Chapter 725： British catastrophe day

So when Cunningham got the news of the departure of the Romanian fleet, his whole heart was finally relieved. It's just that the face of the current miserable situation of the Mediterranean Fleet makes people cry.

All three aircraft carriers sank, the only Counterattack battle cruiser also sank, and five battleships sank two. In addition to the other warships that were sunk, its losses have exceeded those in the Jutland naval battle. However, compared with Jutland, Britain now does not have the strength to open five warships in one go.

At this time, Cunningham said to the same sentimental chief of staff around him. "Telegraph to London and report our losses. I am willing to bear all these responsibilities."

Cunningham's words made Hawkins' expression very bitter, and Commander Cunningham alone could not bear such a tragic result, and the Chief of Staff himself did not have to run either.

This is not the time to think about this. London is still waiting for its own report of the loss.

So when the telegram that lost 3 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 1 battlecruiser, 8 other warships and hundreds of aircraft was sent to London, Chamberlain, who was anxiously waiting for the news, turned black and almost fainted.

The Seal of the Palm and the Secretary of the Air Force Hall, who had been waiting on the side, immediately stepped forward to support him, while the other ministers who were urgently recruited because of the news of the Alexander airstrike, looked at the Prime Minister's expression and cried out inwardly.

Sure enough, after Chamberlain circulated the content of the telegram, everyone's face was very ugly. And they knew that at this time the world throne of the British Empire was severely kicked by the Romanians, and it was still kicked on the navy, the lifeblood of the British Empire.

After Chamberlain recovered, he asked. "Everyone talk about it, what should I do now?"

Facing Chamberlain’s inquiry, the Secretary of the Army Belisha took the lead in giving advice. "I think it is necessary to provide reinforcements to Egypt immediately to ensure the security of the region is not violated. Our Department of the Army can arrange for new forces from India and Australia to give priority to reinforcements to Egypt."

Obviously, the attitude of the Secretary of the Army Belisha is to give priority to keeping Egypt.

And his words were endorsed by other cabinet ministers.

"Yes, we must keep Egypt."

"The Empire cannot afford to lose Suez."

Everyone here knows the importance of Egypt to Britain. Not to mention the importance of its position to Britain in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The Suez Canal alone is worthy of British efforts to protect it. This canal that connects the Mediterranean and the Red Sea is of vital importance to Britain, the most important colony of India. The word for Emperor of the British Empire was given by India (the emperor or empress of India).

As Secretary of the Seal and the Air Force, Hall said at this time. "I think Egypt's air defense needs to be strengthened. Now we can draw more advanced aircraft from other colonies to support Egypt. In addition, I think that the local side should also draw 4 squadrons of Spitfire to support Egypt.

In addition, given that Egypt will face the threat of the Romanian fleet and needs more aircraft capable of dealing with ships, I think it is also possible to draw a batch of support from the homeland. "

After Hall said it, he changed his voice. "These are our responses to the attack on Alexandria, and now I think there is a very critical issue that must be addressed squarely."

After successfully focusing everyone's attention on himself, Hall said the name of a country. "That is the attitude of Italy."

His words instantly let others know that the attitude of Italy is extremely important now, especially after the heavy losses of the British Mediterranean fleet.

After the outbreak of the war, the division of labor between the British and French navies was that the British Mediterranean fleet blocked the Romanian navy from entering the Mediterranean, while the French fleet looked after Italy. As for the British local fleet, it was naturally a task that existed in World War I, blocking German warships in the North Sea.

And now with the Mediterranean fleet being attacked at the port and no one is watching the Romanian fleet, who can guarantee that Mussolini will not be moved. As long as the fleets of the two countries converge, the French fleet cannot at all rival the combined naval strength of the two countries. The Mediterranean Sea will become a dangerous sea area for British and French ships. This is something that Britain will never agree to.

"So, what can we do to prevent Italy from being motivated by greed? We have to know that they have alliances with Germany and Romania. Although our country and France have not dared to act rashly because of the strength of our country and France. But now our Mediterranean fleet has suffered such a huge loss. Under the circumstances, it will be very difficult to make it abide by the rules."

Defense Coordinator Thomas expressed his doubts.

Facing Thomas' doubts, Hall gave his own suggestions. "We have one way, and that is to hand over the interests of Greece to Italy and use Greece to stabilize Italy."

Hall’s words drew other people to whisper. Isn’t this an improved version of the previous appeasement policy?

"I know what you are trying to say. This is a betrayal of Greece. But I have thought about it. Now our country and France in the Mediterranean are at a disadvantage, and the local fleet needs to supervise the North Sea. There is no way to mobilize extra fleets to supplement the Mediterranean fleet. Now if it doesn't Stabilize Italy, then we may lose the Mediterranean. Who can bear this responsibility? And leaving Greece to Italy will deepen its conflict with Romania."

Hall's words caused other cabinet members to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

And Chamberlain saw the Secretary of the Navy Churchill sitting there silently and asked. "Churchill, what do you think about this."

Churchill, who was named by the Prime Minister, shook his head and said. "I have nothing to say. If Greece can be used to exchange for Italy to stand on our side, I am in favor."

But Chamberlain was not satisfied with this, so he asked further. "Then your Admiralty Department has any plans for this."

Although he had only served as Secretary of the Navy for less than a few days, Churchill was still very clear about the Navy and saw him speak. "Our current work is mainly to assess Alexander’s loss, and to investigate whether the two fleet commanders are negligent in this regard. In addition, we also need to speed up the construction and outfitting of other George V-class battleships. Get it into service soon.

As for the aircraft carrier, the first two of the Glory class, the Glory and the Victory, are already underwater. We will let the shipyard work overtime to complete the outfitting work, and we will also urge the work of the carrier-based aircraft. After the completion of this batch of warships, we expect to be able to take into account the Mediterranean. As for now, we can only rely on the naval power of our ally, France. "

Obviously, Churchill had no good way to deal with the current situation in the Mediterranean, and he could not change the battleship to supplement the loss of the Mediterranean fleet.

And Chamberlain waited until he finished speaking, and said that these suggestions are all good, then we will discuss how to deal with the problem.

After a period of discussion, the cabinet reached a solution. First, it evaluated the damage, and then sent an investigation team to evaluate the commander General Cunningham and the Chief of Staff General Hawkins. However, according to the usual practice, the two commanders were the commanders. Will be punished, very likely to be retired from active service.

In addition, troops will be sent to reinforce Egypt, mainly to preserve the Suez Canal. In addition, if the diplomatic department is allowed to woo Italy, it will not change its position if it proposes to exchange Greece for Italy.

There is also speeding up the construction of warships, and contacting the United States to test whether it can buy its retired warships.

After everyone else was gone, Prime Minister Chamberlain left Churchill.

After the tired Chamberlain rubbed his astringent eyes, he spoke to the only admiral of the Navy in front of him. "There are some things I need to tell you alone."

Hearing Chamberlain's words, Churchill nodded and did not speak, because he knew there was still something to say.

Sure enough, Chamberlain continued to speak. "This biggest defeat of the Royal Navy in a century will cause anger among the people. I can't do long as the prime minister. Although other cabinet members have been thinking of ways, I know that I'm not far from stepping down. Up."

Chamberlain paused here and continued. "As you know, I was originally not interested in politics. I was forced to join politics later, but I only thought that I did a good job. It took only ten years to become the core of the party. Originally, I didn't want to be the prime minister. But there is no one in the party and I can only fight hard. I don’t know about Germany’s army expansion. It’s not that the finances cannot support it. It is necessary to leave enough room for healthy finances. Otherwise, we may follow in the footsteps of Germany and Austria in World War I. ."

After talking so much, Chamberlain stopped venting himself and saw him ask about Churchill in front of him. "Churchill, are you interested in being the next prime minister?"

"Very happy to."

"Well you are going to resign as Secretary of the Navy. Next, you need to show your tough side better to the people."

Looking at Churchill who was leaving, Chamberlain felt a headache, and then he needed to persuade the party to accept Churchill as prime minister.

On that night, the British newspaper reported the news of the attack on the Mediterranean Fleet.

The results of 5 sinks and 3 injuries made the British people completely angry, and they demanded the government to launch a counterattack against Romania.

The newspapers also accused the government of being responsible for this loss. In addition, as the commander in question, Cunningham was even more scolded in the newspapers. Some newspapers even ridiculed that it would be better to let his puppy be the commander of the fleet than this General Cunningham.

In this regard, the government can only retire them in advance in order to calm the anger of the people.

When Chamberlain, as the prime minister, knew that both of them retired and did not calm the anger of the people, the best choice was himself. But I still need a little time to prepare.