Chapter 803: Taking Advantage of Both Sides

The final result of the negotiations was that Britain would bear all expenses of the French fleet, including soldier subsidies, warship repairs and other funds, and would also provide a monthly lease fee of US$3,000 for each warship.

It is said that the Minister of Munitions was very dissatisfied with this agreement. He angrily stopped the Minister of the Navy:

"We cannot agree to these conditions."

"As an ally, we also sent millions of troops and countless supplies to France to fight, and we did not charge any fees."

"Now the French should do the same."

This is the bad nature of the Quartermaster General. He always allows himself to take advantage of others. Once he is taken advantage of by others, he feels more painful than if his father had died.

The Lord Admiral’s answer was simple: “Then, please tell me, Your Excellency, what else can we do?”

The Quartermaster General was stunned.

He suddenly realized that he had no choice.

Withdraw the British Expeditionary Force and bargain with France?

Please, the British Army and Navy are at odds, so why should the Army fight for the interests of the Navy?

Besides, do the French really need the British Expeditionary Force?

Everyone knows that although Charles seems conservative now, he is actually using the British Expeditionary Force to consume the German army's manpower and the few remaining war resources.

Reject Charles's offer?

The British Royal Navy was about to face the terrible situation of being driven out of Belgrade and even having its route to Northern Europe cut off by the Germans.

The Minister of the Navy stared at the Minister of Munitions and said threateningly:

"If you have no other options, agree to Charles's terms before he changes his mind and raises the stakes, sir."

"Otherwise, I want to know where the Quartermaster General's 'munitions' come from?"

This country bumpkin has already made us lose the Dardanelles, and now he wants to make us lose Northern Europe.

He never thought that if this route was blocked again, our last connection with Russia would be cut off, and the Eastern Front would soon collapse due to supply problems!

The Minister of Munitions finally chose to back down.

After all, as the Minister of Munitions, he needed to consider "munitions" rather than "navy", and he had no power to interfere too much in the decision-making of the Minister of the Navy.

…

France is more than Zanci.

General Winter replied to Charles:

"They agreed to your terms, Admiral."

"However, due to material reasons, the Royal Navy can only rent four warships for the time being."

"You don't mind, do you?"

Charles answered simply, "Of course not."

Charles understood what the British were thinking.

Four warships. Even if they do not need to obey the command of the British warships in principle, what impact can this number have?

When the British fleet sets out in the future, two ships will be placed on the left and two on the right to block the German torpedoes on the flanks for the British fleet!

In other words, the danger was left to the French fleet, and the British just watched the French fleet fight the Germans.

"Lieutenant General." General Winter asked impatiently, "When can you set off?"

Charles continued to drink his coffee and answered nonchalantly: "Maybe, it will take a few months?"

"A few months?" General Winter's eyes widened.

"But don't worry." Charles comforted:

"I'll have them speed up shipbuilding."

"You know, my new warship is being built at the Brest shipyard, which has been nearly destroyed by the Admiralty."

"Therefore, its shipbuilding speed is relatively slow. It has been launched for about two months now, and although we are working overtime, it is not yet halfway completed."

Compared with the United States' production capacity of completing more than 20 destroyers a month, the gap is quite large.

"But this." General Winter was confused: "We can't wait for several months."

Within a few months, control of the port of Bergen and even the entire Nordic trade had changed hands.

Charles said, "Hmm," If you need it urgently, you don't need to wait for the new warships.

Charles nodded at the sketch of the Oerlikon anti-aircraft machine gun. "I mean, this machine gun is very small. It can be installed on the side of any warship for air defense, and the effect is not much different."

This is the truth.

The difference is that warships dedicated to air defense will add some anti-aircraft firepower on the through deck. This part of the anti-aircraft firepower can defend both the left and the right sides and will not be blocked by the island, so the firepower will be greater.

General Winter secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great, the military situation is urgent, we hope your country can send warships to reinforce as soon as possible."

"Don't you consider the type of warship?" Charles asked, "After all, you paid the rent."

The rich are the boss, and Charles gives them enough respect.

"Oh, yes, of course." General Winter was flattered.

Charles took out a list that he had prepared long ago from the drawer and handed it to General Winter: "This is a list of the destroyers that France currently has. Also, this is a list of light cruisers."

General Winter frowned as he looked at the list.

Most destroyers are of small displacement, such as the 350-ton "Brunei-class", the 550-ton "Spahih-class", and the 750-ton "Shield-class".

These destroyers apparently did not have much room to carry anti-aircraft guns.

The light cruisers were too slow and seriously insufficient in number, with only one, the "D'Antrecasteaux", which had a speed of 19 knots.

There is only one "Jishan" with a speed of 23 knots.

The construction of the La Motte-Piquet class, which had a speed of 29 knots, was cancelled due to the outbreak of war.

After looking for a while, General Winter finally chose one of them: "This is the one, the 'Adventure Class'."

The "Adventure-class" destroyer has a standard displacement of 930 tons and a speed of 30 knots, and is considered to be relatively excellent in all aspects.

Unexpectedly, Charles said, "Uh."

"I'm terribly sorry, General, I didn't cross it out."

"It can't. It's not that I don't want to, but the Adventure has been equipped with an echo sounder."

"Unless we don't use anti-submarine warfare."

After hearing what Charles said, General Winter remembered that France did have a type of warship used for anti-submarine warfare.

However, with a standard displacement of only 930 tons, it obviously cannot be used for both anti-submarine and air defense at the same time.

"Well, let's take this one." General Winter pointed to another type of warship.

The French "Loux Ensign" type, with a displacement of 850 tons and a speed of 30 knots, is a new type of warship built only last year.

Unexpectedly, Charles looked embarrassed again: "I'm very sorry, General, although I also think it is very suitable, but this is not for me to decide."

"What do you mean?" General Winter was a little impatient. Are you kidding me?

"General." Charles sighed softly, "I can only control the Brest Shipyard, and this warship was produced and built at the Toulon Shipyard. The decision-making power lies in the hands of the Minister of the Navy. It will mainly face missions in the Mediterranean."

General Winter said, "No problem. We will talk to the Navy Secretary. This is the only one we have. You can wait to receive it!"

Many of France's supplies are provided by Britain. Isn't it easy to control a navy minister?

"Really? That's no problem then." Charles replied calmly.

In fact, he is already very happy and is just waiting for you to say this.

Toulon Shipyard, just wait, it’s not just these four destroyers that will be squeezed out!

(The picture above shows the third ship of the "Loux Ensign" class destroyer produced by France in 1915. However, from the third ship onwards, the main guns were added and the torpedo tubes were replaced. The name was also changed to "Enseigne Gabolde", which was mainly used for air defense and anti-submarine in the Mediterranean direction)

(End of this chapter)