I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Halifax Fleet Battle (5)

Offshore, 100 km south of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland.

Grand Fleet flagship ‘Rodney’.

Admiral Pound’s face was stained with emotion as he watched the four giant ships pass through the battle line outside the window.

“How many years? The Royal Navy had such a huge power in their hands.”

Only 10 battleships in front of me.

A vanguard of fast battleships was advancing with the escort fleet in wedge formation. Following close behind, Rodney waited for multiple 16-inch guns to open fire.

“It’s been one year since then, Admiral. Now is the time to give them an unforgettable nightmare.”

Admiral Pound looked back at the admiral, who had come behind him and was quietly chanting.

Andrew Brown Cunningham.

Also known as ABC, the commander of the 2nd Battleship Squadron. A man who led the remaining British Atlantic Fleet in a successful retreat in the North Atlantic Fleet Battle.

And to this day, his Rodney and Queen Elizabeth class have repeatedly prevented the enemy Atlantic Fleet from gaining control of the sea.

Of course, I am not saying that they fought a fierce battle that smelled of gunpowder and steel. The achievements of Admiral Pound and his fleet were hardly of the kind that could be called a fierce fleet battle.

At least those who inherited Mahan’s ideas wouldn’t call it a decisive battle to scatter flyers on the shore, exchange planes with each other, or capture transport ships.

Of course, the admiral never cared about such achievements, nor did he plan to do so in the future.

“The time has come to end the war.”

Recalling the essence of the operation, Admiral Pound nodded to Cunningham.

“It seems that our friends from the Great Sea Fleet are itching. He requested a solo operation.”

“You mean Mackensen?”

Admiral Pound asked with a face that he was joking. Then he answered Cunningham, who shrugged.

“If you have the confidence to stand tall in front of a 16-inch gun battleship, then yes.”

“Of course I am joking. Admiral Raeder wouldn’t have sent such a stupid underling.”

“What would a friend who had a snowball fight with reds in the North Sea know?”

Cunningham paused at the displeasure in his voice. Before long, Admiral Pound let out a clearing of his throat like a sigh.

“But now is not the time to wave your hands proudly.”

The German Great Sea Fleet and the Austrian War Navy included 5 battleships, 2 battlecruisers and 1 aircraft carrier.

Although it is small compared to the Royal Navy, which makes up the majority of the fleet, its performance is slightly ahead of it and its skills are excellent.

“It is definitely a powerful force. Admiral, I don’t think we’ll lose even if we continue fighting at night.”

Cunningham’s words were not mere conceit.

A year ago, at this time, they defended Newfoundland with far less power. Task Force H was prepared to sacrifice all of its battleships in order to contain the enemy’s two South Dakota-class ships.

Only two battleships made the Royal Navy nervous.

Even though it was the world’s strongest battleship, it was a fact that was hard to admit.

“A total of four 16-inch gun battleships… . It’s still less than the US Navy, but it doesn’t compromise performance.”

But now it’s different.

The overwhelming size of the fleet covered all visible seas and proceeded unhindered by anyone.

Intermittently attacking cruisers and submarines could not even penetrate the defense of the auxiliary fleet and were often repulsed. Except for some reconnaissance aircraft, there was not even an air strike.

Enemy battleships are invisible.

But Admiral Pound didn’t seem to like that fact.

“If we just stay here… .”

He muttered quietly as he walked around Rodney’s bridge with his arms crossed. The staff, who stared at the admiral anxiously, seemed unimportant to him.

“They can stay on their shores.”

“yes?”

As the chief of staff tilted his head, the admiral raised a finger and said.

“It means that you may not have any intention of going head-to-head with this Grand Fleet.”

Like a scientist making an important discovery, the admiral opened his eyes exaggeratedly. The chief of staff had to consider how to react.

“In the meantime, their landing fleet will be moving.”

“But Newfoundland’s coastal defenses are well prepared. If there is no enemy fleet, there is nothing difficult in amphibious defense, right?”

“I guess so. But what if there is even a little gap there?”

aperture? Will something like that happen?

The chief of staff looked over the plan of the operation that was stuck in the middle of his head. There was no problem.

“We don’t have enough troops, but the coastline is too wide. Our minefields are going to take our time, but there are too many of them.”

Even so, Admiral Pound seemed to be trying to create doubts.

“Newfoundland is Canada’s last stronghold. If this front collapses at the end of the war, we may never have a chance to win the war again.”

Aren’t you worried too much?

At first glance, the chief of staff did not hesitate to give advice, thinking that the admiral might be worrying too much.

It was then.

“Then I guess I need to go on an adventure a little bit too much.”

“Admiral, are you planning to approach the enemy’s coast?”

“Looks like there’s a problem, Chief of Staff?”

Watching him raise the corner of his mouth, the chief of staff realized what the admiral wanted.

“no. In terms of power, it’s superior. It is strategically the right choice to annihilate when the opportunity presents itself rather than leaving a remnant behind.”

I’m not obsessed with the showdown. It just bites when the opportunity presents itself. Not missing the timing is one of the most important competencies as a commander.

“And if the fleet remains, future operations will be disrupted.”

For this reason, the chief of staff decided to gladly respond to his slightly poor excuse.

“Even for the landing operation in Canada, their fleet needs to be sunk here.”

The admiral, who revealed his true intentions, sat down calmly. Returning with a solemn face, he waved his hand and commanded.

“Contact the Eighth Air Force. The fleet is heading south toward Halifax from now on.”

Rodney’s bridge returned busily.

The sea monsters that accompanied him met their first challenger a few hours later.

“bandit! Defense 350! Distance 40,000! Number 150!”

Countless contrails approached from over the horizon. But Admiral Pound was not nervous. He rested his chin on his clasped hands and spoke lightly.

“Switch to air defense. Entire fleet, prepare for anti-aircraft combat.”

“Prepare for anti-air combat!”

hasty steps.

Then, the heavy sound of anti-aircraft fire, presumably echoed outside the window.

Admiral Pound muttered quietly as he watched the deflagration embroidered in the sky in the distance.

“Let’s see how far the enemy’s last flame will shine.”

Seriously, it was a moment I was looking forward to.

* * *

At the same time, at sea 30 nautical miles southeast.

Task Force Z’s flagship ‘Repulse’.

A task force focused on anti-submarine warfare.

However, it was a peaceful sea as if the submarine had struck. We, who had been doing nothing but patrol missions, were also contacted.

“It is said that an air raid has been carried out on the main unit.”

The voice of the communications chief delivering the report was not very emotional.

“Do you need any support?”

“It is said that it can be repulsed with its own air defense power.”

“Okay, keep your anti-submarine alert as it is, let’s pull the CAP cycle just in case.”

It seems to be a preemptive attack. Since the size of the main unit is so overwhelming, not everyone is worried. The results are roughly predictable.

Rather, this is an uneasy yard.

“Enter the battle from the 1st reconnaissance aircraft!”

In an instant, his eyes, filled with tension, turned to the communications chief. He, who had been calm at the report just now, said this time with firmness.

“An enemy fleet is approaching this ship! Defense 220! A distance of 80 nautical miles! 2 battlecruisers! 4 cruisers! 12 destroyers! About 30 knots!”

“Get behind the destroyers. Battlecruiser Squadron converted to Danjongjin. Repulse leads the way.”

What is to come has come.

The sound of swallowing dry saliva can be heard everywhere.

Tension began to build up.

“Tell the Furious to prepare to launch all fighter jets. An air raid is coming soon.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

“The 2nd Cruiser Squadron guards the front and rear along with the destroyers. Be prepared to charge at any time on the orders of the flagship. In case of emergency, you have to throw something.”

“Cornwall, Dorsetshire, Norfolk, maneuvering in the lead. Speed 31 knots.”

“good! We maintain combat speed. Torbay! Are you listening?”

As I approached the Jeonseong Hall and spoke, a hard voice came down.

“Yes, Admiral.”

Is it because of the tension during the battle, or because of the experience of being interfered with the ship’s construction? Unlike his light appearance on land, he is more like a wooden stone than anyone else on a boat.

“The weather is clear, and the main gun has not been improved on Rinaun, so the only ones that can shoot long range are Repulse and Hood. Your responsibility is heavy.”

As expected, there was no response. I just said it.

“I wish we got it right first, but your combination is more important than that.”

Hood is strong, but can’t face 2 ships alone. I need Repulse’s support.

“The squadron maintains Danjongjin, but in case of emergency, move at your own discretion. The same goes for other ships.”

A startled gasp could be heard throughout the entire hall.

The adjutant who was watching from the side also had a face of surprise.

“I expect you to do your duty.”

A moment of silence followed, followed by a low voice.

“understand.”

The answer was enough. The three steel monsters moved their bodies swiftly.

After a while, the cage-shaped mast raised its head again over the horizon.

“Bearing 270! Distance 30,000! Two enemy battlecruisers!”

A pillar that stands tall as if a tower was built with wire mesh. A characteristic of US battleships.

Still close to maximum range.

No, Constellation’s 16-inch guns already got us in range.

however… .

“It doesn’t shoot.”

The chief of staff, who sensed the abnormality, blinked and said.

“Even if you shoot first, your morale will drop if you don’t get a hit. We will probably start shooting from 25km.”

Considering the opponent’s level, it’s a reasonable range. Hood and Repulse cannonballs can also breathe fire here.

The number is 2 to 2. Although this side is pushed in terms of caliber, the original battle between battlecruisers is a battle between eggs with hammers. Whoever guesses first wins.

“Fleet, course 300! We approach.”

“Would you like to engage?”

“The main fleet will start fighting soon.”

Looking at the opposite horizon, I continued.

“If we back off, they might flock there, or we might fail early warning of a carrier strike. We must keep this position.”

This is a prerequisite for carrying out the mission.

And above all… .

“Let’s see the end of this. I can’t put it off any longer.”

We owe him.

Turning the bow, the battlecruiser moved towards the enemy without hesitation.

“Distance, 25,000!”

“Open fire!”

Repulse’s gunfire roared along with the command. Beautiful flowers bloomed like dazzling flowers.

“About 60 seconds until impact!”

The bullets passing by, making my ears tingle.

A salvo that tore through the pure white sky accelerated 870 kg of armor-piercing bullets at a speed that no aircraft could catch up with.

I couldn’t see it, but I could see it.

The strongest hostility created by mankind crosses and crosses the sky.

45 seconds after shooting. The whistle sounds closer.

The 8-shot salvo of the 16-inch caliber .50 caliber naval gun fell one step ahead of the Repulse’s fire,

“A shot!”

pop-

A pure white wall covered my eyes.

The hull engulfed in the water column sways lightly.

A heavy vibration passed under my feet.

“Red bullets, narrow cross!”

In an instant, a face stained with astonishment dominated the bridge. However, the reports continued calmly.

“Nothing more than the engine room!”

“No more decks!”

“Bulkhead, no problem!”

“Admiral, there is no damage. There is no damage from close-range bullets.”

Tobay’s report, which was finally handed down, was a way of suppressing excitement.

I must have been upset. No one would have expected that the first bullet would come out with a narrow bullet.

but… .

“The first shot, it lands!”

A minute passed for us too.

“A shot!”

The bullets that fell in a straight parabola covered the enemy battlecruisers with six columns of water.

“It’s a narrow gap!”

1:00 pm.

The engagement of the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron opened splendidly with a crossfire unprecedented in the history of naval warfare.

It was the first anti-ship bombardment of June 4, 1931.