afterglow

Chapter 402 The product of the cruise ship race; the Siberian Defense Forces

"After that, the direction was basically clear. France's colonies across Africa were bound to follow Britain. The only variable was... where the navy would go."

"Yes, even if the French colonial authorities wanted to remain neutral and stay out of the matter, the British would never sit idly by."

At the regular meeting at the Wenhua Palace on the morning of May [-], cabinet ministers discussed the latest situation.

Lin Xi glanced at the documents on the table and muttered: "There are several French warships that are enough to pose a threat to Britain's maritime transportation lines. The British will definitely be wary of them."

"I wonder what decision the French Navy will make... Disobey orders? Or fall to the democratic commune?" Xie Qinduan said.

Opposite him, Yu Shenhua replied in a very confident tone: "With the British style, if it really comes to a critical moment, they will fall out immediately."

Lin Xi said matter-of-factly: "There is nothing we can do about it. In the final analysis, we must put our own country's safety first. The British understand the interests very well. The French army's two battlecruisers and the newly commissioned high-speed battleship are in Combined with what the German army already has, it is enough to turn the Atlantic upside down."

The French Navy has two Dunkirk-class battlecruisers, namely Dunkirk and Strasbourg. Both are equipped with two quadruple 2mm main guns in a full forward layout, with a maximum speed of Up to 330 knots.

The high-speed battleship is naturally the new battleship Richelieu, which has been in service for only a few months. Its sister ship Jean-Bart is still being outfitted.

The two Richelieu-class battleships are even more terrifying. Thanks to their excellent high-pressure boiler technology, they can reach a maximum speed of 32 knots, and even faster when the power system is overloaded.

In addition to the two experimental pocket battleships, the German Workers' Navy now still has two Mackensen-class battlecruisers that were rebuilt that year and one battlecruiser Franz. Unfortunately, its sister ship Albert The special number was sunk in the previous naval battle.

However, the Workers' Navy will soon usher in its own super battleships-two high-speed battleships named after Marx and Marx with a standard displacement of 4 tons.

This first-class battleship is equipped with four twin-mounted 4㎜ main guns. It is also a high-speed light projectile with German characteristics. The armor-piercing projectile weighs only 406kg.

Facing so many high-speed battleships, one can imagine how much pressure the British are under now.

The Repulse was sunk by the Germans in the North Sea, and the Renown was sunk by the Ming army off the coast of Malaya. Only the Hood was left.

Although the four King George V-class battleships are under construction at the same time, the two with the fastest progress will not be completed and commissioned until early next year.

The gentlemen of the British Empire were already trembling with fear and fear. It can be said that the statement and call issued by the French Democratic Commune deeply aroused their sensitive nerves.

Now if even one of the French high-speed battleships defectes to the Germans, then I'm afraid the Atlantic route will really be doomed!
The initial estimate of the Ming Dynasty cabinet is that the French government troops will continue to retreat, and there is a certain possibility of stabilizing the front in the southwest region.

But that is only temporary. The French rebels and the German army will continue to attack after regrouping, sweeping through the entire France with overwhelming force.

Therefore, the Third Republic will probably become a government-in-exile.

After that, the German Army will have a greater chance of crossing the Pyrenees Mountains, attacking Spain and Portugal, and then unifying the Iberian Peninsula.

In this way, the westernmost to the easternmost parts of Europe will be united. How many leaders in history have had their ambitions realized in such a situation?

Out of consideration for its own national interests, the Ming court actually hoped that the United States would get involved in Europe, and it would be best to fight with the German Society.

Because the situation has changed far beyond people's expectations, I am afraid that Washington is also arguing these days, and London, which is aware of the seriousness of the problem, is already organizing a team of special envoys to go to the United States.

It is really unsustainable to be alone. If the Yankees continue to stand by and watch, the British Empire may be forced to sit at the negotiating table before long.

"If the Germans want to force the British into submission before the Americans do, now is the time to do it."

Zhou Changfeng also came to the General Staff Office of the Governor's Mansion again today. Everyone had relatively little business in the past two days, so we had some free time to chat for a while.

A fat colonel, Gao Shen, said nonchalantly: "The three islands of the British mainland are short of resources. They lack everything except coal. With a population of almost 800 million, two-thirds of the food they eat comes from overseas. Shipped."

Immediately, a young lieutenant colonel added to his words in detail at an alarming speed, "Eighty percent of oil, [-]% of iron ore, [-]% of copper ore, [-]% of lead ore, and [-]% of meat are all imported. .”

"So, even if the British really want to persist, they are powerless." The colonel continued to say in a contemptuous tone, "Haha, the small island country has only developed for a while by relying on the colonies won by Bu Wu. , will eventually decline.”

"Seriously, if the Germans decide to attack the shipping routes with all their strength, we can also respond from a distance." Zhou Changfeng put his hands on his hips and looked at the map not far away and said: "Indus has provided a large amount of food, rubber, and iron ore to the British mainland. , copper mine, it’s so important.”

"Does Zhou Taizhao refer to submarines?"

"Ah."

Among the people present was a naval lieutenant colonel. He thought for a moment and muttered: "The entire Nanyang is under the control of our Ming Dynasty. Submarines can set off from Xingzhou and Bacheng. At present, about thirty ships can be deployed to break the engagement. One third is resting in port, one third is on the way back and forth, and one third is cruising and hunting.”

The Ming Dynasty Navy did not build a submarine this year and only started construction of a high-speed experimental boat for technical verification.

There are currently 61 submarines of various types in service, of which the more advanced ones are 17 Chun-class, 12 Guyu-class, and 15 Lixia-class.

If there is no practical significance, these submarines should not be wasted in the Indu Ocean.

"Hey, I can't tell for sure." Zhou Changfeng sighed, "I don't know what the Germans are planning, and I don't know when the Americans will end."

In the evening of that day, Wusong Wharf, Shanghai.

"This way, gentlemen and ladies, please pay attention to the steps under your feet."

The soft sunset hangs in the western sky, casting thousands of red light on the world. The floating clouds seem to be marshmallows made with brown sugar powder.

The sea breeze carries the salty smell and is refreshing. It also makes people subconsciously feel that they are in the ocean.

The Shengping cruise ship is moored quietly at the pier. Its four large and straight chimneys, white top and bottom purple hull paint, and neat oak deck all mark it as a luxury cruise ship.

For a long time, the standard for ordinary people to judge whether a ship is tall or not is the size and the number of chimneys - a large ship is stronger than a small ship, and a ship with three chimneys is better than a ship with two chimneys.

Two companies, Pingkang Cruise Line and Datong Shipping Group, own all five of Ming's super cruise ships.

Shengpinghao is one of them, operated by Pingkang Company.

She was launched in the 21st year of Zhichang, with a registered tonnage of 3.4 tons, an actual displacement of 4.2 tons, twin-shaft sculls, and a maximum speed of 25 knots.

Compared with the cruise ships of the same period more than ten years ago, the Shengping was nothing and could only be described as mediocre. Today, the largest super cruise ship in Ming Dynasty is the Zhuque, which Chase Shipping Group spent a huge amount of money to order.

The Suzaku, delivered four years ago, is a true maritime palace - with a registered tonnage of 6.3 tons, an actual displacement of 7 tons, four-axis sculls, and a maximum speed of 29 knots.

In a sense, these behemoths are also strategic.During the wars in history, the British extensively used high-speed super cruise ships to transport troops.

The famous Queen Mary was requisitioned by the Royal Navy as a high-speed troop carrier. Because the speed was as high as 30 knots, she could sail unscrupulously in the wolf-infested Atlantic without fear of German submarines.

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This behemoth of more than 8 tons is called the Gray Ghost. It travels to and from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, transporting troops from all over the world to their destinations almost non-stop.

The Queen Mary could transport 1.5 people at a time. During the entire war, she sailed a total of about 60 nautical miles, equivalent to 15 times around the equator, and transported nearly 80 officers and soldiers.

These high-speed super cruise ships, which are like castles on the sea, are the product of the European upper class's singing and dancing. After the European War, the old powers were recuperating, but the competition among the people has not stopped.

Deshe built two 5-ton high-speed cruise ships, but as everyone knows, the decoration of these two cruise ships is relatively simple, and the cabins are not divided into first, second and third class, only business class and economy class.

Immediately afterwards, Italy built two 5-ton cruise ships; France decided to end this competition and built the Normandy with a displacement of 8.3 tons.

Who can believe that such a giant cruise ship, which is equivalent to two Titanic, can reach a speed of 30 knots?And she is propelled by an electric motor driving a propeller.

[picture]

Ming Dynasty did not participate in this increasingly outrageous competition. Anyway, the Atlantic route had nothing to do with Ming Dynasty.

The reason for the construction of the Suzaku is funny. A widely circulated story is that the president of the Chase Shipping Group and the boss of the British White Star Line (the company to which the Titanic was affiliated) were on vacation in Greece while discussing business. The two got drunk and had an affair. He started bragging, so he made a bet out of nowhere - to build the largest cruise ship in human history.

So the construction of the Suzaku was officially started soon afterwards. However, due to the high cost and the economic crisis at the time, the construction of the Suzaku was temporarily suspended after it started. The president of Datong Group was very troubled by this, and the various available funds and loans added up. Not enough either.

When he was at a loss, he dreamed of an immortal guiding him one night, saying that there was a sunken ship near Treasure Island in Wanli Changsha that could help him tide over the difficulties.With the mentality of giving it a try, Datong Group hired a salvage company to go to the South China Sea. After many days of searching, they finally salvaged a merchant ship from the Southern Song Dynasty, which was loaded with porcelain, copper coins, silver ingots, and gold ingots.

Relying on the auction of cultural relics and the precious metals melted and recast, another windfall was finally raised, and the Suzaku was able to continue construction and completion.

"This is the last trip, and everything shows the future."

"If it is converted into a troop transport ship, how many people can the Suzaku carry at one time?"

In a corner of the pier, two naval officers in dark blue uniforms were smoking and chatting.

"That's [-] tons. If we use it properly, we can probably get [-] or [-] tons, right?"

"Tsk, tsk, one ship is worth eight ships."

The Shengping is about to set sail. After this round trip from Shanghai to San Francisco, she will be requisitioned by the Ming Navy.

The precious Suzaku is even more important. All the tickets booked last month have been refunded. Passengers were told that the Suzaku has been suspended due to maintenance requirements and will probably be requisitioned soon.

June 6, Salapur, west of the Ural Mountains and 12 km southeast of Izhevsk.

The first ray of morning light passed through the passes of the Ural Mountains, dispelling the last darkness before dawn.

Sarapur, a small city with a history of more than 300 years and mainly engaged in leather manufacturing, welcomed a group of uninvited guests today.

Several bursts of "bang bang bang" gunfire came from the suburbs, making the citizens nervous.Someone fled back from the suburbs and was immediately surrounded by frightened people for questioning.

"There were so many cavalry, they opened fire randomly in Esuoka Village and killed more than a dozen people!"

"What?! Where did the cavalry come from?"

"I don't know, I don't know."

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Sarapur, Ethoka village.

Dozens of Tsarist Russian cavalry on tall horses were marching slowly. On the roadside, several officers were observing with binoculars or scanning maps.

"Captain, we can confirm that Sarapur has been controlled by the Liberals from Izhevsk."

"It looks like we have to fight them here or we won't be able to cross the Kama River."

The looting plan that Lieutenant General Ilya had planned for a long time was being implemented. A total of more than 109 people from the 110th Infantry Regiment, 12th Infantry Regiment, and 8000th Cavalry Brigade first rode in the military column, and then got off and marched. Now they have arrived east of the Kama River. shore.

They planned to capture Sarapur and use it as an offensive stronghold, and then attack Izhevsk dozens of kilometers away.

Lieutenant General Ilya named his armed forces the Armed Forces of the Siberian Defense Committee, or the Siberian Defense Forces for short.

Izhevsk is now occupied by the National Republican Army, or the local Tsarist Russian garrison has changed its name.

The National Republican Army was an armed force jointly founded by bourgeois parties such as the Socialist Revolutionary Party and the People's Liberation Party. It received strong support from Britain and France, and it is said that the United States also expressed support.

There are currently about one infantry division, one artillery brigade and several temporarily formed self-defense regiments in Izhevsk, with a total strength of nearly 2 people.

From a practical point of view, the Siberian Defense Forces who deliberately came to take advantage of the situation could not succeed. You must know that they came from afar and did not carry many heavy weapons.

However, they have an inexplicable sense of superiority, believing that "soldiers from remote and desolate places" must be better at fighting than "encouraged farmers and mechanics", enough to defeat each other with one against three.

In this way, that day, this unit set up a pontoon bridge on the Kama River.

However, just after the two companies crossed the river, a dull sound of "dong dong dong" came from the woods in the distance.

"Bombardment!!!"

"Boom—boom——"

In an instant, five or six explosive spots appeared on the river beach!

The 82mm mortar shells falling like raindrops brought disaster to the soldiers of the densely formed Siberian Defense Forces, and screams filled the entire river beach for a while.

(End of this chapter)