After the escort fleet anchored and stopped, a naval major and two captains came to the assembly point of the 31st Division: "From the 31st Division, you are from the 31st Division, right?" ”

"Yes sir!" A soldier saluted back.

"Where's your chief of staff?"

"He's stationed in the 217th Infantry Regiment — I heard that a company of the 217th Infantry Regiment got two horses, and they went over to eat barbecue." The soldier swallowed as he spoke.

"I'm going to enjoy it." The Major shook his head, "You take me over, and the ship that picks you up has arrived." ”

"Yes sir." When the soldier heard that it was finally his division's turn to retreat, he quickly nodded excitedly and led two naval officers to the 217th Regiment at the front of the team.

It didn't take long for them to meet Colonel Horton and the other senior officers of the 31st Division.

"Colonel Houghton! Hello! I am Major Strange in the Admiralty, and I am responsible for the evacuation of your division. Strange stepped forward and saluted Horton, then pointed to the two captains behind him and said, "This is Captain Finch, the captain of the K11 frigate, and this is Captain Stephenson, the captain of the K14 frigate." ”

"Good afternoon, Captain Finch. Good afternoon, Captain Stephenson. Horton smiled and shook hands with each other.

"Good afternoon, Colonel Houghton." The two also saluted and replied.

"Hehe, our division's road on the sea still depends on the two of us to take care of it."

"It is our pleasure, Mr. Colonel!" Both captains puffed their chests, but it was not known whether they were really honored.

"Mr. Colonel, prepare yourself and throw away all your equipment—including your rifles." "The barge will be there later," said the major. ”

"Rifles included?" Horton was stunned, "If we don't have a gun, are we still soldiers?" ”

"I'm sorry Mr. Major, but our navy must transport 100,000 men back to our homeland within three days." The Major shook his head and said, "To be honest, this request is really very difficult for us, so we have to throw away all qualities except people, even if it's just a bullet." ”

"What?" Horton frowned, "Isn't Operation Generator already overdone?" Why are you suddenly asked to bring 100,000 people back? ”

"Hmm......" The Major thought for a moment, then pulled Horton aside and whispered, "Colonel Horton, there is something you may not know, two days ago, the Royal Navy encountered the German High Seas Fleet in the North Sea, and we broke out a fleet showdown with them......

"Fleet showdown?" Houghton was taken aback.

Although battles between the Royal Navy and the German Navy have occasionally broken out since the beginning of the war, these battles are far from sufficient to be called "fleet battles" in terms of scale and results.

The Royal Navy's most recent "fleet battle" was the Battle of Jutland with Germany 24 years ago, when the British and German fleets poured out of the nest on an unprecedented scale, and the two sides were joined by a total of 250 warships, including 64 capital ships, and the battle ended with Germany sinking three British battle cruisers, three armored cruisers and eight destroyers to obtain a tactical victory, and Britain sank a German battle cruiser, a former dreadnought, Four light cruisers and five destroyers, but completely blockaded the German fleet in the port of Kiel, which ended in a strategic victory.

From the Battle of Jutland, which is also known as the "decisive battle of the fleet", it is not difficult to see how large the scale of the "decisive battle of the fleet" with the German army broke out in the North Sea.

"Yes, a decisive battle for the fleet." The major smiled bitterly, "All of our 6 capital ships and 6 aircraft carriers will face off against all 4 capital ships and 6 aircraft carriers of Germany. ”

"The result?" Horton glanced at the Major's bitter smile, "You guys...... Lost? ”

"It's not just about losing." The major shook his head and said, "The main force of the home fleet was completely annihilated, and only General Cunningham and 4 aircraft carriers escaped back......"

"Everything else is sinking?" Horton said incredulously. He couldn't believe that the Royal Navy, which had tied with the U.S. Navy for the world's largest position a year earlier, was gone.

"What about Baron Tovey? Baron Tovey also ......"

"Baron Tovey was also martyred, ...... with his flagship, King George V"

“Holy shit!” Horton couldn't help but scold, "Without the Royal Navy, how should we face the landing plan of the Germans?" ”

"That's why Mr. Churchill asked us to bring back 100,000 more men – if we can't stop the Germans at sea, then we'll have to stop them on the beach." The Major whispered, "And, Colonel." ”

As he spoke, he paused and pointed to the dense soldiers on the beach before continuing: "You and I both know very well that these soldiers are on the verge of collapse, and they are only supported by the belief that 'the Royal Navy will definitely come to pick us up', if they know that the Royal Navy has been completely annihilated......"

"I understand, Major." Horton nodded, "I won't divulge this news to anyone......"

"In that case, you arrange for the soldiers to line up and board the ship, and the fleet will depart in the evening."

"Okay." Horton nodded, and walked back to the troop station.

It didn't take long for several barges to come to the beach where the 31st Division was located.

"Alright, guys, the ship is here." A major staff officer at the division headquarters pushed away the crowd of people who wanted to get on the boat, "Let the people who are crowded in front let go!" Come according to the plan! ”

After speaking, he glanced at Peter and the others behind him, then took out a notebook and shouted: "Company C of the 217th Infantry Regiment!" Is C connected? Is there anyone from C Company? ”

"Yes, yes!" The company commander hurriedly took Peter and the rest of the 28 soldiers of C Company and squeezed up, "Sir, C Company is here." ”

"Count, are you all together?"

“1、2、3…… 17…… 27, 28, 29, OK plus me 30. The company commander saluted and said, "Commander C Company, the assembly is complete!" ”

"Okay! You were the first to retreat. The staff officer patted the company commander on the shoulder, then pointed to the two barges at the front, "Drop everything and take your men on board quickly." ”

"Understood, thank you, sir!" The company commander saluted again, then happily threw away everything he had—including half-eaten horse meat—and led the soldiers aboard the two barges.

"Why?" The others watched as the people of Company C got on the boat, and they were immediately unconvinced.

"Why did they precede us? We're in first place! "That's right! We're ahead of them! ”

"No why, obey the organization!" The staff officer ignored the shouting crowd and waved his hand.

"I think you eat people's soft mouths!" A daring soldier scoffed.