I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Naval battle off Newfoundland (3)

The sky is dark.

The thick clouds, like wet paper, looked down at the sea with uneasy shadows.

It looks like it will rain soon.

“Communications from the hood!”

The communications officer behind the bridge read the telegram and shouted. Standing by the window, he turned his head and asked.

“How many times?”

“Three times at three-second intervals. It’s on schedule.”

I was handed a telegram with a calm report.

Details organized in detail. Indeed, taking on the role of the flagship of the squadron, his analytical ability has increased. Unfortunately, the content is not very important in this communication.

“Looks like they got caught.”

Things are going well. I sent the communication officer away with a satisfied smile and looked back at the stern. A huge flat-deck warship was following Repulse.

Carrier Furious. On the ship escorted by four destroyers, dozens of biplanes began revving their engines eagerly.

“Send a signal to the Furious. Attack begins.”

“Yes, raise the signal.”

Colorful signal flags fluttered on the long mast line. Visibility was limited due to thick clouds, but the restrictions were on the other side as well.

However, on this side, reconnaissance records from the two carriers were coming in real time. Thanks to this, we knew the location of the enemy even though we were 200km away from the battlefield.

“It’s more tiring than I thought to walk around with my mouth shut. I want to stretch out a little bit. How is it, Commander?”

“Please bear with me a little longer. According to weather observations, a squall is likely the next morning.”

“Do I have to hold out until tomorrow afternoon?”

Damn, my body is itching.

However, I had no choice but to lick my appetite in dissatisfaction.

If you move now, you’re ruining the operation.

Currently, the detachment with this Repulse as its flagship is in a state of extreme radio silence, not sending out any radio waves.

All of them are composed of high-speed ships of 30 knots for fast maneuvering, and even the lights are controlled in consideration of the search of the opponent’s surface ships.

Signals were the only way to confirm each other’s intentions.

“Captain, what if the Navy Headquarters sends a reply?”

“You have to trust your kids. It’s probably more likely that it’ll pass because it’s an unusually long passphrase.”

That’s what he said, but the communication officer seemed uneasy. I did too.

Even the communication just now wasn’t actually sent to us. The sender is London Admiralty Headquarters. Perhaps even they wonder why they send out the regular report three times. But I can’t help it. To fool your enemies, sometimes you have to fool your allies too.

“Please let’s hope the Navy Headquarters makes a wise decision this time.”

He sighed tiredly and looked out the window. The sky was gloomy enough to fit the expression that an achromatic color was stained on drawing paper.

If you paint the paper with a brush soaked in water before painting watercolor, this color will come out just like this.

A majestic propeller sound rang out from such a chilly sky.

“Furious raiders, sortie.”

A dozen squadrons flew over Repulse, waving their wings.

4 fighters, 4 bombers, 4 torpedo bombers. It’s a really unpretentious combination.

But it didn’t matter.

It’s really sending the right number.

“I don’t know if it will withstand air defense well.”

“You must pray that God bless you.”

“You mean His Majesty the King?”

It was a mission officer who asked in a cold voice that was not suitable for a joke-like question. Suddenly, laughter broke out.

“both.”

He took off his warship and waved it at the air corps flying away, waving his tail and praying for blessings.

I hope you can arrive safely.

Sea eagles flew vigorously under the hazy sky.

A roar rang through the deck. With the sound of something rolling and breaking, Admiral Herbert let go of his grip on the railing. After staggering for a while, he was caught by the chief of staff and barely stopped.

“Admiral! Are you okay?”

“Oh, it’s okay. Thank you.”

Standing on balance, the admiral looked around and continued. There was no confusion, with everyone falling and staggering from the impact of the bullets.

“What about the damage to the ship?”

“Piercing shells on the upper deck. There was no damage to important compartments, but some fires broke out on the aft deck.”

Those were the words of Captain Isaac Lytton. Admiral Herbert let out an uncomfortable groan.

Thirty minutes into the artillery battle, Hood and Tiger, who had spread their distance, spat out gunfire without hesitation. Now both sides were wrapped in the water column of the Japanese Imperialism. But none of the ships suffered a fatal blow,

“Somehow I feel like we’re being pushed.”

“I’m sorry, Admiral. But there will be hits soon.”

The captain hurriedly lowered his head and told him. Herbert waved his hand. It wasn’t really about blaming the captain.

It’s just self-help for the situation.

In fact, the US Navy’s gunnery was good. No, it was great. Mississippi’s Japanese history has consistently recorded a narrow margin against the Royal Navy’s most elite battlecruisers. It was difficult to see properly around the hood because of the constant water column.

The problem is, that’s where it ends. Narrow gap means that an enemy ship came within the radius of the volley fire. If the gap between the shells is wide even within the group of bullets, the target may escape sufficiently.

The Mississippi salvo was such a case.

“I need to change this guy’s main gun quickly. There seems to be a serious problem with our triple gun.”

The admiral shook his head and whispered quietly. As the water column continued to rise, he felt the shock go through him again. The captain shouted in a sharp voice.

“Report the damage!”

“Turret No. 2 hit! No rotation! Lost contact with the rear command post!”

The Admiral approached the window. Smoke was pouring from under the main turret where the gun barrel was erected.

“It is not a penetrating bullet. We will restore it immediately.”

The captain gasped for breath, but the admiral couldn’t believe it.

Until now, I only have memories of being beaten all the way through the artillery battle. While this side fired the first shot and was just in vain, the other side made four hits.

“Chief of Staff! How long until sunset?”

“About 3 hours.”

Tsk, the admiral unconsciously clicked his tongue.

In a few hours it will be night. If no results are achieved by then, this battle is no different from the decision of the US Navy.

He frowned and shook his head, thinking. No matter how you look at it, the situation is bad.

“Chief of staff!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

“I don’t think it’s time to go back soon.”

The chief of staff opened his mouth wide as if he had heard an obituary. Blinking his round eyes, he quickly asked back.

“What do you mean?”

“It feels strange. It feels like there is a corner to believe in something.”

There was another reason for thinking so. The admiral quietly stared at the two ships near the horizon.

‘The range of the hood should reach up to 26,000m… But don’t try to out-range. Are you saying you simply don’t like wasting shells?’

A typical British battleship’s Mark I turret has an elevation angle of only 20 degrees, so even a 15-inch gun would have a range comparable to that of the Mississippi. But Hood is different.

According to enemy ship information distributed by the Ministry of Intelligence, Hood’s improved main turret has an elevation angle of up to 30 degrees.

You can pour shells out of Mississippi’s range whenever you want. Of course, there is no guarantee that it will be correct.

First of all, the admiral had such a resolution. But they were kind enough to come within range of the Mississippi and exchange fire. I’m grateful, but it was also embarrassing.

Britain has been lacking in capital ships since last year’s war. There is no way to take the damage of each ship lightly.

Herbert made a decision.

“Notify the fleet. Change to Defense 310. leave the battlefield.”

“Admiral! If you retreat here, the morale of your men will be… .”

“It’s an operation planned by the army anyway. Will there be a big change if it is delayed by about a month? For now, it is difficult.”

“Admiral, please think about it one more time. This isn’t just for the Navy!”

It was an earnest voice. Seeing the chief of staff biting his lip and feeling restless, the admiral pondered over and over again.

It was the Navy that temporarily retreated here and now, but later, when the fact that their power was not a big deal was revealed, it would be difficult. But even so, if there is a loss of the capital ship while entering the fleet even more…

‘I am responsible! It’s not the f*cking MacArthur or the Marshall!’

He clenched his fists. However, there was no time to implement the decision.

“Port side, watch!”

“what? port?”

The urgent report had engulfed his mind.

“Unknown squadron, rapidly approaching! Distance 8000!”

Under the heavy clouds that seemed to have subsided, a graceful formation of 12 jets echoed the sound of propellers. The squadron, which had been flying like one body, scattered and flew in all directions when the deck of a ship shone in the distance. An explosion followed them.

“Rising bombardment! Let’s attack at the same time!”

“i get it! May His Majesty’s protection be with you!”

I couldn’t hear the sound, but the flight commanders who conveyed each other’s intentions through mouthing, reversed their altitudes and pushed the throttle further. There are a total of 8 opponents in front of you. But there is only one target.

“Never mind the anti-aircraft guns! Large-caliber guns won’t fit anyway!”

Shouting at the yogis flying right on either side, Lieutenant Delon, the leader of the Blackburn Dart torpedo bombers, looked around.

As expected. There is not a single jigsaw in sight.

He raised an eyebrow. If you don’t have fighters, you just have to dodge anti-aircraft fire.

“You wouldn’t be able to hit even one foot on that wide deck. We don’t lose either, and we’re sure to hit the target!”

Of course, it is questionable whether they can hit even one shot with only four torpedo bombers. In any case, the lieutenant had such expectations. Gunfire rose from all sides as if to welcome them.

got hit!

Standing on Lexington’s bridge, Marshall was the first to think of it.

He was in charge of the anti-aircraft defense of the fleet, so he was even more astonished. I can’t imagine flying in those thick clouds…

“Judgemgi! Turn the straight line!”

“Wrong! It’s too far.”

At the report of the air chief, the admiral opened his mouth in a state of dismay. It was his mistake. It’s a place where you don’t know when a squall will blow, and because of the power reconnaissance that the two carriers fly, they concentrated the directing machine on the other side.

Even then, as if the light signal of the mothership was not visible, the formation of Jik-Eom was still circling at a distance of 10 km to the starboard side.

No support can be expected from this.

“Damn it, block it with anti-aircraft guns! Captain, evasion maneuver… ”

“Speciality from Flagship!”

“Damn it, what?!”

The admiral asked, glancing at the communications staff who interrupted him. After hesitating for a while, the communication staff finally handed over the telegram and talked.

“… Each ship should focus on firefighting and evade only when there is a threat of fire.”

It seemed to stop breathing. Admiral Marshall blinked blankly and grabbed the papers. The white paper was crumpled like a piece of toilet paper.

“How stupid!”

He straightened his hair and let out a long breath.

Stay calm. Anyway, it’s all suspicious majors. It was wrong to expect that he would have knowledge in air warfare.

He let go of his expression at once, and quickly poured out his orders.

“As the anti-aircraft controller, I give orders. Captain! Perform an evasive maneuver immediately. Aham’s anti-aircraft guns alone can’t catch them all!”

“yes! turn the key! Uro 15!”

“Uro 15!”

Shortly after the helmsman turned the steering wheel, the aircraft carrier Lexington turned with agility unbefitting for a huge body with a total length of 270m. The bow turned briskly and broke the waves, but the anti-aircraft battery on the side lost sight of its aim because of its swiftness. Planes and bomb boxes were pushed out little by little from the tilted deck.

“Should I drop the bomb… .”

Marshall looked down at the deck with lingering eyes. Originally, it was Lexington who was waiting for the time to catch the ankle of the battlecruiser. Because of this, the sailors did their best to keep the plane and the bomb box from being pushed.

If you throw away all the ammo left now, Lexington will have only the very last reserve ammunition left.

“For now, believe in anti-aircraft fire. Captain! I look forward to your coming together.”

“I will not disappoint you.”

The captain raised a salute and commanded the helmsman again. The huge body turned around again, and I felt the vibration on the floor.

Holding on to the railing, Marshall glanced up at the sky. As expected, anti-aircraft fire spreading through the sky did not produce any meaningful results.

It was Lexington who deliberately withdrew from the front line to be wary of an unexpected invasion from the rear. Even he did not expect that worrying about the blind Tan would bring about a crisis.

“Enemy bombers! Distance 1000!”

But I didn’t even have much time to regret it.

The bomber squadron, which lightly broke through the anti-aircraft fire network dispersed at high altitude, broke through the clouds and began to descend.

Tracer bullets cut through the sky, but no fire-breathing gas was seen. There were not many ways to stop the sudden explosion that had already entered the descent course. Marshall swallowed.

“Directly on enemy bombers!”

“Prepare for shock!”

A column of water enveloped Lexington’s deck.

“… Were you lucky?”

It was the moment I thought so.

One 500-pound bomb landed on the deck.

As the sun sank through the gloomy clouds, a line of flying squadrons appeared in the sky, flapping their staggering wings.

“Did you come back?”

I came out to the bridge and took off my hat and looked at them.

The upcoming number is about 7th. Was it the 4th? Fortunately, it does not appear to have been intercepted. Even as the sun was about to set, they flew calmly and landed on the stern of the Furious as lightly as a feather.

“Shall we advance slowly?”

Seeing that the last torpedo bomber had landed safely on deck, I turned my head to the bridge. The communications officer handed over the freshly picked telegram.

“This is a communication from the flagship.”

“Join at point D… They got caught.”

It is said that Hood saw the US Navy moving north before leaving. They don’t retreat.

Are you aiming for a showdown again? The remaining distance to the Newfoundland Islands is about 800 km. Since this side only deals one damage, it seems that they are thinking of hitting the port at all.

I couldn’t hide the rising corners of my lips.

As planned.

“Now you know that we have three aircraft carriers.”

I turned my head and said to the commander. He had a face that hadn’t let go of tension since yesterday. He patted his shoulder slightly.

“They’re going to try to drag it into a ship-to-ship bombardment, not an aircraft carrier battle. Then it would be polite for us to accept it.”

“Are you going to grab the head with a maneuver?”

When he nodded, he groaned and averted his eyes as if he was uncomfortable.

Are you still worried? Of course, this is a risky operation. If the US Navy changes course, this side will miss the opportunity to annihilate.

Of course, the income remains. Dropped a bomb on the deck of a carrier, and scored multiple hits on a capital ship. Anyway, you can take the advantage in the next sea battle. It’s good to do this much, but…

“As expected, it must be sunk, so there will be no regrets, right? Whether it’s a battleship or a port.”

Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Perhaps they were waiting, he said, looking out over the distant sea.

By now I’m sure you’re really itching to put up with the gunfire. We are too hungry to be satisfied with this.

As if it was regrettable that it did not end here, the officer went back with his mouth shut.

It’s such a complicated and experimental operation, so it’s very uncomfortable. So does the country. However, the effect is certain, so I have no choice but to say it as a result.

Then he asked the flight attendant.

“What’s the situation with Courageous and Glorious?”

“They say they can do one more raid in the future. but… .”

“It would be impossible to hit an American battleship.”

The air chief nodded quietly.

Major James M. Martin.

He is expected to be promoted soon and is assigned to communicate with the Furious while taking on the duty of squadron commander this time.

The raid idea I had just been able to implement was thanks to his help.

“Is additional reconnaissance possible for the Air Corps?”

“That much is possible. 50% of our aircraft are originally designed for reconnaissance. If you open the bomb, you can put it right away.”

“We have to move in advance when the carrier is incapacitated. At dawn the next day, after rejoining the battleship squadron, we fly a reconnaissance plane early.”

Having said that, I continued watching the bridge crew members.

“Gentlemen, go get their heads.”

Thick smoke rose to the sky. A thick flame covered my eyes. Marshall wrinkled his nose at the smell of something burning.

“Is everyone all right!”

Looking down at the deck from the Lexington Bridge, he held his breath as he watched the fiercely burning aft deck. The fire was spreading without any roughness.

“Captain! wake up!”

The captain, who was moaning in pain after colliding with the bridge wall, belatedly looked up at the admiral.

“Admiral? Are you all right?”

“Drop the bomb right now! Throw away all ammunition!”

“yes? Then the attack… .”

“Damn it, don’t you see that in your eyes?”

Marshall charged with an uncharacteristic roughness. Grabbing the captain by the scruff of his neck and pulling it out, he directly showed the rear deck burning fiercely.

The white captain’s face was a bonus. He shook off Marshall’s hand and ran to the Jeonseong Hall.

“Maintenance chief! Drop the ammo! hurry!”

“I already do! But the flames are too strong!”

It was a great improvisation. But the voice didn’t. When the captain listened closely, it seemed that he could hear the noise of the noisy hangar. I frantically threw boxes of ammunition from the hangar and deck, but the flames spread faster.

The captain looked back at the admiral with a miserable face.

Marshall stumbled and leaned against the railing.

“Damn it… !”

As the impact shook the floor, huge flames shot up from the collapsed elevator.

“What about Lexington’s damage?”

“The rear elevator is complete. Damaged propulsion shaft. The speed is 22 knots, and it is said that it will take about 3 hours to repair the deck!”

“Are air operations unreasonable in the meantime… .”

“War in Idaho! I am asking if there are any further orders!”

“Maintain the circular formation and stand in front of the destroyers! Tell them to form night formations!”

The bridge of the battleship Mississippi. The staff gathered near the admiral each had a shadow cast on their faces. The air raids ended as the sky darkened, and the enemy ships protruding from the horizon disappeared, but the tension still gripped their bodies.

“… well, good First of all, I knew they had one more aircraft carrier.”

“Admiral, are you really going to step down?”

After hearing the explosions from Lexington, the staff seemed to agree to retreat. But Herbert was silent. He bit his lip and inhaled. Then he frowned and shook his head.

“no.”

Leaving the surprised staff behind, Admiral Herbert crossed his arms and approached the bridge window. Mississippi’s 14-inch gun turret was pointed in the direction the enemy battlecruiser had disappeared.

“They don’t have battleships.”

“Are you saying that the deception is certain?”

“I’ll have to look at it that way. If I were them, I would have appeared in front and opened fire when I formed Danjongjin.”

The chief of staff had another thought. There were certainly a few dangerous times.

For example, it was a confusing time when Lexington was attacked. If at any other time an enemy battleship appeared in front of the line, the Mississippi in the lead would have been beaten one-sidedly.

“But they didn’t. No, you couldn’t.”

Admiral Herbert was convinced. A smile of repentance bloomed on his expression, as hazy as the gloomy sky.

“Correspondent! Did the last reconnaissance aircraft report come out?”

“Yes, yep! 1 enemy battleship, 1 carrier and 4 destroyers 180km northwest! They say they are currently heading south!”

“As expected.”

He took a breath and spoke.

“Battlecruisers are probably the only way to quickly deploy forces. Battleships never existed in the first place.”

When I said this with a grin, the chief of staff also nodded. If this information came out, he had no choice but to accept it. Herbert hardened his expression again.

The damage so far doesn’t matter. Even if there is a draw in the decisive battle, it is England who loses if it loses. If that’s the case, I’m just pursuing a better criminal record somehow.

“Their aircraft carrier has reduced the aircraft to some extent… As long as our battleships unite, they won’t be a formidable opponent. In addition, in night battles, we have an advantage with a large number of escort ships.”

“Indeed, even battleships with 12-inch guns can reach the range in night battles.”

“That’s right. That’s the point.”

The chief of staff, who finally grasped the essence, agreed with his words. Herbert changed his hat and looked back at the bridge crew.

“They will either have to run away or fight back. So, which one will you choose? If it were the Royal Navy, I would like them to share the fire with me proudly.”

Herbert glanced nonchalantly at Captain Lytton. It wasn’t the captain who didn’t know the meaning.

Mississippi, which had been hit hard by the hood, had a last chance for revenge.

“I will do my best with all my heart.”

“good.”

Seeing the determined nod, the admiral looked back at the staff. Everyone had different faces, but one thing was certain. No one felt defeat.

“Take advantage of this opportunity to move north and force them into a decisive battle! Fleet, form a circular formation and change bearing to 320! Proceed at full speed! By tomorrow evening we will reach the Newfoundland Islands. Got it!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

Busy footsteps colored the bridge. Rumors of going to capture the giant ship Hood quickly spread throughout the deck. The sailors, stunned by the series of defeats in the morning, rekindled their fighting spirit. But Herbert sensed that this would be the last time.

Two losses are unacceptable. When the sun rises again, only heaven knows who will be laughing.

But the admiral believed that it would be him. No, it has to be. I couldn’t think of any other possibility.

The sun went down just like that.