Chapter 255 Panicked British

Churchill was silent, although he had already thought that the plan this time might not go so smoothly, or might fail. However, when the news of the failure came, it still made him a little unacceptable. Of course, Churchill was not a person who could not accept reality. As the Minister of the Navy, he must be responsible for the British Empire. No matter how difficult it is, he must lead the Royal Navy to win the war.

"David? How did General Beatty fail? Was it a big loss?" Churchill asked.

"Your Excellency, the Germans have already made preparations. In addition to the six battlecruisers in their breakaway fleet, they also dispatched three more powerful battlecruisers." Admiral John Jellicoe said .

Churchill frowned: "We dispatched 17 warships. Even if the Germans added three more battlecruisers, they wouldn't be defeated by them!"

"Your Excellency, the three German battlecruisers are all powerful battlecruisers equipped with 380mm main guns. It is beyond our expectations! The Germans will be equipped with 380mm main guns before us Battleship. And this time, it gave us a hard blow." Admiral John Jellicoe gritted his teeth and said.

"Those guys in the intelligence department, I will settle accounts with them." Churchill cursed.

Subsequently, Admiral John Jellicoe introduced the history of the naval battle to Churchill. When he learned that the British Navy lost seven battleships and three battlecruisers, another battleship and one battlecruiser were severely damaged, and only five battlecruisers were still strong, Churchill no longer knew what to say. What's the point.

Lieutenant General David Betty, this time is not just a failure, it can be described as a fiasco. Lost so many capital ships, especially all new capital ships. Even if the Royal Navy has a big business, it can't afford such a loss! It can be said that this has already hurt the Royal Navy.

"Damn it, how could there be such a big loss? This will seriously damage the strength of the Royal Navy! If the Germans launch a decisive battle with us at this time, we will not be able to resist it at all!" Churchill panicked. He even believes that if only the number and combat effectiveness of cutting-edge warships are counted, the German Navy may have surpassed the British Navy and become the veritable number one in the world. This result made him panic.

"Your Excellency, the combat power of the Germans has indeed exceeded our expectations. Lieutenant General David Beatty mentioned more than once in the telegram that the German Navy's warships have very strong defenses and have been hit by us several times. , but the armor was not penetrated. And our warships, because of their weak armor, are often seriously injured or even sunk once they are hit. Under such circumstances, we are very disadvantaged in naval battles. Admiral John Jellicoe explained.

In fact, this problem was already exposed when the battlecruiser "Lion" was sunk. It's just that it hasn't been taken seriously. However, in this naval battle, this problem was once again exposed, and it is difficult not to be taken seriously.

But what is embarrassing is that these warships have already been built, and they can't go back to the shipyard for refitting to increase the thickness of the armor, right? In that case, it is completely unfeasible, and it will cause problems in the balance of all aspects of the battleship, which will affect the combat effectiveness, and even directly overturn it.

"I'm afraid this problem is difficult to solve. At most, we should pay attention to this problem in the subsequent construction of warships." Churchill said.

Admiral John Jellicoe nodded.

"So, General Jellicoe, we have lost so many capital ships. So, can the Royal Navy still fight the Germans? Will we still be able to defeat the Germans in the decisive battle in the future?" Churchill asked.

"Your Excellency, the Germans are obviously hiding their strength. It seems that they should be serving with battleships equipped with 380mm main guns. This speed far exceeds ours. However, if the decisive battle is in our "Queen Elizabeth" If we proceed after the "Revenge-class" and "Revenge-class" battleships are in service, we may not have no chance of winning. Of course, in view of the heavy losses of our capital ships now, I hope that the Navy can immediately start building a newer class of battleships. And with the latest Start construction as quickly as possible, and strive to enter service within one and a half years." Admiral John Jellicoe said.

Churchill nodded. He also knew that the main force of the Royal Navy was seriously damaged and needed to be supplemented urgently. Otherwise, the Royal Navy may not be able to win future decisive battles.

"I will report to Your Excellency the Prime Minister. However, the navy's future warships must avoid the problem of weak armor. These are the painful lessons that the Royal Navy paid for with blood and lives!" Churchill sighed.

If the Royal Navy can be given another chance, they will never establish a shipbuilding idea that emphasizes firepower and speed and despises defense. Unfortunately, God will never give them such a chance.

"General Jellicoe, go and prepare the design materials for the cutting-edge warship. I'm going to see the Prime Minister." Churchill said. The Royal Navy has suffered such a disastrous defeat, and it is impossible to hide it. What's more, the navy needs to build more capital ships, and it needs the support of the cabinet. Otherwise, where can it get funding?

"Yes, Your Excellency." Admiral John Jellicoe replied, then saluted and prepared to leave.

At this time, a staff officer rushed in anxiously.

Both Churchill and Admiral John Jellicoe couldn't help frowning, and at the same time, they also had a bad premonition in their hearts. Could it be that there is any bad news coming?

"Report. The fleet sent a telegram. They were attacked by the German submarine force. More than ten submarines participated in the attack on our fleet. The fleet suffered heavy losses. So far, fourteen merchant ships have been silent It's gone," the staff officer reported.

Churchill and Admiral John Jellicoe's faces were livid, and they just made room leaks and it rained all night, that's it! The Royal Navy has lost so many capital ships, and it is time for them to build warships frantically to make up for the losses. The merchant ships have suffered serious losses again, which will make them even more scarce in war supplies, and even restrict their shipbuilding plans.

"Damn the Germans, they want to kill us! No matter what, I will not let the German conspiracy succeed." Churchill said through gritted teeth.

However, although his appearance is fierce, in his heart, he is already very panicked.