The situation on the battlefield was bad, and the situation in the country was even worse. Opposition parties, parliamentarians, experts and scholars … there was no one who did not curse the government.
If this was a peaceful era, the protestors would probably have rushed to the government to demand an explanation.
There was no need to worry tonight, because everyone was busy moving and did not have the time to look for trouble.
There would most likely be no trouble tomorrow. Based on the current situation, as long as there was no storm tomorrow, the enemy's fighter jets would come again.
No matter how much resentment everyone had towards the government, they would not go to the extent of protesting with a bomb on their heads.
If they really caused a commotion, they would be live targets. In this day and age, there was no such thing as not harming civilians. Nowadays, everyone's favorite thing to do was to throw bombs at crowded places.
Of course, the bombing of London was an exception. Due to natural conditions, the Shinra Air Force was forced to launch indiscriminate attacks.
Although they had temporarily escaped a disaster, no one was happy at all. Because the longer they held it in, the more violent the explosion would be in the future.
After a while, the Minister of Finance, Asquith, broke the silence. "The people are watching the government. The enemy has already thrown a bomb on our heads. If we do not take action to fight back, I'm afraid we will not be able to explain ourselves this time."
Sensing everyone's expectant gazes, Attilio became more and more awkward. He wanted to "take revenge" too, but the problem was that his strength did not allow him to!
Seeing that he could not avoid it, Attilio said helplessly, "Don't look at me. The air force will not bomb Vienna, not even one bomb.
The enemy's air force took off from the airport on the coast of Europe, which is very close to London. Vienna is far inland in Europe, thousands of miles away from Britannia.
This distance has long exceeded the coverage of our air force. If we really want to take revenge, we can symbolically send out fighter jets to attack the enemy's coastal cities.
If that doesn't work, we can bomb Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and other cities. "
This was a sad topic. It was fine if they could not touch the enemy's capital, but even if they wanted to attack the enemy's coastal cities, they had to be careful and did not dare to send out their main forces.
After all, the enemy was the world's most powerful air force. Britannia did not have a complete air defense warning system, but it did not mean that the enemy did not have one.
If they were discovered by the enemy in advance, another wave of heads would be sent to them. It could only be said that the battle during the day had scared the Minister of Air out of Attilio's mind. His cautious mentality once again prevailed.
Even if they wanted to retaliate, they had to choose an area where the enemy's forces were weak. There was no doubt that a day trip to the airspace of Fabien and Holland was much safer than wandering around in Shinra.
Foreign Minister Adam: "No. Although the three countries are our enemies now, they were all forced to join the Continental Alliance. They are not on the same side as the Government of Vienna.
Although the three countries had participated in the war, in fact, they had only provided airfields and some strategic resources to Shinra's air force. They had not really sent troops yet.
If we bomb their capitals now, we can put pressure on the Government of Vienna, but it will also force the three countries to stand against us.
It would be fine if it was just these three countries, but it would also trigger a chain reaction that would incur the hostility of the other members of the Continental Alliance.
Based on the Vienna government's usual style, they would never give up such an opportunity. If we let them take the opportunity to integrate the European countries, then we won't be able to fight this war. "
It seemed like the two camps were fighting for hegemony, but in fact, only Britannia and Shinra were taking action. The rest of the alliance countries were either watching or waiting for an opportunity.
If these countries were really provoked and forced to go all out, Britannia's situation would be even worse. Not to mention, the war to defend India had already started.
No, the war to defend India had already started, but the battlefield was still a bit far away from India, so it was not a threat for the time being.
Minister of War Marcus: "Adam is right. The current situation is very unfavorable for us. It is indeed not appropriate to provoke the countries.
This war is no longer limited to Europe. Africa and Asia are the main battlefields. Also today, the enemy also launched an all-out attack on Persia and Indochina. It is clear that they are going to India.
Now the front line needs reinforcements everywhere. Even if we expand the Army to one million and the colonial troops to three million, it is still not enough.
Judging from the current situation, we need at least two million regular troops and five million colonial troops if we want to defend the overseas colonies. "
After hearing this appalling number, everyone felt dizzy as if they had been hit in the soul.
Two million regular troops plus five million colonial troops, this was completely breaking the upper limit of the military strength in human history.
Even during the European War, there was no one who could produce an army of seven million soldiers. This was clearly a challenge to everyone's worldview.
"Don't look at me like that. This number is the final result determined by the Ministry of War after careful research and analysis. I can calculate it for you:
Optimistically, to maintain the security and stability of the homeland, especially in the Irish area, at least 500,000 regular troops are needed;
The key military strategic location – Cape of Good Hope, the Ministry of War plans to arrange 100,000 regular troops and 200,000 colonial troops to be stationed in batches according to the actual situation;
The East Africa area is slightly less strategic, but the area is vast. The Ministry of War plans to arrange 200,000 regular troops and 600,000 colonial troops to be stationed, but they can consider giving it up if necessary;
Indochina … "
He didn't know if he didn't calculate, but when he did, he was shocked. Seven million troops might seem like a lot, but they really needed that many troops on the battlefield. If they wanted to counterattack, even this number was far from enough.
There was no other way. If their combat power could not keep up, they could only make up for it with numbers. If the reserve and supplementary corps were included, the number of people in Britannia's armed forces would probably exceed ten million.
Just the thought of maintaining such a huge armed force made people's scalps tingle. Even though Britannia was big and had a lot of assets, everyone felt that it was difficult.
After a moment of silence, the Minister of the Interior, Azevedo, took the lead and said, "This war is for the entire Oceanic Alliance, we can't be the only one contributing. I suggest that we mobilize the strength of our allies and share the pressure together. "
The Government of the United Kingdom had long been mobilizing the strength of their allies. However, they were all people who wouldn't do anything until they saw the rabbit. It was fine to follow along with a few shouts, but it was impossible to get everyone to risk their lives without enough benefits.
It couldn't be helped. In the past few hundred years, the Government of the United Kingdom had given too many empty promises that had not been cashed. Now, everyone was prepared.
If they didn't confirm the specific benefits first, the other countries wouldn't fall for it. Most importantly, the current Britannia was not strong enough to give everyone enough confidence.
Especially after today's air raid. It was even more difficult to get everyone to risk their lives for a boss who couldn't even guarantee the safety of his own territory.
Even though they knew that there was no way out now that they had chosen a side, they still couldn't get rid of their selfishness.
…
Singapore. Almost at the same time the news of the declaration of war spread, the Shinra Navy charged over. They were greeted by the defending troops who were ready for battle.
As a strategic point guarding the Strait of Malacca, the British had been operating in Singapore for decades. Naturally, they wouldn't give it up so easily.
Rows of super large caliber cannons were the biggest source of confidence for the defending troops. The Shinra Navy had just appeared on the horizon when they were met with an overwhelming barrage of cannons.
The startled Admiral Arest hurriedly ordered, "Order the fleet to stop advancing. The bombardment team will take off immediately. The target is the enemy's cannons."
Using warships to bombard the shore cannons was definitely a losing deal. If it was in the past, there was no need to say anything. In order to achieve their strategic goals, no matter how great the losses were, it would only affect them.
But it was different now. The appearance of aircraft carriers had changed the pattern of naval warfare. With a mobile bombardment fortress, there was naturally no need to continue clashing head-on.
When the shore cannons met the bombers, the result was obvious. Bombs fell from the sky and instantly broke the situation on the island.
The once impregnable defensive line was now like a piece of paper, easily broken by the enemy's bombardment.
Colonel Burks, who was stationed at Singapore Harbor, no longer had his usual elegance. He roared angrily, "Organize the air defense immediately. Fire the anti-aircraft cannons and machine guns.
Hide the shore cannons that haven't been locked on by the enemy immediately. Be fast …
Signal officer, signal officer, where the hell did you go? "
A young man immediately ran over. Before he got close, he was berated by Colonel Burks, "What are you running around for? Hurry up and power up the Far East Fleet.
Tell Admiral Michel that we are surrounded by the enemy. The situation is critical and we need reinforcements, reinforcements! "
They had no choice but to panic. Singapore Harbor had been peaceful for decades. Most of the people on the island were immigrants. Usually, they wouldn't even encounter any conflicts with the natives.
It could be said that there had never been a war since they were stationed here. It was precisely because Singapore Harbor was safe and relatively affluent that Colonel Burks was sent here by his family.
How could plans not keep up with changes? Singapore Harbor, which had been peaceful for decades, immediately welcomed a war after Burks took office.
Originally, Colonel Burks still had the chance to leave, but he believed that he was well-versed in military books and insisted on staying behind to defend Singapore for the Queen.
Because of this, a set of "perfect" defense plan was drawn up. The rows of shore cannons were completed under Colonel Burks' leadership.
Regrettably, he only considered the threat from the sea and neglected the threat from the sky. Colonel Burks panicked when he saw a huge cannon being destroyed by the enemy's bombardment.
He graduated from a military academy and had some military experience. He only hesitated for a moment before he immediately reacted.
In the distance, Admiral Arest who was holding a pair of binoculars revealed a look of admiration in his eyes. From time to time, he would use a voice that only he could hear to say something.
As time passed, the enemy's shore cannons gradually quieted down. They were either damaged by the bombardment or used to hide their positions. In any case, only the surface of the sea was calm.
The adjutant at the side reminded, "Sir Commander, the enemy's firepower has been suppressed. We can launch a landing operation."
The conditions for a landing operation were met. Admiral Arest waved his hand. "There's no rush. We have plenty of time.
The enemy's rescue telegram has just been sent out. The Far East Fleet most likely hasn't set off yet. What if they don't come after taking down Singapore so quickly? "
Tactics from ancient times to modern times, in China and abroad, were pretty much the same. Although the Holy Roman Empire didn't have the allusion of "besieging a point and attacking reinforcements," the tactic of "besieging a point and attacking reinforcements" still existed.
The reason why they were in such a hurry to attack Singapore Harbor was to lure the Far East Fleet over for a decisive battle. Just looking at the map, it was obvious that starting a battle in the Strait of Malacca was very advantageous for the Shinra Navy.
Their own colony was next door, and the air force had already coordinated. An air force division had already assembled, and now they were just waiting for the Far East Fleet to come over and get beaten up.
Under such circumstances, Singapore Harbor naturally couldn't be taken down in one go. If they didn't give the British hope, the Far East Fleet wouldn't have come over for a decisive battle!
Admiral Arest had already planned it all out. Once the British Far East Fleet was taken care of, he would charge into the Indian Ocean and stab the British in the back.
Regardless of whether the final plan succeeded or not, as long as the British Far East Fleet was dealt with and the flames of war spread to the Indian Ocean, it would be a strategic success.
…
Those who plot against others will always be plotted against.
While the Shinra Navy was plotting against the Far East Fleet, the British were not idle either. At this moment, the Far East Fleet was no longer at Cam Ranh Bay. In fact, it was less than 200 nautical miles away from Malacca.
General Michael didn't panic at all after receiving the telegram from the garrison. Instead, he revealed a mocking smile.
He then asked the officer in front of him, "How far is the Japanese navy from us? How long will it take for them to meet up with us?"
The Shinra Navy wanted to lure the Far East Fleet to the Strait of Malacca for a decisive battle by besieging Singapore. This was an overt plot in itself, and naturally, it could not be hidden from Admiral Michelle.
As long as Britannia wanted to keep the Malacca route, this battle was unavoidable. Long before the war broke out, both sides had expected it.
From Michelle's point of view, as long as one was strong enough, even if the choice of battlefield was disadvantageous, one could still use strength to make up for it.
In order to ensure the safety of the Strait of Malacca, Michelle decided to beat the Shinra Navy at their own game since he couldn't lure them out.
In order to ensure the victory of the war, Michelle didn't hesitate to promise the Japanese great benefits. He was prepared to gather the strength of the two navies to seize control of the Nanyang region.
"There's still about 50 nautical miles to go. Based on the current speed of both sides, they should be able to catch up with us by noon tomorrow."
Looking at the telegram in his hand, Admiral Michelle slowly said, "The garrison is under a lot of pressure. We can't waste too much time on the road.
The time of the decisive battle may be brought forward. Urge the Japanese to speed up and try to meet up with us earlier. "
…
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