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 XVI

REAPING THE WHIRLWIND

plan of campaign for the invasion of the United States, as formulated by the Great General Staff at Berlin, comprised three major operations:

I. To make a surprise attack upon the coast by a raiding force, and capture Washington and the principal seaboard cities, harbors, and naval bases.

II. To destroy the enemy fleet and obtain command of the sea.

III. By the instant seizure of all the arsenals, gun factories, and powder works, to prevent the development of the great potential strength of the United States in men capable of bearing arms.

So perfect was the preparation of Germany; so complete the unpreparedness of 177