Chapter 901: Shadow of the Mediterranean Part 2
"I suggest that we adjourn the meeting today and discuss the situation in the Mediterranean tomorrow." Looking at the time, it was already 7:30 in the evening. If we stay a little longer, we can have dinner together with midnight snacks. And the prince does need some time to collect and digest the information about the Mediterranean.
Pleasant time is always short-lived, such as the time to enjoy a big meal, perhaps because the Mediterranean conditions brought by Tirpitz and others feel a bit depressing. The whole dinner process was rather dull, but the prince's meal was still very good. After all, it is much better than in history. Although the Italian government continued to make small moves, it did not go as far as the Allied Powers under the guidance of "noble self-interest". Together.
After dinner, the prince returned to where he was staying, and Tirpitz also ordered his men to send a large number of documents about the Mediterranean. Naturally, the prince would not be able to care about what the Spey fleet did in the next stage. He did not have the time, nor the This is necessary. He only needs to give a general guiding idea.
Strategic layout is just like playing cards. You must first estimate the power of both parties and the power of potential opponents. Although France's request for Italy to build warships to pay off debts may be a way to recover costs, after all, Italy fought in Libya and suffered huge losses and higher costs. It is basically impossible for them to pay back the money, so they can only come up with this An idea. But don’t tell me yet, this is really a good move!
The French are very rich. If they had no money, they would not be able to provide loans of more than 2 billion francs to the Russian government. It is not an exaggeration to say that the French are the Russian people's wallet and largest creditor. By providing loans to the Italians, then Through the warship repayment plan, France not only gained Italy's favor, but also avoided parliament's restrictions on naval armaments. Therefore, the French now have such naval power to suppress Austria-Hungary and Turkey without Italy. , completely thanks to this plan.
Of course, with Italy's efficiency and funding situation, and with its industrial level and limited funding, while building warships for the French Navy, its own capital ship updates were much slower. Historically, the Italian Navy had three ships at the beginning of the war. Dreadnoughts were in service, and there were a total of 6 Dreadnoughts during World War I. But now, only one dreadnought is in service, and the other two are under construction, so overall, even if Italy surrenders to France, the overall situation will not worsen much.
But judging from the current situation in the north, it is not easy for Count Spey to make something happen, but there is still no problem in holding the Aegean Sea, and submarines can also put huge pressure on the Allied Powers' transportation in the Mediterranean. Of course, , the main impact on France is that due to the existence of the Souchon fleet, more than half of the Indian Ocean-Red Sea-Mediterranean route has been abolished. Generally speaking, it is better than history.
If the situation continues like this, the prince thinks it is acceptable. The Mediterranean Sea is small, and the Allied fleet is divided into two parts. If the main fleet can run into it when it goes out, it will not be a good thing for the weaker party, so the fleet battle It is to be avoided as much as possible.
But the problem is, the prince has a premonition,
This situation may not last long, because the Mediterranean is too important. In the next stage, the prince will take action against Russia. Russia will definitely ask Britain and France to open the road to Russia as it did in history. The battle for the Dardanelles Strait It will be inevitable! Sooner or later there will be a fight. But now the French navy is more than capable of defending the city, but not aggressive enough. Therefore, if the Allies want to try to conquer the Dardanelles, additional forces will definitely intervene.
"Then who could it be?" The prince's eyes scanned the map one by one. It was impossible for the British. Historically, the British had this ability, but now, haha, the Royal Navy has hung up 6 battleships at once. It would be good if the navy could maintain its basic base in the North Sea. If the Royal Navy dares to disperse the main fleet again, the prince will definitely seize this opportunity and fight again! Churchill and Fisher were not so stupid. They would probably immediately order the Thomas fleet to come back. Even Su Xiong would not care about it. How could they have the leisure to increase the number of troops in the Mediterranean?
It is impossible for the French alone to launch a Dardanelles Battle, and Italy, a weak chicken, is also in vain. Putting aside that, as for the Russians? Not to mention, it would be great if the two dreadnoughts were not blocked by Count Spee in Sevastopol. Then if the Allies really want to have a Dardanelles Battle, there is only one possibility!
"What will Japan do this time?" The prince finally set his sights on the island country in the Far East! Now, the only country that has spare power, can play a huge role, and has plans to participate in the war is Japan. Unlike the history of Japan, which was soy sauce in the first war, developed itself, and then picked up some benefits along the way, Japan in this dimension has already Tightly connected with the Allied Powers, you will either make a lot of money or make nothing at all!
Relying on undeclared war, Japan seized a large area of islands in the Far East from Germany before the official outbreak of World War I. These territories were originally sold to the United States by Germany. If Germany loses, then Japan can at least maintain the status quo, and if Germany wins Oh, haha, Japan is facing pressure from two major powers, the United States and the United States at the same time? What are you thinking about? There is no need to go to the Far East to take action. The Japanese can be brought to their knees by relying on political and economic pressure. And it was precisely because of Germany's guarantee to the United States regarding its Far East colonies that the United States sided with the Allies, and fought to the death with Japan!
From a strategic point of view, it is impossible for Japan to give up here and let its enemies build bases and defense lines directly at its doorstep? That is simply a tragedy! Especially the Kaiser Wilhelm Territory (on the island of Guinea), if the United States allows the United States to operate it for 20 years and then moves the Pacific Fleet base here, it will be equivalent to putting a knife on the neck of Japan's most important colony, the Philippines. . This is something Japan absolutely does not want to see.
In order to ensure that the benefits it reaps can eventually stay, Japan will definitely support Britain and France. Su Xiong's fleet intercepting Japanese troop ships is an example. Perhaps in the near future, a large number of Japanese soldiers will set foot on European territory, and Japan The navy might also participate in battles in the Mediterranean or even the North Sea! Historically, the Japanese fleet has participated in mine clearance operations in the Mediterranean and has received high praise. In this dimension, the prince feels that it is not unusual for Japan's main battleship to appear in the Mediterranean on any day.
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