Churchill was silent, although he had already thought that this time the plan might not go so smoothly and might fail. However, when the news of the failure came, he still couldn't accept it. Of course, Churchill is not a person who cannot accept reality. As First Sea Lord, he must be responsible for the British Empire. No matter how difficult it is, he must lead Royal Navy to win this war.
"David? How did Admiral Beatty fail? Was the loss big?" Churchill asked.
"Your Excellency, the Germany people have been prepared for a long time. In addition to their six Battlecruisers of Commerce Raiding Fleet, they also dispatched three more powerful Battlecruisers." John? Admiral Jellicoe said.
Churchill frowned. "We dispatched seventeen warships. Even if the Germany people add three Battlecruiser, we won't be defeated by them!"
"Your Excellency, the three Battlecruisers owned by Germany are all equipped with powerful Battlecruisers from 380mm Main Gun. It's really beyond our expectations! Germany The people actually equipped the warship with a 380mm main gun before us, and this time, they gave us a hard blow," John? Admiral Jellicoe said through gritted teeth.
"Those guys in the intelligence department, I will settle the score with them." Churchill cursed.
Subsequently, John? Admiral Jellicoe became Churchill, introducing the course of the naval battle. When he learned that British Navy had lost seven Battleships and three Battlecruisers, and that one Battleship and one Battlecruiser had been severely damaged, and only five Battlecruisers still had strength, Churchill no longer knew what to say.
David? Vice Admiral Beatty, this time is not just a failure, it can be described as a disastrous defeat. We have lost so many Capital Shipss, especially all of them are cutting-edge Capital Shipss. Even if the Royal Navy family has a great business, it cannot afford such a loss! It can be said that this has already made Royal Navy very nervous.
"Damn it, how come the loss is so big? This will seriously damage Royal Navy's strength! If Germany people launch a decisive battle with us at this time, we will not be able to resist it!" Churchill was a little panicked. He even believes that if we only count the number and combat effectiveness of new warships, I am afraid that German Navy has surpassed British Navy and become the true number one in the world. This result made him panic.
"Your Excellency, the combat effectiveness of the Germany people is indeed beyond our expectations. David? Vice Admiral Beatty Among Telegram, it has been mentioned more than once that the defensive power of the German Navy battleship is very strong. We were hit several times, but the armor was not penetrated. Because of the weak armor, our warships would often be seriously injured or even sunk. In this case, we suffered a lot in the naval battle." John? Admiral Jellicoe explained.
In fact, this problem was already exposed when the Lion Battlecruiser was sunk. It's just that it wasn't taken seriously. However, in this naval battle, this problem was exposed again, and it was difficult not to take it seriously.
But the embarrassing thing is that these warships have already been built. They can't go back to the shipyard for modifications and increase the thickness of the armor, right? In that case, it is completely unfeasible and will cause problems in the balance of all aspects of the battleship, thereby affecting its combat effectiveness, or even directly capsizing it.
"I'm afraid this problem will be difficult to solve. At most, we should pay attention to this issue in the subsequent construction of warships." Churchill said.
John? Admiral Jellicoe nodded.
"So, Admiral Jellicoe, we have lost so many Capital Ships. So, can Royal Navy still fight against the Germany people? In the future decisive battle, can we still defeat the Germany people?" Churchill asked.
"Your Excellency, the Germany people have obviously hidden their strength. Now it seems that they should have warships equipped with 380mm Main Gun in service. This speed far exceeds ours. However, if the decisive battle is between our 'Queen Elizabeth-class' Battleship and 'Revenge-class' If Battleship is put into service, we may not have a chance of winning. Of course, given the heavy losses of our Capital Ships, I hope that the navy can start construction of an updated class of warships as quickly as possible and strive to enter service within a year and a half." John? Admiral Jellicoe said.
Churchill nodded. He also knew that Royal Navy's main force was seriously damaged and needed to be replenished urgently. Otherwise, Royal Navy may not be able to win the decisive battle in the future.
"I will report it to Prime Minister. However, the navy's future warships must avoid the problem of weak armor. These are the painful lessons that Royal Navy paid for with blood and life!" Churchill sighed.
If Royal Navy can be given another chance, they will never establish a shipbuilding idea that emphasizes firepower and speed and despises defense. It's a pity that God will never give them such a chance.
"Admiral Jellicoe, you go prepare the design information of the new warship. I'm going to see Prime Minister." Churchill said. Royal Navy suffered such a disastrous failure, it was impossible to hide it. What's more, the Navy needs to build more Capital Ships, and it also needs support from Cabinet. Otherwise, where can it get funding?
"Yes, Your Excellency." John? Admiral Jellicoe replied, then saluted and prepared to leave.
At this time, a staff officer broke in anxiously.
Churchill and John? Admiral Jellicoe couldn't help but frown. At the same time, they also had a bad feeling in their hearts. Could it be that there is some bad news coming?
"Report. The fleet sent Telegram. They were attacked by German submarines troops. More than ten submarines participated in the sneak attack on our fleet. The fleet suffered heavy losses. As of now, fourteen merchant ships have been silenced." The staff officer reported.
Churchill and John? Admiral Jellicoe's faces were ashen. They just had a leak in the house and it rained all night. This is it! Royal Navy has lost so many Capital Ships, and this is when they need to build warships frantically to make up for the losses. Merchant ships have suffered serious losses again, which will make them even more scarce in war supplies and even restrict their shipbuilding plans.
"Damn the Germany people, they want to kill us all! No matter what, I will not let the Germany people's conspiracy succeed." Churchill said through gritted teeth.
However, although he looked fierce, he was already very panicked in his heart.