Chapter 2110： New additions (1/2)
”You mean to assign these four battleships to the Channel Fleet?” Prime Minister Asquith asked.
”No, it's not for the Channel Fleet. It's just going to the Strait of Dover to provide cover at night. Before dawn, the fleet will withdraw to Forth Bay under the cover of night.” Jericho said.
”This is actually unnecessary, right?” Asquith heard this, his first reaction was that it was too troublesome, right? The second reaction is how much fuel will be burned!
”This is necessary because during the day, the entire English Channel coastal area is dangerous. Large warships are difficult to hide. Those ships that can still linger in the port are not because the Germans are not able to fight, but because they are not able to fight. If the Germans discover that we have deployed capital ships in ports along the coast of the Strait, believe me, the best result of these capital ships is to sit in the harbor.”
”As for the fuel issue, don't worry about this. Those old dreadnought ships can burn coal and don't need precious heavy fuel.” Jericho seemed to have thought of the Prime Minister's concerns, so he explained.
”So, will this affect the preparation of the fleet? After all, our retreat plan will last a long time, maybe a month.” Asquith thought for a while and said.
”A month? You really value the Army.” Jericho shook his head and said. ”I have an immature idea, or a very pessimistic idea, would you like to hear it?”
”Please speak.” Asquith said.
”Actually, how long this retreat can last does not depend on us. Just imagine that millions of troops, with their logistics almost cut off, faced more than 2 million German troops and tens of thousands of artillery pieces. The siege of thousands of tanks and thousands of planes was compressed in a small area. You said they could last for a month? If Marshal Haig’s army had such a fighting capacity, they would become what they are now. Looks like?”
”Actually, the army’s withdrawal plan was originally a joke. At least the second half is unreliable. Even if we can withdraw part of the army, then as the force decreases, our frontline pressure will be very huge, as long as the Germans are willing. , They can always break through our line of defense, do you plan to withdraw for a month? Want to withdraw most of the British troops? This is not realistic.” Jericho's language is rather mean.
”Then you can tell me, since the German army is so powerful, why don't they quickly kill Marshal Haig's expeditionary army?” Prime Minister Asquith said angrily.