Chapter 288 Aiming at Pei Gong
Charles and Tijani did not tell Geprat in detail. They chatted for a while and then took a small boat to the Queen Elizabeth to visit the fleet commander-in-chief, Vice Admiral Robeck.
This was a necessary formality. As a new commander of the fleet, Charles had to meet the Commander-in-Chief.
Although Charles was mentally prepared, when the boat passed through a row of 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 turret, 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 the UK, 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."
Geprat hummed and said, "If you count all the guns, it has more than seventy guns in total. It can be said to be a mobile fortress."
(The picture above shows the battleship "Queen Elizabeth", which was the most advanced battleship in Britain at the time. It was commissioned in November 1914, just over three months from the time mentioned in the article)
…
The occasion when Vice Admiral Robeck met Charles was completely different from that of Geprat. 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."
There was a faint laughter among the British officers.
Charles knew what Vice Admiral Robeck meant.
He deliberately showed off Britain's strength in front of Charles, but spoke in a humble manner, thus creating a strong contrast to ridicule Charles.
Major General Geprat had a look of anger on his face, but he could not refute Lieutenant General Robeck's behavior and could only suppress his anger in his heart.
Tijani frowned, as if he was about to accuse Lieutenant General Robeck of being rude.
Charles replied calmly, "You are right, General. If your fleet had not lost so many battleships, the parliament would not have forced me to come here."
Robbek's originally kind face suddenly became gloomy, 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 couldn't refute him.
Because what Charles said was true, especially since the battleships that were lost one after another were all under the command of Vice Admiral Robeck.
Charles was telling them that they had no capital to show off.
Tijani laughed and straightened his chest unconsciously.
Major General Geprat glanced at Charles meaningfully. It seemed that this young man's wisdom was not only in military matters.
The atmosphere seemed a bit awkward, and Vice Admiral Robeck led everyone into the conference room on the island.
The conference room was very spacious, with a fixed round table in the middle, which seemed to be related to the British "Round Table Conference". A portrait of the famous naval commander Nelson was hung on the wall, and the British flag and the white flag were inserted diagonally on the left and right below, making it look more like a diplomatic meeting than a military meeting.
(The picture above shows the British White Ensign, symbolizing the British Royal Navy)
The waiter poured wine for everyone.
Charles was a little surprised, he thought commanders shouldn't drink during wartime.
Rear Admiral Geprat simply raised his eyebrows, as if to say that it was nothing, the British liked to have a few drinks on the warship.
"Let me guess." Lieutenant General Robeck looked at Charles expressionlessly: "Colonel, you must want to land on V Beach, just like Major General Honoré, right?"
Another veiled remark.
"Just like Major-General Honoré", meaning that you French people like to be in the limelight. 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 immediately: "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 this for the sake of keeping it a secret.
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 were rushing to die for the so-called honor, why wouldn't the British do the same?
Then General Robeck asked again: "What is your plan? Do you need the cooperation of the British fleet?"
"No, General," Charles replied confidently, "I think the French fleet is sufficient. We will arrange everything."
Robeck smiled slightly. That's how it should be.
But of course he would not say that. He raised his glass with a smile: "Then, cheers to our colonel, to France, and to tomorrow's victory!"
"Cheers!" the officers responded cheerfully.
…
When he returned to the "Henley", Tijani said angrily: "Arrogant British, we really should let them continue to face this situation."
"Who says it isn'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 shouldn't be in a hurry either."
Then Ciel added: "We may have a few more days to allow the soldiers to continue training."
Tijani said "Oh" and understood what Charles meant.
But Tijani thought of something else, and he asked doubtfully: "Colonel, is what you said about landing on V Beach true?"
"Of course we have to land on V Beach." Charles answered calmly.
Tijani thought he had misheard: "But the Ottomans are prepared."
Charles asked in return: "If the Ottomans were prepared, do you think the Germans would be unprepared?"
Tijani was a little confused: "What? If the Germans were prepared, shouldn't they give up..."
Before he finished speaking, Tijani suddenly realized something. He looked at Charles in shock: "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 Germans' only submarine.
Attacking V Beach is a good opportunity, as it is a key focus area for German submarines!
(End of this chapter)
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