Chapter 1384 Special Mobile Fleet (Second update, please subscribe)
It was still a long time before dawn. The night sky was covered with dense clouds and the north wind was howling. The 28 warships of the temporary special mobile fleet began to weigh anchor, led by four ocean-going submarines, and quietly disappeared on the choppy Atlantic Ocean.
Because it was a secret attack, no one saw them off. Only a patrol ship that was on surveillance outside the Bay of Blanca sent a signal when the fleet attacked:
"I wish you smooth sailing."
Of course, this patrol ship did not know the real purpose of the fleet's departure, and the signal it sent was just a courtesy between the navies.
"Thanks".
The Jingwei quietly sailed past while answering the signal, the naval flag at the stern fluttering in the morning breeze.
When the coast of the Empire was about to disappear from sight, the crew took one last look at the coast of their motherland and shouted in unison:
"Long live! Long live!"
On the sea, this sound floats far away...
On the bridge of the flagship "Jingwei", the navigator, Lieutenant Colonel Shao Hongwei, stared intently ahead. Before the flight team took off, the tasks he was responsible for were related to the success of this operation.
He felt a great sense of responsibility. Although he was a jokester, he was now a completely different person. He was serious and nervous. It was hard to joke with him because he always had a straight face. The captain, Brigadier General Sun Shiye, beside him stared at the sea and sky line ahead.
In the flight command post under the bridge, Lv Deren leaned on a folding chair, gazing quietly at the mountains and rivers of the motherland that were gradually moving away. At this moment, everyone seemed to have complicated feelings!
Lu Deren thought silently. Although it is not the start of the war yet, it is inevitable to fight now. After all, the army depends on the momentum, and morale can be boosted but not let down. When the pilots heard that they were going to fight in Hampton Roads, their fighting spirit immediately rose. Countless days and nights of intense training, hasty preparations for the expedition, and the subsequent sailing, all of these made them feel that the fleet's action was by no means an ordinary sailing, but a departure for war!
It’s time to go to the battlefield!
Such tense dynamics and the influence of the navy's traditional atmosphere and traditions have made them loyal to the empire and willing to sacrifice for the empire and His Majesty the Emperor. In the eyes of many people, being able to be loyal to the country is something worth celebrating.
Lü Deren, who was staying at the flight command post, was deeply impressed by the high morale of the team members. He felt relieved about their mental state and thought it was as it should be.
"But if we fight like this, can the Empire win?"
Such questions could not help but arise in Lu Deren's mind.
However, as a soldier, you must fight on the battlefield, and you must win the battle. In order to win, you can only fight with your best efforts on the battlefield.
In short, the attack on Hampton Roads was the best first move. Although I was not satisfied with the fundamental point of view, there was nothing I could do. In terms of operational guidance, the main forces of the US Pacific and Atlantic Fleets were annihilated from the beginning of the war.
But the entire operational plan was too big. In Lu Deren's opinion, it was not appropriate to stretch too far at once, such as to Australia, New Zealand, and advance to the United States mainland.
But fighting on multiple fronts is a taboo in the military! But they have to fight like this. After declaring war, they must strike suddenly. Only in this way can they gain an advantage on the battlefield in the early stages of the war.
Hey... it's very long. He said firmly in his heart after taking a breath.
In short, first of all, we must annihilate the US fleet and make the US naval power in the Pacific Ocean empty. Now, this task has been handed over to me, and I can be considered lucky.
We must do a good job.
His whole idea now was to win the war from a purely military point of view.
Soon, the fleet formed a sailing formation. In addition to the "Jingwei" and "Jinwu", there was also the "Xuanniao" aircraft carrier - it was a "Shenzhou-class" aircraft carrier requisitioned by the Imperial Navy and rebuilt. It had just been in service for less than a month, but the flight team was full of veterans.
The aircraft carrier was in the middle, forming two columns. At the four corners outside the aircraft carrier, there were two armored cruisers and two cruisers, and behind the aircraft carrier were six oil tankers. Around these ships, there were several light cruisers and destroyers on guard. The flagship of the guard force, the light cruiser "Fengcheng", was in front of this circular formation. About 200 nautical miles in front of the circular formation, there were three submarines, responsible for route patrol missions.
According to the plan, the fleet sailed to the standby waters east of the United States at a speed of thirteen knots.
Considering the possibility of ships from various countries, the mobile fleet has been conducting a 24-hour search and alert since it set out from Blanca Bay. In order to avoid merchant ships from various countries, the fleet has been sailing in the central Atlantic Ocean. During the voyage, it is necessary to pay attention to avoid encountering merchant ships from third countries, otherwise the fleet will be exposed. Three submarines were sent ahead for this purpose.
Once the submarine finds a ship, it will immediately inform the fleet via radio and dive immediately. The fleet will also immediately change its course at a large angle and try to hide to avoid being discovered. But what if it is discovered? There is only one option, which is to send a destroyer to capture a merchant ship of another country.
The only thing to be thankful for is that the spark radio station invented by Marconi has not yet been popularized. Only a few battleships or large cruise ships in Europe and the United States are equipped with it. Most merchant ships and even warships are not equipped with radio stations at present. This is of course also conducive to the fleet's actions. Even if it is discovered, the possibility of exposure is very low.
In order to conceal its intentions, the Imperial Navy even deliberately transferred three battleships and three armored cruisers of the Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific Ocean before the operation to strengthen the Pacific Fleet.
This of course also created an illusion for the Americans - the empire is likely to launch an attack on Australia and other places in the Pacific. This is definitely not an illusion, but an attack will indeed be launched.
However, what the U.S. Navy did not know was that another pair of eyes of the Empire had already been set on them, the "Great White Fleet" that had been stationed in Hampton Roads after completing its magnificent voyage around the world last year.
After all, from any perspective, the Atlantic Fleet with only four dreadnought-class battleships could not pose any threat to the US fleet. Under such circumstances, the Americans never thought that the Imperial Navy would be so bold as to send a fleet to their doorstep and attack the huge "Great White Fleet". No matter from which perspective, this was incredible.
After all, before this, aircraft carriers had never been used in actual combat, and even torpedo attacks were just range training. Everything was new.
But even so, the Imperial Navy still took risks. It must be said that when it comes to grasping and using changes in military technology, the Imperial Navy is always at the forefront.
In order to keep its intentions secret, the mobile fleet sailing north implemented strict radio control - only receiving but not sending. In the radio room of the Jingwei, dozens of radio soldiers on duty listened attentively to the broadcasts from the empire with headphones, and did not miss the radio dynamics from Hampton and telegrams from other places.
For the mobile fleet that is constantly approaching the enemy area, all they need now is to concentrate on waiting for the order to start the war...
On April 20, under the cover of dusk, the fleet finally arrived at the reserve sea area.
"I hope tomorrow will be as calm as it is now!"
Lu Deren came to the upper deck. The sea was calm and peaceful, as if even the heavens were blessing the fleet.
Of course if it's the same tomorrow.
"Based on past experience, there are very few storms in this area this season."
Li Tianle smiled and said that for people of this era, weather forecasting is a metaphysics and they can only rely on weather records in past sailing logs to make inferences.
The reason for choosing this time is that there have been almost no storms in this area at this time of year in previous years.
"No matter how big the waves are, we can still take off."
Song Guoren, the captain of the third squadron, smiled. His brows were full of joy. The words of the two superiors made him believe that they would definitely go out this time.
"I hope... God bless you!"
Looking at the night sky, Lv Deren prayed in his heart. His subordinates' words were just to express their confidence. As a pilot, how could Lv Deren not know that there were restrictions on the takeoff of the plane?
If the waves are really big.
take off?
Is it possible?
"Captain, what are you thinking about?"
Li Mu, the captain of the fifth squadron, came over with a smile and lowered his voice.
"Captain, is today's meeting a combat meeting? Can you let us know in advance? All the flight officers will be staying overnight on the Jingwei tonight. If we really have to fight, should we hold a send-off party? We have to celebrate!"
Then he deliberately lowered his voice and spoke.
"I brought a box of Victory Wine. It belonged to my grandfather and has been kept at home for twenty years!"
"Twenty years... that's a good thing! That's a good idea, let's do it!"
Without waiting for the captain to agree, deputy captain Sun Boli agreed to his request with a smile. In fact, this was also telling them that the troops would attack tomorrow.
There is no need for secrecy now!
It is also very necessary to hold a warm-up meeting before attacking.
While they were discussing how to hold the send-off party, an aviation sergeant came running over.
"Report to the commander! Everyone is here, and the fleet commander has also arrived."
alright!
A few people looked at each other and they knew that the final moment had come!
Staring at the sea and sky line under the stars, Lu Deren pursed his lips first, then looked up at the fluttering military flag on the ship and muttered to himself.
"Okay, finally... we're going to attack!"
The old group is down, so I created a new book club group: 739209015. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
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