I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Chapter 112

Dangerous Bet (1)

“The opponent is the Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, Eisuke Yamamoto. He wants to hold a meeting in Palau as a combat unit commander.”

The chief of staff whispered quietly so that the people around him could not hear.

Looking back at him, I asked in a questioning voice.

“This is Yokosuka? Why didn’t you tell me to come by truck?”

If you have to argue, wouldn’t it be better for our fleet to join directly from the truck? It would be easy to sortie together in case of emergency. As long as supplies are completed in Yokosuka, it will arrive in four days.

Then the chief of staff continued with a troubled tone.

“That is… Apparently, the truck doesn’t have enough space to accommodate our task force.”

“No, it’s not Guadalcanal… .”

It’s absurd. It is difficult to accommodate even three capital ships.

Looking at the squadron of destroyers anchored in a row in the corner of the harbor, I remembered the Battle of Guadalcanal in the original history.

At that time, the Japanese Navy forward-deployed a number of capital ships on trucks to prepare for a fleet battle with the US Navy. However, most battleships could not even go near Guadalcanal and only washed their hands throughout the battle.

It was because there was not enough fuel to sustain the entire fleet. It is not something that can be solved simply by having a lot of fuel in the home country. Dissemination is also closely related to transportation.

“Compared to the size of the fleet, there are not enough transport ships. It is fortunate that the United States did not interfere.”

“Yes… Okay, but what about Guadalcanal?”

The chief of staff tilts his head curiously.

Oh, these guys don’t even know what that is.

He hurriedly waved his hand and replied.

“It’s just like a beggar. Come to think of it, there are many transport ships in the port.”

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Pretending to be calm, I look out the window to change the topic and continue talking. There are definitely far more transport ships than warships on the snowy pier in winter. Most likely privately requisitioned merchant ships.

“okay. If you mobilize all of them, there’s nothing to overdo it… .”

“Did you forget what we said in the briefing? They are also interested in Qingdao and Manchuria.”

Ah, the sighing chief of staff.

Considering the supply of troops advancing on the continent, it would be difficult to pay attention only to trucks. Also, the supply requirements of the Southern Fleet cannot be ignored.

“I’m going to tear my leg like this.”

“They are such friends. You should understand.”

I don’t like to widen the plate ignorantly. It may show explosive growth in a short period of time, but on the contrary, the lack of competence is evident in the second half.

You won’t notice it when you run like a storm like now, but… .

“Soon will come spring.”

Rays of sunlight shoot down through the heavy gathering clouds. I muttered that while watching the sky blown by the strong wind.

“Because it is late winter. Still, I didn’t even know it was winter because I was wandering around in the south.”

I nodded my head as I looked at the chief of staff, whose face was hardened by the chilly wind outside.

Certainly from mid-December to early February, we managed to avoid the coldest period, coming from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.

Considering that the main fleet deployed on the Canadian front really had a severe cold season, it could be said that they were blessed.

As I turned my head to look at the port, the chief of staff suddenly pointed to the left.

“It seems to be as Admiral said. There, I see an aircraft carrier.”

Wait, there’s a real aircraft carrier?

I turned my head away, but of course there were no nuclear-powered aircraft carriers there.

All you see is a flat-deck warship vigorously spitting out steam turbine exhaust fumes.

“Really. But what ship is it?”

“I don’t know much about the Far East Navy… It’s definitely different from Ryuzo.”

The chief of staff scratching his head as if embarrassed.

I frowned and inspected the aircraft carrier closely.

It looks like a hangar was built on the Furious and the main turret was raised.

… What is it? That grotesque shape.

“Adjutant, do you have an identification tag?”

“Yes, checking now.”

The adjutant rummages through the identification tag in his hand.

After examining the countless photos one by one, he raises his head shortly after.

“I found it. This is aircraft carrier Akagi.”

Akagi.

Japan’s first large aircraft carrier and the flagship of the 1st Task Force. He is famous for being Nagumo’s flagship at the Battle of Midway.

however… .

“Did that look like that?”

The Akagi seen through the binoculars was completely different from what I was familiar with.

Two decks stacked one on top of the other. The bow shows a huge main turret. Similar to the 8-inch guns installed on the Lexington class.

“… Right. Was it before opening?”

Suddenly, I realized that this was a transition period.

Now in the 1930’s. While the battleship-centered ideology has taken over the mainstream of the navy, it is still time for aircraft carriers to be treated as auxiliary ships.

Didn’t even I go through countless times like that right now? what… It’s definitely an auxiliary weapon in terms of the aircraft’s current performance.

Even in the US Navy, aircraft carriers became more important than battleships after the Pearl Harbor air raid, when the task force became active.

“Where did Akagi belong? Task Force 1?”

“Mobile squad… I don’t know if . is here, but it seems to belong to a group called the 1st Air Squadron.”

The adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Rich, who was rummaging through the elongated table, tilted his head and replied.

Maybe it’s because it’s the field commander’s style, but it lacks the sharp side needed for an aide. But it doesn’t matter.

‘I was sent to learn by my side anyway.’

Seeing this, he feels more like an exclusive disciple rather than an adjutant.

It’s not like I can’t work though, so I calmly nodded and accepted the words.

“Okay. I’ll check later.”

Anyway, the presence of Akagi also means that part of the combined fleet’s main force is here. Maybe we can meet the commander.

“I’m begging you to be a fleet pie.”

An aircraft carrier quietly waiting next to us entering the port.

For some reason, the shadow cast over the tall ship felt exceptionally cold.

* * *

Within Yokosuka Port.

“Admiral! Admiral!”

“What is it, Captain Fraser?”

After a small meeting at Port Command, Fraser grabbed me as I was about to board the Repulse. Breathing heavily, he asked with a smile on his face.

“I heard from Taranto! Is it true that our air force destroyed two enemy battleships?”

What are you asking all of a sudden, this friend?

Oh, come to think of it, I heard the news that the meeting was over last night.

The result was, of course, Italy’s defeat.

By handing over the indemnity and land on unfavorable terms, they decided to withdraw from the war.

Somehow, it seems that part of the northern provinces will go over to the Five United States.

‘So the results of the air raid were clearly revealed.’

Of course, the battleship rhetoric at the meeting place was ssangura.

An air attack by our aircraft carriers off Taranto disengaged two Italian battleships.

Naples’ Caracciolo-class ships, one ship to dock and one ship to be scrapped altogether.

As a result, their actual battleship strength is only two. The Austrian War Navy Innoom! If you do, it will break and collapse.

“what… That’s right. It was very smashed. Better than the French, though.”

The French army, which barely wanted to stop the German army in the defense of Paris, completely collapsed with the surrender of Napoleon VI, who lost the will to fight.

France paid huge reparations and returned Alsace-Lorraine.

Meanwhile, Napoleon VI fled to the Netherlands.

Carrying a bag full of money.

“I heard that too. Anyway, that Napoleon’s reputation has fallen to the ground!”

“hmm… Well, yes.”

In fact, I’m not even the son of Napoleon.

Well, it’s a time when you can’t even do genetic testing. How could he possibly know that Napoleon VI, or even Napoleon III, was not the son of the first?

It’s not really that important right now.

“Anyway! So it turns out that our Air Corps has achieved remarkable results in Brest, Toulon and even Taranto! And in Taranto, I caught ‘two ships’. Isn’t it?”

It was Fraser who raised two fingers and raised his voice exceptionally.

Why are you so excited? It’s something I can’t figure out.

As I tilted my head in wonder, I saw Phillips walking behind me.

“Philips? Are you here too?”

“ah… yes. I happened to… .”

On the contrary, this is a downcast expression. no It’s just a face where the world has collapsed.

What could have caused the two to have such conflicting reactions?

“Thank you, Admiral! This is all thanks to the admiral’s excellent command! I never thought you would appreciate the true value of an aircraft carrier!”

“… No, why are you doing that all of a sudden?”

Are you flattering me again? I really don’t know English.

Either way, he turned his head and was just flirting with Phillips.

“Look. Aren’t I right?”

“Okay, call me Tobay. No matter what you say, we cannot deny that our Indipatigables have a higher criminal record.”

“under! How long will that kill count last? We sunk the cruiser with artillery fire!”

“Damn it, that was our kill mark!”

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Phillips finally comes to the fore. But Fraser, who smiled, did not budge.

Between the sighing battlecruiser captain and the giggling carrier captain, I interjected quietly and asked,

“Both of you, keep quiet. Anyway, why are you looking for Tobay?”

Captains looking at me at the same time.

But nobody speaks up. All I hear is an uncomfortable cough.

… Do you think this is suspicious?

“Did you guys play anything with your ex?”

“No, it’s not like that… .”

Fraser averted his eyes awkwardly. Laughter evaporates in an instant. There seems to be something too.

“Be sure to talk.”

It’s the same with the people gathered in the conference room last time, and I don’t like it. I guess I’ll have to find out what’s going on right now… .

“Admiral, Admiral Lewis!”

I averted my eyes at the urgent voice of an officer.

The person running from the dockside, gasping for breath, was none other than Repulse’s operative.

“There is something I need to go to right now. Captain Torbay… .”

Seeing his dilated pupils, I knew something had happened.

* * *

Yokosuka city.

As you open the shabby door and enter, the acrid smell of cigarettes stings your nostrils.

“This way, Admiral.”

“Isn’t this a gambling place?”

Inside the dark store.

Dozens of people were sitting in groups of two with a long desk between them.