I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Operation Catapult (5)

14:00. off the Strait of Dover. French 1st Task Fleet Flagship Lyon.

Curving gunfire.

The scorching heat crushed the waves. A huge hull advanced through the breaking water.

A main gun gate that flashes thunder on the surface of the water.

A massive storm changed the direction of the waves. It was a disaster in itself to see countless gunfire spitting fire all at once.

“Accumulation of lower bulkhead flooding! Close the bulkhead!”

“The third secondary turret has been completely destroyed!”

“Tell the fire department to hurry! You are slow on your feet!”

“Main gun, 8th round fired!”

… On Lyon’s bridge wielding such overwhelming power, an urgent report was echoing like a gunshot.

The main guns, which reached a total of 16 guns, were lined up side by side to port and fired nonstop. Of course, there was also the problem of cannon smoke, so in reality, it was on the side of shooting 8 shots each. But even that was enough to disrupt sleep.

“Enemy ships fired 14 rounds!”

“The gunnery field! What is your current distance?”

“About 14,000! It will be pierced soon!”

The captain, who was standing on the open-air bridge and giving instructions, raised his binoculars with a worried face. The enemy ship that appeared from beyond the fog was still running at high speed and spitting fire. A column of water like a building surrounded the hull of the battleship.

“I’ve been narrowed down!”

“A hit bullet?”

“Nothing more than the engine room!”

“A bulkhead is no problem.”

missed it But if you stay like this, you will be hit.

After thinking for a while, the captain made a decision.

“Keep aiming! Pour it like this!”

If we turn around here, we will miss the opportunity to fire on this side as well. It is better to believe in Lyon’s defense and engage in a slugfest.

The captain thought so and turned to the deck. The half-damaged hull was covered in black soot and smoke was leaking everywhere.

“The 8th, landing!”

At the watchman’s report, the captain turned his head again. Soon after, the enemy ship seen through the binoculars was engulfed in a huge column of water. A flash of light could be seen between the awl-like columns of water.

“telling shot!”

“good! I ate one!”

The captain clenched his fists and shouted. Debris was coming out of the flame-covered deck of the Mackensen class.

“Enemy ship, fire on deck!”

“I’m pouring hit bullets like this!”

On the other hand, Admiral Darang, standing on the sailing bridge, had an anxious expression unlike the fighting spirit of the captain.

“Admiral, are you okay?”

“It’s fine.”

The admiral waved his hand and let out a sigh, and continued quietly.

“It took too long to hit. They’ve been accumulating damage for a long time.”

“Wouldn’t this be the beginning? Lyon’s number of shots is twice that of Markensen. The armor has blocked the damage so far, so the slugfest from now on will decide the winner.”

The battleship squadron commander said in a confident voice. Even the admiral did not deny that. However, it was also true that he could not shake his anxiety.

A side armor belt that reaches 300mm in thickness only. However, it is not enough to block 35cm main artillery shells even at close range.

It was a time when I was struggling with nervous eyes. Lyon’s ninth salvo hit Mackensen again.

“Enemy ships collocated! Hit bullet observation! Three feet!”

A series of explosions pounded the Mackensen’s hull.

After all, the French Navy is second to none in gun accuracy. Once a hit bullet comes out, it continues its momentum without being rough.

Lyon’s 34cm gun is clearly a bit behind Mackensen’s 35cm gun in its weight class. However, the number of shots was doubled to 16. The actual amount of firepower thrown is almost doubled. If we exchange artillery fire honestly like this, the advantage is obviously the French Navy.

As if they would not lose in Mackenzen, the eight main guns fired fire. However, perhaps because of the impact of the bullet, only a column of water was erected near Lyon. Admiral Darlan raised the corner of his mouth as if mocking, then looked back at the chief of staff.

“The Brittany Squadron?”

“Currently, we are engaging an enemy battleship from the rear. It still seems like the Middle Ages, but… .”

“Are you still not done with it?”

Tsk, the admiral clicked his tongue and put on a disapproving expression.

An enemy’s obsolete warships sailing up the Channel are no big deal to Lyon, but deadly to convoys and land armies.

That’s why I sent Brittany and Lorraine. However, to think that he was struggling with the junk ticket that was in reserve. It can’t be the disgrace of the French navy.

thud-

While thinking about other things, Lyon’s hull shook again. As I approached the window and looked down at the deck, black smoke rose from the side.

“Admiral! It’s a port side projectile!”

“How is it?”

“Penetrate the main armor belt! A fire in the engine room!”

does this happen in the end It is, after all, an artillery battle between equal capital ships. Neither side can expect a one-sided criminal record.

Even so, it was true that I felt bad. The Admiral frowned.

“Admiral! An urgent message from the Outer Destroyer Fleet!”

“What else?”

Sensitive from the impact of the bullet, the admiral turned his head with a sharp face. However, the staff continued to report with a tense face.

“Large enemy aircraft found in the sky! Azimuth base ship standard 160, distance 30,000! number… .”

The staff holding their breath. After a while, he continues to speak.

“Numbers about 150… .”

“150?”

It was an unbelievable number, so the admiral opened his eyes and ran to the observation deck. Despite the help of his staff who tried to dissuade him for fear of gunfire, he raised his binoculars and looked at the sky.

Truly countless planes were approaching from above.

“Have you gathered all the Southern planes?”

He murmured as if it were absurd. Still, on a grand scale, there was some tension.

I was still concentrating on the bombardment. It’s not nice to be interrupted by an air raid.

“Where is our air force now?”

That was the moment. The cool sound of propellers crossed the ceiling.

“This is a friendly aircraft!”

“Air Force bastards! Try not to be disturbed!”

As he lowered his binoculars and entered the bridge, Admiral Darlan looked at the formation of fighters crossing the sky and shouted.

* * *

The air corps that cast shadows on the sea like clouds were divided into two groups. One was directed towards the main force of the Lyon-class battleships, and the other was directed towards the French rear fleet, which was engaged with Royal Navy Orion-class battleships.

What remained deep in the strait was a battleship presumed to be Brittany. Thanks to this, they were the first to be exposed to air raids.

“Everyone pay attention! descend! Let’s go get some food!”

Following the order of the squadron leader, about 10 torpedo bombers lowered altitude simultaneously. A squadron of fighters covering the sky blocked the approaching French fighters.

While gunshots rang out in the air not far away, squadrons of torpedo bombers cut through the sea and shot at the French battleships. Anti-aircraft barrages slowly rose around them.

However, it was only one or two machines that fell right into the poor drawing net. A true barrage was achieved by the crossfire of anti-aircraft machine guns.

The canvas wings that were hit by the tracer bullets were terribly torn. The plane, which dropped too high while avoiding the barrage, was swept away by the waves and left a fleeting column of water. Still, more than half of them safely dropped their torpedoes and turned their noses around.

Torpedo trails cutting through the water. The Breton-class lead ship hurriedly turned the rudder.

The fleet changed course at the same time.

But on the other side, the wake was also approaching.

The two battleships faced with a cross-throne hit chose to reduce the area hit as much as possible. Two columns of water rose from Brittany’s port side, which continued to turn. One torpedo also hit Lorraine’s side at the rear.

Tilted by flooding, the two battleships quickly regained their balance with anti-torpedo compartments and reverse flooding. However, the collapsed formation did not return.

Loren, who had moved away due to evasive maneuvers, was covered in a volley of bullets fired by the Conqueror. The second torpedo bombardment assaulted Brittany, which was turning again for the salvation of its allies.

* * *

“Damn it, I can’t believe it!”

Admiral Darlang gritted his teeth as he saw the air force approaching through the air force’s blockade.

The number is well over 30.

The anti-aircraft barrage was trying to shoot down several of them, but it was not enough. The gun was too short than I thought.

While the Brittany Squadron struggled, the assault force reached the skies above the Lyon-class battleships. The two relatively new battleships were assigned the most raids.

“squadron! Set the needle like this! Don’t let me get in the way of the firefight!”

“But Admiral! Soon they’ll be within torpedo range!”

“Ignore it! No evasive maneuvers are allowed until the wake is clearly approaching!”

The admiral’s order was to stay out of the way in the firefight, but fortunately the anti-aircraft batteries also prevented them from missing their aim. Thanks to this, several enemy planes fell prey to additional 75mm barrage.

However, it is also heavy duty.

The torpedo squadron lowered their noses all at once and eventually divided into two divisions and surrounded the squadron.

“Anti-aircraft cannons, firing!”

A barrage of machine guns lit up the sky, but it was too late. As the gunners cheered at the falling enemy plane, the torpedoes were already slowly moving towards them.

Lyon turned her hull sharply. At this rate, it would be like throwing a bow at a Mackenzen-class, but it was better than being hit with four torpedoes at the same time.

Some of the trails that forked on both sides carved sharp plumes of water into Lyon’s hull.

The scream of steel.

The impact from the floor knocked Admiral Darlang off balance for a moment. As he staggered, the chief of staff caught him and stopped him.

“Admiral! Are you okay?”

“Okay! What about the damage?”

“Two torpedoes hit! Some flooding in the engine room, but recoverable!”

The admiral put on a relieved expression for a moment. But it was short-lived.

“An enemy bullet is coming!”

Boom – a series of shocks hit the bridge.

“Damn it, what the hell?!”

“Enemy battlecruisers! Two Mackenzen-class ships approaching this ship! 10,000 streets!”

rising water column. The gunfire roared like thunder and covered Lyon’s hull. The admiral hurriedly turned his head.

“Where is the reel?”

“We are currently maneuvering evasively from the rear!”

What was reflected in his eyes was the appearance of the aft ship ‘Lil’, running at full speed in the opposite direction to avoid torpedoes.

Soon, the two battlecruisers opened fire at once from the front. There was only one target.

“Isolation.”

The admiral gritted his teeth and glared at the approaching battlecruiser. The sound of anti-aircraft fire and gun fire filled my ears like noise.

* * *

The two battlecruisers rushed at the isolated battleship like wild beasts and opened fire without hesitation. In an instant, several 35 cm caliber armor-piercing shells hit the hull of Lyon, which was narrowly blocked.

The steel plate, already weakened by being hit many times, collapsed powerlessly in front of the enormous impact. Explosions occurred throughout the hull, and flames spread across the deck.

Lyon also fired a counterattack hard. The destruction of the No. 2 main gun turret of the Mackensen-class lead ship was evidence of this. However, it was too meager resistance to block the 30,000-ton steel fortress.

Soon after, the No. 1 main gun turret, which had been burning fiercely, was hit by a direct hit and emitted smoke. The two main guns were badly bent. The other two doors were still aiming at the horizon, but a shell skimmed over them.

A shell that penetrated the barbette of turret No. 2 exploded in front of the catapult, scattering shrapnel and flames in all directions. Smoke billowed from the burnt down No. 2 main gun turret, obscuring the bridge.

However, battle command was not hindered.

This is because the ensuing Japanese fire from the Mackenzen-class aft ships crushed and destroyed the bridge.

Numerous explosions seemed to focus on Lyon’s hull, and the deck was engulfed in flames. Just then, an air strike from the 2nd Torpedo Squadron hit the starboard side. The fleet opened fire on Lyon, which was hit by a torpedo and stopped.

The fleet approached the burning battleship to end its breath. No protest movement was seen.

* * *

Two days later, Naval Headquarters, London.

Beneath the window bathed in sunlight, Admiral Fields of the 1st Navy, leaning back in his chair, read the papers.

“One Lyon-class ship and two Breton-class ships sunk. A Lyon-class ship is currently docked in the port of Calais… . Well, it could be considered a sinking in reality.”

widely-

After throwing it on the desk, the admiral looked at me and continued.

“So, how does the gamble feel? Admiral.”

“Not bad. Except for the screams of the Air Force piercing the sky.”

Admiral smiles bitterly.

But I couldn’t even laugh at the joke.

“Understand. One-third of operational aircraft were shot down. The rest were almost half damaged. They are the ones who shed the most blood in this battle.”

Thanks to this, I, the planner of the plan, received countless requests from Air Force friends.

Even now, sometimes the back of my head stings.

“But you succeeded this time too.”

Suddenly, the admiral got up from his chair and looked around the window. Outside, looking over my shoulder, golden sunlight was caressing the yard.

It’s hard to imagine a place that was gloomy just a few days ago.

“really… It’s an unbelievable result.”

“But now we’ve only just blocked the landing. Their main army is strong, and the Mediterranean Fleet is still on standby at Toulon.”

“They’re not the kind of guys who will collapse at once just because they lose control of the sea.”

Admiral Field nodded.

Since the Battle of Jutland, few great powers have believed that a battle is won or lost by a fleet battle.

Furthermore, France is a traditional military power. It’s not easy to break them down if you can’t bring victory on the ground.

“But for now, you can rest easy. You also worked hard.”

For now, I’ll have to be content with putting out the urgent fire. The collapsed mine network and the battle lines of the Strait Fleet are also being restored. The half-destroyed air force will take time to recover from damage, but that’s the same for France.

Once we have control over the sea, at least London won’t burn down. Perhaps because of that, Admiral Fields also had a more relaxed face than before.

“Let’s recuperate for a while. You worked hard in Berlin too, so if you roll any more, your body won’t be left behind.”

This time, I desperately hoped it was true.

After a brief report, Kirk, who was waiting outside, approached the Navy Headquarters.

“Admiral. I have been contacted.”

I suddenly tilted my head. Was there a place to contact you? Did something happen again? No, looking at his expression, I don’t think that’s the case.

“what’s the matter?”

“This is a call from the admiral’s house.”

… Where are you?

In front of me, who was embarrassed, Kirk calmly handed over the letter and continued his conversation.

“I’m going back to my hometown right now”

Half a year after coming to England, I had a shop at home.