Chapter 228: Burnt-out Brits (1200 votes plus more

   It has been a month since the war broke out. However, the war situation has become very unfavorable to the Allies. Although, the overall strength of the Allies is obviously stronger than that of Germany. However, Germany's powerful military capabilities were fully demonstrated in this battle. Not only has it achieved great success on the east and west fronts, but the British are also in a state of embarrassment when they fight at sea. At least, from the current point of view, the allies led by Germany, even if there are only two countries, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, still have the possibility of winning this war!

   King George V of England specially summoned Prime Minister Asquith and asked him if he could reverse the current situation. If Britain cannot win the war, perhaps it is time to think of other ways. It can be seen that the king, who has just ascended the throne not long ago, is no longer so confident about whether he can defeat the Germans.

  After returning to the Prime Minister's Office from Buckingham Palace, Prime Minister Asquith immediately held a cabinet meeting.

"Gentlemen, His Majesty the King is very worried about the current war situation, for fear that we will lose in this war. Personally, I also have the same worries. Although, I believe that the British Empire is the most powerful, and it will definitely be able to We will win the war in the future. However, the current war situation is really not good for us.

  On the Eastern Front, the monstrous crown prince of Germany led an army of less than 200,000 people and wiped out more than 500,000 Russian troops. On the Western Front, the Germans had already penetrated into northern France, and even threatened Paris. The British and French allied forces were beaten all over the place by the Germans. At sea, the German navy is even more aggressive. Every day, many merchant ships are sunk by the Germans in the Atlantic Ocean. The Royal Navy has nothing to do about it. Under such circumstances, it is really hard for me to believe that we will really win the final victory.

   Gentlemen, please tell me, what should we do now to turn the tide of the war? " Prime Minister Asquith's eyes swept across the faces of the cabinet members.

"Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, I have to admit that the Germans do have a great advantage on the battlefield. However, this is mainly because they are too well prepared for this war. And we, the French and the Russians , were not prepared. Therefore, the Germans had an advantage in the early stages of the war, which is inevitable." Churchill explained.

   Indeed, when the war broke out, Britain, France and Russia were not able to prepare for war. Britain has a strong navy, so don't expect too much from its army. The French Army and the Russian Army are undergoing adaptations. If the French Army and the Russian Army complete the adaptation, the combat effectiveness will be greatly improved. But unfortunately, their adaptation has not yet been completed, and the war has already begun. This made France and Russia have to suspend military reforms and face Germany. This also led to their unfavorable situation on the battlefield.

   Prime Minister Asquith nodded, reluctantly accepting this explanation.

"Your Excellency, although the Germans have won victory on the Eastern Front, they have also wiped out as many as half a million troops. Five hundred thousand troops may be a huge number for us. However, for the Russians It is nothing at all. You know, the standing army of the Russians is as many as 1.4 million. Once their mobilization is completed, the army can be expanded to more than 3.5 million, and if it goes further, it can reach It is not impossible to have 500,000 troops. Therefore, the loss of 500,000 troops is nothing to the Russians. We do not have to worry about the Russians at all. I believe that the Russians will soon send more More troops are going to the front," said War Secretary Richard Haldane.

"As for the western front, the German army does take the initiative. Northern France has also fallen to a large area. However, the British and French allied forces are confident that they will defend the Marne River and resist the German attack. The Germans want to break through the Marne River defense line and lay down Paris. That's impossible," continued Richard Haldane.

   "His Excellency, Minister of War, can the coalition forces really hold Paris?" Prime Minister Asquith asked. What he was most worried about was that Paris would be captured by the German army. In that case, the French may despair and withdraw from the war. At that time, everything will be irreversible. Without France to contain Germany on land, Russia, which relies only on the Eastern Front, is no match for the Germans at all. Without worries on land, the Germans will definitely fight the British Empire for the ocean with all their strength. At that time, will Britain still be able to win? Prime Minister Asquith, even if he wasn't from the navy, knew it would be very difficult.

"Your Excellency, I don't think you need to worry about this. Even if the French lose Paris, they will continue to fight. Their will to fight is still very firm. I have already talked to the French Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs on this issue. .” Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Gray smiled.

   Prime Minister Asquith nodded, if this is the case, it would be great. Although the current situation is very bad, it is not so bad that it is out of control. The British and French allied forces are also likely to come back again.

"Although this is the case, we still need to send more expeditionary troops to help the French. It would be best if Paris could not fall. Once Paris falls, it will be a fatal blow to the morale of the French army and the people. We absolutely cannot allow that to happen. Otherwise, it will be even more difficult for us to win the war." Prime Minister Asquith said.

   "Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." Richard Haldane nodded.

   Now that the army has no problem, Prime Minister Asquith looked to Churchill.

   "Minister of the Navy, has the Navy thought about how to deal with the Germans? If the safety of our sea transportation lines cannot be guaranteed, there will be big problems." Prime Minister Asquith said with a serious face.

  Britain is a country that relies heavily on sea transportation. Once the sea transportation line is cut off, the consequences will be fatal.

"Your Excellency, the Royal Navy is already trying to deal with the German fleet and submarines. We even sent capital ships to **** merchant ships. From the current point of view, the effect is not bad. The fleet escorted by capital ships, None of them were attacked. However, this is a solution to the symptoms rather than the root cause. I have ordered the Royal Navy to find a way to deal with the German breaching fleet. Only by eliminating them can our sea transportation lines be truly safe."