During the World War, in order to keep Belgium fighting, Foch threatened the King of Belgium that if all of Belgium fell, France would dethrone the King of Belgium.
In the end, Belgium resisted desperately and did not surrender until the end of the world war.
If there is another world war, Germany can completely copy the tactics used during the last world war and bypass the Maginot Line through Belgium to attack France. By then, the German mechanical troops equipped with tanks and armored vehicles will be able to complete their mobilization before the British
Occupy Paris, all this has been verified in the exercises held in southern Africa.
Of course, Rock couldn't say that the exercises in southern Africa were simulating a war between Germany and France.
Ada had no such concerns. Even Leonard Capet, a man who knew nothing about military affairs, was so optimistic. This shows the seriousness of France's problems.
"Is there no other way?" Leonard Capet murmured to himself, unwilling to accept this conclusion in any case.
There was definitely nothing Ada could do, so Ada looked at Roark.
——————
"Yes, but France can't do it now." Roque said frankly. There must be a way, and it's completely possible, but it's very difficult for France.
"What?" Leonard Capet was like a drowning man grasping at the only straw.
"The way is for the French to unite resolutely and build a stronger, more united, and braver France -" Roque sighed quietly. This requirement is actually not high, but it is too difficult for France today.
Leonard Capet said nothing, eating with a knife in one hand and a fork in the other without knowing the taste. The world war broke the backbone of France. Smart people are trying to escape from France. Those who stay in France are either drunk and dreaming, or struggling in difficulties.
Unable to extricate themselves, Leonard Capet and other French elites can only manage to survive and cannot lead France out of the predicament.
Rock could only sigh. When he read history in the past, Rock would often lament those star-studded names in history books, but in fact they often did stupid things.
Only after being in it did I realize that many times they had no choice but to do so. It cannot be said that the Clemenceau Ludendorffs were just in name, but in the historical environment they were in, they had no better choice.
From what Rock knew, the American generals were really not as invincible as the Americans claimed. MacArthur and Patton were invincible when dealing with the rally veterans, but were helpless when dealing with the Germans at Sunset Fortress. But history
It was written by the victors, so these talents can go down in history.
To put it bluntly, if Germany had won the World War, how would future history books evaluate Joffre and Haig?
I'm afraid not even one idiot can sum up the mistakes they made during the World War.
After dinner, Roque invited Leonard Capet to take a walk in the garden.
This is Roque's manor on the outskirts of Pretoria. Although it is not as grand as the Governor's Palace in Kitchener, it is worse than the beautiful, quiet and pleasant environment. The garden is built in the traditional Chinese garden style, with concealed tiles installed on both sides of the cobblestone path. Street lights and audio equipment. In Pretoria in May, the five-month rainy season has ended. The gardens are full of lush vegetation and flowers are in bloom. It is the most beautiful time of the year.
Leonard Capet was not in the mood to enjoy the beautiful scenery, and was preoccupied with his conversation with Roque.
"The Nyasaland Army Academy conducted a simulation on the situation in Europe, and the results were not very optimistic. According to the Nyasaland Army Academy's prediction of the German army, if the war breaks out again, Germany will be at risk in three months at the latest and one month at the fastest.
To capture the entire territory of France, Britain's mobilization had not yet been completed, and it was impossible to provide effective assistance to Germany. It would also take time to assemble the southern African army." Roque was not optimistic about France's prospects. Germany had not received the "Dawes Plan"
After the assistance, the strength is gradually recovering, and the recovery speed is faster than Rock imagined.
Rock has not really understood the purpose of the "Dawes Plan" proposed by the Americans until now.
If it were to allow Germany to enter the reparations process, Germany would benefit significantly more.
If the Wall Street tycoons are trying to gain profits, then it is based on putting the European continent in a more dangerous situation. Roque can understand why the French are opposed to it, but unfortunately the French are not firm in their will.
The same goes for Britain. Rock knew that Britain's purpose of supporting Germany was to achieve continental balance. However, in the world war that just passed, millions of British soldiers died fighting in Europe. Stanley Baldwin must have also known that supporting Germany
It may lead to the next world war. How many people will Britain be prepared to sacrifice by then?
This is also the reason why southern Africa is gradually withdrawing from Europe. If there is another world war, southern Africa will not participate as actively as in the previous world war. Since the Europeans themselves do not care about the future of Europe, Roque does not care even less.
"Three months?" Leonard Capet was surprised. This time was too short. After all, France has the "strongest army in Europe" and it is impossible that it could not last more than three months.
"I just said, maybe it only takes a month." Roque really didn't mean to belittle the French. Of course, there may be deviations here. The Nyasaland Army Academy measures the German mechanized forces based on the strength of the Northern Rhodesian Division.
In terms of strength, to be honest, the German mechanized troops are not necessarily as strong as the Northern Rhodesian Division.
Yes, that is the Northern Rhodesian Division now, not the Northern Rhodesian Division fifteen years later.
"Impossible, the Germans are not as strong as you say, and France is not as weak as you say." Leonard Capet was angry. He couldn't accept it for three months, let alone one month.
Rock cannot explain this problem and can only use time to verify it.
In another time and space, it seemed that Germany completely conquered France in only 39 days.
Looking at it this way, Leonard Capet was actually right, the time was indeed more than a month.
Roque did not argue with Leonard Capet. Another purpose of Leonard Capet coming to southern Africa was to examine the strength of Edward Shipyard. If the strength of Edward Shipyard meets the requirements of the French Navy, then the French Navy
Consider ordering a treaty battleship from Edwards Shipyard.
As mentioned before, the cost of building aircraft carriers in southern Africa is only about half of that in the UK, the time required is shorter, and the quality is more guaranteed.
Rock knew that France received a total tonnage of 175,000 tons of battleships at the Washington Naval Conference. Unfortunately, France lacked strength and had no relevant shipbuilding plans. It only relied on the old battleships before the world war to support its appearance. There are no French battleships in BIG 7
.
Now Roque doesn't know what went wrong. Perhaps France received reparations from Germany, which led to increased self-confidence and the hope of getting a truly powerful battleship.
Or maybe France received enough stimulation from Britain's two Nelson-class battleships, or it felt threatened by Germany, so France also hopes to build a treaty-type battleship to make up for the lack of strength of the French navy.
"Edouard Shipyard has the capability to build battleships and aircraft carriers. Tell us about the requirements of the French Navy?" Roque was very interested. A BIG 7-level battleship would have a profit of at least two to three million rand. This was something Roque could not do.
Rejected.
What's more, France and Italy have serious conflicts of interest in the Mediterranean. France has begun building BIG 7-class battleships. Doesn't Italy have any demand?
Impossible. As long as France decides to build a BIG 7-class battleship, Italy will follow suit even if it tries to sell its iron.
And most of this order will be completed by southern African shipyards.
"Does Nyasaland Military Industry have the ability to manufacture 16-inch naval guns?" Leonard Capet doubted the capabilities of Nyasaland Military Industry.
"Of course, what's the difficulty with a 16-inch naval gun?" Rock expressed full confidence. Nyasaland Military Industry does not have the technology for a 16-inch naval gun, but if necessary, Rock can think of a way.
Just kidding, the agents in Brad's office are not free earners. Rock had no idea about this in the past. There was really no demand. Now if there is demand, then the agents in Brad's office will have work to do.
Probably out of his long-standing trust in Roque, Leonard Capet did not doubt the authenticity of Roque's words: "The requirements of the French Navy are the same as those of the British Navy, with a displacement of about 35,000 tons and a main gun caliber of 410 mm.
Moreover, air defense must be further strengthened, with a speed of not less than 25 knots and an endurance of not less than 15,000 nautical miles—"
"Wait a minute Leonard, can the French shipyards do what you are talking about?" Roque was about to collapse. Let's not talk about the strength of the French. Their appetite is really big, as Leonard Capet said.
These performances may not be achieved by the Royal Navy's new Nelson-class battleships.
"Of course it can be done, but if it is built by a French shipyard, the cost will be too high, and the current French Navy cannot afford it. Otherwise, why would I come to you?" Leonard Capet said plausibly, and it actually sounded serious.
There is some truth to it.
Rock is not sure about the specific data of the Nelson-class battleships, but the speed will definitely not exceed 25 knots. Anything over 25 knots is a fast battleship. The four battleships in southern Africa are optimized for speed, and the fastest speed is only comparable to
It can reach 29 knots.
The French Navy's shipbuilding capabilities are actually quite good. The Normandy-class battleships were already backward in design, which caused the French Navy to lose confidence in the Normandy-class battleships, so they were sold as scrap metal to southern Africa.
Around the mid-1930s, Italy began to build the Vittorio Veneto-class battleship with a speed of 30 knots and equipped with nine 381-mm main guns. Germany also began to build the Bismarck-class battleship equipped with eight 380-mm main guns.
Stimulated by Italy and Germany, France also began to build Richelieu-class battleships. A total of two Richelieu-class battleships were built, and the other two were destroyed on the slipway before they were completed.
The Richelieu-class battleships were also the last class of battleships built by France.
