twojebook Chapter 1035 1035: This Is the First Fallen Domino
Chapter 1035 1035: This Is the First Fallen Domino
German Wilhelm Port.
The logistics personnel and reserve officers left in the port were anxiously waiting for news from the front line. They gathered in groups to discuss:
"That's the British Royal Navy. Even if their main force was dispatched to the Atlantic and can't return in time, their North Sea Fleet is still as strong as ours."
"Yes, and more importantly, they have extensive combat experience, and their ships often secure advantageous positions due to their speed."
"In this situation, it's still very difficult for us to win. What awaits us is unimaginable."
…
The officers and soldiers looked worriedly, fearing that after this battle, all of Germany's current favorable conditions would disappear, replaced by huge reparations and various humiliations and unequal treaties.
At this moment, a communications soldier suddenly rushed out of the command center on the second floor, his voice hoarse with excitement:
"We've won, we've won!"
He quickly ran down the stairs, and in the last few steps, he jumped but lost his balance and fell flat on the ground.
But he didn't care at all. Even though blood was flowing from his mouth as he stood up, dyeing his teeth in a terrifying red, he beamed: "We've won, we've defeated the British Fleet, and we've taken Lerwick Port!"
The crowd couldn't believe it and surrounded him with a "wow":
"What? We've taken Lerwick Port?"
"Are you serious? We've won?"
"You're talking about Lerwick Port on the Shetland Islands? Well, where is the British Fleet? How many of our ships were lost?"
…
The communications soldier replied loudly, his eyes full of pride:
"Of course, it's true, absolutely true. We've just received a telegram."
"Our fleet suffered only minor losses, with seven 'Thunder Strike Ships' sunk, and the 'Bavaria' and 'Baden' slightly damaged."
"Meanwhile, the British Fleet was completely defeated. We sunk at least 5 of their battleships and 12 cruisers and destroyers!"
…
The troops were in an uproar.
Most of them believed that the German High Seas Fleet and the British North Sea Fleet were equally matched, and even if someone thought the German Army could win, it would be a narrow victory.
No one expected the result to be such a resounding and comprehensive victory.
After a moment of surprise, everyone burst into cheers and spread the news excitedly.
…
The news soon reached Berlin. The Interim Government Prime Minister Albert let out a sigh of relief upon receiving the call.
His position as prime minister was now secure.
Not only secure, but he might even become a hero for "saving Germany from deep distress."
However, Albert knew full well that this was all a result of cooperation with Shire.
Henceforth, Germany must follow Shire as the lead, Albert resolved: Shire is the future of Germany; everything else is trivial!
…
Paris, France.
Due to military confidentiality, hardly anyone knew that the German High Seas Fleet was engaging in a decisive battle with the British Fleet in the North Sea. They were still worried about the large fleet organized by Shire being blocked east of the Gibraltar Strait.
In the Clyron Hotel, the representatives of various countries were divided into two factions.
Countries in and around the Mediterranean gathered to eagerly discuss the operation of coal and iron trade, as this was solidified after the French Toulon Fleet's victory in the Mediterranean.
Though Greece was still eradicating the British forces trapped on its soil, it was actively advancing towards sharing the rights to coal and iron trade.
Representatives of these countries believed the Mediterranean had nothing to do with the outside world.
The ruler here was undoubtedly France. Even if France were blockaded within the Mediterranean by the British Royal Navy, respecting France posed no problem.
Countries outside the Mediterranean, however, were somewhat worried.
Especially the Holland representative, who felt they were celebrating too early. If the French Fleet was trapped within the Mediterranean and couldn't move, how would Holland, being right opposite Britain, face the "wrath" of the British Royal Navy?
The Belgium representative remained firm, reassuring the Holland representative: "Rest assured, France has the most powerful army. Although you don't border France, Belgium can provide passage for the French Army to reinforce Holland."
But this didn't ease the concerns of the Holland representative.
What if the British Royal Fleet doesn't land?
If their warships blockade or even bombard Holland from the sea?
Though Holland's survival might not be a problem, its economy and trade would soon fall into turmoil!
…
Unfavorable rumors were circulating among the public:
"That's the Gibraltar Strait. Although we have aircraft carriers capable of launching jets, it's still very difficult to pass through safely."
"Yes, aircraft carriers are not suitable for navigating narrow waters. It's not Shire's fault."
"These are errors from previous decisions. The Minister of the Navy and parliamentarians always favored Toulon Port over Brest, leading to this situation."
…
In the Paris City Hall Army Minister's Office, Gallieni frowned at the map.
He understood what the citizens were discussing; these were indeed leftover issues from before, to the point where Brest Shipyard was once at risk of being revoked.
France's previous regime had too short-sighted a perspective, constantly believing they couldn't match Britain in naval strength, thus concentrating their main development efforts on Toulon Port.
But the problem already existed, and it was a current reality that had to be addressed.
One can't say that leftover problems don't need solving.
Currently, although Shire has developed France to easily defeat a British Royal Navy squadron, it still faces the risk of blockade at strategic points like the Suez Canal and Gibraltar Strait.
How to solve this?
The little fellow seems to be in a rush, gathering all ships, including those newly captured and yet to become combat-capable, and positioning them at the Gibraltar Strait.
"Hold steady." Gallieni murmured to himself:
"The Gibraltar Strait is not somewhere you can just pile up with numbers."
"If you're not careful, your carrier might end up capsizing in this cul-de-sac!"
Staff officers ran back and forth, continuously gathering intelligence from the front line, including the situation of the British Fleet assaulting Brest Port.
Everything was interconnected; once Brest Port fell, it would mean the British could fully blockade the Gibraltar Strait.
At this moment, Major Fernan, standing by the phone, incredulously asked into the receiver:
"What? What did you say? The British Fleet retreated?"
"Why did they retreat?"
"Because of the German Fleet? Are you sure?"
Major Fernan gaped without closing his mouth for a long while, staring blankly at Gallieni.
Gallieni heard these words and initially didn't think it strange, but after a moment's thought, he looked back at Major Fernan with a shocked expression.
He seemed to understand that he had been fooled by Shire again.
This battle didn't even require breaking through the Gibraltar Strait.
There was no need for the French Navy to act; someone else would take care of it.
From the start, it was Shire's plan, to have the German High Seas Fleet launch an all-out attack on the British North Sea.
This was the first domino to fall!