I Became a Captain of the British Empire

from Bermuda

Mid-Atlantic, Bermuda Islands.

The beating sun unique to a tropical climate. Waves with a cool breeze and a white sandy beach stretching far away. This place, Bermuda, is perfect for a vacation spot.

We arrived at an island in the ocean that would later become more famous for the mystery of the Triangle.

“It’s like being in another world.”

“It really is.”

Looking at the island from the bridge of Repulse, I received the commander’s words.

It’s a really peaceful look. Fishing boats roaming the coast. Citizens watching warships in the port and yachts floating everywhere.

However, even in such a remote place, traces of war were evident. For example, the gun barrel of a coastal gun that popped out of a coastal base. Like patrol boats covering our surroundings, destroyers moored in the harbor.

… … babysitter?

“Why is the destroyer here?”

“That’s right. There must be only submarines and corvettes here… .”

Face to face, they both just tilted their heads.

In the first place, the vicinity of Bermuda is a difficult place to approach. It is a place where sufficient defense is guaranteed by large-caliber coastal guns, submarines, and air units. In the first place, the US Navy did not show much movement to project power here.

But why do you see two destroyers in a place like this, which are too daunting even for an escort mission?

“What, did you place it for patrol purposes?”

“If that’s the case, I’d rather deploy cruisers.”

“See if there are any extras.”

I didn’t have any questions at the time.

I’m just glad They can make up for the lack of destroyers. I was just wishful thinking.

Until you know the name of the destroyer anchored peacefully.

“Where the hell did he shoot from and now he appears!?”

In the conference room of the mobile squadron’s flagship, Repulse, Ops Officer John H. Crawford frowned in surprise at the loud noise. The appearance of the two captains shaking their bodies in surprise seemed pathetic to him.

First, the identities of the two destroyers anchored were none other than the missing destroyers Acasta and Acates. The bridge personnel, who liked that the number of frigates increased thanks to this, had to immediately withdraw their remarks. Of course, I was relieved that my colleague was safe, but…

“They disappeared without contact and didn’t appear at the meeting place! And then send all the rescue signals from a strange place… Are you guys sane?”

The head of the front desk, sitting at the far end of the conference room, sighed and said as if he had hit the desk with both hands.

No, you’re the one who gave the order to spread out in the first place.

Those words rose to the top of his throat, but the commander managed to calm himself down. The military ranks are gangsters.

When I looked up, everyone had the same expression. In particular, Acasta Captain Woodward had a somewhat shady face. It was something of a hesitant attitude, but the officer didn’t think it was a big deal.

Well, maybe you want to go to the bathroom.

“First of all, isn’t it fortunate that you joined safely? In any case, thanks to this, our fleet reached Bermuda without damage to a single ship.”

As if clearing the dark clouds in the meeting room, Tiger’s captain, Bedford, continued. Although his rank is low, he is definitely a senior. Director Lewis also shook his head as if he couldn’t help it, as if he couldn’t ignore it completely.

“It’s real from now on.”

He replied with an uncomfortable groan.

In reality, Bermuda is just a stopover. From now on, the real thing to do is to run around the southern coast of the United States and destroy commerce.

“But aircraft carriers are a problem. If they are following us, we cannot just calmly engage in sabotage of trade.”

Air Chief Lt. Col. Martin said. The Furious captain, Everard, also nodded and then opened his mouth.

“In the battle last year, we were lucky to strike first, but the Air Corps also lost half of the raid. If we engage the enemy aircraft carrier again next time, I think it will be difficult to win with just air combat like last time.”

“Certainly, the weight difference is unavoidable.”

The head of the flyer also agreed. Looking at the officers with sympathetic faces, John remembered an anecdote he had heard during his military academy days.

At the time of the era of line ships, the ancestors of the Royal Navy used to capture or clone the huge French Temeraire class battle ships. As far as economy permits, the bigger the ship is, the better. Haejeon is a gangster in his weight class.

“If we encounter a US aircraft carrier in the future, we must unconditionally launch a preemptive strike.”

It was the words of the chief of aviation, ‘Alan Whitney’. Glancing at Captain Furious, he cleared his throat and continued talking.

“To be honest, sustained air operations are extremely difficult with the current payload of the Furious.”

“Are you saying that the power composition problem is serious?”

“It means that the payload is too small to make up for losses during battle.”

An uncomfortable air permeated the meeting room. Some licked their lips, others sighed. The commander-in-chief shook his head and said.

“Keep talking.”

“First of all, at least six fighters must remain on the carrier for the defense of the fleet’s airspace.”

“Two airborne guard aircraft, two deck standby aircraft, and two reserve aircraft.”

“That’s right.”

John wondered.

How do you know so much about air operations?

captain… No, the major of the flyer leader Lewis is, of course, suspicious. He must have never received detailed training in air operations.

“There, the US Navy is now deploying a new shipboard fighter.”

“Come to think of it, is the report on him still?”

“Currently writing. First of all, it is certain that the performance greatly overwhelms our fighters.”

“The speed definitely seems fast… It was also a particle of Bangja, so it must be all the more so.”

“Yes, special measures will have to be discussed.”

But what is it? Isn’t it like having a conversation with equal knowledge as if it were a professional field?

Of course, it could have been learned through the Air Staff. But isn’t that too short a period? The conversation now being held in front of him was by no means light basic knowledge.

From the problem of altitude superiority in air combat to the problem of long-distance navigation and formation, the fatigue of the pilot, etc… It’s just an unfamiliar story to an ordinary surface ship officer.

John couldn’t shake his doubts.

Where the hell did you study like that? Is there really a separate background?

I was just curious about his identity.

Regardless, the two continued their conversation.

“In conclusion, not very good news.”

“The anti-aircraft fire was also formidable. Half of our attacking force was hit by anti-aircraft fire.”

“Well, it’s fortunate that spare aircraft can be replenished at this Bermuda base.”

“However, the number of payloads is fundamentally insufficient. I would like you to consider this aspect more when conducting offensive operations in the future.”

Lewis, the former commander, put his chin on his chin and groaned. Before long, all the officers in the conference room focused their eyes on him.

The look of anticipation of something. No wonder. What they are looking at right now is the youngest commander in the Royal Navy who has been active since the decisive battle of the outpost fleet.

However, John Crawford, Repulse’s operations officer who worked right next to the flyer leader for a long time, was the only one who had doubts about that blind trust.

‘You fools! Isn’t it strange! Why does a surface ship officer know so much about aviation?’

There is something strange about being an all-around officer who has simply studied a lot. Among the captains of battleships in the Royal Navy, was there a talented person who was so proficient in aviation? No, if that was the case, I would have been assigned to an aircraft carrier right away.

“In short, there is a problem with the absolute quantity itself. Are there any problems with the sortie (Note: Sortie, the number of solo sorties by military aircraft), Captain?”

“Well, as long as it can be stored, I think it will be fine. The size of the Furious is not that small.”

“Even if we suffer losses in sorties, we need to load enough aircraft for continued operations.”

One could say that he studied cramming after becoming the commander of the task force. However, even that is equally dubious. Can you really build up enough knowledge to have an equal conversation with those aviation experts in a matter of weeks?

“Then, why don’t we park aircraft on the deck?”

“yes?”

At the words of the flyer, the two aircraft carrier officers opened their eyes wide and questioned. John also listened to him.

What the hell are you proposing this time?

“However, that would make aircraft maintenance very difficult.”

“Don’t worry. Isn’t this the North Sea? In the climate of the Caribbean Sea, there won’t be a big problem as in the North Sea even if you park the aircraft on the deck.”

Saying that, the front commander’s face shone with a certain confidence in his eyes. John narrowed his eyes even more and clenched his fists.

Whenever the leader of the flyer took such an attitude, his judgment was always right.

“Then we can carry at least a few more fighters.”

“But doing so would take a completely different approach to operations. The maintenance crew won’t be able to adapt. It will take more time to take off and land.”

Captain Everard expressed his disagreement. The head of the flyer answered right away as if he had been waiting.

“That part has to be coordinated on the spot. First of all, let’s load 6-8 more. Doesn’t that take up a lot of space?”

“what… Let’s do it right now.”

The captain tilted his head, but soon agreed. But John couldn’t understand.

When did you come up with that idea? right here? Well, it could be. Impromptu is the basic quality of a commander. But something was very suspicious. John frowned and glared at the leader.

There is something. Something very dubious is in his background…

“Operation officer?”

“yep!”

John immediately straightened his back and stiffened his body.

Did you notice?

I gulp, swallowed dry saliva. The head of the flyer, who was staring at her face, eventually continued with a disapproving voice.

“Why do you have a dead face every time you have a meeting?”

“ah… .”

Not yet? thank god.

John said, lightly clearing his sleepy stomach.

“It seems that I am a little tired. sorry. I will correct it.”

He replied with a smirk and a smile.

The officer, whose expression had been going back and forth since earlier, answered with a smile.

scary. why is that Have you even been covered by a ghost? Is it because I can’t sleep…

“Get some rest. It’s troublesome to fall asleep during a battle.”

A quiet laugh spreads through the meeting room. In any case, it seems necessary to gradually resupply and take a break. Right after leaving the port, I faced all sorts of practical situations. Didn’t you encounter a submarine as soon as you left the port, but the destroyer that had left the house was playing in the resort area… My head is pounding. Oh, I want a cigarette.

Anyway, how to deal with the Lexington class is still a concern. I will increase the number of aircraft a little bit with the deck cycle, but the fundamental quantity is too different. If we encounter that carrier again…

smart-

While I was thinking, someone knocked on the door.

“come in.”

Everyone in the conference room looked at the door on the other side of the table. A familiar face popped out.

“William Kirk, I came to see you because I have business with the flyer leader.”

Kirk quickly raised a salute, holding a stack of papers in his left hand.

“Oh yeah, what’s going on?”

“Specialized on Task Fleet Flagship.”

He walks across the meeting room and hands over the message.

I pulled it out calmly. The head was tilted to the side.

“At headquarters?”

I’m sure I’m busy managing the newly incorporated battleships, but I can’t guess why they contacted you. Are you asking me to report the situation?

After a while, I slowly read the full text.

… I’m going crazy. It is not a simple content. Eyes flash open.

“A sortie for a mobile unit?”

What is it? Are you planning a fleet showdown?

buzzing sound. In an instant, the conference room becomes noisy.

“Is the main unit sortie?”

“A fleet battle again!”

“However, the power is still unstable… .”

“Everyone be quiet! Hasn’t the story come out completely yet?”

Bedford shouted, and the audience quickly fell silent. I silently ignored him and read the full text again. There was more content below. I read it carefully.

“So, is this your intention?”

Its contents…

A week later, the flagship of Task Force H, ‘Rodney’, offshore 300km east of Halifax.

“Enemy bullet, hit!”

A voice that seems to be cut off. The floor vibrates shallowly. A column of water rises by the window and splashes on the deck. The voice of the captain shouting from the upper bridge can be heard all the way downstairs.

“Report the damage!”

“One foot closest! No hits!”

“Enemy South Dakota-class ship No. 2, Japanese Imperialist!”

An angry voice came and went across the bridge. Each person with a mission ran on the deck, and reports from the Jeonseong Hall continued. The staff did not even have time to catch their breath as they assembled the situation and issued orders.

“The 14th launch!”

Red flames rose in front of the bridge windows. Thunder erupted from the sea and wrapped around the deck.

Ignoring the shock of the intense Japanese fire, Admiral Pound asked the chief of staff.

“What is your current distance?”

“It’s still 30,000.”

“Okay, just keep contact at this distance.”

As the red smoke dissipated, the admiral looked out the window at the horizon. Amidst the faint black smoke rising, countless chimney smoke was flying beyond the blue line. A column of water covered the surface of the water. Imagining the invisible enemy fleet beyond, the admiral kept his mouth shut.

“Admiral, we currently have 6 battleships. In terms of numbers, they are exactly equal to the enemy fleet. I think it’s worth a decisive battle, but… .”

The chief of staff approached behind him and said quietly. Admiral Pound pressed his hair down and raised the corners of his mouth.

“Well, do I really need to take that risk?”

Then, he turned and looked at an officer who was monitoring the situation.

“Look, Cunningham. Do you think our fleet has a chance if we fight those two South Dakota-class ships?”

Cunningham, who was listening to the report of the squadron under his command, raised his head with his ears pricked up. He briefly raised his hand to the news officer who was reporting and said.

“The 16-inch gun battleship is our only one, but… Other than that, we are overwhelming, so I think it’s worth a try.”

The current Royal Navy battleships are Rodney, Queen Elizabeth, Valiant, Revenge, Ramillies and Iron Duke. There are only four battleships with 15-inch guns.

On the other hand, except for two South Dakota-class battleships of the US Navy currently observed, all are outdated multi-turret battleships. In terms of power, this is an advantage. The chief of staff agreed.

“The speed and opportunity are now. If you reduce the distance to 20,000 and focus on the two South Dakota-class ships, the rest of the outdated battleships will be easy to take down.”

“Well, I don’t intend to do much, but I mean.”

Then why did you ask, you snake old man?

The chief of staff gritted his teeth and shook his head. Admiral Pound, who may or may not know the hearts of his men who are on a sh*t line, smiled and calmly continued his words.

“The Secretary of the Navy seems to want a fleet showdown, but I’m not very attracted to it. No matter how you look at it, it’s a strategy of taking the flesh and giving away the bones.”

He looked out the window at the rising water column with calm eyes. The vibration spread through the bridge again.

“Enemy bullets hit!”

“Turret No. 2 hit! clear!”

“Slight flooding in compartment 3!”

The sound of footsteps echoed and all sorts of reports crossed. Urgent shouts continued here and there, but the admiral looked around without hesitation. he told the chief of staff.

“For our Navy, Task Force H is an irreplaceable main force, but they are not. Even if those two South Dakota-class ships are sunk here, the other four capital ships will be under construction.”

“So we need to reduce the enemy’s power here… !”

“I mean, it makes no sense to wipe out the enemy fleet in a fleet showdown and bring them to the negotiating table.”

With sharp eyes flashing, the admiral cut off his words.

Seeing the chief of staff wince and shake his shoulders, he let out a laugh.

“It may sound funny, but we have to watch this war for a long time. They never fall in one blow. We should slowly accumulate losses and make them change their minds.”

The admiral turned around again with light steps and looked at the horizon. The admiral licked his lips bitterly.

“I’m not in the mood to do it, so I’m going to step down on my own.”

The surface of the water, where the smoke from the cannonballs flashed, did not look very nice as the black smoke stretched like a tail. Soon the roar of engines spread like an echo.

Everyone on the bridge turned their heads in search of the source of the strange sound. Everyone looked up at the ceiling, including the chief of staff, the squadron commander, and the lower end sailors. A noise was heard in the sky.

“So the fleet cannot be consumed.”

Admiral Pound said so while looking at the dozens of aircraft flying over Rodney.