Chapter 2070: response
"Now, according to our intelligence, the French are probably ready to compromise with the Germans. This should be very clear to everyone. What about the British Empire in the future? Do you have any ideas?" Prime Minister Asquith asked Tao.
"Our situation in the French battlefield can no longer be reversed. Withdrawing from the battlefield as soon as possible is our best choice. To be honest, I don't think the military production of the British Empire can continue this war, although we have a larger area than the mainland. Colonies and dominions are more than 100 times larger, but our maritime transport has been madly attacked by the German submarine forces. The highest record we have lost more than 1 million transport fleets a month, if not for some fleets anchored in the United States to help transport. , I’m afraid we can’t hold on anymore, we are now short of everything except coal mines, even the most basic iron ore!” Lloyd George said.
"Then Sir Jericho, if the navy is now required to take on the task of covering the evacuation of the army, can the navy go all out?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.
"We can send destroyers to take charge of anti-submarine, we can send auxiliary cruisers to undertake transportation tasks, and we can also send some light cruisers and old warships to provide fire support for the army, but the main force of the large fleet, aircraft carriers and most of the light cruiser units are not suitable for the English Channel. Unfolding, if we face German land-based aviation in a narrow strait, those majestic battleships and former dreadnoughts are not much different." Sir Jericho said.
"But what if the German High Seas Fleet, under the cover of land-based aviation, enters the entrance of the eastern section of the strait or uses naval guns to attack our coastal ports?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.
"If this is the case, I can only say sorry." Jericho replied very simply.
"Your Excellency, do you know what you are talking about?" Sir Balfour on the side said loudly: "In France, we have millions of British troops fighting against the Germans. Their lives are threatened at all times. At critical moments, Shouldn’t we do our best to save them? The large fleet is the most powerful sea power on the planet. As the commander of the fleet, shouldn’t you take your responsibilities like your predecessors, Lord Nelson and Lord Drake? "
"Although I sympathize with the army's experience and am willing to help, it does not mean that I am willing to fill the entire Royal Navy into this abyss. You do not understand the Navy, and I forgive you. But some things must be clarified. The large fleet is stronger in the open seas than the high seas fleet, but if both land-based aviation forces are capable of it, we can’t beat the Germans, and even the Germans don’t need to dispatch their main fleet. Think about the bombing of London. When thousands of bombers flew over the target and dropped thousands of tons of bombs, you should know that my choice was right. The British Empire cannot guarantee the safety of the sky over London, and I cannot guarantee the safety of the large fleet. ."
Sir Jericho is still so calm. After experiencing too many things, Sir Jericho has learned how to face everything calmly, whether it is pressure from the enemy or misunderstandings and accusations from the alliance. He can now remain calm and rigorous under any circumstances, and through careful thinking, derive the most suitable plan for the current situation. In fact, the choice made by Sir Jericho cannot be said to be wrong. After all, if the Royal Army is finished, the British It can be reduced to the mainland, but if the navy is over, it is really over. In fact, even before the start of the Dunkirk retreat in history, the Royal Air Force Commander Marshal Dowding also proposed to guarantee local aviation. Support to the army can only be considered when it is safe.
"I can understand the difficulties of the Royal Navy and Sir Jericho. The situation is now at stake. We need to start the evacuation work immediately. If possible, we can now withdraw some non-combatants from the French mainland. The Germans are in front. For a period of time, they mainly attacked the French, and their air force was attracted to the south. Before they turn around, we must hurry up." On this issue, Lloyd George and Haig agreed.
"So is there any news from the French?" Asquith did not respond directly to Lloyd George's words, but asked Belfort, who is in charge of diplomacy next to him.
"They are very negative now. According to our information, they have been in contact with the Americans before, and now, the Americans are probably acting as the middleman between France and Germany. There are also rumors within the French that the two countries may have already Contact, I can’t judge the true or false now, but if Germany no longer launches an offensive against the French team in subsequent battles, then they should have reached some agreement. After all, the French army commanded by Foch is in Germany. On the human muzzle, if only analyzed from a military perspective, the Germans have no reason not to eat this piece of meat." Belfort thought for a while and said.
"Well, it makes sense, but we still have to maintain the most basic relationship with the French in terms of diplomacy. How are the contacts with the Germans? Should they ask for it at this time?" Prime Minister Asquith asked~www .wuxiaspot.com~ The war has reached such a level that it is about to end the war. The Germans have taken care of France, and now Britain is left. Their advantage is unprecedented, so if the Germans want to negotiate peace, this is obviously a good time. , And if the other party does not put forward any opinions or ideas for the peace talks, it means that the Germans have planned a lot! They may not want to let the British Expeditionary Army go!
"The Germans still want the entire southern Africa. This is unacceptable to us, and at present, in my opinion, the Germans are not prepared to negotiate." Belfort said.
"If they only want Southern Africa now, it would be a lucky thing for us." Prime Minister Asquith shook his head and said.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, are you already so pessimistic about the battle?" Lloyd George said in surprise. In his opinion, even if the British Expeditionary Force suffered heavy losses, it was still possible to rely on the large fleet and the remaining air force to protect itself. The British did not have experienced the terrible defeat of the land war. For example, the British Army’s defeat in Spain during the Napoleonic period caused People are worried, and now in Lloyd George's view, the most important thing is to withdraw from the European continent.
"Things are not that simple. If the German High Seas Fleet decides to attack, then regardless of whether the Great Fleet wins or not, as long as a war between the two sides is launched, it will be a loser for Britain, because after the war, Britain is unable to maintain the world's first navy. What will the Americans do at that time? Damn, I really don’t know why we chose Japan, an unfamiliar dog, and offended the United States!” Sir Jericho said.
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