India, Mumbai, Grand Palace.
"Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Emperor... Urgent call from Danmaxi Fortress!"
In his office, Emperor William, who was looking down at the new battleship design plan submitted by Barrow Company that had just been brought by Marquis Nelson and George Elliot, heard Charles Elliot's words and was so excited that he didn't even care about the battleship plan. He suddenly jumped up from his chair and walked towards Charlie Elliot, and then grabbed the copy of the telegram from the other party's hand. First I read it line by line, and then read it again word for word. After reading it, I frowned.
When Marquis Nelson and George Elliot saw the emperor's expression, they knew that Danmaxi Fortress was in trouble. Marquis Nelson and George Elliot had already expected this - the rapid loss of the Malay Peninsula had already shown the future of Danmasik Island. The frequent malfunctions of the long-wave radio station on Damasi Island are even more ominous!
Precisely because they expected that Dammasi Island might be lost soon, they repeatedly urged Barrow Shipyard to come up with a new battleship plan as soon as possible. The engineers at Barrow Shipyard were also very capable. Sure enough, in a short period of time they came up with a plan for a 30,000-ton battleship that seemed feasible.
The battleship will use a 30,000-horsepower steam engine as the main engine and will still use coal as fuel. Of course, with such a configuration, the speed cannot be faster. Without forced ventilation, it is only 20 knots.
The main gun of this class of battleships uses a relatively conservative five-mounted twin 13.5-inch 45-caliber solution. However, for the first time, the design of front and rear piggyback turrets will be adopted, with the five turrets placed on the central axis of the battleship. In this way, when they fire at the side of the battleship, they can launch 10 13.5-inch cannons at the same time!
This firepower... is definitely No. 1 among known battleships!
In addition, Barrow will reserve room for upgrades. Once the 14-inch main gun passes acceptance, an upgrade can be arranged.
This battleship will also focus on strengthening air defense and mine protection. A large number of high-level dual-purpose guns and anti-aircraft machine guns will be installed on the deck. A large number of mine protection barriers will be installed under the waterline. Hundreds of waterproof compartments will also be designed. To ensure that this battleship can withstand 10 torpedo hits!
This defense is the best among known battleships!
In other words, this class of battleships sacrificed power in exchange for the dual advantages of firepower and defense. And because the 30,000-horsepower steam engine and the 13.5-inch rapid-fire cannon are mature technologies, the design of the backpack turret is also perfect, and Ming army battleships with the same design have already been on the battlefield!
Therefore, the production of this class of battleships should not be difficult. If construction starts immediately, the first ship will definitely be ready for sea trials in 15 months, the first ship can be delivered in 20 months, and 4-8 ships will be completed in 24 months... ..If the development of the 14-inch main gun is completed during this process, then in just 1 to 2 months, these 4-8 battleships can complete the replacement. By then, the speed may be slightly reduced, but the firepower will be even greater. powerful!
However, even if this plan is adopted, the British Empire will inevitably endure a period of 20-24 months of naval weakness.
I originally expected Danmasi Island to be able to support it for 12 months, but now...
"Danmaxi Fortress cannot be defended..." Emperor William sighed, "Viscount Beresford is powerless. The 92,000 Indian soldiers under his command have no fighting spirit, and they are also subjected to psychological warfare by the Ming army. attack, so it collapsed at the first touch. Now the defense line in the Johor Strait has been completely lost, and all the coastal defense forts on the south coast of Tammasik Island have been abandoned... Only the core of the fortress can still hold on for a week or two, and only the defenders are left. More than 10,000 people.”
Marquis Nelson and George Elliot were both shocked.
"What? There are only more than 10,000 people left...Isn't this too fast?"
"That is, what do those Indians do for food? Are they stupider than pigs? Even if there are 90,000 pigs, the Ming army will have to capture them for ten days and a half, right?"
Emperor William did not pick a fight with these two people, but said to them: "After the Ming army captured the coastal defense fort on Danmasi Island, they were not in a hurry to attack the fortress. Instead, they sent people to contact Viscount Beresford. .”
In fact, by taking down the forts on the south bank of Tamasi Island - even the forts that had blown up the cannons, the Ming Dynasty had already opened up the Strait of Malacca. Therefore, there is really no need to storm the Danmaxi Fortress. It is most beneficial to persuade them to surrender and take them all. Although the fortress is seventy or eighty years old, the various facilities in the fortress are still very complete. If it can be captured completely, then the headquarters of the Nanyang Fleet...or the Western Fleet can be stationed immediately.
"Your Majesty," asked Marquess Nelson, "what do the Chinese want?"
Emperor William's face turned livid, "They want us to retreat with honor!"
"From Malacca?" George Elliot asked.
“From India and Malacca!”
The Marquess of Nelson asked: "Did they say anything about Australia and Oregon?"
"No," Emperor William gritted his teeth, "but once the empire loses the crown jewel of India, Australia will definitely not be able to hold on..."
Emperor William was right about this. Without India, it would be difficult to maintain contacts between Britain and Australia. If the Ming Dynasty attacks Australia, the British Royal Navy will have to start from the mainland, go around Africa, and travel more than 20,000 kilometers to come to rescue... The fleet has to travel such a long distance, and there are no ports in the middle that can be maintained. The situation is very difficult. maintained.
In another timeline, the reason why Australia remains in the Commonwealth is because of the United Kingdom’s rebellious son, the United States. But Australia is actually still a vassal of the United States, not a pawn of the United Kingdom.
"Margrave," said Emperor William, "perhaps we can abandon Australia... to save India."
"No," Marquis Nelson quickly shook his head, "Your Majesty, we should not choose between India and Australia! Because if we lose India, Australia will definitely be in danger. And if we lose Australia... we will also lose the ability to contain the Ming Dynasty. The key stronghold of the empire. Ming Dynasty will use all of its main naval force in the Indian Ocean after acquiring Australia. This is by no means a multiple-choice question!"
George Elliot also quickly echoed the Marquis Nelson: "Your Majesty the Emperor, our Australian colony is not just the Australian continent, but also includes many surrounding islands, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the New Britain Islands. From there north There are only two thousand and a few hundred nautical miles into the coast of Japan... As long as we deploy a fleet there, we can pose a threat to the Ming Dynasty's Pacific route and even harass the coast of Japan. If we abandon Australia, the Pacific Ocean will If it becomes the Ming Dynasty's inland sea, they can concentrate all their strength to attack India!"
Emperor William seemed to be convinced by the two of them, he nodded and said: "Yes, this is indeed not a multiple-choice question.
Moreover, Australia was a colony of the United Kingdom, not the Indian Empire. I have no right to abandon Australia to protect India...
However, when it comes to how to defend, the focus should undoubtedly be on India. Because of the loss of India, it is impossible for Australia to hold on.
On the contrary, as long as we can defend India, we have the possibility of counterattack and regaining Australia. "
George Yilu immediately offered his compliments and said: "Your Majesty the Emperor, you are so wise."
Marquis Nelson also said: "Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor, we should indeed use our main force to defend India...but we must also use Australia as a base to launch a counterattack.
Only in this way can the pressure on India be reduced. After all, India is the most important! "
"Yes, India is the most important." Emperor William nodded, "So, how should we reply to the Chinese who want to liberate India?"
"This..." Marquis Nelson said, "I suggest you adopt a delaying strategy."
George Elliot said: “Yes, we need time, every day from now on is very precious!
In order to buy time, I think we can first hand over the Danmaxi Fortress to show our sincerity, and then ask the Jin Kingdom, Austria, and Rakshasa Kingdom to mediate and convene a peace conference in Vienna. "
"Okay! Just do whatever you want!" Emperor William nodded heavily, "Now we must find ways to drag all European countries into the water. The Vienna Peace Conference is an opportunity."
