Britain, Naval Ministry.
After the war broke out, this place became extremely busy. As British Empire's most powerful and important force, Royal Navy has always been regarded as the number one force protecting Empire's interests. Being the world hegemon for hundreds of years also makes people think that British Empire and Royal Navy are both invincible.
However, what the outside world doesn't know is that Naval Ministry is currently waiting anxiously. The naval battle going on today is really important to the British Empire. If it fails, Britain will be in serious crisis.
In First Sea Lord Churchill's office, Churchill was pacing back and forth. Sitting in front of him was none other than the big Fleet Commander John? Admiral Jellicoe. He also rushed back from Scapa Flow. Of course, Churchill called John? Admiral Jellicoe back just in case. If David? Vice Admiral Beatty fails to succeed this time, then they will have to think of other ways to deal with Germany people.
"Is there no news about David? Admiral Beatty?" Churchill asked.
"Your Excellency, there is no news yet," the secretary replied.
Churchill nodded and said nothing more. There is no news, which may be the best news. This was better than receiving news of defeat.
John? Admiral Jellicoe, know what Churchill is worried about. In fact, he was just as worried. This time, Royal Navy can be said to have invested most of the new talents Battleship in this plan. If there is no way to succeed, then they really have nothing to do with German Navy.
"Your Excellency, David? Admiral Beatty will definitely win this time. After all, we dispatched nine Battlecruiser and eight Battleship. With such fighting power, unless the main force of Germany comes out, they will definitely not be our opponent." John? Admiral Jellicoe said.
"Well, but, Admiral Jellicoe, we often have to prepare for the worst. What I want to say is, if Admiral Beatty fails to succeed this time. So, what should we do?" Churchill asked.
John? Admiral Jellicoe was silent for a while, and after two minutes, he said, "Your Excellency, if Admiral Beatty and the others fail this time, then we may have to think of other ways to deal with the Germany people's Commerce Raiding Fleet. No matter what,, we must persist until the first half of next year, and wait until all our 'Queen Elizabeth-class' Battleship and 'Revenge-class' Battleship are in service before we have a decisive battle with the Germany people. In that case, our chances of winning will be greater."
"Well, that makes sense." Churchill nodded.
"However, if we have no way to deal with the Commerce Raiding Fleet of the Germany people, how can we ensure that our maritime transportation lines are smooth? The Germany people will never give up this good opportunity to check and balance us." Churchill frowned. Maritime transportation lines are the lifeline of Britain. Once the lifeline is cut off, can Britain still persist? It's unlikely even if you think about it.
"Your Excellency, we have already thought about this issue. Our merchant ships can fly the flag of a neutral country, such as American flag. In this case, the Germany people should not dare to launch an attack, right? United States is a big country, and Germany people will never have the guts to provoke United States at this time. In addition, we can order some military supplies from United States to let. Americans sends a ship to us. In this way, we can avoid being attacked by Germany until our new Battleship is put into service next year. It's time to have a decisive battle with the Germany people. Once we win, all crises will naturally be lifted. If we fail..." John? Admiral Jellicoe did not continue. However, his meaning was already obvious.
Churchill also knows that if Royal Navy fails in the decisive battle, then Britain will be completely doomed. Without Royal Navy to maintain Britain's sea power, it will quickly decline from a world hegemon to a second-rate country. This is absolutely unacceptable to British government and all Britain people.
"May God bless David? Admiral Beatty. I hope he can bring us a victory!" Churchill murmured.
As British Empire, First Sea Lord is in charge of the most powerful navy in the world. He never thought that such a day would come to him. You know, Britain has always relied on its powerful naval power to bully other countries. But now, they are forced into such a dangerous situation by Germany, which is really unacceptable.
"Report!" At this moment, a staff officer knocked on the door and walked in.
Churchill and John? Admiral Jellicoe both stood up from the sofa immediately. They all know that this must be news from David? Vice Admiral Beatty.
"How is the situation?" Churchill asked.
"Did we win?" John? Admiral Jellicoe asked.
"Report! David? Telegram of Admiral Beatty claimed that we were defeated." said the staff officer.
"What? How could we lose?" Churchill exclaimed. He fell down on the sofa as if his bones had been removed, as if he had lost all energy.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. We have assembled such a powerful fleet, how could David? Admiral Beatty lose? There must be something wrong." John? Admiral Jellicoe obviously cannot accept this result.
"General, we have repeatedly confirmed with David? Admiral Beatty. They have indeed been defeated and are retreating." The staff officer said bravely.
John? Admiral Jellicoe was stunned. Although he was very unwilling, he knew that this might be the truth.
"How was David? Admiral Beatty defeated?" John? Admiral Jellicoe asked.
"General, the detailed battle history is in Telegram. You'd better read it yourself." the officer said.
John? Admiral Jellicoe had no choice but to take Telegram, waved his hand, and asked the officer to leave. He also knew that it was obviously their gaffe just now that frightened the officer.
John? Admiral Jellicoe, started to browse Telegram, but his face became more and more ugly, and in the end it was as black as the bottom of a pot.
"Admiral Jellicoe, David? Did Admiral Beatty really fail?" Churchill asked.
"Yes, Your Excellency, David? Admiral Beatty did fail. The despicable Germany people have long known that this was a trap set by us. Therefore, they also made preparations, which led to David? Admiral Beatty's failure." John? Admiral Jellicoe said through gritted teeth.