I Became a Captain of the British Empire - I Became a Captain of the British Empire chapter 117

Pacific Fleet Battle (1)

February 25, 1931 at 4 am.

Offshore 160 nautical miles south of Wake Island. The flagship of the 1st Task Force “Akagi”.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, but the sky was expected to be sunny.

There are few clouds and not much wind. The waves are calm and the fleet is advancing safely with no stragglers.

“It’s a great opportunity for an air strike.”

Looking at the clear sky, Admiral Yamamoto muttered that. At the same time, Akagi’s flight commander made a report.

“Reconnaissance aircraft launched. The search begins.”

“Good. Don’t forget Jik-Eom-Gi and put more spur on your vigilance. You never know when and where the US fleet will appear.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

While listening to the confident answer, Admiral Yamamoto looked around with a worried face.

His flagship, Akagi, and Ryuzo following behind him.

The two aircraft carriers were surrounded by the heavy cruiser Myoko of the 1st Squadron of the 5th Squadron assigned as escort, Nachi and eight destroyers.

All of these are bait bags. It is a tool to draw out the US fleet.

Looking back at the majestically advancing fleet, Yamamoto thought to himself.

‘When the air raid is over, they’ll notice our presence.’

maybe you already know The US Navy isn’t neglecting patrol either. There is nothing strange about attacking at any time.

because he was anxious

Can this meager surface ship power be a shield for an aircraft carrier?

‘I brought the Royal Navy in preparation for that, but… .’

It was for that reason that Geari was accompanied by a Royal Navy battlecruiser.

Task Force Z, which has mastered the operation of aircraft carriers. If it were them, they would be able to respond without difficulty to the enemy’s air attack.

I wanted to see that skill in person.

“Have you heard of Admiral Lewis’s exploits?”

Looking back at Akagi’s captain, Admiral Yamamoto asked with a smile.

“well. I was impressed with the operation of the aircraft carrier. In particular, it is the fact that carrier-mounted aircraft are operated aggressively.”

“Right. But aren’t most of the enemies he faces are warships without aircraft carriers?”

A thoughtful Captain.

He rolled his eyes, then nodded his head.

“That too. I haven’t heard many stories about capturing an aircraft carrier.”

Admiral Yamamoto smiled and looked away.

A biplane-winged shipboard fighter roamed over the clear sky, but I only felt that it was somehow weak.

“There aren’t many examples of battles between aircraft carriers yet. In the Atlantic, they often broke away from the battle line early on. I mean, no matter how many direct moves you launch, raids will break through and infiltrate.”

From what he heard through the military attaché in charge, Yamamoto drew such a conclusion.

In short, an aircraft carrier is an offensive weapon. It should never be used passively for defense.

“Then the best solution would be to see and destroy it before the enemy sees it.”

Hearing the captain’s extremely principled answer, Yamamoto nodded.

“It would be nice if everything worked out so hopefully.”

As if I was anxious inside, I shook off my last regret.

The die has already been cast.

The first wave of strikes will hit Wake Island in the morning, and the US fleet will pop out. If so, just do what you can now.

Submerged in the sound of propellers that covered the sky, the admiral made a decision.

* * *

30 minutes later, 30 nautical miles to the right of the 1st Air Squadron.

Task Force Z’s flagship ‘Repulse’.

The sound of propellers echoing across the deck of the Repulse.

The bridge was busy with staff preparing for the operation.

“Prepare for reconnaissance launch.”

“What is the patrol range?”

“Unconditionally up to 90 degrees left and right to the east. Except for the combat patrol aircraft, all of them are launched by reconnaissance planes. Let the cruiser fly the seaplane.”

Booung-

A sound like a swarm of bees flies past the bridge. It was the work of the Osprey squadron that flew up from the Furious.

“Reconnaissance planes launched! Next is the combat patrol aircraft.”

Furious, sailing aft of Repulse, prepares a squadron of flycatcher fighters on deck.

Meanwhile, preparations were also completed on the left and right cruisers.

Heavy cruisers Cornwall and Dorsetshire.

“Squadron Flagship Cornwall enters the battle, preparations for launching reconnaissance planes complete!”

A cruiser equipped with catapults on the deck aft of the stack. Because it is only open-air mooring without a hangar, the payload capacity is only one. But now, one such scout is precious.

“Send it right away.”

Eventually, with the sound of gunpowder exploding, a Fairy IIIF long-range surface reconnaissance aircraft took off.

A total of 10 reconnaissance aircraft.

They will first search the dark waters of dawn. At noon, the second scouting party is sent out and the first scouting party passes through. This is a two-tier search method.

‘I’d like to fly a carrier plane from dawn and do a 3-tier search, but… .’

Another problem is that there are few carriers. It’s unfair that I should make a large aircraft carrier, damn it.

“Admiral, do you think an enemy fleet will appear?”

“Even if you don’t show up, there’s nothing wrong with paying attention. At least this is better than entrusting patrol to the Japanese.”

I shrugged my shoulders and answered the chief of staff asking a question while watching the reconnaissance squadron soar in the sky.

They probably haven’t developed the doctrine of reconnaissance flights yet. There may not have been enough time to reflect on the previous lessons.

But we don’t want to pass on our know-how for free. Then I just feel comfortable doing what I do.

“Our liaison officer looks at you with interest?”

“Don’t talk to me unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Glancing at the Japanese naval officer looking around from behind the bridge, I cautioned the chief of staff.

Liaison officer handed over for smooth communication with the 1st anti-war war. It’s obviously an important greeting. However, there is no need to hand over more information than necessary.

It is my job to separate them.

“For now, just focus on the operation.”

“Where will the enemy appear?”

“I don’t know. I just prepare for every conceivable situation.”

However, the US fleet appears unconditionally. They are not afraid of the size of their enemies.

Wake Island is right in front of Pearl Harbor. You’re going to stay still while the enemy fleet is approaching here? It’s a no-brainer.

Rather, it is much more likely to wait in advance and strike first from an advantageous position. Even knowing that, Yamamoto took me to the vanguard.

‘After minimizing the damage and figuring out their location, luring them to the main fleet… .’

A high-risk operation. It is a very difficult opponent to demonstrate the temperament of a gambling horse here.

“Have you contacted the Air Squadron?”

“Currently, the 1st raid sortie to Wake Island. It is expected to arrive in about 3 hours.”

“I hope nothing happens in the meantime.”

Trembling with an uneasy foreboding, I could only hope so.

… However, for over an hour, the reconnaissance plane did not send any contact.

“Isn’t that strange?”

The chief of staff asked with an anxious look.

It’s time for the raid to reach its goal around halfway. The fact that the US fleet is not visible until now… .

“At least there is no ambush?”

However, carelessness is prohibited. That’s right, because the cold sensation was still dominating the nape of my neck. feel cheap

After much thought, I made a decision.

“If there is no report from the 2nd reconnaissance party, the fleet will turn.”

“yes? Admiral, then how do we cover the first battle?”

The chief of staff asked back in surprise. Before long, the bridge personnel look at me at the same time.

He continued to explain while receiving puzzled glances.

“There are no surface combat ships around here. Then there’s no need for a battlecruiser to look at you.”

“Even so… Isn’t it dangerous?”

“It is more important to spot the enemy first. With our mobility anyway, there is no need to worry about being overtaken by the enemy fleet. More than anything, the right side is uneasy.”

Despite that explanation, the chief of staff still had a worried face. Was it too cheesy?

“For now, let’s wait for our beds. If you’re lucky, you’ll even find a wake.”

Naval battles are won or lost in reconnaissance.

I thought it would be okay to take a little time, so I decided to think calmly. I crossed my arms and looked out the window.

… Actually, it’s not me who gets robbed.

* * *

after about 2 hours,

The sea around 260 nautical miles south of the 1st Air Squadron.

Combined Fleet flagship flagship ‘Kei’.

“Entrance in the first round! The 1st raid has arrived! Surprise success! The 2nd raid is continuing!”

The bridge of the giant battleship, which commanded the combined fleet, was busy with constant reports.

“Admiral! Ambush is a success! Wake Island’s defense was weaker than we expected!”

An air chief reporting in an excited voice.

The fact that the aircraft carrier announced the start of the battle was very happy. But apart from that, Admiral Eisuke, buried in the clamor of footsteps, frowned.

“Can’t you see the enemy fleet?”

“Yes, Admiral. However, the sortie signal was clearly picked up.”

“Then where did you go? Are you running away to San Diego?”

Recalling the worst case scenario, the admiral opened his eyes. However, the chief of staff shook his head roughly and replied.

“It is not. There was no communication from our submarine. At least it won’t have crossed over to the Eastern Pacific.”

“Then where are you hiding?”

ok-

Uncomfortable moans filled the bridge.

The Pacific Ocean is wide. No matter how great a fleet is, it is like needles in the desert compared to the ocean. Finding single-dot targets in this vast space is no easy task.

Because of this, it wasn’t that the main force of the combined fleet neglected to launch reconnaissance planes. Even now, the loud sound of engines resounded over the bridge of Yeonsinkii.

“Maybe he’s heading straight to Wake. Tell the frontline task force to be extra vigilant. Fly the search flag one more time.”

There’s no way I couldn’t see this side’s movement. The US Navy must have conducted sufficient reconnaissance of Truck Atoll. If a large fleet of this size were moving, of course they would notice.

Then, where you went is important. In fact, even if the two fleets were solidifying their intentions of a decisive battle, they could diverge sufficiently in the ocean as long as the two did not disclose their positions.

If we can find it, we can defeat it… .

At that moment, a sharp voice pierced the admiral’s ears.

“Admiral! It’s the right time!”

The bridge personnel turn their heads in unison.

The communications staff member who answered the radio with an excited face hurriedly continued.

“Urgent report from reconnaissance aircraft! enemy raids! This ship is rapidly approaching from a bearing of 080 and a distance of 300 nautical miles! Number 60!”

“… A raiding party?”

it’s an air raid

If so, it means that an enemy aircraft carrier is nearby. As if to supplement his judgment, the chief of staff continued.

“In the Atlantic, the US Navy puts aircraft carriers behind battleships.”

“Then the Battleship Squadron is closer.”

Maybe the enemy’s target was the Marshall Islands… . If so, here’s the showdown.

Admiral Eisuke stood up, clenching his fists.

“Anyway, it’s good. Repel the air raid and immediately go out to meet the enemy’s main fleet! Entire fleet, prepare for anti-air combat!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

Countless answers filled the bridge.

While busy preparing for battle, the admiral peeked out the window. In front of his eyes as he turned around, dozens of giant ships were turning their bows all at once.

Looking at the row of steel that stretched all the way to the horizon, he murmured quietly.

“Today will be the day of glory for the United Fleet.”

It was the prelude to the Battle of the Marshall Islands.