The world war was still raging. After the great naval battle in the Strait of Gibraltar ended, the Bulgarian Navy immediately launched a landing operation against Cyprus.
By then, the island's defenders had already lost all will to fight. After putting up token resistance, the more than three hundred British soldiers on the island laid down their weapons and surrendered under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Philip.
Such a minor battle was utterly unworthy of mention in a world war. Even the London government had prepared itself to abandon the Mediterranean Sea.
London
Churchill said solemnly, "Gentlemen, the Royal Navy's operation has failed. The fall of the Mediterranean Sea is only a matter of time. Neither Sicily nor Malta has the capacity to sustain a long-term war.
"The most pressing issue now is that we must find a way to hold India and South Africa. Ideally, we must hold the Suez Canal as well. Otherwise, this war will become very difficult to fight!"
Though his tactical command abilities were lacking, Prime Minister Churchill was quite capable when it came to strategic vision.
Not long after the battle for Sicily broke out, he had realized that the Mediterranean Sea could not be held. Without the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal would become dispensable as well.
After all, the Bulgarians still had the Gulf of Aqaba Grand Canal, which carried even more traffic. With that canal in place, the Suez Canal's value had already been greatly diminished.
Even with the Mandeb Strait still in their hands, he did not believe they could hold it for long. After all, the Bulgarians had already launched their offensive.
Fighting the Bulgarians on land, even if the British Army threw in everything it had, would only amount to throwing lives away.
The Suez Canal could be