Chapter 933 The Sunset of the Empire (Part 1)

"What? The Russians surrendered?" The news was like a 2,000-pound bomb falling in the basement of Downing Street, making everyone jump. Fatty Qiu's hands were trembling, and he couldn't even hold a cigar firmly. He had just six In the month-old weather, my forehead was already dripping with sweat.

"Yes." Aiden said expressionlessly, "Hess proudly sent the Soviet-German armistice and terms to Duke Hamilton. Troops are already withdrawing from Stalingrad - that place held the Germans against for two years! "

"Is the news reliable?"

"reliable!"

Churchill didn't dare to say anything and sat down slumped. Soon the phone rang.

"I am Menzies and I have an important report to the Prime Minister."

"I'm Churchill, you say."

"Our informant in the Russian People's Liberation Army told us that the Soviet Union and Germany had an armistice, and the Red Army was withdrawing from Stalingrad! In order to deliver the news, two of our intelligence agents died."

"I understand, I'm discussing countermeasures."

"The news has been confirmed correct." Churchill sneered. "I didn't expect that Stalin would still fall in front of us. How could he still be able to sit firmly in his position?"

"Prime Minister, today we are not here to gloat about Stalin, we want to talk to you about the British Empire."

"Let's talk." At this point, Churchill calmed down and sat down on the chair. "When do you plan to capture me and hand me over to Hitler? What are the specific conditions for peace talks?"

Aiden, Attlee and the three military leaders looked at each other and shook their heads in unison.

"You misunderstood. We have no such intention. You can still be your prime minister. The only difference is whether you give orders in London or in Ottawa."

"Okay..." Churchill sighed, "That's not the point. The point is the terms of the peace talks. Can you tell me?"

"The basic conditions are almost the same as mentioned before. The Royal Navy fleet is handed over, the army is controlled to 500,000, and the German garrison is 300,000. All excess weapons and equipment will be given to Germany, and economic and industrial cooperation..." Aiden said expressionlessly, "Give Our conditions are similar to those given to Black Cat, except that Black Cat has two more options: join the Axis and declare war on the United States. In return, Germany agrees to expand the territory of British Guiana towards Venezuela and give us control of the Panama Canal.”

"This doesn't work. I don't agree. It's far from clear who will win and who loses between Germany and the United States. Even if Germany wins and the United States is forced to armistice, if we are stationed in Panama, you think the Americans won't fight. "Churchill waved his hand, "Maybe he will fight in the name of Canada, and then it will become a war between two Britains. "

"One country on each side, one Britain on each side" is the political principle shared by everyone on both sides of the Atlantic.

"So, it's just us and Hitler who signed the contract?" Attlee sighed, "Or you sign the contract and I go to Canada?"

"No, when I go to Canada, you are no match for Roosevelt and Truman. They are both cruel and ruthless people. Only someone like me who is determined and indomitable can do it."

No one laughed, and no one felt that the Prime Minister was trying to show his face. In terms of political methods and shady skills, no one could compare to Churchill. The Prime Minister is not defeated by politics, but the Prime Minister is defeated by military affairs.

"In addition, I will take away those who are unwilling to stay and cooperate with the Germans. Regardless of technicians, officers or other high-ranking people, I will also take away two armored aircraft carriers." Churchill frowned and asked Pound, " How many days are left until you can serve?”

"It will take another 2 weeks. However, I'm afraid you can't take the warship with you."

"Why?"

"The Germans wanted these warships by name. They even said that if we had not sent out planes to bomb the German fleet, they might have considered letting you take one away, but we sank two of their fleet aircraft carriers and two light ships. Aircraft carrier, the German Navy was furious and firmly disagreed!”

"Asshole, I must take it away!" Churchill became a little angry.

"They do not guarantee the safety of any warships. Attack aircraft taking off from Iceland will sink all warships. In addition..." Aiden sighed, "The Germans will give us three days to consider. If we don't agree after three days, they will resume bombing." , and land in Ireland, then this will not be the condition for an armistice."

Because of the Battle of Iceland, Germany proposed additional conditions: extending the garrison for five years, requiring Britain to provide Germany with 3,000 aero engines and build 150,000 tons of military ships. If they land in Ireland again, the conditions for subsequent peace talks will be even more stringent. The attack on Iceland greatly consumed the Royal Air Force's fuel and pilots, and the battle on Ireland would be even more inadequate. Edward VIII was already very dissatisfied with London's stupid behavior, and coupled with the "deception" on the fleet section, there were huge differences. However, if he did not get the support of the mainstream neutrals, he would not be able to take over London - this A little black cat himself is unusually sober.

"We can not accept the peace treaty, resist until the end, and force Hitler to pay a higher price."

Brooke said coldly: "Your idea has no future and is even more irrational - the Soviet-German armistice is about to begin, and the vast majority of German troops on the Eastern Front will be withdrawn. Not only does the German army in Western Europe obtain more than 10,000 aircraft, 3-4 million The military matter means that the industrial power and industrial resources of the entire Europe will be on top of the British Empire. The last time the British Empire was able to compete with all of Europe was back during the Napoleonic Wars. Even at that time, there were still forces supporting us in Europe. Now……"

Churchill was speechless by his refutation. He wanted to shirk the responsibility for the defeat, but the problem was that everyone did not let him take the responsibility for the failure, only let him admit the fact of failure.

"Well, if there is no warship, there will be no warship. How can so many people leave?"

"The Germans agreed to give two cruisers. Some people will go on the cruiser, and some will go on heavy bombers and transport aircraft. We also have nearly 200 4-engine transport aircraft, which can be used for retreat." Aiden said expressionlessly, "You can first arrange for reliable people to go to Newfoundland to serve as a forward base. The Germans will give us this time window, just as they gave the Russians a time window to withdraw from Stalingrad."

Churchill glanced at everyone and asked: "Is any of you going with me?"

Including the three major military leaders, everyone remained silent and no one responded.

Churchill was a little furious, but he couldn't get angry. He could only gritted his teeth and said: "Is there no one in the military? Do I rely on Americans to fight the war? How has the British Empire fallen to this level?"

"Admiral Alexander is willing to go with you, Admiral Tovey is going on behalf of the Navy, Lieutenant General Ted is going on behalf of the Air Force, and the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who remain in Washington, including Marshal Dill, Admiral Somerville and other generals Under your command." Attlee said slowly, "Military commander, don't worry, we will allocate enough people from general to second lieutenant in proportion. All major families will send their children there, and the list is being updated continuously. "

Churchill was a little annoyed when he heard the name of Alexander, the runaway general, but it was impossible for other army generals. Slim, Wilson and even Auchinleck were all fighting in India and would definitely not be able to come back, and many of them had a bad relationship with Churchill. , like Wavell directly said, "Only a fool would go to Canada with him."

Moreover, Attlee just spoke on behalf of everyone and said that the list was already being drawn up. Churchill was even more surprised: This can only show the fact that these people have been connected in series, and even the major families have communicated in place - this How many days have they done so much?

As for the list of major families, Churchill didn't need to look at it to know that half of the core force would go to Canada and half would stay in the country - the routine was exactly the same as the original allegiance during the War of the Red and White Roses.

"Clement, will you be the Prime Minister after I leave?" He looked at Attlee and asked.

"Perhaps, but it depends on the results of the vote of the members." Attlee was a little nervous when he stared at him. Although everyone had discussed it before the meeting, if the fat man still refused to submit today, drastic measures would be taken to remove him. His duties and the final result were announced, otherwise Black Cat would not be able to wait any longer, but now that Churchill is so straightforward, he still feels a little bit tricky.

"So, what are you going to do with the more than 100,000 U.S. troops stationed in the UK?" Churchill sneered, "You can't possibly hide it from so many people."

"This is one of the issues we want to discuss." Attlee regained his composure slightly at this time. "The Germans asked us to collect the weapons of these Americans and ask them to surrender. If we can't do it, they will do it themselves. , This is a very difficult request. First, it is difficult for us to explain to the troops why we should attack American friendly forces; second, we cannot resort to force. Any resort to force may trigger a British-American war, no matter what the outcome. It affects each other and even the relationship between the United States and Canada; thirdly, we cannot let the Germans seize them; fourthly, the Germans do not agree to let them back to the United States..."

"Do they know it themselves?"

"Knowing the situation, it is very tense now. The fall of Iceland has intensified mutual distrust, and Americans are currently on high alert."

"What a high-level lawyer?"

"It's almost equivalent to the level of British ships." Pound added, "There are also American freighters and other civilians who are also facing such a difficult situation, but the Germans have no compulsory requirements and only demand the seizure of American warships and ships. , the remaining Americans are not treated as prisoners - either allowed to remain in the UK to fend for themselves, or repatriated via a third country."

Churchill closed his eyes and thought for a while: "I have an idea that can solve your difficulties, but the risk is very high..."

"Can you tell me?"

Churchill immediately expressed his point of view, and everyone's eyes widened after hearing this. Is this okay? The Prime Minister is really... really!

"I'm afraid there will be..."

Churchill sneered: "I have given you the plan. You can discuss it for two days. I will hear the answer after two days. If it works, it will work. If it doesn't work, I will go to Canada..."