I Became a Captain of the British Empire - I Became a Captain of the British Empire chapter 139

Halifax Fleet Battle (9)

“Fleet, prepare for anti-air combat!”

Looking at the sky covered in pitch black with the dots of biplanes, Admiral Yamamoto gave a sharp command. The deck of the light aircraft carrier Ryujo tilted back in an instant.

Destroyers flocking around with the whistle blowing.

Taking advantage of the previous Pacific War, the pom-pom cannon was added and one high-angle gun was equipped on the deck.

Ryujo and Ashigara, the main pillars of the fleet, are also armed with considerable anti-aircraft weapons. I won’t be able to get rid of it like before.

Admiral Yamamoto crossed his arms and made that promise.

However, apart from that, the captain’s expression in the face of the air attack was extremely dark.

“Admiral, shall we call Jik-Eomgi here?”

“No, it is too small to say that two aircraft carriers are attacking.”

He quickly shook his head at the captain’s pleading question.

“Enemy raids are divided into 2 groups, or the rest of the raids will attack with a delay. If we focus all our efforts on the air strike now, we won’t be able to stop the follow-up.”

The captain, who was in a situation where he had to block the enemy with only his anti-aircraft guns, was in tears, but the order was not overturned. Yamamoto had long since given up on Ryuzo’s life and death.

More than that, there is an important matter right now.

‘Anyway, Ryuzo was sent because it was a force that could be destroyed… . The number of enemies is less than expected.’

The enemy aircraft that can be seen are estimated to be around 30 aircraft. Although it is a large number, it is too small considering the number of US aircraft carriers.

In Yamamoto’s experience, two full-time aircraft carriers can lightly form a raid force of 50 aircraft. Attack power that can guarantee damage even on a powerful capital ship.

But the enemy split such destructive potential in two.

Why?

‘You mean it has to be finished before tomorrow comes?’

This is Ryuzo, who was engaged in reconnaissance and air defense for the main unit until recently. According to the last report Yamamoto heard, the decisive battle is now nearing its end.

If his predictions are correct, the US Navy won’t be able to change the game until night. The Royal Navy’s destroyer squadrons are by no means small, and the US Navy is not accustomed to fighting at night like its Combined Fleet.

A situation where even that can’t save the superiority of numbers. In the midst of this, the battlefield where the night warfare unit can expect results… .

‘The outer battlecruiser squadron has the fewest escorts, and the forces are small.’

Yamamoto, who had been thinking that far, suddenly stood up from his seat with clenched fists. Heavy gunfire echoed from the deck of the Ryujo.

“Admiral? What are you doing?”

“How is the situation of the main unit?”

Watching the sky spreading smoke, Yamamoto asked the chief of staff. The chief of staff checked his watch and replied.

“… You should be making up your mind by now.”

Recalling the report of the record-breaking confrontation at a distance of 30,000, the chief of staff looked back at the horizon with a pity. Even in the confrontation in the Pacific, they did not see the game of the battleship row.

As a naval officer, there was no way I wouldn’t be indignant. With the biggest showdown in history right in front of you, supporting in an invisible place!

It was a chief of staff who even clenched his fists in regret.

However, Yamamoto struggled with his head lowered all the time with a face that was far from that emotion. After thinking for a long time, when Ryuzo’s high-angle cannon finally began to fire, the admiral opened his mouth.

“Captain, here we will endure somehow with your crew! Got it?”

“yes? Then the weaving machine in the hangar… .”

“It’s already too late.”

Yamamoto sternly cut him off.Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Pom Pom’s unique gunfire echoed as if they had been waiting for it.

“… I will do my best.”

With the background sound of the approaching propeller, the captain gave the steering command in a firm voice. The deck shook violently and the 10,000-ton hull turned.

Amidst the restless staff, Yamamoto pondered.

“Is it better for us to support them and make them go into debt, or… .”

The admiral turned around and his eyes were stained with the distant horizon. Immediately after, the sound of a dive came down on Ryuzo’s deck.

* * *

same time,

Offshore 300km east of Halifax Port.

The sea dyed the surface of the water in an enchanting blue color, hiding its colorful inner world in the darkness of the seabed. The dancing waves covered the surface, as if a living creature was stirring with will.

However, even that could not stop the steel fortress from advancing honestly.

Under the sunlight of the empire that will never fade, the sleek hull glistens brilliantly. Even the rough waves can’t stop her march and she collapses leaving white foam.

A majestic Royal Navy battleship.

As if imprinting the ruler of the five oceans on the sea, the thick player split the water surface with furious speed.

Unbelievable speed for such a huge body. At first glance, it runs on the sea with a movement that feels urgent.

Eventually, the steel plate, which had been sneering at the majesty of the huge sea, was torn apart by a bullet flying from somewhere.

An ear-piercing metallic sound. A riot drives the waves.

The huge deck swayed, and the gun barrels, like telephone poles lined up on one side, fired all at once.

The eight-gun battleship Queen Elizabeth roared like a wild beast at the enemy vessel that had wounded her bow. Hundreds of pounds of explosives detonated, and untimely thunder covered the deck.

While the sailors on the tripod covered their ears, the officers urged their next action. Through the forest of the water column, Queen Elizabeth led the sisters with a long tail-like wake.

Warspite, Valiant, Malaya.

Three ships of the same class fired at the same time.

Behind them, galloping at 25 knots, the Grand Fleet’s flagships Rodney and Revenge, Royal Sovereign, and Ramillies, three R-class battleships, were moving at 20 knots and slowly pounding the enemy ships.

“The 2nd Battleship Squadron, respond!”

“A hit on the enemy Pennsylvania class! Fire on deck!”

“Entrance in Centurion! An abnormality occurred in the engine department! We fall behind the line!”

Countless reports continued on the bridge of the flagship Rodney. The fleet, forming a line long enough to surround the horizon, was slowly but surely overwhelming the enemy fleet.

“Standard battleships deal with our R-class and 13.5-inch gun battleships. The rest concentrate firepower on 16-inch gun battleships.”

Sitting on Rodney’s bridge, the commander, Admiral Dudley Pound, slowly raised his hand and gave instructions. At the command of the admiral, countless cannons spewed fire, and countless forts marched over the sea.

He was the man who commanded the largest fleet on the planet in name and reality.

“The Great Sea Fleet enters the battle! I am asking permission to charge.”

“Not yet. Their firepower is not dead. If you step out in front of a 16-inch gun as a Mackenzen class, you will not be able to avoid dog death.”

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Pound swallowed a frustrated sigh as he watched the characteristic battleships enter and exit the line.

The power of the German High Seas Fleet is certainly strong.

However, it was nothing compared to the US Navy’s 16-inch gun battleships.

In fact, the Bavarian-class ‘Saxon’, which had been hit by a Colorado-class salvo, was falling behind in line with its No. 1 main gun turret devastated.

‘Bayern’ and flagship ‘Baden’ are still holding out, but the opponent is that South Dakota class. Every time the 12 giant cannons spewed fire, somewhere in the ranks of high-speed battleships, a cracking and burning noise rang out.

However, they are the only battleships that can match the speed of the new enemy ships.

Because of this, Admiral Pound was unable to break the line.

“To deal with new battleships with this old-fashioned attitude, Europe is also out of date.”

It was Admiral Pound who chanted so that the staff around him could not hear.

Even the fast-footed Monarch class of the Austrian War Navy is a level where you have to fight against standard battleships in terms of main gun caliber.

Fortunately for the pride of the Austrian Commonwealth, the Monarch-class did not lose out in a fight with its peers. The battleship ‘New Mexico’, which was targeted in the lead, was burning with the deck in ruins due to concentrated fire.

“New Mexico-class wave! About 5 knots current speed!”

“If it is confirmed that the main gun door is disabled, we will change the target.”

Upon hearing the admiral’s order, three R-class battleships and two Monarhi-class battleships opened fire at once. In fact, it was a record that the five ships were beaten together, but the Austrian Navy was also able to assert the significance of their participation.

The ranks of the US Navy’s standard battleships were slowly disintegrating before the power of their powerful 15-inch guns.

“The Pennsylvania class, the New York class, all fall behind the line. How about entrusting it to the 3rd Battleship Squadron?”

“Iron Duke has weak firepower. The 13.5 inch guns won’t even scratch their armor. Tell them not to go in recklessly until they completely lose firepower.”

Recalling the old-fashioned battleships following line after battleship, Admiral Pound frowned.

The 13.5-inch gun battleship group of the 3rd Battleship Squadron is truly a beast. Outdated ships that lack punch, defense, and speed.

Among the new battleships, even the Monarhi class, which has a small caliber, is equipped with a 35cm main gun, and in terms of inches, it is 13.8 inches. Even that, thanks to the new gun barrel, its short-range power rivals that of 15 inches.

Thanks to this, she was working hard to beat the enemy South Dakota-class as an assistant to the Bayern and Queen Elizabeth. However, even that was difficult for an old-fashioned battleship with slow feet.

Hearing the news of Ajax and Centurion’s fall, Admiral Pound waved his hand.

“If you have neutralized the enemy standard battleships, leave them alone. As long as you catch the 16-inch gun battleship, the rest won’t matter.”

Anyway, both commanders knew where the key was. A large-caliber naval gun with absolute power in battles between battleships. Equipped with larger cannons than their opponents, the sisters are said to be the key to victory in naval battles.

Both armies’ battleship rows of 16-inch guns marched side by side, pouring intense fire.

The Invincible, which was trying to catch the South Dakota player, was hidden from sight by a column of water from a volley. Soon, nine massive pillars of fire spurred the surface of the water and appeared splendidly.

The three Invincible-class ships commanded by Admiral Tompkinson were engaged in a fierce battle with the leading two South Dakota-class ships as the ace cards of the fleet.

Surrounded by concentrated fire from 16-inch naval guns, the South Dakota class was covered by a column of water and even its masts were not visible. However, the roar of fire from her 12 16-inch guns could be heard clearly from Rodney’s bridge 20 km away.

“Enemy flagship, in good health!”

“South Dakota-class ships No. 2 and No. 3 suffered no damage… A fire broke out on the deck of ship #4!”

It was only at the end of an hour-long intensive fire that the enemy’s new battleship proved to be a wounded being. Admiral Pound let out a weary sigh and ordered.

“He’ll try later. Now we need to focus our firepower. The 2nd Battleship Squadron and the Great Sea Fleet will continue to support Invincible.”

The simple power ratio is 12 to 4. However, if three 15-inch gun battleships are compared to one South Dakota-class, it is 6 to 4.

Even that, the Monarhi class was pushed back in firepower and the Saxony was devastated. The actual power cost is practically the same.

Seeing the struggling main forces, Admiral Pound gritted his teeth.

“We have to hurry up too. Admiral Cunningham! Rodney from your previous generation needs to take down the Colorado class.”

“Yes, no problem.”

It was Admiral Pound who was at least relieved to see Cunningham smiling. As expected, Cunningham gave the order to fire on Rodney as if he had waited. The West Virginia, which was fighting with its two remaining main gun turrets, flashed in a water column of volley fire.

“Did you say indipatigable? The maneuvers are impressive.”

Turning his head to his main squadron, Admiral Pound looked at a single battlecruiser wading through the forest in the water column.

Indie Pattigable.

Commissioning is delayed and breakdown is frequent.

However, she was also the most active ship in Task Force K. In North Carolina, which became the target of Indipatigable, sparks from repeated hits flashed.

“Admiral, isn’t that why you’re trying to break away from the squadron and act alone?”

“no. He hasn’t broken off the line yet. Rather, we are concentrating on appropriate artillery fire. Even so, you’re good at dodging your opponent’s shots. It’s great work.”

Shaking his head at the chief of staff’s question, Admiral Pound raised his binoculars.

“Is it different from being from Task Force Z? Admiral Tompkinson should also step up.”

“Admiral, the enemy ships are still intact.”

“of course. We have to make a decision soon, but I mean.”

It was time for Admiral Pound to focus his eyes on the target he saw through his binoculars.

“Look starboard!”

The bridge personnel turned their heads at the same time.

There is only one occasion when such a sudden report comes in.

“Bearing 080, distance 30,000! A number of enemy planes are continuing to approach our fleet!”

“It’s the 5th raid.”

Again the battle will be delayed. A sigh echoes everywhere.

As if waiting, the battle line of the US Navy was covered by a smoke screen from the destroyer fleet. The admiral raised his forehead and turned his head away from the smoke that stretched to the horizon.

“I don’t know if he will be okay. Admiral Lewis.”

The sea, whose gunfire had died down, only splashed without an answer.

* * *

Battlecruiser Rinaun.

6 pm. By the time the sun starts to set.

I asked as I watched the large formation disappearing over the horizon leaving contrails behind.

“How is Ryuzo?”

“Sink. He is said to be on the verge of retirement.”

The chief of staff with an embarrassed voice.

He couldn’t have imagined that things would turn out this way. I’m sorry for the Japanese Navy, but that’s what war is like.

There are more pressing things now.

“Admiral, it’s time for a night battle soon. Then Repulse becomes dangerous… .”

The chief of staff, who cautiously suggested it, soon lost his words. It’s probably a fact he doesn’t want to admit.

Repulse, which has been the target of intensive air strikes, is barely afloat at 12 knots. Although she is holding up well now, it will be difficult to protect her in the upcoming night battle.

But no problem.

“No, that’s not going to happen. chief of staff.”

If you can’t keep it, make it unnecessary to keep it.

“We are coming.”

Facing the approaching night sky, the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron turned their bows.