I Became a Captain of the British Empire - I Became a Captain of the British Empire chapter 90

Naval battle off the coast of Tunis (1)

“I would like to hear the reason. Admiral Frett.”

Clapping his hands, Hoover took a deep breath and said. Admiral Frett pursed his lips for a moment before continuing.

“Because we cannot waste our precious fleet pointlessly.”

“Do you view the defense of the Philippines and the Far East as meaningless in the navy?”

“If it’s an impossible mission, then yes.”

Hoover wrinkled his eyes. Right before an unpleasant groan came out, the admiral hurriedly added his words as if covering his mouth.

“As I repeat, it is unreasonable to project enough capital ships into both oceans with the current strength of our navy.”

“The Pacific Fleet now has battlecruisers and aircraft carriers.”

“It’s not that kind of problem. It’s a matter of whether or not you put all your effort into one side or the other.”

frustrated. President Lee lacks knowledge about the grand strategy.

Of course, since the United States has never experienced such a massive war in its history, it is natural to wander. But isn’t he the supreme leader? You must not remain an idiot forever.

Frett pointed out with a confused face.

“Isn’t His Excellency unable to focus on either side?”

But Hoover, arms folded, answered as if to lightly break his expectations.

“So we have to get rid of one of them beforehand.”

“If it had been done overnight, we would have occupied Canada and crossed the Atlantic in no time.”

Of course, if it weren’t for one variable, it would have been possible to annihilate the enemy in the fleet battle.

Recalling Admiral Taylor’s mistake, Fret gritted his teeth.

But war is what it is. As long as you throw the odds at the gamble, of course you have to bear the price.

“The defense of the Pacific is unreasonable. All that is possible is to block the Japanese vacuum with the existing fleet.”

“Then what about the Atlantic Ocean?”

“If it’s around the middle of next year, it’s worth a try. By that time, the newly commissioned battleships will have completed their training and will be in full force.”

“You always ask for an unreasonable amount of time.”

that’s what i want to say You jerk.

In front of Hoover, who shook his head, the admiral gnashed his teeth inwardly.

Who was forcing the Royal Navy to end the war within a year? Even that was to drive the navy to the front for its position.

Frett thought that soldiers should not meddle in politics. At least I didn’t want to be distracted by image-making like that idiot in the army. However, recently, there was even a slight skepticism.

If I had acted like him, I wouldn’t have been swayed like this… … .

As I was just lowering my head in a complicated state of mind, a knock rang through the room.

“Come in.”

“Your Excellency, this is a report from the director.”

Queek, Hoover’s aide who opens the door and enters.

Glancing at the admiral with a troubled face, he looked up and whispered to Hoover.

“Good job.”

Hoover’s expression hardened.

Soon, he nodded his head in a calm tone and waved his hand. He followed the aide with his eyes as he quietly left the room, and immediately looked at the fret.

“Admiral Frett… I heard you well.”

Looking at the sharp gaze, the admiral had a hunch about what the president was about to say.

“Today’s story ends here. i’ll call you back later Just go inside.”

Admiral Frett turned around without hesitation. Something must have happened.

* * *

Mediterranean sea, 50 nautical miles northeast of the port of Tunis.

Task Force Z’s flagship ‘Repulse’.

The waves of the night crash against the boat and resound. Using the thick darkness as a shield, the fleet moved quickly. The chief of staff, who was looking around in the dark of the bridge, whispered in his ear.

“I don’t see a single guard ship.”

It is only 120 km away from the Sicilian coast. Because the strait is narrow, monitoring is not difficult.

But the surroundings were so peaceful. Even during the daytime reconnaissance, the enemy’s patrol boats were not very visible.

I deliberately answered in a clear and concise way to chase after sleepiness.

“Because they all locked themselves in the harbor. Isn’t it our job to knock it out?”

“But I don’t know if it will be okay with me.”

anxious voice.

I just looked back without answering.

The only ships that will form Danjongjin and follow are only three flagships. 12 destroyers and 2 new heavy ships are escorting them, but they are not very helpful in a fleet battle anyway.

On the other hand, the expected number of enemy battleships is at least four.

It was difficult to say that it was not a disadvantageous situation.

As far as I can remember, night warfare by battleships was not envisaged in Italian naval doctrine. Taking comfort in being safe at night, I continued.

“We have to believe in the power of our air force.”

If the power is unstable, run away and stop. If you can do it, then you can engage. Anyway, we have the advantage in reconnaissance.

“Is the enemy unaware of our departure?”

“It came out late at night, but you’d guess.”

“I’m coming to intercept.”

“Probably from Naples. But judging from the lack of pursuit yet, it seems they haven’t found us.”

After leaving Gibraltar, it was a fleet that avoided enemy reconnaissance by changing its course and camouflage several times. Looking back, there was no corner to be found out.

That means the Caracciolo-class will be scouring the western Mediterranean by now. If it joins with the Eagle of the Eastern Mediterranean, it can stably strike the old battleships of Taranto.

“Where is the Eagle Carrier Strike Group now?”

“Probably 100 nautical miles southeast of Malta.”

“It’s too far.”

The chief of staff responded by clicking his tongue as if he couldn’t help it.

“Because you have to keep some distance to be safe from enemy battleships.”

“As expected, I am anxious because my feet are slow. Did you say there are no enemy ships around?”

“If that were the case, we would have been asked to be saved.”

“Good thing. … It should be like that in the future.”

Holding on to the railing, I looked out the dark window and secretly sighed.

Unlike the Furious, the Eagle, which is a modified hull of a normal battleship, has a maximum speed of only 25 knots. Faster than Taranto’s old-fashioned Italian battleships, but also dangerous if caught by the Caracciolo-class.

This is a fundamental limitation of battleship hull remodeling aircraft carriers, including Bairn. That’s why our high-speed fleet has to step in. The risk is too great to come from Eagle to the Western Mediterranean.

If the rendezvous in the eastern Mediterranean is successful, the blockade of the Adriatic can be lifted and joined with the Austrian War Navy. In that case, a decisive battle with the Caracciolo class will be possible enough.

okay… only if it goes according to plan

“We will break through the strait in another 30 minutes.”

“How long until sunrise?”

“An hour ahead.”

“good. Prepare to request air cover from the Malta Air Corps in advance.”

It was a moment when I thought I could hold on a little longer.

“Admiral! Find a light source ahead!”

pop-

Bridge crews with binoculars stared at the falling flares with their mouths wide open. Soon, countless lights covered the sky above the fleet.

“Prepare for battle!”

The first fatality after the start of the operation is the operation plan.

Watching the flashes of light in the sky reminded me of an old adage.

Blast flares flashed in the darkness of the distant sea.

* * *

At the same time, the flagship of the 1st Task Fleet of the Italian Navy, Francesco Caracciolo.

“Admiral, this is the enemy fleet! Two battlecruisers! Distance about 20,000!”

“You are trapped! You bastards!”

Waiting on the command bridge, Admiral Ricardi clenched his fists and stood up. The reward that he had been hiding on the coast for days, holding his breath, finally appeared as a clear ship in front of his eyes.

It was difficult for the admiral to contain his excitement.

“Entire fleet, start battle! Freedom to use all firearms! Let’s drown everything here!”

Kugu Palace –

The approaching Royal Navy and four battleships in a T formation illuminated the night sea with countless fires.

32 flashing guns.

Under the calmly sinking flares, countless water columns soared up.

“Check the impact. It’s close bullets, Admiral.”

“Don’t expect a hit. All you have to do is tie up with the destroyer squadron and approach by morning.”

The admiral waved his hand in response to the battleship commander’s words, then crossed his arms and quietly looked out the window.

After all, battleships are not intended for night battles.

The real focus was different.

“Didn’t you say there was an hour left until sunrise?”

“Yes, Admiral. That will be the last moment for the enemy fleet.”

“Until then, close the distance to within 15,000. At this level, even the Invincible class would not be able to withstand our fire.”

The surprise attack at dawn is just a means to close the distance. The real engagement will take place in the morning. Until then, the task of the destroyer squadron is to keep the enemy at bay.

“We want our destroyers to struggle.”

The admiral muttered as he watched the destroyers rush out all at once, backed by naval gun fire.

Originally, the Italian Navy’s night warfare was not centered on battleships. It is impossible to push a valuable capital ship into an uncertain night battle.

However, in order to deceive the enemy, it was necessary to take a certain risk. So the admiral threw a gamble.

“Prioritize the vigilance of the enemy destroyer squadron.”

“But, Admiral. This could make the torpedo maneuver difficult for our destroyer squadron.”

“It doesn’t matter. All you have to do is tie your feet until morning.”

sniff-

With an uncomfortable cough, he glanced at the chief of staff.

“The decisive blow in naval battles is the responsibility of battleships.”

What are these four new battleships to be saved for?

It was his idea that when you put in, you have to push it boldly.

Just then, a first-of-its-kind large ship jumped out at the head of the enemy ships. The two ships that illuminated the searchlight soon poured out countless fires.

“Something?”

“It’s a cruiser! Enemy heavy cruisers are coming forward!”

“A heavy cruiser?”

Admiral with binoculars.

In the middle of his field of vision, a cruiser with a gun turret he had never seen before opened fire.

* * *

Task Force Z Flagship Repulse.

pop-

Flashes of light covered the sky.

Even in the middle of the night, on the bridge that was as bright as daytime, I looked at the pitch-black battlefield with frowning eyes.

It was full of gunfire and water columns, but Hamyeong could not be seen properly.

“Cornwall, Dorsetshire, engage!”

Two cruisers lined up ahead of Repulse turned on their searchlights.

A nimble destroyer revealed in the long beam. Soon, a column of water from an 8-inch heavy cannon covers the hull.

“Prevent the approach of enemy destroyers! Proximity torpedoes must be avoided!”

“Admiral! We must turn the boat around first!”

The chief of staff approached the car giving instructions and shouted.

Certainly, in the dark, it is difficult to discern even the movements of each ship.

“Tell me to turn the Furious first! If they turn at the same time, they collide with each other!”

“But if you go on like this, you’ll be sticking your head in the enemy!”

The chief of staff hurriedly pointed forward and shouted.

There were no boats, but the flashing gunfire was clearly visible in the dark.

“Admiral, make a decision!”

“Admiral!”

Embarrassed bridge personnel rushed in and shouted.

Damn, why is this happening to me? If you’re going to do it, go to Cunningham or Somerville! They are better than me, so why only me… … .

Anyway, my best seller is the best seller.

I swallowed my complaint and looked back at the bridge. I looked at each of the confused eyes.

Eyes with tension.

However, beyond the stiff face, trust beyond that was engraved in silence. Gathering courage, I barely opened my mouth.

“For now, our squadron should set course to the port of Tunis, and the Furious should retreat to the rear immediately.”

“Are you avoiding the engagement?”

The chief of staff asked with a hard face.

It is normal to retreat once. I’m sorry but I can’t help it

That thought was displayed on his face.

“No, I’ll run into it.”

… But my opinion is a bit different.

Looking at the bridge personnel with their eyes wide open, I spoke again clearly.

“Pump into the enemy line at full speed.”

Even a mouse bites a cat when cornered.