Chapter 229 The Trap of the Royal Navy

"General Jellicoe, General Betty, how does the Royal Navy plan to solve the threat to our sea transportation line from the German fleet and submarine force? The Prime Minister has no patience. In addition to the current war, It is very detrimental to the entire Allied Powers. Therefore, the cabinet hopes that the Royal Navy can come up with a proper response as soon as possible." Churchill looked at Admiral John Jellicoe and Lieutenant General David Beatty.

"Your Excellency, in order to reduce the loss of the transport fleet, we are now adopting a large fleet plus a warship escort. On the midline of the Atlantic, merchant ships are assembled. Then the Royal Navy provides safety protection for these assembled merchant ships. .From the current point of view, the effect is not bad. We have provided two to three capital ships for each transport fleet. This makes it impossible for the Germans to break through the fleet. Thus ensuring the safe arrival of the transport fleet Great Britain," said Admiral John Jellicoe.

Churchill nodded, this method can solve the problem. However, a large number of capital ships of the Royal Navy have to be engaged in the task of escorting the fleet, which will undoubtedly weaken the strength of the Royal Navy.

"Our capital ships have gone to escort the transport fleet, so what can we do to deal with the German High Seas Fleet?" Churchill asked.

"Your Excellency, our number of capital ships is seriously insufficient now, so we can only maintain vigilance against the German High Seas Fleet. Once we find out that they have changed, we will assemble the fleet." Admiral Jellicoe said.

"No, in this case, the efficiency is too low. Before our main fleet is assembled, the German High Seas Fleet may have launched an attack. Protecting the sea transportation line and defeating the German High Seas Fleet are equally important. ’” Churchill said.

This immediately made General John Jellicoe not know how to answer. The Royal Navy is indeed very powerful, but it is undoubtedly difficult to do these two tasks well at the same time.

"Your Excellency, we are preparing a plan for the German Navy's breaching fleet. If it succeeds, it will severely damage the Germans' breaching fleet. In this case, the threat of the German Navy's breaching fleet to us will be reduced to It is the lowest. It is not impossible to even solve this problem in one fell swoop." Lieutenant General David Beatty said.

"Oh? What plan?" Churchill seemed very interested in this. He undoubtedly hopes to solve the German Navy's High Seas Fleet once and for all. Without the threat of the High Seas Fleet, Britain's sea transportation lines would be unimpeded. And Britain's war potential can also be unaffected.

"Your Excellency, we are going to send a large transport fleet from Canada to the UK. At that time, we will assemble a large escort fleet. The German fleet will definitely attack this fleet. At that time, we will ambush another elite fleet nearby. Once the Germans' breaking fleet launches an attack, we will launch an ambush for them. At that time, we will definitely be able to severely damage the German High Seas Fleet." David Betty The lieutenant general appeared to be full of confidence.

Churchill frowned. From his point of view, this plan seemed a little too crude, with loopholes everywhere.

"Will the Germans take the bait? They are not fools." Churchill raised his doubts.

"Your Excellency, the Germans will definitely take the bait. As long as we prepare enough bait to tempt them, they will definitely take the bait. Even if it doesn't work once, we can prepare several more times. If the German fleet does not launch an attack If so, we can just ship a large amount of war materials to the UK." Lieutenant General David Beatty said.

Churchill nodded: "Well, from this point of view, this is a way to get the best of both worlds. If the Germans' fleet breaks through the attack, then we will kill them. If they don't attack, our fleet will be safe. Get supplies to the UK. Either way, we're victors. That's a good idea."

"Your Excellency, then, we need further authorization. This plan has already been prepared, but if the authorization can be obtained, the fleet can depart from Canada tomorrow." Admiral John Jellicoe also said excitedly.

"I can give you a mandate right away. However, I want you to guarantee a victory for the British Empire." Churchill said.

"Yes, Your Excellency the Minister. We promise to win." Admiral John Jellicoe and Lieutenant General David Beatty are very confident.

As early as when the battlecruiser "Lion" was sunk, the Royal Navy Grand Fleet had already begun to find a way to solve the German Navy's breaking fleet. After this period of hard work, they finally perfected the plan and started to put it into action. What is lacking now is nothing more than a mandate from Churchill. Of course, they had already expected that Churchill would definitely authorize them. Because, from the bottom of his heart, Churchill was a main fighter.

"May I know which warships you have prepared for this operation?" Churchill asked.

"Of course, Your Excellency, this plan may be a secret to others. However, adults are fully qualified to know this plan." Lieutenant General David Betty said.

"The fleet we have prepared for this plan is mainly divided into the escort fleet and the ambush fleet. The escort fleet is four 'George V-class' battleships. The ambush fleet is three 'Invincible-class' battlecruisers, three' Indefatigable-class battlecruisers, the remaining two "Lion-class" battlecruisers, the "Tiger" battlecruiser and the four "Iron Duke-class" battlecruisers that have just entered service." Lieutenant General David Beatty said.

"Is this going to wipe out all the capital ships of the Royal Navy?" Churchill asked suspiciously.

"Your Excellency, we are indeed preparing to dispatch the most powerful battleships in the Royal Navy. In addition to the battlecruisers, the four 'George V-class' battleships and the four 'Iron Duke-class' battleships are the latest Royal Navy battleships. A sharp capital ship. At that time, once the German Navy's High Seas Fleet takes the bait, we will prepare a tight encirclement, and we will never let the Germans have the opportunity to take out this encirclement." Lieutenant General David Beatty said.

If it wasn't for the fact that the 'Queen Elizabeth-class' battleships hadn't entered service yet, it is estimated that David Betty would require this class of battleships equipped with 381mm main guns to join this operation.