Chapter 1,193 Strategic Adjustment 2
Chapter 1193 Strategic Adjustment 2
As for the second reason, it has something to do with the overall strategy. Since the Russians have suffered two major bloodlettings on the Eastern Front and numerous small bloodlettings, especially in the battle that just ended, the Russian frontline has almost depleted all its reserves. This not only shocked the Russians, but also gave Britain and France a cold sweat. Without a reserve team and the battle line was not consolidated, perhaps the Bavarian Army's next attack could rid the entire Russian front line with holes. . Fortunately, winter came, which brought the German offensive to a halt. And Romania, the newly brought in cannon fodder, attracted another wave of hatred, giving the Russians a breather.
But Britain and France know very well that this so-called breather is just a temporary inability to die... The Russians' miserable traffic situation and industrial capabilities are destined to prevent them from replenishing lost equipment. The number of troops can be increased, but it would be good if the number of heavy weapons can maintain the current level. However, the significance of this kind of military expansion is really limited. Therefore, in order to keep the most important ally of the Allied Powers in the east and to better utilize the surplus value of the Russians, Britain and France decided to launch a campaign in April of the following year aimed at opening up the Dardanelles. Amphibious operations in the Strait!
Britain and France believe that in land warfare, it is okay for the coalition forces to be unable to defeat the German Army, but it is 100% sure to attack Turkey. In the perception of the Allied high-level officials, with the same strength, Germany is higher than Britain and France, Russia is higher than Austria-Hungary, and Turkey is higher. ah! In addition, the French Navy is almost completing its repair work, and the second batch of Japan's fleet will also come to Europe. I have a huge advantage in strength!
In addition to military advantages, Greece finally agreed to join the Allied Powers after hesitation. Of course, this does not mean that the conditions given by the Allied Powers are very good... It's because Greece and Turkey are old enemies. If the Allies win the war, Turkey, which has become stronger, will definitely cause trouble for Greece again. By then, who can help Greece?
The attitudes of Britain and France are also quite tough. The British Ambassador to Greece once threatened that if we cannot be friends, we are enemies! In addition, Serbia in the north still has an advantage against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After repeated weighing, Greece agreed to join the Entente. At the same time, he expressed his willingness to launch an offensive on land to assist the Allied Powers' strategy in the Dardanelles Strait!
Opening the Dardanelles Strait and transporting supplies to Russia is one aspect. At the same time, taking Istanbul to force Turkey to launch a war and destroy the Allied Mediterranean fleet is also of great strategic value! If this goal can be achieved, it will not only rescue Russia, but also kill Turkey and cut off the connection between the German mainland and the two river basins. It can also completely eliminate the largest overseas fleet of the Allies besides the North Sea. This is like killing three birds with one stone!
By that time, even the French fleet and the Japanese fleet can come to the North Sea to suppress the Germans. The united Allied fleet will regain an overwhelming advantage in the North Sea! By that time, the fleets of Britain, France and Japan will gather in the Shetland Islands. Will they not obey the German fleet? By then, Jerry Sci-fi thought he could preside over the largest surrender ceremony at sea in history!
All right,
Let’s not talk about anything else. Anyway, let’s find a way to win first! The French have stated that they will send at least 70,000 troops to participate in the war, and the French navy will also fully cooperate. The Japanese said that they could provide 30,000 cannon fodder with little food and low price. The Japanese navy will also increase its strength. Even the Australian Legion and the Canadian Legion in the Commonwealth expressed their willingness to participate in the war. Well, then, should the Royal Navy also show some respect? And precisely because of this representation…. Gives Jericho a huge headache!
At first, with a stroke of his pen, Jericho directly suggested that the Channel Fleet dispatch two former Dreadnought Battle Groups. But are the French so easy to fool? ! They said that these old warships had no value other than providing fire support on the ground. Even a representative of the French Navy said very openly: "Instead of letting the Grand Fleet sit in the Shetland Islands and blow the northwest wind, it would be better to go for a walk in the warm Mediterranean... ….At least the weather is nice, isn’t it?”
At that time, Jericho wanted to jump up and pick up the ashtray next to him to represent the Royal Navy in a duel with his opponent. Churchill thought it was "unreasonable" not to have a single battleship in the Grand Fleet in this big battle, so he originally planned to dispatch one. A complete battleship detachment, but after Thomas' incident, Churchill believed that sending two super-dreadnought battleships to the Dardanelles was "enough". ,
However, not only were two super-dreadnoughts and two detachments of pre-dreadnought battleships sent there, but also a large number of auxiliary battleships. As a result, the auxiliary force of the large fleet was temporarily weakened by one level. In this case, the Grand Fleet was weakened in almost every aspect. Under this circumstance, it became inevitable that Jericho and the British Admiralty finally chose to shrink!
This contraction was different from the previous defensive actions taken by the Royal Navy following Operation Thunder-Sebrus. That time, the Royal Navy just chose to avoid it temporarily, reduce risks, and wait for opportunities. Although the Internet was a bit painful, it was definitely not a thorn in the side. The Royal Navy still had the strength to re-complete the blockade of Germany. Just like Thomas's siege of the German battlecruisers a few months ago!
But this time it's really different. After losing five battleships in a row in recent battles, the situation on the entire battlefield has undergone major changes. It has been difficult for the Royal Navy to recover in a short period of time. Not only is the loss rate greater than the replenishment rate, but more importantly, threats from other strategic directions have forced the Royal Navy to allocate part of its forces to put out the fire. The fist that was originally clenched was forced to disperse. That's good. You still have one hand, but the striking power is no longer the same as before!
Perhaps, after the Allies resolve the Mediterranean issue, the Allied fleets can still gather in the North Sea, but that will be at least nearly a year later. This is not because the British see Turkey too high, but because in the Mediterranean In the Darnell Strait, the Allies deployed 6 powerful battleships after all! Even if the Allies can kill them, they will pay a heavy price! Take a look at the Fuso-class battleship, the most powerful among the Allied Powers. Even though it had an advantage, it was sent back for repairs for three months. Therefore, after the war, even if they win, the Allied fleet will need to slowly recover...
And what will happen one year from now? Jericho doesn’t know, but Jericho knows that if the two sides cannot end this war that is equivalent to chronic suicide in a year, then even if the British Empire wins, it may fall from the peak of its power. The decline of Britain is a long-term process. If there is no war, Jericho may not be able to see it in his lifetime, but now, it can only be said that the future is unpredictable.
"Today's navy may be the tomorrow of the empire!" Jericho wrote in his diary when he learned that the Admiralty decided to shrink the fleet.
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