When Jackson Marshall received the transfer order, the "West Africa" had completed its first trial voyage and was slowly sailing into Port Edwards.
After the modification, the battleship "West Africa" has three triple-mounted 340mm main guns, a full load displacement of tons, a maximum speed of 31 knots, and a crew of 1,096 people. It is the most powerful battleship in southern Africa.
Once delivered, the "West Africa" will become the flagship of Edward's fleet, and Jackson Marshall will also serve as the captain of the "West Africa".
"It's a pity that the West Africa cannot participate in joint military exercises, otherwise we will definitely surprise our old friends." Edward's first mate Garfield, like Jackson Marshall, was born in the Royal Navy.
This Garfield is the same Garfield who once served as the deputy gunnery commander of the "Princess Royal". After coming to southern Africa, Garfield relied on his outstanding resume and rich experience to become Jackson Marshall's deputy and served as the heavyweight commander of the "Edward".
As patrol mate, he resumed his naval career.
This is a new beginning for both Garfield and Jackson Marshall.
Also serving in the Edward fleet was Nelson, the forward engine officer of the Princess Royal, who is now the captain of the light cruiser HMS Valiant.
"There is nothing to regret. Our old friends may not like our West Africa." Jackson Marshall did not regret it. Compared with today's battleships, the West Africa was just a hedgehog covered with spikes.
Although aircraft have shown a huge threat to warships during the world wars, British and American ship designers still did not pay much attention to air defense when designing warships. There were not many anti-aircraft weapons installed on warships.
In comparison, the "West Africa" is ineffective in air defense. The installation of as many as forty air defense weapons is simply a freak in the eyes of the Royal Navy.
"If you underestimate air threats, you will definitely pay the price." While serving in the Royal Navy, Garfield suggested to the Royal Navy to increase the number of anti-aircraft weapons in response to the threat from aircraft.
Unfortunately, after the report was submitted, it fell into disgrace and did not attract the attention of the Royal Navy.
That's right, a deputy gunner does not have the qualifications to go directly to Tianting.
However, in the Southern African Navy, Garfield felt the long-lost attention.
A month ago, Garfield wrote another report recommending that the 356mm torpedoes currently used in southern Africa be upgraded to the more threatening 406mm.
This suggestion was taken seriously by Derek Dodd, Deputy Minister of Defense for Southern Africa, and Garfield was able to travel to Pretoria to state the importance of upgrading torpedoes to Derek Dodd in person.
The Ministry of Defense did not immediately adopt Garfield's opinion, but after Garfield returned to Port Edward, his military rank was promoted from colonel to colonel.
This made Garfield feel an unprecedented passion. This impulse was only experienced 20 years ago when Garfield first joined the Royal Navy. Unexpectedly, when he came to southern Africa, Garfield was like a young man, full of energy.
"That's why we have joint military exercises. Don't think that the generals of the Royal Navy are just sitting there. Some of them are still very capable." Jackson Marshall never looked down on anyone. It was precisely because of this caution that Jackson
·Marshall was entrusted with the important task.
After a day's work, Jackson Marshall returned to his home in Port Edward.
This is a noble residential area located between the port area and the military port. All of them are single-family villas built for senior naval officers.
Different from common wooden buildings, these single-family villas are all made of marble imported from Mozambique, and the furniture is all African rosewood, which comes from the virgin forests of the Kingdom of Congo that have existed for hundreds of millions of years. From these single-family villas, Jackson Marshall fully
I feel that the Ministry of Defense of Southern Africa attaches great importance to them, "outsiders".
"Great, you are finally back. You have to pay attention to William's academic performance. The home visiting teacher just left. This time, William only got a B in the exam. This is so embarrassing. I don't even have the shame to attend the school's parent-teacher meeting.
." Marshall's wife Sonia also followed Marshall to southern Africa. She and Marshall gave birth to three children in total, all of whom are already in school.
William is twelve years old and has just entered middle school. He came to Port Edward from Portsmouth. William obviously does not adapt well.
"Okay, okay, leave it all to me. I'll go talk to William." Jackson Marshall spent most of his time in the military camp and could only go home once a week. He was full of guilt for Sonia and the children.
Arriving at William's room on the second floor, Jackson Marshall was pleased to see that William was doing his homework seriously at the desk.
William has always been a good hard-working boy.
"I heard that you didn't do well in school -" Although the door was open, Jackson Marshall did not forget to knock on the door and give his son full respect.
"No, Alyssa and Oscar both got a C. The school's curriculum is different from what we had in Portsmouth. It's more difficult and more demanding. We also have to learn Chinese. We've never had so much homework before.
." William's expression was sad, and he didn't want to be like this.
Public education in southern Africa is completely different from public education in the UK.
The UK also promotes an elite education model. The top secondary schools attended by aristocratic students are completely different from public schools in the ordinary sense. The school William attended in Portsmouth, although not bad in Portsmouth, is not the same as the British school.
Compared with the local Eton Harrow, there is still a big gap.
Based on William's academic performance, it is not very likely that he will be admitted to Oxbridge after graduating from middle school. The most likely possibility is to be admitted to the Naval Academy like his father and join the Royal Navy as an officer after graduation.
Compared with public schools in the UK, public schools in southern Africa have stricter requirements and better student performance, such as learning multiple languages. This is a course only available in aristocratic schools in the UK, but in southern Africa, even
Ordinary students are also required to be proficient in English and Chinese, and can also choose other languages according to their own preferences.
"So, do you think the school here is better, or the school in Portsmouth?" Jackson Marshall squatted down next to William, his eyes just level with William sitting on the chair.
"Of course it's the school here. Although our schoolwork is heavy, the courses are still very rich. Last weekend the school organized us to watch a movie and visit the zoo. I like the giant pandas in the zoo very much." William finally said on his face.
Show a smile.
Only then did Jackson Marshall notice that there was an extra panda toy beside William's bed.
"Is this a panda? So cute!" Jackson Marshall's surprise was just right.
"Yes, this is the panda. It comes from the mysterious ancient Eastern Empire. In school in Portsmouth, the evaluation of the Chinese was very bad. Only after I came to Nyasaland did I know that the Chinese are very smart and hardworking.
In every class in our school, the best-performing students are all Chinese -" William was depressed. People who are smarter than you work harder than you. There is nothing more despairing than this.
"That's why we came to Port Edward from Portsmouth. Son, I have always told you that the best way to know the truth about something is to go and see for yourself. Don't just believe what some people say.
Strange talk." Jackson Marshall smiled brightly, and he once again strengthened his belief that coming to Nyasaland from the British mainland was absolutely correct.
"The teachers in the school also said the same. We are going to have a parent-teacher meeting next week. Do you have time to attend?" William looked hopeful. This semester is coming to an end. At the end of every semester, the school will organize a parent-teacher meeting to remind them.
Some things for parents to note, they cannot relax their children’s study during the holidays.
"Sorry son, I'm going to Whale Bay next week -" Jackson Marshall was in a sad mood. Being unable to participate in some important moments of his son was Jackson Marshall's biggest regret.
William didn't speak, he lowered his head and sighed in disappointment. He already understood what life is at a young age.
"Is the job to Whale Bay important?" William said in a low voice.
"It is very important. The Southern African Navy is going to have a joint military exercise with the Royal Navy. Dad is going to command a powerful heavy cruiser. Only with sufficient force can we ensure a happy life for you and mom." Jackson Marshall gently stroked William's hair.
On William's desk, there is a photo of William and Jackson Marshall. In the photo, Jackson Marshall is holding William, and William is wearing a Jackson Marshall military cap with a sunny face.
"Then you must kill all the enemies. When I grow up, I will also join the Southern African Navy. Then I will protect you and your mother." William is ambitious. Southern Africa advocates martial ethics, and the school will regularly
Students are organized to visit various military museums and military bases. Edward Military Port will also be opened regularly to the general public.
"Hahahaha, great, son, grow up quickly, I can't wait to accept your protection-" Jackson Marshall laughed.
"God, I asked you to supervise William's study, not to chat and joke with William." Sonia was angry. The child was unreliable, and her father was even more unreliable.
"Okay Sonia, pack up and let's go out for dinner." Jackson Marshall wanted to give William a happy weekend, but the two of them had too little time together.
"It's such a waste to go out to eat again -" Sonia complained, but her body was honest and she had already put on the long dress she had just ordered last weekend.
"So beautiful!" Jackson Marshall praised sincerely, earning a blank look from Sonia.
"I'm going to bring my Panda——" William happily hugged the panda toy on the bed, which was his new friend.