
Moltke: 28,4 kn (Goeben, too, but I assume she's in the Med)
Seydlitz: 28,1 kn

Derfflinger, 4 König class BB will join the fleet in 1914, Lützow in the beginning of 1915. Hindenburg still on the stocks. These ships are way too new to be used now.

Thus you have 16 ships with 11,1" guns and higher. There is, too, SMS Blücher, an AC but with 12 21 cm guns and 25 kn speed. The other AC available can also go 20 kn, but have also only 4 21 cm guns. Except SMS Fürst Bismarck with 4 24 cm guns, but she is too old and can in no way sustain her top speed of hardly 19 kn anymore. She wasn't used in ww1 anymore.

The German HSF had a DC C/15, http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMGER_ASW.htm

It seems that DC was already designed in 1914 and introduced in 1915. Here I guess that could have happened before.

Adler

Ships damaged: SMS Kaiser, SMS Rheinland, SMS Seydlitz.

Thanks for the info, that was the site i was using, I just read the information wrong. Sixteen would be enough to do the job, that is roughly 1 large ship shooting at each dock. (keel laid date, commission date )

As to depth Charges, I was trying to keep the technology of the Germans about 1-2 years ahead of our time line. So the roll out of depth charges should be partially completed by now. At this time period, the British concept was to use harpoons, both apparently modified whaling harpoons. One was hand thrown, one was shot from a cannon. So the Germans ant-submarine technology must be two to four years ahead of the British Navy in early 1914.

 

[NHBL]

Sub target

The batlecruiser wasn't sunk by one torpedo, but was slowed down, then sunk later on the way home. As for the batleship, any Great War dreadnought can sink from two torpedoes--though with both hits aft, perhaps there's a beter chance of saving her.

Both sides will be working feverishly on ASW tactics and technology. Look for truly wild ideas to get at least a hearing.

Important consideration for long term: Britain has an ENORMOUS advantage in influence and media coverage in the USA--a major advantage in the propaganda war...

 

[BlondieBC]

The batlecruiser wasn't sunk by one torpedo, but was slowed down, then sunk later on the way home. As for the batleship, any Great War dreadnought can sink from two torpedoes--though with both hits aft, perhaps there's a beter chance of saving her.

Both sides will be working feverishly on ASW tactics and technology. Look for truly wild ideas to get at least a hearing.

Important consideration for long term: Britain has an ENORMOUS advantage in influence and media coverage in the USA--a major advantage in the propaganda war...

Agreed on UK. I read a lot of NY Times stuff preparing for this, and even small little things like the Rheims Cathedral gets huge coverage. So the USA will lean towards the UK, but so far, the sub war has been limited in the North Sea since U-boats cannot both be doing fleet battles and interdiction at the same time. But since i got the wrong ships, it will get a rewrite, and 3 damaged but not 2 destroyed ships make its more likely for future fun surface battles. It also flows a lot better for where i want to take the story. As to ASW stuff, probably anything developed before 1925 in OTL will show up. I am using a shortcut of "5 years peacetime development = 1 year wartime development"

The UK's problem is that they lost a sea battle. The ships lost can be replaced, and there will be no "Operation Sealion: The Prequel", but the diplomatic issues are much harder. If people think Britain can lose a naval war, they will behave differently. Japan responds aggressively to weakness, and the USA will be less likely to join a "losing" side. I get a lot of comments on the battleships, but this is really the side show. Look at the African and Asian bases to see Britain real issues.

 

[Detlef]

The UK's problem is that they lost a sea battle. The ships lost can be replaced, and there will be no "Operation Sealion: The Prequel", but the diplomatic issues are much harder. If people think Britain can lose a naval war, they will behave differently. Japan responds aggressively to weakness, and the USA will be less likely to join a "losing" side. I get a lot of comments on the battleships, but this is really the side show. Look at the African and Asian bases to see Britain real issues.

I just don´t see how the German "African and Asian bases" can survive for long?

In each case (Duala in Cameroon, Dar es Salaam in German East Africa and Tsingtao in Kiautschou) the naval base is defended mainly by one Seebatallion. If they stay there to defend the basis they´ll get surrounded and once the ammunition is used up, they´ll have to surrender. The Tsingtao scenario from our TL.

Or they can - once the base is seriously threatened - switch over to Lettow-Vorbeck tactics together with the native Schutztruppen. Except Tsingtao of course.
Hit and run tactics - so to speak - while always looking out for supplies. Either captured enemy supplies, an airship from Germany or the odd freighter captured by the U-boats?

In that case the German submarines and their supply ships however won´t have any secure bases. And the U-boats will have lost the repair facilities of the naval bases.
If you put one company of the (active) Seebatallions on the supply ships they might be able to take over a small port / island as a temporary base for a time?

 

[BlondieBC]

I just don´t see how the German "African and Asian bases" can survive for long?

In each case (Duala in Cameroon, Dar es Salaam in German East Africa and Tsingtao in Kiautschou) the naval base is defended mainly by one Seebatallion. If they stay there to defend the basis they´ll get surrounded and once the ammunition is used up, they´ll have to surrender. The Tsingtao scenario from our TL.

Or they can - once the base is seriously threatened - switch over to Lettow-Vorbeck tactics together with the native Schutztruppen. Except Tsingtao of course.
Hit and run tactics - so to speak - while always looking out for supplies. Either captured enemy supplies, an airship from Germany or the odd freighter captured by the U-boats?

In that case the German submarines and their supply ships however won´t have any secure bases. And the U-boats will have lost the repair facilities of the naval bases.
If you put one company of the (active) Seebatallions on the supply ships they might be able to take over a small port / island as a temporary base for a time?

In OTL and this ATL, the overland attack on Kamerun fails. The attack that was against Douala succeed with 3rd or 4th rate troops. I have not found the exact number, but the number of Belgium troops available in all of West Africa is under 2000. In East Africa (OTL), 8000 Indian troops were driven back into the sea. This operation was cancelled in the ATL due to the surface forces. Five second rate subs don't stop a determine attack, but they do stop 4 cruisers and transports. I have not gotten into details but there are shore batteries of the 105mm submarine gun and 5" secondary batteries. These guns are the same as on the German BB and have a 20,000 yard range. The island outside of the harbor entrance also has these guns. There are minefields, there are also 700 in the IV Battallione and will be 2000+ by New Years Day. So it is safe from local forces, for now.

Now all that being said, yes, the British can send a corp of first rate soldiers back up by first rate ships and take Kamerun, but these have to come from somewhere, so there will be a benefit elsewhere. The same can be said for East Africa. But lets say they pull 2-3 corps from the Western front in early 1915, then that means no attack, then the Germans send an extra 2-3 corps to attack in the east, which means ....

Or no Gallipolli, which means Ottomans do something, ...

My comment was focused on the tonnage sunk and capture over OTL, which is over 40,000 tons and will grow until dealt with by the British. Also, surface raiders out of Kamerun will force ships from South Africa to head to near the Brazilian coast before heading to England, which means less supplies. There were only 14 total merchant cruisers in the entire war. These bases have added 8, and they are capturing ships to convert to more raiders. Once the base is shut down, it will take at least a year to hunt down these raiders.

Also, the Japanese have 11'' siege guns. I have found no reference to the Entente having these type of guns in Africa.

Also, with supplies, the tender can run 12 subs for years, all is needed is a quite anchorage somewhere.

 

[Detlef]

When the Japanese arrive, there will be 3 U-boats on patrol, 3 in port. Von Spee will follow the same pattern. The Japanese have overwhelming force, so he will still find the basic same tactical pattern. He is also a surface guy, who has underestimates for sub. The Japanese will lose some extra ships, but have not decided how to write story, or if Japan has better Navy than Britain. Over time, butterflies get bigger, and I have to write all battles from scratch.

Do you have any suggestions on Japan?

That seems a bit unlikely for von Spee? Following the same pattern I mean. Even if he underestimates U-boats.
The Germans still assume that Tsingtao will be lost in a few months (mentioned by you on page 1). But the idea of a submarine tender plus an additional freighter and tanker should make him think?
The chances of the German East Asia naval squadron (2 armored cruisers, 4 light cruisers) to reach Germany are pretty low.
Wouldn´t it make a lot more sense for the two groups to meet?

Especially since Tsingtao is a coaling station? Grab 1 - 2 additional freighters, load them full of coal and send them with the submarine supply ships. Plus embark at least one company of German marines.
Wouldn´t they have a much better chance together?
Von Spee gets some (coal) supply ships and with the marines on board, they could even take over (temporarily) a small port / island to make coaling easier and grab supplies?

Suggestions on Japan below.

August 27, 1914: About 35 miles from Tsingtao, UX-20 spots the approaching Task Force. After radioing in a contact report, UX-20 is forced to submerged by a seaplane. UX-22 and UX-24 move to intercept, and 3 other subs leave port. UX-22 sinks the Kongo with two torpedoes, and then UX-22 is driven of by escorts and a seaplane. The Task Force commader decides to return to Japan, where the convoy crosses the path of the UX-20 which sinks the HMS Triumph.

If this follows our TL then that seems to be the first (British and Japanese) invasion force. Which tried to storm Tsingtao and was beaten back.

I would suspect that - even with the news from Europe about the British losses - the Japanese will still try to grab as much as possible. They have already declared war after all.

And given British control over the sea cables do the Japanese even know what happened to the British navy? The British government in your TL tries to hide it for as long as possible.
And even if the Japanese know it (Japanese embassy in London), why not grab it anyway?
The German army and navy aren´t a threat to Japan even if they defeat the Entente in Europe. If necessary one can make peace, apologize, maybe even return some German colonies.
In the meantime just make sure to treat any German prisoners of war and detained civilians decently and honorably.

So they probably will still follow our TL somewhat.
As in, land an invasion force somewhat away from Tsingtao and then march overland to besiege Tsingtao. Which is what they did in our TL. Landed in the neutral Chinese zone (German Kiautschou was surrounded by a 50 km neutral zone without Chinese troops allowed in). The Germans in our TL complained about that violation.
Tsingtao got less than 5000 defenders (army, navy and volunteers). Once ammunition is used up they would have to surrender.

Removing one company of German marines (my suggestion above) might make it easier for the Japanese to conquer Tsingtao. On the other hand that company won´t become prisoners of war right now. Which would happen to them anyway in Tsingtao.

 

[BlondieBC]

....

Separate command. Spee can't directly order a change to the submarine war plan. The U-boat commanders have spent 3 years developing a complicated war plan. All the extra ships listed are needed for the plan. Also submarines are diesel, he is coal, so incompatible fuels. It may or may not work well, but Rose has a plan to use. There is a change to Spee plan, he will make a run towards Kamerun, not Germany. It may make sense, but in a war, military commanders select sub-optimal plans.

It was not the invasion force, it was the force to do a close blockade. First isolate a base, then invade after isolation was the Japanese plan in OTL. In OTL, blockade starts August 27, forces land September 2-18, October 31 Land attack begins. Only Douala and Dar Es Salaam have extra marines. It was just too awkward to have two battalion of marines in Tsingtao reporting to entirely different chains of command. The African station was given marines because any naval bases needs them.

 

[Detlef]

In OTL and this ATL, the overland attack on Kamerun fails. The attack that was against Douala succeed with 3rd or 4th rate troops. I have not found the exact number, but the number of Belgium troops available in all of West Africa is under 2000. In East Africa (OTL), 8000 Indian troops were driven back into the sea. This operation was cancelled in the ATL due to the surface forces. Five second rate subs don't stop a determine attack, but they do stop 4 cruisers and transports. I have not gotten into details but there are shore batteries of the 105mm submarine gun and 5" secondary batteries. These guns are the same as on the German BB and have a 20,000 yard range. The island outside of the harbor entrance also has these guns. There are minefields, there are also 700 in the IV Battallione and will be 2000+ by New Years Day. So it is safe from local forces, for now.

Now all that being said, yes, the British can send a corp of first rate soldiers back up by first rate ships and take Kamerun, but these have to come from somewhere, so there will be a benefit elsewhere. The same can be said for East Africa. But lets say they pull 2-3 corps from the Western front in early 1915, then that means no attack, then the Germans send an extra 2-3 corps to attack in the east, which means ....

Or no Gallipolli, which means Ottomans do something, ...

My comment was focused on the tonnage sunk and capture over OTL, which is over 40,000 tons and will grow until dealt with by the British. Also, surface raiders out of Kamerun will force ships from South Africa to head to near the Brazilian coast before heading to England, which means less supplies. There were only 14 total merchant cruisers in the entire war. These bases have added 8, and they are capturing ships to convert to more raiders. Once the base is shut down, it will take at least a year to hunt down these raiders.

Also, the Japanese have 11'' siege guns. I have found no reference to the Entente having these type of guns in Africa.

Also, with supplies, the tender can run 12 subs for years, all is needed is a quite anchorage somewhere.

Ah, now that might work for a time.
Use the Seebatallions to defend the naval bases while using the volunteers and the native Schutztruppen to harass any overland troop movement (and their supplies) to besiege the German naval bases. Since the Entente powers are right now a bit wary to use resupply by sea because of the German U-boats. That might work.

And given a safe port, the U-boats and armed merchant cruisers can send captured ships (desperately needed supplies) there.

As you said, compared to our TL, this is a much harder nut to crack. Colonial troops quite obviously won´t be enough.
In our TL there wasn´t a Seebatallion stationed in either Duala nor Dar es Sallaam. In this TL they are stationed there. Which would indicate more military supplies (ammunition for example) stored there too?

And not surprised by your no Entente "11'' siege guns" in Africa.
Where would they be used? And how to transport them around Africa?
It´s entirely different for Japan.

 

[BlondieBC]

Ah, now that might work for a time.
Use the Seebatallions to defend the naval bases while using the volunteers and the native Schutztruppen to harass any overland troop movement (and their supplies) to besiege the German naval bases. Since the Entente powers are right now a bit wary to use resupply by sea because of the German U-boats. That might work.

And given a safe port, the U-boats and armed merchant cruisers can send captured ships (desperately needed supplies) there.

As you said, compared to our TL, this is a much harder nut to crack. Colonial troops quite obviously won´t be enough.
In our TL there wasn´t a Seebatallion stationed in either Duala nor Dar es Sallaam. In this TL they are stationed there. Which would indicate more military supplies (ammunition for example) stored there too?

And not surprised by your no Entente "11'' siege guns" in Africa.
Where would they be used? And how to transport them around Africa?
It´s entirely different for Japan.

I did light research on it (wiki), and it looks like there were 3 at the start of the war (North Sea, Baltic, Tsingtao. In this ATL, there is the 4th and 5th in Kamerun and Dar Es Salaam. The point of the West Africa and East Africa sub ports is they have a lot of extra supplies, and they are lightly fortified ports. 15CM naval guns and 105mm sub guns and lots of mines. The 15CM is junk against BB, but it keeps the cruiser and smaller ships away. Also, they sink any mine layers clearing the minefield, so first the Guns have to be silence with BB guns with more range, then minelayers have to clear.

The Marines are not critical, I just wanted flexibility to do something like attack an island in the Atlantic. The real issue is an upgrade port with stockpiled ammo and fuel. And repair facilities. Also, as long as the keep resupplying, the land forces will keep growing with conscription. At 10-20 natives per German of military age, it can get quite large. I am now doing research on merchant raiders to get the formula right since they acquire more ships which can become more raiders. Much like a virus. Right now the rules I am using is 6 additional ship in West Africa, and 3 in East Africa. The number of ships grows by 50% per month in WA and 25% in EA and each ship does around 6000 tons sunk/capture per month. Right now I am reading another book to get the numbers a bit more precise.
.

 

[Detlef]

Separate command. Spee can't directly order a change to the submarine war plan. The U-boat commanders have spent 3 years developing a complicated war plan. All the extra ships listed are needed for the plan.

Hmm, that doesn´t make sense 10000 km away from Germany?
A divided command is an invitation for defeat in detail?
It simply makes no sense that one (minor) part of the German navy before the war somehow gets to develop war plans without taking into consideration the surface fleet. Especially if before the war nobody knows about the potential of U-boats?
Just how is that supposed to work?
Even with Prince Heinrich favorable to U-boats, he would never forget proper coordination between all parts of the fleet. More independence / initiative for the U-boats, sure. But certainly not plans disregarding possibly valuable surface navy units to protect the valuable supply ships.

Also submarines are diesel, he is coal, so incompatible fuels. It may or may not work well, but Rose has a plan to use. There is a change to Spee plan, he will make a run towards Kamerun, not Germany. It may make sense, but in a war, military commanders select sub-optimal plans.

???
That´s why I mentioned "grab 1 - 2 additional freighters, load them full of coal". `To account for the "incompatible fuels". Tsingtao was a coaling station for the civilian overseas German steam ship companies. Meaning that there must have been a coal depot.
Getting that coal would have reduced von Spee´s dependence on neutral harbors and suppliers. Useful if you want to deny British informers information on his squadron.

??? again
Von Spee is making a run towards German Cameroon?
Hongkong, Singapore, India and the Indian Ocean? Plus South Africa.
Without any hope to recoal in a friendly and / or a neutral harbor along the way?
In that case he simply needs some freighters carrying coal for him.
Which of course would also involve the Tsingtao submarine squadron and their supply ships.
There is a reason why von Spee choose the South American route. Neutral harbors....

It was not the invasion force, it was the force to do a close blockade. First isolate a base, then invade after isolation was the Japanese plan in OTL. In OTL, blockade starts August 27, forces land September 2-18, October 31 Land attack begins. Only Douala and Dar Es Salaam have extra marines. It was just too awkward to have two battalion of marines in Tsingtao reporting to entirely different chains of command. The African station was given marines because any naval bases needs them.

Just to mention it.
According to your TL the German marines ("Seebatallione) in Douala and Dar Es Salaam consisted of one regular company. Plus reserves and volunteers to bring them up to battalion or even regiment strength.
The Seebatallion stationed in Tsingtao was a full strength regular battalion. Given that Tsingtao was impossible to defend against any determined Japanese or British attack it might be a good idea to rescue as many of them as possible.
I mean trained regular soldiers...

 

[BlondieBC]

Hmm, that doesn´t make sense 10000 km away from Germany?
A divided command is an invitation for defeat in detail?
It simply makes no sense that one (minor) part of the German navy before the war somehow gets to develop war plans without taking into consideration the surface fleet. Especially if before the war nobody knows about the potential of U-boats?
Just how is that supposed to work?
Even with Prince Heinrich favorable to U-boats, he would never forget proper coordination between all parts of the fleet. More independence / initiative for the U-boats, sure. But certainly not plans disregarding possibly valuable surface navy units to protect the valuable supply ships.



???
That´s why I mentioned "grab 1 - 2 additional freighters, load them full of coal". `To account for the "incompatible fuels". Tsingtao was a coaling station for the civilian overseas German steam ship companies. Meaning that there must have been a coal depot.
Getting that coal would have reduced von Spee´s dependence on neutral harbors and suppliers. Useful if you want to deny British informers information on his squadron.

??? again
Von Spee is making a run towards German Cameroon?
Hongkong, Singapore, India and the Indian Ocean? Plus South Africa.
Without any hope to recoal in a friendly and / or a neutral harbor along the way?
In that case he simply needs some freighters carrying coal for him.
Which of course would also involve the Tsingtao submarine squadron and their supply ships.
There is a reason why von Spee choose the South American route. Neutral harbors....



Just to mention it.
According to your TL the German marines ("Seebatallione) in Douala and Dar Es Salaam consisted of one regular company. Plus reserves and volunteers to bring them up to battalion or even regiment strength.
The Seebatallion stationed in Tsingtao was a full strength regular battalion. Given that Tsingtao was impossible to defend against any determined Japanese or British attack it might be a good idea to rescue as many of them as possible.
I mean trained regular soldiers...

Well, the Kaiser had a divided command over the overall fleet, which hampered the prewar effort. If i make the Germans too rational, it is a total German wank, even without changing ships. Read the setup for the reason and explanation. Basically, the Gun Admirals did not want subs, so it went to Prince Henry, who kept command. Because of this, it is largely and independent command in fact, if not in fact. This is less strange than the A-H and Germany not coordinating land plans. Remember, I am trying to keep this plausible, which means sometimes, strange things happen, just like in real life. How is it supposed to work, well, no one thought of that. How were the British Dreadnoughts supposed to defend themselves from subs with limited to no destroyer escort? Why did Britain have such a small army? Why did Serbia start a war when it could only supply each regiment with 2 artillery shells per day? etc, etc.

Coaling takes special ships called colliers. Also, if you unload the freighters, then the subs have no ammo. So you are basically sinking the subs for a little range for the Spee. And he had already made separate arrangements for coal that were adequate.

He is making run to the East Pacific then towards Kamerun. Kamerun is on the way to Germany. He goes east in the ATL for the same reason he did in OTL.

III Marines is not under sub-command. Can't take them. Sometimes people have to make a stand and die.

 

[NHBL]

Battleships

There's a lot of attention on the battleships--and in this time, there should be. Even if the batleship's military importance is reduced, (big if) they are very important politically. Sinking them is not just a military victory, but a strategic and political victory, as well.

 

[Henriksson]

Even if the batleship's military importance is reduced, (big if)

Why is that such a big if?