I Became a Captain of the British Empire - I Became a Captain of the British Empire chapter 97

Ark Royale (1)

Two days later London, Foreign Office.

Dense snowflakes flutter across the gloomy sky. Outside the window a cold wind blows.

Watching the first snow fall since Christmas, Lord Halifax put down his teacup. As hot steam rose, Ambassador Yoshida looked at him.

“I’ll say it again, but the Empire of Japan is focusing all its efforts on a decisive battle with the United States.”

“I know, Ambassador Yoshida. However, I am asking about the date.”

Looking at the ambassador’s teacup, which was not yet half empty, Lord Halifax leaned over.

“So I’d like to ask when you’ll be able to go out in battle.”

“It is not something that can be confirmed here. I need to get a call from the headquarters… … .”

“In the meantime, the burden that we, the United Kingdom, will have to shoulder will increase day by day.”

An intelligent and sophisticated voice cut off the end. In front of the embarrassing ambassador, Lord Halifax coughed and pulled his chair closer.

“During this year, our Royal Navy has been constantly engaging the US Navy and slashing their strength. In contrast, what were the Imperials doing?”

It was the will to push through to the end. Ambassador Yoshida wanted to sigh.

“We are also a belligerent country that declared war. It’s just a matter of timing, finding the best moment for a showdown with the US Navy.”

“If we had known that the date would be next year, our alliance strategy would have been a little different.”

Tak, the sound of putting the teacup down passed like a blade. The ambassador stiffened his body and straightened his back.

chilled air.

Lord Halifax, who returned with a relaxed face, waved his hand and continued.

“Well, it’s in the past, so let’s move on. Rather, when do you think the fleet will be able to sortie, Ambassador?”

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Phew, the ambassador cleared his throat with a sigh.

It’s a formidable offensive. Even in order to follow the orders given by the cabinet, here you have to choose wisely and take your time.

“… This is just my opinion, but probably around the middle of next year. Because, as I said, we have to deal with the US Navy Task Force, which is fully equipped with battleships, battlecruisers, and carriers. It requires a lot of preparation.”

With the logic he squeezed out, Ambassador Yoshida tried to answer with a troubled expression.

Still, you wouldn’t be able to tell them to deal with a perfectly organized fleet. It is a combined fleet that already has more than 50% of the US Navy’s battleships tied up. Isn’t asking for more than this extravagant?

Gumbling to himself, the ambassador raised his teacup. He was a man who needed to be humbled to the last for the benefit of his country.

Especially about their own fighting power.

“The same fast battlecruisers and aircraft carriers, for example?”

With a soft, shallow cough, the ambassador hurriedly lowered the teacup.

Are you surprised? Or are you grinning?

Leaving behind Lord Halifax, who was staring at him with an incomprehensible face, he spoke in a voice as calm as possible.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“It’s nothing, just to see if we can help.”

It was Halifax, still speaking in a docile voice.

What a help! It’s an unexpected story.

The ambassador hastily raised his hand.

“Now, please wait a moment. Lord Halifax.”

“To assist the Japanese Navy in its Pacific advance, our Navy Department intends to dispatch one fast task force.”

“I didn’t mean to ask you that far… … .”

“The composition is as follows. Battlecruisers Indipatigable and Repulse, and aircraft carrier Furious.”

“This is not something I can decide on my own!”

“I know. It just means to contact the home country and ask them to review it.”

The Ambassador swallowed dryly in front of Lord Halifax, who raised the corners of his mouth.

A task force with the latest battlecruisers! Could England afford to mobilize such a force?

… No, they are trying to send the Japanese Navy into battle. Even if it means giving up the decisive battle with the US Navy.

It’s an incredible gamble. If you don’t, you can go with a disadvantage in the sea battle of the Atlantic in return for removing some of the core forces.

Still, Lord Halifax had a rather confident face.

“Or we can send a separate fleet for the interests of our East India Company. After all, the trade disruption of the US Asian Fleet is annoying.”

“That’s our Japanese Navy… … .”

“If we defeat the Asian Fleet, won’t there be no more obstacles for the truck’s combined fleet?”

Words pouring down like clearing water.

The ambassador intuited the limits of numbers.

what? Did the Kaiser decide to lend you a fleet?

In any case, things must have changed quite a bit. Judging that it would be impossible to continue the battle any longer, he decided to leave.

“I will contact the home country first.”

In order not to feel uncomfortable, the ambassador had to do his best to maintain his expression.

* * *

“So, is this what the Prime Minister wants?”

“exactly. It must have been perfect diplomacy.”

In the room where the ambassador left, Lord Halifax put down the teacup while listening to the reply of the Secretary of the Navy, who looked like a bulldog.

Don’t go, it’s this baby. Did you know that I didn’t know that I was splitting it inside?

Of course, the true intentions were only suppressed inwardly. Instead, he opened his mouth politely.

“Well, I guess not very sophisticated. Anyway, who did you say came up with this opinion?”

“Admiral Samuel D Lewis. He is the youngest admiral who has just become lieutenant general.”

“Look for an interesting friend. It might be worth keeping an eye on.”

Youngest Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy.

As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, he is familiar with the name.

However, there was one catch.

“But that friend keeps spreading strange rumors. Don’t you know how to deal with it?”

“What do you mean?”

After taking a sip of the teacup, Halifax looked out the window and continued.

“Those who have a connection with the 1st Navy Police, propaganda fakes secretly prepared by the Navy Department, and all the ridiculous motherships. How long are you going to leave it alone?”

Before long, the snowflakes blew away, and I turned my eyes away from the invisible background to look at Churchill.

“That’s the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction.”

Churchill, heavily armed with a coat, said sternly as he walked in front of Halifax. A large shadow covered the desk where the teacup was placed.

“But I guess I need to sort things out. At least from what I feel… … .”

Chin- The Secretary of the Navy sitting down.

A heavy wind brushed Halifax’s feet.

“At least not the weird ones. Perhaps a genius master who is truly unsalted in England has come out.”

Seriously, it was Churchill who thought so. Some strange agent said that he had done various background investigations to prepare for all conceivable situations, but there was nothing particularly suspicious about them.

Rather, he even thought that it was a waste of pounds to go into the intelligence department, as he went so far as to lay out absurd occult scenarios. How on earth would I have lived a life that was so bad that I would grow up eating Gensei like this?

Those who were once disliked for their personality will be misunderstood by the ignorant no matter what ability they show. Like idiots who don’t even understand the audacity of Gallipoli.

Churchill knew best.

That’s why, it wasn’t too bad to find such a talented person in the mud. No, on the contrary, it was the most enjoyable feeling.

“… If so, then there is still hope for the Empire.”

Lord Halifax muttering.

Looking at his face shining with faith and trust, Churchill nodded quietly.

“The second coming of Admiral Nelson. Perhaps, the heavens have not yet abandoned our British Empire.”

An empire where the sun never sets.

He was a man who rekindled his ambition by recalling the empire of his dreams.

* * *

Liverpool, naval headquarters conference room.

Look around. One, two, three, four gold strings on the epaulet… … .

Countless sparkles filled my eyes.

“So, chief. Are you saying that the drying progress of Inflexible is only 30%?”

If this was my original military life, it would have been broken by now. But now there is nothing to do.

“Yes, Admiral Edison. About 28% to be exact. However, drying cannot be accelerated any further. This is a matter of major safety concern.”

Because I also have 3 stars.

Of course, this is the case in the American way. A lieutenant admiral in the Royal Navy has two gold lines.

This is a meeting room for the construction of the next battlecruiser attended by the chief of naval construction, the chief of dock repair, and the 3rd naval police.

I don’t know why a midfielder came here, but what can I do? The Secretary of the Navy is black.

“But I can’t even fill the dock anymore. Right now, only 4 main ships have been disengaged from Task Force H. We need to dock them and service them as soon as possible.”

Admiral Percy Edison, head of the dock repair department, raised his voice. As he was in charge of overseeing all docks and repair facilities in the Royal Navy, his face was mixed with impatience and frustration.

On the other hand, Sir Arthur Jones, Director of Naval Construction, was relaxed and composed.

“I know, Admiral. However, there is a thing called time. It will take a lot of time to dispose of it and empty the dock in the yard, which has now been dried by 30%.”

There is only one reason why they are arguing, because of the construction problem of the last ship of the Invincible class, ‘Inflexible’.

“Isn’t that why you’re rushing?”

“But didn’t the Navy Department want at least one more capital ship to join them as soon as possible? I heard that drying is necessary for this purpose as well.”

As the discussion continued without a single step back, another voice intervened.

“That’s right, Director.”

Third Navy Lord, Admiral Roger Backhouse.Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Perhaps in the original history, it was the last 1st Naval Police before the outbreak of World War II.

Although he is now a lieutenant general like me.

“Admiral Edison. I understand the urgency of the matter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t just scrap a ship that’s in good shape.”

“However, our shipyard reported that it would take one to two years to complete it as it is. As Admiral Baghouse knows, by then this war must be over.”

“But shouldn’t we be prepared for after the war?”

Again the voice of the Director of Naval Construction.

Clapping his hands together, he clears his throat as if trying to relieve his impatience.

“Since we don’t know what the future war situation will be like, I think it’s best to continue construction first.”

“But for his sake, we cannot postpone repairs to the battleship that is still in service. That would be foolish.”

Admiral Edison speaks in a firm voice without backing down. It really looks like no one is going to back down.

It would be such a difficult issue.

Currently, the Navy Headquarters is hoping for as many new capital ships as possible. However, field commanders are strongly in favor of repairing the ships they currently have.

Naturally. Task Force H forward deployed to Newfoundland, Task Force K newly created for the Caribbean and Central America, and Home Fleet. We’re successfully maintaining the Atlantic blockade with our power alone.

Repairing the damage done in a local skirmish would be an urgent matter for them. However, considering that the new battleships of the US Navy will be commissioned one after another in the future, it is true that we must also prepare.

“At least four ships of the South Dakota class of the US Navy are scheduled to be launched before the middle of next year. The schedule is ahead of our forecast.”

“Then don’t you need a new battleship even more?”

“But aren’t you saying that it’s difficult for us to speed up that much? And they have at least four, at most six, and we only have one.”

Having said that, Admiral Edison sighed and shook his head. Everyone felt the same way.

A terrible fact. The Royal Navy consumed more than half of its capital ship building capacity just by building four Invincible-class ships in a row. However, the US Navy was just about to fill half with only six ships on the dry dock.

If they even unify national opinion and generate full power, we could see 10 or so capital ships being built and launched at the same time. If we don’t end the war before then, there is no hope.

“I think that in order to end the war, we must conserve our forces now and fight before the new US ships are commissioned.”

“But giving up the process just to empty a dock is a bit… … .”

“Not just one. The Navy also wants a new aircraft carrier. If that happens, two large docks will be consumed by capital ships that may join at any moment.”

Admiral Edison raises a series of problems. The 3rd Navy Police is looking for a way through the documents, and the Director of Naval Construction is busy persuading Admiral Edison.

But wait a minute

“excuse me… Is it okay if I give you just one opinion?”

Is the dock not emptying the problem?

With that thought in mind, I raised my hand and the three giants looked at me at the same time.

“Speak comfortably, Admiral Lewis.”

“exactly. Aren’t you the same admiral?”

Oh, I was slightly moved.

I smiled and nodded my head to them as they talked, and then I continued.

“Isn’t it difficult to join in on time even though it takes time to build the Inflexible anyway?”

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People nodding their heads.

To sum it up, it’s like this:

It needs a new flagship. However, it takes time to finish drying. It’s a bit long too.

However, the demand for large docks is high. This is because there are many flagships that are damaged and need to be repaired.

However, the Director of Naval Construction is pushing both new aircraft carriers and new battleships. One is future power, and one is a waste to throw away while making it.

After all, the answer is already out there.

“Then let’s just make it an aircraft carrier.”

Carrier sucks.