I Became a Captain of the British Empire

The night before the showdown

By the time Lexington, having lost only the air corps, resigned with a bitter taste, a series of discussions were underway in the battleship Nelson’s conference room.

“I am worried about the battlecruiser squadron. It’s also a crisis that Admiral Pound isn’t there, but even Renown has left… .”

“But didn’t Repulse successfully repel the air raid? For now, the ability seems to be working, so we should trust them.”

Admiral Hozzers shook his head at the worried staff member’s words. Obviously, their words were extremely natural, but the admiral had a slightly different idea.

“Maybe I’ll do just fine without the pound.”

Of course, it was a joke. It wasn’t something I would say in front of people who each become a general. But for some reason, the admiral felt an unknown trust.

He did not lose a single ship in his first flagship mission. In the yard where it was difficult to command his own ship, he even gave orders to the surrounding frigates and aft ships. I couldn’t see it with the skills of a novice captain.

Maybe he found a pearl buried in the mud, he thought. But that was it, and now there were more pressing circumstances.

“For now, what we have to decide is whether or not to continue the advance.”

When I opened my mouth in a heavy atmosphere, the fleet supply officer came out as if he had been waiting.

“The fuel situation is close. There is no problem with capital ships, but according to the circumstances of the destroyer fleet, going directly to Newfoundland from here is the limit.”

“That means I don’t have time to stop by. What’s the route to Newfoundland? exciseman?”

Lieutenant Colonel William McLeod, Fleet Route Officer, answered the admiral’s question as he turned his head.

“I don’t think there will be any problems if we take the northern route.”

“good. Chief of staff, damage to the fleet?”

“Except for Renown, it can be said that there is no damage to the fleet. Not a single ship was damaged, and morale is high.”

Even in the midst of confusion, the chief of staff, who had meticulously organized the report, handed over the documents with an answer to be relieved. As the saying goes, it was surprisingly minor damage for being surprised.

It’s really close to luck. It’s unfortunate that the flagship ship Leenaun has left the battle line…

“But the Battleship Squadron is still intact. That’s it. Now that we have an aircraft carrier, we should be able to deal with surprise. The security of the destroyers is no problem, Admiral Robin?”

At the cold remark, Robin’s shoulders flinched. He was obviously to blame for the destroyer fleet’s failure to spot the submarine, and he felt very uncomfortable.

“yes! All destroyers are on alert with full force. They will never attempt a surprise attack again.”

If it was comforting, it was comforting that he inflicted severe punishment, albeit belatedly.

Three of the four U.S. Navy submarines that attempted a surprise attack were sunk by depth charges from destroyers. And now, the 30 or so destroyers covering the fleet have doubled the number of watchdogs, maintaining unprecedented vigilance.

Admiral Hozzers nodded vigorously as if it were natural. It was the Royal Navy who promised not to go through the humiliation of being subjected to anti-aircraft U-boats twice.

If you get hit by the same number again, it’s a naval disqualification.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t all gloomy news.

“As expected, air raids aren’t much of a problem.”

The one who opened his mouth with a hopeful face was Rear Admiral Charles Little, commander of the 2nd Battleship Squadron. With a smile on his face, as if signifying the victory of the great gunners, he looked back at the nodding generals and continued.

“As expected, Captain Repulse’s worries seem to have been unfounded. Because he himself, who expressed his concern, blocked about 30 air raids with only two battleships.”

Voices of agreement were heard from all sides. As it was the judgment of the battleship squadron commander, who is in charge of the main force of this battle, it was a claim that many people trusted.

“A fleet of six destroyers, Admiral.”

Except for a few people

“I don’t know what would have happened without their air defenses. Also, I think it should be taken into account that the entire fleet was at high speed.”

Admiral Charles turned his head in the direction of the voice. It was Fleet Aviation Officer Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Martin who dared to show repulsion in the face of the elite giant gunner.

The admiral, who frowned for a moment, responded with a smile as if he was interested.

“A destroyer is only an auxiliary ship, air chief. It wouldn’t have made much of a difference whether they were there or not.”

It was true.

Although the destroyer’s anti-aircraft weapons were not very numerous. In addition to the existing single 4-inch anti-aircraft gun, it is about a stapler machine gun that was built with the US Navy aircraft carrier in mind. It can never be said to be a large number.

“Rather, isn’t it a story that the enemy’s air force retreated because it couldn’t beat the firepower of the auxiliary ship? This proves that fleet air power can never achieve meaningful anti-ship performance.”

Martin, who had kept his mouth shut as if acknowledging his words, eventually nodded.

“Certainly, the results of today’s air defense are correct, Admiral.

“You have the right eye.”

“But I still think it’s impossible to be certain.”

Admiral Charles’ face hardened again. However, Martin continued calmly.

“This time, only one aircraft carrier faced a squadron of battlecruisers. If two washers gather and focus their attacks at once, wouldn’t it be really unknown at that time? I heard that even in the middle of the anti-aircraft network, there are aircraft that threw torpedoes to the end.”

A chilly sense of tension lingered. Some frowned, others let out an uncomfortable cough. But the story continued.

“As you know, most of our battleship squadrons are slow. It is difficult to avoid torpedoes like a battlecruiser. If you fight in single formation, and their large air group attacks from the side, how will you deal with it then?”

“Do you think our warships would be afraid of a few torpedoes like that?”

At the admiral’s screeching voice, Martin shut his mouth. Only then did I begin to realize that I had gone too far. He lowered his head and said.

“… We apologize for any inconvenience.”

“I hope you don’t ignore our captains’ shipbuilding skills too much.”

The admiral, who kept his mouth shut as if he was angry, then averted his eyes as if he was uncomfortable. But no one was able to raise their hand easily. Both of these arguments had merit.

In the end, Admiral Hozzers, the commander of the fleet, had to step in.

“Both of you, let’s go there.”

With the admiral’s resolute voice, the audience instantly focused their attention. As attention returned to himself, Hozzers nodded coolly, looking back and forth between the admiral and the air chief.

“It all makes sense. Battleships and aircraft carriers, everyone should be vigilant. But don’t we have both battlecruisers and carriers? But the U.S. Army doesn’t have battlecruisers. This difference is an important key to the future victory or defeat.”

It was without any disagreement.

The power of the Royal Navy is not lacking. Carriers, battleships, and battlecruisers can all be mobilized. The joint operation of these multiple ship types is the most powerful weapon they can use.

“So you have to move even faster. The situation on the Canadian side is not good.”

Then, Hozzers pointed to Canada’s borders on a giant map on the boardroom table. Drawing with his finger from the west side of the Great Lakes to Ottawa and the East Coast, he marked a front.

“Pershing’s Army bastards besieged Ottawa. The Canadian government hurriedly escaped, but the damage to the defenders seems not to be taken lightly. There is a possibility that the entire southern front will collapse within a week at the earliest.”

“Is it that overwhelming?”

As if sympathizing with the surprised staff, moans were heard from everywhere.

“I heard that an army group accompanied by tanks is besieging the south. At home, we are attempting at least the defense of Newfoundland.”

“oh my god. When the hell did they get such a large army… .”

“Not only that.”

The admiral drew a line south and pointed to a port.

Canada’s largest port. Halifax.

“The port was bombarded with artillery fire. They intend to occupy the port. If we don’t move, they’ll have all of Canada in their hands at once.”

“I must go to Newfoundland as soon as possible. We must seize control of the sea and put pressure on the United States.”

The admiral exhaled heavily and said.

“Yes, I can’t think of any other destination other than that.”

A finger pointed to a map of the North Atlantic Ocean. Now that the Furious had joined, there was no point in delaying any longer.

“From now on, we will go directly to the Newfoundland Peninsula on full charge, and then defeat the US transport fleet moving north.”

So, the Royal Navy decided to advance.

At the same time, a meeting was underway for a similar reason on the US Navy’s Atlantic Task Force 11 flagship Montana. It was a dark night, but US Navy commanders couldn’t help but worry.

Aside from being a meeting on the eve of the final battle, the opponent was the British Royal Navy. The Royal Navy, the world’s leading navy.

“Everyone knows the importance of this battle better than anyone.”

In the meeting room where the officers gathered, Admiral Taylor, commander of the 11th Mobile Unit, opened his mouth. It was a calm voice, but the words contained in it could not easily flow.

“The success of all war plans depends on a single battle. It is an unprecedentedly heavy responsibility. Failure is death.”

Each officer lowered his head, swallowed dry saliva, or cast a shadow over his face. The admiral, who was closely examining the reaction of his subordinates, stopped in front of an officer who raised his head proudly.

“Tell me, Admiral. How was the maneuvering of the Royal Navy that you saw?”

It was William Marshall, the commander who led the Lexington Flyer the day before. The admirals paid attention to his words, as he was the first to experience combat in the fleet.

“It was truly a perfect craft.”

But his report was far from hoped for. Uncomfortable glances quickly fell on him.

“From their ability to hold formation to their momentary judgment, they were overwhelming our air force in every way.”

“As expected, the traditions of the Royal Navy cannot be underestimated.”

He nodded, saying that only Admiral Taylor knew that. He then looked at the other officers and continued.

“They have 7 battleships and ours have 8 battleships, so there is nothing pushed by numbers. Of course, all of their battleships are armed with 15-inch or larger caliber guns… .”

The admiral’s hand moved the troop pieces placed like chess pieces on the map. Words that refer to the 1st, 3rd, and 6th battleship squadrons respectively.

The 1st Squadron, 2 Arkansas and 2 New York class ships, and 3 New Mexico class ships from the 3rd Squadron alone totaled 6 ships. In terms of numbers and power, they were battleships that maintained their first-class performance until this time. All but the Arkansas are armed with 14-inch caliber guns and are well armored.

But the real focus was not on them.

“We have Montana.”

Tak, the admiral put down his words on the map as if tossing the number of conversion.

Third South Dakota-class battleship, Montana. Equipped with 12 long-barreled 16-inch caliber guns, the most powerful main battleship of the era. It is the pride of the United States Navy that no battleship of the great powers dares to guarantee a one-on-one match. These two ships, including the sister ship North Carolina, are the US Navy’s trump cards that challenge the Royal Navy.

A total of 8 battleships was a powerful force that could not be compared to any other navy in the world. No one doubted it.

“Fortunately, there are no problems with the battleship. But battlecruisers are not like that.”

except for one case.

The admiral unfolded the three photos enclosed with the documents. Battlecruisers of the Royal Navy. It’s a badge with a modest gun and thin armor, but no one in the conference room could take it lightly.

“Renaun, Repulse, Tiger. These guys are game changers. I somehow sent Rinaun away, but there are still two of them left. We have to stop these guys from rampaging by any means necessary.”

Before long, the old admiral raised the baton and moved the horse on the map. Horses imitating the British battlecruiser squadron hold the head of the US battleship line. The appearance of holding the head, which is commonly called the T-shaped tactic.

The US fleet, which had already engaged the British battleship line, was completely caught in crossfire. Horses caught in crossfire fall off the map one by one. 6th Battleship Squadron, 3rd, 1st…

The officers who looked at the admiral’s fingertips quickly lowered their heads with pale expressions. He covered his face with his hands and let out uncomfortable moans. It was a complete defeat.

“It is your job to prevent this calamity. Do you know what to do?”

The admiral looked at some officers sitting side by side in a corner of the conference room and said. Hidden in the shadow of the incandescent light, they held their heads stiffly. The officers answered in a tense voice.

“No matter what happens, I will make it a success!”

The Admiral smiled heartily.

The nights in the North Atlantic are long. The sky, blown by cold winds, tested humans with the coldness of thin ice, just as it does when the sun is up.

I miss warm southern countries.

“Captain?”

While I was quietly gazing at the night sky from a dark open-air bridge, someone approached me from behind.

“The wind is cold. Stop going in.”

It was Chief Warrant Officer Smith.

“There were a lot of rudeness today.”

Unlike the heavy expression he showed in the morning, he smiled softly and handed over steamy black tea.

Did you just ride?

I smelled the incense.

“Kirk is on board.”

“It tastes good. Thank you.”

“The daytime battle was intense, too, so don’t overdo it. Shouldn’t there be a showdown soon?”

“It’s okay, don’t worry. Come in soon.”

Saying that, I took a sip of tea. It warmed my stomach and gave off a strong scent. As I gazed up at the sky while immersed in the delicate scent, I suddenly became curious.

“This battle, what do you think?”

Was it a random question? Chief Jun-wi looked at me silently for a moment and then answered with a resolute face.

“From a tactical standpoint, it was perfect. If it wasn’t for the captain’s judgment, we wouldn’t have been able to win this great victory.”

He lowered his head slightly, corrected his hair as if he was embarrassed, and continued.

“Honestly, I got to see the Captain again.”

Blinking in surprise, she looked at him. However, he soon smiled and shook his head.

“Well, that’s fine.”

There was nothing I couldn’t understand.

I wouldn’t trust a captain who collapsed on his first day in office and talked nonsense. It’s just a matter of looking good from now on.

“But this is just the beginning. The game hasn’t even started yet.”

“We will start soon. They won’t sit still.”

With a hard face, the chief officer said calmly.

Despite his facial expression, he must be worried about the showdown tomorrow.

It’s natural to be nervous. As the saying goes, it’s a battle between the fleets, it’s a battle where the fate of the nation is staked.

But I was different.

‘Their real weapon is not their visible power… .’

It is not the British Empire that can be completely defeated in a fleet battle anyway. Even the Japanese Navy, even after destroying the fleet in several decisive battles, continued the war until 1945. Ending the war with one fleet battle is a dream. I don’t know the people of this period yet…

Rather, what is important is the industrial capability to prepare for a long-term war. The long-term warfare capability of the United States is beyond imagination. During World War II, the United States was the country that reached the pinnacle of mankind in the military supply industry, including the overwhelming scale of strategic bombers, aircraft carriers, and land leases.

Even if this decisive battle ends safely, can Britain now lead a long-term war?

I honestly don’t know. I just do my best under the circumstances in front of me. Fortunately, England did not fall into madness and castrate its sense of reality as elsewhere.

No, this is not a pig. I am the captain Weak thinking is prohibited from the position of being responsible for subordinates.

To get rid of my thoughts, I talked to the chief officer.

“Can you trust me?”

“If you do as you do now, everyone in Repulse will trust you, Captain.”

That’s a better response than yesterday.

He smiled and said it like a joke.

“What if there are still people who don’t believe in me?”

“If there are such bastards, I will make shark food with my own hands.”

“Thank you very much for that.”

I didn’t want this much…

Anyway, it was a powerful word.

At least one person can be trusted.

“Thank you, lieutenant. Just go in.”

I took a sip of the remaining black tea and turned around. Before entering the captain’s room, I looked at the starry sky.

While the aurora, reflected like a curtain, swayed, the Milky Way stretched across the sky as if pointing to the fleet’s destination. Whether this will be a beacon of the fleet’s future remains to be seen.

But at least one thing you can be sure of.

“Our ancestors live and return.”

He clenched his fists and murmured quietly.

So, the day of the decisive battle had dawned.