I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Coral Sea of the North Atlantic Ocean (3)

twinkle twinkle. engine screaming.

My head hardened. The mouth moved first before judging.

“Prepare for shock!”

Like instinct, the sailors ducked. A fierce siren disturbed my ears and a belated gunpowder smelled of gunpowder.

And after a while…

“Red flag shot!”

pop-

At the end of a whistling sound, a column of water rose beside Repulse’s hull. When I looked up, the biplane bomber was slowly ascending from the stern.

“One more coming!”

“Concentrate anti-aircraft fire!”

Numerous tracer bullets blocked the approaching aircraft. Perhaps because the descent altitude was too low, bullets and biplanes intersected, and heat waves spread across the sky. The bomber, engulfed in flames, fell terribly.

“Red plane, shoot it down!”

Shouts of relief rang out. I stared blankly at the aircraft plummeting to the sea, dripping smoke.

“Chairman! Are you okay?”

The officer approached with a shocked face and asked. I came to my senses when I heard the confused voice.

It’s not the time to be like this.

“Report the damage!”

“No hits! The injured are currently being counted!”

“Anyway, it’s like a powerful reconnaissance squadron. I don’t see any other enemy planes.”

The flight attendant who followed followed, wiping away a cold sweat.

force reconnaissance? The air defense was breached?

More serious than expected. Of course, the level of anti-aircraft surveillance at this time is also primitive, but that doesn’t mean you don’t know that only two planes are approaching… Visual surveillance should not be like this.

“Tell them to tighten anti-aircraft vigilance! What the hell is this? And bring the CAP planes back into the sky!”

“yes!”

Returning to the bridge, he corrected his crooked hair. It sounded like I could hear my heart beating. It was a truly poignant moment.

If you do it wrong, you may not even know that the enemy raid is coming and you can get hit like a blind man. like midway.

Of course, even if the Repulse hits, there won’t be much damage. But if the airstrike was just directed at the Furious…

“There is no air defense with two planes. When the 1st raid escort aircraft return, they all turn to CAP.”

“Chief of the flyer. No matter how many CAPs there are, air defense is difficult if surveillance is difficult.”

It was the advice of the Air Chief of Staff. She was wiping away a cold sweat, as if she was quite surprised by the air raid earlier. He took a breath and spoke.

“Also, distance is an issue. Currently, our CAP aircraft is scouting around 20 km from the fleet, and in this way, an attacking force may approach while engaging with an enemy escort.”

“Is it possible to control from a distance longer than that?”

“I cannot confirm that.”

Damn it, that’s the problem.

“However, I think the short guard radius needs improvement.”

“I couldn’t have increased the range more than this. Leave it as it is.”

If you can’t control it from a long distance, there is, but it’s one mana power. If there are a large number of them, they could form separate reconnaissance squadrons and escort squadrons, but the Furious, who sent an escort squadron to the raid, couldn’t afford more than this.

“I can’t help it. You have to leave quickly.”

“Where would you like to head?”

The navigator approached and asked. After thinking about it, he opened his mouth.

“… We must retreat first.”

“It is already too late to retreat. The enemy’s speed is ahead of us, so we have to go north and fight… .”

“Operations Officer, that’s the direction of the US fleet!”

The captain’s call.

Before long, the bridge became turbulent.

“With this power, air combat is impossible! We must retreat and plan the future!”

“You can’t get away with enemy aircraft carriers! I’d rather close the distance and strike!”

“How about asking for support from the main unit?”

“Newfoundland is too far away. If I called now, I wouldn’t be able to make it on time!”

Staff members who each voice their opinions.

Everyone from the captain of the ship to the operations officer and the terminal communication officer opened their mouths and added their voices. The bridge was instantly covered with noise.

“With the current escort fleet, even the air defense of each ship is properly… .”

“Enemy raids are still approaching!”

“When will the report of our raiding party come?”

“Everyone calm down! Didn’t the head of the flyer say he had something to say!”

The arguing stopped. After exclaiming, the chief warden looked around with bored eyes and turned his head towards me.

“uh… ?”

“Please tell me, Captain.”

No, I don’t have anything to say…

As I turned my head away, the officer approached and asked.

“Do you have an operation?”

“uh? uh… for now.”

I accidentally answered.

So I’m thinking, why do you keep calling me, man?

Despite the complex circumstances, everyone focused their attention.

“As expected, the flyer leader!”

“What would you like to do?”

different eyes. I don’t know if it’s trust or anxiety that shines in there. But the expectation of something is the same. No, I’m still thinking about it!

“Chairman, do you want a head-to-head confrontation?”

The officer approached quietly and asked.

No, I want to go home.

However, it is difficult to postpone. This is the judge’s board.

He forcibly swallowed a sigh and answered with a frown.

“That’s right. Operations officer.”

Damn, there’s only one answer anyway.

Once I combine the knowledge I have with the memories of my original body, the probability of our fleet repelling the opponent’s air attack converges to zero.

If so, it may be the correct answer to directly hit the subject of the attack.

The captain of the voyage, the communications officer, and the chief warden nodded in turn.

“… Well, it can’t be helped if the head of the flyer judges like that.”

“I think there is a lot of potential.”

Even more expectant eyes. don’t be sure I did my best.

It’s like the damn chief lieutenant. See you when the battle is over.

Still, if you turn the happiness circuit to the maximum and think about it, it’s not just nonsense.

“Operator, as long as you send the raid quickly as you judge, it will surely pierce their defenses. You have to target that point exactly.”

So, it’s not just us that the CAP isn’t functioning properly.

After making them unable to fight for a moment by feeding them a torpedo or bomb, they rapidly approach and destroy them at night.

“The only advantage this side has is our battlecruiser squadron. It’s not like there’s no chance of winning as long as you hold out until night. At least I can make them run away.”

“What if the attack fails?”

“That is a false question, Captain.”

He waved his hand right away at the navigator, who was showing displeasure.

bewildered movement. But I have only one thing to say. there is no other way.

“You must succeed.”

Turning to the air chief with a nervous face, he said that.

“Air Chief of Staff, the 1st raid must have started attacking by now, right?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“Okay, what is the estimated time of arrival of the second raid?”

“In about 30 minutes.”

strategy is drawn.

Looking at the wristwatch, I conceived a time table.

“First, go north and retrieve the allied raiding party. If we finish refueling as soon as possible, we should be able to launch one more airstrike before sunset.”

Even if the number is only a few, it is enough to break through the air defense network of this period. If you avoid anti-aircraft fire well, it is not unreasonable to hit an aircraft carrier. It will be anyway.

“It will take some time before the second attack force of the Lexington class arrives.”

If the first raid is small, the ensuing offensive will be more numerous. However, it is questionable whether there will be time to organize the 3rd raid. After all, both have one more chance, or at least we can attack one more time.

And winning or losing will be decided here.

“Even if our aircraft carrier takes a hit, it is our victory if we catch him even by his ankles. Flyer, change at full speed! Defense 190! Tell the returning raid team to report the enemy forces in detail!”

Again, the bridge moved busily. I turned to the bridge window when I saw the officers scattering. The sky was spotless and clear. I want to smoke a pack of cigarettes. life…

“Hey, the flyer leader?”

I turned my head at the trembling voice.

An air chief approached.

He pursed his dry lips, lowered his eyes, and murmured.

“If our raid fails… .”

“stop. It’s fine.”

He raised his hand and stopped talking. It is enough to keep anxious thoughts in your mind. Looking straight into the agitated eyes, he deliberately raised the corners of his mouth.

“The second raid will succeed. It has to be.”

Frankly, there is no guarantee that it will be able to withstand an air raid before the 3rd raid is ready. But I am the commander. Under no circumstances should you lose faith.

“Wait for good news, staff member.”

So, that’s all I can say right now.

Around 140 nautical miles to the north, the U.S. Navy’s Saratoga Battle Group.

By the time the sad news of the raid ahead of the light composition was delivered, the sky above the US fleet was so busy that it was impossible to care about the outcome.

“Bombs and torpedoes are all dumped! Don’t leave even one behind! You guys there, you can see the feet! in action!”

“Fly the fighters first! You can take the escort aircraft out of the hangar later! After all, the flight time is long!”

The bridge where reports and orders intersected was a real mess. The deck, which was busy preparing for the launch of the second raid, now blew up escort aircraft, and all bombs and torpedoes were thrown into the sea. Admiral Marshall looked down at the deck with a confused face on board the ship.

“It is a waste. If we had a little more time, we would launch the raid and enter the anti-air battle… .”

“It can’t be helped. We cannot repeat Lexington’s mistakes.”

Saying that, the admiral looked up at the distant sky. The skies above Saratoga were still blocked by 8 combat patrol planes.

“Maybe it’s because it’s a new machine, so there seems to be no problem with engagement.”

“It’s because we pushed it a little ahead of schedule. Still, I’m glad I paid for it.”

The Boeing F4B, a fighter whose development accelerated with the imminent war. It is a long-awaited new model that has improved the Army’s P-12 as a carrier aircraft.

The top speed is a whopping 300 km/h.

It was 50 km/h faster than the previous F2B or F3B, and the range was almost twice as long, and above all, it had the advantage of being able to mount a 244-pound bomb.

So far, it has not been satisfactory. However, as if improving performance was not a form, the formation of new planes in the sky continued to push the British escort planes and promoted them.

“Enemy escorts destroyed, 3 enemy planes shot down! We are going to intercept the raid!”

The raid escort is basically a MK 2 version that hastily remodeled the Fairy Fly Catcher. It seems that they fought on an equal footing with the existing F3B, but now in Marshall’s eyes, they were busy chasing them.

But he couldn’t be at ease.

It was because the superiority of fighter engagement was good.

“Damn it, go ahead and shoot down the raid. hurry!”

If you spend time engaging fighters, you run out of ammo and you don’t have enough time to stop them. As he said, the attack planes that were a real threat to the ship were approaching without any damage.

Marshall looked around with an urgent look. The escort fleet deployed to cover Saratoga was so small that the gap was noticeably widened.

The formation consisted of 4 destroyers and 1 heavy cruiser. Initially, it was made lightly for the pursuit, so there is no choice. Even if we form a circular formation, there are too few of them to spread the anti-aircraft network.

“Port-side watch report! Enemy bomber 4, constantly approaching this ship! Defense 270! Distance 8,000!”

Despite the intense anti-aircraft fire, the raiding party with leisurely formation approached little by little. A belatedly chasing fighter turned one of them into flames, but it was after our anti-aircraft fire had already begun to explode.

It is difficult for allied fighters to operate within the range of anti-aircraft guns.

“Damn it, starting evasive maneuvers at distance 4,000!”

“Don’t be rash, Captain!”

Marshall yelled at the captain who was urgently trying to give orders.

“It’s not too late to evade maneuvers after you’ve come close enough! The answer is to reduce the number of dive bombers as much as possible!”

“But, Admiral! Anti-aircraft fire is so lacking!”

“If you turn the boat around, you won’t be able to hit anything! Are you going to follow the Lexington train?”

“… All right.”

Glancing at the captain, who lowered his head with a very dissatisfied face, Marshall turned his head again. Air defense sirens sounded, and anti-aircraft guns and machine guns returned to aim at the target in unison.

“Red flag, continuing approach!”

“Get away!”

However, no satisfactory results were obtained. A barrage of 5-inch anti-aircraft fire only shot down one more bomber. Before long, the squadron, which had come close enough, lowered its nose and flashed its wings.

“Red flag, start descending!”

Marshall swallowed dryly.

Is the Newfoundland Nightmare Relived? The deck of an aircraft carrier is vulnerable. Even if it’s not the explosion, if the air deck is damaged, you can fall into combat incapacity immediately.

“I won’t be beaten this time! Captain, free to evade maneuvers! Concentrate the fire while maintaining the formation of the other traps!”

Marshall made a decision without delay. As if the captain had been waiting, he urged the helmsman, and the huge ship tilted, shaking the floor.

In addition to anti-aircraft fire from all five ships, Saratoga’s machine batteries fired and one more bomber fell to shreds. The rest of the aircraft, obstructed by gunfire, only dropped bombs on the sea surface. At a distance of 80m from the port side, a column of water rose from the bomb, and a long shadow crossed the deck of the carrier.

“… You made it through. Captain, good job.”

Marshall sighed in relief as he watched the surviving bomber run away. It was a dizzying moment, but this time I blocked it well. The captain responded with a salute, then wiped his forehead and breathed heavily.

“Is the rest of the ship undamaged?”

“All is well.”

“Okay, prepare for the 2nd raid again!”

The marshal returned with a serious face and again tried to issue orders like a rapid-fire cannon. However, an urgent report interrupted his voice.

“Watch starboard! Defense 030! Distance 15,000! 16 enemy planes continuously approaching!”

Marshall hardened his face. Then he bit his lip and shouted.

“Prepare for anti-air combat!”

Again, gunfire covered the skies over Saratoga.

30 minutes after that,

“It was a dangerous situation.”

The chief of staff muttered in a weak voice.

“The Halifax nightmare almost came to life.”

Marshall nodded in agreement. In front of his sighing eyes, the deck was terribly distorted from the bombing scars.

“Should I say I’m glad it ended like this… . How long will the repair take?”

“It is expected to take about two hours.”

“Is an air raid impossible until sunset… .”

The second air raid did not go as smoothly as before. The combat patrol aircraft that had already moved to the port side could not intercept the raiding party in time, and the 12 attacking aircraft reached the sky above the fleet intact.

After that, it was thanks to the fierce anti-aircraft fire and the captain’s steering skill that the damage was finished with one bomb and one torpedo despite the pouring air raids. It was fortunate that the ammunition was discarded and there was no serious damage.

“How is the institution?”

“Thanks to the anti-torpedo compartment, there was no major damage. It can maneuver up to 28 knots.”

Marshall shook his head with a confused face. Since the first air raid has already failed, it would be impossible to catch an enemy aircraft carrier within today.

“How much damage is the bandit doing?”

“7 enemy fighters shot down, at least 3 damaged, 5 bombers and 5 torpedo bombers. A total of 17 aircraft were shot down.”

“The Courageous-class payload is at least 36… With this, they also lost half of their payloads.”

He thoughtfully closed his eyes. Will they have the strength to launch another airstrike? unknown thing. However, even if they do come, the number will not be very large.

“Okay, no worries about air raids. Recover the deck quickly and prepare for air defense with the CAP aircraft that has now floated. Make sure the next air defense never fails!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

After giving the order, Marshall turned his sore neck from side to side and closed his eyes. and told the officer.

“Chief of staff, I’m going to get some fresh air for a while.”

“Ah, I see.”

I wanted to close my eyes for a moment past the place where the acrid gun smoke was flying. However, before leaving the bridge gate, the report pierced my ears.

“Admiral, this is urgent!”

Marshall looked annoyed at the communications officer. Fortunately, even though he was scared, he calmly continued his report.

“In the reconnaissance plane! Enemy fast squad found! 1 carrier, 2 battlecruisers, 2 destroyers! Distance 130 miles with bearing 350! Continued approach towards this vessel! 25 knots!”

“what?”

Apparently, there is still no time to rest.

Marshall suppressed his irritation and bit his lip.