Chapter 1038 We pay the price for your arrogance
If it was just one torpedo, it might not be enough to sink the "Barham". The "Elizabeth" class has watertight compartments, and they may survive under the cover of other warships, or even fight with injuries.
However, since its completion, the "Barham" has had hidden dangers in its steering gear that have never been found and completely resolved.
Perhaps due to the influence of the torpedo, this hidden danger occurred at the most critical moment, and the course suddenly deviated to the left and became uncontrollable.
Vice Admiral Freddy quickly ordered the ship to change course using the thrusters and try to maintain stability.
But it was too late.
The ship was hit by a torpedo and tilted to the left, and the steering gear was stuck and tilted to the left. Under the double influence, the "Barham" deviated seriously from its course and turned on the sea, and then collided heavily with the oncoming high-speed battleship "Magnificent".
There was a loud "bang".
A large hole was torn in the armor of the "Magnificent", and the bow of the "Barham" was stuck in it. The misalignment of the two ships made a harsh sound of metal friction and breaking.
The crews of both ships were shocked and some of them who were fighting on the deck were even thrown into the sea.
And they all lost their combat effectiveness in this sudden change.
The German "torpedo planes" took advantage of this opportunity to swarm over like flies and fired torpedoes at the two "crossed" warships.
Seeing this, the German warships turned their guns towards this area and fired barrages of shells at them.
The destroyer approached and fired torpedoes without hesitation...
Suddenly the whole world was in chaos. There were explosions of shells hitting the hulls of the two ships, and underwater torpedoes were approaching them like schools of fish. Columns of water shot up into the sky. After more than ten minutes, the "Barham" finally sank to the bottom of the sea reluctantly.
The "Magnificent" was also hit by multiple bullets and sank into the water seriously. A minute later, it disappeared from everyone's sight.
The British fleet, having lost its command, was thrown into chaos. The radio stations on each ship kept beeping, but no one received any useful information.
"We should retreat. We can't win without losing two battleships. We can return to the port and rely on coastal defense artillery to repel them!"
"No, we have no way to retreat. The coastal defense artillery can't stop them. Returning to the port will only result in them sinking us faster."
"We should fight back. We are in a favorable position and still have a fighting chance."
…
The result of disagreement is that the fleet becomes a mess.
Some of them returned to the port, some continued to fight, and some simply sailed towards the Atlantic Ocean hoping to meet up with reinforcements as soon as possible and fight again.
The German fleet seized this opportunity and attacked at full speed, blowing the lone British warship to pieces with the sound of cannon fire.
…
War Office Building, London.
Several people in the command center were anxiously waiting for battle reports from the front line.
Prime Minister George paced back and forth in front of his desk, frowning and sighing.
What if you lose?
How to face the accusations from parliament and the questions from citizens?
They will demand the prime minister's resignation immediately.
I really shouldn't have listened to the Minister of Munitions. Now all the responsibility is mine!
The Minister of Munitions sat in his chair and drank whiskey silently. This was the only way he could think of to relieve stress.
Incredibly, it ended up being a decisive battle with the German High Seas Fleet.
I always thought it was Charles, and I always thought we were facing the French fleet!
Charles took advantage of everyone, including the Germans, but they just didn't know it, or they were willing to be used, these fools!
Forget it, I'm just the Minister of Munitions. This should be a question that the Minister of the Navy needs to think about.
Navy Minister Balfour was standing in front of the radio, hoping to get intelligence from the North Sea Fleet as soon as possible.
The North Sea Fleet may not be as powerful as the Royal Navy, but the impact of this battle is significant.
Because it was set up to encircle the German High Seas Fleet, the port was stockpiled with a large amount of military supplies.
Once the German High Seas Fleet occupied the port, it would not only mean that it had broken through the encirclement of the British fleet, but it could also guard the port and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out.
Damn, we should have more planes.
I have said long ago that an airfield should be built in the Shetland Islands. If Camel fighters take off from there, the Royal Navy will be able to fully gain air superiority.
If we had air superiority, today's crisis would not have happened!
Balfour turned to Trenchard, Chief of the Royal Flying Corps, the same man who had said that Britain's primary air defence was towards France rather than Shetland, which faced Germany.
Trenchard sat at his desk, sipping his coffee with a composed air.
This is a matter for the Navy and the Army and has nothing to do with the Royal Flying Corps.
We have tried our best. The English Channel was blocked because the performance of our fighter jets was so far inferior to that of the enemy.
Suddenly, a telegram was delivered to Balfour. The staff officer reported with a heavy face:
"Your Excellency, our army has been defeated."
"It has been confirmed that the 'Barham' and 'Magnificent' have sunk, and the situation of the other ships is unknown."
"This is a telegram from the Bellerophon. It is withdrawing to the port with more than ten warships and awaiting orders."
The command center fell silent in an instant.
Although everyone expected this result and was mentally prepared, it was still difficult to accept when it really happened.
"Prime Minister," the staff officer urged, "the Bellerophon is awaiting orders. The enemy fleet is approaching the port."
Although the words were not clearly stated, the meaning was very clear: if the order to retreat was not given, these dozen warships would not be able to be saved.
"Retreat." Prime Minister George gave the order weakly.
What he actually thought was: Britain is finished, and its position can no longer be maintained. What is the point of caring about these dozen warships?
"We still have a chance." The Quartermaster jumped up:
"We will withdraw the Third Fleet and the Second Fleet at the same time."
"It only takes four days."
"No, three days. In three days they can reach the North Sea and recapture Shetland..."
Prime Minister George interrupted the Minister of Munitions, his voice full of sarcasm:
"Really? You think so?"
"You seem to have forgotten that the Third Fleet is blockading the Strait of Gibraltar, and the English Channel is under French control."
"Once we withdraw them all, the French fleet will reach the North Sea in just two days."
The Quartermaster General was speechless.
Once the French fleet enters the North Sea, even the entire British Royal Navy will not be able to defeat it.
"You are dismissed, Your Excellency," said Prime Minister George.
"What?" The Quartermaster General was stunned. "Me?"
"Yes, it's you." Prime Minister George shouted hysterically:
"Get out of here, you who thought you could beat Ciel, you've seen the result!"
"We're all paying the price for your arrogance, all of us!"
(End of this chapter)
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