Chapter 832

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 revenge, we can send out fighter jets to attack the enemy's coastal cities.

If it 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 they had to be careful even if they wanted to attack the enemy's coastal cities. They 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, it would be another wave of deaths. 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 one-day trip to the airspace of the three countries was far safer than wandering around in Shenluo.

Foreign Minister Adam: "No. Although France and Belgium are our enemies now, they were all forced to join the Continental Alliance. They are not on the same side as the Vienna government.

Although the three countries had participated in the war, in reality, they had only provided the Shenluo Air Force with airfields and some strategic resources. They had not truly sent troops yet.

If we bomb their capitals now, we can put pressure on the Vienna government, but it will also force the three countries to stand against us.

If they did so, it, they would, they would they. would would they would they would would would would would they.

Based on the Vienna government's usual style, they would never give up such an opportunity. If they took the opportunity to integrate the European countries, then there would be no way 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 they provoked these countries and forced them to go all out, Britannia's situation would be even worse. Apart from anything else, the battle to defend India had begun.

No, the war to defend India had already started. It was just that the battlefield was still a bit far away from India.

Minister of War Marcus: "Adam is right. The current situation is very unfavorable for us. It is not appropriate to provoke the countries.

This war is no longer limited to Europe. Africa and Asia are the main battlefields. 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 expanded 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 and 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 for you:

Optimistically, to maintain the security and stability of the homeland, especially the stability of the Irish region, 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 region is slightly less strategic, but it has a vast area. The Ministry of War plans to arrange 200,000 regular troops and 600,000 colonial troops to be stationed. If necessary, they can consider giving it up;

Indochina … "

He didn't know if he didn't calculate, but he was shocked when he did. Seven million troops might be a lot, but they really needed that many troops on the battlefield. If they wanted to counterattack, this number was far from enough.

There was no other way. If their combat power couldn't keep up, they could only make up for it with numbers. If the reserve forces and supplementary corps were included, the number of people in Britannia's armed forces would probably directly exceed ten million.

Just the thought of maintaining such a huge armed force made people's scalps go numb. 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 burden 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 work 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 they hadn't cashed in. 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 wasn't strong enough to give everyone enough confidence.

Especially after today's air raid. It was even more difficult to get everyone to work 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 on standby.

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 emerged from 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 is to 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 ever since they were stationed here, they had never fought a war. 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 the leadership of Colonel Burks.

Regrettably, he only considered the threat from the sea, but neglected the threat from the sky. After personally witnessing a huge cannon being destroyed by the enemy's bombardment, Colonel Burks panicked.

After all, 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, had 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 him, "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. "No rush, we have plenty of time.

The enemy's telegram for help 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? "

The tactics of the past and present were all similar. 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 colony was right next door, and the air force had already been 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 long ago. Once the British Far East Fleet was taken care of, they would charge into the Indian Ocean and stab the British in the back.

Regardless of whether the final plan would succeed or not, as long as the British Far East Fleet was taken care of and the flames of war spread to the Indian Ocean, it would be a strategic success.

…

Those who plot against others will be plotted against by others.

While the Shinra Navy was plotting against the Far East Fleet, the British weren't 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 the Strait of Malacca.

After receiving the garrison's telegram for help, Admiral Michael didn't panic at all. Instead, he revealed a sarcastic smile.

He then asked the officer in front of him, "How far is the Japanese Navy from us, and how long before they can meet up with us?"

The Shinra Navy wanted to besiege Singapore and lure the Far East Fleet to the Strait of Malacca for a decisive battle. This was an overt plot in itself, and naturally, it couldn't be hidden from Admiral Michael.

As long as the Britannia wanted to protect the Malacca route, this battle was unavoidable. Both sides had expected this long before the war broke out.

From Michael's point of view, as long as one was strong enough, even if the choice of battlefield was disadvantageous, one could still make up for it with strength.

In order to ensure the safety of the Strait of Malacca, Michael 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, Michael 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 in one fell swoop.

"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 Michael 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. "

…