Chapter 800 Prepare for the Middle East Battle in Advance
"What do you think of Italy's request for help telegram?"
In Bucharest, Edel was also asking about this topic. But unlike Germany, Italy also sent a telegram asking for help.
The reason is also very simple, that is, Romania's current naval fleet is still intact. Italy hopes that Romania can deploy its fleet to maintain pressure in the Mediterranean during the maintenance period of its warships.
Facing Italy's request, how could Edel make his own decision? He immediately summoned people from the military and government to seek their opinions.
Sure enough, when Edel asked for opinions, the opinions from the government were immediately reflected.
Minister of Arms Baldovin was the first to express his attitude without waiting for others to speak. "Your Majesty, I think Italy's request must be made after ensuring our needs. Currently, the Middle East still needs more than 300,000 tons of supplies and ammunition. If there is no
Without the protection of the navy, it is very likely that the transportation of supplies will be delayed."
Baldovan's words immediately attracted the approval of others.
"What the Minister of Arms said is very good. We need to prioritize meeting our own needs before we can help others."
Prime Minister Mihalaka said this, and his words immediately attracted the approval of other senior government officials.
"The Prime Minister is right, our own needs must be prioritized."
Although the attitude of government officials is almost unanimous, there are still other voices.
Foreign Minister Costel couldn't help but ask, "So how should we respond to Italy's request?"
Faced with the sudden disruption of the situation by the Foreign Minister, a strange atmosphere immediately appeared in the air.
In fact, the government's opinions have been revealed. They are not willing to use the fleet to support them. The need to ensure the safety of the transportation lines in the Middle East is empty talk. At present, the British warships in Egypt are basically transferred to the Red Sea side. Except for a few frigates in the Mediterranean,
There are only a few submarines left.
But having said that, even if the British transfer their fleet in the Red Sea, they are still no match for Romania. After all, there are currently only a few capital ships in its Mediterranean fleet. The largest warships at present are the Sussex and the Shropshire.
These two London-class heavy cruisers and a Romanian battleship can defeat them.
Faced with this situation, Edel took the opportunity to ask, "What does the Navy think of this?"
Edel asked for the Navy's opinion. What else could the Navy have to say? Facing the opportunity in the Western Mediterranean, Marshal Lomodan, as Minister of the Navy, would of course seek the interests of the Navy.
I saw this 70-year-old man, ignoring the government's gaze and replying steadily. "The government's concerns are very reasonable, and I thank them for their concern for our navy. But from the professional perspective of our navy,
It is possible to set off and form a fleet to support the Italian side."
As soon as Marshal Lomodan finished speaking, someone raised questions. "But after the fleet leaves, how can the safety of the supplies be ensured? You must know that the British fleet in the Red Sea is not weak. If they know that you have left, then the other party will definitely harass you.
transportation lines, delaying the launch of the Middle East campaign."
Everyone looked and saw that the person questioning this time was actually Prime Minister Mihalakai.
In the face of the Prime Minister's question, Marshal Lomodan must show enough respect. Of course, he also knows that the Prime Minister's words are easy to answer from a professional point of view, but it is not appropriate to say this now because he does not want the relationship between the Navy and the Navy to deteriorate, so this time
You must pay attention to the way you answer.
Marshal Lomodan thought carefully before answering. "The Prime Minister's consideration is indeed reasonable. Meeting the needs of the Middle East is the top priority. We also agree very much with our navy. For this reason, our navy also has a plan that can
It not only meets the needs of the Middle East, but also can quickly support Italy."
Lomodan's words aroused Edel's interest, and he looked at the Minister of the Navy and asked, "Your Excellency, Marshal, can you tell me about your navy's plan?"
"It's actually very simple." Faced with Edel's inquiry, Lomodan immediately told the navy's method. "Currently, the carrying capacity of our transport ships remains at more than three million tons, and we have temporarily mobilized more than 300,000 tons of cargo.
The quantity is no problem either.”
Before Lomodan could finish his words, Baldovin, the Minister of Arms, retorted. "Marshal, I know your thoughts. You plan to use centralized transportation. Although, Constanta, Salonika, etc.
The port can complete the loading task in a short time, but I don’t know if you have considered the unloading capacity of Beirut Port. They need to unload more than 300,000 tons of materials for at least nearly ten days, and with a large number of ships and materials piled up at the port, the risks are also
too big."
Yes, Baldovin had already thought of Romodan's plan, but he thought the plan was a bit risky.
However, although Baldoven believed that the risk was a bit high, Marshal Lomodan did not see it that way.
I saw what he retorted: "Is the risk you are worried about that the fleet may encounter threats from the sea and the air?"
"Yes."
Faced with Romodan's inquiry, Baldovin answered without hesitation.
At this time, the Prime Minister felt very interested. Sure enough, as Baldovin's words fell, Marshal Lomodan said with a smile, "Actually, your worries are unnecessary."
Then he told why.
"I will dispatch all the fleet for this escort mission, but after arriving in Beirut, I will leave behind the Mircea, as well as the two aircraft carriers Buck and Jarscu. They are enough to withstand the harassment of the British fleet.
.In addition, in order to deal with underwater threats, destroyers will be on guard in adjacent waters. At the same time, the air forces of Cyprus Island and Beirut will also increase the number of patrols in the sea areas to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the opportunity. As for the enemy's air threats, currently the United Kingdom
The Chinese air force in the Middle East has lost more than half and is no longer our opponent. As long as we are more vigilant, the British fighter planes will have no chance of reaching the skies over Beirut."
Faced with Romodan's rebuttal, Baldovin was not a soldier after all, so he had no way to deal with this, so he could only calm down.
As for Edel, at this time, we must ask the opinion of another beneficiary of the plan, that is, the Army. After all, the plan will affect the Army no matter what.
"Marshal Freit, what do your army think of this?"
For the inquiry with Eder, Freit had already prepared for it. He had such a premonition after receiving the results of the Battle of Cape Tunis as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty, our Army has no objections to this. Moreover, completing the transportation of supplies in advance will allow Hoffman to better launch the campaign against Suez."
Freit's words relaxed the atmosphere at the scene. And with his words, Edel also made a decision. Generally speaking, in the face of Italy's request for help, the government was opposed, the navy was supportive, and the army was supportive.
It's an indifferent attitude. It's just that the request for help this time concerns the navy, so the navy's opinion is the decisive factor.
"Then let's do what Marshal Lomodan says."
Edel said the decisive words, but although he agreed to the navy's request, necessary hammering was still needed.
"But your navy must ensure the safety of transportation in the Middle East."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
This meeting ended with the navy winning.
Then, the Port of Beirut fell into an extremely busy situation. A large number of ships and mountains of materials became the norm at the port. For this reason, the Romanian Air Force in the Middle East launched several operations in succession, which greatly damaged the local British Air Force.
I was so exhausted that I had no time to think about Beirut.
