Chapter 1268: Chapter 932: The Great Naval Battle Plan_2 Chapter 1268: Chapter 932: The Great Naval Battle Plan_2 Hearing the Island Royal Navy’s unusually aggressive move, the two exchanged a smile, quickly recalling the first step of the Island Royal Navy’s plan for a last-resort counterattack previously mentioned, which was to rally all naval forces.

Since it was a desperate counterattack, it was necessary to gather the majority of the Island Royal Navy’s main forces to pose a sufficient threat to the Australasian fleet.

At present, a considerable part of the Island Nation’s fleet was trapped in the Hiroshima waters, and these fleets had to be rescued to achieve the ultimate goal of the Island Royal Navy.

If thought about in this way, the unusual action of the Island Nation’s Air Force could also be explained. A large number of air forces sacrificing for the navy was indeed something those crazed Islanders were capable of doing.

Of course, the two did not know that all the sacrifices were made by the Island Nation Army’s air squadrons. If they had known this intelligence, perhaps the smile in their hearts would have been even thicker.

The navy and army are the two most important military forces of a country. Once very intense contradictions erupt between them, it indicates that the country itself has considerable fundamental issues.

Expecting two military branches that appear unified but are actually at odds with each other to cooperate and win this war could rather be likened to expecting Mount Fuji’s volcano to erupt immediately, forcibly bringing the war’s outcome to a stalemate.

After all, once erupted, Japan would cease to exist and naturally could not be defeated by Australasia.

“Minister Thomas, what do you think?” Chief of General Staff Malong asked with a smile, looking towards Minister of Defence Thomas, his expression relaxed.

“Let’s stick to the planned strategy, allowing the Islanders to successfully gather these warships,” Thomas also said with a smile, seemingly unconcerned about the Island Royal Navy’s movements behind the scenes, “After all, only by gathering together can we swiftly eliminate the naval forces of the Island Nation. As long as the Island Royal Navy no longer exists, the country will never pose a threat to us again.”

Malong nodded, approving of Thomas’s words.

Even though the Australasian Air Force could completely prevent the Island Royal Navy’s regrouping, the problem was that as long as the Island Royal Navy continued to hide within the harbor, Australasia also could not quickly eliminate the Island Nation’s naval forces.

It had to be admitted, under the heavy naval developments of the Island Nation, their navy still possessed a certain scale and could pose a threat to Australasia’s Pacific Squadron.

The still combat-capable Island Royal Navy, like a Sword of Damocles, could pose a huge security risk to Australasia’s dispersed fleet at any slight mishap.

If that was the case, it was better to permanently resolve all of the Island Nation’s naval forces in one sweeping move, turning the Island Nation into a docile little lamb, quietly awaiting Australasia’s executioner’s blade.

“Even though the Island Royal Navy will most likely not pose a threat to us, taking the enemy seriously is still very necessary,” Malong spoke, “So, let’s pull 2 aircraft carriers, 1 battleship, and 1 battlecruiser from the Indian Ocean Fleet to ensure our Pacific Squadron has sufficient strength.

No matter what those Islanders are up to, we have ample confidence to see it through to the end. I believe our submarines won’t let us down, and it’s time to show those damned Islanders what a truly powerful navy is.”

Thomas was slightly stunned, then chuckled and nodded, saying somewhat tearfully yet humorously, “You guy, how come you’ve become so cautious now?

I remember back during what was called World War I, you, leading the 19th Native Division, were the fastest among us.”

At that, Malong smiled and explained, “Isn’t this just implementing His Majesty’s philosophy of trying to minimize losses? If we were to lose many main warships in a sea battle with the Islanders, I fear His Majesty would surely not spare us a rebuke.

Besides, back then we were leading a Native Division, so there was naturally not much to worry about. But now it’s different, all under my command are the elite Australasian Military, each of their lives is incredibly precious, so I must be more cautious.”

Hearing Malong say this, Thomas’s smile faded slightly, his face also taking on some seriousness and earnestness, “Yes, we really do need to be more careful with the lives of our soldiers.”

Speaking of which, both Thomas and Malong, originating from the Guards and successfully advancing to Brigadier Generals during World War I.

Although only the leader of the Native Division, during World War I, the Brigadier General was still a member of the Upper Echelons of the Military. With over twenty years of experience accumulated since World War I, both had reached the highest levels of the Australasian Military.

With the accumulation of experience, coupled with having gone through two world wars on such a grand scale, both naturally understood the fragility of life in war.

It was precisely for this reason that Arthur’s exceptional regard for the lives of soldiers earned their deep admiration.

“Speaking of which, it’s about time the war ended on the Islander’s side.” After a brief silence, Malong was the first to speak.

“What, has something happened again in Europe?” Thomas asked upon hearing this.

As the Minister of Defence, Thomas’s daily tasks were extremely daunting. Most of the war effort in Europe was handled by the General Staff, while the Ministry of Defense was responsible for training new recruits domestically and supplying weapons and equipment.

“We underestimated the combat strength of the German Army, and overestimated that of the French and Russian armies.” Malong said with a wry smile, shaking his head as he explained to Thomas, “Can you believe it? The Germans used less than one million soldiers to hold off three million from the French Army, it’s simply maddening.

Now I understand why Paris was captured. After World War I, the French had completely lost their fighting spirit; their military was barely better than a colonial one.”

Hearing this, Minister Thomas immediately understood what had happened in Europe.

The two main battlefields in Europe right now were the French and Russian battlefields.

The intelligence now confirmed that Germany had invested at least 2 million soldiers on the Eastern European Battlefield, which also implied that the German forces on the Western European Battlefield were likely under one million.

The Allied Forces on the Western European battlefield alone, with France, had over three million troops. Including a large number of British troops, the size of the Anglo-French army was close to four million.

Yet this very Anglo-French force of four million, was utterly incapable of breaking through the German defenses.

Forget about counter-attacking the Germany Mainland; even retaking the Capital City, Paris, seemed very challenging at the moment.

Furthermore, with Spain having entered the war, France had to send a significant amount of troops southward to protect the Western-France borders.

This situation made it almost too easy for the German forces to maintain their current frontline, creating more time for the Eastern European Battlefield.

“Damn it.” Thomas stroked his beard, feeling a great headache coming on.

This was not something Australasia had anticipated; after all, who would have thought that an army three to four times greater could not break through the German defenses.

“It looks like we need to settle things with the Islanders soon. After this naval battle, the Island Nation Army should become more concentrated on protecting their Capital, Tokyo.

If it’s confirmed that Tokyo is gathering a large number of troops, then it’s time to initiate our final plan.” After pondering for a moment, Thomas looked towards his old companion, the Chief of General Staff Malong, and said, ”
We’ve prepared for too long; it’s time for the world to understand that Australasia is the main player in this war.”

Malong also nodded, not hiding his radicalism, and said with a smile, “I’ve had enough of the current warfare. Compared to the European battlefield, the Pacific conflict seems like child’s play.

We should quickly deal with the Islanders, I’m eager to face the Germans, and it would be best to witness the strength of what once was the world’s foremost superpower in land warfare.”