I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Operation Catapult (2)

One by one, the raiding party leaves the deck and soars. It is a simple squadron consisting of 4 escort aircraft and 4 bombers. The air chief looks at them with a worried face and says.

“I don’t know if it can break through the air defense.”

“Hide well in the clouds and you will be fine. Unless the other side monitors the horizon with destroyers like us.”

If you break through the interception net, you can somehow catch at least one carrier with dive bombing. In the meantime, I expect we will be exposed to at least one air raid.

By the time of World War II, Bairn was already considered useless, but in the 30’s it is quite usable. It is also the era of biplanes, and there is also the merit of having three elevators on the flight deck. As much as that, it is possible to transport the aircraft quickly in the hangar.

In other words, the preparation of the raid is one hour faster. It’s slow, so there are a lot of restrictions, but it’s a biplane anyway. It won’t work as a big downside.

So don’t let your guard down any more.

Shuk, I turned my head and asked the flight attendant.

“What is the composition of the 2nd raid?”

“Yes, we can mobilize 4 flycatchers, 4 exploded Ospreys and 8 dart torpedo bombers.”

“As you said, the Dart torpedo bombers are only equipped with torpedoes without explosives. If you hit it right, you can even aim for a sinking.”

The flight commander, who just returned to the bridge, saluted and reported.

4 fighters and 12 attack aircraft. If the 1st raid damages the enemy, the 2nd will definitely take their breath away. In theory, this is a good configuration. But there is a catch.

“How long until ready?”

“I think it will take at least an hour.”

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Preparation is too slow.

I thought, clenching my fists tightly.

If you don’t do it right, you may get hit by an enemy during raid preparation.

“Problem. It’s a problem… .”

After thinking for a while, he spoke quickly.

“Organize to a minimum, and we contact the main unit.”

If the configuration is light up to the 2nd, the success rate of the attack will be lower. But it’s better than losing an aircraft carrier. This is a situation where the strait will be breached if it is twisted.

At that time, the communications staff posted a report.

“Report from the submarine! Enemy fleet departs from Brest!”

“At last!”

The enemy I was most concerned about appeared.

“What size?”

The communication staff calmly picked up the cable and read the contents as it was.

“Two large battleships estimated to be Lyon-class! And 1 battleship, 4 cruisers and 12 destroyers!”

to have lived two Is it not working as expected? Based on the report, I reconsidered the power.

The battleship behind Lyon’s two ships is probably the Breton class. We have five battleships in our Strait Fleet, but overall they are too underpowered to deal with Lyon.

The 13.5-inch main gun mounted on the King George V-class and Orion-class is an armament that could only be used by anti-aircraft guns or firepower. In terms of centimeters, it is 34.3 cm, similar in caliber to Lyon’s main gun.

However, it is difficult to see that the punching power is the same. They use new ammunition after the Great War. The elevation of the gun barrel is also increased, so the range is longer.

Overall, even with that much power, it is not possible to deal with the Strait Fleet.

If so, I guess I’ll have to use another method.

“Communication Chief! From now on, transmit to the Strait Fleet as I say!”

* * *

England, off the coast of Portsmouth. Strait Fleet 3rd Battleship Squadron Flagship “King George V”.

“Enter the battle in the Furious Combat Team!”

At the report of the communications officer, Admiral Howard Collins, the fleet commander, turned his head.

“Enemy aircraft carrier attacked at 100 miles west of the port of Brest! No damage!”

“Is the carrier alive?”

I groaned and looked out the window. No large enemy ships had yet been seen passing through the English Channel.

But how long will this place be peaceful?

he couldn’t tell.

“Admiral, the enemy battleship will be moving soon too.”

said George Hyde, commander of the Battleship Squadron. The admiral quietly agreed.

“I guess so. If more than one Lyon is alive, our fleet will have a hard time dealing with it.”

“If you have an aircraft carrier, it will be difficult to get help from the allied air group.”

It was as it was said. The admiral shook his head with a bitter face. Of course, if the situation supported him, he would also show his fighting spirit and fight the enemy no matter what.

However, it was uneasy from the ground up.

All the battleships used by the mainland fleet in this operation were spare ships. Most of the current crew members are reservists or recruits.

No matter how good a weapon is, if the person who handles it is inexperienced, it cannot perform at its full potential. At least if the performance is pushed back, the result will be obvious.

To make matters worse, the two Orion-class ships are still in a situation where the battle is hindered by problems with the engine department. Only three King George V-class ships remain fully capable of combat.

Recalling the disastrous situation, Admiral Collins sighed.

“It’s like leading patients into battle. The British Empire is also out of date.”

In case anyone would hear, he whispered quietly. At that moment, a communications officer with a telegram hurriedly approached him.

“An additional report from the Furious Combat Team!”

“Give it to me.”

The admiral, who had received the report before long, blinked his eyes in surprise.

“You want to use this strategy?”

He was stiff as a mangbuseok, unable to speak. Surprised, the battalion commander came up behind him and asked.

“Admiral, what are you doing?”

“You see for yourself.”

Looking at the squadron commander reading the telegram with a worried face, the admiral continued.

“Do you think it is possible?”

“This… .”

A warlord with a hard face. After a while, he struggles as if swallowing a sigh before opening his mouth.

“It’s possible because the opponent is the opponent, but wouldn’t it be very dangerous?”

“I guess so. I am in charge of the operation.”

The admiral shook his head and said. Of course, I heard the story beforehand. However, it was not a very pleasant situation to be prepared to take off your clothes because of the strategy of a friend who had just become a warden.

“Well, it’s not like there are other numbers. fleet! Change course!”

Biting his lips bitterly, he gave the next order.

* * *

waters near Brest. French aircraft carrier ‘Béarn’.

Hearing the report from the bridge, Admiral Jangsul frowned.

“The raid is wiped out?!”

“Yes, not even a single call.”

The communications chief answered with his head standing upright. The admiral muttered in a shocked voice.

“What kind of air defense network is this… Are Royal Navy aircraft carriers this advanced?”

It was an incredible voice. Of course, a gap was to be expected.

The aircraft on this side are outdated, and the other side has a lot of practical experience. Even so, even with a preemptive strike, this is the result… .

However, there was no time to panic. The admiral made a quick decision.

“Even if we can take one shot, we must not stop attacking. Put more stringent anti-aircraft security and quickly send out the 2nd raid!”

“Yes, Admiral!”

Looking at the busy deck crew, he made up his mind.

Those gathered here are the first talents who will be in charge of the future of the French Naval Aviation Corps. If you can’t cross the wall called the Royal Navy, you can’t move forward.

This is a necessary gateway.

It was a time when I thought so and soothed my mind.

“Second raid, preparations are complete!”

“Okay, immediately mobilize the attack of the enemy aircraft carrier.”

It was a faster report than expected.

Are you seeing the results of your training? Maybe we can get a win.

With hope, the admiral looked down at the deck where the sound of the propellers resonated lightly.

“Admiral, this is a report from the reconnaissance aircraft.”

The communications officer came and reported. The Admiral looked at him with nervous eyes.

What else? Did you spot an enemy battleship squadron?

“Enemy aircraft carrier changes course, sailing at full speed with a bearing of 300 based on this ship. A distance of 150 miles.”

“300?”

It was Admiral Jangsul who tilted his head.

Northwest if you go there. It is a route that goes out into the open sea of the North Atlantic Ocean. What is your intention?

He pondered the enemy’s actions.

“Are you trying to escape to the North Atlantic? It means emptying the strait… .”

It must be the intention to take the carrier out of the battleship squadron. I can’t help but see it that way However, if the strait is narrow, this side can also be covered by the Northern French Air Force. It’s not like your opponent doesn’t know that either. It may just be the intention to take out an aircraft carrier.

The admiral, who was struggling, looked back at Bearn’s captain and said.

“Let’s pursue it. Captain, turn your course.”

“yes? Admiral, then you will be separated from our battleship squadron.”

The captain asked again in an awkward tone.

“Covering is going to be difficult, is that okay?”

“It doesn’t matter. If we take down the enemy carriers, the rest will be taken care of by our battleship squadron.”

Saying that, the admiral nodded.

After all, battleships are the main players in naval battles. We just need to help them avoid unnecessary distractions.

And it is not a battleship that will be incapacitated by a few air strikes. The only thing that can stop a battleship is the same battleship. Your opponent only has outdated battleships. If the variable disappears, victory is natural.

“I hope Admiral Darlan will do well… .”

Admiral Jeansoul looked out to the distant horizon to the northeast and said. But I didn’t worry too much.

Today’s French navy is not strong enough to beat a few outdated battleships. It is not the pitiful navy of Napoleon I.

He made a promise, clenching his fists tightly.

“I’ll pursue you so that you won’t come back even later. Hurry up! After neutralizing it, join the main fleet right away!”

Half an hour later, just as the raid disappeared over the horizon, the admiral heard another report.

“Admiral! An urgent message from the lead destroyer! Enemy raid found!”

What you’ve been waiting for has happened.

He gave the order calmly.

“Prepare for anti-air combat!”

A steeply tilted deck.

Turning sharply to starboard, Bearn pitched his side in the direction the enemy plane was approaching.

Anti-aircraft batteries running wildly. The 3-inch rapid-firing cannon fires continuously, and the machine guns on both sides of the deck make a crackling sound.

Black smoke started pouring out of the sky, but no aircraft fell. However, the number of combat patrol planes was active. While the 3rd plane was catching the enemy escort, the 1st plane turned around and stuck to the rear of the enemy light bomber.

However, the enemy bomber, which dropped one bomb, immediately entered a skirmish. It was not like a normal bomber, it was agile.

“Is it a bomber?”

“It seems so. But now, only two planes exploded.”

In their eyes, they saw an Osprey turning to rescue a friend who had already been caught.

However, the other two aircraft managed to reach the skies above Bearn despite the anti-aircraft fire. The sharp sound of engines drew closer moment by moment.

“bandit! nosedive!”

At the same time as the watchman’s report, the admiral tightly closed his eyes. The impact hit the floor and the sound of something breaking echoed across the deck. The hot wind and the thick burning smell enveloped his face.

“Report the damage!”

Urgent reports poured in at the command of the captain who came to his senses.

“One bomb hit the deck!”

“Damn it, drop all the explosives!”

“Captain! What will the 3rd raid do if they throw away the ammunition!”

“Saving the ship is the priority, Admiral!”

The captain delivered his order as it was. All sorts of waste fell on the surging sea, and a column of water rose up.

It’s a shame, but the admiral couldn’t say anything more about that action.

No matter how low an aircraft carrier is in importance, a capital ship is a capital ship.

“starboard! Lookout report! Defense 280! 8 unknown aircraft, continuously approaching this ship! Distance 50,000!”

At the report of the watch, Admiral Jangsul gritted his teeth.

Is it a time delay attack?

Clicking his tongue, he turned to the air chief.

“Interceptors! Anything left?”

“Allied combat patrol planes are wiped out!”

“sh*t! Go headwind! Make an emergency sortie!”

There are only 4 bases, but if even one of them breaks through the air defense network, the result will be fatal. Bearn, who has already allowed one shot. A double hit on the deck could make air operations impossible.

Tightly, the admiral clenched his fists and looked up at the sky. However, that was a mistake.

“I, ahead, found a mast of a large ship on the horizon! 30,000 streets!”

“what?!”

Because they didn’t anticipate another threat coming.

The admiral turned his head at the unexpected report.

“If this is the case… !”

Black smoke approaching from a headwind position was filling the surface.