Chapter 447 The Three Kingdoms Combined Fleet Set sail
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Team, has suffered heavy losses in this war, losing one-quarter of its troops. The imperial finances have fallen into an unsustainable state. If possible, can you consider going from now on
East and West Siberia retreats, exchanging space for time. This will also reduce the logistical pressure!" Russian Prime Minister Sergei Witt said. Russia is the largest country in the world, but now, this has caused the Russian army to
Very big trouble. Although some sections of the Siberian Railway have been opened to traffic, their capacity is limited. This makes it take a long time for the Russian support troops and logistics supplies to reach Irkutsk. If you can retreat westward
, shortening the logistics supply line will be very beneficial to the Russian army. At the same time, it can also increase the logistics pressure on China, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone. Sergei Vette saw this and made such a suggestion.
of.
"What? Take the initiative to retreat? How can this work? These lands were seized by our ancestors bit by bit, how can we give up on our own initiative! No, this is absolutely not possible!" Tsar Nicholas II said stubbornly. The Russian royal family,
There is an unimaginable persistence for land. This is also the reason why Russia has been able to develop from a small European country to the world's largest country in terms of territory.
"Your Majesty, this is only temporary! After waiting for the navy to defeat the Chinese navy, we can launch a counterattack, defeat the Chinese in one fell swoop, and regain the lost land!" Army Minister Alexei Nikolaevich Kuropa
Tkin persuaded.
However, Tsar Nicholas II hesitated for a moment and shook his head.
"Now, the whole of Europe and the whole world, look at the jokes of Russia. If we take the initiative to retreat, Russia will become the laughing stock of the whole world. This is absolutely not possible! If the front line lacks troops, then we will send more troops,
Send more troops from Europe! If it is not enough, we can also arm more troops!" Tsar Nicholas II was very stubborn.
"Your Majesty, we must leave enough troops in Europe to guard against the Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire! Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire are very close to China and have always been coveted by the empire's territory.
If the Empire drew a large number of troops from Europe, wouldn’t it give them a chance?” Sergei Witt said.
"Hmph! The Germans and the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Do they dare to attack the empire at this time? If they dare, Britain and France will definitely not sit idly by! The Germans at most just let us fight with the Chinese and both lose money.
If you really want to start a war, you may not have the courage to do so!" Tsar Nicholas II said disdainfully. Although he was a little stubborn and self-willed, he was not a fool. The war with China now is not just Russia.
It has brought both Britain and France into it. If Germany dares to act rashly at this time, Britain and France will definitely attack Germany. Even though Germany is becoming stronger and stronger now, it will fight against Britain, France and Russia at the same time
If so, Germany will definitely not have the confidence to win. Therefore, Germany will not attack Russia until it is completely sure.
Nicholas II brought this reason, and Sergei Witt had to shut up. He did not want to see a large number of Russian soldiers, like animals, driven to the battlefield and then killed by the Chinese. However,
Nicholas II had made up his mind, so he had no choice. As for the financial pressure, after having a large loan from the UK, it can be supported for a while. As for how to return it in the future, it is hard to say
.If you defeat China and get a large amount of war reparations from China, it will be easy to resolve together. If you fail, there is no way.
"Don't worry! Although the Emperor* team was defeated miserably in the previous war, we will not be defeated all the time. I believe that Grand Duke Nicholas, as long as he has sufficient military strength and logistics support, he will definitely give us the
It brings surprises!" said Tsar Nicholas II. I don't know how he came to this conclusion, or it was simply his imagination.
Britain also had to adjust its plan because of Russia's crushing defeat in Ulan-Ude. Britain was really worried that Russia would make peace with China alone due to heavy losses. In that case, all British plans would be useless.
.In order to cheer up Russia, Britain decided that the prepared three-country joint fleet would expedition to China as soon as possible to seize maritime hegemony and lay the foundation for defeating China.
On the evening of April 27, London time, the Marquis of Prime Minister Salisbury summoned the Minister of Navy Lord Walter Kerr and asked about the specific plans of the Three Kingdoms Combined Fleet to expedition to China.
"Now, have the warships of all countries arrived? When can it be?" asked the Marquis of Salisbury.
"His Excellency, the fleets of all countries have arrived and have all gathered in the Portsmouth military port. It includes our nineteen battleships, the ten Russian battleships, and the five French armored cruisers. In total, it includes
Twenty-nine battleships, ten armored cruisers, forty-five cruisers, seventy-two destroyers, and twenty transport ships. Prime Minister, this is definitely the most powerful fleet ever. I am full of confidence in them
,This time, we will definitely be able to defeat the Chinese Navy!" Lord Walter Kerr said proudly. Although this is a joint fleet composed of three European countries, this is led by Britain.
The commander of the fleet was also British, with British Marshal Sir Algeron McLennan Lyons as commander of the joint fleet. The deputy commander was Grand Duke Alessandrovich, the Russian Marshal. After all, the Russian Navy sent
Ten battleships should have taken this position. The chief of staff of the fleet was still appointed by the British Navy, with the Navy Marshal Sir Frederick William Richards. Originally, this position should have been assigned to the French. However,
The proportion of the French navy in the joint fleet is too small. At the same time, most of the materials used by the joint fleet are also produced by the United Kingdom, and it is very suitable for the British to take on the position of Chief of Staff.
Although they were a little dissatisfied with this, they did not care too much. Who told the French Navy to embark on a wrong path? When all countries were desperately developing battleships, they developed cruisers and lightning strikers, and the result was the present.
The bitter fruit. Even if the French navy starts to catch up from now on, it will probably take a lot of time to recover to the ranks of world naval powers.
"I am very happy that you have such confidence! Then, I wish you a triumphant return." The Marquis of Salisbury said with a smile. Russia suffered repeated defeats, which put a lot of pressure on Britain.
There have been doubts about the Marquis of Salisbury in the House of Lords and the House of Commons. If the Navy cannot win, he may be kicked off again.
"Prime Minister, please rest assured that the Navy will definitely win!" Lord Walter Kerr, the Minister of Navy. Although he had no basis for facts, anyone who saw the one anchored in the Portsmouth military port was
The huge steel fleets will also surge strong confidence. Although the Chinese naval warships are advanced, the three-country joint fleet has an overwhelming advantage in terms of number.
"So, what about the specific combat plan? Singapore has fallen, and the navy will not have any supply in the Far East! If the Chinese Navy avoids fighting, it will probably be in great trouble!" Salisbury
The Marquis raised his own question. Originally, Britain wanted to use Singapore as a supply base. However, China took the lead in capturing Singapore. This allowed the Three Kingdoms Far East Fleet to complete the last supply in India.
"Prince, we have considered this issue. There are twenty large transport ships in the fleet, which are for this consideration. Moreover, our fleet can be obtained in Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and India.
Recharge. There will be no supply after passing through the Strait of Malacca and entering the South China Sea. At this time, the supplies carried by large transport ships are enough for fleets to use. As for the Chinese people to avoid fighting, we will not give them this opportunity.
.After entering the South China Sea, if the Chinese dare not fight us, the fleet will go directly to Beihai City, China. This place and nearby are important shipbuilding bases for the Chinese Navy. If this place is destroyed, China's shipbuilding strength
It will be a big discount. If the Chinese dare not fight, we don’t mind going north and turning all the coastal cities of China into ruins, just like they did in Japan!” Lord Walter Kerr, the Minister of Navy, said with a smile.
"Okay, this plan is very good! If this happens, I will feel relieved!" The Marquis of Salisbury's face was full of smiles and wrinkles on his face seemed to be like a chrysanthemum.
"His Excellency Prime Minister, we also urge the Americans! The United States and China have declared war for so long, but they have remained unmoved! Such behavior is a complete betrayal of the Pacific Alliance!" said Lord Walter Kerr, Secretary of the Navy.
"I will summon the US ambassador to Britain tomorrow!" The Marquis of Salisbury flashed a trace of anger. The rogue behavior of the United States also made him very dissatisfied.
On the morning of April 28, a joint fleet formed by Britain, France and Russia set out from the Portsmouth military port and sailed into the ocean. They will cross the Strait of Gibraltar, enter the Mediterranean, and then enter the Indian Ocean from the Mediterranean. After India completes supply,
Directly rushing to the Strait of Malacca and breaking into the South China Sea and fighting the Chinese Navy! (To be continued.)
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