The Irish Sea, Morecambe Bay.
After the Royal Navy's devastating defeat, the British Empire found itself under the complete blockade of the German Navy. The only remaining sea that they could still control was likely the Irish Sea. Situated between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, this body of water was practically considered Britain's inland sea.
Morecambe Bay, a remote and obscure place, had now become the final gathering point for the Royal Navy's remaining naval strength. Even Scapa Flow, once deemed safe, was no longer secure. German submarines and aircraft frequently raided the area, attacking the Royal Navy's vessels, and the British had little defense against such strikes.
To ensure the defense of Morecambe Bay, the Royal Navy had fortified the surrounding naval base with numerous anti-aircraft weapons and anti-submarine nets. Countless destroyers patrolled the bay, ensuring that any German submarines attempting to infiltrate would be detected immediately.
At present, the Royal Navy's remaining battleships included the *Vengeance*, *Resolution*, *Queen Elizabeth*, *Warspite*, *Warrior*, *Majestic*, *Indomitable*, and the *Tiger* battlecruiser. Seven battleships and one battlecruiser—though still a formidable force—were but a shadow of the Royal Navy's former glory. Such strength could no longer guarantee the basic security of the British Empire.
However, within Morecambe Bay, alongside these British vessels, were warships from the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Italy. The French Navy's main fleet included three *Normandie*-class battleships, three *Bretagne*-class battleships, and four *Lorraine*-class battleships. The Italian fleet comprised two *Duilio*-class battleships, three *Cavour*-class battleships, and the *Dante Alighieri*. These ships had come to fight alongside the Royal Navy. As members of the Entente, their fates were inextricably linked. If they lost the war, their futures would be grim. Thus, they desperately hoped for a decisive naval victory that could turn the tide of the war.
Winston Churchill, the British First Lord of the Admiralty, arrived in Morecambe from London. Standing before the fleet anchored in the harbor, he was filled with poignant reflection.
"If only the flags on those ships were all St. George's Crosses," Churchill remarked wistfully.
But alas, of the 24 warships in the harbor, only a third were from the Royal Navy. The remaining two-thirds were from France and Italy.
"Sir, as long as we can defeat the Germans in the upcoming battle, the Royal Navy will soon be restored to its former might, perhaps even stronger than before," Admiral John Jellicoe assured him.
At British shipyards, numerous new warships were under construction. However, the British Empire, now entirely blocked by the German Navy, faced a slow pace in their completion. The construction of ships required vast amounts of steel and other resources, and with the complete severance of overseas trade routes, Britain no longer had the necessary resources to complete these vessels.
Churchill nodded. "Yes, the Royal Navy has suffered grievous losses, but we are not yet defeated. Once we defeat the Germans, the British Empire will rise again!"
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Churchill had never lost hope.
"Has Admiral Martin prepared his fleet?" Churchill inquired.
"Sir, Admiral Martin's fleet is ready. At a moment's notice, they can depart," Jellicoe reported.
Admiral Martin was the commander of the fleet made up of the twelve battleships purchased from the United States, and his forces were seen as Britain's last hope for a decisive victory at sea. Without these twelve battleships, Britain would have had little confidence in confronting the German Navy.
"Good. This time, we have assembled thirty-six capital ships. We will defeat the Germans! Once we do, the British Empire will once again claim victory in this war," Churchill declared.
"Sir, I have no doubt of that!" Jellicoe responded.
"By the way, General Cavison's disastrous defeat at Le Havre—will he face punishment?" Jellicoe asked.
Admiral Cavison had lost 21 pre-dreadnought battleships and 13 armored cruisers at Le Havre, a devastating blow to the Royal Navy. While those ships were outdated, the loss of personnel was far more critical.
"Indeed, there were some in the Cabinet who suggested that General Cavison be reprimanded, but I put a stop to that. After all, the final naval battle with the Germans is about to begin. Punishing a senior officer now would be unwise—it could undermine morale. Besides, if we lose this battle, none of it will matter," Churchill replied.
Indeed, for Britain, if they lost, even executing Admiral Cavison would have no meaning, nor could it prevent the defeat. If they won, the losses of the outdated ships would seem trivial.
Jellicoe nodded silently, choosing not to pursue the matter further.
"Report—Generals Lamey and Paolo have arrived," a staff officer announced.
"Let them in," Churchill ordered.
Admiral Lamey, the commander of the French fleet, and Admiral Paolo, the commander of the Italian fleet, had come as representatives of their nations, ready to lead their fleets into the decisive battle against the German Navy.
"Sir, Admiral," the two generals greeted Churchill and Jellicoe with warm pleasantries before the conversation turned to business.
"Sir, our fleets have been here for several days. When shall we engage the Germans?" Admiral Lamey asked.
The situation in France was dire, and the French government was eager to face the Germans at sea, hoping that a decisive battle would soon resolve the issue and provide clarity on their next steps.
"Admiral, the Combined Fleet is ready. We can begin our plan," Churchill responded.