I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Operation Catapult (4)

12 p.m., off the coast of Calais.

late night. Through the crashing waves, a line of transport ships left the port. The fleet, which could easily exceed dozens of ships, crossed the rough seas of the English Channel and moved toward the other side little by little.

A transport ship that sways whenever it encounters waves.

Caught between the soldiers lined up like bean sprouts, the corporal looked around with a worried face. The stench of salty sweat mixed in all directions covered the area, testing my patience. However, there was a fact that stung more than the nauseating air.

“Sergeant, are you really going ashore?”

The corporal turned to the nearby officer and asked. The sergeant looked back at him and then frowned.

“Did you not even hear the order?”

“I heard. But isn’t it too sudden?”

“don’t worry. Just like in training.”

What training he was talking about, he had no way of knowing.

Infantry Warfare Where was the doctrine of amphibious warfare?

Of course, the Marine Corps, a professional landing force, was on board, but the main force of the number was the Army. Eventually, following the Marines, they too would encounter gunfire on the beach.

How fast can you pop out and deploy in this narrow dropship?

He was seldom sure. But in the meantime, the shore was slowly getting closer.

The soldier stuck his head out and looked at the distant background beyond the transport ship. The white cliffs, visible to the naked eye during the day, were now only seen as a burning background in the thick darkness. A peculiar flash of gunfire in the distance signaled that a battleship was nearby.

“An enemy destroyer!”

As soon as someone shouted, the transport ship passing nearby was engulfed in flames.

A transport ship whose hull was torn apart by a single column of water.

It sank as if it were being sucked into the sea, scattering burning heavy oil on the sea.

Shadows fluttered like sleet over the rubble that lit the water like lanterns. It was not just ashes or fragments that wriggled and struggled.

“sh*t! Everyone bow your head! Don’t look outside!”

At the sergeant’s shout, everyone immediately shrank. However, not many soldiers wanted to wait for death without knowing anything.

“Don’t worry! The enemy ship will soon be driven out by our fleet!”

With a look of nervousness at first glance, the sergeant yelled one after another. Fortunately, it was not a lie, and soon after, a terrifying roar was heard. When I raised my head slightly, the destroyer reflected under the flare was wrapped in countless water columns.

Before long, an explosion engulfed the hull. A flash of light engulfed the deck, and soon the long hull tipped over to starboard.

Everyone exclaimed at the action of the battleship, which pulverized the enemy ship in one blow. But even that was short-lived.

pop-

An incomparable roar rang from the sea not too far away. No one aboard the transport could turn a blind eye to the binge drinking.

Looking up, I saw a cruiser not far away, cut in pieces and engulfed in flames. The long, sleek hull bent terribly and sank. It happened in an instant, like the wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

“It’s a mine!”

“Damn, they say it’s safe this way!”

“What did the Navy do? I’ve been waiting for you all day!”

“You bastards! Everyone shut up!”

Just before the commotion broke out, the sergeant’s shout echoed across the deck. Confirming that his attention was focused, he drew in a breath and spoke slowly.

“No luck, just off the charts! Our way is safe!”

No one fully believed it. But there was no voice of reply.

Against the background of the screaming waves, the convoy crossed the waves. Whether it was a gunshot, a torpedo exploding, or a mine explosion, the sound resounded like a lullaby, not knowing whether it was an enemy or a friend.

The corporal quietly touched his rifle. The gun’s body was as cold as ice.

* * *

London, Cabinet Headquarters.

The cabinet members sitting around the conference room all had shadows on their faces and frowned. Baldwin, who had a serious expression on his face, opened his mouth as he looked around the audience.

“Just now, the first wave of the French army has begun landing in the Strait of Dover.”

The prime minister said so in a pitiful voice. A sigh spread across the desk. As the shadows of those with their heads down stretched, the person sitting in the middle said.

“It’s already embarrassing to say this, but… .”

It was Treasury Secretary Chamberlain. Half stunned by the ongoing escalation and subsequent expenditure, he looked around with languid eyes.

“I guess we should prepare for the worst.”

Everyone had no choice but to shake their heads at the voice that uttered as if the world had collapsed. Prime Minister Baldwin was the only one who stuck his face in and asked back.

“What if the worst?”

“Let’s prepare for negotiations with France.”

he finally spoke. And nobody answered it. Chamberlain looked around at the silence around him and nodded as if he had made a big decision.

“There are not even five divisions in the army guarding London. If the landings continue as they are now, London will be on fire in a week.”

“Our navy has not arrived yet. Even if they just regain control of the sea… .”

bang-

A sharp noise, like breaking a desk, penetrated the meeting room. Chamberlain frowned and shook his head wildly.

“It’s done! Damn it, I don’t know the military, but I do know that the situation has already gotten out of hand! How are you going to stop that French fleet?”

Everyone held their breath and bowed their heads. A gloomy expression hovered over the meeting room.

… It was then that a profound voice crossed the crowd.

“Hope isn’t gone yet.”

A stern and concise tone.

Everyone turned their heads. At the end of their eyes, Secretary of the Navy Churchill sat with a calm face.

“Secretary of the Navy, what are the next steps for the breach in the defenses of the English Channel?”

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Prime Minister Baldwin’s question.

He, too, with the pods in his hands, had his eyes slightly quivering. But the old Secretary of the Navy took the word calmly without a moment’s agitation.

“I know that our army is still successfully fighting a defensive battle. Our fleet will arrive in the sea soon, so there shouldn’t be any big problems.”

“under! What a peaceful sound!”

That’s a laugh out loud.

Chamberlain thought so and glared at Churchill.

“You mean you have a way to stop the great army from across the straits?”

“Bandora… .”

Churchill replied, raising the corner of his mouth.

“I’m thinking of how to conclude a better victory treaty.”

Shock gripped the crowd. Some whispered that he was crazy, others looked at him with bewildered eyes. Someone else just let out a laugh.

Only the prime minister kept a calm expression and asked him back.

“What do you mean, Secretary of the Navy?”

Clearing his throat, Churchill continued.

“They are entering through a narrow channel, risking losses due to the existence of the minefield. Of course, the forces that can be deployed at the same time will be extremely small.”

He leaned over with his hand on the pot spread out in the middle of the desk. As soon as he pushed his huge body onto the desk, the continent was covered in shadow. In a triumphant voice, Churchill pointed to the English Channel.

“Also, the battleship is not getting close to shore. For the time being, they will be stranded in the middle of the Strait of Dover and will have no choice but to be tied up.”

“So, how do we repel the fleet?”

Chamberlain shooting sharp.

Churchill, however, responded with a shy smile.

“Don’t ignore our admirals too much. Perhaps tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, the obituary of the French Navy will be delivered.”

“Where do you get that confidence from?”

Chamberlain finally stood up impatiently.

Even in this situation, Churchill’s leisurely appearance only seemed like a braggart to him at first glance.

However, even in front of him who wrinkled his forehead, Churchill did not back down a step. On the contrary, I met his eyes straight and opened my mouth in a heavy voice.

“How many of you, besides me and Sir Attley, have ever experienced a major amphibious assault?”

silence.

no one could speak

“No? No one will know what an amphibious assault is like.”

It was true. He had never dreamed of confessing it with his own mouth, so even that Lord Halifax could not bear to answer.

Churchill, who confirmed that he did not hear any objection, let out a light cough and spoke leisurely.

“Then I will give my opinion as an expert.”

Bang- He slapped the map with one hand and looked back at the crowd.

“We won this war.”

Under the giant palm, the Strait of Dover was fully grasped.

* * *

Morning, 10 am.

Fog covered the strait like smoke. The battleship Lyon, anchored in safe waters 23 kilometers from the coast, sounded the water with a salvo of 16 large cannons as if replacing a wake-up call.

Officers shouted cheers at the sight of fireworks flashing from the distant shore. The atmosphere on the bridge was light compared to the shore, but Admiral Darlan was not in a very happy mood.

“How is the operation going?”

“We are still clearing the beachhead. The enemy continues to counterattack in the first line, and the landing of troops in the rear is disrupted.”

“It’s already been over 12 hours, but you still haven’t crossed a single shoreline?”

The admiral, in disbelief, raised his binoculars and scanned the shore. It was still a noisy beach with flashing gunfire.

“You pathetic Army bastards… .”

What kind of emperor’s grand army do you mean? It was a sight that Napoleon I could not help but lament. Only then is it as if the activities of the navy and army have been reversed.

Of course, landings are limited to minefields and coastal artillery, but it is a fight in which the difference in forces is many times greater. Even if you pour this much 340mm giant cannon, you can’t get any results.

The admiral clicked his tongue and lowered his binoculars. It wasn’t worth looking further.

“Admiral, why don’t you get closer and fire support? If you shoot like this, the range is limited, and the efficiency is also reduced.”

It was the chief of staff’s suggestion. But Admiral Darlan shook his head resolutely.

“Then, if your precious battleship is hit by a mine, will you be responsible? We cannot lose the fleet.”

Then he let out a cold breath as if he was sighing.

“If you lose control of the sea, everything is for nothing.”

The success or failure of the amphibious operation now depended on his battleship squadron.

An amphibious landing operation without control over the sea is impossible. France must hold the initiative in the Strait of Dover for at least one month.

That’s why he intuited victory.

Admiral Darlan’s four battleships arrived here without even the slightest damage. It bothers me that there hasn’t been a single air raid this far, but unless there’s a battleship there’s nothing to drive them away anyway.

Yes, unless it’s the same battleship.

“Look starboard!”

As if answering the admiral’s thoughts, a sharp report came in.

“Enemy large ship found in bearing 010! Distance 28,000! Continuously approaching with this ship! About 30 knots!”

“… Is it a battleship?!”

At the report of the watchman, Admiral Darlang hurriedly came out of the bridge and took up his binoculars. A great plume of smoke was rising from the far eastern horizon.

It was undoubtedly the stack smoke from a large ship.

A thought shot through his mind like a bullet.

“Great Sea Fleet!”

Kaisermarine appeared on the battlefield. The admiral blinked and tilted his head.

They must have been late going back to the North Sea… . No, did they only take out the mobile battlecruisers? If so, the opponent is the Mackenzen class. It is a flagship of similar firepower to the Lyon class.

The admiral erased his embarrassed expression and kept his mouth shut.

If it’s just a battlecruiser, it’s worth doing.

He returned to the bridge with a stiff face and gave orders.

“Inform the entire fleet, prepare for anti-ship battle! Immediately form a single formation and go outside the strait! course! 010!”

The heavy prow broke the surface of the sea and advanced.

* * *

The bridge of the aircraft carrier Furious.

A bare deck with not a speck of dust left.

Furious, who had even emptied the hangar, was running through the English Channel at full speed with a light body. The port of Portsmouth, which can be seen from afar, felt busier today.

“Admiral, contact me!”

“Report.”

Correspondent who selects specialties. I waited quietly for the report.

“The 11th Air Group Headquarters will do all the control.”

“Tell me to do that. After all, the ground control station has more room than the narrow aircraft carrier.”

Air operations are definitely experts in the Air Force. However, it will be the first time they have operated such a large formation.

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Perhaps today will be the day when the largest number of planes gather in the Strait of Dover.

“What about Kaiser Marine?”

“Two maneuver squadrons of the Mackenzen class have contacted the enemy battleship row and are currently engaging.”

I turned around and checked my watch.

It’s just 1:00 PM.

A lot later than expected, but not too late.

“I’ll barely make it on time.”

Little by little, the corners of his mouth went up. However, it is still forbidden to be vigilant.

Opponent is 4 battleships. It is a fleet that embodies the essence of a country’s naval power.

Failure is never acceptable.

“Today is a rough day. If you win this battle, victory is right in front of you! Everyone, let’s push ourselves even further!”

A roaring answer is heard. Well, actually, there’s not much for an aircraft carrier without carrier aircraft to do. It must be all communication relay. So I just hope our strategy doesn’t deviate too much.

I thought quietly as I watched the planes filling the sky as they approached the sea where the gunfire was roaring.