Chapter 625 Control of the Strait

Charles understood what Wells meant. The lightning strike ship was only suitable for offshore operations. It was used for long-range operations. It could not withstand wind and waves, and it could not carry so much fuel.

But Charles was not in a hurry. He replied calmly: "You can also use this tactic. The only difference is that the torpedo strike ship is replaced by a destroyer."

Wells understood instantly.

The speed of the destroyer is also used to engage in guerrilla warfare with the enemy fleet. When the opponent's destroyer is almost destroyed, the destroyer is used to use torpedoes to siege the battleship.

"So, we need to build a large number of destroyers, am I right, General?" Wells concluded happily: "I mean, we must continue to expand our advantages. That is to say, our destroyers are not only in terms of quality. On top of that, we have to completely crush the British Royal Navy in terms of numbers.”

Ciel nodded in agreement, which showed that Wells understood the essence of "asymmetric warfare", which is to make one's own strengths stronger.

Wells was so excited that he analyzed it while walking in front of the sofa:

"I guess you're right, so speed is more important, right?"

"With speed combined with sound tactics, we can use destroyers to defeat the enemy's seemingly powerful battleships."

"That's what you were saying before about destroyers being the future. I had my doubts about that and now it seems to be right, very right."

Then he paused: "It's a pity that we have built more than 200 torpedo ships, and they may not be able to function."

This is a problem left over from the French "green water navy" thinking. At that time, the French Navy hoped to use torpedo ships as its main force.

Although the cost of lightning strike ships is not high, the number of more than 200 ships is enough to cause heartache.

However, Ciel answered firmly: "They will be useful, and very useful."

"What?" Wells didn't understand.

Once the British fleet implements a long-range blockade strategy, the torpedo ships will be out of reach, so why will they be useful?

Charles didn't answer. He looked around, stood up, took the nautical chart from his desk and spread it on the coffee table. He pointed at the map and said, "This is the location of the Brest Shipyard. Do you see anything?"

(The marked point on the picture above is the location of the Brest Shipyard. It is located at the exit of the English Channel. It can be attacked or defended. At the same time, it is difficult to blockade the Atlantic Ocean to the west.)

Wells stared at the map for a while, and then exclaimed: "I understand, the torpedo ship can be used to block the Strait of La Manche!"

"It's not just a blockade, Mr. Wells." Charles added: "Once our navy enters the Strait of La Manche, it will be invincible. The entire strait will be a safe haven for our navy."

Wells was stunned for a moment, then opened his eyes wide and shouted. He excitedly hugged Charles's shoulders and shook them vigorously:

"You are right, General, as long as our destroyers have an absolute advantage, we will have an absolute advantage in the strait, even if we don't have a battleship!"

"Awesome, you're a genius."

"It's unbelievable that our navy will defeat the British Royal Navy, the best Royal Navy in the world!"

The widest point of the La Manche Strait is 220 kilometers, and the narrowest point is only 34 kilometers. This distance is within the combat range of the torpedo ship.

If the British Royal Navy were to conduct a long-range blockade in the Atlantic Ocean, the torpedo ships would not be able to use them, and France could only use destroyers to act as torpedo ships for siege.

Once the British Royal Navy enters the strait, under "asymmetric operations", the British fleet will face the siege of a large number of French destroyers and torpedo ships, and its battleships and cruisers will basically live or die.

On the surface, the French navy seems to have only achieved a partial victory: it only controls the Strait of La Manche, and there is not much advantage beyond the strait.

But for the United Kingdom, which has the largest navy in the world, it is a complete failure, a shame, and a complete collapse of sea control, international prestige, and even colonies.

This is something the UK will never tolerate.

Charles continued: "What we have to do is to build a few more ports along the Strait of La Manche. They can provide supplies for the torpedo ships. And because the torpedo ships are fast, they can be quickly gathered from various ports to the war zone during wartime. fighting."

Wells nodded repeatedly:

"I will report this plan to the Navy immediately."

"God, if they agree with this plan, the strategic focus will still be on the Brest shipyard."

"No, they will definitely agree with this plan. There is no reason for them not to agree."

This was a plan that had the potential to defeat the Royal Navy.

If anyone disagrees, it is for one reason only: he is the mouthpiece of the British and a traitor to France.

Therefore, even members of parliament dare not veto it easily.

"We also need to build a large landing craft." Charles said in a nonchalant manner.

"Landing craft?" Wells looked at Charles in astonishment: "Why, build a landing craft..."

Charles tapped his finger on the location of London on the map: "Once we fully control the Strait of La Manche, it is possible to land on the British mainland and attack London by surprise, sir."

Wells smiled knowingly: "Yes, General, a large landing craft, built for the British to see."

This was indeed built for the British to see.

France is unlikely to fight with Britain. At this time, they are still allies, and there will not be much conflict in the future.

Please...you...collect 6...books...!

But since Britain is regarded as an imaginary enemy and surpassed by her, actual combat must be considered.

Unlike the real enemy, this tactic had to be revealed to the British intentionally or unintentionally.

Only in this way can the British feel a sense of crisis and let them know that they are being strangled by France, and then they will make political concessions.

Of course, this is just the first step for Ciel.

In his mind, an airport should also be built along the coast of the La Manche Strait. The model for controlling the La Manche Strait in the future is to use fighter planes to compete for air supremacy, and then use bombers and torpedo planes to cooperate with the navy to compete for sea supremacy.

The pre-dreadnoughts, dreadnoughts, and super-dreadnoughts that Britain has spent a lot of manpower and material resources to build and is proud of are all targets.

As long as Charles maintains its lead in fighter planes, the so-called world's number one navy is really not good enough and can be easily eliminated.

These are Air Force issues, and Charles sees no need to discuss them with Wells.

Finally, while toasting with Wells, Charles said seemingly casually: "I plan to send a few people to the shipyard to learn two-way stabilization technology. Is there no problem?"

Wells responded generously: "Of course there will be no problem."

He had no reason to refuse. The assets controlled by Charles all produced army equipment and had no competitive relationship with the shipyard.

In fact, there is no competition. Shire hopes to transplant the Navy's bi-stable fire control technology to tanks.

But of course, then it will be a brand new patent, one controlled by Shire.

As for the shipyards in Wells, Shire isn't worried.

The further back, the more important air superiority becomes in naval battles.

One day Wells will understand that he cannot leave Charles, because to leave is to die.