Chapter 1965: Disaster
As for the transport fleet? When Marshal Haig saw the long line of losses on the list and the pile of zero personnel and material losses behind him, he almost didn't go into shock! A total of 58 ships of various types were destroyed in today's attack, with a gross tonnage of more than 300,000 tons! You must know that the total tonnage of civilian ships of the British before the war in history was only tens of millions of tons, but now, the total tonnage of ships still flying the flag of the British Empire in the whole world is less than 7 million tons. In World War I, 300,000 tons were directly thrown away...
"If this continues, even if we come back twice, we may not be able to guarantee the material needs of the expeditionary force! The blood vessels of the British expeditionary force are already in danger of being cut off!" Marshal Haig wrote pessimistically in his letter to the prime minister. road.
As for the loss of materials and personnel? Now even the British Prime Minister dare not announce the loss of this air strike in Parliament. Nearly 25,000 British soldiers in the army were killed or are no longer suitable for military tasks. The loss of the crew is also as high as more than 3,000 people. And the loss of a long line of materials is even more terrifying. Not to mention the worthless things such as coal mines and iron ore that exceed 100,000 tons, the British threw away the artillery weighing more than 25 pounds in this battle More than 200 doors! As for the number of 12-pound to 18-pound artillery, there are more than 300, plus tens of thousands of firearms and tens of thousands of tons of munitions, food and other supplies. By the way, there are hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles newly produced by the Birmingham Arsenal in the United Kingdom, as well as thousands of various cars, tractors, and motorcycles!
"I am very disappointed with the performance of the aviation force this time." When Trenchard met Marshal Haig, the latter's face was very ugly.
"Marshal Haig, I am also very disappointed with the performance of the aviation team, but we have tried our best. I really didn't expect that when the Germans concentrated their forces in one place, they would be so powerful." Trenchard's face turned pale He said in a gray tone, with helplessness and deep fear revealed in his words.
"Marshal Haig, if possible, I hope that the materials we transport to France can land in Normandy or even the west coast of France in the future, and then be transported through the French railway network. Now, the front line is already very dangerous, and my air force cannot stop Germany indiscriminate bombing of sea targets in the Strait of Dover," Trenchard said.
"Although what you said is the most reasonable, but now, it is very difficult to actually operate." Haig said with a sigh. Theoretically speaking, if supplies are transported to the ports in western France, it can indeed avoid the attacks of most of the Luftwaffe. After all, the main output of the Luftwaffe is still the K6 bomber. If it can be transported beyond the combat radius of the K6 bomber Otherwise, the Luftwaffe's strike strength will naturally drop a lot, and even where the K8 bomber can theoretically go, in fact, because of the long range, the bomb load will drop a lot.
But the problem is that if the materials land from western France, it will put a lot of pressure on the French railway transportation system. This is not only the consumption and equipment of millions of troops, but the most important thing is the pressure of bulk material transportation. Among other things, the transportation of 20 million tons of coal every year has brought considerable pressure to the current French railway network. Pressure, now, because of the war, the transport capacity of French railways can only be about 45% of what it was before the war! A large number of military industries in France are concentrated in the north, close to the English Channel. If you land in the west and then transport them to the north, the pressure will be a bit greater.
"I will coordinate this matter with the French authorities. Let us not talk about the loss of this battle and your responsibility. I know that you have done your best. Now, then, tell me, do you think this war we still have to deal with?" Can we go on?" Haig asked.
"When the Bavarian Army appeared on the Western Front, it was impossible for us to win this war,
We are just looking for a step down. As long as the battlefield situation improves slightly, we can negotiate peace with the Germans. said Trenchard.
"Really? I really hope so, but the question is, what if the Germans don't agree?" Haig said this in a very low voice. So that Trenchard next to him couldn't hear it clearly. As a soldier, he felt that the peace negotiation this time might not be so easy from a military point of view. Trenchard and even the Imperial Parliament in London may have thought too simply about this matter. Haig has peeked into the darkness of the distant future, and now, he needs to go back to London immediately to discuss the future of Britain with the Prime Minister, yes, right now! tonight!
And just as Haig was preparing to return to London on a warship this evening, Prime Minister Asquith, Secretary of War Lloyd George, and Chamberlain were discussing today's Battle of the Strait of Dover.
"The British Empire has never been so dark as it is today. On this day we have lost too much material and the confidence of the ship to defeat the enemy. I am now wondering whether we have made the right choice to persevere? Should we have fought with the Germans earlier? We have negotiated peace." Prime Minister Asquith said with a look of decadence.
"Maybe it is a good choice to end the war as soon as possible, but we missed the opportunity. Now, what we have to face is not the Kaiser or the parliamentarians, but Crown Prince Ruprecht, who is quite unfriendly to us. said Lloyd George.
As the top political elite in the UK, Lloyd George has a very deep understanding of the main political figures in Germany, such as William II. Although this guy is advocating his hatred of the UK in his country, he also opposes it in various public occasions. Great Britain speaks out. However, in Lloyd George's view, the Kaiser was nothing more than a figure who was strong on the outside but capable on the inside. He has a reckless performance in national strategy, but also has a very conservative side. The Kaiser was very terrified of Britain. It can be seen from some of his historical actions, so even if he has an advantage, the Kaiser will consider accepting it as soon as it is good. Because the Kaiser did not challenge the courage and wisdom of the Royal Navy, the last fuse of the British Empire.
Therefore, if the Kaiser controls the regime, if the British are willing to lower their stance and give up some benefits, then the Kaiser may also accept the peace talks. After all, if the Kaiser did not dare to challenge the Royal Navy with the High Seas Fleet, then Germany would never be able to pose a fatal threat to the United Kingdom. If the war cannot completely overwhelm the opponent, then it is inevitable to accept it as soon as it is good. Britain can use very small interests, for example, a few pieces of unfertile land in Africa can stop the Germans!
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