The Isle of Wight is a small but geographically important island in the south of England. After France retreated from Britain across the board, it only took the Isle of Wight into its hands, in order to build it into a bridgehead to counterattack Britain.

The Isle of Wight is very close to the UK, only less than ten kilometers away. It is across the sea from Portsmouth, an important city in southern England. Since the United Kingdom drove France out of the United Kingdom with the help of the United States and Canada, it has been trying to take back the Isle of Wight. However, under the strict defense of the French team, they have not been able to achieve their wishes. The Isle of Wight is like a sword of Damocles hanging over the head of the United Kingdom, and it is in danger of being cut off at any time.

Especially after the restoration of the French Navy, the English Channel once again became the inland sea of ​​France. The French Navy wantonly provided supplements and fire support to the Isle of Wight, and it was even more difficult for the British to regain the Isle of Wight. [bsp;While France and the United States and Canada are desperately preparing for war, Britain is not idle. The navy and the United Kingdom do not have the strength to develop it for the time being. Even if it develops, it is so close to France, and it is not strong enough for the French navy. Therefore, the United Kingdom devoted all its national strength to the development of the army. Britain already has a large population, and with the support of the United States, there is no need to worry about issues such as insufficient arms. In just two years, the army has grown to 60 divisions, and as long as the war lasts for three months, they will be able to arm 60 divisions again. Its war potential is no weaker than Canada.

The United States has also seen this, so it has taken full assistance to the United Kingdom. From the perspective of the United States, it is undoubtedly the best result to be able to drag France to the European battlefield and isolate the war from the mainland. The more power Britain consumes from France, the safer the United States will be.

Another country above the British Isles, Ireland is completely different. Not only did they not expand their army, but they reduced a lot of troops. In the end, only 10 divisions of the army remained. Anyway, they are small countries, no matter how many troops they have, they cannot resist the invasion of big countries such as France and the United States. It's better to be a fool on the wall honestly, and whoever wins will be a younger brother to whoever wins. Not only does he not have to work hard, but he can get a lot of benefits.

After betraying France and turning to the United States, the Irish government, in fact, has always maintained ties with France. After all, France is too close to Ireland, and the United States is separated by an ocean. It is obviously unrealistic for the United States to suppress France at the gate of France. Therefore, Ireland is not optimistic about the United States at all, and is always ready to fall into trouble immediately once the United States and Canada fail, and fall back to France.

Moreover, it was France that supported the Irish Revolution. Therefore, the Irish people generally agree with France.

The French army stationed a total of 4 divisions on the Isle of Wight, two marine divisions, one infantry division and one artillery division. A total of more than 60,000 people. On the other side of the strait, the three countries of Britain, the United States and Canada deployed a total of nearly 200,000 troops.

The artillery division of the French army includes a heavy 155mm howitzer battalion, two 105mm howitzer regiments and a 75mm field artillery regiment. A total of 12mén 155mm howitzers, 144mén 105mm howitzers and 72mén 75mm field guns, plus the artillery of the two marine divisions and the infantry division, the artillery on the entire Isle of Wight, exceeds 400mén. In the coastal area of ​​White Island, more than 20 artillery positions, large and small, have been arranged. The 155mm howitzers deployed in the Ryde area in the northeast of the island were even able to hit the shells directly to Portsmouth.

In the past two years, the two sides have often engaged in some artillery battles, but basically the French side has the upper hand. Army equipment. The United States and Canada still cannot keep up with France.

In early June 1833, Admiral Davis of the US Navy rushed to Portsmouth in person, as the commander of the Davis Line of Defense known as the "Oriental Chain". With the recovery of the strength of the French navy, Davis felt more and more pressure. bigger. The powerful French fleet frequently appeared along the British coast, shelling barracks, artillery positions, ports and other important military facilities. The longer the time drags on, the worse it will be for the United States. Therefore, Davis arrived in person this time just to solve the problem of the Isle of Wight once and for all.

After regaining the Isle of Wight, France will at least face a dilemma without a bridgehead. If it lands elsewhere, it needs to be prepared to be driven into the sea by the US, Canadian and British armies.

At present, the US army concentrated in the UK has a total of 14 infantry divisions and 210,000 people, commanded by Davis himself. Canada also has 6 infantry divisions, 90,000 people, commanded by a lieutenant general named Siméng. The two countries add up to a total of 300,000 people. In order to recover the Isle of Wight, Davis directly mobilized 6 American infantry divisions and two Canadian infantry divisions. The British government also dispatched 10 divisions of troops, with a total strength of 270,000.

Although it seems that there are many people, it is not an easy task to send these troops to the Isle of Wight a few kilometers away, especially because there is a huge artillery on the island, and the other party can even get the help of a powerful navy . Initiating a landing operation without gaining command of the sea is no different from courting death.

In a secret military camp in Portsmouth, Davis presided over a pre-war military meeting. Only representatives from their three countries participated, namely Davis, Lieutenant General Siméng of Canada, and Fu Lieutenant General Fall.

"Gentlemen, our goal this time is very clear. It is to capture the Isle of Wight and take down the bridgehead for the French to attack Britain. In that case, even if France is strong, it will not be easy to set foot on Britain again. ’” Davis said firmly. The entire Davis defense line was established under his strong advocacy. If the nail on the Isle of Wight can be pulled out, the entire defense line will undoubtedly be made more stable.

"Your Excellency Davis, I fully support this action. However, the French have already established the Isle of Wight as solid as a rock. The island's fortifications and artillery positions, not to mention the barrier of the strait. We don't say we want to take the Isle of Wight, It is quite difficult to even land troops on the Isle of Wight." Lieutenant General Simeng said with some concern.

"Yes, Your Excellency Davis. Besides, the strength of the French navy has basically recovered now. With the support of the navy, it will be even more difficult for us to land on the Isle of Wight!" Although Forfar hoped to win White even more Island, but this kind of behavior is obviously sending to death, only a fool can do it.

"Don't worry about the French navy. I have already contacted the navy, and they will cooperate with us when the time comes," Davis said. He is not only the supreme commander of the Davis Line, but also the head of the US Navy. The U.S. Navy operating in the waters near the United Kingdom is the U.S. 5th Fleet, the 9th Fleet, the 11th Fleet, and the Canadian 3rd Fleet. The four fleets have a total of nearly 170 large and small warships, which are not much different from the main force of the French Navy, the Channel Fleet. It is very possible to defeat the French Admiralty, but it is not a big problem to resist the French Navy and facilitate the landing on the Isle of Wight.

"But General, this is more of a European region, and the French Navy not only has a Channel Fleet, but also other powerful fleets." Simon was still a little worried.

"The navy is only holding back the French navy for us. As long as we can send enough troops to wait on the Isle of Wight within two to three days, then the mission of the navy will be completed!"

"So, Mr. Davies. What do we need to do in England?" Forfar asked. After Davis' explanation, he found that Davis's plan was quite sure of success. As long as seven or eight divisions can be sent to the Isle of Wight, then taking the Isle of Wight will not be a problem.

"First of all, we need to prepare a large number of ships, at least 500 or more, capable of transporting more than 3 infantry divisions and equipment at one time. In addition, we need to prepare enough cannons, at least 1,000 mén or more, so that we can suppress them when crossing the sea. French artillery!" said Davis.

Fauvell wrinkled the coals, collected the ships, and the problem was not great. Britain is originally a maritime country, and the most indispensable thing is merchant ships and fishing boats. It is not a big problem at all to gather 500 ships. But if you want 1000mén artillery, it is more difficult~lightnovelpub.net~The British Army only has 3 artillery divisions in total, and the number of artillery for each other infantry division does not exceed 20mén. Although the total number exceeds 1000mén, they are scattered all over the country, and it is not easy to gather them together.

After Foffer shared his difficulties, Davis asked him to call at least one artillery division over. Adding the artillery of the 10 British infantry divisions and the artillery of the American-Canada Allied Forces, the total number was about the same. It is still very possible to mobilize some from other places and make up 1000mén.

By mid-June, everything was ready. However, the large-scale mobilization of the US-Canadian and British forces naturally attracted the attention of the French army. The troops stationed on the Isle of Wight canceled all their vacations and entered the first level of combat readiness. The same is true for the Straits Fleet, which has always maintained a small fleet consisting of one "Heavy Cavalry" class warship, two "Light Cavalry" class warships, four "Bayonet" class warships and six "Dolphin" class warships. Cruise around the Isle of Wight and be ready for the unexpected. The main force of the Strait Fleet is also ready for support at any time. In addition, there are two marine divisions ready to go. Once Wight Island changes, they will quickly land on Wight Island for support under the protection of the navy.

June 12. The weather was very clear, and the well-prepared US-Canadian and British forces first began shelling the Isle of Wight. The Battle of the Isle of Wight was also the official start of the war between France and the United States and Canada two years after the truce.