Chapter 2070 Response
"Now, according to our information, the French are probably ready to compromise with the Germans. Everyone should be very clear about this. Then, what will the British Empire do in the future? Do you have any ideas?" Prime Minister Asquith asked road.
"Our situation in the French battlefield is irreversible, and it is our best choice to withdraw from the battlefield as soon as possible. And to be honest, I don't think the military production of the British Empire can continue this war, although we have a larger area than the mainland. The colonies and dominions are more than 100 times vast, but our maritime transportation has been attacked by the German submarine force. The highest record is that we lost more than 1 million transportation fleets in a month, if not for some fleets anchored in the United States to help transport , We may not be able to hold on any longer, we now lack everything except coal mines, even the most basic iron ore!" Lloyd George said.
"So, Sir Jericho, if the navy is now required to undertake the task of covering the army's evacuation, can the navy go all out?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.
"We can send destroyers to be in charge of anti-submarine, we can send auxiliary cruisers to undertake transportation tasks, and we can also send some light cruisers and old warships to provide fire support for the army, but the main force of the large fleet, aircraft carriers and most of the light cruiser units are not suitable for the English Channel. Expanding, if we face the German land-based aviation in the narrow strait, there is no big difference between those majestic battleships and the former dreadnoughts." Sir Jericho said.
"But what if the German High Seas Fleet, under the cover of land-based aviation, enters the eastern entrance of the Channel or uses naval guns to attack our coastal ports?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.
"If that's the case, I can only say sorry." Jericho replied very simply.
"Your Excellency, do you know what you are talking about?" Sir Balfour said loudly: "In France, we have millions of British troops fighting against the Germans. Their lives are threatened at all times. At critical moments, Shouldn't we do our best to save them? The Grand Fleet is the most powerful sea power on the planet, and as admiral, shouldn't you shoulder your responsibilities like your predecessors, Lord Nelson and Lord Drake? "
"Although I am deeply sympathetic to what happened to the Army and I am willing to help, but this does not mean that I am willing to fill the entire Royal Navy into this abyss. If you don't understand the Navy, I forgive you. But some things must be explained, The Grand Fleet is stronger than the High Seas Fleet in the open sea, but if both land-based aviation forces can reach us, we cannot defeat the Germans, and even the Germans don’t need to dispatch their main fleet. Think about the bombing of London When thousands of bombers fly over the target and drop thousands of tons of bombs, you should know that my choice is right. The British Empire cannot guarantee the safety of London, and I cannot guarantee the safety of the Grand Fleet. .”
Sir Jericho remained calm. After experiencing too many things, Sir Jericho has learned how to face everything calmly, whether it is the pressure of the enemy or the misunderstanding and accusations from the allies. He is now able to remain calm and rigorous in any situation, and through careful thinking, he has deduced the most suitable plan for the current situation. In fact, the choice Sir Jericho made cannot be said to be wrong. After all, if the Royal Army is finished, the British It can still stay in the mainland, but if the navy is over, it will really be over. In fact, even before the Dunkirk evacuation began in the Second World War in history, Marshal Dowding, the commander of the Royal Air Force, proposed to ensure that the local aviation Support for the army can only be considered when it is safe.
"I can understand the difficulties of the Royal Navy Grand Fleet and Sir Jericho,
Now the situation is critical, we need to start the evacuation work immediately, if possible, we can withdraw some non-combatants from the French mainland first, the Germans mainly attacked the French some time ago, and their air force was also attracted South, we must hurry before they come back. "On this question, Lloyd George and Haig were of one mind.
"Then is there any news from the French?" Asquith first did not give a positive answer to Lloyd George's words, but asked Belfort who was in charge of diplomacy next to him.
"They are very passive now. According to our information, they have had contact with the Americans before, and now the Americans are probably acting as intermediaries between France and Germany. There are also rumors among the French that Germany and Germany may have Contact, I can’t judge whether it’s true or not now, but if Germany no longer launches attacks on the French army in the subsequent battle, then some agreement should have been reached between them. After all, the French army under the command of Foch is now On the muzzle of the Germans, if we only analyze it from a military perspective, there is no reason for the Germans not to eat this piece of meat." Belfort thought for a while and said.
"Well, it makes sense, but we still have to maintain the most basic relationship with the French in terms of diplomacy. How is the contact with the Germans? Should they make a request at this time?" Prime Minister Asquith asked, war At this level, it seems that the truce is about to end. The Germans have taken care of France, and now Britain is left. Their advantage is unprecedented, so if the Germans want peace talks, this is obviously a good time. If there are any opinions or thoughts on the peace talks, it shows that the Germans are planning a lot! They probably don't want to let the British Expeditionary Force go!
"The Germans still want all of southern Africa. That's unacceptable to us, and at the moment it doesn't seem to me that the Germans are ready to negotiate," Belfort said.
"If they only want southern Africa now, it would be a lucky thing for us." Prime Minister Asquith shook his head and said.
"Your Excellency, are you already so pessimistic about the situation of the war?" Lloyd George said in surprise. In his view, even though the British Expeditionary Force suffered heavy losses, it is still possible to rely on the large fleet and the remaining air force to protect themselves. It is not that the British have not experienced disastrous land battles. Worrying, now in the eyes of Lloyd George, the biggest thing is to withdraw from the European continent.
"Things are not that simple. If the German High Seas Fleet decides to attack, no matter whether the Grand Fleet wins or not, as long as there is a big war between the two sides, it will be a loser for Britain, because after the war, Britain is unable to maintain the world's largest navy. And what will the Americans do at that time? Damn it, I really don’t know why we chose Japan, an unfamiliar dog, to offend the United States!” Sir Jericho said.
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