I Became a Captain of the British Empire

An Unexpected Mission

May 25, 1930.

London, UK, Naval Headquarters.

“Brigadier General Samuel D. Lewis. to come in.”

The voices of the jurors echoed in the large meeting room. I got up quietly and approached the jury box. The director of the jury, sitting in the second seat from the right, quietly read the document.

“The Commission raises questions about your actions in response to the attack by US Navy battlecruisers on May 12, 1930 from 12:30 to 20:15.”

A cool touch passed by the bedside. The warden, who was sitting on the far left, spoke first.

“Commander Lewis. Reportedly, you encountered two US Navy battlecruisers, believed to be Constalation-class, and a number of other destroyers that day. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Nodding, the warden adjusted his glasses and looked down at the papers in his hand again.

“Your mission was to strike Panama, not to fight the enemy fleet.”

He looked up at what looked like a copy of the order, then looked at me again and continued.

“However, you have chosen to engage an enemy fleet with a clear superiority in force. Pretty close too.”

Sharp eyes shone through the papers. I took a deep breath and answered slowly.

“The enemy battlecruiser squadron apparently found our squadron first and engaged them. At the time, due to damage from naval battles, our fleet lost the ability to evade engagement from the enemy, and the enemy’s reconnaissance capabilities also far exceeded our own.”

Eyes that soften more. He kept a calm expression and continued speaking.

“That’s why I chose to engage rather than evade or flee.”

The jurors look at each other. After briefly exchanging glances, the general sitting on the far right opens his mouth.

“But I lost Tiger because of it. Tiger is the only four in our Royal Navy… No, one of only six battlecruisers.”

Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Perhaps it was a mistake, the general cleared his throat in embarrassment. I speak quickly before the atmosphere fades.

“Even though it may be old-fashioned, the importance is different. But you lost that ship in the last battle.”

“I know.”

He quietly nodded.

There was nothing to say.

It was my wealth, and I promised but did not ask for it. If my command hadn’t gone wrong from the start, they wouldn’t have to die.

I couldn’t even rescue Tiger’s survivors.

“I feel the responsibility of the jurisdiction over that. I will gladly accept any treatment.”

I closed my eyes and quietly waited for the verdict. However, no sound was heard.

“I understand your words well.”

When I opened my eyes, I saw a member of the jury with rather bewildered faces. The general in the second seat from the left coughed and read the papers.

“But according to your report… .”

A juror with trembling hands sweeps the remaining white hair. It was like reading a Korean language book.

“In terms of combat power and maneuverability against the enemy fleet, your fleet was initially inferior, and this committee believes that you did your best to make up for it.”

The atmosphere has changed.

Everyone’s eyes are focused on me. Eyes that have already been convinced. The jurors glanced at each other and nodded at the same time.

“Thus, the Commission decides as follows. Brigadier General Samuel D. Lewis, acquitted. The court-martial ends.”

– earth! earth! earth!

The sound of a hammer echoes through a quiet room.

“Brigadier General Samuel D. Lewis. I’ll just go away.”

As I left the room, a familiar face appeared.

“Good job. Can I see you for a minute?”

1st Naval Lord, Frederick Lawrence Field.

The current Supreme Commander of the Royal Navy called me.

* * *

The Navy Police Office was better than expected. Is it because of the title of Supreme Commander of the Royal Navy? Even in the extreme situation of war, all kinds of luxuries are lined up. Well, at least it’s high-end furniture.

More than that, I want to give it a high score for being treated to sugar coffee that I had forgotten about for a while. If only there was an evaluation.

“The past three months have been really hard. Lieutenant General Lewis.”

Admiral Fields said while raising a cup of black tea. He sipped his glass and smiled.

“Ah, I guess I should call you warden now.”

“I am still a brigadier general. Besides, isn’t that a wartime commission? I think it is too early to file a complaint.”

It is in front of the Supreme Commander. There will be no regrets if you have the utmost courtesy. I worked hard on my posture. The admiral raised the corner of his mouth as if he was having fun.

“It wasn’t too far, though. It was a really great performance.”

He turned his head in front of the window where the scenery outside spread wide. He spoke in a somewhat subdued tone.

“I’m sorry I made you go to trial as soon as I arrived. First of all, it is necessary as a formality.”

The admiral wrinkled his mouth as if he was really sorry.

As a person, I didn’t really care.

It is not a lie to say that you feel responsible.

“The Secretary of the Navy made a claim. Why did you fail to defeat Panama? Oh, I was sweating a bit trying to stop him from living alone.”

Afterwards, the admiral sighed and said.

Alone… say? If so, the story is a bit different.

The moment was terrifying. To think I had actually met that maverick old man.

Of course, Churchill is a celebrity. Regardless, he is the leader who led Britain to victory in World War II.

But apart from that respect, if you ask me what it would be like to meet separately as a human being, well… .

Maybe I’d rather go with Patton or LeMay.

The admiral opened his eyes wide in bewilderment, as if his expression had hardened before I knew it.

“I just feel really sorry for you.”

“Oh, no.”

It’s a mistake. What a face like this in front of the Supreme Commander.

I cleared my throat and straightened my posture again.

“It was something I could have done better. I have nothing to say.”

I sincerely thought so. If we had gathered a little more information and made a careful choice, if we had been a little less bold, we would not have had to face that hopeless situation. If I had been more competent… .

“Where is a human who lives knowing the future? Sometimes, there are days when I collapse in an unexpected ordeal.”

“Click,” said Admiral Fields firmly as he put the teacup down on the table.

The glass is not even half empty yet. Hot steam rises and is soon carried away by the wind.

The admiral, who leaned against the desk, looked at it with a nonchalant face, then turned his head to me.

“But the spirit of the Royal Navy lies in its indomitable will to rise again. Just don’t forget it.”

The old admiral requested so. But I didn’t see an answer. It was just acting like instinct. It was a soulless nod, but he said nothing more.

“Didn’t you say that Repulse’s repairs would take at least three months?”

“Yes, even if it is minimal.”

The topic returned to the recent situation of Repulse. I quietly recalled the dock manager’s explanation.

That wasn’t a very good review.

Like a floating tube… Whether it’s a brand new car driven to the brink of scrapping in three months… .

However, when I saw Repulse docked in the dry dock, all of the criticism made sense. Repulse, who had been housed in a dry dock as if toppling over, was a wreck in itself.

The steering gear was on the verge of tearing apart due to repeated sudden maneuvers, the engine rolled so badly that its lifespan was almost cut in half, and there were many small and large holes in various parts of the hull.

And that’s not all. The main gun and engine have to be repaired, some of the retrofitting has been delayed, and a restart test has to be done again.

Damn, it gets dark again.

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Fortunately, the admiral was not looking this way, but was staring at the window.

“Good. In the meantime, take good care of yourself.”

I wondered at him as he turned his head with his hands behind his back.

“You mean recuperation?”

“I’d like to send it to the front right away, but I’m still a human, so I don’t think I need time to rest.”

The admiral makes eye contact.

He raised his eyebrows as if asking for consent.

“Isn’t it?”

“Ah, yes. That’s right, but… .”

“And now I don’t even have a boat.”

The admiral sipped his teacup and spoke calmly.

There are no ships in the Royal Navy. What the hell does this mean? While thinking about it, the admiral let out a complicated sigh.

“Admiral Tompkinson and his captains have already occupied key positions in Hood, Renown, Invincible and Indomitable. Not to mention Task Force H and the Mediterranean Fleet.”

The admiral stepped forward and pointed to the huge war map attached to the back of the chair in the office and continued his explanation. Innumerable marks were attached to numerous bases, from Newfoundland to Bermuda, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Scapa Flow.

It was a testament to the struggle of the Royal Navy. The admiral pointed to Portsmouth and continued.

“All that remains is a squadron of battleships under the direct control of the Home Fleet… I don’t want to entrust you with an old-fashioned Iron Duke or King George V.”

thank god. Still, I don’t think I’m going to drive a 21-knot speed old-fashioned.

After the Atlantic Fleet was changed to the Home Fleet, numerous additional capital ships were assigned, but eventually the main force was concentrated in the subordinate H Task Force.

No wonder. Because it is those friends who fight on the front lines.

In any case, most of those old-style warships remained under the direct control of the Fleet Commander in their home country. Armed with 13.5-inch guns, the two classes are a bit old-fashioned to go to the front. One battleship is an invaluable force for England that cannot be abandoned… .

Still, Repulse is better. Even driving a Furious would be more satisfying than that.

“After all, there are no ships. At least for now. So go to a nice place and rest for a while, and I will get you some good power when it’s appropriate.”

I tilted my head at the admiral’s words.

What do you mean by nice place?

I asked him carefully.

“Admiral. It’s a presumptuous statement, but I’m not sure what you want to say.”

“It is simple.”

The admiral smiled lightly and continued.

“I’m thinking of sending you to Germany.”

The meaning never seemed so simple.

* * *

Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Port of Liverpool, UK.

The giant ship, Repulse, entered the dock. Looking at the hull with clear bullet marks everywhere, the officer fell into thought.

“You’ve been beaten really badly.”

Another general standing next to him nodded.

“Still, it’s a ship that suits you. Isn’t that the flagship of Brigadier General Lewis?”

“Ah, yes. what… It is.”

The officer groaned in discomfort.

Lewis Lieutenant. A disgrace to the Royal Navy, profligate, lazy, lethargic. A person who occupied an important position because he was unnecessarily competent in such a subject.

At least that’s how it looked in this officer’s eyes.

No matter how active he was during the war, the first impression in people’s eyes remains for a long time.

The general tapped him on the shoulder and continued.

“It’s still one of the few battlecruisers. Rodney is a good battleship, but wouldn’t a battlecruiser be a good place to build a career?”

That was right. Rodney’s firepower and defense are top-notch in the Royal Navy, but his seaworthiness is rumored to be the worst.

If you drive that Nelson well, rumors will circulate that you fly around on the hood.

Anyway, this might be better, the officer comforted himself.

“Then, as the new captain, do your best. Torbay.”

Saluting the general who tapped him on the shoulder, Royal Navy Colonel John Cronin Torbay sighed.

It was the moment when a new talent took his first steps in Repulse.