In the command meeting room, the conversation between Shire and Darlan was still ongoing, albeit with a subtle shift in the atmosphere.

Shire shifted the topic to the tactics of using destroyers to hunt submarines, aiming to help Darlan quickly rise in the navy and establish his own influence.

Darlan's expression was complicated.

He was willing to discuss these matters with Shire.

But Shire was from the army, and he believed that the navy was different from the army, requiring a solid theoretical foundation for naval warfare.

If Shire, who had never delved into naval warfare theories at the age of 18, could explain and teach him how to do it, then would his years of hard study at Brest Naval Academy and Toulon Naval Artillery School, even graduating first in the latter, be in vain?

However, out of respect for Shire, Darlan did not object, though he couldn't help but feel a bit dismissive inside.

Shire took paper and pen, drawing while speaking: "Submarines have a process for submerging. The usual naval method is to attack intensively during its submersion stage."

Darlan nodded in agreement and then looked up at Shire, puzzled: "General, do you mean we shouldn't do it this way?"

Submarines are easier to sink or damage in shallow waters. If it submerges to a certain depth, it becomes difficult to detect through thick sea water, and shells can't threaten it.

Darlan was troubled, wondering how to correct Shire's mistake.

Telling him directly would make Shire lose face, but pretending to agree with his view could lead to problems in actual combat...

Shire seemed to see through Darlan's thoughts and said, "I think we should abandon shelling submarines at this stage."

"Abandon shelling?" Darlan asked, "Do you mean relying solely on the Echo Control Device, General?"

"Yes." Shire nodded: "The probability of destroying a submarine with shelling is too low and may even accidentally harm our own ships or disrupt our deployment. It's a counterproductive approach."

This is determined by the low precision of naval guns during World War I. Although naval guns now have fire control, it's just basic dual-axis stabilization.

(Note: Dual-axis stabilization of naval guns is similar to tanks' dual stabilization, but the ship's sway on the sea is much more complex than tanks, and dual stabilization cannot solve transverse roll, requiring a three-axis stabilization fire control system.)

(The above image shows the German SKC/31 naval gun, developed in 1931, a relatively successful and mature three-axis stabilized gun mount. The first three-axis stabilization was the SKC/25 developed in 1925, but during its development, Germany wrongly thought the third axis affecting precision was the longitudinal sway of the warship, thus the precision improvement was small. Several years later, it was changed to target the transverse roll, significantly enhancing performance.)

(The above image shows the state of the three-axis stabilized gun mount when tilted to the right during self-adaptive stabilization.)

In the era without three-axis stabilized gun mounts, naval guns often deviated several kilometers from the target in actual combat, and incidents of friendly fire during chaotic hunting of submarines were common. Such incidents happened during the Dardanelles Strait campaign, often causing more harm than good.

This made it hard for Darlan to imagine. He thought submarine hunting should primarily rely on naval guns, supported by Echo Detectors.

But Shire advocated abandoning naval guns entirely and relying solely on Echo Detectors.

He frowned, hesitated for a while, and finally decided to stick to his viewpoint: "But General, this is a brand new device after all. It may have errors, long feedback times, and a series of problems. We can't put too much hope on it."

Especially the feedback time.

The Echo Detector measures the submarine's depth, but by the time the warship sets the timing to drop Deep Water Bombs, the submarine may have changed to another depth, leading to perpetually inaccurate bombing.

Darlan concluded: "I think we shouldn't be too radical. Naval guns still have an important role in hunting submarines. We should combine both, and it's not too late to abandon naval guns when Echo Detectors are mature."

Shire responded with an "Hmm" and said: "Lieutenant, have you considered one thing: the Germans don't know we are equipped with Echo Detectors."

Darlan's eyes lit up. After a brief thought, he nodded slightly: "You're right, General. The Germans don't know about the Echo Detector. After submerging, they will think they are safe and confidently maintain a certain depth, thus providing us an opportunity, a great opportunity."

Shire nodded, conveying exactly what he meant.

When German submarines maintain a straight depth, hunting them with slight errors in the Echo Detector will make it hard for submarines to escape.

Conversely, it's very difficult to destroy a submarine during its submersion stage since its depth and position change rapidly, making it hard for the Echo Detector to accurately grasp its position.

Thus, the whole submarine hunting tactic is reversed.

The more Darlan thought about it, the more correct it seemed. His gaze towards Shire gradually shifted from doubt to affirmation, even a bit of astonishment.

If Shire's tactic was feasible, it would overturn the entire mode of submarine hunting from primitive methods like shelling, ramming, and mine nets to precise hunting using Echo Detectors and Deep Water Bombs.

(Note: Mine nets are large-scale nets of iron wires and mines laid out in the sea. Iron wires could potentially entangle a submarine's propeller, leading to capture, but efficiency is extremely low.)

Seeing Darlan understood, Shire smiled and nodded, saying ambiguously: "The future reform of naval tactics depends on you, Lieutenant."

"Reform of tactics?" Darlan was stunned.

Isn't it an overstatement? How could he alone drive the reform of tactics!

Shire didn't answer directly, speaking calmly as if telling his own story:

"As you can see, getting my work recognized is not easy."

"Since I introduced tanks until now, it's been over a year, and they have repeatedly demonstrated their value on the battlefield. Yet, there are still those who think they are useless and redundant, believing cavalry is more valuable than tanks."

"But that doesn't change anything. No one can stop the widespread adoption of tanks and their tactics on the battlefield."

"Because those who don't acknowledge it, use it, or learn it will be defeated on the battlefield, again and again, until they are completely eliminated!"

"This is the survival of the fittest in warfare."

Darlan nodded thoughtfully.

He understood now; the battlefield was like a touchstone, ruthlessly eliminating those who do not respect objective rules and ideas in its own way.

Therefore, he should do the same in the navy.

As long as he repeatedly wins and survives with the correct equipment and tactical theories, naval reform will happen naturally.

He might even reach the pinnacle of life like Shire.

Realizing this, Darlan's confidence surged. He stood up excitedly and saluted Shire earnestly: "I won't let you down, General!"

I need Shire, Darlan thought. I need his tactics and inventions, not just the Echo Detector.