Chapter three hundred and forty-ninth battle clouds
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Japan's returning fleet includes four battleships, namely the 'Shikishima' battleship, 'Shikishima' and 'Asahi'; two 'Ryujo' class battleships, 'Ryujo' and 'Hizen'
.'Shikishima-class' battle array
The battleship is an imitation of the British Navy's "Majesty-class" battleship, while the "Ryujo-class" battleship is an improvement from the "Indiana-class" battleship of the U.S. Navy. It can be said that these two classes of battleships are not of the same class at all.
.Except for the more powerful firepower of the 'Ryujo-class' battleships, there is no way the rest can compare with the 'Shikishima-class', especially the maximum speed of 15 knots. Once faced with the 'Zhonghua-class' of the Chinese Navy,
Battleships are a dead end. In order to obtain loans from the United States, the Japanese government gritted its teeth and ordered two battleships and two armored cruisers from the United States. Otherwise, they would not have ordered American battleships!
In addition to the battleships, there are six armored cruisers. These armored cruisers are all designed by the British, with two ships each built by the United Kingdom, France and the United States. The United States has also built five armored cruisers of this class for itself.
this level
The armored cruisers, named 'Iwami-class' armored cruisers by Japan, include 'Iwami', 'Tango', 'Shubo', 'Somo', 'Owari' and 'Suruga'
No.'Iwami-class' armored cruiser, displacement
It has a weight of 8,350 tons, a maximum speed of 25 knots, and two twin 280mm main guns, six 155mm single-mounted guns, six 105mm single-mounted guns, eight 37mm cannons, and four 450mm cannons.
mm water fish
The combat effectiveness of mine launch tubes is already very good among cruisers. However, there is still a certain gap when facing the Chinese Navy's 'Chengdu-class' heavy cruisers, let alone the latest level of the Chinese Navy's 'Beijing-class'
Battleship.
In addition, there are fifteen destroyers with a displacement of just over a thousand tons and a speed of 28 knots. Their armaments are mainly 105 mm naval guns and 3 torpedo tubes. Compared with the destroyers built by the Japanese Navy,
Much better.
The Japanese fleet also carried several supply ships. Although they could obtain supplies from British-controlled ports along the way, they could bring supply ships to deal with emergencies. For example, they must give full consideration to how to return to Japan safely. This
Everything must be supported by sufficient materials. Otherwise, everything is empty talk.
London, England, Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards is talking to Second Lord of the Admiralty Lord Walter Kerr.
"Your Excellency, Lord Admiralty, when the Japanese left, they were very angry and resentful of our navy for not saving their lives. Will this affect the empire's interests in the Far East?" Lord Walter Kerr was a little worried.
said.
"Walter, please rest assured that the contradiction between Japan and China is irreconcilable. There will definitely be a war between China and Japan. And this time, the possibility of a war between the two sides is as high as more than 90%.
.It’s just a pity that the war did not break out after 1900 as we expected. In that case, Japan would be more powerfully armed by us, and the U.S. Navy would be more than twice as powerful as it is now.
"At that time, if the Chinese want to win, I am afraid they will have to pay a higher price. But now, it can be seen that the Japanese will definitely fail. But I don't know how much loss they will cause the Chinese!" Military Minister Fu
Sir Redrick William Richards said with some regret. If Japan can cause huge losses to China, Britain will not have to work so hard to clean up the mess.
"What if the Japanese give up their conflict with China and instead unite with China? If the two powerful Far East powers unite, it will be a huge threat to the empire!" Lord Walter Kerr
I thought of a loophole.
"Haha! Walter, you are thinking too much! You don't understand these Far Easterners, or yellow-skinned monkeys. The Chinese have an old saying, 'One mountain cannot tolerate two tigers.' This shows that the entire Far East region cannot tolerate two powerful countries.
, only one powerful country can be allowed to exist. Therefore, this constitutes the most basic contradiction between China and Japan. Now, the entire Japan regards China as
The biggest enemy. Otherwise, they would have successfully risen as early as four years ago. Japan's situation is very similar to ours in the UK. It's just that we in the UK are lucky to have richer resources than Japan.
, and at the same time, we embarked on the road of maritime expansion three hundred years earlier than Japan. Therefore, if Japan wants to rise and overcome its current predicament, it only needs to defeat China.
China must become the only powerful country in the Far East. Otherwise, the huge foreign debt they owe alone can bankrupt their government. And the Chinese also regard Japan as a formidable enemy. More than four years ago
During the Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese committed unforgivable crimes in China. If it had not been for our obstruction at that time, Japan would have been destroyed long ago. This time, China
The Chinese people will definitely not miss this opportunity. So, we just need to watch the show!" Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards said with a smile. The UK is still the world's No. 1
For a powerful country, they can easily treat other countries as pawns, hide behind and watch them bleed and fight, and in the end they will gain the benefits.
"Then, Your Excellency, Lord Admiralty, I suggest that the 'Chinese Fleet' be temporarily withdrawn south to Singapore. The 'Chinese Fleet' has four 'Sovereign Class' battleships and the Pacific Fleet has two. They can reorganize the Far East Fleet. By then, perhaps
The Far East Fleet can defeat the Chinese Navy after a decisive battle with the Japanese Navy!" Lord Walter Kerr suggested.
"Yes! Send a telegram to Lieutenant General Felimantel, the commander of the 'Chinese Fleet', and ask him to lead the fleet south! Let him serve as the commander of the Far East Fleet. When the Japanese fleet arrives, quietly follow the Japanese fleet and look for
Opportunity. If you find that the Chinese Navy has been seriously damaged, you can take the opportunity to launch an attack on the Chinese Navy!" said Lord of the Admiralty Sir Frederick William Richards.
"Ah! Are we going to go to war with the Chinese without declaring it?" Lord Walter Kerr asked in surprise. According to the Pacific Alliance Treaty, Britain and France do not have to declare war on China immediately. If we go to war without declaring it, I am afraid that
It will have an impact on Britain's international image.
"If we can take advantage, it doesn't matter whether we declare war or not. As long as we can win, we are just. In the end, we won and gained huge benefits for the British Empire! Then, we are the British Empire
The hero of the war!" Sir Frederick William Richards, Lord Admiralty, said disdainfully. In this world, history is always written by the victors.
Moreover, he also left some room. If the Japanese navy did not cause much damage to the Chinese navy, then Britain could completely stop its actions and not be involved in the war prematurely. However, he did not expect that once the British fleet
If he appears on the battlefield, many things will not be decided by him now. It is precisely because of his decision that thousands of soldiers of the British Far East Fleet lost their lives in the Pacific Ocean.
In Berlin, Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Navy Minister Tirpitz also discussed the return of the Japanese fleet to China.
"Your Majesty, as the Japanese fleet returns to Japan, this time the war between China and Japan is likely to begin. Next, there will be a full-scale war between China and the Pacific Alliance. Even Britain and France may join it.
Although China has become much stronger than before, it still faces the world's five major problems alone.
If Britain and France do not join, China may still be able to win. But if Britain and France join, China will probably fail. Especially in terms of navy, the British have given the rest of the world
The threat posed by the country is too great." Tirpitz said with some worry.
"When the time comes, we can help them. The High Seas Fleet can conduct an exercise in the North Sea. However, I hope that the Admiralty can control the scale and not overly stimulate the UK. It is best for us to let the UK send part of its navy to the Far East.
Fight with China, but at the same time, China will not lose the war and let them fight for two
Both countries will suffer. In this case, it will be very beneficial to the German Empire!" William II said. There have never been true friends between countries. Once China wins the war, it will become the only powerful country in the Far East, even in the
Germany is probably one of the top powers in the world, and Germany must consider its own interests.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Tirpitz said. Although it is unethical to do so, there is no other way. Only by consuming as much of the British Navy's strength in the Far East as possible can the pressure on Germany be reduced. For Germany
It is very necessary to defeat Britain and expand Germany's living space. The reason why Germany fully supports China and challenges British interests in the Far East is precisely for this purpose.
Japan's allies, the United States and Russia, have also begun to prepare for war. The United States' West Coast Fleet has been mobilized. Although, originally, the United States wanted to wait until their 'Maine-class' battleships and 'Illinois-class' battleships were commissioned.
They want to start a war, but I'm afraid they can't wait until that time now. But fortunately, their west coast fleet can still have a certain advantage against the Chinese Pacific Fleet.
Russia has also begun mobilization, but they will have to wait until spring before they can send troops to the Far East.
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