Under the bright sunshine, the Galway naval base located in southwestern Ireland was busy. The three old ships of more than 20 years old, the USS Belfast, Celtic, and Long Live Freedom, were docked next to Pier 1. The crane lifted the whole box of supplies onto the ship. The sailors in blue and white navy shirts were either sitting on a hanging basket or stepping on an inclined ladder, painting their warships with their own superstructures in a light gray standard color, but the walls of the ship showed irregular block patterns. This camouflage paint used to interfere with enemy gunners to judge the target speed had appeared as early as the last war and was adopted by navies of various countries for their good results.

Pier 2, which is adjacent to Pier 1, is docked with a light ship with a bow facing outward. They are in groups of three or five, like objects made from molds, with no difference in appearance. This is the Irish Navy's domestic destroyer group. From 1919 to 1931, the Irish Navy ordered five 1,000-ton hunter class destroyers, five 1,280-ton fire class and five 1,520-ton wind class destroyers.

These three levels of destroyers are favored by the navies of Germany, Ottoman, Spain, Sweden and other countries for their balanced performance and affordable prices. A total of 29 ships were exported, bringing sufficient power to the Irish military shipbuilding industry. Like the three old ships, these destroyers are also painted with block camouflage suits with blue, gray and white colors. The waterproof canvas covered on the naval guns and searchlights have been removed, revealing their exquisite and capable temperament.

Pier 3 on the north side of the harbor is the cruiser berth of the Irish Navy. Throughout the 1920s, the Irish people aimed to build a modern cruiser fleet, including two standard military-class heavy cruisers of 15,000 tons, one Danu-class heavy cruiser of 18,500 tons, six 6,000 tons, and one 7,500 tons Explorer-class light cruiser. Their cost is enough to exchange for two Markensen-class battlecruisers or five Allied aircraft carriers, but the Irish Navy did not choose the building-style development model in the air, but the light ship leader

The domain has created its own world. Among the four levels of light and heavy cruisers, the standard military-class heavy cruisers and the Fiona-class light cruisers once became the real standard equipment of the Allied Navy. In addition to the Limerick Royal Shipyard in Ireland, the Bremen Wiesser Shipyard in Germany, the Pula Naval Shipyard in Austro-Hungary, the **** Ansador Shipyard in Italy and the Faro Shipyard in Spain all built these two-class ships. By the early 1930s, there were 11 standard military-class heavy cruisers serving in the Allied countries, and there were Fiona-class light cruisers, thus setting an unprecedented and unprecedented military record.

At this time, there were 6 standard military-class sister ships "Ruger" and "Dagda", standard military-class sister ships "Ruger" and "Dagda", Fiona-class light cruisers "Oscar", "Gol-Mona", "Conan-Mona", and Explorer-class light cruiser "Pierre", which had just been in service for half a year. These majestic battleships were full of busy figures, and on the dock on the gangway, you can see many naval officers and soldiers carrying bags. They either had serious expressions, bowed their heads and said nothing, or looked confused. Military orders were like mountains, and they had to stop their holidays and rush back to the base and leave their families. Although their couples were sad, they felt even more indescribable that the battlefield was ruthless and the artillery fire was eye-catching. Once they went to the battlefield, it was hard to say whether they could see their beloved again.

His eyes turned to London, England. At noon, a luxury Mercedes-Benz sedan stopped in front of the door of No. 10 Downing Street. German ambassador Hansen Neuyhaus, wearing a black top hat, got off the car expressionlessly. He originally planned to stay for a moment, looking around the familiar street scene, looking a little sad.

There were many pedestrians coming and going on Downing Street. Some people noticed the German diplomat and looked curiously. Some people hurriedly passed by the nearby area without realizing that a major event was happening.

Under the guidance of a British official, Neuhaus walked into this world-famous official residence. No one expected that this historic building, along with this street with more than 400 years of history, would be devastatingly damaged in the upcoming war, and the glorious history of the entire London and even the British Empire would stop there.

Neuhaus was taken directly to Stanley Baldwin's Prime Minister's Office. This Conservative politician has the ability to lead a country, but not everyone has the courage and courage to face war. In recent times, he has been overwhelmed by the actions of major powers to challenge each other, threaten and even intimidate military forces. Sometimes he is determined to fight with the allies, and sometimes he is looking forward and wants to ease it. His swaying position has attracted many political circles.

The accusations of the elders are increasingly compared with Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and George Lloyd during the war. Many people also call on George Lloyd, who is in his 70s and has been retired for a long time, and former Navy Secretary Winston Churchill, a representative figure of the war faction, has also received more and more attention in recent times. With his life experience, qualifications and talents, it is not impossible to be ordered to take over the cabinet in the face of danger.

In such a terrible vortex, Baldwin was suffering every day, even every hour, every minute, so he looked like he had become a few years older.

"Dear Prime Minister, I would like to come to serve an ultimatum to your government on the order of the Emperor and Prime Minister of the German Empire. Your country must stop military mobilization within 12 hours, order the disbandment of reserve personnel who have been summoned or are on the way to recruit, and withdraw from any military treaty against the German Empire that has been reached, so as to ensure the national defense and security of the German Empire."

When the other party explained his purpose, Baldwin did not rush to speak, but filled his tobacco into his pipe that was always inextricably linked, lit a match and lit it, took a few sips silently, and asked in a gentle manner: "You have been in the diplomatic world for many years, have you ever seen such a brutal and unreasonable ultimatum?"

Neuhaus was stunned for a moment and rubbed his hands with embarrassment: "In the past few hundred years, the British Empire should have experienced more wars than any country. There are many reasons for starting a war. I think there are far-fetched and unreasonable statements. Personally, I really don't want Germany and Britain, two countries that once regarded as close friends, to this point. I can only express deep regret for this. Your country's previous series of actions have seriously damaged the interests of the German Empire and its allies. Now that things have come to this point, we, as government officials, are powerless to do anything about the development of the situation, and can only pray for good luck."

Baldwin sneered: "Everyone can refuse the responsibility for triggering the war. In the end, the winner has the final say. Please come back. In 12 hours, we will never be able to talk calmly like we are now. At that time, we will be enemies with opposing positions."

Neuhaus placed the note document in front of Baldwin, bowed slightly, and walked quickly out of the door with his hat in his hands. At the door, he turned around and finally glanced at his old foreign friend who had known for many years. His eyes were filled with helplessness and sadness, and then left without looking back.

Baldwin turned around and looked out the window. London was still so familiar and busy, but the Prime Minister was completely unsure of whether it would burn under enemy fighter bombardment and warship artillery when sunrise tomorrow. After meditating for a long time, he took out his previously prepared resignation from the drawer and tore it to pieces.

A few hours later, dusk arrived as scheduled. Limerick was still the prosperous and charming city under the setting sun. It is a towering tree growing on the barren land of Ireland, spacious and clean streets and alleys, complete public facilities and magnificent landmark buildings that make every foreigner visiting here amazed. It is the crystallization of the hard work and wisdom of the Irish people, the fruit of the diligence and dedication of the Irish royal government, the home for millions of people to live and work in peace, and a world-famous miracle place, and the pearl of the West that countless people worship. At this moment, it is shrouded in the low and sobbing air defense alarm sound, and this sound seems to have made the sunset in the sky dyed with compassion.

The war is coming, and this is a signal that the sound of air defense alarms conveyed to every Limerick resident. For a long time, the Irish royal family and government have rooted in the minds of the people in the hearts of the people. The military service system of the whole country has been supported by the whole country. Every healthy adult male must go to the barracks for training. They may not be the most elite soldiers, but in a critical moment, they can at least pick up guns to defend their country!

The army is only part of national defense construction. Limerick, which gathers one-third of the country's population, is not only the political and diplomatic center of Ireland, but also the absolute core area of ​​the economy and industry. It has been prepared to resist war since the beginning of urban planning. The equipment standards of fire-fighting facilities and equipment far exceed that of any European city. Air raid shelters have been dug under every park, square and stadium. Large-scale air raid shelters are found near every school, hospital and commercial area. Subway facilities can meet the requirements of air raids and fire prevention. There are also a large number of emergency evacuation places in the suburbs. National defense warehouses have stored a large number of tent sleeping bags and other emergency supplies. On those days of special significance, such as National Day, Belfast Return Day, and Cork Battle Anniversary, the Limerick city defense department will sound air defense alarms at specific times. Schools, hospitals and neighborhoods will also hold air defense exercises regularly or irregularly.

Standing on the large lawn of the "Forest Palace" like a carpet, Xia Shu quietly listened to the air defense alarm coming from the city. Although the active fighter jets in Germany and Ireland are more than three times that of Britain and will take a strategic offensive against Britain, and Ireland has the most advanced and complete national air defense system of this era, he still dare not slacken at all. You should know that Britain has a considerable bomber unit and a group of brave and determined pilots. The British side repeatedly said that they had the ability to raid and severely attack Berlin, but Xia Shu did not think they would try this difficult at the beginning of the war.

. Judging from the recent frequent aviation reconnaissance of Ireland by the British side, they are very likely to regard Ireland as a target for killing and warning the monkeys so that those countries that have no direct conflict of interest with Britain have some concerns about following Germany to join the war. In that case, the cast of groups of British bombers on the Irish territory will no longer be the imagined scene. Now, Ireland's fighter jets and anti-aircraft artillery troops have completed their scheduled deployment, but whether they can create another miracle in military affairs and completely block the British Air Force from the capital circle is still a big unknown.

Goodbye, peace!

In the years you have left, countless loyal and brave soldiers will shed their blood on the battlefield. Their families pray for their return safely and their country needs them safely.

Goodbye, peace!

When you are called again and again by innocent civilians, the barbaric war machine will wield sharp sickles, plunder tens of thousands of lives, displace countless people, and make countless people sad and painful.

May you return soon and be peaceful!
Chapter completed!