Chapter 96 Excited
When Ismail walked into the small restaurant of the command post with concern, he could hardly believe what he saw. A Churchill, who was chewing fried bacon happily, saw him entering the door, and happily greeted him with a fork with boiled eggs.
"Good morning, Prime Minister." Ismail bowed to Churchill and then walked to the dining table.
"Good morning, Hastings, you went to Maidstone yesterday afternoon. How was it going there? Have you had breakfast?" Churchill swallowed the bacon in his mouth and said loudly to Ismai.
"Not yet, Prime Minister, I just rushed back from there, and the road was terrible, with retreating civilians everywhere, and my tires were blown up." Ismail sat at Churchill's hand.
"Ah, that's really bad. Today's bacon is good. Let's have breakfast with me." Churchill put down his knife and fork, grabbed a piece of white bread from the bread basket on the dining table, and then used a butter knife to apply butter on it. At the Prime Minister's instructions, the orderly served Ismail with the same breakfast.
"Thank you, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Ismail was not pretentious. He took off his military cap and handed it to the orderly, then picked up a knife and fork and began to cut the food on the plate.
"Hastings, you don't look very good. Today's milk is fresh, you should give it a try." Churchill chewed the bread slices and chatted with his chief of staff.
"Prime Minister, I'm very sorry. I think I have a bad news to tell you." Ismail put down his knife and fork and pushed the plate aside. From the moment he entered the door, he had been hesitating and wondering how to start reporting to Churchill.
Churchill is obviously in a state of excitement now. Ismail is not sure what happened, but this is the first time Ismail has seen a smile on Churchill's face in this month. For a moment, it seems that the ambitious, confident, capable and decisive Prime Minister of the British Empire is back.
As the Prime Minister's closest friend, Ismail really didn't want to destroy Churchill's rare good mood. The pressure from the outside and inside during this period caused too much damage to the man. He could not forget the scene he saw when the news of Somerville's death came, and the gloomy face and the look of evil and tyrannical eyes mixed with sinister and tyrannical eyes, as well as the desolation and despair hidden in his hunched back when he lowered his head and staggered out of the office.
But now, although there are still huge dark circles on your face and the cheeks are still sagging and drooping, no matter the flush on the gray-white face, the shiny eyes and bright smile, they are all full of sunshine and vitality.
However, Ismail felt that Churchill should let him know the news he brought as soon as possible, which was his responsibility and obligation to this friend. Looking at Churchill who was energetic, a heavy sense of guilt arose in Ismail's heart.
"Oh? Is there something wrong?" Without the expectation of the Chief of Staff, his smile dissipated. Churchill put down the half-chewed slice of bread, staring at Isme, and his brows frowned.
"Just last night, a large-scale riot occurred in Maidstone. The mobs from outside smashed the shop windows and looted every shop along the street. They had a gunfight with the police and burned down the local police station. Only one company of army soldiers was stationed in the local area, guarding the military warehouse in the city. The mobs had a large number of weapons and they killed the sentries. The military food and uniformed military supplies were sacked by the mobs. Fortunately, the soldiers finally defended the ammunition warehouse, otherwise the consequences would be difficult to predict."
Ismail stopped. Looking at the empire's prime minister whose face turned gloomy. Churchill pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows. He picked up the cigar placed in the ashtray and scratched a match.
"Continue. Hastings, I'll listen." Churchill said while litting his cigar.
"At that time, I lived on the second floor of the Lanson Hotel in the city center and witnessed the riot. At first, a group of civilians gathered at the entrance of the city hall after nightfall. They asked the mayor to provide them with accommodation and food. The staff of the city hall came out to explain that there was insufficient reserves in the city and asked them to leave the city and go to other places to seek help. I was not very clear about what negotiations happened in the middle, only knowing that the local police then moved out, and the police waved batons and began to disperse the crowd. There was a chaotic fight at the scene, and some civilians were injured. I only brought four deputys, and I could not come forward in the face of this situation.
The civilians found reinforcements, and these people were probably fleeing National Self-Defense Force soldiers. I saw many people wearing Self-Defense Force uniforms and holding standard military rifles. They fired at the police without saying a word and killed several patrolmen on the spot. Then the two sides started a gun battle across an intersection. The police had only a few rifles in their hands and were soon broken up by the mob.
Then the situation was out of control, and the mobs began to loot shops around the city center. They broke the door lock with their rifles, broke into the door, and took everything they wanted. I took my men out of the back door of the hotel and stopped a passing police car, and they took us to the nearby barracks." Ismail slowly told Churchill about his experience, and he found that the British Prime Minister's jaw muscles were constantly tensing.
"What happened later? They rushed into the military warehouse?" Churchill asked Ismail in a silence, biting the cigar.
"Yes, at that time I never expected that they were so bold, it was completely treason. The soldiers guarding the warehouse were caught off guard. They didn't even have time to pick up their weapons. Some were beaten to death on the spot, and some surrendered to each other. Afterwards, the local police reported to me that some locals were led by the mobs, pointing out that there were food and quilts stored here. According to the police chief report, many locals participated in the robbery of shops and military camps in the chaos that night.
I took my deputy to retreat to the ammunition depot. I gathered almost a platoon of soldiers. We used cement bunkers and five machine guns to guard the area and killed seven thugs. They quickly gave up the impact on the ammunition depot. I took the soldiers to hold them until dawn to the end of the riot."
"The police repelled those mobs?" Churchill was a little interested.
"No, those people scattered themselves. They fled the city before sunrise. Some people may stay, but we cannot identify these people from the citizens, because many citizens also participated in the riot last night and they did not cooperate with the police investigation. Prime Minister, I suggest that the army should be mobilized immediately to intercept refugees to migrate to the north. We must avoid this scene last night in major cities in the north, where our most important production enterprises and material reserve points are there, so that these dangerous elements cannot be allowed to approach those cities." Ismail made his personal suggestions to Churchill. The scene of last night was deeply memorable. He could only make suggestions to Churchill from a military perspective. At the same time, he also knew that it involved a large number of imperial citizens. It would be very difficult to solve this matter simply and roughly.
"Well, I need to submit a detailed report in the cities along the way, and I must call the members of the wartime cabinet to discuss it. I want to come up with a proper solution. Now that Germany's landing is imminent, we must focus all our forces on dealing with the German invasion. As for the moment..." Churchill lowered his head and pondered for a while, then raised his head and said to Ismail.
"At present, we can mobilize some troops from Scotland Yard and the London Garrison to support several important cities around, first ensure the stability of the surrounding areas, issue temporary martial law orders, strictly control the flow of people, and at the same time block the news to avoid panic in society."
"Then will the security situation in London be affected?" Ismail was a little worried about the transfer of London police and garrison troops. Some fleeing civilians have already entered London. Although the number of people is not large, it is likely to be a hidden danger.
"Scotland Yard can overcome all difficulties. I believe in the ability of the London Police Department. Now our mission is to maintain the current situation. When the German landing is defeated, we will have enough time and force to solve these problems. By that time, no criminal can escape punishment. What awaits them will be the empire's merciless sanctions. As long as we repel the German attack, everything will be fine." Churchill's expression relaxed. He said to Isme with confidence.
"Hastings, you told me a bad news that gave me a headache, but I have a good news to tell you. I just received a report from Washington. We have reached an agreement with the Americans. The Americans promised to give us the assistance we need. The first batch of 200,000 rifles and 300 cannons have been loaded on ships and shipments, and weapons from the United States will continue to come to Britain.
What's even better is that the Americans promised to mobilize their destroyers to escort the transport fleet. They had more than 200 destroyers, with advanced facilities, complete equipment and reliable performance. With the support of the Americans, the Germans could no longer cut off our supply line.
By that time, we can arm every British man and form dozens of infantry divisions. By that time, the Germans will never be able to step on this island again.
We will also get more tanks and planes from the Americans, and there will be thousands of them. We can get enough food and supplies from the Americans. The British will no longer have to worry about hunger and scarce supplies. Our dining tables will be filled with food produced in the United States, and the smell of American beef will be emitted from the housewife's oven. The British people will rebuild their confidence and rekindle their fighting spirit. The British Empire will never bow to the barbaric Germans.
When we accumulate enough strength, we will join our powerful allies in counterattack against the Germans. We will set foot on the European continent again and defeat the arrogant German team. I will capture the arrogant blonde boy, let the soldiers drag him to parade on the streets of London, put him in the cage of the London Zoo to exhibit to all the British, and finally give him to the Tower of London to cut off his beautiful head!" Churchill's face turned red, his mouth was splashed, and he entered a state of extreme excitement. He was already intoxicated by his delusion.
Before this, Churchill had actually foresaw his failure subconsciously, but his stubborn character made him refuse to accept this idea. His fear of failure made him pray to heaven and look forward to a miracle, but what he waited for was greater failure again and again.
Churchill was on the verge of collapse by then. He began to numb himself by relying on alcoholism and a large number of cigars, trying to make himself forget the crisis in front of him. But the report this morning was like the first light of dawn that lit up in the darkness, allowing him to see hope again in the abyss of despair. Just like a straw that was grabbed before a man drowned, Churchill had placed all his expectations on this straw.
The moment before he was already dead, he immediately received news that excited him the next day. He believed that this was not a coincidence, but a foreshadowing of God, which foreshadowed that the harsh test of him had ended, and that he would be liberated from pain and would win a generous reward for passing the test.
"Prime Minister, is this true? The Americans are willing to support our weapons and equipment? This is really great. With the support of the Americans, we will continue this war until one side completely falls. I firmly believe that Germany will fall." Ismail was deeply moved by Churchill's words. Churchill has always had an extraordinary infectious power that can make you believe that what he said will definitely come true.
"Yes, not only support, but also let the Americans participate directly in this war. However, this requires some skills and takes some time. However, at present, these support is enough to re-arm a huge army. So I let you not rush to deal with those chores. Our goal now is to block the Germans on the other side of the strait before the support arrives. When the crisis passes, we can slowly solve the problems in the country and send all the traitors to the gallows." Churchill exhaled a sigh of smoke, and Isme's expression of enlightenment on his face, nodding his head aside.
The Chief of Staff and the Prime Minister took off their burden. Feeling that they had a big appetite, they quickly ordered the serviceman to send another portion of food. The two of them shook their cheeks and feasted. The two opened their knots and talked happily to each other. By the time the breakfast was over, it was ten o'clock in the morning. The two of them walked into the conference room of the underground command post with their full belly and laughed.
This is a meeting of chiefs of staff that has to be held every day. In fact, there is no major issue that needs to be discussed, because it is a meeting of the military committee of the cabinet during the war. They are more like professional consultants of the military branches in the cabinet during the war. Their task is to make suggestions to the ministers of the military branches in the cabinet and accept orders from the cabinet. Formulate plans, there are their respective command staff teams. There are combat departments of various military branches. They only assist the cabinet in making military judgments and decisions, and serve as a bridge for communicating the ministers and the army. According to convention, this kind of regular meeting usually only informs each other of the latest progress and exchanges some latest information. Accept a bunch of Churchill's strange orders, spend some time choosing some of the most outrageous denials from it, and then happily disperses the meeting and goes back to their houses and find their mothers.
But when Churchill walked into the conference room today, he found that the atmosphere inside was a little wrong. Several chiefs of staff were gathering at the map table in a corner of the conference room and pointed around the map. Seeing Churchill come in, Baron Annside, who had just been promoted to Field Marshal, came forward, and he put a document in front of Churchill with a serious look on his face.
"This is the report we just received. The garrison squad who stayed at the Sanwich Barracks. In the early morning this morning, I found that the coast of Deer Town, about fifteen kilometers southwest, was lit up, which seriously violated the air defense regulations. The squad leader called the Deerburg garrison troops to ask, and the other party replied that he had received the order from Dover and was working hard to strengthen the fortifications overnight. The Sanwich Barracks did not pay any attention.
But in the morning, the lookout sentry on duty discovered suspicious situations. Many smoke pillars rose from the town of Deer, as if there were ships sailing on the sea. They contacted Deerburg again, but the person who answered the phone said that it was just a passing transport fleet, asking them not to care. The garrison leader of Sanwich was very alert. He believed that something had to be wrong. Since he had only five subordinates and could not check it, he sent a report to the Kent Command Post. The Kent Command Post forwarded the report to the Dover Command Post, but due to the interruption of communication, they sent the report to the Army Communications Office for forwarding. My adjutant happened to see the telegram at the communications office. He felt that there was a problem, perhaps it was the German suspicion, or a feint before landing."
Churchill took the report, looked carefully from beginning to end, and then shrugged his shoulders.
"At a glance, you can see that this is the clumsy trap of the Germans. They want to attract our attention to Dil, at most there is only a special German commando. They landed in small boats and sneaked into the garrison of Dilburg, deliberately creating a bunch of flaws to make us discover, induce us to mobilize troops there, and then land in Dover. This strategy is too clumsy. The shores of Dil were covered with sand and shallows, which were not suitable for military landing at all. However, we cannot leave the Germans alone and transfer an elite force... a battalion, a battalion to Dil, and drive the Germans back to the sea, but I suspect that when our troops arrived, the Germans had actually retreated long ago. In this way, order the army to draw an infantry battalion from the nearby troops to Dil." Churchill read the order to the secretary on the side, and after the other party finished drafting and typing, the Chief of Staff personally issued it.
"Next, I want to tell you a great news." Churchill sat on the chairperson at the conference table and announced proudly to the chiefs of staff sitting upright. (To be continued, please search for astronomy, the novel is better, updated and faster!
Chapter completed!