On August 1, warships participating in joint military exercises in Southern Africa began to assemble in Walvis Bay. The Southern African Navy dispatched three heavy cruisers, six light cruisers, 12 destroyers, a hospital ship, and a supply ship to participate in the exercise.
A total of 7,600 officers and soldiers participated in the performance.
The three heavy cruisers participating in the exercise are the flagship "Kimberley" heavy cruiser from the Atlantic Fleet and Captain Patton.
The heavy cruiser "Edward" from the Edward Fleet, captain Jackson Marshall.
As well as the heavy cruiser "Los Angeles" from the Whale Bay Fleet, the captain was Don Juan, the former commander of the 2nd Cavalry Division who transferred from the army to the navy.
From the selection of these three captains, we can see the status of the Chinese in southern Africa. Two of the three captains are Chinese.
On August 5, Roque took the opportunity to arrive at Walvis Bay to visit the naval officers and soldiers who were about to participate in the military exercise.
Among the three captains, Patton and Don Juan are both Rock's confidants. Only Jackson Marshall is stranger to Rock. Another mission of Rock's coming to Walvis Bay is to confer a title on Jackson Marshall. The Ministry of Defense of Southern Africa decided
Promoted Jackson Marshall to major general.
The investiture ceremony was held in the small auditorium of the Whale Bay Fleet. Rock personally gave Jackson Marshall the rank of rear admiral. From then on, Jackson Marshall truly entered the ranks of senior officers.
"General, congratulations -" Rock congratulated sincerely. He had no prejudice against outsiders such as Jackson Marshall. As long as Jackson Marshall was loyal to his duties, Rock was not stingy.
"Marshal, it's my honor!" Jackson Marshall saluted Rock. The military hierarchy is strict and the due etiquette is indispensable.
After Rock, Patton and Don Juan lined up to congratulate Jackson Marshall. After being promoted to general, Jackson Marshall had just entered the core level of southern Africa.
After the investiture ceremony, Roque hosted a small symposium, at which Roque put forward higher demands on the generals.
"The joint military exercise with the Royal Navy is a rare opportunity for our southern African navy. After the world war, although the strength of the Royal Navy has been weakened, it is still the most powerful and professional fleet in the world. We must
There are still many things to learn, but I hope that what we learn is the essence, not the dross." Rock habitually complains that the Royal Navy really has too many shortcomings.
"General Marshall should have the most say in this regard -" Patton now has a big beard, and it has not been carefully trimmed. It looks a bit slovenly, but it adds a bit of toughness.
"Didn't you also serve in the Royal Navy?" Don Juan was transferred to the Navy after the end of the World War. For this reason, he also went to the UK for a period of study, so he was no stranger to the Royal Navy.
"I was a liaison officer at the time, and I couldn't even enter the combat command room. I had to pretend to be a rich man in the bar every day-" Patton laughed, and his image of a rich man was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
"Yes, many of the Royal Navy's rumors about the Southern African Army started from you." Jackson Marshall tried to blend into the conversation. This open and relaxed atmosphere was completely different from the lifeless Royal Navy.
When the superiors of the Royal Navy are talking, the subordinates have no right to interrupt. The teasing between officers can only be done in private, in front of the superiors, which is tantamount to killing one's career.
The atmosphere in the Southern African Navy is very relaxed. If ordinary sailors have problems, they can directly go to the captain to report. This is simply impossible in the Royal Navy. Even big things must be reported step by step. The rules are bigger than the sky and no one can change them.
"What are these rumors?" Patton was curious. During his time working in the Mediterranean Fleet, he made many new friends. Patton's friends had never mentioned these things.
"You just said that everyone in southern Africa is rich -" Jackson Marshall British humor.
Patton and Don Juan were stunned for a moment before they reacted, and then they laughed evilly, successfully earning Jackson Marshall's contempt.
The length of this reaction arc is probably similar to that of the Germans.
What the British are best at is making cold jokes that they think are humorous, while what the Germans are best at is real dry humor.
"The real tycoon should be the Royal Navy. At least we didn't order a cup for 20 pounds apiece -" Rock said with black humor. A scandal was just exposed not long ago. The "Nelson" class battleship that the UK has started building, a cup.
Worth 20 pounds, it shocked the British government and the public.
£20 is roughly the entire monthly income of a Royal Navy lieutenant.
A naval officer can only buy one cup with his monthly income. I don’t know how the Royal Navy Logistics Department audits these purchase lists. It is estimated that the official responsible for the audit misunderstood the pounds as francs.
Yes, this is also British humor.
With the further depreciation of the franc, the exchange rate of one pound to franc has soared from 1:25 before the world war to 1:45 now, which shows the poor condition of the French economy.
What's worse is Germany. The Weimar government was unable to repay the compensation and gave up on itself by printing a large number of marks. In Germany, it now costs one trillion marks to buy a loaf of bread.
The "mark" here has nothing to do with reparations. The leaders of the Allied Powers were very smart and had foreseen this scene a long time ago. Therefore, the "Contract of Versailles" stipulated that Germany must use gold marks to repay reparations, in other words, gold.
Germany's hyperinflation also paved the way for Mustache's rise to power.
Under such circumstances, there are still people in Germany who are hoarding, speculating, and lending usury——
It is not without reason that certain ethnic groups are excluded. Misfortunes committed by God can be forgiven, but misfortunes committed by oneself cannot be tolerated.
"Why can't our southern African companies get this kind of order?" Barton lamented. At 20 pounds a cup, the pound is still relatively strong now.
"This is not something you should care about." Roque stopped him immediately. He complained, and he couldn't go too far.
We cannot delve into this issue. If we do, many people will be in trouble. The relationships behind the suppliers of the Royal Navy are complicated and some things cannot be taken seriously.
Otherwise, with the small amount of funds given to the royal family by Congress every year, the royal family would not even have enough money to maintain the castle.
"Lord, the 'West Africa' has been given to Edward's fleet. When will the 'Congo' be delivered?" Don Juan took the opportunity to make a request. The "West Africa" has decided to equip Edward's fleet, but the "Congo" has not yet been decided.
In principle, the "Congo" should be commissioned into the Walvis Fleet.
However, considering that the Atlantic Fleet is facing strong pressure from the United States, the "Congo" should also be commissioned into the Atlantic Fleet. This will at least make the Atlantic Fleet look a little more confident on the surface.
It's just a battleship. It's really not enough to fight against a lot of American battleships.
"Even if it is delivered, it will not matter to your Whale Fleet. The Atlantic Fleet needs the Congo even more. There are more than a dozen battleships parked in the New York naval port every day. Do you know how much pressure I am under?" Patton firmly refused on this issue.
Concede, the Indian Ocean is related to the core interests of southern Africa, and the battleships will be commissioned first. Patton and Don Juan have nothing to say, and the "Congo" can still compete for it.
Jackson Marshall was drinking coffee leisurely. Anyone who said that the Southern African Navy excluded whites, Jackson Marshall spat in his face.
"Adding a battleship will not change the balance of power between the Atlantic Fleet and the U.S. Navy. On the contrary, it will cause greater stimulation to the U.S. Navy. The relationship between us and the U.S. Navy has just eased a bit. At this time, we should not irritate the U.S.
There are four battleships and three fleets, it’s hard to tell them apart——" Don Juan had a big appetite. Listening to this meaning, the four battleships are just two of the Walvis Bay Fleet and the Edward Fleet, and there is nothing to do with the Atlantic Fleet.
"Nonsense!" Patton was furious. Although the Atlantic Fleet was established late, it is not a stepmother. Why?
"Don't be impulsive. If you have something to say, say it properly, right Jack—" Don Juan was not angry and dragged Jackson Marshall into the water again.
When Chinese people in southern Africa are quarreling, white people want to watch from the sidelines. It's a nice idea!
"I can do whatever I want -" Jackson Marshall is not stupid either, and is determined not to get involved.
"Stop, it's enough to do your job -" Rock stopped directly, and no one was worried.
In the evening, Rock hosted a banquet in the Great Hall of the Walvis Bay Fleet to entertain John de Robec, Commander of the Atlantic Fleet of the Royal Navy, who came to Walvis Bay in advance.
During the World War, De Robeck served as deputy commander of the Mediterranean Fleet. He once fought alongside Roark. The two had a good personal relationship. Last year, the Royal Navy also made internal adjustments. John de Robeck became the commander-in-chief of the Atlantic Fleet. This time
In the military exercise, John de Robeck will serve as the commander-in-chief.
"Lord, welcome to southern Africa -" Rock was very enthusiastic to see his old friend. John de Robeck was born in 1862 and will just turn 60 next year.
"Locke, I'm so glad to see you. You've given us a lot of surprises in the past two years." John de Roebuck made a pun. There were certainly no surprises, but there were quite a few surprises.
Starting from Diego Garcia, there have been some discords between the Royal Navy and the Southern African Navy. Now Diego Garcia has become the territory of Southern Africa. This was confirmed by the London Magistrates' Court. The Royal Navy lost its most important base in the Indian Ocean.
This made the Royal Navy heartbroken.
As for after the Washington Naval Conference, the Southern African Navy secured an 80,000-ton aircraft carrier, which is nothing compared to Diego Garcia.
Not long ago, Britain finally came up with a shipbuilding plan to build a 30,000-ton aircraft carrier on the basis of its two aircraft carriers, which happened to use up all the tonnage of the aircraft carrier.
Southern Africa plans to build four aircraft carriers at once, each with a weight of 20,000 tons, and a total of 80,000 tons.
Although the tonnage is the same, the Royal Navy lags behind the Southern African Navy in terms of quantity, which makes the Royal Navy feel like it is stuck in its throat and is really uncomfortable.
ps: The plot is already very fast-paced. If it comes to World War II again, Zenith Star Technology will be introduced directly——
