Halifax Fleet Battle (3)
U.S. Navy’s 17th Task Force.
Flagship ‘Lexington’
“good! The enemy bites the bait!”
Hearing that an enemy task force was moving northwest, Marshall was delighted.
“Call Montana! Run to the sea right now!”
The first operation is proceeding smoothly.
While excited by the hope that the raid’s sacrifice would not be in vain, the admiral never forgot one important point.
“Where is the enemy main fleet now?”
“You must have just reached the waters off Nova Scotia. According to the report of the last submarine, it is certain.”
The chief of staff’s answer was full of confidence.
It deserves it. Dozens of submarines have put up surveillance nets like spider webs.
“The 10th Submarine Squadron is moving from the Mid-Atlantic to this area as of current time. With this, all submarine forces will gather here on the east coast.”
The communications staff member, who had been quietly listening to Jeon Seong-gwan, said. Marshall answered quietly like a sigh.
“It really is the final battle.”
All submarines of the Atlantic Fleet burrowed under the sea to watch the Royal Navy.
Although numerous destroyers were scouring the bottom of the sea, they were incapable of catching subs that even gave up torpedo attacks and held their breath.
Thanks to this, the US Navy was able to grasp the movements of the British Grand Fleet as if looking at the palm of their hand.
This is thanks to the firm warning to prioritize reconnaissance over anti-ship attacks.
“Their main fleet is limited to 20 knots at maximum speed. If that’s the case, even after capturing the leading task force, they won’t be able to reach the scene.”
This is the first operation of the US Navy.
A relatively weak maneuver force that pulls out enemy battlecruisers. After that, the carrier task force ties them up, and the powerful battleship squadron annihilates the enemy.
In a way, it is the second coming of the Battle of Jutland. The difference is that the enemy fleet is farther away from the battlecruiser than before.
So Marshall thought it might be possible.
At least the enemy battlecruisers are coming where they want.
“But don’t you say there are also fast battleship units away from the main force? If it’s the Queen Elizabeth class, it’ll be up to 25 knots.”
“I have to see the match before that. And if you put even a slow battleship in the background, it’s good enough. As their numbers decrease, our odds of winning increase.”
Even if the Queen Elizabeth class and the German Mackensen class are added, the power cost is the same. In terms of main gun caliber, the US Navy has the upper hand.
It’s worth a try. If the opponent is a large, laggard fleet, it may be possible to reverse.
Like a student facing the test of a lifetime, Marshall’s eyes widened.
“The 3rd raid is on standby. If Admiral Ian’s battlecruisers engage, then they will strike the other side. Fleet Course 010! Catch the rear of the enemy fleet across the northern tip of Bermuda!”
You must hold your ankle.
Above the accelerating Lexington, the Marshall pledged.
* * *
1 hour later
Mobile Z Fleet flagship ‘Repulse’.
clear sky.
In the sky where sparse clouds look down, only the Furious fighter jets and flocks of seagulls draw dots.
“Isn’t there something strange?
“yes?”
“The air raid isn’t coming.”
The chief of staff raises his head and looks up at the sky.
After the cannon smoke and contrails left by the 2nd raid, the air raids did not come anymore.
“There are a lot of planes that were shot down in two air raids. Could it be that the damage is so great?”
“I think it’s too early to care about the pilot’s fatigue?”
It is still 9 am. It’s not even past the hour.
Following the wake of the enemy battlecruisers, they are heading north in a hurry, but there is no ship in sight.
There is no contact from the K task force. I’m pretty sure I haven’t encountered them yet. So, it sounds like it’s around here… .
“Should we send more reconnaissance planes?”
“There are no air strikes, but it doesn’t mean there are no enemy fighters.”
The air staff approaches behind the troubled back.
“Since a while ago, contact with the southwest reconnaissance aircraft has been lost. 2, 6 and 7 so far.”
“What about the remaining reconnaissance planes?”
“Hawker Osprey, 7 units left.”
“The consumption rate is too high.”
The reconnaissance aircraft is the Eye of the Fleet. In a way, this reconnaissance aircraft is more important than the raid group. You can’t even throw a punch if you can’t see it.
As I kept frowning in worry, the chief of staff approached me and said,
“There are still aircraft waiting in the sky. Don’t worry too much, Admiral.”
“If you don’t have a reconnaissance plane, you’re blind with your eyes open. Is the cruiser scout plane still on standby?”
“yes?”
“Prepare the seaplane. We have to find the enemy fleet somehow.”
Upon hearing the order, the chief of staff and the air staff blinked at the same time.
Before long, the chief of staff, who had tilted his head as if embarrassed, made a suggestion.
“Admiral, if you’re feeling uneasy, how about defeating the fleet?”
“If we fall out, there will be no fleet to protect Task Force K.”
“I’d rather fall in with you. With three 16-inch gun battleships, wouldn’t the US Navy be able to attack them?”
“hmm… .”
That’s right. However, from what I heard in the pre-departure meeting, the US Navy has at least six 16-inch gun battleships.
Double your electricity bill. Wouldn’t it rather hold on to this side with all its might? Maybe that’s what he’s aiming for.
“Is it an outcaller… .”
“yes? What are you talking about?”
“We must stay here to protect the Invincible class.”
If that’s the case, it’s like dealing with an enemy mobile unit alone.
“But aren’t things different now? We have a ‘Mighty Hood’.”
The sailing staff who approached us suddenly said in a confident voice.
Eyes shining with trust.
When I turned my head, everyone had a face of agreement.
Hood’s name remains immortal.
And his performance in the outpost of Newfoundland was enough to make that belief even stronger.
“If you have a hood, even a Constalation class can fight against it.”
“Yes, Admiral. Aren’t you going to be pushed by your skills? Rather, if we intercept the enemy task force here, the decisive battle between the main fleets a few days later will be easier.”
The chief of staff and the air chief talking in turn.
Even the Air Chiefs, who are not well versed in warship combat, are convinced by Hood’s name. Like a religion, they believe in the capabilities of 15-inch gun battlecruisers.
But that’s just a belief.
“… no.”
I firmly shook my head.
“Our mission is to escort Task Force K. You don’t have to go any further than that. It is enough for the enemy maneuver force to contain the main forces of our forces when they engage.”
The look of disappointment was good, but I didn’t care.
The commander’s role is to face reality.
Our strength is equivalent to, or narrowly below, that of the enemy mobile unit. And I have no intention of betting on it.
“Same way. keep up the pace The reconnaissance plane detects the enemy’s location.”
“… All right.”
More than anything, I didn’t think that the enemies would make such movements without any intention.
Everyone seemed to have noticed that their hearts were hardened and turned around without saying anything. I took my eyes off the chief of staff, who was scratching his head, looking out the window.
“There is something… I have a bad feeling.”
A clouded horizon quietly sent down the waves.
* * *
30 minutes later,
U.S. Navy Task Force 17
Flagship ‘Lexington’.
“Admiral, the enemy battlecruisers have turned east.”
“what?”
Marshall’s eyes widened, and he wondered if he had heard the report properly. However, the face of the communications officer’s eyes met his eyes and convinced him that the admiral’s ears were working without a problem. Marshall groaned.
“Did they run away?”
Soon, the bridge turned into a commotion. The staff members, who had been discussing everything from transporting aircraft and preparing for sortie to armament, raised their heads in unison and looked at the admiral. said Marshall, turning his attention away from them.
“Has Admiral Ian’s location been caught by enemy seaplanes?”
“yes. However, it appears to avoid engagement. Air raids never come.”
“No way! Two battlecruisers without air cover!”
For Marshall, who had been an aggressive aviation officer for most of his military career, this was a difficult move to understand.
Furthermore, the opponent is a battlecruiser that has defeated him once. You must have won a victory in the Pacific last time. But revenge will not suffice.
This is a Marshall who has been watered down by Admiral Lewis’s strategy several times. He was well aware of how vengeance dictated his judgment.
“Did you notice that it was a trap?”
I don’t want to admit it, but I had no choice but to do so. While devising a countermeasure, Marshall bit his lip and rolled his feet, then looked back at the staff.
“Now that this has happened, we need to change our strategy. Prepare for an air strike.”
“yes? Where are you trying to attack?”
“Is the location of the enemy task force confirmed?”
To the admiral asking a question in reverse, the chief of staff stood there without answering for a moment. As the silence lengthened, he saw Marshall frowning and whipped his mouth hastily.
“Ah, the scout plane is still searching. If anything, wait for the report from the submarine! It’s time for regular reporting in the next 10 minutes.”
The chief of staff was nervous about being scolded, but fortunately Marshall took his eyes off him as if lost in thought and crossed his arms by himself.
“If Admiral Ian diverted now, would he be able to strike the enemy task force at the same time our raid arrived?”
“yes?”
At the sudden question, the chief of staff quickly glared at the navigation staff. After a stormy calculation, they answered the admiral.
“maybe… If you time it right, it should arrive around the same time. It’s not that far away.”
A navigational staff member showing a map for reference.
Marshall, who was looking at the chart with countless markers, eventually raised his eyes with a confident face.
“No, catch the repulse.”
You and I look embarrassed.
However, no one had the courage to vomit as their fighting spirit met their burning eyes.
“We beat Repulse.”
Looking back at his staff, he emphasized again.
* * *
3 hours later,
Task Force Z. Flagship ‘Repulse’.
During the voyage, which seemed boring at first glance, the communications staff came with a new report.
“Admiral, the number of communications between enemy ships is increasing.”
“Something is plotting.”
A very suspicious move. It is clear that at least two fleets are nearby. Probably a maneuver fleet with a separate carrier and battlecruiser.
“Admiral… Shouldn’t we have a fight here as well?”
“I can’t afford to get caught on my ankles, Chief of Staff.”
The chief of staff who still has no regrets.
To appease his regret, I turned around and opened my mouth.
“There is something I have felt in my life.”
Suddenly, the attention of the staff is focused.
“When people are greedy, the end is always not good.”
This is from a previous life, when I was still wandering around as a freelancer.
Among the underperforming companies, there were a few cases where they miraculously succeeded in investing and were revived. The company, which seized the opportunity with a first-class opportunity, continued the same investment afterwards.
The scale of investment has grown out of control, and actions have become more drastic.
However, few of them had good results until the end. Well, maybe one out of ten?
“That’s why, even if walking the proven path at any time seems like a loss, it’s not necessarily the case.”
Unless it’s a small business without a back, a fleet with a full back like ours doesn’t have to venture out.
“Especially in a place like this.”
This is a great battle involving dozens of capital ships.
One minor mistake can ruin a great country.
If so, you will have to be more greedy.
“Admiral! Alert from rear picket destroyer!”
The staff with strange expressions were looking back at each other. A violent signal awakened Repulse.
“Bearing 200! Distance 60,000! A lot of red flags! Keep approaching with this ship!”
“Prepare for anti-air combat!”
The sound of footsteps heading towards their respective locations.
A signal flare is fired, and fighter jets spin the propellers on the Furious’s deck.
It’s a proven road, but I don’t think I’m going to let it go easily.