Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

"On November 13, 1880, the Dutch-Danish combined navy continued to conduct exercises as planned at sea 100 nautical miles away from southeastern Scotland and northeastern and northern England to continue to test the joint combat capabilities of this combined fleet.

More than 10 ships of this fleet conduct joint sea area blockade control, and continuously organize day and night practical drills simulating land strikes, comprehensive attack and defense, and joint counterattacks in case of sea attacks to enhance the core combat capabilities of the ships. Among them, many cruisers, submarines, battleships, etc. tracked important targets at sea and launched simulated fire strikes.

On November 15, 1880, in the north of the United Kingdom, a fleet composed of several Dutch and Swedish warships followed the planned route, passing through the strait between the Shetland Islands (UK) and the Orkney Islands in both directions, and headed east towards Norway. Sailing in the direction of the second largest city, the port of Bergen,. Heading west and heading north to return to the Faroe Islands (Netherlands), the intersection of this voyage is between the narrow straits of the two major islands of the British mainland, forming an intimidating pressure on the mainland of Scotland in the north.

This exercise of the Netherlands and the multinational navies created many "firsts". First of all, this exercise has the characteristics of the British mainland. The three exercise areas presented an encirclement posture to the British Isles, which deterred and threatened the Dutch forces in the UK. External anti-Dutch forces have played a great role in deterring the country.

This includes the United Kingdom itself, France, and even countries such as Germany and the United States that are aloof from the Netherlands.

Secondly, this exercise for the first time set up firepower to pass through many straits in the British mainland that other countries have not entered in the past. These straits have always been tacitly recognized by the United Kingdom as British internal waters, but the Netherlands and Spain, the Netherlands-Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark conducted the exercise in the north, south and east. The three-party live ammunition shooting was the deepest, most powerful, most violent response and most deterrent threat to the British mainland in history.

Third, this exercise entered the Irish Sea in the United Kingdom for the first time, and headed towards the shooting range there. This area is facing Dublin, Ireland, in the United Kingdom, and goes deep into the heart of western England in the east, forming a threatening trend in the heart of the United Kingdom. British mainland back roads.

It even caused the British people who originally thought that the safest place in the world was in the west of England to instantly collapse this view.

With even here under threat, will London be safe? "

William IV asked, staring at Dutch Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd and Prime Minister Linden.

He continued: "In addition, the biggest highlight of this joint exercise is that all elements are included. The naval warships and submarines of the Netherlands and allied countries are all on display. The main force of the Netherlands in Europe and the flagships of Spain, Denmark, and Sweden are all on the battlefield. The joint seal Drills were conducted on subjects such as sea control, sea assault, land assault, sea control operations, and area denial."

William IV finally said: "Testing precision strike capabilities and area denial capabilities is the focus of this joint exercise."

Lyndon looked at William IV in confusion.

But William IV nuzzled at Mark Rudd.

The latter explained knowingly: "Your Majesty formulated this exercise subject in order to let the British Navy understand that the Netherlands threatens them. It actually shows that the Netherlands has the ability to formulate plans to protect the coastal areas of the Netherlands and its allies. All current exercises The progress of joint military operations has successfully completed various tasks, effectively testing the joint combat capabilities of our multinational forces."

Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd said, “The focus of this joint exercise of our multinational forces is to test precision strike and area denial capabilities. This exercise is set in the southern waters of the Norwegian Sea in northern Scotland. We have become The temporary command post, the Port of Bergen in the United Kingdom of Sweden and Norway, became an auxiliary port for the exercise.

If the British navy stationed in Scotland attempts to intervene or threaten naval exercises, the navies of the Faroe Islands in the Netherlands and Bergen, Sweden, will form a chain-horse formation to respond.

In the east, the Netherlands and Denmark are in the east and south of the North Sea, and the Swedish port of Bergen is in the north.

Facing England and Scotland in the west, they are in an absolutely superior position. If the United Kingdom dares to directly attack the exercise troops, it will face the Dutch European fleet in Amsterdam and the Danish fleet.

Their combination can at least compete with the British Home Fleet, not to mention that the south also faces a joint exercise fleet composed of Spain and the Netherlands."

William IV said at this time: "This time our exercise was so sudden that the United Kingdom could not even react, and other countries also wanted to use us to slap Britain in the face as if they were watching a show. Therefore, now our exercise can proceed unimpeded. "

Lyndon asked: "Your Majesty, you also said that we can only do this when the UK cannot react now. But when the UK reacts, will they face the fury of the UK? I am worried that by then, the UK may not be able to respond to us." Let’s go straight to war”

William IV shook his head and said disdainfully: "Based on the current situation of panicked birds in the UK?"

William IV went even further with disdain and said: "Queen Victoria has always been a woman. Although her past history makes people know her greatness, today is different from the past. The Netherlands has risen, and Britain's enemies are all over the world. Spain Forming an anti-British alliance with the Netherlands has made it difficult for the UK to take care of other things. With Sweden and Denmark, the UK is almost besieged on all sides. Although France is now on the side of the UK, no one thinks that the Napoleon family will be willing to be subordinate to others, and neither is Napoleon III. People who bow their heads and listen to their ears.”

"So" William IV said: "With the royal family's prestige in Britain, Queen Victoria will be smart and make a clear choice."

This time Mark Rudd asked: "What choice will she make?"

UK, 10 Downing Street.

Opposite Prime Minister Gladstone sat two political allies, Lord William Harcourt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Granville, the Foreign Secretary.

Lord William Harcourt, the Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, said worriedly: "This joint military exercise led by the Netherlands practiced the siege of the British Isles. The two of them also saw the whole process. This shows the strength of the Netherlands and other countries." Powerful joint strike capability. It has caused panic throughout the UK. It is said that many people in Scotland have signed a joint petition to impeach the Prime Minister."

Seeing Gladstone's disapproval, he said: "The Netherlands has established denial and precision strike capabilities this time. This is to show us their maritime capabilities, and it is also showing us directly at our doorstep. Let us have no illusions that the Dutch can easily win the war."

Greville nodded in agreement and said worriedly: "Not only Scotland, but also Ireland, were originally dissatisfied with our rule. I saw the Irish and the Dutch cooperating with the Dutch in North America to control the Commonwealth of America. I was very touched. I felt dissatisfied with the Dutch." They even want to use the relationship there to put pressure on us and try to regain the rule of Ireland. I am worried that now we are facing the coercion of the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Spain, which will eventually turn into an internal demonstration against the rule of London. - threats and protests, etc., and if Scotland eventually joins in, then we will."