Chapter 803 The Enemy Is on Capitol Hill

"In short, this is a threat to the free world." General Mountbatten found a place to sit down and prepared to chat with his old friend.

The Nautilus nuclear submarine pioneered the application of nuclear power. Submarines have thus entered a new era and are of immeasurable value. Its political and military significance is far-reaching, and it is therefore considered one of the important milestones in the development of modern submarine technology. one.

But in any case, as a pioneer, the Nautilus is much larger than ordinary submarines, but it only has a full load displacement of 4,000 tons. With the size of the Nautilus and the internal nuclear reactor, the internal space is actually relatively limited.

This was especially true for the tall Mountbatten. It was a rare opportunity, so Mountbatten ignored the small space inside the submarine and wanted to come in for a visit and get first-hand information.

According to the original division of the four-nation occupation of Germany, the Ruhr area, the essence of Germany, was the British-occupied area. Alan Wilson focused on searching in the British-occupied areas, and packaged the submarines and talents completed by the German shipyards and sent them to the UK.

It's just that Alan Wilson was very quiet at that time and didn't know the final whereabouts of the German submarine experts. He only knew that the British had indeed arranged for these people. Mountbatten was now the First Sea Lord, so of course he knew where these people were.

With the existence of these German experts, some concepts and designs on submarines are not difficult for the UK. However, the difference between nuclear submarines and conventional submarines is the nuclear reactor. The Germans cannot help with this. The Germans have made mistakes in nuclear weapons. However, it is not as good as the UK in this respect.

In fact, there is of course progress in the British nuclear reactor, but now the news from the Soviet Union has made London want to speed up the progress again, so Mountbatten turned his attention to the United States.

The United States went back on its word and tore up the nuclear agreement between Britain and the United States. Of course Mountbatten knew this, but this did not delay his efforts to do so. Now Britain must learn to be careful with its calculations. If it doesn't work, do your own research.

An old acquaintance, Hyman Rickover, who happened to be a good friend of Mountbatten, decided to open a hole in the father of American nuclear power.

The two of them sat in the crew's room and looked at each other. Since they were welcoming the visitors, the entire crew of the nuclear submarine was not present. Mountbatten saw that several members of Hyman Rickover's entourage did not follow him, so he said directly, "Actually, now The problems that Britain faces in the navy are exactly the same as those of the United States. You also know that the Warsaw Pact countries have chosen confrontation, and the current situation in Europe is not very reassuring."

Alan Wilson could see what the Warsaw Pact with Yugoslavia would bring. Mountbatten had been at the center of London politics for many years, and of course he could see that the Warsaw Pact could already enter the Mediterranean at any time.

The first to bear the brunt is the U.S. Sixth Fleet in Italy, but at the same time, it does not mean that the United Kingdom will be fine. The Mediterranean Fleet where Mountbatten was previously stationed will definitely also be under pressure.

Mountbatten was a politician and general, and Hyman Rickover was shocked when he asked for help. He hoped that the other party would help Britain build an all-nuclear fleet of the Royal Navy.

Hyman Rickover was deeply shocked. This was an internal discussion within the U.S. Navy. However, considering that Mountbatten was the top admiral of the British Navy, it was not surprising that he had such an idea. But how could he agree? Even if Britain and the United States are in an alliance and in a military group, it is impossible to help Britain build an all-nuclear fleet.

Mountbatten had a clear view of Hyman Rickover's reaction. Of course he knew it was impossible. The Americans would never do this, no matter how close their allies were. Since the breach of the Manhattan Project, it would be great if the Americans do not stumble.

He was completely open-mouthed, using the special relationship between Britain and the United States to make a huge request to cover up his true purpose.

Alan Wilson once made a move for his father-in-law to get assistance from nuclear submarines through a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Mountbatten went straight to the point in one step and came up with the concept of an all-nuclear fleet, which can play a more protective role than any nuclear-powered submarine.

The concept of an all-nuclear fleet is indeed being discussed within the U.S. Navy. Nuclear-powered ships that can run for more than ten years or even decades without replenishing fuel are extremely enviable. Hyman Rickover certainly knew that the only obstacle, in a word, was the enemy on Capitol Hill.

"Dicky, you know, this is a big deal." Hyman Rickover expressed his refusal in a roundabout way.

"Hyman, I know you are an expert in nuclear power. The Royal Navy now wants to adapt to the pace of the new era. Our purpose is to reduce the size. Transform the current large conventional fleet into a smaller one that also saves money. cost of an all-nuclear fleet, from that point on our propositions are consistent.”

The sincerity on General Mountbatten's face deceived Hyman Rickover. The Royal Navy and the US Navy had the same idea of ​​building an army. Before the war, the Royal Navy was an enlarged version of the US Navy, and after the war it was a reduced version. of the United States Navy.

Therefore, it is not surprising that they have the same thinking. Mountbatten knew this, so he proposed an army-building idea similar to that of the U.S. Navy to conceal his true purpose. He and his son-in-law had discussed similar matters and were not optimistic about the concept of an all-nuclear fleet.

Moreover, the cabinet will not support the Royal Navy's nuclear power overhaul. The UK today is not the same as it was back then. Money is much tighter, but nuclear submarines are different, and this still needs to be fought for.

It is impossible for Hyman Rickover to agree. He does not have the power. Even if he does, there is no reason to do so.

But Mountbatten immediately gave Hyman Rickover a reason, "Hyman, actually the U.S. Navy should help me. Our interests are the same, from the perspective of an old navy."

"How do you say this?" Hyman Rickover asked with confusion. From a personal point of view, it was fine for him, but how could the federal government agree to such a big thing as an all-nuclear fleet?

"Well, I don't expect to get everything, but from the perspective of some small nuclear-powered ships. I can't leave empty-handed, can I?" Mountbatten changed the subject, "As for the reason for you to help me, because we all We all face one thing together, that is, the Navy costs money, and the Navy wants big money. I believe you all feel the same way. The enemy is on Capitol Hill... I have my enemies, and you also have your enemies. We should solve this problem together.”

"So, how to solve this problem?" Hyman Rickover's face changed. As a supporter of the nuclear-powered fleet, he was of course dissatisfied with the Congressional men who were stuck in the budget. This was a true expression of emotion.

"As I said, the problems faced by the Royal Navy and the US Navy are the same. As the father of nuclear power, Hyman, you must support an all-nuclear fleet, right? But without a reference, your support will not be very effective. ." Mountbatten smiled and said in a tone that he was from us, "What if the British Navy has a similar plan? Can that be used as evidence to go to the MPs on Parliament Hill to ask for money?"

Hyman Rickover was silent for a long time, and finally laughed and said, "I want to discuss it with my colleagues."

"I'm looking forward to it very much." Mountbatten said, and the two of them got up and continued to shuttle among the nuclear submarines.

After a while, Mountbatten and Hyman Rickover came out of the nuclear submarine hand in hand, arm in arm. In the eyes of others, it was a walking special relationship between Britain and the United States, and no one could find fault with it.

The next stage of Mountbatten's trip is to meet with friends in the US Air Force, while Hyman Rickover is preparing to find another supporter of an all-nuclear fleet to talk about operability. This man was Arleigh Albert Burke. A favorite for Secretary of the Navy, Arleigh Burke, like Hyman Rickover, was a strong supporter of an all-nuclear fleet.

The naval admiral who was later named after the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was just fifty-four years old at this time. For a senior general, Arleigh Burke was not only not old, but was simply in his golden age.

Arleigh Burke was highly valued by President Eisenhower. He became an admiral two years ago, but what was completely different from others was that he was promoted directly from rear admiral to admiral. It is especially evident that Eisenhower valued him.

"Mountbatten also wants to build an all-nuclear fleet in the UK?" Arleigh Burke frowned slightly, listening to Hyman Rickover's report, "It seems that he has the same idea as us."

Arleigh Burke believed that the most valuable line in Hyman Rickover's retelling was that the enemy is on Capitol Hill. The establishment of an all-nuclear fleet will inevitably require a large amount of money to support, and the men in Congress who can approve the budget have never made the soldiers who are loyal to the country comfortable.

If the British side can help, once action is taken, the Congressmen who often have budget constraints may really be able to give more budget to the development of the navy.

"But on what grounds should we help the British?" Arleigh Burke said to Hyman Rickover, "This does not make sense. We cannot help just because of General Mountbatten's request."

"The UK's nuclear submarines have made great progress. We refuse to provide nuclear power support for aircraft carriers, which is an explanation to Congress. As for nuclear submarines, even if we don't help, the UK will make progress later. How about we take the initiative to help? You can learn about the progress of British nuclear submarines." Hyman Rickover then added, "General Mountbatten said that there is a need for cooperation between the two sides on aircraft carriers. The United Kingdom can transfer the patent of steam catapults and exchange support for aircraft carrier nuclear reactors. We There shouldn’t be a problem in exchanging support for nuclear submarine reactors.”

"Once the British nuclear submarine appears, it can be used as evidence that an all-nuclear fleet should be established." Arleigh Burke stood up and walked back and forth, nodded and said, "Let's keep it quiet for now. I heard that the president has expressed that he wants to meet with him. We Let’s see how the conversation goes first.”