Chapter 754 I have tried my best
The World War was a great reckoning. It not only destroyed the four great empires, but also exposed Britain's weaknesses, giving people a clearer understanding of the strength of the British Empire.
The Royal Navy is still the most powerful navy in the world, but this "most" is no longer exclusive to the Royal Navy and is being strongly challenged by the United States and Russia.
Russia once again used its strength to prove that the "European Gendarmerie" is well-deserved. As long as it is on land, no one is Russia's opponent.
When the world's most powerful army meets the world's most powerful navy, which one is stronger, the Russian spear or the Royal Navy's shield?
When the "Olly" accelerated towards the British destroyer fleet, the button to end the peace was controlled by the destroyer squadron commander Andrew Cunningham.
Andrew Cunningham was born in 1883. At the age of ten, he entered the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and began his naval career.
During the World War, Andrew Cunningham repeatedly made military exploits and became the commander of the destroyer squadron last year.
"Alexander calls, no fire unless necessary."
Chief of Staff John Tovey sent the latest order to Alexandria.
"It's a big deal!"
Cunningham blurted out.
This order is really inappropriate.
Military orders are most taboo with such ambiguous wording.
Under what circumstances can it be called "necessary"?
If open fire triggers a conflict between Britain and Russia, who is to blame?
Will Mediterranean Fleet Commander Roger Keyes take the blame for Cunningham?
Most likely not.
Roger Case, like George, was born in 1872. This man had a very rich resume. While traveling in Brazil in 1892, he participated in the Brazilian Navy's uprising and launched a coup.
In 1900, Roger Case invaded the Qing Empire with the Eight-Power Allied Forces.
During the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, the Russian fleet mistakenly attacked a British fishing boat while passing through the English Channel. This was also caused by Roger Keyes.
During the World War, Roger Keyes led his troops to attack the German submarine base at Zeebrach and achieved partial success and became famous.
During the Russian Civil War, Roger Keyes suggested that the British government intervene in the Russian Civil War.
To put it bluntly, it’s just taking advantage of the situation.
"Order all ships not to open fire under any circumstances."
Cunningham's order was very different from Roger Case's.
If the Royal Navy can score 100 points, the Russian Navy can score at least 60.
If the Russian Army hits 100, the British Army might be in single digits.
This is where Kusyazov’s confidence lies.
Don't listen to the media that exaggerates Britain's strength. During the Russo-Japanese War, the fleet could not defeat the shore-based forts, and now it is even more unable to defeat it because of the emergence of the air force.
After the Balkan War, Britain upgraded all its warships with a wave of anti-aircraft firepower. However, this did not fundamentally solve the problem, because aviation technology is also progressing, and today's aircraft are more advanced than those at the time of the Balkan War.
What’s even more frightening is that the Royal Navy has always been wary of Russian submarines, and it doesn’t even know how many submarines Russia has equipped.
The Russian submarine force shined during the Russo-Japanese War and also performed well during the Balkan War.
Now that Russia has acquired German submarine technology, it is even more powerful and poses an even greater threat to the Royal Navy.
There is a way for experts to see the door, and for laymen to see the excitement.
Even if the Royal Navy was blown to the sky, the battleships would not be able to enter the Suez Canal.
It is even more impossible to drive ashore.
For this year’s Russian autumn exercises, the Amur Military District has been equipped with amphibious armored fighting vehicles.
The Russian Mediterranean Fleet used a new torpedo to attack the target ship, hitting 6 out of 6 times. If this were true, the Royal Navy would be in jeopardy if war broke out.
Since the birth of torpedoes, the stability has not been solved. Although the hit rate is impressive, it may misfire when hitting the target. Therefore, until now, the British still regard battleships as truth.
It’s understandable if the Russians’ data is watered down.
If the Russians did not mix water, they would really hit 6 out of 6 shots——
Impossible.
In Cunningham's view, the Russians' performance was not only amateurish, but also reckless and arrogant.
But it was this unreasonable style of play that left Cunningham helpless.
If we really want to let the fight go, a British destroyer can severely damage civilian ships with one shell.
If there is a collision, even if the destroyer with a smaller displacement can win, it will suffer 800 losses.
Faced with the menacing "Oli", the restrained "Buckley" destroyer took the initiative to move closer, trying to force the "Oli" to change its course.
The Russians are indeed amateurs. There is no one on the deck of the "Buckley" and all the sailors are in combat positions.
But the deck of the "Oli" was crowded with Russian officers and soldiers watching the fun, and they were not afraid of falling into the sea.
Seeing the "Barkley" approaching, the Russian officers and soldiers on the deck of the "Oli" began to curse loudly and uttered obscenities. Two petty officers even carried a basket of tomatoes from the kitchen to let the Cossacks They were playing with it.
For Russians who regard "Russian Roulette" as a game, isn't this just fun?
Seeing the two ships getting closer and closer, the Russian officers and soldiers on the "Oli" not only did not leave, but were eager to try.
Cunningham was shocked. These Russians must not be trying to join a gang.
Gang-hopping is a tactic used in the age of sail, mostly used to subdue smuggling ships.
In modern naval warfare, playing gang-hopping is undoubtedly the same as committing suicide by jumping into the sea.
Q: If a Russian soldier falls into the sea and drowns, who does it belong to?
With the character of the Russians, it must be the responsibility of the Royal Navy.
“Let them pass——”
Cunningham let out a long sigh.
"What about our mission?"
John Tovey's face was filled with bitterness. He was really so stunned that he feared for his life.
"We have tried our best. The reason why we took the initiative to avoid it is because we do not want to provoke a war between Russia and the British Empire."
Cunningham is not afraid of accountability, and the British Empire also has its own national conditions. this.
The biggest feature of the UK is that officials do not have to take responsibility for mistakes. Saying "I have tried my best" is always a panacea.
Russians never make excuses for failure. Even if the Tsar committed suicide after defeat, Russia did not blame others. It recovered the place it lost.
The news that the League of Nations troops bravely broke through the obstruction of the British Mediterranean Fleet and successfully settled in the canal zone reached the League of Nations. Nicholas Jr. was heartbroken and proposed to reward relevant personnel who had outstanding performance.
Nicholas Jr. believes that the first credit goes to the British commander Henry. The reason is that Henry gave an exciting speech before the League of Nations troops moved, which played a huge role in inspiring morale.
Regardless of whether Henry was willing to accept the award or not, Balfour was immediately so angry that he was hospitalized for treatment.
Little Nicholas was helpless.
Another one is hospitalized. Can you come up with a fresh excuse?
(End of this chapter)