I Became a Captain of the British Empire

North Atlantic Fleet Battle (1)

On a chilly morning, under a cloudless sky, the sound of gunfire breaking the surface of the water resonates in the ears.

“Check the impact! Wontan!”

“Damn it, you’re getting away with cooking!”

Black smoke drifted from the horizon seen from the bridge. A thunderous roar echoed across the sea, and water columns large and small sprang up everywhere. Even in the midst of this, there was no time to even step on the bridge due to the constant reports.

“A hit from Tiger! Enemy Omaha-class light cruiser on fire!”

“Now I’m guessing.”

Tsk, he clicked his tongue and muttered at the watchman’s report. I looked at the horizon and saw a thick cloud of gray smoke rising.

That guy is dead now. Anyway, how many shellings has this already been?

It has already been an hour since I discovered a squadron of cruisers that appeared to be an enemy scout fleet. They started pursuing immediately, but the two cruisers were still alive and moving.

Except for one ship whose engine went out in the early battle, they had not yet captured a single ship. A ship that repeatedly evades desperately at more than 20,000 meters is difficult to hit even from this side.

“Correspondent! Any contact from the flagship?”

“There is no other story.”

I turned my head in doubt, but it was the same this time. After spotting the enemy reconnaissance fleet early in the morning, they intercepted it, but the flagship still did not say anything other than a message to pursue the enemy.

What are you thinking?

However, the opponent’s movement was also strange. Even though the fleet of only a few cruisers could not escape with all their strength, they clumsily kept their distance and provoked.

The Omaha-class light cruiser has a speed of about 35 knots. Currently, the fastest repulse in our entire squadron is 30 knots, so if they set their mind to it, they can easily defeat us.

A thump and a thump rang out loudly. At first, I thought it was our auxiliary gun fire, but I soon felt a sense of incongruity. The distance was too far to shoot secondary guns, and the gunfire was slightly different. Soon the report came in.

“Enemy bullet hit the center deck!”

What? Are these guys hitting the gun?

“Maintenance chief! Report the damage!”

“One of the port anchors is broken.”

“What else?”

“doesn’t exist.”

What is it, is it right?

When I looked up from the bridge and looked at the middeck, there really was no sign. All it really was was one lifeboat that was broken. Slowly, I tried to recall the distance from which the shells had just flown.

Now that the distance is 21,000… This is almost the maximum situation. If the bullets shot with eyes closed are enough to hit, how many shots have you fired?

Anyway, the lucky shot was all I just had, and all the other shells were making water columns. Some of the shells were so far away that it was questionable if they had been aimed.

Anyway, I’ll have to prepare for it soon.

When the operation officer noticed, he crumpled earplugs into his ears. The sailors on the observation deck shrank even more, and the officers held their breath. For a moment, a chilly silence reigned over the bridge.

Shortly thereafter, the sea collapsed.

You might call it an exaggeration. However, there was no other way to describe the sight in front of me.

Faced with a storm of ferocious 15-inch guns, the water surface has been damaged beyond words to shred it to shreds.

A huge shockwave reverberated throughout the ship, and thick graphite covered the sky. An enormous noise that tingled my ears engulfed the ship.

Before the shockwave even dissipated, everyone put their binoculars on and looked at the horizon.

The target is an enemy cruiser that just got hit by a Tiger and fell behind.

It took more than 30 seconds for the bullet to land, so I called the operation officer for a while.

“What do you think these guys are up to?”

Since even the squadron staff member aboard the Renown had been injured in the previous battle, the operations officer was also serving as a partial staff member. The operation officer, who had been struggling with his chin on his head, replied with a tilt of his head.

“You’re trying to bring us in front of the main fleet, aren’t you?”

“Isn’t that all there is to it?”

He nodded in agreement.

Even I think so. A manned unit that draws in front of an ambush fleet in advance. It’s like a Jutland battlecruiser mission.

But the situation is very different. At the Battle of Jutland, Beatty’s battlecruisers were manned by German battlecruisers of the same class. This is because auxiliary ships such as light cruisers do not even have time to handle the firepower of battlecruisers.

However, the US Navy pushed light cruisers against them. Only 3 ships with the same number. As a result, although it was late due to the limitations of high-speed and long-range artillery fire, more than half of the enemy force was disengaged within an hour. It was an unplayable fight from the start.

However, this was not an advantage either.

“I don’t understand why you want me to pursue them, but… .”

The problem is the flagship’s instructions. From morning until now, all I have been issuing orders is to pursue the enemy unit. What the hell is it that you can get by chasing them? It’s just frustrating because I don’t know the intention of the command.

As I was sighing with my mouth covered, a column of water rose between the black dots on the horizon.

“A shot!”

I hurriedly took out my binoculars. The water column sank and a great plume of smoke rose high into the sky. Soon, sparks flashed like lightning, and thick smoke spread like fog. The long hull leaned forward on the fire-scorched water.

“Silence the enemy police officer!”

Cheers erupted from everywhere. As long as they fight from yesterday, they will win consecutively, so the morale of the flight attendants is truly sky-high.

“good. change the target by leading.”

There is only one Omaha class left. You will have to take turns shooting with Tiger. I ordered the signal officer to show the signal and sat down in the captain’s seat.

Incapacitated by two 15-inch guns. After all, light cruisers are no match. I’m just curious about the US Navy’s intentions against such weak people.

Really, is it just driving his men to death?

Captain Raynor, the captain of the light cruiser Memphis, took the ride in a cold sweat. This is because the helmsman collapsed due to the impact of the shell landing. He hurriedly grabbed the wheel and looked out the window panting. A column of water as large as a building rose from the side of his boat.

‘Damn them, they’re following me seriously!’

Gnawing his teeth and gripping the steering wheel, he thought while looking at the plume of soot flowing from the horizon. The smoke from the two battlecruisers continued in a long line, indicating their long chase. Even as it slipped through the water column, Memphis’ hull was etched with large and small wounds.

Water holes continued to burst in the bottom of the ship, and the deck was full of sailors who collapsed and fell into the sea. It was a scene reminiscent of hell on the surface of the water, but the captain did not give up. An important mission pressed his mind.

“Follow me a little longer… little bit more!”

He looked at the horizon like a curse and muttered, clenching his fists.

Admiral Hozzers swallowed a groan as he stood in front of the bridge window and looked out over the sea. From Nelson’s bridge, which was located 70 nautical miles from the rear of the war zone, there was no gunfire or long smoke from stacks. Therefore, the only thing he could know about the progress of the battle was the report through the telegram.

“Entrance in Repulse! Destroy 2 enemy light cruisers! I suggest stopping the chase!”

“Stop?”

Hodges asked while looking at the communications officer.

“It’s kind of strange that they hold on to almost everything and let go.”

Admiral Charles, commander of the 2nd Battleship Squadron, opened his mouth in a questionable voice and approached. The admiral turned to listen to his story.

“Wouldn’t it be better to catch them all and gain an advantage in scouting? No, that’s already enough criminal record, but… .”

“Well, you have a point, but it is true that they have gone too far. If you go to a distance where mutual cooperation is difficult, you can get into trouble when their battleships show up.”

When Hozzers unexpectedly affirmed his judgment, Admiral Charles relaxed his expression as if he had changed his mind. He was by no means ignoring the battleship trains of the US Navy. No, I was rather nervous. You’ll soon be facing those mighty South Dakota-class battleships.

“Then you might as well signal to come back. A cruiser would be able to handle it with the power of an air force.”

“I agree. Is the reconnaissance plane’s report still there?”

“No response.”

That was Air Chief Martin’s answer. His complexion was dark, perhaps because of the series of sad news. Hodges, too, could not stand the uncomfortable groans.

Already the fourth non-return news. The good news is that you can guess the approximate location with this.

“Where were all the reconnaissance planes that went missing?

“It’s all northwest. ah! There is no news from the south for one gig!”

It’s a chance. The admiral thought so. Looking at the chart handed to him by the chief of staff, he opened his mouth with a worried face.

“Is there a fleet in the south as well? No, not sure yet. We need to step up our northwest reconnaissance. There is a good chance that there is a fleet over there.”

“Admiral, the reconnaissance plane may not have been able to find the fleet and is late. Still waiting for the report… .”

At the advice of the air chief, the admiral shook his head.

If the reconnaissance plane is intercepted several times, it means that there is a fleet around it.

He couldn’t help but think so.

“We don’t have time. We must break through the resistance right now and go to Newfoundland.”

The admiral, who dismissed it with one word, continued looking at the horizon outside the window.

“Even if I were the US Navy, I would try to block that path.”

It was an empirical formula.

They have no reason to avoid a showdown. You want a sure bout rather than an uncertain gamble.

If so, the Royal Navy is only responding to it.

“Tell Repulse. repeat the order Lead a squadron and advance in the northwest direction. Report the enemy fleet as soon as you see it!”

It was the admiral’s decision.

Three hours after the pursuit began, a column of water rose through the smoke screen where the enemy light cruiser was hiding. I followed him pretending to be lured in, but the enemy’s main force didn’t even poke a nose.

Are they really around here?

“Captain, soon the distance from the main force will increase to 70 miles.”

The navigator approached with a worried face and said. Calculated in nautical miles, it’s a whopping 130km. It’s like moving forward until you can’t see it beyond the horizon. This is a condition that can result in the entire squadron being isolated if done incorrectly.

I had a bad feeling about it,

“squadron! Reduce your speed to 20 knots! And the communicator! Call for air strike support on the flagship!”

“yes! Send the message!”

The officer tilted his head as if wondering.

“Captain, shouldn’t we ask for direct action, not air strikes?”

“No, it’s an air raid. In any case, the enemy aircraft carrier can stop it somehow. Now we have to worry about getting rid of them and returning to the base.”

There is another situation that you need to worry about the most right now. individual breakup.

A scenario in which the main force and the battlecruisers are separately defeated by the US Navy in succession. This is because it is difficult to maintain a force equal to that of the US Navy with only a squadron of battleships. Must have maneuver cover from battlecruisers.

That’s why the mission of our squadron is so important. However, since yesterday, it feels like things are only twisted.

“What about the reconnaissance plane report?”

“No news. Wasn’t it shot down… .”

Reconnaissance aircraft are being shot down one after another. That’s never a good sign. I glanced at the horizon as I let out an echo-like gunfire through one ear. The last remaining cruiser was blocked by the water column and disappeared.

It was then.

“Port-side watch report! Defense 220! 10,000 streets! A squadron of unidentified aircraft, continuously approaching this ship!”

“Prepare for anti-air combat!”

Without panic, he immediately shouted. In an instant, the atmosphere on the bridge changed completely. While the officers were screaming, they raised their binoculars and looked up at the sky. A squadron with biplane wings was approaching with their noses out.

There was no talk of a friendly squadron coming, so it must be the right flag. That means there is an aircraft carrier nearby.

“Correspondent! Send a circular formation signal to the squadron and contact the flagship right now! There’s an aircraft carrier nearby!”

In the meantime, the communications officer, who had mastered the command of a rapid-fire cannon, quickly wrote a telegram. In the meantime, anti-aircraft gunfire was already heard from the deck. Black smoke spread through the blue sky. I swallowed dry saliva while chasing the movements of the enemy formations that dispersed through binoculars.

For some reason, I didn’t have a good feeling.

Meanwhile, Admiral Hozzers, who received the telegram, immediately shook his head. One answer immediately came to mind.

“Contact the Furious and tell them to hit the enemy aircraft carrier with an airstrike.”

“Are there any additional orders for the battlecruiser squadron?”

After thinking a little about the chief of staff’s question, he continued.

“Send the battlecruisers as well. Because we need friends to lead the raid. If our torpedo bombers grab him by the ankles, we could finish him off. In the meantime, this fleet follows the battlecruisers at full speed and prepares for a decisive battle with the enemy battleship row!”

“Yes, I understand!”

The operation proceeded swiftly. A beacon went up on Nelson’s mast, and the row of steel forts changed direction all at once. From Nelson and Rodney at the head to the battleships with triangular masts at the rear. It was a march of monsters,

‘They put the aircraft carrier in the rear. If so, it is said that a squadron of battleships is lurking in the nearby waters… If the battlecruiser squadron quickly catches the aircraft carrier and catches their rear, we can launch a firefight with an overwhelming advantage!’

Get a better position! The number is one more on the other side, but it is enough to cover the disadvantage with formation. In such a melee, the Royal Navy would never be defeated.

That was the Admiral’s idea. Everyone in the Royal Navy must have felt the same way.

“Port-side watch report!!”

“what?!”

Koogoo Palace-

Until a salvo of 12 armor-piercing shells flew nearby.

Admiral Taylor stood proudly on Montana’s bridge, which was busy with the confirmation of the first shot.

“You owe a lot to our intelligence department.”

He was filled with indescribable exhilaration as he watched the Royal Navy’s battleship row with smoke billowing in the distance, arms folded.

Was it because the raid was successful? No, the operation is just beginning. It is not an opponent who will kneel with a single preemptive shot. The feeling that gripped the admiral now is the excitement of encountering a suitable rival.

It was a bit far from the virtues of a top commander, but he didn’t care. On the contrary, I thought that bringing in any naval officer would have a similar reaction. It’s a decisive battle with the legendary Royal Navy.

“But the damage is too great. As expected… .”

“Fortunately, Memphis succeeded in evacuation. Enemy battlecruisers are also being held by the Langley Air Corps.”

At the report from the staff, Admiral Taylor was able to relax a bit. It was fortunate in misfortune.

In order not to forget their sacrifice, they must never lose the battle unfolding in front of them.

“The first shot landed!”

At the report of the watch, the admiral and officers all raised their binoculars and looked at the horizon. A towering column of water descended from behind Nelson’s hull.

“It’s wontan!”

“From now on, within 3 bullets, let’s fire a narrow-barreled bullet!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

It may be an unreasonable request, but the squadron commander answered with a confident face. Taylor nodded in satisfaction.

Leaving behind the squadron commander who was harassing his subordinates, Admiral Taylor thought of the giant ships floating behind the flagship like a magnificent fortress. The Atlantic Front, once treated as a reconnaissance force, now had an imposing main force.

It was the start of the fleet battle that I had been dreaming of. There is no way you can take this opportunity and lose!

The admiral clenched his fists and shouted.

“fleet! Course to 310! Engage in a synchronous battle with the enemy ships!”

“Enemy ship fires!”

Before the signal even went up, the watchdog shouted as if screaming. The admiral admired inwardly.

It’s amazing reaction speed. Indeed, the Royal Navy.

While the Royal Navy counterattacked, the squadron of US Navy battleships turned their long lines and aimed their guns towards the Royal Navy. As the second round was loaded into Montana’s gun barrel, Nelson’s nine 16-inch rounds flew at lightning speed and collided.

“Red bullets hit!”

A shock wrapped around the admiral’s body. In an instant, he opened his eyes wide in embarrassment.

Did the first bullet hit the bullet? What kind of monstrous skill is this!

However, as soon as the ship regained stability, he was relieved to see the water column sinking in front of the bridge window. It was just that the bullets had landed at close range. That alone is already a scary skill.

“Report the damage!”

“Enemy 1 shot close by! No damage to this ship!”

“It’s a scary skill to say that the first shot is close.”

A shadow fell on the faces of the officers who heard the report. However, the admiral rather raised the corner of his mouth.

of course. This level of skill is the Royal Navy. I was fully prepared to shed blood and came out.

he exclaimed in a confident voice.

“I look forward to the results of this commander’s second installment! Let each ship work harder!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

As if stimulated by his shouts, the staff moved busily. A series of shelling from follow-up ships covered the sea. Gun smoke covered the sky and a roar roared. Soon after, the admiral smiled quietly as Montana’s second shot spewed fire.

The battle has only just begun.