Although the German Navy's active preparations were very secretive, it was almost impossible to keep them confidential. The North Sea was not wide, and it was not difficult for the British Navy to know the situation of the German Navy. The German Navy His active preparations also attracted the attention of the British Navy. British Navy Secretary John.
Sir Fisher repeatedly summoned the naval generals and the heads of the fleets to come up with plans to deal with possible challenges by the German Navy.
Overall, the British Navy still has a great advantage when traveling to the North Sea. Now the German Navy is completely blocked in the port. Once the German Navy leaves the port, it will inevitably be encircled and suppressed by the British Navy. However, After the German Navy's Bavarian-class battleships were put into service, the British Navy became more and more cautious. Because the whole world knows that the British Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class battleships and subsequent improved revenge-class battleships are still there During construction, the British Navy currently has no battleships that can deal with the German Navy.
'Bavarian-class battleship, a powerful battleship with 4 double-mounted 381mm main guns, is enough to sink any British Navy battleship. Before the 'Queen Elizabeth class, battleship and'Revenge-class battleships were put into service, the United Kingdom The Navy should avoid a decisive battle with the German Navy. However, the German Navy does not seem to give up this opportunity. It can be seen from the increasingly active mobilization of the German Navy.
The clouds of war over the North Sea seem to be getting thicker and thicker. Even ordinary people from Britain and Germany can feel the tranquility before the war comes. Both sides do not want to fail in this war. If they fail, then It means that it will completely fail in this war. This is absolutely unacceptable to both countries.
On the evening of May 20, British Prime Minister Herbert.
Henry.
Asquith held an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the increasingly urgent situation. On the battlefield in northern France, the British Army's expeditionary force had invested hundreds of thousands of troops, and suffered heavy casualties. But even now, No one has seen the hope of victory yet. Now the Navy will face challenges from Germany. If the Navy is defeated, it will be a fatal blow to Britain. Therefore, Prime Minister Asquis is urgently anxious I want to know whether the British Navy can cope with the challenges of the German Navy, or whether it can win and defend the British maritime overlord in this naval battle.
At 8 pm that day, the British cabinet officials gathered at the Prime Minister's Office. Those who attended this meeting were all the main ministers of the cabinet. In addition to Prime Minister Asquith, there was also Foreign Minister Edward.
Sir Grey, Secretary of the Navy John.
Sir Fisher, Secretary of the Exchequer David.
Lloyd.
George, Secretary of the Army Winston.
Leonard.
Spencer.
Churchill and the colonial minister George.
Nathaniel.
Marquis of Curzon. Among them, the Minister of Army Churchill was transferred from Minister of Commerce to Minister of Army. As a pro-war faction in the British cabinet, Churchill has always claimed toughly that in the face of Germany's challenges, Britain should completely defeat Germany without mercy. , completely cut off the ambitions of the Germans and defend the interests of Britain.
In the small meeting room of the Prime Minister's Office, the British cabinet's important officials began this meeting. Because considering the confidentiality, except for the ministers attending the meeting, only the secretary of the Prime Minister's Office who was responsible for recording remained in the meeting room.
All the people were asked to stay away from the conference room.
"Everyone, this morning, I went to Buckingham Palace to meet His Majesty George V. His Majesty is very concerned about the war that is going on now. The Army fought bravely in northern France, but when will we defeat the Germans? The Navy is now also
Facing challenges from Germany, is the Royal Navy capable of defeating the German Navy and defending the interests of the British Empire? Now, I need everyone to give me a definite answer!" Prime Minister Asquis glanced at everyone, especially in the Navy
Minister John.
Sir Fisher and Secretary of the Army Winston.
Churchill stayed on his body for the longest time. Compared with other important officials in the cabinet, the two of them undoubtedly had the most direct relationship with this war.
"His Prime Minister, the Expeditionary Force is fighting bloody battles with the Germans in northern France. Although, both our and the French Army have suffered great casualties. But overall, we have resisted the fierce attacks of the Germans, saved Paris, and made France firm.
We are determined to continue fighting. Now, we are getting back the advantage of the battlefield bit by bit. I think we will soon gain the advantage of the battlefield and completely defeat Germany!" Army Secretary Winston.
Churchill first said that after he succeeded as Secretary of the Army, he further expanded the recruitment of the British Army, strengthened the ties with the French Army, and launched a series of counterattacks on the battlefield. Although they were eventually crushed by the German Army.
, and suffered heavy losses. But overall, the situation on the battlefield is developing in a direction that is beneficial to the British and French coalition forces.
"How long will it take for a very fast time? Can you give me a definite answer?" Prime Minister Asquith frowned. Churchill's answer was too general, not the result he wanted to hear.
"Prime Minister, this is difficult to determine. If I had to give a time limit, I would probably be one to two years!" Winston.
Churchill said.
"One to two years, so long?" Prime Minister Asquith frowned. The war has begun almost a year now. Although the war took place in Belgium and northern France, it did not suffer much damage to Britain.
, Britain also spent a huge amount of national strength for this war. In particular, the German Navy's submarines attacked British merchant ships on the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which almost put British maritime trade in a standstill and caused great success to Britain.
loss.
If the war goes on for another year or two, Britain will be completely dragged down.
"Your Excellency, there is nothing you can do about this. The German army took the lead in completing the mobilization and damaged France and Russia in the early stages of the war. When we joined the war, France was already in an extremely unfavorable situation, and almost even Paris was brought to Germany.
People occupy it. Now, we are working hard to push the front north. However, as Germany obtains many advanced weapons from China, if we cannot come up with the weapons to deal with it in time, it may be a long time in the future.
At a disadvantage!" Winston.
Churchill said with some concern. The UK has confirmed that China has officially delivered FB's Haidongqing fighter jets to Germany. The fighter jets jointly developed by Britain, France and the United States are still under intense test flights, and are expected to be June or July.
Mass production will only begin in the month. In addition, the tanks and armored vehicles used by China on the Mexican battlefield will almost cause a devastating blow to Europe's trench-based defense system. Once Germany obtains relevant technology from China
In other words, the defense line that the British and French coalition forces adhered to is very likely to be broken through by the German army. At that time, it will be even more difficult for the British and French coalition forces to defeat the German army. The only thing that is thankful is that the Chinese did not seem to have exported such advanced weapons to Germany.
Meaning. This also gave the UK a certain amount of time, hoping to step up the development of countermeasures.
After hearing this, Prime Minister Asquith frowned tightly. He knew that Winston.
Churchill would not exaggerate it. The problems facing the British and French coalition forces are really serious now, and it seems very difficult to win.
"Okay, let's put the Army's problems aside!" Prime Minister Asquith said.
"Prime Minister, I think that the war in Europe can not only be found from the army itself, but also with the help of external forces. At present, Italy is still swaying, and the countries in the Balkans are still hesitating. If we can convince these countries to join the Allies to fight.
For us, the benefits are obvious. Once Italy joins the Allies to fight, it can effectively alleviate the pressure faced by France, and can also threaten the Austro-Hungarian Empire from the south, creating conditions for Russia to defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If the Germans don't want Austro-Hungarian Empire
If the Hungarian Empire is defeated, more troops will be dispatched to the eastern front. The same is true for the countries on the Balkan Peninsula. There are irreconcilable contradictions between Serbia and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and we can support Serbia in attacking the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In addition,
This can be used to cut off the Baghdad Railway and cut off China's support for Germany. In this way, Germany will collapse more quickly!" Foreign Minister Edward.
Sir Grey said.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can contact these countries. If they join the Allies to fight, we can give them corresponding benefits after victory!" Prime Minister Asquith said. Britain is also urgently in need of more allies to join.
Sharing the pressure. Otherwise, even with the accumulation of Britain over the years, it would not last long.
"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister!" Edward.
Sir Grey said.
Next, Prime Minister Asquith looked at the Secretary of the Navy John.
Sir Fisher. In fact, the navy is what he attaches most importance to. Geographical factors determine that Britain attaches great importance to the navy. As long as Britain has a strong navy, even if it is defeated on the European continent, it can ensure the security of the British mainland.
The powerful German army can't swim across the English Channel, right?
"His Excellency Prime Minister, please rest assured. The Navy has already had a complete solution to deal with the German Navy. This time, we have arranged the trap and waited for the Germans to take the initiative to get in! Once the Germans get into the trap, we
We will take advantage of this opportunity to severely damage or even completely eliminate the German navy and eliminate the threat from the Germans for the British Empire!" Navy Secretary John.