I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Naval battle off Newfoundland (4)

April 6, 1930 at 11:00 AM, offshore 200 km east of Nova Scotia, Canada.

During the last night, Mississippi’s ships were so busy reporting that there was no time to sleep.

A squadron of Royal Navy destroyers pursued the US Navy all night long.

Although driven out by the overwhelming numbers of the US escort fleet, it was difficult for the men and women of the fleet to even have time to properly rest. It was a bonus that the location was discovered without any gaps.

Fortunately, when the sun came out, the enemy retreated thanks to the pouring squall. However, even before the battle, the admiral was feeling tired.

In the end, the naval battle of the day began with a report from the gloomy sky like the admiral’s head.

“Enter the war from the reconnaissance squadron! Discovery of what is believed to be a large enemy ship! Defense 010! Eighty miles away!”

The communications officer, who brought the report from the torpedo bomber being scouted, handed a telegram to the admiral.

“Is it right around here? Enemy battlecruisers, or high-speed flyers.”

“Admiral, isn’t something strange?”

Next to Admiral Herbert, who was reading the full text, the chief of staff gave a puzzled voice.

“Why?”

“Didn’t we search for the location of the battlecruiser squadron and carrier squadron by radio interception?”

“yes.”

“But this wake… It’s a move that hasn’t been seen on either side.”

“What are you talking about?”

The admiral sent a glare. It was a signal to report in more detail, not to bruise. The chief of staff spoke calmly.

“The battle group, consisting of battleships and carriers, is most likely maneuvering from the northeast, according to the last communications. The battlecruisers will be following us due east.”

“It has been like that since yesterday.”

“But isn’t this track a very obscure position in between?”

“hmm… .”

Admiral Herbert reviewing the telecommunications again.

After receiving the chart from the navigation staff, I thought about it over and over again. Certainly, what he said made sense.

movement is strange

“Certainly, the trail draws a zigzag, but it looks like it’s getting closer to this side little by little.”

“A flyer that includes an aircraft carrier would have no reason to come close to us. The Battlecruiser Squadron… .”

“Woohyun, watch!”

At that moment, a loud gunfire accompanied by a piercing voice rang the Mississippi’s bridge.

“… There you are.”

“okay. Right.”

The command staff, who looked at the horizon in unison, could see the smoke rising from the same horizon. The admiral suddenly turned around and pointed at the air chief.

“What is the remaining flight time of the reconnaissance aircraft?”

“It’s less than an hour away.”

“The squall should end soon… First, wait in the outer sea area. Deploy the escort fleet to the front and rear, and the battleship line to spread out.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

The signal went up, and the bridge floor shook with sudden maneuver. The circular formation that surrounded the aircraft carrier collapsed in an instant due to the maneuvers of the giants. It didn’t take long for the steel forts to line up.

“Last time, we send out a reconnaissance plane, and if there are none, we will advance. If you see anything strange… Just reverse and retreat.”

“I will understand.”

Admiral Herbert nodded and quietly peeked behind the bridge.

A row of fortifications.

He looked at it with proud eyes and whispered.

“I hope nothing happens. Even if it’s just for a moment, it’s fine.”

With the shock of a distant column of water rising, Herbert’s words went unheard.

“late.”

As the sun began to break through the scattered clouds, I put down my binoculars. Yellow rays illuminated the surface of the water, sparkling like jewels.

They are probably exchanging intense fire over the horizon. It seems that the gunfire can be heard all the way here. Of course it’s an analogy. The distance is still not that close.

“What is the distance from the enemy fleet?”

“Forty nautical miles ahead. After 2 hours, we make contact with the enemy.”

The navigator, who was analyzing the chart with a protractor and compass, replied as if he had been waiting. The tiredness on his face was indescribable.

Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Probably one of the people who suffered the most in this year’s battle. I had to digest all the complex maneuvers. If it were me, I would have stretched out, that one.

I looked at him with pitiful eyes and turned my head.

“If you’ve come this far out to sea, you won’t be able to escape now.”

The pouring rain stopped, and the clouds receded in earnest. Bright sunlight colored the sky. He gazed at the late blue sky and nodded vigorously.

“ruler! Shall we go catch the slugs?”

As it is, I look back at the crew members.

From the navigator to the communications officer, the operations officer, the chief level officer, the air staff, and many others, they focused their attention on me. All eyes of trust shone.

Somehow, it seems that he was perfectly successful in hiding his inner thoughts.

“This ship will grab their heads ahead of the battleship squadron from now on!”

I’m freaking out, now.

In my nervous mind, the memory of the strategy meeting came to mind.

“Are you trying to lure and destroy the enemy fleet?”

“Yes, Admiral,”

Busy conference room.

Gathering reports and information in real time, we discussed next steps. At that time, we were the only fleet capable of maneuvering in the Atlantic Ocean, so the battle was being carefully considered.

“Yes, that’s a good idea, Squadron Commander.”

Admiral Pound, who held his hands together and raised them on the desk, gave an accent to the word ‘squadron commander’.

what? Who’s Mac? Sure enough, Hood’s captain, French, secretly shoots a glare. I’m embarrassed too, dude.

Just as I was about to clear my throat, the admiral opened his mouth.

“good idea. If we can catch them, we will be able to maintain the balance of power in the future. But how are you going to catch it?”

It was a key question, representing the center of the naval battle. He continued as if the story hadn’t ended.

“They are not stupid. If they knew our strength was superior, they would turn around without regret. Do you have any plans to bring such a fleet out of the country and into the distant sea?”

“there is.”

answered honestly. Admiral Pound raised an eyebrow in amusement.

“Okay, let’s listen.”

next. I took a deep breath and slowly worked out the plan. Concealment using scouting in rough seas, hit-and-run using high speed, waiting until the next day of scouting and then attracting enemies…

After hearing the whole story, Admiral Pound nodded in satisfaction.

“Okay, so how do we get the timing right?”

From there, there was nothing to say.

“… After discussing with the staff, I thought of discussing the appropriate method.”

“Are you relying on our proficiency?”

“So to speak.”

Damn, how am I going to control communications? Now I’m barely getting used to the captaincy.

However, the effectiveness of this method is well known. Later, during World War II, pocket battleships and Scharnhorst-class battleships roamed the Atlantic Ocean thanks to the stealthiness of the sea. So let’s use this as a fleet unit.

Admiral Pound glanced at me carefully, then shrugged.

“Well, I like you.”

unexpected reaction.

I blinked in surprise.

I thought it was surprisingly easy to pass…

“But there are some problems.”

There’s no way.

The admiral sent a sharp gaze as it was.

“First of all, it is difficult to get the timing right. And even during combat, you have to keep a proper distance. It’s not as easy as you think to combine outrange during combat maneuvers. And above all, if you maneuver like this, there is a risk of individual defeat.”

Having said that, he looked around the conference room. The captain and staff, who were said to be the best, tilted their heads.

“It seems like this is an operation where the skills of each of us, Mobile Unit H, are tested. Anyone have any objection to this opinion?”

silence.

Doesn’t seem to have much to say. Well, in a way, it’s a classic strategy tailored to our position.

Of course, some opinions came out, but in general, the atmosphere was moderate.

After that, it wasn’t my jurisdiction. This is because the admiral, who reviewed the draft of the operation, entered the meeting with the staff.

As a first-time captain, it wasn’t easy for me to get a say. In addition, most of them had similar thoughts, and the prepared strategy was there.

After discussing the appropriate course of action, the admiral called the captains again. Handing over the completed plan, he focused his attention on me.

“The important thing in this operation is your squadron. The operation is successful only when you successfully rendezvous with the battleships and hold the enemy battleship row. Are you confident enough to bear the weight?”

Resting his chin on his clasped hands, the admiral indifferently, but asked a serious question.

What can I say, I thought of many things, but there was only one answer I could answer.

“I should. I will try.”

That was the end of the meeting. So, to me, the nodding of the head now and the salute containing trust were good to me. Only the fact that thousands of lives were at stake in my judgment was in my head.

Damn, what if a guy who used to be a squad leader suddenly risked thousands of lives? You can’t be nervous.

But war shows no mercy to anyone. If I’m scared, I’ll die, damn it. At least I have to make a decision without hesitation. Yes, it was a burden that I had to take on someday.

“Go to course 000! Just like the key! Exclusive to Yanghyun!”

“Stay tall!”

“Yanghyun exclusive!”

The long ships of Repulse made their way through the foamy sea.

The sight of a huge ship crashing through the waves is always heart-pounding. I hope you can confidently push through this tension.

no No problem. Because everything works perfectly.

He shook his head and looked at the officer standing next to him.

“Today we’re going to have our best record, operative.”

He said it more forcefully than usual, and promised that.

Fragments of the broken sea hit the steel plate. The gun barrel covered in waves leaks steam and fires again.

A roar shook the surroundings.

“An enemy bullet! It lands!”

“Prepare for shock!”

It was an admiral who held on to anything around him, but in fact, he wasn’t that scary. As he expected, only weak vibrations pounded the Mississippi’s hull.

“Red bullets, close bullets!”

“Your gunnery sucks.”

The chief of staff brushed off pieces of paint that had fallen from the ceiling and looked out the window gruntingly. White foam rose beneath the collapsing water column.

A distance of at least 100 m.

The admiral said, relieved by the gap.

“It is far away.”

After the third contact from lunch, the distance between the two sides is 26,000m. Mississippi’s 14-inch guns were out of reach.

Of course, it wasn’t a surprise since it was expected in advance. More than that, there was something else that bothered Herbert.

“Why are you out-ranging now?”

He said in a low voice to hide his doubts. Not knowing the other person’s intentions is fatal. You never know what awaits beyond the invisible horizon.

‘Damn it, we need a way. Something… I’d love to hear some more info. Isn’t this like fighting with your eyes closed?’

“Admiral! Admiral!”

In the midst of such troubles, urgent footsteps rang the bridge. The chief of staff turned sharply toward the sailor who kicked out the door and listened.

“This damn thing won’t even salute… !”

“Reconnaissance aircraft report!”

For a moment, everyone was silent. Before the officers could speak, the messenger shouted out as if he was gasping for breath.

“Battleship… An enemy battleship has appeared!”

“what?!”

At the same time, shocking reports followed.

“Look ahead! Two enemy ships! Rapid approach from defense 010! Distance 23,000!”

The admiral knew what it meant to say that the sky was falling.

“The 7th! Coming soon!”

Fierce gunfire covers the sky. Orange flames scorch the air, and a roar vibrates as it breaks the waves.

“Okay, destroy the enemy ships at this pace!”

He shouted, clenching his fists. My heart trembled. My eyes were dizzy and my heart felt like it would stop. An unimaginable sight unfolded before my eyes.

A volley of battleships that probably formed a scene in the Battle of the Atlantic. Overwhelming scenes that I would never have dreamed of in my life demand judgment from me in real time.

Even in the midst of frantically giving orders to each department, the intimidation of the battlefield kept me captivated.

“Enemy ship! Go!”

“Hold your head! Break the key! Fifteen to the left!”

“15 to the left!”

Repulse increased its speed further, creating waves on the calm surface of the water. Even while changing locations, the new 2nd Battleship Squadron, composed of battleships Queen Elizabeth and Warspite, dyed the sea with endless fire as if to relieve the grudge they had been holding their breath for so long.

After all, it is a trump card that goes beyond the hood, and it is worthwhile to keep it hidden.

“Captain… Oh no, former commander! The signal has been raised in the Battleship Squadron! You want more orders?”

The communications officer hurriedly changed his words and turned to me.

Actually, it doesn’t matter what you call it.

“Let the battle continue as it is. We just need to lead the war like this.”

The officer nodded as if agreeing.

He, who had always expressed doubts about the operation, seemed convinced of our superiority when he faced the situation himself. Yes, that’s how you use speed.

Quietly staring at the surface of the water glowing with smoke.

Fifteen minutes ago, an American battleship row was about to appear on the horizon. Our force, which joined at point D, had been augmented with 1 battleship and 2 battleships. There was no reason to keep radio silence any longer, and I followed Hood’s instructions and headed the course.

“Entrance in the hood! Continue straight ahead to course 350!”

“It means grabbing their heads.”

A maneuver that obliquely obstructs the opponent’s path.

Showcasing a textbook T-shaped maneuver and launching a volley, numerous water columns rose from the ships of the US Navy.

From this moment on, they had no chance of winning. With a total of 22 15-inch guns, the Japanese invasion is not the firepower that can be blocked by two battleships in the vanguard.

If you compare it in terms of simple gunfire, it cannot be compared to the US Navy. The number of main guns of the New Mexico class is a whopping 12, and the old New York class boasts a number of guns reaching 10. However, the logic of Geoham Geopo cannot simply be explained by the large number of them.

The evidence unfolded vividly before my eyes. The two battleships hit by 15-inch guns caused explosions and flames all over the decks.

The leading New Mexico class received a number of hits on its broadside from the start. Only 5 bullets observed so far. The reinforced deck armor would protect the engine compartment, but a shell detonated from above would have shattered the internal structure and started a fire.

The follow-up New Mexico-class counterattacked in its own way, receiving fire from only Warspite, but this side also did not look intact. The cage-type mast at the rear had an ugly hole from a direct hit from an artillery shell, and thick graphite puffed up from the torn chimney.

They took noticeable damage every time they were hit by the 15-inch guns. However, the 14-inch guns only ricocheted or did minor damage to the armor of our battleships. Queen Elizabeth also took three hits, but the fire did not break out as violently as they did.

Obviously, the difference in dosage is huge. The charge of the main shells of our battleships is 22 kg. Compared to 14-inch naval shells, which carry about 14 to 15 kg, the power is inevitably different. The larger the caliber, the greater the difference in power.

As a result, by the time the Japanese forces crossed seven times, there was no ship that did not shed smoke from bullets among the leading US battleships.

“Enemy battleship! Narrow gap!”

Hearing the exclamation, I turned my binoculars. Between the water column, I could see the battleship completely wrapped. A cage-type mast and triple guns unique to US battleships. It’s like New Mexico.

“A hit bullet?”

“Estimated on one shot! oh! Check the heatwave on deck!”

In an instant, one of the sideways turrets flashed and stopped, emitting thick smoke. The flames shot up behind the massive ship.

No matter how you look at it, that’s a fatal wound.

“The turret is blown away.”

“With this, the enemy’s firepower has been lost by a quarter.”

The officer said in a hopeful voice. Its 14-inch gun is a dangerous weapon for us, even if it is not good enough for a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship. Repulse’s armor is only 9 inches long.

Fortunately, our good battleship is taking the shell instead. I’m going to have to hit it harder this time.

“Enemy ship, 4th shot! It is facing Queen Elizabeth.”

“Go in and give it a blow! Course 300! Break the key! 25 to the left!”

The bridge tilted slightly, and Repulse’s hull moved. The distance is now 19,000 m. Soon, the 12-inch gun battleships in the rear row will also open fire. Before that, you have to wipe out all the battleships in the front. The reason why they dared to bring them to this distant sea was to annihilate them.

In addition, the leading New Mexico-class battleship, surrounded by a column of water, fired the fire of the Japanese. However, the smoke covering the sea was not visible, and only the two main gun turrets fired sequentially from each other. Apparently there is a problem with the rear main turret.

The cage-type mast looked like it was on the verge of collapsing when a bullet grazed it. The following battleships had a similar situation. Burning smoke colored the horizon.

The bigger the caliber, the stronger the power. Even a difference of 1 inch cannot be ignored. Of course, the heavily protected engine room and ammunition storage are safe, but the external equipment is not.

“Enemy battleship! The main gun hit the base of the bridge! Fire!”

“Is it a fatal blow?”

For example, the bridge of a battleship that is currently burning.

I grabbed the railing of the bridge and hurriedly took up my binoculars.

“The battle might be over soon.”

Somehow, it feels like things are working out surprisingly well.

Just as the captains of the Royal Navy were asking such questions, Admiral Herbert, commander of Task Force 16, grasped the railing, feeling that there was no plan to change the situation. He barely stood up, bleeding on the floor damp with seawater, and looked around blankly.

“Is anyone safe!”

The bridge he looked back on was no longer the backbone of the command. It was just a burning coffin covered in blood.

“Chief of Staff… ?”

Admiral Herbert turned his head as he checked the fallen bodies. Smoke billowed from everywhere, and one wall was full of debris and ashes. The other side was stained with gore, presumably the staff.

I turned my head at the terrible sight. The admiral stumbled and stood in front of the Jeonseonggwan.

“Captain! Report the damage!”

“Are you all right, Admiral?!”

This is the voice I was expecting.

Relieved that the captain of the flagship was fine, he opened his mouth again.

“You fool! I’m fine, so report the situation first! Can the battle continue?”

“Ah, yep! Repairs to main turret number 4 are now complete! All turrets 2, 3 and 4 can fire! The engine department is no problem!”

Satisfied with the captain who reported the current situation like a rapid-fire gun, the admiral breathed in and shouted.

“Okay, turn course! With Defense 270! Catch those battlecruisers first!”

“Admiral, but then you will be exposed defenselessly to the battleships in the rear!”

“Believe in Idaho’s defenses! We, the Mississippi, must catch the enemy battlecruiser and fight the enemy battleship again.

With that notification, the admiral withdrew from the former castle building and left the burning bridge as it was. He went to the signal deck and shook off the hands of the medics approaching urgently, scolding his subordinates with a shout and ordering them to raise the signal.

“Even if we die here, we have to cut off their strength! Especially that battlecruiser!”

Admiral Herbert knew all too well the three-turret battlecruiser that was now spitting fire.

It’s the only new and rare ‘Repulse’ that hit the US regular aircraft carrier in the last decisive battle.

“I expected to meet him someday, but I never thought I would face him in such a worst situation… .”

The US Navy cannot be relieved in the future if it cannot catch a ship that is running around at a high speed of 30 knots. That’s why he glared at the pure battle, showing off his long hull with his venomous eyes.

“Let’s see if it gets hit by a 14-inch gun and is fine. You damn son of a b*tch!”

The admiral shouted resolutely as he saw Hamyeong blowing smoke through the burning window.

It was an unstoppable sea of fire. The furious gunfire of the 15-inch guns now vibrated deafeningly.

The smell of gunpowder is now as familiar as the air.

“Enemy New Mexico No. 2! Fire on deck! Speed down!”

At the watchtower’s words, I raised my binoculars and looked through the flames. A second New Mexico class followed, drawing graphite and flames to the Warspite’s barrage.

It seemed to be exchanging fire fiercely, but it seems that it is difficult to withstand the 15-inch gun.

The middle New York class is probably holding on to Hood and Tiger… The 12-inch gun battleships are still out of range, so it’s actually a 5v3 fight. It’s a fight that will remain even after it’s over soon.

“The ninth bullet landed! It’s a narrow gap!”

Lights flashed again on the lead New Mexico’s hull. It seems that a fatal blow is coming out slowly.

The distance to him was less than 17,000m.

As long as the 14-inch gun is alive, if we get hit here, we’re in danger, but fortunately he was busy dealing with battleships that weren’t ours.

“It will be over in the next 10 minutes. Send a destroyer charge request to the flagship! I need to clear the battlefield soon.”

The correspondent began writing the telegram. The sea, a mixture of burning smoke, debris, water columns and complex wakes, was no better than a huge dump. It was a sight that embodies disaster as well as the waves of the rough North Sea.

“Captain!”

For some reason, when I felt confused, the officer urgently called me.

“Why but?”

“Enemy destroyers have started spraying smoke!”

“what?”

I quickly picked up my binoculars and looked in the direction the officer was pointing. To the left of the leading New Mexico class, countless smoke billows rose like clouds over the sea.

“Are you trying to run away? But then he wouldn’t even be able to fight back?”

The smoke screen can be rectified by aerial observation anyway. We can’t just run away because we overwhelm them with speed. If you can’t get it right, you can hit the outer ships one by one. What do you mean?

That was the moment. Suddenly, goose bumps ran down my spine. It was the next moment when I heard the watchman’s report.

“Captain! Enemy guns!”

Nine guns fired at Repulse where I was standing.