I Became a Captain of the British Empire

March to the Sea (2)

Washington DC White House.

Admiral Frett, who was sitting across from him in the drawing room, shook his head. The person sitting comfortably on the opposite sofa had a fragile face and a small physique, but it was an opponent that could never be relieved. He is also the one who stands at the pinnacle of current American power.

“I heard that the East Coast is in trouble, Admiral.”

At President Hoover’s words, the admiral let out an uncomfortable cough. His voice was light, but his meaning was clear.

I mean, why can’t I do this?

“The recent terrorist acts on the East Coast are also regrettable.”

The admiral put a poisonous accent on the title of terrorism. Hoover, who was shaping his beard with one hand, continued his story in doubt.

“Rumors still circulate in the coastal towns that British battlecruisers may be bombarding them.”

“I assure you, that will never happen.”

At least I could be sure of that part.

If British warships approached the coast, the US Navy would be able to mobilize a variety of means, from coastal guns and submarines to torpedo boats and even aircraft. Only limited weapons. However, if deployed at the same time, it can deal with one or two battlecruisers.

Britain would not have the capacity to make up for the loss of capital ships at once. Even if a war of attrition is waged between capital ships, the US Navy can overcome it somehow. unless it is destroyed.

“The Coastal Command is also preparing countermeasures. First of all, from now on, all merchant ships will operate within range of friendly airfields. No merchant ship may leave the designated waters.”

It was the idea of Admiral Jenkins, a former commander of the Atlantic Fleet and now a member of the East Coast Defense Command. Since there is no mobile power to project power to the distant sea, the South wants to conduct only coastal operations.

This caused a significant traffic jam on the southern route, but at least it was better than being sunk in a pile while crawling on the open sea.

But that meant giving up the protection of foreign trade routes altogether. Hoover expressed disapproval.

The United States can somehow continue the war with its domestic economy alone, but it is still a formidable blow.

“Admiral, there will be a lot of resistance from the civilians to restrict the sea route. Of course, it’s an exhibition right now, but this… .”

“Your Excellency, we cannot possibly protect our merchant ships without doing this.”

With a grunt and a pained moan, the president shook his head. In front of him who kept his mouth shut as if struggling, the admiral asked in an anxious tone.

“Weren’t you prepared to make some sacrifices before the war started?”

“I know. i know. just… Nope.”

Hoover sighs and waves.

He too had a complicated state of mind, but it was a luxury right now to even have the time to argue with each other.

It’s a tough time for everyone.

“At least the South American transport route will be safe, right?”

“The Caribbean is a natural fortress in which our torpedo boats, submarines, and air corps are intertwined like a spider’s web. In addition, two additional battleships were recruited from Task Force 11 and deployed. Even a fast battlecruiser would not dare step in.”

“Then I’m relieved… .”

However, I couldn’t hide the uncomfortable feeling. Didn’t an airplane even fly into Norfolk, the home port of the Atlantic Fleet? Only two planes dropped leaflets at night, but that was enough to damage the image of the Navy.

If he gave up protecting trade routes here, then even Hoover would find it difficult to protect the Navy. Yes.

The president made up his mind.

“I am also anxious. Personally, I would also like to repel the enemy task fleet.”

“But sir, it’s really unfortunate, but we don’t have power.”

The admiral shakes his head as if he is dumbfounded.

However, Hoover sneered and continued.

“It’s not like that. Aren’t there two battlecruisers in the Pacific Fleet?”

Flash, both eyes flinch in surprise. Admiral Frett raised his head in bewilderment. Hoover, who raised the corners of his mouth piece by piece, told the story like a clearinghouse.

“If I join them as soon as the repair of the carrier is finished and form a task fleet, I think we will be able to intercept the enemy task force.”

“Excuse me, Your Excellency, where the hell is that plan… ?”

“I’ve been thinking about it myself.”

It’s a lie. Fret felt that way intuitively. There is no way that the president, who is a purebred, knows the military strategy so well. Surely someone must have tipped it off.

Faces flashed by the admiral’s bedside, shining suspiciously. A smart naval officer wearing a white cap immediately came to mind.

No way, Taylor, that cunning bastard… ?

The admiral was at a loss. Hoover leaned in slowly and whispered in a low but distinct voice.

“Call Constellation and Ranger to the Atlantic. This is a presidential order.”

“… All right.”

There weren’t too many choices.

* * *

Caribbean Sea, 200 km northeast of Miami.

“Enemy ship! Distance 15,000! About 30 knots!”

“To course 330! Attack in the designated order!”

“The seventh shot is fired!”

A vibration shook the water surface. A cry of steel enveloped the sea, and the smoke scattered in the sky in the form of pitch-black clouds.

Orange flashes twinkle on the distant horizon.

“Enemy fleet, return fire!”

“don’t mind! Concentrate on the bombardment!”

Because the gunshots deafened his ears, he shouted as if he was using evil. Fortunately, there was no voice asking if the voice was heard. In the distant sea seen through binoculars, the cruiser’s muzzle spewed fire.

A column of water from a 6-inch shell rises nearby. A water column terribly far away. In contrast, Repulse’s 15-inch cannon flew in a straight trajectory, creating a huge column of water like an iceberg.

“Narrow gap!”

“Keep aiming!”

I looked at the water column surrounding the cruiser. The shaking was moderate, and a hit bullet would come out soon.

The 4.5-inch secondary batteries also fired non-stop. A heavy, low-pitched voice pounded in my ears. The enemy destroyer that was charging was hit with numerous hits and stopped spewing graphite.

Before long, a tremendous scream overturned the sea. It wasn’t the sound of Repulse’s gunfire. When I turned my head, the huge battlecruisers following me were engulfing the sea with the flames of Japanese imperialism.

Tiger’s Japanese invasion.

A total of eight 13.5-inch main guns howled like beasts. Blast flares flashed like thunder.

About 25 seconds until landing.

I grabbed my binoculars and looked at the enemy ship clearly.

chilly wind. The familiar smell of gunpowder. Footsteps pounding on the deck and orders.

As the slightly burnt smell pierced his nose, a column of water rose in front of the cruiser’s hull. Three bullets bounced fragments as if they penetrated the side.

It was very brief. The cruiser’s hull expanded as if it were swelling. In the blink of an eye, a flash of light broke through the deck and burst out. Smoke from the explosion erupted like volcanic ash.

“Enemy cruiser stunned!”

Watching the flames rise like fireworks, Gyunshi exclaimed in excitement. Two fragmented hulls sank one by one against a blazing backdrop.

“Okay, we take care of it too! gunnery field! Hurry up for hits!”

“… We will try.”

A zero unsatisfactory answer. In fact, it has to be. Whether or not you get hit after narrowing is pure luck. Narrow gap only means that the enemy ship was included in the volley fire force.

But the flagship can’t fall behind, can it? As long as Tiger has achieved such achievements, we should also catch one.

“The 8th shot is fired!”

I quickly checked my earplugs. A storm swept before my eyes.

Flashes seen closer. A tyranny that rebuilds the sea level.

A hot wind brushed my face.

“Twenty seconds until landing!”

Hearing the report from the gunnery commander, he brought his binoculars to his eyes.

A burning horizon. Heavy oil floating on the sea surface. Ships sinking with their bows raised. It’s a sight that I don’t know how many times I’ve already seen it.

Soon after, a column of water rose from the landing site and an explosion occurred.

The cruiser, which had been speeding along with excitement, gradually slowed down, and soon began to tilt severely. Flames erupted from the stationary hull.

“Enemy cruiser sunk!”

Cheers filled the bridge. I took off my hair for a while and wiped away the cold sweat.

“It’s over now.”

“There is still a destroyer fleet left.”

“Focus on the secondary battery.”

After giving the order to the commander, he carefully sighed.

Including that guy, there are only three cruisers that have fallen prey to Repulse so far. A total of 14 ships, including sundry small ships like destroyers.

“Enemy destroyer, confirm torpedo launch!”

Hearing the voice of the watchman, he raised his binoculars again. There is no time to turn a blind eye.

A fleet of destroyers flanking in the distance. Are you spraying torpedoes?

He immediately looked at the helmsman and shouted.

“Turn the key! Uro 15!”

“Starboard torpedo approach! Distance 2,000!”

It’s coming too soon

I watched the approaching wake drawing a steep curve in the distance. Judging by the unstable trajectory, it must have been thrown in a hurry.

tilting bridge.

He continued to command, clutching at the railing for balance.

“on the other way! Fifteen to the left!”

The player returning by inertia eventually comes to a slow stop. After that, it changes direction as if turning its head. He stared at the direction the pointed player was pointing. By the time I got used to the vibration under my feet, I shouted at the helmsman again.

“stop! Stay on course!”

White waves spread across the water like a net, and the 30,000-ton hull went straight ahead. A chilly wake passed on either side.

“Return course, turn to 270.”

Voices of relief came from all directions. I walked from the window holding my pounding heart. In the passing background, countless sparks tumbled over the surface of the water.

* * *

“Enemy torpedo boats are retreating. Shall we pursue?”

At the end of the battle, an officer approached and asked. He shook his head and answered.

“No, we will pursue with our fighters. The flyer tells them to stay on course.”

“All right. However, the enemy merchant fleet is increasingly invisible.”

The operation officer looks out the window anxiously and speaks. Certainly, there are few enemy merchant ships that have been seen lately. The level that can be seen only when approaching the coast like today. Even so, because of the fierce fighting of the escort fleet, we missed a few ships without being able to catch them.

“It seems like everyone only goes to the coast… .”

“How about getting up close and engaging?”

“It’s too dangerous. You could get hit by mines and submarines.”

Also, you can’t just ignore the aircraft…

Repulse and Tiger are two battlecruisers, but the Furious is a problem. An aircraft carrier with a disabled deck has no value as a force.

“Then, where do you want to go next?”

“It doesn’t seem too bad to return to get supplies soon.”

The navigator interrupted the conversation.

“Since there are many things to do at full speed, it is time for the destroyer fleet to refuel.”

Opening the chart, he met anxious eyes and continued talking. Looking at the route drawn on the map, I saw a long winding line.

You’ve come really far

“Even so, I got a call from High Command.”

I looked back at the bridge and said that it was all right. Before long, the officers noticed that they had something to say and gathered their eyes.

tired eyes. droopy shoulders. Weary sigh. Most of them look forward to returning to the port. Me too. It has been sailing for a week already. I miss stepping on the ground.

“Do you know why we came to Miami, operative?”

“yes? Isn’t it for normal destruction?”

The officer tilts his head and answers.

He looked at him, blinking his eyes curiously.

“That’s right. But now most of the merchant fleet goes ashore.”

In this way, it is difficult to establish a smooth criminal record. In fact, many of them were aiming for political effects, so the intended purpose was achieved…

“We need another way. A way to give a more certain impact.”

“So, what the hell is that?”

The operation officer finally speaks in a frustrated tone. Others also listen to each other. I need to talk slowly. It’s something that needs to be clarified in the end anyway.

“It’s a special assignment given to us.”

Apparently, they were excited to see our criminal records in London. Personally, I want them to get promoted and get them out to the rear, but…

“I’m telling you to rush into the Gulf of Mexico like this.”

If it’s black, you have to