Chapter 367: I know the colonies best

The layout of Nelson-class battleships could be said to be very extreme, what was originally a 48,000-ton battleship was reduced to a tonnage of 35,000 tons, and this extreme layout was aimed at saving displacement, which made sense during the treaty period when displacement was stuck at a very high level.

However, it had some drawbacks, such as poor seakeeping, restricted powerhouse arrangement, and unfavorable leveling.

Therefore it was not widely adopted. Japan, which followed Britain’s example in the field of battleships, introduced several fully main-gun-forward proposals when designing the Yamato class, but in the end none of these were adopted, perhaps because of these flaws were taken into account.

Now the Nelson class can be said to have no need for modification, the original is 48,000 tons of warships shrunk to this, how can there be any potential for modification?

Why is it so difficult to retrofit Soviet battleships? And Nelson’s battleships, the same problem, the design is to do more things with smaller tonnage, a clear small horse-drawn cart, this model out of the battleships, naturally, remodeling will be difficult.

The British Empire is not without the violent aesthetics of the Red Navy, do not believe you look at the front of the Nelson class battleships, almost Soviet-style battleships.

The Nelson-class battleships were praiseworthy for their protection, not only the best of their time, but even surpassing the American and German battleships that came into service later on, undoubtedly behind the times in the hands of the naval powers, but still a Zenith weapon in the eyes of the Third World.

Considering the protection of Portuguese Goa, Alan Wilson actually wanted to help, except that it was a bit beyond the capacity of this civil servant of his, and needed to think of a way to do it.

In terms of value above all else, the two Nelson-class battleships no longer had conversion potential and were destined to be scrapped.

In fact, the lease or even sold to Portugal are no problem, not to mention the Portuguese Goa really need this third world in the eyes of the big killers, the level of the Indian Navy, at least for the time being should be said and five destroyers as the main force of the Portuguese Navy is not comparable.

The Nelson battleship is not much, the most important thing is that now even the Navy and the Cabinet do not pay attention to this level of battleships, everyone knows that the era of battleships has passed, the world wars are over, the Royal Navy can not see that aircraft carriers to replace the battleships have become a foregone conclusion?

Recently commissioned battleships are still necessary to keep for the time being, like the Nelson class battleships such as the old man, by the old and new Royal Navy to forget is normal.

The bottom line is that Prime Minister Adderley was not averse to the sale of battleships or even aircraft carriers on loan, and in order to support France’s return to Vietnam to lease aircraft carriers, he supported the Netherlands in leasing battleships.

For the same reason, what’s the big deal about supporting Portugal, as long as Portugal can afford to eat, and maybe even generate revenue?

On the current Portuguese Navy all belongings of five destroyers, simply do not have the experience of handling large warships, certainly need the Royal Navy to provide some supporting services.

“Olivia, you know, battleships are very powerful weapons, especially for the colonies.” Alan Wilson had a hard look on his face, but it was more of a goad than a persuasion; battleships were the unbeatable weapon against the colonies.

It wasn’t too much of a stretch to blow them off, after all, they were the main force that had taken out the Bismarck battleship. The second ship Rodney took part in the siege of the German battleship Bismarck.

During the battle, the Rodney fired more than 380 rounds of 16-inch shells at the Bismarck, while the King George V fired more than 360 rounds of 14-inch shells. The King George V fired more than 360 rounds of 14-inch shells, with 100 hits.

The final distance from the Bismarck was so close that the Rodney’s shells were only able to level the superstructure, but not the core of the ship. The Bismarck had already been turned into a floating coffin.

It was due to the attack of “Rodney” that “Bismarck” lost the ability to fight back in the last battle, the main gun turret was destroyed, and even one shell caused two turrets to lose the ability to fight, which contributed greatly to the Royal Navy’s sinking of the Bismarck.

“The newest battleship is not for sale!” Alan Wilson’s words made Olivia’s heart go cold, but immediately heard, “Only the Nelson class battleships are likely to be leased or sold, and I’m only saying it’s a possibility. And I can’t facilitate this, as much as I’d like to help, I’m not in that position, I’m very sorry.”

Just as Olivia was struggling to hide her disappointment again, Alan Wilson added, “I’m willing to think of a way to do that, and you can bring it up at tomorrow’s meeting as a formal request.”

“Can you be more specific?” Olivia’s heart was in a state of flux, Allen Wilson expressed his willingness to help at one moment, and then said that he didn’t have the ability to do so, what exactly did he mean?

“I’m not in this position to operate a battleship charter, but my fiancée’s father is coming back.” Alan Wilson habitually looked at the time and said in a flat tone, “You should know that the Crown Prince is getting married. General Mountbatten, as an important member of the royal family, has a very good relationship with the Crown Prince as well as the Prince, and can be said to have taught him single-handedly, so he will definitely come back. At the present time for the Cabinet, as long as the matter of British India is not over, British India is the main concern of the present government. So General Mountbatten has the status and the conditions to bring this about, and I am really not in a position to do so.”

On a personal level, Allen Wilson was more than willing to help, but none of his civil servants did what he said they would do.

Not a politician or a military dignitary, he could pass on a message, but to manipulate this matter, it was definitely overthinking it.

But General Mountbatten, if he cares, as an important member of the royal family, the No. 1 among the aristocratic group, and most importantly now as the vice-king of British India, the Cabinet also relies on him to maneuver the independence process.

In addition to a series of external conditions, such as leasing the French aircraft carriers, leasing the Dutch battleships precedent, Prime Minister Adderley himself does not exclude, only interested in money, plus the Nelson class battleships really do not have the potential for modification and a series of reasons.

This matter is not impossible to succeed, only Allen Wilson pass a message on the possibility of doing it is too low, need to have a wide range of contacts, in the military, the aristocratic circle, all take the hand of the figure to do, no doubt born to get the British Dragon Pride of heaven script of Mountbatten personally care, only to make the success rate will increase greatly.

“As far as I know, General Mountbatten’s daughter, is Mr. Allen’s fiancée.” Olivia finally understood Allen Wilson’s one-ring plot, and spoke, “There will definitely be thanks after this is accomplished.”

“Told you, I no longer work in the colonies. As for General Mountbatten’s side, if it really succeeds, the Portuguese government will just award a special medal. You guys should know how to do it, just say that it recognizes General Mountbatten’s merits in the Southeast Asian battlefield, protecting the safety of Portuguese India.”

Speaking of this Allen Wilson stood up and prepared to leave, not forgetting to instruct, “Diplomatic efforts are necessary. The interests of all are common, especially in the colonies.”

It seemed to Allen Wilson that Portugal had a potential to be a punching bag, especially during the Salazar government.

Salazar, as a leader who constructed a centralized government, would have been more attentive in protecting the colonies above all else.

It can even be said that more attentive than the electoral system of the country, until the death of Salazar Portuguese colonies were not lost, definitely not without reason.

As for what happened after the death of Salazar, there are still twenty years it, if twenty years within the United Kingdom a kneeling to the end into the Americans followers, that is no one to blame.

Alan Wilson has always believed that a twenty-first century are shrinking back to the British Isles country, their own in how to toss is patriotic, a test zero, and then worse.

The current Brussels meeting, still in the name of restoring people’s livelihoods and being wary of Germany, talks about the colonies.

From the beginning of the meeting, entered the Allen Wilson pointing stage, because he just came back from British India, is considered to be an expert on the front line, than these diplomats in Europe, more understanding of the colonial situation.

The moment he opened his mouth, he said that no one understands the colonies better than I do, as well as introducing Britain’s position on top of British India, avoiding the partition of India and Pakistan is nothing more than a dream that the Congress Party is unwilling to wake up and is deliberately pretending to be asleep.

In fact European countries with colonies, all know that the division of British India into two is inevitable, because these countries are concerned about what the British do it, onlookers, at least than pretend to sleep the Congress Party awake.

“Considering the conflict between the religion of peace and Hinduism, the outbreak of war after the division of British India into two is a probable event, although the British Empire has been doing its best to avoid such a future, but at present there is little hope.” Allen Wilson turned to the representative of the Netherlands, Almand, at this time, “Mr. Almand, the Netherlands did not move decisively enough in the East Indies, I would like to expound on how to view the East Indies from an outsider’s point of view?”

“Mr. Allen please speak!” Almand nodded, he knew that Allen Wilson had been in British India for almost two more years, and was definitely more qualified to speak about the colonies than the rest of them.

“In the long run, we European countries are bound to shrink, which is why the British Empire let go of the colonies.” Alan Wilson paused for a moment, “Of course the situation of each country is different, like France is willing to send troops to maintain is not a mistake, but no matter whether it is contraction or maintenance, once you make a decision you have to make up your mind. The current situation in the East Indies is quite complicated, I am willing to give two opinions.”

“Militarily, the control of the entire East Indies is still the main focus, but the expatriates of the Netherlands in the East Indies must be immediately withdrawn to Kalimantan, once the situation in Java is out of control, it can also retain the largest island in the East Indies, and a part of the island of Kalimantan is also in the hands of the United Kingdom, so our two countries can support each other to retain a part of the territory. This is extremely important for our post-war recovery.”