Chapter 254: unacceptable result
However, what the outside world does not know is that the current Ministry of the Navy is anxiously waiting. A naval battle going on today is really important to the British Empire. If it fails, it will put Britain in a serious crisis.
In the office of the Secretary of the Navy Churchill, Churchill was pacing back and forth. Sitting in front of him was Admiral John Jellicoe, Commander of the Grand Fleet. He too had come back from Scapa Flow. Of course, Churchill called Admiral John Jellicoe back just in case. If Lieutenant General David Beatty did not succeed this time, they would have to think of other ways to deal with the Germans.
"Is there no news from General David Betty?" Churchill asked.
"Your Excellency, there is no news yet." The secretary replied.
Churchill nodded and said no more. No news, perhaps the best news. It was better than receiving news of defeat.
General John Jellicoe knew what Churchill was worried about. In fact, he was equally worried. This time, the Royal Navy can be said to have put most of the cutting-edge battleships into this plan. If there is still no way to succeed, then they really have nothing to do with the German Navy.
"Your Excellency, General David Beatty will definitely be able to win this time. After all, we dispatched nine battlecruisers and eight battleships. With this kind of combat power, unless the main force of the Germans comes out in full force. Otherwise, Definitely not our opponent." Admiral John Jellicoe said.
"Well, but, General Jellicoe, we often have to prepare for the worst. What I want to say is that if General Betty doesn\'t succeed this time. So, what should we do? asked Churchill.
Admiral John Jellicoe was silent for a while, and after two minutes, he said: "Your Excellency, if General Betty and the others fail this time, then we may have to think of other ways to deal with the German fleet. Regardless No matter what, we must persist until the first half of next year, and wait until our \'Queen Elizabeth-class\' battleships and \'Revenge-class\' battleships are all in service before fighting the Germans. In that case, our chances of winning will be better."
"Well, it makes sense." Churchill nodded.
"However, if we have no way to deal with the German fleet, how can we ensure the smooth flow of our sea transportation lines? The Germans will never give up this good opportunity to check and balance us." Churchill frowned. The sea transportation line is equivalent to the lifeline of the United Kingdom. Once the lifeline is cut off, can the UK still hold on? Even thinking about it is unlikely.
"Your Excellency, we have already thought about this issue. Our merchant ships can fly the flag of a neutral country, such as the flag of the United States. In this case, the Germans should not dare to launch an attack, right? The United States is a big country, and the Germans absolutely have no courage At this time, the United States will be provoked. In addition, we can order some military supplies from the United States and let the Americans send ships to us. In this way, we can also avoid being attacked by the Germans. Just hold on to our new cutting-edge battleships next year Serve. At that time, we will be able to engage in a decisive battle with the Germans. Once we win, all crises will naturally be lifted. If we fail..." Admiral John Jellicoe did not continue. However, his meaning is already obvious.
Churchill also knew that if the Royal Navy failed in the decisive battle, then Britain would be completely finished. Without the Royal Navy to maintain Britain\'s sea power, it will quickly decline from a world hegemon to a second-rate country. This is absolutely unacceptable to the British government and the entire British people.
"May God bless General David? Beatty, I hope he can bring us a victory!" Churchill murmured.
As the Lord of the Navy of the British Empire, in charge of the most powerful navy in the world, he never thought that such a day would come. You must know that Britain has always relied on its strong naval power to bully other countries. But now, they have been forced into such a dangerous situation by Germany, which is really unacceptable.
"Report!" At this moment, a staff officer knocked on the door and walked in.
Churchill and General John Jellicoe both stood up from the sofa immediately. They all knew that there must be news from Lieutenant General David Betty.
"How\'s the situation?" Churchill asked.
"Did we win?" Admiral John Jellicoe asked.
"Report! General David Beatty\'s telegram claims that we have been defeated." The staff officer said.
"What? How could we lose?" Churchill exclaimed, as if his bones had been removed, he fell down on the sofa, as if he had lost all energy.
"Impossible, it\'s absolutely impossible. We assembled such a powerful fleet, how could General David Beatty lose? There must be something wrong." Admiral John Jellicoe responded to this result , is obviously unacceptable.
"General, we have repeatedly confirmed to General David Betty. They have indeed been defeated and are retreating." The staff officer said bravely.
General John Jellicoe was taken aback for a moment. Although he was very unwilling, he knew that this might be the truth.
"David? How was General Beatty defeated?" John? General Jellicoe asked.
"General, the detailed battle process is on the telegram, you should read it yourself." The officer said.
General John Jellicoe had to take the telegram, waved his hand, and let the officer leave. He also knew that it was obviously their gaffe just now that frightened the officer.
Admiral John Jellicoe began to read the telegrams, but his complexion became more and more unsightly, and finally turned black as if it was the bottom of a pot.
"General Jellicoe, David? Did General Beatty really fail?" Churchill asked.
"Yes, Your Excellency, General David Beatty did fail. The despicable Germans already knew that this was a trap set by us. Therefore, they also made preparations, which led to General David Beatty\'s failure. Admiral John Jellicoe gritted his teeth and said.