Chapter 950 D-Day (12)
There was neither a peerless beauty nor endless treasure waiting for Churchill in Liverpool. There was only one fleet there - the only blood and bones left of the Royal Navy, and the two newly launched Vengeance-class aircraft carriers of the British Empire were also there.
These two aircraft carriers were newly started after the start of the war. Not only did they adopt the latest standards in design, but they were also constantly revised according to war experience and lessons during the subsequent construction process, so the construction period lasted for 5 years. But this wait is undoubtedly worth it. These two aircraft carriers not only have heavy armor protection, but also have been specially strengthened for the harsh sea conditions in the Atlantic, and can be used when the wind is high and the waves are rough - this ability is not available in the Essex class.
The total number of carrier-based aircraft can reach 70 (58 common + 12 spare), the maximum speed can reach 32 knots, and the endurance is 11,000 nautical miles at 14 knots and 8,000 nautical miles at 20 knots.
These two aircraft carriers not only surpassed all previous British aircraft carriers, but also surpassed the many aircraft carriers in Germany that were quickly modified with various hulls and half-way converted. Compared with the Zeppelin completed at the same time, they reflected the British superb attainments in aircraft carriers. The overall construction quality did not decline due to the tense war or poor materials. The British government even cut the materials of other warships to ensure the construction of several main battleships. When a large number of shipwrights and engineers went to North America, the construction personnel of several main battleships did not move at all.
If there is an aircraft carrier better than the Enemy Class, it is only the Taiho in the Japanese Combined Fleet. Unfortunately, there is only one Taiho in the world, which was built by Japan with the whole country's strength. Although Germany started to build a new one on its own after modifying the Taiho drawings, it had to wait until at least 1946, and time was really not available.
In addition to the strength of these two warships themselves, their appearance time is also crucial.
At this critical moment, the US Navy has only 3 aircraft carriers, while Germany still has 5 aircraft carriers after the Icelandic Campaign. Although the latter has slightly more aircraft carriers, most of the German aircraft carriers are remodeled halfway through. The King is a comprehensive aircraft carrier. The injured Ise aircraft carrier was only repaired urgently due to the urgent need for combat. The injury has not been completely recovered and the maximum speed can only reach 25 knots. In summary, the combat performance is not as exaggerated as the United States with 2 more aircraft carriers.
Churchill saw clearly that if he could bring these two aircraft carriers to Canada, the Allies would have a significant advantage in aircraft carriers. As the United States continued to serve two Essex-class aircraft carriers in August and September, and the German army had no new aircraft carriers in service, the gap would be further widened. This not only laid the foundation for seizing the Atlantic sea power, consolidating the defense of North America, and counterattacking the invasion of South America, but there might also be a chance to counterattack Africa-for the time being, he did not dare to think about counterattacking the European continent.
If these two aircraft carriers were taken by Germany, the German army would have a 2-fold advantage in aircraft carriers before August, and would still have an advantage before the end of the year. After 1945, Germany's newly built aircraft carriers would be put into service one after another. The United States might have a better number and speed of Essex-class aircraft carriers in service during the same period, but at most they would be in a state of keeping pace.
The most important thing is that the German army, which has taken these two aircraft carriers, has an absolute advantage window period, and can use overwhelming force to fight in South America within the past six months. Once the German army controls Brazil and deters Central America and the Caribbean, Churchill has ten thousand reasons to believe that Germany and the United States will take the lead in making peace.
In this case, the stay or departure of the two aircraft carriers became the focus. Germany did not even want to destroy the unfinished aircraft carriers in the air raids - of course, Britain also deployed strict defense forces, and the German army might not succeed. But it reflects the unanimous expectation of Germany: if Iceland is taken, the British Empire will cease fire soon, and these two aircraft carriers will be in Germany's pocket. Why bother to blow up something that will soon belong to them?
The new government headed by Attlee and the three major military leaders certainly would not give these battleships to Germany for nothing, but the price offered by Hoffman made them tempted: If the Royal Navy handed over warships and other military supplies, Germany would give generous rewards:
1. Solve the problem of raw materials, energy and food supply in the UK;
2. Do not demand additional compensation from the UK;
3. Agree to keep a part of Indian territory (Pakistan) for the British Empire, and promise that the London government will control South Africa. The EU voting rights cannot be increased for the UK, but South Africa's future voting rights can be added to London in the United Nations system;
4. Promise to regard Newfoundland as the British mainland and agree to merge (whether it is actually occupied is another matter);
5. If Northern Ireland eventually becomes independent or merges with Ireland, the public and private property of the UK in the area will not be affected.
The other clauses are still secondary, and the most important third clause was implemented after repeated consultations.
South Africa is easy to deal with, and Germany even said that the UK does not need to send troops. As long as the fighting on the Eastern Front ceases, millions of ground forces will be freed up, and the huge logistical supply system can be transferred to Africa. With the military strength of South Africa, an SS Panzer Army can defeat the Americans.
Pakistan is more difficult to deal with. Although Kohl repeatedly mediated in Tokyo, the Japanese government was reluctant to let go. Fortunately, Hori Teikichi believed that the situation in Japan worsened after Germany ended the war in Europe, and Eastern Russia and the United States were under great pressure. Germany must not lose this line, and it is not impossible to negotiate to leave the northwest India (Pakistan) to the British.
He spent a lot of effort to persuade the top brass and made a formal request after capturing Delhi - the territory of Pakistan was purchased by the British from Japan! Although the Army Red Deer was a little reluctant to carve out a large piece of territory, the price offered by General Hori also made them stunned: 2,000 tanks, 5,000 aircraft, 5 Axis-class aircraft carriers (or equivalent), 500 artillery with a caliber of 100mm or above, 10 million tons of steel (one-third of which is delivered as special steel), 5 million tons of oil, and 1 million tons of ship tonnage. At the same time, the UK will transfer patented technologies such as radars, aircraft engines, and tank guns to Japan. Germany acts as an intermediary guarantee on behalf of the EU and will be fulfilled within 3 years. If Britain is unwilling to hand over the goods in kind, then it can hand over gold or some other equivalent, and Japan will buy it from Germany.
No matter how reluctant the Japanese army officials were to give up Pakistan, they had to praise this condition: General Hori's business experience is amazing!
Except for the 10 million tons of steel and 5 million tons of oil, which are some troubles, everything else is not particularly difficult for the British Empire. Tanks, aircraft, and artillery can only be produced in a few months. The axis stage is not difficult to build, as long as the raw materials are available , the strength of the British shipyard is more than enough to cope with it. Germany said it could coordinate the 5 million tons of oil and draw its share from the Middle East to satisfy Japan.
All in all, it is difficult for the British Empire to deliver these things, but it is not impossible to complete with the help of Germany. As for the price, no one dares to say that it is not worth it. In Hoffman’s words: “If I send this list to the French, and they rush to claim the land in Northwest India, the equipment and supplies will be extremely difficult for agricultural countries, but it will be easy for industrial countries like Britain and France. "
Of course, Germany's role as a middleman cannot be in vain. Britain readily handed over its fleet and equipment as a benefit to Germany. As for Japan, it was also a painful act of cutting off its flesh in order to seek Germany's friendship. In Horikichi's words: "The empire has given Germany such a big face. Even if there is an armistice between Germany and the United States in the future, Germany will look at Japan differently. What good will it do to Germany if Japan falls? As for the British Empire, everyone will be in the Indian subcontinent from now on. We are close friends and can be friends with each other. Britain and Japan were the best allies 20 years ago. Not to mention me and Yamamoto-kun, which officer above the rank of rear admiral was not influenced by the Royal Navy in his teenage years?"
It was also after the negotiations on the Pakistan issue that the Anglo-German armistice agreement was finally finalized, and then they began to follow the script - Berlin knew a little about the situation, and Hoffman openly stated that anyone who was willing to leave could leave, and it would not be difficult for Germany to stay. .
Unexpectedly, the script was ruined by Churchill's unconventional routine as soon as it started. Attlee and others were angry and anxious: If they could not control the situation and caused a catastrophe, how would they face the country and Edward VIII who was about to return to the country? World?
In the dark night, under the protection of nearly 300 members of the 101st Task Force, Churchill's motorcade continued to drive towards Liverpool.
Spider had already made preliminary arrangements. Major Effler was shocked to find that the road the other party directed to him either did not have any checkpoints, or the checkpoints were easily released. The whole process was extremely smooth, and there was no need for the task force to take action. , and there is no need to provoke endless pursuit.
"Sir, it's more than 300 kilometers to Liverpool. Do you want to take a nap first?"
"I can't sleep..." Churchill sighed, "If I don't get to Liverpool as soon as possible, I won't feel at ease if I don't get those two aircraft carriers. Are they all at the dock?"
"They are all here. According to the intelligence we learned in advance, they are replenishing fuel and supplies in Liverpool today, and will start a new drill and sea trial tomorrow. It is expected to be formed on July 10."
"Who else but Frasier?"
Jonathan thought for a moment: "Except for the officers and soldiers of the Royal Navy, there is no one else... not a single American."
"That's good, that's good."
"What if they refuse to carry out your orders?"
"They will execute it?" Churchill nuzzled at the car behind him, "Aren't there still those three guys?"
"them?"
"I don't want to embarrass them. Let's break up happily. I will take my aircraft carrier to Canada, and they will find their new masters to continue serving them."
The car was silent again, except for the boring sound of the engine.
After a long time, Jonathan saw Churchill take out his cigar again, lit it for him, and asked hesitantly: "What will the British think of us in the future?"
"What will happen to Great Britain is the most important thing. As for what other people think of us...it doesn't matter." Churchill slowly blew out a smoke ring, "I never live for what others think!"