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Piaotian Literature of the Fourth Empire of China www.piaotia.com Chapter 703 The Panic of Britain and France

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    "Commander, the submarine force has made great achievements! Three battleships were sunk and one was severely damaged. In addition, two armored cruisers were sunk!" On the Indian Ocean Fleet's flagship battlecruiser 'Wang Ben', the Indian Ocean  Fleet Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Wu Zhiyuan said to Fleet Commander Lieutenant General Li Haitao with a happy face.

    "Oh? Three ships were sunk and one was severely damaged? Great! Most of the battleships of the British and French navies have been lost. If we break through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, there will be no problems!" Vice Admiral Li Haitao also said with great joy.

    "Now our four battleships are passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the British and French navies seem to have given up resistance and begun to retreat northward!" Rear Admiral Wu Zhiyuan said.  The British and French navies suffered heavy losses under the sneak attack of the Chinese submarine force. They knew very well that the remaining fleet alone was no match for the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet, so they chose to retreat.

    "Hmph! It's too late to run away now. Order the fleet to speed up the pursuit and try to keep all the British and French navies behind!" Lieutenant General Li Haitao ordered.  The battleships of the British and French navies have a maximum speed of only 21 knots, while the 'China-class' battleships of the Indian Ocean Fleet have a maximum speed of 22.5 knots. It is not impossible to catch up with the British and French navies.  What's more, the speed of the 'Qin-class' battleship is 24 knots.  Now there are only two battleships left in the British and French navies that can fight. The strength of the Qin-class battleships is enough to kill them!

    The Chinese Navy¡¯s Indian Ocean Fleet soon passed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and began to pursue the British and French navies.  In order to catch up with the British and French navies, two "Qin-class" battleships and the "Wang Ben" battlecruiser acted together, leading four heavy cruisers and more than 20 light cruisers and destroyers to chase the British and French navies.  The two slower 'China-class' battleships followed behind.  Once the main force of the fleet catches up with the British and French navies and entangles them, two 'China-class' battleships arrive to join the battle.

    On the other side, after sending a telegram to the country, Lieutenant General Howard, commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, ordered the fleet to move north at full speed.  He knew very well that the current British and French navies had lost the ability to confront the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet and had to flee.  At the same time, four other "Dreadnought-class" battleships of the British Navy were strictly ordered to rush from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea to respond.  If they can arrive before they are overtaken, the British and French navies still have hope.  If not, I am afraid that the four ¡®Dreadnought-class¡¯ battleships of the British Navy will have to defend the Suez Canal.

    The French Navy's "France" battleship was severely damaged during the attack by the Chinese submarine force, and its speed dropped to 5 knots.  At 7 o'clock in the morning, we were caught up by the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet.  The French, who are naturally romantic, are not so stubborn and will not fight to the end. The battleship 'France', which knew its situation well, did not choose to resist after being overtaken. Instead, it immediately raised the white flag to the Chinese Navy.  The Indian Ocean Fleet surrendered.

    The Chinese Navy¡¯s Indian Ocean Fleet left behind a light cruiser and a destroyer, boarded the battleship ¡®France¡¯, disarmed the French naval officers and soldiers on it, and took over the battleship.  Although the French' Guba-class battleship is not very good, it would be good to repair it and sell it to other countries cheaply.

    The main force of the Chinese Navy¡¯s Indian Ocean Fleet chased the British and French navies at a high speed of 22 knots, while the British and French navies escaped at only 20 knots.  Moreover, as time goes by, this speed will slowly decrease. Otherwise, the boiler of the battleship will be damaged if it continues to sail at high speed.  According to this time plan, the main force of the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet will be able to catch up with the British and French navies at around two o'clock in the afternoon and annihilate them all!

    When the Chinese navy¡¯s submarine force launched a sneak attack on the British and French navies, it was early morning in London  London in December has entered the cold winter, and the temperature has dropped below freezing.  At this time, almost everyone is nestled in a warm bed.

    The officers on duty at the British Admiralty are still abiding by their duties.  However, after receiving a telegram from Lieutenant General Howard, commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, the officers on duty at the Navy Department immediately went crazy.

    The content of the telegram is that the British and French navies were attacked by the Chinese submarine force and suffered heavy losses. Now the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet has broken through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and is pursuing the British and French navies.

    "Oh God! Three battleships were sunk and one was severely damaged. How could the remaining two battleships be the opponents of the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet? Whether it is a 'Qin-class' battleship or a 'China-class' battleship  , are more powerful than our Dreadnought-class battleships!" This idea appeared in the minds of many British naval officers.  They knew that Lieutenant General Howard might be in trouble this time!  Their chances of successfully escaping were almost slim.

    "Now, I order everyone to stick to their posts. There is news that the fleet was attacked by the Chinese Navy.?No external communication is allowed, I will report to His Excellency the Lord Admiralty immediately!  "A rear admiral ordered with a livid face. He knew very well what the consequences would be if such news spread. I'm afraid there will be crowds of protestors outside the Navy Department tomorrow.

    "Yes, General!" The other British naval officers also replied with a shiver in their hearts.

    The rear admiral immediately rode to the Lord Admiral John?  Rushed to Fisher's official residence.  Only senior cabinet officials can make decisions on such a major event.  However, he knew that the British and French navies suffered a disastrous defeat in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which would very likely cause Britain and France to lose this war!

    British Lord of the Admiralty John?  Sir Fisher was called from bed.  Leaving the warm bed in this cold weather made him very dissatisfied.  But when he saw the telegram sent back by Lieutenant General Howard, his whole body became cold.

    "Howard, that idiot, what on earth is he doing? How did he get attacked by the Chinese navy? Doesn't he know how to take precautions in advance?" John?  cried Sir Fisher.  The navy was defeated and the Chinese navy entered the Red Sea, which would directly cause a devastating blow to the British and French coalition's logistical supplies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  There is even a possibility of being cut off.  If that is the case, the fate of hundreds of thousands of coalition troops still fighting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be very worrying.  It is even more impossible for Britain and France to win the war, and they cannot even end the war with dignity!

    "Come here, prepare the carriage and go to the Prime Minister's Office immediately!" John?  commanded Sir Fisher.  He must report this situation to Arthur immediately?  Prime Minister Balfour reported and came up with countermeasures.  The navy's fiasco was a fatal blow to the ongoing war, John?  Sir Fisher didn't know how to face this result.  Meanwhile, John?  Sir Fisher also sent someone to notify other cabinet members and asked everyone to rush to the Prime Minister's Office.  This issue obviously cannot be decided by one or two people, even Arthur?  So does Prime Minister Balfour.

    It¡¯s 4 a.m. London time, John?  Sir Fisher rushed to the Prime Minister's Office.  Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour has already gotten up and is waiting. Before John?  When Sir Fisher set out from his official residence, he sent someone to the Prime Minister's Office to inform him.

    "Sir Fisher, what happened?" Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour asked.  It is indeed not a pleasant thing to be pulled out of bed during this season!

    "Your Excellency Prime Minister, there have been major changes on the front line!" John?  Sir Fisher said with a gloomy expression.

    "A major change? Did the coalition forces suffer a defeat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia? No, if so, Sir Chamberlain should report it. Is there something wrong with the navy?" Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour asked in surprise.

    John?  Sir Fisher nodded and handed the telegram in his hand to Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour.

    Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour took the telegram and read it in a few seconds.  However, after reading the telegram, his face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.  His eyes were shining with deep anger!

    "What's going on? How could such a thing happen? Didn't the Navy say that the Bab el-Mandeb Strait was foolproof before? Why did such a change happen?" Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour roared.  If the army is defeated, the war situation can be stabilized by continuing to increase troops.  However, the navy was defeated, which would turn this war into a turning point. Britain and France would never be able to win!

    "The despicable Chinese used a submarine to launch a sneak attack on us, and Howard, that idiot, was even more unprepared for it!" John?  said Sir Fisher.  Now, he even wants to kill Howard.  Of course, the prerequisite is that Vice Admiral Howard can successfully escape the pursuit of the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet.

    "Then what should we do now?" Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour asked.  Although he is the Prime Minister, he is already a little helpless in the face of such a big crisis!

    "Our four Dreadnought-class battleships in the Mediterranean are heading south." John?  said Sir Fisher.

    "Can they defeat the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet?" Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour asked.

    "The hope is very slim!" John?  Sir Fisher shook his head.  The four 'Dreadnought-class' battleships are simply unable to compete with China's Haji Indian Ocean Fleet.

    Arthur?  Prime Minister Balfour suddenly fell down on the sofa, his face turned pale. He had already thought about the consequences of this.

    At the same time, the French Navy also sent a telegram to the French Admiralty.  The French Admiralty was also in a state of panic after receiving the telegram of defeat.  Godefroy, French Navy Minister?  Cavaignac rushed to the Elys¨¦e Palace to report the news to President Emile?  Fran?ois?  After the Loubet report, the French government also fell into panic!  (To be continued. Please searchPiaotian Literature, the novels are better and updated faster!)
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