Chapter 288 Aiming at Pei Gong

Charles and Tijani did not tell Geprat in detail. They chatted for a while and then took a boat to the Queen Elizabeth to visit the fleet commander, Vice Admiral Robeck.

This was a necessary procedure. As a new commander in the fleet, Charles had to meet the commander-in-chief.

Although Charles was mentally prepared, when the boat passed through the warships and saw the Queen Elizabeth anchored in the center, he was still shocked by her size and power.

Charles had to look up to see her towering island. Several thick gun barrels extended from the turrets in layers, pointing straight into the distance, as if ready to blow the enemy to pieces at any time.

As the distance got closer, her huge hull covered the sky like a dark cloud, making Charles feel an invisible pressure.

Tijani couldn't help but sigh: "This is the most advanced super-dreadnought in Britain, with a displacement of more than 30,000 tons, 8 381MM main guns, and it is said that it can fire 7,000 kilograms of shells in one salvo."

Geplat said "hmm" and said: "If all the guns are counted, it has a total of more than 70 guns, which can be said to be a mobile fortress."

(The picture above is the battleship "Queen Elizabeth", which was the most advanced battleship in Britain at that time. It was commissioned in November 1914, just over 3 months away from the time in the article)

...

The occasion when Lieutenant General Robeck met Charles was completely different from that of Geplat. He brought a group of officers to greet Charles under the main gun of the "Queen Elizabeth", and also asked reporters to be prepared to capture the moment when Charles saluted him.

"Welcome, Colonel!" Lieutenant General Robeck looked sincere: "We are waiting for you to save us, just like you saved France."

Laughter came faintly from the group of British officers

Charles knew what Lieutenant General Robeck meant.

He intended to show off Britain's strength in front of Charles, but he pretended to be humble in his words, thus forming a strong contrast to ridicule Charles.

Major General Geprat had a bit of anger on his face, but he could not refute Vice Admiral Robeck's behavior, so he could only suppress his anger in his heart.

Tijani frowned, as if he wanted to accuse Vice Admiral Robeck of being rude.

Charles replied calmly: "You are right, General. If it weren't for the loss of so many battleships in your fleet, the parliament would not force me to come here."

Robeck's originally kind face suddenly sank, and the British officers also looked embarrassed. Some of them looked at Charles with anger in their eyes.

But they also couldn't do anything to Charles, and they couldn't refute him.

Because Charles was telling the truth, especially the battleships that were lost one after another were all during the command of Vice Admiral Robeck.

Charles was telling them that they had no capital to show off.

Tijani smiled "haha" and unconsciously straightened his chest.

Rear Admiral Gaiprat glanced at Charles meaningfully. This young man's wisdom seemed to be not only in military affairs.

The atmosphere seemed a little awkward, and Vice Admiral Robeck led everyone into the meeting room on the island.

The meeting room was very large, with a fixed round table in the middle, which seemed to be related to the British "Round Table Conference". On the wall hung the head of the famous naval commander Nelson, and below it were the British flag and the white flag, which looked a bit like a diplomatic meeting rather than a military meeting.

(The above picture shows the British white flag, symbolizing the British Royal Navy)

The waiter poured wine for everyone.

Charles was a little surprised. He thought that commanders should not drink during wartime.

Rear Admiral Gaiprat just raised his eyebrows, as if to say that it was nothing. The British liked to drink a few glasses on the warship.

"Let me guess." Vice Admiral Robeck looked at Charles expressionlessly: "Colonel, you must want to land on V Beach, just like Rear Admiral Honoré, right?"

Another soft-spoken remark.

"Just like Major General Honoré", meaning that you French people like to show off, you always hope to successfully land at the place where we British failed to land, so as to surpass Britain.

Tijani thought Charles would deny it, but unexpectedly Charles agreed: "If you want us to land there, General!"

Tijani looked at Charles with surprise. Didn't he analyze it just now? V Beach is no longer suitable for landing!

But Tijani didn't say anything. He thought Charles said it for confidentiality.

Lieutenant General Robeck smiled and spread his hands in a generous manner: "Why not?"

The British officers had smiles on their faces.

They understood what Lieutenant General Robeck meant. If the French rushed to die for the so-called honor, why wouldn't Britain do it?

Then General Robeck asked again: "Do you have any plans? Do you need the cooperation of the British fleet?"

"No, General." Charles answered with certainty: "I think the French fleet is enough, we will arrange everything."

Robeck smiled slightly, that's how it should be.

But of course he wouldn't say that. He smiled and raised his glass: "Then, for our colonel, for France, for tomorrow's victory, cheers!"

"Cheers!" The officers responded happily.

...

When returning to the "Henry", Tijany said angrily: "Arrogant British, we really should let them continue to face this situation."

"Who said it wasn't?" Charles replied.

"What?" Tijani was stunned: "But you said, 'We will arrange everything'..."

"I didn't say when." Charles replied: "The British are not in a hurry, and we should not be in a hurry."

Then Charles added: "We may have a few days to let the soldiers continue training."

Tijani said "Oh" and understood what Charles meant.

But Tijani thought of something again, and he asked in confusion: "Colonel, is it true that you landed on V Beach?"

"Of course we have to land on V Beach." Charles answered calmly.

Tijani thought he had heard it wrong: "But the Ottomans are prepared."

Charles asked back: "If the Ottomans are prepared, do you think the Germans will not be prepared?"

Tijani listened a little confused: "What, if the Germans are prepared, shouldn't they give up..."

Before he finished speaking, Tijani suddenly figured it out, and he looked at Charles with a shocked face: "Submarine, if the Germans are prepared, they will deploy submarines near V Beach!"

Charles nodded, this guy has a good understanding.

In order to land safely, the first thing to do is to eliminate the only German submarine.

Attacking V Beach is a good opportunity, which is the focus area of ​​German submarines!