Chapter 590 Despair

On a light cruiser of the British Royal Navy, Lieutenant General Caveson looked at the sea to the east without tears. There, countless ships of the Royal Navy are sinking in that sea area. I don't know how many souls of Royal Navy officers and soldiers are crying in that sea area.

The main force of the fleet, 21 pre-dreadnoughts and 13 armored cruisers, have all been sunk by the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft. Other small and medium-sized warships suffered little loss. But such a heavy loss is undoubtedly another heavy blow to the British Navy. Although, these former dreadnoughts and armored cruisers are all outdated old battleships. But it is undoubtedly very distressing to lose so much at one time. What's more, although the battleships are outdated, the sailors of the Royal Navy are not outdated! The loss of so many sailors can be regarded as traumatic for the Royal Navy.

"It's over, the British Empire is completely over. The German planes are so powerful, can the Royal Navy really defeat them?" Lieutenant General Cavison murmured.

This battle completely shattered his confidence. In his mind, the German navy had become invincible.

Although, the Royal Navy is still actively preparing for the final decisive battle with the German Navy, and pins its hopes on this decisive battle. If the Royal Navy can turn defeat into victory, then Britain may still win. No matter how bad it is, it can reach a decent peace with the Germans on the premise of preserving most of its core interests. In that case, the British Empire would not collapse. There is still a chance to win again in the future. But in the eyes of Lieutenant General Caveson, the German navy is so powerful. Not only has the world's most powerful main fleet, but also so many aircraft capable of attacking sea targets. Compared with the Royal Navy, there is no comparison at all!

The fleet led by Lieutenant General Cavison this time returned with a disastrous defeat. All the former dreadnoughts and armored cruisers were sunk by the German Navy's carrier-based air force. Although the remaining small and medium-sized warships escaped a lot, they no longer had the courage to go to Le Havre. Lieutenant General Caveson is not sure, if he goes to Le Havre again, will the German Navy's planes also deal with all of their small and medium-sized warships. By that time, their losses will undoubtedly increase further.

What's more, the remaining small and medium-sized warships are no longer able to provide decent fire support to the British Expeditionary Force in Le Havre. This mission was a complete failure.

"General, a telegram from the Expeditionary Force Command, asking how our situation is?" a staff officer reported to Lieutenant General Cavison.

"Tell them sir that the fleet has suffered heavy losses. We have lost all our pre-dreadnoughts and armored cruisers, and now the few small and medium-sized battleships left are withdrawing. Tell them, I am sorry that we can no longer provide fire support for them. Next They can only rely on themselves. May God bless them!" Lieutenant General Cavison said.

Although, he really wanted to help the expeditionary force to resist the German attack. And they used their naval guns to further cause greater casualties to the German army. However, now they can't even protect themselves, so naturally they have no way to help the expeditionary army. The expeditionary force could only find a way to resist the German attack. Of course, Lieutenant General Cavison also knew that this meant that the fate of the expeditionary force had been decided. They will be wiped out under the German attack.

"May God bless you!" Lieutenant General Cavison said secretly in his heart.

"Yes, General." The staff officer immediately went to send a telegram.

Le Havre, British Expeditionary Force Headquarters. Sir French, Admiral Haig, and Admiral Gough were waiting for the Royal Navy's call back with ashen faces. The atmosphere in the entire headquarters became very solemn. All the previous confidence seemed to evaporate at this moment.

When the fleet of the Royal Navy arrived and used naval guns to teach the German army a lesson, they paid a heavy price. All the expeditionary forces rejoiced, thinking that they would be able to withstand the German attack in Le Havre. But now, the German counterattack slapped them hard, pulling them back from fantasy to reality.

"General Haig, will the Royal Navy be able to withstand the attack of the German planes?" asked Sir French. He really doesn't have much confidence now. If the Royal Navy were defeated, he really didn't know how to hold on.

"Perhaps...should be able to withstand it!" Admiral Haig said. In fact, he didn't have much confidence. The German fleet flew over Le Havre, and the overwhelming posture caused a great shock to everyone's psychology.

In fact, the German fleet could have bypassed Le Havre, and in that case, it could be kept a little bit more secret. However, in the end, Admiral Crook and Lieutenant General Ludendorff chose to let the fleet fly over Le Havre in order to deter the British Expeditionary Force. After hitting their morale, it will be easier to defeat the British Expeditionary Force and take Le Havre in the next battle.

"Damn the Germans! How could they have such powerful aircraft? Compared with them, the British Empire has no achievements in this regard." Sir French complained.

In fact, in the field of aviation, the British Empire has been far surpassed by Germany. Otherwise, they would not have been suppressed so miserably.

"My lord, Admiral, telegram from the fleet!" reported a communications officer.

Sir French took the telegram, but then his face turned pale.

"What's the matter, ser?" Admiral Haig asked.

"Lieutenant General Caveson reported that they suffered heavy losses from German aircraft. Twenty-one pre-dreadnoughts and 13 armored cruisers were all sunk," said Sir French.

"What?" Admiral Haig and Admiral Goff were stunned. They also realized the meaning of this sentence, which undoubtedly means that the fleet may no longer be able to provide them with fire support. In the ensuing battle, the only thing they can rely on is themselves.

"Without the fire support of the navy, the Germans will definitely launch an attack on Le Havre soon. Can we resist the German attack?" Sir French asked.

But neither Admiral Haig nor Admiral Gough said a word. Obviously, none of them had confidence.