Chapter 2215 Dawn 1
Compared with the rich German cuisine of the officers and soldiers of the High Seas Fleet, Count Spey and his men enjoyed American combat meals. There was no way, after leaving the Mediterranean, the daily diet of the officers and soldiers of this fleet was provided by Americans. After the war, some good people specifically compared the diet of the Spey Fleet and the High Seas Fleet before the decisive battle, and this caused some controversy within the navy. However, no matter what, the officers and soldiers of the Spey Fleet agreed that maybe the Americans had some dietary tastes. Unique, but the level is very high!
At the same time, in distant Norway, dozens of airports were busy. At the end of the runway of an airport, eight K8T long-range reconnaissance aircraft were ready to take off. The bombs originally used to accommodate bombs were The cabin was replaced by a fuel tank, but the squadron leader still felt that it was not enough, so he hung an additional 800L auxiliary fuel tank on the root of the wing!
"The radio equipment has been checked and the cipher machine is working normally," the telegraph operator said.
"Everything is normal with the aircraft engine and the fuel supply is normal." said the mechanic who had just inspected the temporarily installed fuel tank from the bomb bay.
"The site has been cleared and you can take off." Outside the plane, several ground staff signaled.
"Everything is ready, captain, including our lunch!" a German pilot said while closing the door after checking the aircraft's equipment for the last time.
"Actually, lunch is superfluous. Today, we will witness a miracle in the history of naval warfare. It will make you forget about lunch." The captain said with a smile, and then with the take-off order, the huge K8T long-range patrol aircraft Start rolling down the runway. Tens of seconds later, accompanied by the huge roar of the engine, the dragon-like bomber spread its wings and flew into the sky.
On the apron area, dozens of K8 bombers specifically responsible for attack were also undergoing refueling and bombing operations. Such a huge range forced the aircraft, which originally carried nearly 3 tons of bombs, to cut down a lot of ammunition. In the end, this kind of The highest-level aircraft in World War I could only carry one torpedo weighing more than 700 kilograms or two 500KG bombs.
The preparations of the German navy and air force were completed, and at this time, the British were also making final preparations for combat. Two hours before dawn, the Thomas fleet finally arrived at the designated rendezvous position, and carried out light signals between its own destroyers and the outer destroyers of the Grand Fleet. After identity verification, the Thomas Fleet and the Grand Fleet completed the rendezvous. Ten minutes later, Thomas and Betty stepped onto the deck of the Iron Duke, the flagship of the Grand Fleet, for the last time, and saw their old boss, Admiral Jericho, for the last time.
"Your Excellency, Commander, we have intercepted the Germans' telegrams and determined their location. They are 25 nautical miles southeast of us!" an officer in charge of intelligence reported.
"25 nautical miles? There is still more than an hour before dawn. We can definitely make it!" Admiral Thomas said eagerly. If the Jericho fleet sails at a speed of 18 knots, and minus the main gun engagement distance of about 16 kilometers after the two sides meet, there is still a little more time. In Thomas' view, in the dark night, it was obviously very lucky that the fleets of both sides were able to get so close before the battle. Just a short distance away. It seems that the God of War is on the side of the British this time.
"If we send seaplanes now, with luck we can fly over the German fleet in 45 minutes. Then we can target them! At daybreak, guide all our aviation forces to entangle the opponent, and then drag the High Seas Fleet in Warring state!" Betty is also very satisfied with the current situation. In his opinion, today's start is very good, which is a good sign!
With the current state of the British aircraft carrier squadron, it is naturally impossible to cause much damage to the German fleet by itself alone.
But it is still possible to disrupt the formation and slow down the opponent. After all, no matter how ambitious the commander is, it is impossible for him to maintain a relatively dense rectangular formation when facing swarms of bombers and torpedo planes, right? In the view of Jericho and others, the artillery battle of the Grand Fleet should still have an advantage. After all, the Grand Fleet still has 32 battleships. The German Navy only has 23 battleships! The British fleet has nearly 40% more battleships! Although there are 10 dreadnought battleships and battlecruisers among these 32 capital ships...
"Well, we do have the best fighting situation now. There will be no better fighting situation in the past and there will be no better fighting situation in the future. So, today, we are going to have a decisive battle with our old enemy from the mainland! Victory! Those who win will receive the favor of the God of Poseidon and the rewards of the God of War!" Jericho took a deep breath and said solemnly: "So, I hope that every soldier can fulfill his duty for the British Empire in today's battle!"
"Everything is for the Empire, everything is for the Royal Navy!" The subordinate officers made a deafening cry!
"Very well, now, all fleet commanders, except Betty and Thomas, return to their respective combat positions and prepare to fight!" Jericho said.
"You seem to have something you haven't said?" When there were only three people left in the conference room, Thomas hesitated and said after glancing at Jericho, who had worry hidden in his eyes.
"Your Excellency, Commander, we actually don't need to worry. The Navy's aircraft carrier squadron guarantees that even if all the fighter jets are used up, we will hold back the German fleet, let our battleships get close enough and then smash them!" Betty said extremely firmly! .
"I believe that each of you will do your best to fight this war, but I am still a little worried. We know the location of the High Seas Fleet, but we do not know the location of the Spey Fleet. What if the Germans did not fall into the trap? What if the Spey fleet has thrown away the target and is coming here?" Jericho said.
"This is impossible. We all made arrangements in the dark. The targets are still performing their duties. Unless God is a German, they cannot see through it." Thomas said.
"Okay, maybe I'm overly concerned, but in order to deal with the worst case scenario, I will leave some seaplanes and auxiliary warships to form a cordon to the west of the fleet. If the Spey fleet appears and we If you still haven't gained an absolute advantage on the battlefield, I hope you can evacuate to the mainland immediately, decisively and without hesitation! The other battleships of the Grand Fleet will buy time for you! That's it! Don't refute, just repeat the order I just gave, and swear He will carry out my orders and return to his own fleet!"
Jericho didn't want to give them any time to explain or argue. At this moment, Jericho fully explained what it means to be a military commander, that is, I gave the order, and you just execute it!
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