I Became a Captain of the British Empire

North Atlantic Fleet Battle (2)

Meanwhile, the battleship Nelson’s bridge was in chaos. The mast of an enemy ship that suddenly appeared on the horizon painted the faces of the officers in astonishment, and Montana’s first shot drove a wedge into it.

“Confirm landing! Near bullet!”

“Fix to distance 25000! Load the next round quickly!”

“Enemy South Dakota-class ship No. 2 begins firing! About 30 seconds until landing!”

“Fire the gunnery! hurry!”

On the bridge, which was noisy with counter fire, Admiral Hozzers approached the window. Fireworks launched from the distant sea were coloring the horizon with orange flames. The admiral clenched his fists and shouted.

“Freedom to use all armaments of the fleet! Designate a number from the leading ship and shoot!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

While the staff looked at the horizon with anxious eyes, someone sneaked up behind Admiral Hozzers.

“Admiral, the distance is too far. At this rate, it is impossible to fire from the rear ships!”

The battleship squadron commander was Admiral Charles.

Taking command of the battleship line, he came to report to the admiral after realizing that he could not concentrate all the firepower of the fleet.

Certainly, there were only two battleships in the Royal Navy’s battleship line that could breathe fire.

“Rodney, open fire.”

The two turned their heads and approached the rear of the bridge. From behind a chimney that emitted fierce smoke, Rodney turned the muzzle and poured out enormous flames. After some time, a tremendous roar reached the seats where the two admirals were.

“Battleships with an elevation angle of 20 degrees must go within 21 km. Only Nelson and Rodney can shoot now.”

Admiral Charles added, rubbing his tingling ear. Nelson and Rodney, equipped with 16-inch guns, can fire up to 34km with a gun elevation of 40 degrees, but their successors did not.

The 15-inch guns of Queen Elizabeth-class Warspite and Barham, R-class battleships Revenge, Royal Oak, and Resolution have a maximum elevation angle of 20 degrees and a maximum range of 21 km. In a situation where the distance between the two sides is 25 km, as it is now, you have to suck your fingers.

However, after thinking for a moment, Hozzers shook his head and walked to the bridge window.

“But they can’t even shoot. Only the Nelson and South Dakota class are capable of shooting now.”

As the saying goes, the smoke seen on the horizon came from only two ships.

Even the 14-inch gun battleships of the US Navy cannot fire their guns unless they approach 21 km. So now, there are only 4 battleships from both sides firing guns on the sea.

However, the storm of 16-inch giant guns lit the horizon in flames with just that number.

Shortly after Nelson’s second shot flew away with a terrifying shockwave, Montana and North Carolina also showed red flames in return. Admiral Charles looked out at the horizon with anxious eyes.

The number of guns is 18 vs. 24. 6 doors are not enough.

“Admiral, at this rate we will have an equal number of battles. Even if it’s a little overkill, inducing a melee… .”

“No problem. The Nelson class is no match for their battleships. Anyway, we just have to hold out until the battlecruiser squadron arrives.”

Admiral Charles stopped walking at the sight of his superior smiling. Only then did he know what Hodgers was thinking.

‘Are you aiming for a pincer attack with the battlecruisers… !’

As long as this side is ahead in speed, there is no reason to accumulate damage by being too close. All you have to do is hold on until the battlecruiser grabs the opponent’s head. The slugfest is then used to drive wedges.

That was Hosers’ idea. The old admiral in charge of the fleet looked out the window and shouted in a loud voice.

“Tell the battle fleet. Keep the distance 25000! Tell them that the Furious Air Corps will target the enemy’s aft ships!”

“yes! Raise the signal!”

A signal was raised on the mast of the flagship Nelson, and the seven giants turned their bows. Looks parallel to the US Navy. Even after three minutes of the start of the naval battle, the distance between the two sides did not decrease at all.

2v2 fight. It’s worth trying if you’re an equal number. The firepower is superior to the South Dakota class, but the defense is superior to the Nelson class. The speed is 23 knots on both sides. The difference between winning and losing between two battleships is only skill. And the Royal Navy never loses on equal terms.

Admiral Hozzers, who calmly held up his binoculars and looked at the horizon, was convinced. As if living up to that expectation, the battleship Montana was engulfed in a column of water from Nelson’s giant bullets.

“Part 2! Narrow gap!”

“It’s a great skill.”

Cheers were heard from the bridge, and the staff nodded proudly. It was a bonus that Fleet Artillery Officer Hutton smiled quietly.

Soon, when a shell from Captain Cunningham’s Rodney landed near North Carolina, morale only increased.

“Everyone, don’t be rash! It’s just one shot.”

Hozzers spoke calmly and refreshed the atmosphere. As it was said, Montana was sailing intact in the place where the water column sank. But it just didn’t catch fire. Binoculars showed a large hole in the superstructure.

“1 shot hit! No enemy damage!”

“Once you accumulate hits, this side has the advantage. Tie him up until the battlecruiser squadron arrives! Squadron commander, can you do it?”

“I will definitely do it!”

Admiral Charles, the squadron commander, answered firmly. Hodges turned his head as if it were natural. The gunfire of the 16-inch guns roared over the stretched water.

“The second shot was a close-range, hit shot… The gunnery skills of the Royal Navy are top-notch, but there is no shortage.”

Admiral Taylor spoke in a calm voice, even from the bridge in Montana, which was hectic from the impact of the bullet. It wasn’t just pure admiration. The words contained a bit of humiliation for allowing the opponent to take the lead. But he wasn’t excited.

“You don’t want to just get hurt, do you, Jack?”

“For the third round, I will unconditionally make a narrow gap!”

That was the answer of Admiral Jack Daniel, commander of the 6th Battleship Squadron. As he turned nervously and brushed his men, Admiral Taylor gazed intently at the Royal Navy battleship row.

Except for two gunfire, the fleet sailed leisurely with smoke.

It was the admiral who had hoped to come in first, but there was still no sign of decreasing the distance from 25000.

“You mean to wait patiently for the battlecruisers to arrive? You have good guts.”

Smoke shone again in the vast sea. Nelson’s third shot, which traveled a long distance, landed on the water as if it went into a goal post. The floor shook from the successive shocks.

“Pitan! The rear seaplane catapult is completely destroyed!”

“Starboard armor belt hit! No penetrating bullets!”

The admiral, barely holding on to the railing, groaned and stood up again. Certainly the enemy commander’s judgment was excellent. He thought he would have made the same judgment had he been standing there. It was such a clever tactic.

However, the standard on the battlefield does not necessarily lead to the correct answer.

“Langley Air Corps?”

“yes! The 1st raid is returning! About 3 estimated hits!”

“That sounds like nothing was right.”

Admiral Taylor clicked his tongue and declared that. Since ancient times, it has been the truth to listen to half-pass reports. In the last air raid, the report of the air force was a whopping 6 torpedoes hit.

Of course, except for Rinaun, who was hit by a submarine, their battlecruisers were fine.

While I frowned at the thought of the pitiful report, Montana’s third salvo roared and spewed out flames. Looking out the window at the shaking water as if a typhoon had hit, he continued.

“Anyway, I’m glad you took the time. Are the rest ready yet?”

“The formation will be assembled in 10 minutes!”

“Okay, hold them for another 30 minutes.”

After shouting at his staff, he hurriedly turned his head and swallowed a dry saliva.

Even he, who always manages to relax, becomes tense.

“Three rounds! Near bullet!”

“Squadron commander, the hits are late!”

“I will go even further!”

Admiral Daniel, his face stained red, shouted again into the castle crown. Seeing the smooth operation of the lowering system from the squadron commander to the captain to the gunnery range, he smiled and swallowed his breath. Vibrations echoed across the bridge in succession.

“We’ll have to wait and see if it’s worth emptying the Pacific.”

The admiral turned his head, and his gaze was directed toward the distant sky.

Thirty minutes after the return order came from the main unit, I was dyed by the sound of an airplane engine.

Smoke billowed out in the blue sky, and an enemy plane engulfed in flames crashed into the sea.

I wish someone would get rid of that damn plane.

“Red plane going down with flames!”

“How many times has this been… .”

Shaking his head with furrowed eyes, the chief officer glanced at him.

Yeah, the captain shouldn’t be like this. Isn’t that too harsh though? This is already the 3rd raid.

“Enemy squadron, retreat.”

I looked up at the sky with a tired face from the watchdog’s report.

At first, the adrenaline rushed by the subordinates are now swearing that they should not come again.

Thankfully, no hit bullets came out.

The wind was strong and the number was small. Haven’t these guys learned anything from the fight the day before? I’m just curious as to why he’s sticking his head in this situation. Would you like a real earthenware pot?

“navigating officer! Report the distance to the main unit!”

“Currently 60 miles. The main unit is also advancing this way, so if we go back to full speed, we can join in an hour.”

Damn, that’s too far.

My heart was in a hurry.

“Notice to squadron! Join the main unit immediately!”

The heavy hull of Repulse turned around, echoing the surface of the water. The Tiger and Destroyer Squadron quickly changed direction, and no enemy was seen in the area around which the squadron turned.

But I couldn’t be relieved.

“1 hours… Hold on for an hour.”

too slow. It feels like 50 knots is not enough, not 30 knots. Will the battleships hold the enemy while we go?

It would be a pointless thought. In any case, I’m just going back a little faster now.

“Captain, how about preparing for an additional air strike?”

While I was waiting impatiently, the officer approached me and said. I shook my head and answered his words.

“No, they attacked in groups of 10. The one nearby is probably a light aircraft carrier.”

The only light aircraft carrier of the US Navy at this time was Langley. Categorically, it’s just an aircraft carrier. In any case, compared to the Lexington, it is slower and has a smaller payload. It’s not something to be too concerned about.

Yesterday’s air corps must have sortied from a Lexington-class large aircraft carrier judging by the scale. Rather, it is this side that poses a threat to the battleship.

In an instant, a chilling thought crossed my mind.

“Hey, operative.”

“yes?”

“What did the main unit say about the enemy aircraft carrier?”

The warden, who had been thinking deeply, opened his mouth soon.

“Enemy carrier forces are to the northwest, order to destroy them… .”

“Then don’t you think we have all the carriers on this side?”

When I asked back, the operation officer, who frowned for a moment and struggled, eventually nodded.

“It may seem like that. How about sending the telegram now?”

“Yes, one hour is urgent. Correspondent! Send the professional!”

Even as I gave the order, I felt uneasy.

maybe it’s already too late If we go back now, we might face our already devastated battleship row. If that’s the case, it’s really going according to the individual breaking scenario.

What decision should I make? sh*t, that’s how the word admiral’s decision came about. Whichever option you choose, only hesitation remains.

I thought about it with a disturbed heart and suddenly remembered it.

Colonel Samuel Lewis. If I were the real owner of this body, not me, what kind of judgment would I have made?

“Colonel Lewis, let’s borrow your memories for once.”

I muttered quietly and closed my eyes. I pulled out memories one by one in my head.

headache coming on.

I held on to the railing and struggled to endure the pain. Apart from my exploding head, every predictable number unfolded before my eyes. From mutual distance, time, direction, enemy movement to our own tactics…

And, I remembered the scenario.

“… Operations officer.”

The operation officer, who was holding binoculars and looking at the sky where an airplane might be flying, turned his head.

It may already be too late. then…

“Prepare for an operation. Just in case.”

He smiled and said, looking at him blankly.

thump, thump-

Waves from the water column crashed onto Nelson’s deck. The turret, which was directly hit by the sharp waves, howled without hesitation. The 16-inch armor-piercing bullets that went through the red flames rose into the distant sky and disappeared. Crossing it, something like a shot flew into Nelson’s hull.

Before long, a roar spread across the bridge, like a thunderbolt. Debris bounced like lightning and the shock hovered around the floor. But Nelson didn’t budge. Even after the storm passed, the battleship continued on its way.

“Attack on the port armor zone, no penetrating bullets!”

“Turret 1, no damage!”

The bullet that hit the top of turret number 1 also bounced off in a parabolic arc.

The admiral went to the window and looked down at Nelson’s gun deck.

Although there were bullet marks all over the place, the speed had not decreased by a single knot, and the nine main guns still fired fierce fire. The salvo, which had already reached the 17th, covered the deck with huge flames.

“Admiral, we are ahead of you in terms of hits.”

Admiral Charles, the commander of the squadron, reported with his mouth raised happily. As he said, the enemy battleships reflected in Admiral Hozzers’ binoculars were spraying black smoke while holding fire one by one.

Montana’s aft bridge is on fire, and North Carolina’s No. 3 turret is silent, presumably due to an electrical circuit problem. It won’t be a fatal blow anyway, but it’s still a good sign.

However, the thoughts of Admiral Hozzers standing on the bridge were a little far from proud.

‘Shouldn’t the Queen Elizabeth class have been put in the lead… ‘

The admiral, watching the U.S. battleships still fiercely firing, felt regret in his heart.

Warspite and Baham. Both Queen Elizabeth-class ships are faster than Nelson or Montana, with a high speed of 25 knots. If maneuvered at the head of the fleet first, it would have been able to capture the head of the opposing battleship line through its two knots faster speed.

But now, the two battleships that the admiral had hoped for were all following Rodney, keeping their out-of-reach guns high and looking at the horizon.

The admiral shook his head, clearing his thoughts. It’s already too late to regret. Fortunately, air strikes were focused only on battlecruisers within 60 nautical miles. Perhaps because of that, not a single plane was attacking his battleship.

“We still have the Furious. The raid preparations are far away!”

“We are forming formations in the air!”

At the report of the Air Staff, the admiral showed a disappointed face. Recognizing his impatience belatedly, he shook his head and continued.

“No, never mind. You’re doing great.”

There is still the aircraft carrier Furious here. If you feed an enemy battleship with even one torpedo, the artillery battle becomes easier.

He gave the order quickly.

“Change the strategy. If the Furious slows down the blows of the rear ships, we open up an all-out attack on the two South Dakota-class ships that protrude.”

“Admiral, are you going to have a melee then?”

“That’s right, chief of staff. If we concentrate our bombardment on seven ships, we will be able to deal with those two ships without any problems.”

The admiral, who turned his eyes toward the inside of the bridge, continued.

“Squadron commander! The outcome at that time is up to you.”

“I will definitely make it happen.”

The gunfire rang out on the bridge again. Hodges closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The fate of the fleet depended on a corner.

As he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, the correspondent approached Hodgers and handed him the papers.

“Admiral, this is a telegram from Repulse.”

Hozzers, who was reading the documents, immediately frowned.

“An aircraft carrier?”

A regular carrier is around here. at least one more. The admiral said without hesitation.

“Send a signal to the Furious. Fly the fighters right now.”

The signal officer raised the flag, and the admiral rested his chin in thought while the telegram was being written. But Repulse’s full text didn’t hold much weight in my head.

‘At least it’s only 2-30 planes. Biplanes can’t even scratch our battleships.’

It was the admiral who thought so in his heart. His concern was when the Battlecruiser Squadron and the Furious Attack Squadron would launch a pincer attack and destroy the enemy line. Until the watchman’s report was heard, his attention was focused only on it.

“Port-side watch report! Defense 240! 10,000 streets! bandit… !”

He looked at the former castle at the voice that was easy to call.

What happened? Did another enemy ship show up?

But for a while, the voice didn’t continue. Displeasure followed the doubts that captured the admiral’s thoughts. Heading to Jeonseonggwan to call the captain, Binnie, he stopped at the voice that followed.

“… Over 100! Keep approaching this vessel!”

Hozzers doubted his ears.