When he received the news from North Africa, Petain was furious, even though he had already been woken up by some hour before dawn.

The events of the past two days have already made him anxious, first the French warships in the British ports were detained, then the French West Indies, and the local French fleet was also disarmed, which caused the French navy to lose more than a dozen warships, and at the same time, Petain's dissatisfaction with this behavior of the British also reached the extreme.

And now, I didn't expect that the British would have more than that, and they were threatening their own Mediterranean fleet! This is simply intolerable to him.

"Tell the British that they're dreaming!" Petain shouted loudly, put on his pajamas, and walked into the conference room.

At this time, in the conference room, the other people were already seated.

Darlan also came, and just after receiving the news that the British had detained the French warship, Darlan, as the mainstay of the navy, received orders from Marshal Petain to hurry from the port of Toulon to the capital.

At this time, the capital was still in Clémont-Firan, because the city was too small and there were few houses, so Darlan lived in a small hotel outside, and he couldn't sleep at all these days, and as a result, after the news came, he immediately arrived in the conference room.

Hearing Petain's words, Darlan followed: "Yes, the conspiracy of the British must not be allowed to succeed!" ”

The French Navy is proud, and if it is swept away by the British Navy like this, it will definitely be a shame for the French Navy! Why did the French Navy listen to the British Parliament?

"However, the threat of the British is imminent, and if our fleet does not respond, I think the British will open fire." Admiral Esteva said.

The British, now that they have made a gesture, the French navy will either submit to the British navy or die.

This sentence was actually enough to provoke the French Navy, but now, it is clear that the French Navy is at a disadvantage, because they are not in combat readiness.

All warships are in a berthed state, the boilers are flamed, they want to fight, they must ignite the fire, and, for the steam engine, the boiler has just ignited, it is impossible to drive the steam turbine, and if you want the battleship to start, you still need to wait for time.

And during this time, it was enough to give the British a chance, and the British were ready for it.

Even, as soon as smoke rises from the chimneys of their own warships, the British will find out their intentions, and even immediately open fire on their own warships.

As an admiral, Esteva knew how urgent the situation at the front line was at this time, and that they could be attacked at any moment.

Moreover, it is clear that the British have brought in all the remaining main forces, and this fleet anchored in Algeria alone will not be able to compete with the British at all, and in the event of a conflict, their own side will definitely suffer.

"So, we have to stall for time." Admiral Darlan said: "In my opinion, it is better to send a telegram to Jeansur, asking him to talk to the other party's people first, to delay time, and at the same time, the warships of each warship are set on fire and ready to fight, and besides, the warships of the port of Toulon on our side must also rush there, and in the event of a war, our warships will not suffer." ”

Darlan's method was practical, and Petain was just about to nod his head when he saw his henchman Pierre Reival speak: "Everyone, why don't we inform the Armistice Commission directly of this matter?" ”

This armistice commission played a leading role before and after the surrender of France, or rather, it was a body that Germany had deliberately set up to control France more conveniently.

Now that France has surrendered, wouldn't it be better to let the Germans come forward in this case?

Hearing Pierre's words, Darlan immediately shook his head: "No, this is our French navy's business, and it has nothing to do with the Germans." ”

As a naval commander-in-chief, Darlan still has a high sense of honor, and the British have come up to provoke with great fanfare, and if they can't beat Germany, should even Britain be afraid?

Moreover, if with the help of the Germans, the British were scared away, then after that, the French Navy would have even more facelessness!

At this time, Darlang was quite determined, and he could do it without the Germans!

Moreover, he also knows that the main target of the German Navy is the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean Sea still needs to be controlled by the French Navy, so that the French Navy also has the need to continue to exist.

Perhaps, the Germans will requisition all their warships! The French Navy has no strength, and he definitely doesn't want to see such a scene.

This is a matter for the French Navy, and it has nothing to do with the Germans! Even the deterrence of a former little friend can't be dealt with, and the French Navy is too humiliating!

Darlang, resolutely opposed.

However, Pierre insisted: "Germany has many means of counterattacking surface ships, and at this time, it is enough to rely on German strength, so why consume our strength?" This was also caused by the Germans and should be handed over to the Germans. ”

Of course, Pierre has another meaning, now he is definitely hugging the German thigh, such an important matter, if you don't inform the German side, it is too uninteresting.

In this way, there was a lot of noise in the conference room, and time passed little by little.

The port of Mirskbir, with General Sur on his bridge, walked around, anxiously waiting, by this time, the east was gradually brightening.

Could it be that Marshal Petain was asleep when the telegram was sent and had to wait for him to wake up?

No, absolutely not, can't wait!

It was the third time he had sent a telegram, and now, looking at the British destroyer still beside him, he finally gave his order: "Colonel Holland, please come up, all warships, light up at once!" ”

His thoughts are almost the same as Darlang's, and now, he can only drag the other party first!

Simply, he invited his old friend Colonel Holland to come over, sit together, and discuss, and at the same time, his own warship quickly ignited and stored enough steam pressure before it could be dispatched.

It was a sleepless night, and there were many people who did not sleep, and Churchill, who was far away in London, sat in the wartime cabinet office at 10 Downing Street, and kept in frequent contact with his staff, the Admiralty, and the First Sea Secretary, awaiting the good news.

There is no need to think about the French mainland, if the warships of the French North African Fleet in the port of Melskebir are brought over, the British Navy will finally be able to continue to hold out for a while.