The news of the appearance of the Mediterranean fleet was soon transmitted back to Italy.

And the officers of the Combined Fleet, who had been waiting for the Mediterranean Fleet, immediately lifted their spirits after receiving this news.

Immediately Leffel summoned the people to take counsel.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received information that the N18 airship has spotted the Mediterranean Fleet sixty nautical miles west of Crete. According to the information, the ships that go to sea are basically here. ”

As the news was announced, the briefing scene immediately became lively.

"I finally found the figure of the Mediterranean Fleet, I thought they had sunk to the bottom of the sea, why didn't they show up for a long time."

"According to me, since they have appeared, then let's not wait, and go straight over to let them feel the wrath of our combined fleet."

"I think it's better to wait, don't let it feel wrong and go back."

……

At this time, the briefing scene was full of voices, and the captains of the ships and the commanders of the formations present spoke their minds one after another.

And all this was seen by the fleet commander, Vice Admiral Leffel, who saw him cough suddenly.

"Uh-huh!"

The voices in the hall were invariably quieter, which also showed Lefeel's prestige in the Combined Fleet.

Of course, he deserved all this, first of all, Leffel was known for his outstanding military achievements and abilities in the Kingdom Navy, and it can be said that as early as ten years ago, Vice Admiral Lefeel was named the helm of the next generation of the navy in the Italian Navy. This is not a low evaluation, and it also fully explains Leifeel's position in the navy.

Of course, relying on the status of the Italian Navy alone, Leffel could not convince the Austro-Hungarian Navy, what really convinced them and admired was Lefel's equal treatment in the combined fleet, and there was no distinction between Italian officers and Austrian-Hungarian officers and soldiers.

Maybe it seems that this is nothing in the eyes of future generations, but in this era, it is simply rare to be able to really do this, after all, now that nationalism is rampant in all countries, if you want to do this, are you not afraid of a backlash from your own officers and soldiers?

Of course, it was not enough to treat everyone equally, and Lefeel also impressed the officers and men of the Austro-Hungarian Navy with his outstanding ability. Compared with the Austro-Hungarian admirals, who had not experienced naval battles in these decades, Leffel had experienced several naval battles in Italy in the past three decades, and his rich experience was incomparable to that of Austro-Hungarian generals.

It is precisely the ability and prestige that can enable Leyfell to suppress the officers and men of the two navies.

"Ladies and gentlemen, about ......"

Just as Leffel was about to speak, suddenly a staff officer hurried up to him with a telegram.

"Commander, this is an urgent telegram from Rome."

At this time, everyone present looked strange, because it must be a very important situation to be able to break in directly at this time, especially if it was an emergency from Rome.

For the curiosity of everyone present, Leifell satisfied. "Ladies and gentlemen, the urgent telegram I have received only says one thing, the three French battleships of the Lone class have gone to sea this evening."

The French Navy sent three dreadnoughts at this time (the Paris was unable to sail together due to mechanical problems), in fact, in addition to planning for the Mediterranean Fleet, it also intended to participate in this decisive battle of the Mediterranean Fleet.

Didn't the French not want to join the British Mediterranean Fleet before, why are they willing now?

In fact, this was also a time and a time, and the previous refusal was because the war had not yet broken out, France did not consider itself weaker than the Germans, and the need for the British was not particularly urgent.

As for now, after three months of fighting after the start of the war, even the capital Paris has been occupied by Germany, and it is the mentality that it wants to grasp the straw, and naturally it is very much necessary for the British to share their pressure.

Then the British sent a request at this time, and the French had to be more cautious.

In addition, the sea power in the Mediterranean is also related to France's overseas manpower and material replenishment. It is important to know that half of France's overseas supplies are disembarked through Mediterranean ports, while most of the rest pass through the ports of northeastern France in the English Channel. As for the western coast facing the Atlantic, there are few ports available other than Bordeaux. (Because it faces the Atlantic Ocean, it will cause high winds and rough waves, which is not suitable for ships to dock and unload)

As for now, most of the ports in northeastern France have fallen, allowing more goods to go through the Mediterranean, and if Italy has control of the Mediterranean, it will be a disaster for so many French, which is one of the main reasons why the French are suddenly so cooperative with the British.

Of course, the secret reinforcement formation composed of four British dreadnoughts also added to the courage of France. As soon as they converge with the Mediterranean Fleet, then their strength with the Italian-Austrian Combined Fleet will change dramatically. Its capital ship will go from 17 to 13 to 17 to 20. The battleships will go from 12 to 10 to 12 to 17, which is a proper numerical advantage.

There is a very high probability that it will retain sea power, and at the same time keep Malta from falling into the hands of the Italians and let it continue to play the role of a nail.

Of course, the officers of the Combined Fleet were not clear about the secret reinforcement formation, but they had already seen the actions of the French.

As for being in the venue, Leifer's words also made the officers present blow up.

"The French are so obvious that they are trying to distract us."

"It can't be said that if we leave them alone, then there is a good chance that these three dreadnoughts will go to Malta to cause trouble, and in addition to this, it is also possible to join up with the British Mediterranean fleet, so we can't ignore these three French dreadnoughts either."

"But if the use of battleships is dispersed, then it will be contrary to the principles of this campaign, this is putting the cart before the horse."

"How can this put the cart before the horse, doesn't it matter the three dreadnoughts of the French, the reserve fleet may not have beaten these three dreadnoughts, and if the French converge with the British, wouldn't it increase their strength? Then the next showdown with the British Mediterranean Fleet will be full of more variables. ”

The renewed bickering in the venue represented two different opinions.

As to why there were two different opinions, it was simply because of the different emphasis.

Of course, as the commander of the fleet, Leffel was well aware of the difference between the two opinions.

The officers who were in favor of the rescue, if you look closely, will see that they are basically Italian naval officers, because the island of Malta is more useful to Italy, and they do not want to see the French go there to trick or treat.

As for the Austro-Hungarian naval officers who were keeping an eye on the Mediterranean Fleet, there were also a small number of Italian naval officers, who were more concerned about sea power.

And from Lefeel's heart, he actually agrees with the latter. Because the island of Malta is a dead position, it doesn't matter if it is not fought once, as long as the Mediterranean fleet of the British is solved, then the island of Malta can eat whenever it wants.

However, as a good fleet commander, it is impossible for Leifeel to directly agree with one side at this time, which will lead to disharmony within the fleet, so Leifeel intends to start from another side.

"Alright, everybody's quiet."

After seeing everyone's eyes attracted to him, Leffel spoke. "Now is not the time to argue about this, since the British and French navies are trying to distract us, then we cannot be led by the nose by the other side. Now I order the fleet to go to sea tomorrow and let them guess what we want to do. ”

Leffel's words made many officers shine, and this is indeed a good way. Staying in Taranto all the time is completely in the light, and who knows where the Combined Fleet is after going to sea, this is to turn the fleet into the shadows.

"Okay, since the commander has given the order, let's obey it, and we will go to sea tomorrow."

Vice Admiral Sidorol, who was the chief of staff of the fleet, opened his mouth at this time to stand entirely for Lefel.

Since the two commanders of the Combined Fleet have unanimously agreed, it is of course impossible for the captains and formation commanders present to express their objections.

So the Combined Fleet, after a busy night's work, also went to sea early the next morning.

At this time, the pressure is on the side of the British and French navies, and it depends on how they respond.

(End of chapter)