If there is laughter on the Roman side, then as the main participant on the other side of this naval battle, the British, then today is a day worth mourning.
At this time, in the Prime Minister's Office, a meeting about this defeat was being held.
A tired Asquith had to call this meeting because this was the first time the Royal Navy of the British Empire had been defeated in more than a century.
"Mr. Churchill, can you tell us what happened during this battle?"
In front of the Prime Minister and the cabinet ministers, the young Churchill stood up. "Gentlemen, this is how this naval battle went... After research by myself and my colleagues in the Admiralty, we can believe that the young men of the Royal Navy who lost this battle actually
We have tried our best. The main reason is that the Italians used airships to control our whereabouts throughout the entire process, which caused our every move to be under the enemy's surveillance. In this case, there is no way to win."
Well, what Churchill said was very level. He directly stated that everyone was right. The weather was to blame. The Italians' use of airships was a bit unexpected, which left all the cabinet ministers speechless and stumped the young navy.
Does the minister just want to absolve himself of his responsibilities?
Asquith, as Prime Minister, did not care about the thoughts of other cabinet ministers. He just said, "Your Excellency Churchill, I wonder if your Admiralty can do anything about the current power imbalance of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean?"
That's right, this lawyer-prime minister, who has left such a great reputation in history, is now primarily concerned with remedial measures. The damage has been done, and how to remedy it is the most important priority.
In the face of Asquith's inquiry, Churchill was well prepared. Before arriving, he discussed it with the First Sea Lord, Marshal Fisher, and finally came up with a good remedy plan.
One more thing to say here is that Churchill and Fisher are not getting along well at the moment. Both of them are strong personalities and want to work together, so who listens to whom?
Fortunately, the conflict between the two is not deep enough at present. In addition, the current situation of the British Navy is not optimistic, so both of them have temporarily suppressed their inner resentment. Otherwise, the British Empire's Admiralty would be in a state of excitement.
"Prime Minister, our Navy Department has formulated remedial measures. Although it cannot restore the original strength of the Mediterranean Fleet, it is at least enough to contain the Italians."
Churchill's words surprised everyone else present. How could this man be so confident? Without letting them wait any longer, the young Admiralty said.
"First of all, we talked with Commander Jellicoe of the Home Fleet, and he was willing to leave the Agincourt to the Mediterranean Fleet. In addition, our Admiralty hopes to keep France's three Guba-class battleships, so that the Mediterranean Fleet
The number of battleships can be restored to the previous level. As for the battle cruisers, there are still HMS Brave, which has been in service for four months, and HMS Glorious, which has been in service for six months, so they can give priority to replenishing the Mediterranean Fleet."
From Churchill's words, it can be seen that the British Navy has a good financial situation. After losing six main warships, it will find a way to get it back in six months. Although the quality is not the same, the quantity is the same.
The Brave and Glorious ships are the first-class battle cruisers newly built by the British after the Lion class. Different from the history, the Brave class at this time has similar data to the Lion class, and can be regarded as an improved version of the Lion class. This
It's all because of the changes brought about by this butterfly in Italy.
Of course, it is not the role of the Navy Ministry to just replenish the fleet with warships. This person continued, "In addition, we also found many problems that need to be solved urgently during this naval battle..."
Churchill then pointed out all the problems discovered by the navy in this naval battle, such as the problem of insufficient penetration of artillery shells against heavily armored battleships, the navy's lack of enough airships, insufficient underwater protection of battleships, and insufficient firepower of small and medium-sized battleships.
Many issues were raised.
Churchill spoke for more than an hour at a stretch, but no one in the room seemed impatient and they all listened to his story attentively.
"...Okay, these are the issues that our Navy Department has summarized as needing improvement."
After Churchill finished speaking, Lloyd George, the Minister of Munitions at this time, said, "Your Excellency, Churchill, can you explain how you plan to let the French keep three Guba-class battleships?"
At this time, this man did a good job in military supplies work and ensured a substantial increase in arms production during the war.
Faced with the inquiry from the Minister of Munitions, Churchill immediately spoke. "Actually, it's very simple. Haven't the French been asking us to send more troops to recapture the capital Paris? In fact, we can completely use this as a condition and ask for three French battleships."
Stay with the Mediterranean Fleet."
Churchill's words didn't sound right at first. It seemed like he wanted the French to keep these three battleships at the expense of the army. In fact, the cabinet had already approved the decision to increase troops to France. Now it's just a condition.
It is impossible for the French to refuse.
As for why those present are so sure, it is because France is currently in the worst situation among the participating countries.
The northeastern industrial area was occupied by the German army, and the richest Paris Basin also turned into a battlefield. France suffered great losses in manpower and industry. Of course, if that was the case, the French could still hold on, but Italy was also attacking them in the east.
Launched an offensive. Although this was a diversionary offensive, it still captured the Savoy region and also contained 300,000 French troops.
And this is not just a matter of restrained troops, because Italy's participation in the war has made the French Mediterranean less safe. This has threatened France's use of Mediterranean ports, and has also restrained the deployment of more than 100,000 French troops here.
.
In addition, this also affects the import of French supplies. Affected by the Atlantic Ocean, the ports available in France are concentrated in the Mediterranean or the English Channel.
Now, one half of the ports on both sides is occupied by Germany, and the other is directly threatened by the Italian navy. As a result, the throughput of French ports has dropped sharply, reaching only half of what it was before the war. The war has led to a significant increase in French imports, which has increased by one.
As a result, a large amount of supplies in France were unable to land, and France was experiencing shortages of various supplies.
In terms of agricultural output, affected by conscription and occupation, France's current agricultural output is only 37% of the pre-war level, making it the country with the most serious reduction in output. Industry is also not optimistic. In addition to the military industry, French industry has only reached
It has reached 43% of the pre-war level, which is not much better than agriculture.
Therefore, there has been an undercurrent surging among the French people, and various extreme ideas have become popular.
Of course, for France, Paris, which was occupied by the Germans, urgently needs to be rescued. At least recapturing the richest Paris Basin is the first key, otherwise the angry French people will oust them sooner or later.
Therefore, for the current France, British help is indispensable, so there will be no obstacles at all on the battleship issue.
"No problem, I will send a telegram to Bordeaux (the temporary capital of France)." Prime Minister Asquith agreed to Churchill's request immediately.
"In addition, our navy hopes to obtain more funds for the purchase of airships, the development of new artillery shells, and the improvement of unreasonable aspects of warships."
"No problem, your Navy Department will come up with a list as soon as possible."
At this time, Prime Minister Asquith was surprisingly easy to talk to.
The cabinet meeting then discussed other issues, mainly how to guide the failure of the naval battle so that the people believe that this is not the navy's responsibility.
After talking for two or three hours, the cabinet came up with a specific plan.
When everyone had finished talking and was about to leave the meeting, Churchill was stopped. "Your Excellency, please stay for a moment."
After being stopped, Churchill, who was not yet fat, could only wait for the others to leave.
"Someone must be responsible for the failure of this naval battle."
Prime Minister Asquith clearly expressed his attitude as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Prime Minister, please listen to me..."
"No, you don't need to explain," Prime Minister Asquith waved his hand to interrupt Churchill's explanation and said seriously. "Although we will package this defeat as a victory, a defeat is a defeat, and someone must be responsible.
"
Facing the serious Prime Minister, the young Churchill was quickly defeated. "General Cardon sent me his resignation, but I rejected it."
Asquith then continued. "Very good. I think General Cardon is of good talent. He can definitely be transferred back to London in a month to take on a more responsible job. What do you think?"
"I believe Kaden will be very happy."
"It seems the Mediterranean Fleet needs a new commander."
"Yes Prime Minister."
Early the next morning, news about the naval battle in Sirte appeared in major newspapers in London. When the Mediterranean Fleet was rescuing the island of Malta, it was insidiously ambushed by the Italian and Austrian navies in the waters of Sirte.
The enemy dispatched all its battleships to besiege it. The Mediterranean fleet fought desperately and sank the enemy Teghov and severely damaged six of its battleships including Istvan, Dreadnought, and Dante. However, the number of enemy ships was too great.
The Mediterranean fleet was outnumbered. Four battleships, including the Montague, Collingwood, and Centurion, sank heroically. The battlecruisers Invincible and Indomitable also sank.
At this critical moment when the Italians were about to complete the annihilation of the Mediterranean fleet, Lieutenant General Sturdy arrived with reinforcements, and the Italian and Austrian navy was frightened and fled in panic. The heroic Royal Navy broke the opponent's sneak attack and annihilated the Mediterranean fleet.
fleet, with the sinister intention of dominating the Mediterranean. The British Navy retained the strength to continue to confront it in the Mediterranean.
In addition to this report, there are many comments by military commentators in newspapers, all of which are analyzes of this naval battle. There are many types of analysis, but the general meaning is that although the British Navy fell behind in tactics, it
However, it achieved strategic victory and prevented the other party's attempt to dominate the Mediterranean.
Okay, I finished writing and went to sleep. I should have written the chapter title as, Strategic Victory. Mistake!
