owlsbooks Chapter 1020 1020: Blockade Tactics
Chapter 1020 1020: Blockade Tactics
Today is late, only one chapter!
...
"I understand what you mean." Prime Minister George's tone was somewhat impatient towards the Minister of Military Supplies: "We all know what's important, including John, Adam, Geoffrey, and Lieutenant Klaus."
The names mentioned by Prime Minister George were all advisors, and the last one was even a guard.
He deliberately did not mention Belfort and Trunchard, clearly expressing dissatisfaction towards the Minister of Military Supplies.
Prime Minister George continued:
"We all know that France is the root of everything; it is the cause of the turmoil."
"And we also understand that defeating France would demonstrate our might to everyone and tell them that England is still the strongest country in the world."
"But the question is, how can this be achieved? The French Fleet has just defeated our Mediterranean Fleet, capturing over a hundred warships including eight battleships!"
Prime Minister George was somewhat flustered, unable to believe that the situation had become so uncontrollable.
And all of this was due to the Minister of Military Supplies' foolish plans, his unrealistic strategic goals, and the beautiful vision he painted for everyone!
The Minister of Military Supplies pretended not to understand Prime Minister George's words, maintaining his composure throughout.
This was not something an ordinary person could do; an ordinary person would usually resign in shame at this point.
But the Minister of Military Supplies was different; his strong psychological resilience allowed him to persist until the last moment, even justifiably shifting the blame onto others.
The plan was agreed upon by everyone, the Minister of Military Supplies thought; no one proposed a better plan or added suggestions, so the combat plan was the optimal solution at the time.
Now that it has failed, it is obviously not just my responsibility, but everyone's.
"That's the way it is, Prime Minister." The Minister of Military Supplies calmly pointed to the map and said:
"From the current situation, the reason the French Navy was able to defeat the Mediterranean Fleet is because of the aircraft carriers."
"These changed the mode of combat, rendering the cannons and armor of our battleships unable to leverage their advantages..."
This was intelligence obtained from the battlefield and French newspapers.
Especially the French newspapers, which made them understand why General Winter and the Mediterranean Fleet surrendered.
Prime Minister George "hmm" interrupted him: "Say something useful, sir."
The Minister of Military Supplies raised his eyebrows slightly and responded calmly: "We can capitalize on our strengths while avoiding weaknesses, blockading the French Toulon Fleet and aircraft carriers within the Mediterranean."
Prime Minister George frowned, seemingly understanding the Minister of Military Supplies' idea: "You mean, blockade the Gibraltar Strait?"
The Minister of Military Supplies nodded: "Yes, and also the Suez Canal."
The Minister of Military Supplies tapped the Suez Canal on the map.
Blocking the Suez Canal was easy; Suez Port was still in the hands of the British Army. Sinking a few merchant ships in the Suez Canal could block the channel, which could not be cleared in the short term.
The Minister of the Navy opposed:
"But the focus is on Gibraltar."
"How can we blockade it?"
"What I mean is, if France has aircraft carriers, their attack radius exceeds the length of the Gibraltar Strait."
The Gibraltar Strait is 90 kilometers long, while the French aircraft carrier's attack radius reaches 150 kilometers.
This means that the warships used to blockade the strait would become targets for the French aircraft carriers.
(The above image shows the Gibraltar Strait, which is 90 kilometers long, with the narrowest point only 14 kilometers wide.)
Major General Trunchard, who had been silent all along, surprisingly expressed agreement with the Minister of Military Supplies' plan at this time.
"I think this plan is feasible." He pointed to the map and explained: "We all know that aircraft carriers are not suitable for combat in narrow areas, as it exposes their position."
A sentence awakened everyone.
Previously, when General Winter and Major General Avis fought against the French aircraft carriers, the biggest difficulty was not knowing where they were.
This meant that, even with high-speed maneuverable destroyers and battlecruisers, they had no target and didn't know which direction to chase.
But it would be different at the Gibraltar Strait; as soon as French carrier aircraft took off, the French aircraft carrier must be in the Gibraltar Strait.
The direction was fixed, and there was no escape.
Major General Trunchard continued: "We can even position the battleships further west because of our battleships' long-range capability."
Saying this, Major General Trunchard turned his gaze to the Minister of the Navy.
The Minister of the Navy nodded:
"Oh, yes, you are right."
"Battleships typically have a range of over ten kilometers, and the 'Queen Elizabeth' class battleships can reach 21 kilometers."
"The 'Iron Duke' class can even reach 24 kilometers."
(Note: In the late stages of WWI, the British Navy developed more advanced armor-piercing shells that increased range, but these shells were first used on the 13.5-inch main guns of the 'Iron Duke' class, resulting in the situation where the 'Iron Duke' class had a longer range than the 'Queen Elizabeth' class. Later, the 'Queen Elizabeth' class shells were improved, and its 15-inch main gun also reached 24 kilometers, further improving before WWII to even reach 30 kilometers.)
Major General Trunchard pointed at the map for further analysis:
"The Gibraltar Strait is 90 kilometers long, our battleships' range is 24 kilometers, which makes a total of 114 kilometers."
"If our battleships are deployed 30 to 50 kilometers west, their position will reach the maximum range of aircraft carrier attacks."
"Therefore, the French will be trapped in a dilemma."
The aircraft carrier must enter the narrow Gibraltar Strait to attack the British battleships, putting itself in danger.
Otherwise, the aircraft carrier will remain under permanent British blockade.
Minister of the Navy Belfort added:
"Additionally, if the French Navy forcibly passes through the Strait, their warships will definitely be in an unfavorable vertical position for combat."
"Our fleet can find opportunities outside the strait to annihilate them in one blow."
(Note: An "unfavorable vertical position" refers to the "T" formation in naval battles, comprising a "horizontal" and a "vertical" line.)
The Minister of the Navy's voice grew increasingly excited:
"And if we can trap the main strength of the French Navy in the Mediterranean, while on the other hand destroying their Brest Port and even occupying their shipyards."
"This would equally proclaim our victory to the world."
"Although only an initial victory, it would at least have a deterrent effect on countries in Atlantic and North Sea directions, and even African countries."
The Minister of the Navy's words made everyone in the command room visibly pleased.
It was indeed strategically feasible.
While French aircraft carriers are powerful, if they are trapped in the Mediterranean and unable to come out, the vast ocean outside remains British, and Britain has a chance to smoothly pass through this "colonial crisis."
All Britain would lose is control over a few countries around the Mediterranean.
The Minister of Military Supplies remained silent at this point.
This is your idea, not mine.
Don't blame me if it fails.
If it succeeds, that would be because I saved the day at the most critical moment!