I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Battle of the Bay of Biscay (3)

“Damn it, what is this?”

“Report the situation!”

A noisy bridge.

Holding on to my deaf ears, I turned my head to examine the situation.

Bridge personnel groaning with their backs bowed everywhere. Did you get hit by an enemy bullet?

But there was no fire, not even smoke. Only fragments of shattered glass are scattered on the floor.

“Admiral, are you okay?”

The chief of staff who grabbed my shoulder from behind asked me with a surprised face. I corrected my hair and replied.

“are you okay. Rather, what is this situation?”

“It’s an aftershock! The recoil seems to have broken the windows!”

For what?

I couldn’t hide my absurdity and opened my eyes. It was only then that I could feel the acrid stench wafting through the broken window.

The thick smell of gunpowder swirling in my head.

When I finished my judgment, I was dumbfounded and tilted my head.

“What on earth do you do to break the windows of the bridge in the aftermath of the Japanese occupation?”

It is an open secret that the design of Nelson-class battleships has problems with the aftermath of the Japanese occupation. However, I know that this has been suppressed to some extent through later improvements.

But why does this guy who came out later than him break the window?

“I think, but the main gun storm seems to be too strong.”

The chief of staff who stole a cold sweat was so lucky.

“The 16-inch gun used by Indipatigable is a version with more charge and increased muzzle velocity.”

“So bulletproof glass couldn’t withstand the pressure?”

“I think it might be something like that. But I know that other sister ships haven’t had this problem… … .”

It’s ridiculous. Doesn’t that sound like a ship with poor equipment? That’s why I’m not dragging a ship that hasn’t completely completed the commissioning test… … It’s like the Prince of Wales at the time of the Bismarck chase.

In 1940, in the original history, the Prince of Wales was also rushed in, so the defect was not caught, and only 2 out of 10 main guns were fired.

Fortunately, our Miss Infatigable is firing her 9 main guns without any problems. So it’s ironic that it’s more of a problem.

“Anyway, there’s definitely something wrong with this damn guy.”

thud-

Scary to mumble with complaints, a huge landing sound resonated outside the bridge. I saw the sea through the broken window. A column of water like an iceberg rose from a distance.

“Enemy bullet, hit! 800 meters to port!”

Watching report. He was nervous, but his voice was still clear. The appearance of the two warships was clearly revealed on the horizon, but the other side had not yet secured an effective range.

“It appears to be shooting at maximum range.”

“It’s a volley while charging at full speed, it’s still a long way from getting a hit.”

Enemy ships furiously rushing forward, pouring long clouds of smoke. It would be difficult to measure the distance there, as the distance between the two fleets was rapidly shrinking.

This is also a difficult situation to retreat from. If so, there is only one way.

I immediately hit the jeonseonggwan in front of the broken window. damn it Most of them are fed up.

At least I found one alive and shouted at it.

“Captain! Can you hear me!”

Is this broken too?

The moment I gritted my teeth, a voice came from upstairs.

“Captain! I heard some noise downstairs, are you okay?”

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Phew, he sighed and cupped his forehead.

Does this look good?

Still, the upper open-air bridge seemed to know nothing, so I decided to close my eyes for now.

“There are no injuries anywhere. However, some damage occurred to the bridge due to the aftermath of the Japanese occupation. A volley from the rear should be avoided as much as possible.”

“All right. Then we will change course and conduct a broadside salvo.”

thank god. With this, a catastrophic event in which the aftermath of the Japanese imperialism wipes out the personnel of the bridge can be prevented.

Even so, I had to endure the inconvenience of having to lower my head every time I fired.

“The 4th bullet, shoot!”

Kugu Palace –

The Japanese 16-inch gunboats swept the sea like a typhoon. A hot wind brushed over our heads, and a roar tingled our ears.

Nine armor-piercing bullets flying above the sea level. The distance is 23,000. At this distance, Lyon’s armor, whether wing or deck, could not withstand it. As long as it hits, it’s an effective hit.

Counting down the remaining 40 seconds before landing, I picked up my binoculars.

An enemy battleship that cuts through the waves and spits fire. An embarrassingly large number of gunfire flashed all at once. It looks like lightning rising from the ground.

“Enemy ships, Japanese soldiers! About 40 seconds until landing!”

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Probably a Lyon-class salvo that will fly in a parabola. Even if you use the front main gun alone, it is a whopping 8 gates, and if you combine the two ships, it is 16 gates. Anyway, you need to know the number of sentences.

It wasn’t long before, it was time for Indipatigable’s first attempt at making a comeback. A forest of water columns covered the hull of the enemy ship.

“The 4th round, narrow gap!”

“Check the hit bullets!”

“No explosion observations!”

Tsk, isn’t it a hit yet? However, since we have narrowed it down, we just have to keep shooting.

However, the enemy ship did not stop and rushed forward, pushing the bow.

At first glance, admiration comes from the steadfast appearance without panic. Does it mean that he will close the distance no matter how many times he gets hit? That’s the right decision. So we can’t stay still.

“Move the destroyer team! The 6th Destroyer Flotilla immediately advanced to course 330 at full speed! Block the enemy ship’s left course!”

The words got longer, so I took a moment to catch my breath, and then added my words.

“However, if they show a move to forcefully break through, retreat without delay!”

“Yes, flag up!”

It took quite a while to raise the signal, perhaps because the order was long. In the meantime, two volleys went past the Indipatigable’s hull.

Before long, the destroyer, which spread out in single formation forward and backward, changed course in perfect order.

Eight destroyers advance, starting with Coddington, a veteran who has been with them since the days of the Repulse Flyer.

The Hawkins-class heavy cruisers and the 8th Destroyer Flotilla stand by the flagship. With this, you can achieve cover for allies and containment of the enemy fleet at the same time. After all, there are many destroyers, so it’s convenient.

“It looks like a light cavalry regiment.”

The chief of staff said as he saw the destroyer running quickly.

“You will do the same thing. Now we have to hold the line.”

A destroyer fleet marches proudly into the sea covered in artillery smoke. Armed with torpedoes, they will approach to kill an enemy battleship if it is incapacitated. It is one of the main missions of the old cavalry with its typical combat and escalation.

Meanwhile, a column of water still rose around the Indipatigable.

A plume of water now almost close to the hull. The shooting is becoming more precise.

But our 16-inch guns also spewed fire without stopping. A thunderous blast colored the sea.

“The 7th bullet, firing!”

Flames flashed over the deck. The salvo, which flew towards the enemy ship approaching 20,000 meters, eventually landed with an explosion through the water column. Flames soared over the deck of the enemy ship.

“Check hit bullets! Enemy ship, fire on deck!”

“Captain, you’re doing great!”

Is it because he is an elite officer? Even though he commanded only small ships, he responded calmly and well. The needle is also well maintained without much shaking. If I keep going like this, I think I’ll win easily… … .

“Enemy bullet, hit!”

As if ridiculing my thoughts, a whistle and vibration echoed through the hull. The sound of breaking steel pierced my ears.

“Captain, report the damage!”

“The forward deck has been hit by enemy main shells!”

Holding my tingling ears, I stood up and looked down at the deck. There are cold bullet marks left on the bow towers in front of the No. 1 and No. 2 main turrets, as if something had swept through them. Sparkling embers on the blackened deck.

The Japanese attack on the aft ship soon followed.

Tung- A cheerful rupture sound was heard, and the Indipatigable’s hull shook slightly.

This time on the rear side.

I immediately asked the Jeonseong-gwan.

“Captain, are there any problems with the ship?”

“A small fire broke out on the aft deck. The maintenance team is currently on the move.”

“What about your combat abilities?”

“There is no hindrance.”

Also the answer I was expecting. At 20,000 meters, even if hit by an enemy ship’s shell, the armor of the Indipatigable would withstand it.

No matter how it looks, the performance is outstanding. It is a hull protected by a whopping 356mm thick sloped armor. It would take at least a South Dakota Class from the US Navy to deliver a fatal blow to this guy.

However, the reality is that superstructures outside the critical defense compartment are protected only by relatively thin armor plates. Among them, a bridge is also included.

“Admiral, how about moving to the command tower?”

The chief of staff making a silent suggestion. Uneasy eyes warned of danger.

Well, since the hit bullet came out, it was obvious that the next shot would be hit as well. If even some of them brush the bridge, the results won’t be very good.

But I calmly shook my head.

“There is no command in a confined space. Even if it’s uncomfortable, it’s better here.”

It is not for nothing that numerous admirals stand on the bridge and command. This place has a wide view, so it is good to grasp the battlefield situation. It’s on a different level from a command tower where you have to check the outside through an ant-like gap.

“Don’t worry, you’ve been doing well so far. The window is also broken, so can the shells fly?”

… Saying that seemed like a death flag, so I shut up.

* * *

At the same time, the French 2nd Task Fleet flagship ‘Duquen’.

“I’m crazy. You really don’t even get one shot?”

Admiral Muselier muttered that while lowering his binoculars with trembling hands. Even after being hit by 34cm shells from Duquen and Tourville, the enemy ship was still sailing.

At first glance, it looked like a small fire broke out on the rear deck, but even that quickly disappeared.

That’s not the kind of defense that would be called a battlecruiser. Gulp, swallowing dry saliva, Admiral Muslier repeated that.

“It’s exactly what the US Navy guys say. It won’t even budge from moderate artillery fire!”

The admiral frowned and replied to the chief of staff who was talking urgently.

“Don’t be rash, Chief of Staff! It’s only 20,000 meters now! If your teeth don’t work, you’ll have to go in a bit more.”

I shouted that, but it was hard to hide that my fingertips were shaking.

It was Duquen, who had already taken one shot and had part of the engine room destroyed.

Current speed is only 20 knots. Enemy ships are at least 30 knots. No matter how hard this side tries, they can’t catch up.

The good news is that the enemy ships aren’t particularly widening their distance.

But I couldn’t get in and was beaten forever. That’s why Admiral Muslier stared at the sky endlessly.

“I should be arriving soon… … .”

“Admiral, radio!”

Scared to speak, the communications officer posted a report. Before long, he could see for himself what the report would contain.

“… You are here!”

Watching the sky play a magnificent flying sound, the admiral raised his eyebrows.

* * *

“Woohyun, watch!”

Hearing the tearing voice, I looked up at the sky. In the clear sky without a single cloud, they reflected so clearly.

“Red flag 30! Keep approaching with this ship!”

“Right. Is that their countermeasure?”

Dozens of planes flying across the sky. It flashes its biplane wings and approaches the Indipatigable. Probably half a torpedo bomber.

I immediately turned to the air chief and asked.

“What about our raid team?”

“It will arrive soon. Shall we ask for air cover?”

“No, tell them to hit the enemy ships as they are.”

He waved his hand and walked towards the front of the palace.

“Captain, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I hear you.”

Being covered by a ground-launching air force… … It’s definitely a good decision. With Lyon-class performance, they can’t even hold on to our ankles.

But they picked the wrong opponent.

“Didn’t you say you drove some destroyers before?”

“yes? Yes, but… ?”

half-hearted voice.

That’s it. He nodded and spoke.

“I’ll check your steering skills.”

They should have attacked the Furious.