I Became a Captain of the British Empire

gather

May 1, 1931.

USA, Louisiana, New Orleans.

It is still time for the cool wind of early spring to caress the streets, but the sky over the coast located at the end of the vast southern region is bathed in bright sunlight, as if mistaking the season.

The pure white waves splashed cold drops of water as if resisting the unsuitable weather. The man lying on a chair by the beach, looking at the quietly soaking sand, said.

“It looks like your face has become pale because you didn’t see it. zone.”

John Hoover, whose face was wrinkled inappropriately for his age, opened his mouth in front of him as he turned his head.

“I don’t remember being close enough to you to be called by name, but at least for now I can’t help but appreciate that closeness.”

“I am a kind person. To the extent that I would gladly forgive the man who shot me.”

“Isn’t it because you’re grateful?”

Huey grinned at John Hoover’s sarcastic remarks.

“well. It’s not fun to get two bullets in your stomach. Although it may be a little different depending on the time and situation.”

With a pretty relaxed face for someone who had been shot, Long quietly poured whiskey into a glass full of ice.

The attending physician, who had been watching him from his bedside, immediately stopped him, but leisurely waved his hand before handing Hoover a glass.

“My wish is that all citizens of the United States of America enjoy the leisure that they enjoy now.”

“What a great cause.”

Long hardened his face.

“It is a cause that must be fulfilled. You Republican Progressives have spent too much time serving some of the citizens. Turn your back on those who groan under its shadow.”

“Your idealism is good no matter what. But putting that aside, you are well aware that the current situation is not very desirable, regardless of political orientation.”

Hoover shrugged and brought the glass to his mouth.

After shuddering for a moment from the cold intoxication, he continued talking with a bitter mouth.

“MacArthur is thinking of his last gamble.”

“It deserves it. I won’t have time anymore.”

“Many people will die.”

“Sometimes there are times when I have to do nothing and struggle when I see things that have already left my hands.”

Huey raised his glass again. It was water this time. Blinking at the attending physician, he quenched his throat and replied.

“But what I feel each time is that preparing for a turbulent future at that time is a much more valuable and noble act.”

“Yes, I came to you to bet on that future. Senator Huey Long.”

Then John Hoover smiled, as if thinking of something funny.

“No, should I call you your Excellency now?”

“Don’t be quick to judge, John.”

“Yes, then I will call you the Senator. Anyway, the table is being prepared. If you want, I can roll out the red carpet with my back in front of him.”

It was sincere.

He was prepared to give up even his own back, if only he could hold the hand of this tycoon now.

after receiving sufficient payment.

I don’t know if that sincerity was conveyed, but Long nodded with a smile on his lips again.

“That’s a good suggestion. I’ll accept it. but… .”

Long was straight.

“Please refrain from rolling in front of me. The red carpet I think is different.”

The cold eyes met an even more indifferent gaze.

“Perhaps even cruel.”

John was delighted that he had found the right talent.

* * *

Norfolk Harbor. US Navy Atlantic Fleet Command.

Looking at the four giant ships lined up in the harbor, Atlantic Fleet Commander Taylor groaned.

“Now that these strong giants are joining us… But it’s too late.”

The battleship that the sky of March saw was different from the battleships he had seen before.

Robust tripod mast.

New angular triple gun turret.

overweight.

Behind the admiral, the general manager in charge of port operations said with a worried expression.

“Louisiana and Washington could be electrified in the next week because there are no design changes. But Ohio and Mississippi… .”

The two South Dakota-class ships, which completed launching ceremonies in January and February, respectively, proceeded to electrify them quickly. However, the two Ohio-class ships, which barely surfaced in early March, did not.

“Can the two ships operate without problems?”

“It will depend on the scope of the operation, but… It is said that at least the act of shooting cannons from the coast is possible.”

“You really met the bare minimum.”

Sighing, Admiral Taylor shook his head.

The only changes that the new Ohio-class has from the previous class are the new turret mounting and armor, as well as some of the superstructures and engines.

Stronger guns and armor. A little faster feet.

Because the design of the previous class was so good, not much had to be changed.

However, even with that minor change, the electrification period increased like a rubber band.

“We need to hurry up the electrification of the remaining two ships. Soon their great fleet will set sail from Europe.”

“Admiral, no matter how much you rush, there is a procedure. A hasty drawdown of power in this way could render the ship incapacitated before it has even engaged in combat.”

“Isn’t that what we’re trying to say to stop that situation?”

Taylor frowned as if to let out resentment.

“It’s okay even if you can’t do ocean voyages. It can go less than 1,000 miles and spread. Just move along the coast and fire cannons in the battle line. All I want is just that.”

“Are you really okay with that?”

Admiral Taylor put on a strange expression and pursed his lips.

can it be but… .

“Is there no other way? There are no battleships, but the enemies won’t wait. If they come in front of our harbor like this, there’s nothing we can do but sit down and die.”

He looked up at the cloudy sky.

“I am the only admiral left now.”

Admiral Frett, the chief of staff of the US Navy, resigned after taking responsibility for the decisive battle in the Pacific. The word is resignation, but it should be seen as a boycott against MacArthur.

Many admirals submitted their resignations at the same time as if they had promised, and some even refused to appear at the hearing.

It was safe to say that the top commander leading the remaining US Navy was the only one who showed the most enthusiastic response to Taylor, War Plan Red.

There is no corner for him to escape, so he just grabbed the baton.

“I made a bad bet. We should have stopped that madman. I still don’t know what the hell I did.”

“Admiral Fret seems to have hoped that the admiral would also refuse to follow orders… .”

“That is impossible. The die has already been cast Even if I let go of the baton, he’ll get on with it.”

He takes full responsibility for what he has done.

As commander of the world’s best navy in decline, the admiral saw it as his last duty.

“I’d rather struggle until the end so that they don’t die like dogs.”

“Admiral, if we diverted this force to the Pacific Ocean, we would be able to do more valuable work.”

The adjutant approaching from behind spoke softly as if he hadn’t noticed. After rummaging through his pocket, he handed a finely folded piece of paper to the admiral and continued.

“This is the text of the 6th Submarine Squadron Commander, Colonel Nimitz. All submarines and aircraft in Pearl Harbor are interfering with the Japanese Navy’s operations with full force, but if the Japanese Navy captures Midway Island and secures a supply base, it will be difficult to prevent the stationing of the blockading fleet any longer.”

Admiral Taylor accepted the message with a distraught face.

Nimitzra. Have you ever heard of it? Oh, is that the friend who said they were building a submarine base in Pearl Harbor? A person who doesn’t pay much attention.

But now, with one of the few viable forces in the Pacific, we continue the uphill struggle.

The admiral said, feeling pity in his heart.

“If the fleet is withdrawn without ending the war with England, all the ports on the East Coast will be devastated. That would be tantamount to destroying our future.”

There weren’t many answers he could give.

“In the end, you have to choose one or the other. as quickly as possible. That’s why we need them.”

Before long, the admiral’s gaze returned to the massive steel citadel.

“Adjutant, how are the preparations of the rest of the fleet going?”

“1st Battleship Squadron, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas. All ready. 2nd Battleship Squadron, California, West Virginia, all right. 6th Battleship Squadron, Montana, North Carolina. As you saw yesterday, you can sortie anytime.”

“What about battlecruiser squadrons and carrier squadrons?”

“No problem. Aren’t you still conducting patrol activities?”

“yes. I keep checking to see if he’s old-fashioned.”

No problem. If he had gathered this much power right away, he would have already pushed to Newfoundland a year ago, but now it’s just a meaningless complaint.

Still, shouldn’t we be glad that we got the authority to command the Grand Fleet, albeit belatedly?

The admiral was indulging himself.

Because otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to stand it.

“Still, with 15 ships, it won’t be easy. Moreover, you can receive support from the Army Air Corps on the coast. As long as MacArthur keeps his promise, it’s worth trying.”

It is no exaggeration to say that almost all anti-ship forces of the United States of America are being concentrated. However, the size of the expected enemy fleet is beyond imagination.

No one knows how this confrontation will end.

“Please, I want you to take care of the things that got him on the head straight.”

Looking at the four sisters docked side by side, Taylor whispered while clenching her fists.

* * *

May 25, 1931.

England, off the coast of Portsmouth.

The quiet dawn of the sea. The sound of the waves hitting the iron plate echoes bleakly.

Against the backdrop of the dawn rising from the far east, the fleet moved.

“The 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron. precedent. Squadron speed 15 knots.”

“Fix the course at 350. Head straight west like this.”

“Yes, Admiral!”

Staff come and go on a busy bridge. As a result of countless warships concentrating in a narrow strait, shipping is reaching a state of saturation.

But it wasn’t so bad looking at the fleet of tall masts that formed the forest. The fleet’s morale skyrocketed.

An endless procession of steel.

Even though only part of the force is moving, only the visible capital ship exceeds two digits. An overwhelming scale that will be difficult to find again in the future. It wriggles vividly right in front of your eyes.

My heart aches. I want to vomit out of breath. It’s a composition you can’t help but be excited about.

“Bearing 120, range 8,000. Battleship Baden.”

“Go first. Let’s wish our slow-footed friends good luck.”

The Austrian War Navy was stationed in Newfoundland in advance due to range problems.

What I see now is the majestic battleship of the Royal Navy and the German High Seas Fleet with a high triangular pole.Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Passing by them are the Royal Navy’s strongest Invincible-class Indipatigable and King George V-class battleships.

The flagship of the 2nd Battlecruiser Squadron, Repulse, moved leisurely next to the steel monsters who felt even bloody.

“Speed, 20 knots. quickly cross the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone, prepare well.”

The dawning sky lit up behind me.