The Dönitz aircraft carrier fleet and Cunningham's aircraft carrier fleet engaged in a large-scale hard-to-hard naval battle for more than three hours; In the end, the naval battle ended at the cost of Cunningham's loss of another 16 ships and Dönitz's loss of 9 ships.

However, Dönitz lost more than 100 carrier-based aircraft, and Cunningham was even worse, with a loss rate of 386 aircraft, almost one-third of his carrier fleet of carrier-based aircraft taking off and attacking.

As for Dönitz's submarine force, they lost 16 submarines, and Cunningham's aircraft carrier fleet also lost 8 submarines.

Because Cunningham did not have a large number of submarines sent to assist in the operation, the German submarine forces devoted their main efforts to dealing with British and American destroyer groups and transport fleets in other seas.

Therefore, the number of submarines lost by both sides is not very huge.

When the British and American aircraft carrier fleets and the German aircraft carrier fleet finished the decisive battle; Night has also quietly descended on the earth, enveloping the entire boundless Mediterranean.

"I have already advised you, don't act recklessly, today we have lost so many ships and carrier-based aircraft; How do you say that we will report and explain to Commander Ellusen-Will, and Prime Minister Churchill when we go back? ”

When the battle at sea was over, Sir Charles Molton Forbes came to Andrew Brown Cunningham and whispered.

"I said that I will bear all the consequences, do you remember the content of Prime Minister Churchill's famous speech?"

"In this battle, despite our defeat, we will never surrender, we will never give in, we will fight to the end, we will fight in France, we will fight on the oceans, we will fight in the air with confidence! We will defend the homeland at any cost, we will fight on the beach! Fight at the enemy's landing site! Fight in the fields and in the streets! Fight in the mountains! We will not surrender at any time. Even if this island, or a large part of this island, is occupied by the enemy, and starved, the overseas empire, which we have armed and protected by the British fleet, will continue to fight......"

"From now on, we must be fully prepared to endure more serious difficulties. For defensive wars, it must not be considered a foregone conclusion! We must rebuild the Expeditionary Force, we must rebuild the Expeditionary Force, we must strengthen the national defense, we must reduce the defense forces at home and increase the striking force overseas. In this great war, France and Britain will unite and will never give in, and will never surrender!"

Cunningham smiled nonchalantly at Sir Forbes's remarks, and repeated the content of Churchill's famous speech in the British House of Commons on June 4, 1940.

And at that moment, there seemed to be a sense of relief in his heart, which made him suddenly feel that his mood was very relaxed and comfortable.

Especially the big stone that had been suppressed in my heart was also relaxed at that moment.

He had no pressure at all, and everything was back to his lightest state, which made him fearless.

"You! I've known you for so long, and you're still so stubborn, as long as you think it's the right thing; You'll do whatever it takes, even if it's a big cost! ”

In this regard, Sir Forbes smiled bitterly.

"Hmmm! To achieve the goal, you need a persistent belief and action, right? ”

Cunningham replied with a bright smile still on his face.

"Perhaps! Anyway, most of what you're doing is right! ”

"It's just that this time in the battle, are we too reckless and pay too much price! I don't know what kind of hole cards they still haven't taken out of the German army that has finished fighting with us! ”

"I'm really worried about Hitler's demons, I don't know where to get a lot of new weapons and equipment, and the personnel will attack us and kill us by surprise!"

Sir Forbes, however, was suddenly worried.

"Let's see the move! I don't think our final battle will be worse than it is now, and we are now suffering a large number of casualties and weapons one after another! ”

"Whether it's the Navy, or the Army, or the Air Force; In that case, what do we have to fear? ”

"The casualties of the army have reached tens of thousands, and you see such a heavy cost of casualties; I am afraid that the moment of the fall of France can be compared; I don't think we've tried to report more casualties than this! ”

"Are you right? Sir Forbes! ”

Cunningham shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"This ......"

In this regard, Sir Forbes was speechless for a while.

Because Cunningham was right, their casualty reports had not so far surpassed the number of casualties in the Battle of Sicily, and in the present Mediterranean Campaign combined.

"Hey! I haven't drunk in a long time, and the night sky over the sea seems pretty good tonight, so why don't you join me for a drink, a snack, and a star? ”

Cunningham was speechless about the other party, but Cunningham was suddenly in a good mood, and proposed with a bright smile like a child.