Long live Joachim

Chapter 43: The War Is Tonight (Part 2) Under the bright sunshine, the Galway Naval Base located in the southwest of Ireland is a bustling scene. The three older ships, Belfast, Celtic, and Long Live Freedom, with an age of over 20 years, docked at Pier 1 one after another. Cranes lifted boxes and piles of supplies onto the ships, and sailors wearing blue and white navy shirts either sat in baskets or stepped on inclined ladders, painting their warships with new paint - the superstructure remained in the standard light gray color, but the walls presented irregular block patterns. This camouflage coating, which was used to interfere with enemy gunners' judgment of target speed, had already appeared during the last war and was adopted by navies of various countries due to its good effect. Adjacent to Pier 1, Pier 2 is docked with a fleet of three to five light vessels facing outward. They are like objects made from molds, with no difference in appearance. This is the Irish Navy's domestically produced destroyer fleet. From 1919 to 1931, the Irish Navy ordered five 1000 ton Hunter class destroyers, five 1280 ton Fiery class destroyers, and five 1520 ton Wind class destroyers. These three classes of destroyers were favored by navies of Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Spain, Sweden, and other countries due to their balanced performance and affordable prices. A total of 29 were exported, providing ample power for Ireland's military shipbuilding industry. Like the three old ships, these destroyers are also painted with blue, gray, and white block camouflage, and the waterproof canvas covering the guns and searchlights has been removed, revealing a tough and capable temperament. The third dock on the north side of the harbor is a cruiser berth for the Irish Navy. Throughout the 1920s, the Irish had a clear goal of building a highly modernized cruiser fleet, including two 15000 ton standard military grade heavy cruisers, one 18500 ton Danu class heavy cruiser, six 6000 ton Feona class light cruisers, and one 7500 ton Explorer class light cruiser. Their cost was enough to exchange for two Mackensen class battlecruisers or five Allied class aircraft carriers, but the Irish Navy did not choose a castle in the air development model, but instead made its own way in the field of medium and light ships. Among the four classes of light and heavy cruisers, the standard military salute class heavy cruisers and the Feona class light cruisers once became the true standard equipment of the Allied navies. In addition to the Royal Limerick Shipyard in Ireland, Germany's Bremen Weser Shipyard, Austria Hungary's Pula Naval Shipyard, Italy's Genoa Ansado Shipyard, and Spain's Faroe Shipyard all built these two classes of ships. By the early 1930s, there were a total of 11 standard military salute class heavy cruisers and 23 Feona class light cruisers serving in the Allied countries, setting an unprecedented and unparalleled military record. At this time, there were a total of six Irish cruisers anchored in the harbor - the standard military salute class sister ships "Luge" and "Dagda", the standard military salute class sister ships "Luge" and "Dagda", the Feona class light cruisers "Oscar", "Gore Mona", "Konan Mona", and the Explorer class light cruiser "Piwell", which had just completed six months of service. On these majestic warships, busy figures were everywhere, and on the dock beyond the gangway, many naval officers and soldiers carrying bags could be seen, either with serious expressions, bowing their heads in silence, or looking bewildered. The military orders are like mountains, and they have to interrupt their holidays to rush back to the base. Leaving their families and loved ones is certainly sad, but what makes them even more indescribable is that the battlefield is ruthless and the artillery fire is blind. Once they go to the battlefield, it is difficult to say whether they can see their loved ones again. Turning his gaze to London, UK, as noon approached, a luxurious Mercedes Benz sedan stopped in front of 10 Downing Street. The German ambassador, Hansen Neuhaus, wearing a black top hat, got out of the car expressionlessly. He had originally planned to stay for a moment and looked around the familiar street scene, appearing somewhat gloomy and melancholic. On Downing Street, there were many pedestrians coming and going. Some noticed the German diplomat and cast curious glances, while others hurriedly passed by without realizing that a major event was happening. Guided by a British official, Noyhouse walked into this world-renowned mansion, but no one expected that this historic building, along with this 400 year old street, would suffer devastating damage in the upcoming war, and the glorious history of London and even the British Empire would come to an end here. Noyhouse was directly taken to Stanley Baldwin's Prime Minister's office. While this Conservative politician certainly has the talent to lead a country, not everyone has the courage and bravery to face war. Recently, he has been overwhelmed by the actions of major powers' mutual criticism, threats, and even military intimidation. Sometimes he is determined to fight against the Allies, sometimes hesitates and wants to slow down again. His wavering position has attracted criticism from many political elders. People are increasingly comparing him to Prime Ministers Herbert Asquith and George Lloyd during the last war, and many people are calling on retired George Lloyd, who is in his seventies, to come out of retirement again. Representative figure - former Navy Secretary Winston Churchill,Recently, he has also received increasing attention. With his background, qualifications, and abilities, it is not impossible for him to take over the cabinet in a crisis. In such a terrible vortex, Baldwin endured torment every day, even every hour, every minute, so his appearance seemed to have aged a few years again. Dear Prime Minister, I have been ordered by the Emperor and Prime Minister of the German Empire to deliver an ultimatum to your government. Your country must cease military mobilization within 12 hours, order the disbandment of reserve personnel who have been recruited or are in the process of being recruited, withdraw from any military treaties reached against the German Empire, and ensure the national defense and security of the German Empire After the other party explained his purpose, Baldwin didn't rush to speak. Instead, he filled his tobacco pipe, which he couldn't leave, with tobacco, lit a match, took a few silent puffs, and asked in a gentle tone, "Have you ever seen such a rude and unreasonable ultimatum in your many years of service in the diplomatic field Noyhouse paused for a moment, rubbed his hands awkwardly, and said, "In the past few hundred years, the British Empire has experienced more wars than any other country. There are various reasons for starting wars, and it is inevitable that there are far fetched and unreasonable arguments. Personally, I strongly do not want Germany and Britain, two countries that once regarded each other as close friends, to come this far. I can only deeply regret this. Your country's previous series of actions have seriously damaged the interests of the German Empire and its allied countries. As government officials, we are powerless in the development of the situation and can only pray for good luck Baldwin said with a sneer, "Everyone can shirk the responsibility for causing the war. In the end, it is the winner who has the final say. Please go back, sir. After 12 hours, we will not be able to talk calmly like now. At that time, we will be enemies in opposite positions." Noyhouse placed the note in front of Baldwin, slightly bowed, and walked quickly out the door with his hat in both hands. At the door of the room, he turned around and took a final glance at his long-time foreign friend, his eyes filled with helplessness and sadness, before leaving without looking back. Baldwin turned around and looked out the window. London was still a familiar and bustling scene, but at sunrise tomorrow, the Prime Minister was completely unsure whether it would burn brightly under enemy fighter jets and warship shelling. After meditating for a long time, he took out the resignation letter he had prepared before from the drawer and tore it apart with force. A few hours later, dusk arrived as scheduled, and under the setting sun, Limerick remained the bustling and charming city. It was a towering tree growing on the barren land of Ireland, with spacious and clean streets and alleys, complete public facilities, and magnificent landmark buildings that amazed every foreigner visiting. It was the crystallization of the hard work and wisdom of the Irish people, the fruit of the diligence and dedication of the Irish royal government, the home of millions of people living and working in peace and contentment, a world-renowned miracle, and a Western pearl revered by countless people. At this moment, it was shrouded in the low and mournful sound of air raid sirens, as if the sunset in the sky had been tinged with compassion. War is approaching, and this is the signal conveyed by the sound of air raid sirens to every resident of Limerick. For a long time, the Irish royal family and government have rooted the concept of being prepared for danger in the hearts of the people. The national conscription system has received support from all over the country, and every healthy adult male must enter the military camp for training - they may not necessarily become the most elite soldiers, but in times of crisis, they can at least pick up a gun to defend their country! The military is only a part of national defense construction. Limerick, which gathers one-third of the country's population, is not only the political and diplomatic center of Ireland, but also the absolute core area of the economy and industry. It has been prepared to resist war from the beginning of urban planning. The standard of fire protection facilities and equipment far exceeds that of any European city. Air raid shelters have been excavated under every park, square, and sports stadium. There are large-scale air raid shelters near every school, hospital, and commercial district. Subway facilities can meet the requirements of air defense, fire prevention, and gas defense. There are also a large number of emergency evacuation sites in the suburbs. Defense warehouses have stored a large number of tents, sleeping bags, and other emergency supplies. On special occasions such as National Day, Belfast's Day of Return, and Cork Campaign Memorial,The defense department of Limerick will sound air raid sirens at specific times, and schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods will also hold regular or irregular air raid exercises. Standing on the carpet like lawn of the 'Forest Palace', Xia Shu quietly listened to the sound of air raid sirens coming from the direction of the city. Although the active fighter jets of Germany and Ireland combined are more than three times that of the UK, and they will launch strategic attacks against the UK, and Ireland has the most advanced and complete homeland air defense system of this era, it still dare not slack off in the slightest. It should be noted that the UK has a sizable bomber fleet and a group of brave and determined pilots. The British military has repeatedly stated that they have the ability to carry out airstrikes and inflict heavy damage on Berlin, but Natsuke does not believe that they will attempt such a difficult challenge at the beginning of the war. From the recent frequent aerial reconnaissance of Ireland by the British military, it is highly likely that they will use Ireland as a warning to others, so that countries that do not have direct conflicts of interest with Britain may have reservations about joining Germany in the war. In that case, swarms of British bombers casting shadows on Irish soil will no longer be the imagined scene. Now, Ireland's fighter jets and anti-aircraft artillery units have completed their scheduled deployment, but whether they can create another military miracle and completely block the British Air Force outside the capital city is still a big unknown. Goodbye, peace! In the years you leave, countless loyal and brave soldiers will shed their blood on the battlefield, their families pray for their safe return, and their country needs them to return safely. Goodbye, peace! When you are repeatedly called upon by innocent civilians, the savage war machine will wield its sharp sickle, taking away tens of thousands of lives, causing countless people to be displaced, and causing countless people to mourn and suffer. May you return soon, peace!