I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Operation Catapult (3)

It’s a trap.

Bairn’s Admiral Jeansul intuitively thought so.

An enemy fleet approaching from a headwind position. A squadron of attack aircraft arriving just in time. I can’t help but think that the attack was prearranged.

But how the timing was right was also questionable. Is it an elaborate trap?

“When did you set this trap?”

“Admiral, this is dangerous!”

He came to his senses at the call of the chief of staff. Admiral Jangsul turned his head and opened his mouth after looking back at the bridge crew members who were paying attention.

“The enemy fleet is still out of range, don’t worry! For now, blocking raids is a priority! The destroyer fleet immediately forms a circular formation and concentrates anti-aircraft fire! Fleet, course 180!”

At the exact command, the staff immediately moved their feet. On the deck of the rapidly tilting Bairn, the admiral held onto the railing and thought.

‘When did he set such an elaborate trap?’

that was the question Of course, it was his mistake not to pay attention to the flanking reconnaissance. It was still painfully felt.

However, there is a limit to the reconnaissance aircraft that can be mobilized by an aircraft carrier with more than 40 payloads. It is a fact that the Battleship Squadron knows that it cannot cover all of this wide North Atlantic Ocean.

So while they deal with the enemy battleship row, Bearn holds the carrier in check.

The biggest reason for that is…

“You’re emptying the Strait of Dover to catch us?”

It hadn’t occurred to me that the Strait Fleet would go directly to the open sea.

* * *

At the same time, Lieutenant Burdon, the leader of the torpedo bombers of the 2nd Furious attack group, was thinking about what could be the answer to Admiral Jangsul’s thoughts.

“Damn it, the timing overlapped!”

“Captain, can we go ahead like this?”

The lieutenant shook his head at the anxious question from the rear gunner.

“By the time we rush in, the battleship squadron will open fire.”

A warship approaching on the horizon seemed to be able to close enough distance while the carrier turned its sluggish hull.

In reality, the distance is quite far.

But the lieutenant couldn’t help but think that way.

This is because gun smoke flashed and a column of water rose near the carrier.

“Is it already in range?”

“But the water column is quite far.”

At the words of the rear gunner, the lieutenant frowned and paid attention to the sea. It still seemed narrowly outside the maximum range. Perhaps aiming for that gap, the aircraft carrier hurriedly turned around, scattering soot over the engines.

“What should I do? Shall we forcefully break through?”

The lieutenant was troubled. It was clearly an advantage.

The opponent has no escorts at all, and this side can commit both battleships and aircraft to the enemy. A typical high seas joint operation.

The problem is that this is not a negotiated situation at all.

No one on the scene thought that the Battleship Squadron and the Furious assault force would arrive in the sea at the same time.

“It’s a little late because it was pushed by the strong wind, so this is the result… .”

“If we rush in now, I think we’ll finish it somehow before the bombardment starts!”

“… No, let’s turn around and look at the situation.”

“Then face the wind! Would that be possible?”

“Do you want to go into the sea where the shells are falling?”

I didn’t want to imagine being interrupted by artillery fire from a friendly battleship after approaching close range for a torpedo attack.

“How about spraying it from afar and running away?”

“The hit rate is going down! Damn, I’d rather do bombing if I could… .”

The lieutenant shook his head sadly. Even as the two scuffled, the distance between the fleet grew closer. As the barrage of anti-aircraft guns smeared the sky, the lieutenant shook his fist in anger and shouted.

“sh*t! turn! It’s impossible to go in now! Those guys are high on drugs!”

The squadrons that received the hand signal turned their noses in unison. Beyond the fumes that were futilely spreading in the sky, a huge aircraft carrier was advancing calmly.

* * *

France’s 1st Task Fleet’s flagship ‘Lyon’ near the Channel Islands in the English Channel.

At the same time as the declaration of war, the British army withdrew like the ebb tide, and the ‘former’ British Royal Family Territory was now dominated by four battleships flying tricolor flags.

The fleet, led by a characteristic quadruple turret battleship, had been passing through the English Channel without any resistance for several hours. Admiral Darlan, who heard Bearn’s report from the bridge of the leading ship, tilted his head.

“Why did you clear the strait?”

Aside from the urgent situation of an aircraft carrier, which is also felt as a professional, it is because the enemy’s movements were very suspicious. The chief of staff replied to the words of the admiral who suddenly muttered to himself.

“Isn’t that the ulterior motive to capture the carrier and stab our rear?”

“The enemy fleet is too slow for that. If they enter the Channel now, they will not reach Dover in a day.”

Certainly it was.

The location of Bearn marked on the chart is 80 nautical miles west of Brest. Even if the British battleship squadron returned at full speed, it would take over 20 full hours to reach Calais.

The Chief of Staff nodded, thought about it, and spoke again.

“Then, we might have mistaken the carrier for our main force. or not… There may be one or two warships left in the strait on the Dover side.”

“Because I can’t see anything because of the haze in the morning. Contact HQ in Calais immediately! We have to search that strait first.”

While the communications staff was carrying out the order, the chief of staff approached and asked.

“What about Bearn?”

“Tell the Brest Air Corps to submit a request for assistance. At least it will give me time.”

Even so, he was an admiral who did not expect much. No, on the contrary, I was a little happy.

The biggest barrier blocking the English-French Strait has disappeared.

If the straits were breached immediately, there would be no force to stop the French troops stationed at Dover.

So he decided to try one more time.

Are the straits really empty?

“It might be a trap, so go carefully. But if they’re trying to deceive us, I’ll be happy to crush that hope.”

“Even if a single division lands, England will be finished.”

The admiral looked back at the chief of staff and nodded.

If that’s really the case, this war might be won or lost today.

Slowly, the corner of his mouth rose.

While the British fleet was returning to the Strait of Dover, the French would be able to launch an amphibious assault. Even if they came later, they would have been in an advantageous position, so the victory or defeat was clear.

At least the air force in the strait is a variable, but the fleet can also be covered by the air force. As long as the most important naval power is taken away, there is no hope for Britain.

“Wall of trees… No, the iron wall is gone, so there is nothing to fear anymore! fleet! Full speed ahead! Get to Dover as soon as possible!”

Accompanied by a roaring chant, the four steel monsters advanced through the waves.

* * *

As if the result of resistance was not in vain, Bairn, whose engine had reached its limit, was gradually widening the distance from the British battle fleet. Looking at the water column receding, everyone on the bridge was relieved for a moment.

“Enemy battleship! Keeping distance 25,000!”

“Okay, we’re just barely out of range.”

The admiral sighed and wiped away the cold sweat.

The downside of British battleships is that their maximum range is around 20km.

It was fortunate that most of them did not undergo modernization and remodeling. If it’s a brand-new battleship, Bearn will open fire before he has time to turn.

But even that was short-lived. A squadron of torpedo bombers, confirming that the artillery fire was not reaching them, immediately rushed to the right of Bearn.

The 3-inch anti-aircraft guns fired again. It was a fairly fast reaction speed, as if he would not repeat the humiliation he had just suffered. However, the bullets were too thin, as if the problem of the gunman could not be helped. The enemy aircraft slowly turned its nose and approached through the sparsely rising gunfire.

“Destroyers launch fire!”

“It’s too slow to calculate the specifications!”

The admiral shouted, but he knew deep down that he couldn’t help it.

They are the guys who joined late after throwing a smoke screen in the rear. It’s natural to be restless.

It was a destroyer fleet that somehow calculated the specifications and emitted artillery fire, but the impact was minimal. With only one 75mm secondary battery gun, it was not enough to stop the Furious attack force, which had accumulated experience in all kinds of real battles.

Furthermore, there were also enemy fighters descending from high altitudes. I had to pay attention to that as well, as the guys who might have exploded strafed me.

The admiral blushed as he watched the approaching squadron while smoke was dripping from being hit one by one.

“Drop it! Damn, one hit and we’re done!”

It is not the sound of being sunk by a torpedo. Made from the hull of a Normandy-class battleship, Bearn is not easily sunk by a few torpedoes or bombs.

However, the decrease in speed was another matter. If it slowed down by even a few knots, the giant friends following right behind it would put Bearn within range.

If that happens, the situation cannot be changed no matter what.

“Damn it, I didn’t want to be a bait!”

Ignoring the admiral’s sighs, the squadron, despite being under fire, finally entered the attack course. Caught in the crossfire of the tracer, the aircraft was torn to shreds and crashed into the sea. However, the rest came within 1,000 m of gear and dropped torpedoes.

“Break the key! Uro 25!”

“Uro 25!”

Bairn’s captain immediately gave orders to steer. The deck tilted violently, and the bridge crew hurriedly grabbed onto the railing. However, the 21-knot hull was too slow to avoid the rapidly approaching torpedoes.

“Coming torpedoes! Street 50!”

“Prepare for shock!”

thud-

A huge column of water rose on Bearn’s side. As the shaking subsided, the deck tilted and the steel hull let out a creaking scream.

“Report the damage!”

“The engine room is flooded!”

“Speed down! Current speed 18… No, 15 knots!”

desperate report. Conservation crews quickly moved their feet, and anti-aircraft guns continued to fire at the remaining enemy planes.

But all is futile. The admiral could only see it that way.

“no… .”

Huge things approaching over the horizon were spitting smoke.

Looking at the water column rising nearby, he intuited the end.

Thirty minutes later, a salvo from the British battleships hit Bearn.

* * *

At the same time, aircraft carrier Furious.

“Enter the battle in the Battleship Squadron! Enemy aircraft carrier sunk!”

“Okay, back to bed! Go straight to the Strait of Dover!”

A giant player of the Furious that moves through the waves.

Even while watching the magnificent appearance, I did not go away.

“Where is the enemy fleet now?”

“According to the report of the patrol boat, it is currently crossing the Channel Islands and reaching the waters off Dover.”

“It’s too far.”

Damn, it’s too late than expected. According to the original plan, after giving Bearn a shot, leave the cleanup to the battleship squadron and return… .

Both powers were captured by Bearn at the same time.

If this happens, it will be as if he has acted as a decoy.

The 3rd attack team is just returning after hearing the news of the sinking. Now we need to send the 4th raid to the English Channel. However, the distance is about 600 km. Our attack planes are full of fuel and can barely fly one way. The Battleship Squadron was hope, but

“Where is the Battleship Squadron located?”

“King George V, Centurion, and Ajax are currently organizing the Bearn Flotilla and heading north.”

While listening to the report, I suddenly thought of something strange.

“Two boats are missing?”

“Thunderer and Conqueror are sailing 100 nautical miles from the rear. We are currently making an emergency return to Portsmouth.”

“Are you in the back? why?”

I thought the entire squadron would move. It’s still old-fashioned, so it’s normal to go around together because you’re anxious. Did the admiral foresee this situation and leave a reserve?

“The engine is out of order.”

“I will turn around.”

Then it is. I am a legend who battles with these guys.

In any case, the opening of the strait cannot be prevented. Perhaps by tomorrow the first wave of the French landing force will reach the shore. therefore…

“Call the flagship. Let’s prepare for the next operation.”

Still, it’s within the acceptable range.