Due to the merchant ship's close observation of the naval battle, the news spread quickly.

That afternoon, newspapers from various countries released special editions announcing this victory.

The military's "Merit Newspaper" remained as low-key as ever.

It did not comment much on this battle, only publishing a few pictures of German warships being sunk, taken from both warship and bomber perspectives. Notably, it devoted an entire page to detail and explain the sinking of the battlecruiser "Sedley."

The title read: "Salute to the brave officers and soldiers fighting on the front lines. Your victory is the pride of all French citizens!"

Other newspapers, which had no access to photos, could not even obtain pictures from merchant ships' perspectives.

In those days, it was difficult for ordinary people to own cameras, and taking pictures in such scenarios could be seen as espionage.

But the "Little Daily" still played to its strengths, providing cartoons of bombers carrying torpedoes, with several warships sinking below.

The article read:

"This is undoubtedly another thrilling victory. Our genius inventor Shire unexpectedly brought torpedoes to the sky."

"Do you know what this means?"

"Naval battles may be rewritten as a result. They are no longer just battles between warships. Their opponents now include airplanes."

"Incredible! No one expected airplanes could be formidable foes for battleships, given their cost difference by hundreds or even thousands of times!"

All of France was shocked by this news.

The younger generation reacted relatively calmly. Many of them did not realize the significance of this victory, simply seeing it as another win for Shire.

But the middle-aged and older generations were extremely excited. They had endured the decline of the French Navy and thought they would never see its resurgence, even with Shire's presence.

But suddenly, they found victory and hope right in front of them, so vivid that they could hardly believe it.

Many were moved to tears, reading the newspaper over and over, buying a copy of every newspaper, always hoping to find some different news.

...

The London "Times":

"This is undoubtedly a major victory. We have once again repelled a German Fleet raid."

"But the regrettable part is that the victors were not the Royal Navy but the French Fleet, a fleet we used to despise."

"But the main point is, they managed to sink the Germans' battlecruiser using airplanes."

"Does this mean they can also sink our battleships with airplanes?"

"Although I believe France wouldn't do this, we still need to consider a question: What is the advantage of the Royal Navy?"

"Are we still the world's most powerful navy?"

...

American newspapers gave only minimal coverage because, at this time, Americans were still generally engaged in the "Monroe Doctrine," focusing solely on their development without much concern for wars outside the Americas.

But Colonel Johnson, upon reading the reports, immediately sent a memo to his superior: "I think we should immediately develop bombers capable of carrying torpedoes. If we cannot develop them, we should purchase them, no matter the cost, because this may well be the future direction of naval battles!"

He sighed: "Lord, Shire is ahead again. I truly wish he could come to the United States. With him, we would own the world!"

...

Central London, War Office Building.

Although it was already late at night, the building was still brightly lit, with staff officers and communicators working tensely, food being transported by guards to various offices one after another.

Orders were given:

"Confirm whether the bombers carrying torpedoes is true and which model was used."

"Immediately conduct experiments on the 'Caproni' bombers carrying torpedoes!"

"Dispatch representatives to contact Shire. If possible, introduce torpedo bombers at any cost!"

...

In an office on the third floor facing the inner garden, Minister of the Navy Belfort was busy amidst a pile of documents.

(The above image depicts Belfort, who served as the British Prime Minister from 1902 to 1905, and as Minister of the Navy during World War I. He later served as Minister for Irish Affairs and brutally suppressed the Irish independence movement, earning him the nickname "Bloody Belfort." He is most famous for the "Belfort Declaration," which proposed establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine in 1917.)

For the Royal Navy, Shire's victory was nothing short of a nightmare. Bombers attacked warships with torpedoes quickly and precisely, leaving the warships almost no time to react.

Belfort, as the Minister of the Navy, had to urgently evaluate this combat method to determine the future development direction of the navy.

"Your Excellency." Suddenly, a staff officer hurriedly handed over a document: "This is an unfinished plan left by the former 'Minister of the Navy.'"

Belfort took the document, glanced at it, and instantly widened his eyes at the staff officer: "Are you sure this is real?"

"Yes," the staff officer replied. "An experiment was conducted in '14, when the former 'Minister of the Navy' had tested launching torpedoes from planes, but it was abandoned after just one failure."

"Bring him here immediately," Belfort ordered.

The former "Minister of the Navy" was now the current Minister of Military Supplies, with an office on the same floor.

In no time, the Minister of Military Supplies appeared in Belfort's office, a cigar emitting blue smoke clamped in his hand, seemingly heavily intoxicated. His face was as red as blood under the lights.

"What's the matter, Sir Belfort?" the Minister of Military Supplies asked, eyeing the surroundings and exhaling pungent smoke.

This used to be my office, he thought.

Belfort threw the document onto the desk: "Is this the experiment you conducted in '14?"

The Minister of Military Supplies casually flipped through it and replied: "Oh, I nearly forgot. Indeed it is, but at the time, it was deemed impossible."

"Impossible?" Belfort squinted. "But now it has become a reality."

Did he realize the Royal Navy might have missed a chance to dominate the world?

If Britain had discovered this technology first and developed it fully, today's embarrassing situation wouldn't have occurred!

"I know," the Minister of Military Supplies replied, turning to the last page and pointing emphatically: "You should look at this conclusion, sir."

"The planes back then were too light, only 80 horsepower, but were carrying 600-kilogram torpedoes."

"When the torpedo was dropped into the sea, the plane lost balance instantly, nearly resulting in a crash..."

Belfort examined the document more closely. Indeed, as the Minister of Military Supplies said, it was a failed experiment that everyone believed impossible to achieve, so it was shelved and forgotten.

After a while, Belfort asked with difficulty: "Do you think this poses a threat to our navy?"

The Minister of Military Supplies smiled: "That is for you to consider, Sir!"

You're the Minister of the Navy. I, as the Minister of Military Supplies, need to think about escorts.