I Became a Captain of the British Empire

Naval battle off Toulon (2)

At the same time, the battlecruiser Indipatigable.

A collapsing column of water hits the deck. A salvo from an enemy battleship that landed right next to the hull.

The shells that hit the hull echoed all the way to the bridge. Capt. Tom Phillips, perched on the top floor of the bridge, gazed intently at the huge plume of water rising right next to him. It was a shelling of battleships in name and reality.

“Report the situation, gentlemen!”

Looking back at the noisy bridge, he shouted in a hard voice. The hurried footsteps stopped, and soon an urgent report was heard from the Jeonseong-gwan.

“A close-up shot in the stern! There is something wrong with the steering gear!”

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Phillips turned his head and wrinkled his brow.

This ship is too weak for its height. No matter how much effort was made to meet the urgent schedule for the exhibition, wasn’t there a problem with last year’s battle? Even more problems than the first ship, which is the test bed, can only be seen as a problem on the ship. If at least the champagne wasn’t broken, I’d understand… … .

In case he could hear a clicking sound, he took a deep breath and turned around again.

“Can it be repaired?”

“Yes, he said he would solve it within 10 minutes.”

“Tell them to finish in five minutes. Are there any other problems?”

silence for a while.

When the captain’s patience ran out, the answer finally came.

“doesn’t exist.”

“Good.”

“… Oh no! Partial flooding in the bottom of the ship!”

The captain couldn’t stand the crumpled expression on his face.

“Let the maintenance manager take care of it. Any other problems?”

“Turret 1, misloading!”

“Can it be repaired on site?”

“I’ll fix it in 5 minutes!”

Shaking his hand, Captain Phillips shook his head and looked down on deck.

Turret No. 2 vomited fire furiously, but main turret No. 1, with its barrel lowered, did not even budge. A nearby shell threw waves onto the deck.

As I sighed, I heard another report.

“Turret 3 reloads too slowly.”

“Is it a mechanical problem?”

“It seems to be a problem with the sailors.”

“Don’t panic, take it slow and do what you’ve been trained to do. Aren’t you in the Royal Navy?”

Suppressing the feeling of something boiling in his chest, Captain Phillips gritted his teeth and said,

He relied on the Royal Navy’s know-how accumulated over centuries.

In the end, if you follow the manual, there is no problem. Of course, this division is born because that doesn’t work.

No matter how you think about it, the skill level of the sailors is too low. Of course, it might be because I’ve been in a state of tension for a week from Liverpool to here… … .

However, even in such circumstances, it is the soldier who has to do his duty.

As if to test their determination, a volley of artillery fire flashed in the distance.

“Captain! Red bullets are coming!”

The sound of cutting the wind drew closer, and gunfire struck the Indipatigable’s hull. Shells that hit the broadside armor shattered with a terrifying cracking sound.

“Captain! Dangerous!”

“Report any damage. Any problem?”

“… doesn’t exist. The ship’s defenses are working properly.”

“Yes, the inside is the problem.”

The captain sticking out his tongue as if talking to himself, listened to the commander’s dissuade and moved into the bridge. A huge column of water rose up to surround it.

“Captain, sending a rescue request to the flagship… … .”

“There is no ship other than ours that can receive this level of fire.”

The warlord, who had carefully suggested it, shuddered at the knife-like answer. The captain turned his head and continued talking as if driving a wedge.

“First-aid repairs and continue the battle as it is. It’s enough to hit quickly and withdraw.”

Even though I said that, I didn’t feel comfortable.

It’s been over an hour and a half since the battle started, but counterattacks still flew from the port.

“Report enemy ship status!”

“The port is full of smoke, making observation difficult!”

“Should I even launch an observer… ?”

It’s embarrassing. The suppression is taking too long. If it goes like this… … .

At that time, the voice of the watchman crossed the bridge and pierced the captain’s ear.

“Port-side watch report!”

With his binoculars in his eyes, the dog pointed towards the harbor entrance and shouted. The captain turned his eyes towards it. Soon after, a group of ships pulled out of the port through thick smoke.

“Bearing 330! Distance 20,000! Two enemy ships… No, pretend! Coming out of the port, the ship is constantly approaching!”

A hull with a sleek shape. quick pace.

Captain Phillips assessed the situation.

“A squadron of destroyers?”

“It seems so. Captain, what would you like to do?”

Hmm, thoughtfully, Phillips touched his chin.

While the battleships were firing support fire, the nimble small ships would be the first to escape the port.

As expected, I wanted to come this way, but I quickly turned the course. It looks like it is about to fall into the open sea along the coast.

The captain, who had been quietly watching them, pointed to the communications officer.

“Call the flagship. Ask what you are going to do.”

The fleet of small ships that had left the port was speeding up and running furiously.

* * *

At the same time, the task force’s flagship ‘Repulse’.

“Admiral! Professional at Indipatigable!”

“Report.”

A telecommunications staff approaches with a telegram.

I lowered my binoculars and accepted them.

The chief of staff who sneaked up behind him opened his mouth.

“You are asking about the destroyer squadron. Admiral, what will you do?”

“I have to stop it first.”

“But aren’t our targets battleships?”

The chief of staff tilts his head. Make eye contact and talk again.

“I think it’s better to hit only the capital ship because it’s a mission to hit and fall.”

“But if they come around the outskirts and hit our carrier, that would be a problem.”

Ah, the chief of staff nodded with a sigh and looked in the direction the enemy destroyer squadron was heading. The destroyer circling around dragged the long smoke like a tail and ran.

A speed that seems fast even at first sight. The Furious is also fast, reaching 30 knots, but it will be difficult to escape against them.

“Certainly, Furious is uneasy. Can’t we form our own raid?”

“The distance is too close. And right now, even focusing on CAP is not enough.”

He shook his head and answered, then continued talking while looking up at the distant sky.

“An uninvited guest will come soon.”

“It’s the enemy air force.”

I held my breath without answering.

“But I think Repulse’s anti-aircraft firepower is enough to stop it.”

“Isn’t it a problem that it takes time, time.”

Of course, the air force is not scary. It’s about the size of a biplane. As long as hundreds of planes don’t fly in whole, there’s no problem dealing with them.

However, getting caught is a bit of a problem. Especially at this time when I miss every second. Of course, squadrons of Ospreys are still hovering over the fleet, but they are too few in number.

Currently, the number of ship aircraft mounted by the Furious is 40. This is also the result of deck mooring in consideration of the warm Mediterranean climate.

8 reconnaissance aircraft, 8 spare Flycatcher fighters, 8 Ripon torpedo bombers, and 16 Osprey fighter-cum-light bombers. Thanks to this, the fighter planes that Furious can deploy over the fleet cannot exceed 4 at all times.

This is enough to stop enemy small raids. However, it is difficult to expect complete air defense. Therefore, once the air strike begins, the bombardment must be stopped and anti-aircraft alert must be entered.

In the meantime, will the enemy really stand still?

“We need to neutralize the two enemy capital ships within the next hour. Even if we can’t sink it, we should make it sink in the port as much as possible.”

Mebon should also carry the gun barrel.

He looked back at the crew and said so.

“Leave the pursuit to Indipatigable and we will strike the port. Captain! Full speed ahead towards the enemy battleships in the harbor!”

As soon as he said it in his full voice, Tobay’s urgent voice returned.

“Admiral, our Repulse’s defense is not strong against enemy battleship fire!”

“Don’t worry. You can fight at around 20,000 meters.”

Courbet-class naval guns are 12 inches. The Breton-class Provence is also worth stopping because it will probably use spherical bullets.

Still, Tobay’s voice was very reluctant.

“But if the flagship is exposed to fire from the lead… … .”

“It’s okay, so don’t worry and just focus on the bombardment!”

“… All right.”

It was a dissatisfied answer, but I tried to ignore it and turned my head away.

Of course, it is entirely up to the captain to move the ship. However, it is the admiral’s prerogative to give them proper instructions and lead the entire fleet to victory through him.

Above all, I know Repulse better.

“Admiral, the smoke in the port is obstructing our view.”

“Use the observer. Contact the Furious.”

Even while the telecommunications officer sent a telegram, the 15-inch guns did not stop firing.

It doesn’t seem like there are too many hits because I shot while relying on my vague vision. The enemy ships are still firing fire.

The number of water columns increased slightly.

“Are there three enemy battleships?”

“I do not know. If it is a force including large-caliber coastal artillery, it may be less than expected.”

The chief of staff said so while holding binoculars.

I shrugged and asked him again.

“Anyway, if it’s Repulse, can’t we deal with at least two ships?”

“Well, I guess.”

It was the chief of staff who did not doubt that. We looked back at each other and smiled, then stood in front of the bridge window. The harbor, which had been hit by hundreds of naval shells, was burning everywhere.

Missing bullets are also destroying port facilities. If you do well, I think you can finish the mission in time.

“Entrance at Indipatigable! Coastal artillery and battleships will be dealt with by them.”

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me to leave! Flagship orders!”

“Admiral! sky… !”

An air chief holding onto his shoulder urgently and shouting. When he raised his head, a row of dots were approaching in the sky in the direction he pointed.

“Torbay! Can you see?”

“Yes, about 20 enemy planes approaching from port 300!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll leave it to the combat patrol plane. Fire a flare!”

Before long, the Repulse’s 4-inch anti-aircraft guns fired colorful flares in the direction of the enemy aircraft.

The squadron of Ospreys hovering overhead turned their noses around as if panicked for a moment, and flew away in formation. Fortunately, it seems that the enemy has been found. However, they are few in number, so they won’t be able to block them for long.

“What about Indipatigable?”

“We are still engaged with enemy battleships.”

Damn, are you still stubborn?

With a frown, he looked at the huge battlecruiser sailing ahead.

“Admiral! Enemy battleships are leaving the harbor!”

“Contact Indipatigable again! Go after the enemy destroyer squadron right now!”

While clenching his teeth and shouting, the chief of staff sneaks up and says.

“Admiral, wouldn’t it be better to deal with Indipatigable?”

“You don’t know how to do anything other than get beaten up! I have to tell them not to step out and increase the damage.”

Looking at the specs alone, the one that can definitely compete with the battleship is Indipatigable. However, a battleship that can’t fire its main gun is just a hindrance.

Above all, there was one more thing Repulse couldn’t do for him.

“Right now, he’s the only one who can catch up with that high-speed squadron.”

Repeated remodeling has reduced the speed of Repulse a little. Even now, it is a yard that is close to exceeding 30 knots. Only Indipatigable is able to fully release.

It might be better to destroy them one by one, but we don’t have time. Then you have to make a choice.

“We deal with battleships.”

Eventually, I stood in front of the Jeonseonggwan and continued talking.

“Captain, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I hear you.”

An answer heard without delay. This is a satisfactory response. It remains to be seen if that will be the case in the future.

I nodded and continued.

“I’ll see your skills this time.”

I immediately raised my binoculars and looked at the enemy battleship that had just left port. The black main gun doors were covered in flashes of light.

“Time is running out. Because we have to deal with enemy destroyer squadrons, air squadrons, and battleships at the same time.”

“Say that. this is so… … .”

The chief of staff responded with a click of the tongue.

Directly in front of me, the main gun doors were flashing, and contrails were already crossing in the far sky. It could be called a crisis of desperation.

Then he looked at the horizon on the other side without saying a word.

“But isn’t it easier than the Atlantic Ocean?”

Now it is the turn of the solver.