Chapter 967： Preparation of the Japanese Navy II (1/2)
The Japanese are not good at making mistakes, and the British are not good at making fools either. The British are also weighing the human value of Japan and the weight of the Japanese navy and army. The value of Japan directly determines the price of the British. The so-called value of the item itself determines the value of the currency. If Japan does not work hard, or if it does not work hard, then the British will naturally not give high prices, and this is good. of. The Japanese are worried about the British turning back after the war!
There are no eternal friends but eternal interests. Although this is from Churchill, it is understood by more savvy politicians. To be honest, Japan is also a little flustered now, just like a bandit who just made a ticket sale. Carrying boxes of gold and silver, I was excited and nervous, and some were afraid. The British are reluctant to give. If the British find that the Japanese are useless and can’t fight, if they have any contribution, then what policy the British will adopt after the European battlefield is over, this can be understood with your knees!
The British do not like Japan's real expansion. The British also want to participate in the division of East Asian and Far East markets. The British must take practical actions if they want to ease relations with the United States. Well, with these three conditions, how will Britain treat Japan? The Dutch East Indies that were eaten during the war might have to spit out part of it, and part of the German archipelago is hard to say! In the end, it is possible for Japan to fall into a bamboo basket and catch the water!
Therefore, in the opinion of the political elites who were in the midst of the Meiji era, if they want to not be abandoned by Britain and France, they need to do three things. The first is to prove their worth, the second is to prove their strength, and the third is Let Britain and France and the United States further widen the distance! Putting aside the last point, if you want to achieve the first two points, then the performance of the Japanese navy and army should be at least considered acceptable, right? But what is the situation now? The Army’s performance coffee table, but the Navy has not had time to perform!
”I won't ask the military to do too much, but I think we should at least make the British feel that we are not easy to mess with, right?” Hirofumi Ito said to Kenbei Yamamoto before the end of the high-level meeting.
”Everyone, I propose to give Kato-kun two Fuso-class battleships so that he can cooperate with the French fleet against the Allied Mediterranean fleet in the Mediterranean. As for the Suxiong fleet in the Indian Ocean, we can deal with them after the Mediterranean issue is resolved. I think The British want us to do the same,” said Gonhei Yamamoto.
The Japanese navy leader was very accurate with the British thoughts. What do the British need most now? Kill the Su Xiong fleet? It is good to be able to kill it, but if it can't be killed, it doesn't matter in a short time. The reason is simple. The Su Xiong fleet has not yet returned. After returning, when will it be repaired under the conditions of Port Fao? It’s not bad that two Scharnhorst-class battleships can come out within three months. Therefore, in a short time, the British are not worried about the danger on the Indian Ocean route.
As the prince expected, what they want to do most now is to open the Dardanelles. If they operate well, they can not only provide Russia with a steady stream of supplies, completely change the situation on the battlefield, but also may lead to Turkey's defeat and withdrawal from the war. If this strategic goal can be achieved, Britain and France would have won more than half! After all, war fights for national power! Therefore, the British are definitely willing to let the Japanese enter the Mediterranean Sea first, and then wait for the opportunity with the French fleet to severely damage the Allied fleet and prepare for the upcoming battle for the strait.
In order to achieve this goal, the United Kingdom also offered the Japanese extremely high prices, millions of pounds of loans, and technology transfer, trade and economic concessions, and so on, what Japan wants, and the French side has to Japan. Army construction support. In short, if this plan is successful, it will be very important for Japan's future development. Therefore, with politics and national interests overriding everything else, the Japanese top officials have actually reached agreement on certain issues.
”In this case, according to the above meaning, we can equip General Kato's fleet with 2 Fuso-class battleships and at least 2 destroyers of the unit.” Ijiin Goro said.
”Let’s do this first, Yatsushiro, your fleet will also have a chance to perform. If our operations in the Dutch East Indies go smoothly, then you and your fleet may take on the task of encircling the Suxiong fleet, I I hope this time, you will not repeat the mistakes of the British.” Yamamoto Quanhei said.