I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Coral Sea of the North Atlantic Ocean (1)

“Lieutenant Colonel, do you see that?”

“what?”

U.S. Navy Saratoga Air Corps, VS-1 Reconnaissance Squadron Major Porter turned his head to the call of the rear gunner. Tired from the long reconnaissance flight, he frowned sharply. If I were to call the passage of a whale a wake, as I did earlier, I was going to make a really loud noise.

Fortunately for the rear gunner, what Porter could see was a clear wake. A thin, long line stretched along the surface of the water.

“It is a small ship. Is it a destroyer?”

“Shall we follow?”

“Okay, let’s go.”

I will make a long-overdue achievement.

With a pleasant imagination, he turned the nose. As we headed north along the wake, we saw black smoke flowing from the horizon.

“It’s over there.”

“It might be an enemy ship.”

“Shall we attack?”

With a small smile on his lips, Potter said it like a joke. But it wasn’t completely empty.

His Curtiss F8C ‘Helldiver’ has two 116-pound bombs mounted under its wings. You can even catch a destroyer if you hit it.

“Isn’t reporting first?”

“If you can handle it on the spot, it’s better to handle it. Can I report and then attack?”

“Well, then there should be no problem.”

There were two people who agreed on that. Major Porter gripped the steering wheel tightly and focused his attention on the horizon, frowning. If the enemy ships were hit, they would attack immediately.

“Come out quickly… hurry!”

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Push the throttle and cross the horizon. Even flying at full speed, it feels like an entire year.

Finally, a small destroyer with a roar came into view.

“Got it, you bastard!”

However, the rear gunner opened his eyes wide and shouted.

“Lieutenant Colonel, is that a friendly tanker?”

“what?”

It was only then that the destroyer opened fire and looked in the direction of the attack. A huge transport ship was being hit by shells at a distance of a little over a kilometer.

No, it wasn’t a shell.

It’s an autocannon tracer.

“What the hell are those bastards doing?!”

The destroyer doesn’t care and saturates next to the transport ship that sends out a long light signal… No, the gunfire scattered.

While the VB-1’s Helldiver quietly flew in, the deck of the Royal Navy Destroyer Acasta was filled with gunfire. Vickers machine guns and 2-pounder cannons installed throughout the deck fired nonstop. Danjeong, who got off the ship, approached the fuel tank with a full load of sailors armed with rifles.

The main gun also fired at the same time, but deliberately did not fire a hit. Even if you close your eyes, you can hit it, but the shells only hit the surface of the water.

“Take it! If we don’t get this ship, we have no future!”

Standing on the open-air bridge, Captain Woodward waved his baton as if he had drawn a sword and shouted loudly. His eyes, which were constantly sweating, were filled with anxiety that the fueling ship might be hit by shells.

The staff members next to him also held on to their rifles with similar expressions and swallowed dry saliva. Among the sailors waiting on deck, there was also someone who brought a pipe from somewhere.

A scene that is hard to see as a battle of civilized people in the 20th century.

But it was a matter of life and death for them.

“navigating officer! What if I miss this ship?”

“I ran at full speed… If you don’t fill more than half of the gas here, you’ll drift.”

The captain smiled as he looked at the contemplative sailing boat, looked around the crowd and gave a command.

“Did you all hear! Never miss that boat! Even if it costs you to burn yourself, you must capture it!”

No disagreements were heard. Actions continued.

“Prepare the second squad! As soon as it is collected, it is immediately put into operation!”

“Squad 3! I see your feet! Damn it, run your dick out!”

“Money, bring more ammo!”

While each desperate footstep echoed across the deck, the captain raised his binoculars. Danjeong tried to make contact with the bullet-covered side. The captain clenched his fists.

150 nautical miles northwest of the U.S. aircraft carrier Saratoga.

A report came in to the bridge, which was busy sending out reconnaissance planes.

“Admiral, rescue signal from our tanker! 340 bearing, 150 miles distance!”

“A gas tank?”

Admiral Marshall, who received the special, tilted his head. I have not heard of any refueling ships around here.

“The identification code is an oil tanker, but it looks like a converted merchant ship. It is probably a ship that fell behind as the fleet spread.”

Marshall, who finally understood the words of the chief of staff, shook his head.

If it was a ship traveling alone, of course it wouldn’t scatter radio waves all over the place. It’s very difficult if you get caught in the enemy’s detection net. Anyway, I can’t help but help the location.

“I have to rescue him. Isn’t there a reconnaissance plane nearby?”

“Yes, Major Porter’s aircraft is nearby.”

That was the captain’s answer. The admiral nodded in satisfaction.

“Send support. Mobilize all scout bombers in the area. In addition, the squadron of reconnaissance aircraft will be disembarked.”

“A reconnaissance plane?”

“The fact that the destroyer is there means that there is a high probability that there are aircraft carriers nearby.”

Leaving behind the ah-ah-faced staff, Marshall looked down at the deck outside the bridge window. Light-bodied biplanes were lined up from the rear.

at least 12. After absurdly sending the enemy away, it was a quantity prepared by grinding teeth. I will never get out of it this time.

he was determined.

“Immediately send a reconnaissance plane to the nearby waters. Don’t miss a rat and tell him to report it. After flying the reconnaissance plane, immediately raise the combat patrol plane! There may be enemy aircraft carriers, so speed up the CAP cycle!”

“yes! I understand!”

The sound of the spinning propellers filled the deck.

The sound of propellers across the roof of Repulse’s bridge.

The communication officer’s report came in while he was looking for the scattered merchant fleet by scattering reconnaissance planes.

“In the Furious reconnaissance aircraft! Detected reconnaissance aircraft appearing to be enemy aircraft carrier aircraft, bearing 340, range 120 miles.”

“Did you already follow me?”

His face was frowning. I didn’t expect you to come back so soon.

I can’t stay here for long.

I was going to show my face in New York if possible, but now that things have turned out like this, there’s nothing I can do about it.

“Fleet, change course! With defense 120! 25 knots!”

Alas, the slanting floor.

I grabbed the railing with a familiar movement. When I turned my head, Tiger and Furious lined up on the left and right both turned at the same time.

Now, it seems to come together quite well. Actually, we were the only ones who couldn’t start… Anyway, that’s good.

“What would you do with the enemy aircraft carrier?”

“Ignore it. They don’t seem to know where we are yet. Let’s go further south and get rid of them.”

That’s how I responded to the commanding officer’s words. If you think about it, it was lucky to not catch a single merchant ship. If we had captured even one ship, we would have discovered its location because of its rescue signal.

“Chairman! It’s a rescue signal!”

In an instant, a piercing voice was heard.

“Bearing 250! Street unknown! Destroyer Akkasta, allies! Currently under attack by enemy bombers. Air support soon.”

After receiving the communication officer’s telegram, I said nothing but blinked my eyes.

what is this sound? The destroyer who left home is coming back. What follows is more of a concern.

“Where the hell are you going to show up now? Rather, air support?”

“It looks like it has been spotted by an enemy aircraft carrier. Head of the flyer, if we don’t save you quickly… !”

“Wait a minute, if it’s an aircraft carrier attack, there’s a chance it’ll be sunk by the time we go to rescue it.”

I raised my hand to stop the operation officer’s words.

If it’s just one destroyer, of course it can.

“But he is an ally! You can’t just let it die!”

“You’re going to risk all of us for that one ship?!”

Unknowingly, I raised my voice. When the officer took a step backwards as if embarrassed, the situation was finally figured out.

“… No, if you can, you should. But we cannot reveal our location.”

He coughed and spoke.

Did you cry a little bit? Damn, I’m not saying that the country is good either. Exposing the location of the capital ship because of a single destroyer could ruin all future operations.

Therefore, active salvation is unreasonable. But it’s not like I gave up at all.

As it was, he called Martin, the Air Chief of Staff, and gave the order.

“Send fighter squadrons. However, all entry and return routes should be set in the opposite direction to the mother ship.”

“yes? That will increase fuel consumption… .”

“Couldn’t they be able to track the course by looking at the fighter jets? We’ll have to pretend we’re in the other direction.

It was only then that the flight attendant nodded with an ah.

Even if the existence of an aircraft carrier is discovered, the defense is not discovered. In fact, it is a method often used by US Navy aircraft carriers in training. The difference is that you can only fool the opponent’s eyes here.

“It is too long to send a telegram. Shall we connect the communication cable?”

“It is. Let’s move to a headwind position. And tell them to send the raid first. This is professionally.”

The most effective defense is, of course, destroying enemy aircraft carriers. At this time, in battles between aircraft carriers, the first attack is absolutely advantageous. Since the air defense network was also poor, it would be possible to inflict effective damage if only a small number of raid groups were found.

“Tell the fleet, change to headwind position. Defense 080.”

“All right. Raise the signal.”

“Keep working hard.”

He patted the shoulder of the communication officer who was suffering all the time, and came out to the observation deck. As the signal went up, the Furious on the right closed the distance.

I suddenly looked up at the sky. I couldn’t see anything except combat patrol planes, but I couldn’t put my mind at ease.

“away! God damn it, if you’ve had enough to eat, get off now!”

30-caliber machine gun at the same time as the dive, Major Porter shouted at the destroyer in front of him. There was no way he could hear a cry muffled by the sound of the propeller, but in his eyes the destroyer firing anti-aircraft fire seemed to be laughing at him. While the sound of tracer bullets brushed under the wing, the rear shooter shouted with a tear-stained face.

“Major! If you do this, you will really die!”

“Cowardly bastards! This is a violation of international law!”

Behind him, the destroyer was still attached to the stern of the tanker and hosed. It’s already been an hour, and they’ve been standing still, not even 30 meters away.

Because they were so close to each other, they could not recklessly bombard them.

After ascending to a safe altitude, the major shouted in an anxious voice.

“Someone put on a gun and throw some bombs!”

“You fool! Will you be responsible if the tanker hits?”

It was the answer of a fellow plane flying around. The major, angry, pointed down as if screeching.

“Damn, are you going to leave him like that?”

“How do I know? Damn, what the hell is a friendly ship doing?”

“Hey, I’m going! Support please!”

“Okay, descent!”

Again, both planes entered the dive course. The major looked at his fellow flagman with tired eyes.

While the debate continued high in the sky, a similar commotion broke out on the bridge of the destroyer Akkasta, which was infinitely close to the bottom.

“We need to unhose and leave the scene at full speed right now!”

“no! Haven’t filled it up yet. That’s only a quarter now!”

“Isn’t that better than being sunk?!”

“Port-side watch report! More enemy planes approaching at bearing 270! Number 4, distance 10,000!”

At the conflicting opinions of his staff, Captain Woodward wanted to tear out what was left of his head. Fortunately, the traces of gray hair on his fingers showed restraint.

“Red flag, dive!”

As machine gun bullets splashed on the water and pierced gunfire, the captain finally gnashed his teeth and shouted into his gun.

“warden! Get ready to accelerate!”

“What about the remaining allies in the tank?”

“Damn it! Please come back quickly!”

“Enemy squadron, one more down!”

“hey! Somebody drop that bastard!”

Above the head of the fist-swinging captain, a tracer bullet cut through the air and crossed.

By the time the sun rises in mid-heaven and is gradually declining. US aircraft carrier Saratoga.

The bridge was distracted by the report from the reconnaissance aircraft. It was their only role to gather information from repeated reconnaissance aircraft reports and distinguish between truth and lies.

“Enemy fighter spotted! Currently engaged!”

“Watch starboard! Enemy scout aircraft in Defense 040! 10,000 streets!”

Marshall calmly summarized the contents of the report.

It is certain that there are enemy aircraft carriers nearby. It appears to be located within range of the assault force.

“I couldn’t have gone far. Where is the direction the fighter flew from?”

“Based on this ship, the bearing is 300.”

“Okay, send half of it there and the rest to 040. The detailed defense is entrusted to the captain of the air force.”

“yes? Do you mean both ways?”

The flight commander tilted his head. In front of him, Marshall folded his arms and lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

“Something is strange.”

Red flags are visible from all sides. As if it was intentionally sprayed. If you think normally, there will be an aircraft carrier in the defense 300 where the fighter flew.

However, Marshall was concerned about the existence of reconnaissance planes appearing from the other side.

There is no reason why it should appear from that angle.

“Is it a trap?”

“What are you talking about?”

As soon as the flight commander asked, another report was heard.

“In the bombing squadron! Escape the bandit!”

“What is the exit direction?”

“Based on this ship, bearing 030!”

Marshall opened his eyes.

After a moment of thought, he raised his head.

“Who do you know as an idiot?”

The corners of his mouth trembled. Ignoring the bewildered gazes of his staff, he gave orders like a rapid-fire cannon.

“Send reconnaissance planes in the direction of 040 as well. The number and bearing details are to be determined by the Air Chief.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

“Prepare the raid. A small group is also good, so just form one squadron each of fighters, torpedo bombers, and bombers and send them in both directions. As soon as this ship is completed, the 2nd raid is organized. The plane that flew up first told me not to wait for the follow-up plane and to go in immediately.”

“Admiral, aren’t the numbers too small?”

“It doesn’t matter. All the reconnaissance aircraft must have exploded, right?”

“Yes, we are focusing on power reconnaissance formations.”

“Okay, blow it up. Even if it’s just one, you have to attack first.”

A pioneer is essential. Even if the information is a little incomplete, if you use your hands first, the odds will be over 50%.

The results of training and naval battles in the last interwar period proved that.

The air deck got busier. The pilot hurriedly climbed into the aircraft, and the elevator sent the aircraft in the hangar up without rest.

“I will teach you what real air warfare is. Bastard children.”

Marshall murmured softly as he looked at the deck where there was no space to step on.

Lieutenant Colonel Hughes, the commander of a fighter squadron belonging to the US Naval Air Corps, VF-1B, sent a hand signal while paying attention to the friendly bombers following one level below. As much as he took the first attack, he couldn’t calm his sensitive nerves right away.

“Kevin, can’t you see something over there?”

While looking around with anxious eyes, he pointed to a black dot that was getting in the way and said. Something was flying above the clouds.

“okay. Shall I approach you?”

“I will.”

After sending a hand signal, the two aircraft briefly broke away from the formation and approached the questionable point. As they got closer, their biplane wings were clearly visible.

“Damn it, it’s too late!”

Number 8. They are divided into two squadrons and are flying at different altitudes. One is probably a squadron of fighters. It is a typical carrier strike force.

“Attention squadron! Ten o’clock, red flag!”

After returning to the formation and sending a hand signal, the flight members turned their heads in unison.

“Flight commander, what should I do?”

“What can I do, intercept!”

“yes? Then who will cover our bombing squad?”

“Protecting the mothership comes first! Everyone follow me!”

The distance is too close. It is highly likely that you have understood this before this one. If that’s the case, it’s already too late.

As I turned the nose, the wings flashed from the other side as well.

Before long, the bandit came running facing the nose.

“This is Bobby 1, contact the enemy raid, engage! Current location, 110 miles from the mothership, 330 relative bearing!”

As soon as I finished my report, a sharp gunshot passed my ear.