I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Declaration of war

Hard as it is by modern standards, the main force of the German Navy was battleships. In the era I lived in, it was famous for its U-boats, or submarines, but that was because the Great Sea Fleet was pushed back by the Royal Navy and stuck in ports.

Excluding the Royal Navy, it was the Kaiser Marine, which was Europe’s top navy. Of course, because of the enormous maintenance costs, they had no choice but to agree to the disarmament treaty after the war by crying and eating mustard.

However, it is still a strong anti-ship fleet. All I can see right now are two Bavarian-class battlecruisers and an unknown battlecruiser. Few navies have this many super dreadnoughts in this era.

“What is the name of that ship?”

“This is Mackenzin. It is the flagship of the battlecruiser squadron of our Great Sea Fleet.”

Right.

I looked at the long battlecruiser moored in the pier on the other side.

Mackensen-class battlecruisers. A successor to the Derflinger class that played an active part in the Great War. A powerful battlecruiser with 35 cm caliber guns.

Considering its status in the Royal Navy, its performance is equivalent to that of Repulse. Our side has the upper hand in firepower and speed, but the other side has the upper hand in armor.

To be honest, since both of them can penetrate each other, the one with more gunfire has an advantage… Anyway, our Repulse has nothing to bow to. Anyway then.

“What do you think of the German battlecruisers?”

Momentarily, a voice came from behind. I turned and saw an older officer walking towards us. He had a confident look, with a smile on his face.

“Admiral Leder!”

Donitz salutes in amazement. Is that person Leder?

“Nice to meet you. Colonel Lewis.”

“It is an honor to meet you.”

As we exchanged greetings, the admiral came in between me and Donitz with his hands behind his back. Donitz looked very perplexed as if he did not know he was coming.

Well, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy is coming next to me, so I’m nervous too. Leeder is a senior general who led the German Navy until the middle of World War II in the original history. He was also one of only three military marshals at the time of the outbreak of the war.

He is such a seasoned general.

I also looked at him nervously.

“The Mackenzen class is the pride of our Great Sea Fleet. It’s rare to show it in person, but I think you deserve it for leading a battlecruiser.”

“It’s an overstatement.”

Now the familiar answer came out. Everyone who sees it says that… .

Well, in the eyes of those who drove battlecruisers in the first line during the Great War, I might still look good for revealing the usefulness of battlecruisers.

Leder also served on Hipper’s staff, having served in the naval battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland.

“So, how about seeing it yourself?”

As he asked the question again, his eyes were confident as if they were united with lofty pride.

It deserves it. The German battlecruisers were the ones who won a decision victory over the famous Royal Navy battlecruiser squadron in Jutland.

I nodded my head in order to calm my mood.

“It looks like a battleship.”

“battleship?”

“That means the defense looks solid.”

He tilts his head and then smiles. It seemed that he was slightly embarrassed to be recognized by his old nemesis. Well, I don’t know if any other Royal Navy officer would show a little hostility.

“It reminds me of Seydlitz. A fast battleship looks better than a large cruiser.”

“Everyone calls me that.”

But not me. If you’re cool, you’re good.

British battleships are compliant but only that. just plain normal.

American standard battleships are just ugly. It is worth seeing only after the number of modernizations. The only standard battleship that I recognize is the 1944 West Virginia.

Japan… let’s just not talk

Anyway, objectively, it is true that the German battlecruisers at the time left an impressive performance. For a battlecruiser, they had a high survival rate thanks to heavy defense and advanced damage control. I think there are lessons to be learned from the Royal Navy as well.

“I’m glad you like it. Wouldn’t it be sad if I came a long way and went back without any appreciation?”

Saying that, Leather raised the corner of his mouth and turned around as if beckoning to follow him.

It’s a calmer reaction than I thought, but it doesn’t seem like I’m in a bad mood.

I went to the headquarters and continued the conversation.

“Anyway, you came earlier than expected. Training is in two days.”

“sorry. I want to take a tour of the naval port before training. If I have offended you, I apologize.”

“No. Make your stay comfortable.”

The admiral shook his head and looked around the port, meeting my eyes.

“Because it’s rare for British naval officers to come to this Wilhelmshafen.”

He said, not forgetting the slightly wary look in his eyes.

Arriving at the headquarters building, I followed the admiral into the drawing room. Sitting face to face with the admiral in a gorgeous room, I sipped the tea the orderly had prepared.

“So, I heard you told Kaiser something interesting.”

Admiral Leather speaks like shedding. Donitz, sitting next to him, also watches me.

“I was merely expressing my humble opinion.”

“You are too humble. Your achievements are well known even here in Germany.”

The atmosphere is cooler than before. Are there any signs of being wary? Other than that, though, he seems to be interested.

“He had an interesting opinion about the operation of aircraft carriers.”

Leather continued by putting down the teacup.

“You must have heard of our aircraft carrier, right?”

“Yes, it is a beautiful warship.”

He nodded and replied. I had seen it before in the Navy Yearbook kept on board.

Germany’s first aircraft carrier, the Prinz Eitel Friedrich.

It was originally the third ship of the Mackenzen-class battlecruiser, but it was remodeled as an aircraft carrier according to the treaty that could not be completed due to lack of materials. In the Royal Navy, it is predicted that the performance is similar to that of the Furious.

“As you know, our aircraft carrier is only one, and plans for a follow-up are currently under discussion. But for the most part we are satisfied with Friedrich’s performance.”

Is that too Admiral Reder is also a traditional giant gunner.

Even in Plan Z, which was strongly influenced by conservatives including him, the center of the fleet was the battleship. Compared to the battleship power of 10 ships, the number of carriers was only 4 ships.

“I wonder if we really need an aircraft carrier as huge as the Lexington.”

A gaze that sees the carrier as an auxiliary power. In this day and age, that’s good enough. However, even if 10 years pass, they will regret their judgment.

“The admiral has a point. I just offered another possibility.”

However, I have no obligation to help. I already told the Kaiser everything I had to tell you. The favor has already been bought, so the goal is achieved. There is no need to spread any more information. The rest of the judgment is up to you.

“Funny.”

The admiral, who was looking at me gently, raised the corner of his mouth.

He speaks with a face full of uneasiness.

“Could you possibly meet our officers?”

“yes?”

Now that I think about it, I should have turned it down then.

* * *

In the headquarters building, a room apparently used for war games, I met the colonel’s eyes across the table.

“Nice to meet you. Colonel Lütjens.”

“Nice to meet you. Colonel Lewis.”

Günter Lutzens. A German admiral who led the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen squadrons during the pursuit of Bismarck. In the early days of World War II, he is also a master general who led the Scharnhorst-class sisters and led the war to destroy trade. Now it seems that he has been promoted early and has taken on the rank of colonel.

You really get to meet a lot of celebrities today. It’s deeply moving, but it’s just a pity that we don’t have time to talk about it one by one. Anyway, why is this friend standing in front of me, the situation is a bit complicated.

Leather, who intervened, looked at the two of us alternately.

“I think we’re going to start a simple war game from now on.”

Then he asked me

“Colonel Lewis, are you all right?”

gentle eyes.

But I couldn’t refuse.

“If it’s simple, there’s no problem.”

“Thank you. The Kaiser was wondering if your theory was really correct.”

It’s a trap. Damn, is the Kaiser testing me?

It is truly a quandary. I gnawed my teeth in front of Kaiser, but if I were pushed out of the theory, my trust in me would hit rock bottom. However, if you show all your skills, you are exposing information to a virtual enemy country.

I’d rather ask for advice if the ambassador was by my side, but he’s still talking to the Kaiser in Berlin.

I couldn’t hear the story properly because I was in a hurry. How should I deal with this situation?

Aww damn! I’d rather be quiet! I didn’t even know the subject, so I took it… . This is why there is a saying that if you stay still, half of it will go.

“Then let’s begin.”

The game started at the same time as Leder’s signal. Evangelism spread out on the table and countless fleet symbols. Officers waiting with long poles.

I was moved to another room to give instructions. I let out a sigh when I saw the officers staring blankly at me.

There is nowhere to retreat. It should be as simple as possible and leave an impression in a way that anyone would think.

Start lightly… .

“Reconnaissance aircraft taking off from the carrier.”

The formation mark moves in the basic rollover seen through the large window. It’s an analog method, but there’s tension as it is.

My strength is two aircraft carriers and one battleship. Lütjens’ strength is two battleships and an aircraft carrier. Auxiliary ships: 1 cruiser and 4 destroyers on each side.

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Perhaps, if it were Lutzens, he would operate an aircraft carrier according to the standard of a giant ship gunner. reconnaissance and fleet air defense.

“Enemy reconnaissance aircraft found.”

“Send the interceptor to the location.”

The officer reported the report in a calm voice. As expected, a reconnaissance aircraft approached the fleet. I immediately turned the course of the fleet.

Since the battleship power is 1 vs 2, it is impossible to engage in gun battle. If that’s the case, I’ll have to catch it off guard and neutralize the carrier first. This is standard, so I know everything even if I don’t do it.

It’s not like Lutjens doesn’t know that, so he’ll probably think of a way. The judge is also a German soldier, so it will come out in favor of the other side.

“Reconnaissance plane report, enemy fleet spotted. 140 bearing, 120 miles range, 20 knots speed.”

“How big is the fleet?”

“Carrier 1. Multiple destroyers.”

Is it a distributed layout? Unexpected.

No problem though. You will have to find the location of the battleship separately, but you can easily capture the carrier.

However, this side was discovered first, so the enemy raid will be coming soon. Shall we deploy destroyers like picket ships?

… no. There is no need to expose the concept of picket boxes already. It is better to hit the enemy quickly with the thought of giving up one carrier by trusting the defense power of the anti-aircraft guns of the fleet.

“Raid launch. With 4 fighters, 8 torpedo bombers, and 4 bombers.”

“How many ships are launched?”

“Both ships.”

Officers move the mark representing the raid on the map. It is a size that can comfortably catch one carrier. You can strike quickly and hit the enemy battleship from a distance to engage in naval gun battles.

Actually, if you just run away and hit it, you will win, but the battleship’s anti-aircraft guns and toughness are not easy.

If the judgment is good, it may result in Germany turning around the aircraft carrier. There’s nothing good about telling advanced doctrines. It’s already been half way since he robbed Kaiser… . ah sore

“Enemy raid approaching, bearing 330, range 10,000.”

“Anti-air battle.”

A mark showing enemy raids suddenly appears on the map in front of my eyes. Our raid is yet to approach. It is great to have been discovered first. Enemy raids attack the fleet at high speed.

“Carrier 1, two bomb hits, medium damage.”

is this a game damn it On the other hand, our raiding party has just reached the vicinity of the enemy ships and is suffering from intense anti-aircraft fire.

Fortunately, two bombs hit, and the enemy carrier suffered heavy damage to the flight deck. The judgment seems a little weak, but I felt relieved that I had neutralized it.

It seems that anti-aircraft performance was lower than expected.

“Dispersal of the fleet. Carrier 1 moved to 010, Carrier 2 to 330. The battleship goes straight to 000. Attach a destroyer as an escort to the battleship and carrier 1, and escort the remaining carrier 2.”

I can’t lose, so I have to struggle. Still, the fleet dispersion maneuver is a secret technique that I don’t want to publicize… .

In this era where it is difficult to detect enemy air strikes with radar, one of the ways to protect the carrier squadron is dispersion. Even if discovered and attacked, confining the damage to only one unit.

As expected, the second attack team flew in, but they only hit the already disabled carrier 1.

“Carrier 1 blows up.”

What kind of cardboard is our aircraft carrier made of? Well, it doesn’t matter. Our 2nd raid completely finished off the enemy carrier.

“Enemy aircraft carrier, two torpedoes, two bombs hit.”

Before long, the judge who had been listening to my whisper opened his mouth after looking at me.

“… green onion.”

It was to be expected. No surprise.

He grinned at the restless judge and continued to issue orders. The surprised guy’s face was very nice to see.

“Prepare the 3rd raid on carrier 2.”

It made things easier. Thanks to all of the attack opportunities, one bullet was still left for this side. With this, you can completely kill the enemy aircraft carrier and go as planned.

… It was time to think so.

“Looking at the reconnaissance plane! Bearing 090, distance 40,000, enemy fleet spotted! 2 battleships, 1 cruiser, 23 knots!”

“what?!”

Confused, I looked at the map. The mark of an enemy fleet coming in from the east exactly.

Damn it, it’s a trap!

Why didn’t the reconnaissance aircraft find the enemy fleet? Until it gets this close! Have you ever calculated it from scratch?

I hurriedly checked the current wind direction. To face the wind, you must turn to starboard.

But that’s the direction the enemy battleships are approaching. But if you don’t send an attack team, there’s no other way than to run away.

Sacrificing allied battleships? No, then you get stuck at night. At night, carriers are helpless.

To make matters worse, the judge’s report followed.

“Bearing 300, range 20,000, enemy raid found. About eight bombers.”

“Raids?”

The carrier obviously disabled it. Did you plan a staggered attack? Damn, totally cornered. If you lose like this, your position will be rather dangerous… .

belated regrets come The opponent is the one who created the Bismarck myth. Even when leading the Scharnhorst class to destroy trade, there is a record of repelling the pursuit of the British fleet accompanied by an aircraft carrier.

Even though he still lacks experience, prospects are promising. You shouldn’t have looked at it from the beginning and you should have done your best.

how will we do it. Doubt bites tail after tail. run away? Enemy raiders have 8 dive bombers that are difficult to intercept. It’s best to hit it with a fighter jet while moving away.

However, if you move in the opposite direction, you will be beaten with excitement by the battleship. If it is dispersed, it will be broken individually, not one way or the other.

My head vibrates like it’s going to explode. What should I do… .

It was a time when I was stomping my feet because I had no sharp tips.

“Stop training! Stop!”

Bang – someone kicked the door and came in. When I turned my head, Admiral Raeder was approaching.

“Is Colonel Lewis there?”

The admiral wiped away cold sweat with a surprised face.

Then he grabs my shoulder and says.

“Colonel Lewis, I’m sorry, but I have to go home today.”

calm voice.

I blinked in bewilderment.

I was on the verge of being disgraced.

I looked at his face again to see if he was serious. But the old eyes were shining coldly.

Something went wrong. Intuition screamed so. I replied that I would know quietly.

“It’s a pity.”

Leather, who entrusted me to Donitz, disappeared somewhere.

* * *

After parting with Donitz at the temporarily assigned accommodation, when I entered the room, there was a passenger. When I turned on the light, I saw a familiar face.

“Are you breaking into other people’s homes now?”

“You’re talking harshly to the person who cleaned up the dung flies.”

For some reason, the dusty K was gasping for breath with his hand leaning against the wall.

“Have you removed any tailings?”

“It was appropriately sent by Tyler. Don’t worry, there’s no problem.”

I want to shake the sweat that forms on my forehead, and drops of blood splatter.

I didn’t ask further what had happened. There was something more important than that.

“What happened?”

“France has declared war.”

f*cked. The situation that was feared finally exploded.

Kirk took a deep breath and let out a hiccup.

I shouted urgently as I approached K.

“Request to return to home country immediately… !”

“To Germany.”

Only then did an old saying come to mind.Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

People have to listen to the end.