Chapter 927 Retreat
"Fleet retreat!" Most of the Japanese naval officers and soldiers saw this signal flag raised on the mast of the Fuso and were full of confusion, confusion, and even a little angry! The American fleet in the distance is already at an absolute disadvantage. Even if the Kongo is damaged, as long as the Fuso works harder, the Americans will be completely finished! Then use the destroyer's torpedoes to send them to the bottom of the sea, and that's it. How can we give up halfway? Some radical people already have the idea of "punishing national traitors from heaven".
Faced with questions and even accusations from his subordinates, Kato Nobuyoshi naturally did not dare to say that he might have been impulsive... This is courting death. Therefore, Kato Sadayoshi's explanation to the low-level officers and soldiers was that the Kongo was seriously damaged and needed to return to the Philippines for repairs. There were American submarines around. In this case, the only way to cover the Kongong's retreat was first. It is much easier to explain to mid-level and senior officers. The telegram just sent from the base camp two days ago clearly stated that even if the gun misfires, do not shoot to death. Having already demonstrated the "Japanese Navy's illustrious martial arts", it is the best choice to stop at the right time and then leave it to the diplomats to handle these matters!
The Fuso suffered little loss in this exchange of fire. It was hit by three 14-inch shells. Except for one of them, which took out a gun barrel, the other one hit the armored belt, leaving a 5-inch shell. dent, and then bounced away. The third shot hit the bridge and set off a fire. Other than that, there is no other loss.
The situation of the King Kong was a bit tragic. This battleship was also hit by 3 cannons, but the damage caused was a bit large. A group of boiler fresh water tanks on the fighting side were shattered by fragments, and two boilers were mixed with seawater, causing immediate shutdown. A shell that hit the side caused 500 tons of water to enter the battleship, as well as water seepage in part of the boiler room. The shot that hit the No. 3 turret was even more lethal, directly wiping out more than 60 Japanese naval officers and soldiers inside! The two artillery pieces were completely scrapped. The turret probably needs a new one too.
Although the King Kong suffered a bit more misfortune, judging from the results of the battle, it was undoubtedly the Japanese navy that had the greater advantage, and the Americans paid a higher price. The Nevada took in 2,500 tons of water, and less than half of the ship was immersed in the water. Both masts of the battleship were almost completely destroyed. Two of the four turrets were destroyed. (It did not penetrate, but it could not be used due to impact or other reasons.) The battleship suffered more than 400 casualties. The New York is also in poor condition. Although it has not been taken care of, its poor defense makes it worse than the Nevada. The gun mount of one turret was penetrated, the barrel of the other turret was shattered, and power was lost. Nearly half. More than 1,800 tons of water entered the hull, causing it to tilt about 12 degrees.
"If we fight for half an hour, we may never get back to Pearl Harbor." Rear Admiral Sims sighed as he looked at the messy battleship and the busy naval officers and soldiers running around on the deck. Unexpectedly, more than ten years later, the U.S. Navy is still not powerful...
It seems that the Japanese didn't do everything right, and Sims still hasn't figured out what happened. The Japanese warship just exploded during the voyage? And there are American submarines nearby? Did the submarine take action? what is happening? Sims expressed confusion.
And at this time,
The first thing he had to do, besides taking the two defeated warships back to Pearl Harbor for overhaul, was to immediately inform the U.S. government of these things. This matter was simply a little weird. Sims wasn't sure how the matter would end, but he thought a direct fight was unlikely, the United States was unprepared, and Japan was now a member of the Allies. This is not a problem between the United States and Japan...
"Are you kidding?" When Katsura Taro read the telegram sent by Japanese Combined Fleet Commander Ijuin Goro, the expression on his face was wonderful. What he was most worried about was the misfire between the US and Japanese fleets, and now It really happened! And the reason for taking action is actually such a strange thing. This is really unbelievable.
"Although it sounds difficult to understand, it is actually like this. One of our ships suddenly exploded, and then an American submarine was found next to it. Lieutenant General Kato Sadayoshi believed that it was an American submarine that did it, and there was an American fleet next to it. This This made General Kato think that this was a long-planned trap. In order to avoid falling into passivity, the fleet opened fire first." Ijuin Goro defended.
This situation that seems a bit difficult for outsiders to understand is actually difficult to tell if you put yourself in their shoes. The battle between the two warships definitely did not start after the war was declared. At least in the several wars Japan participated in in history, it was directly confused before the war started. The relationship between the United States and Japan itself is very tense. The front-line confrontation troops of both sides are ready for a fight at any time. Under such coincidental circumstances, it is actually normal for a conflict to break out.
"Now it is not a question of accountability, and what if the Americans really strike first? Vice Admiral Kato at least won the battle. We now need to make two preparations. First, immediately send two other Fuso-class battleships to the South Pacific. We are ready to fight the American fleet at any time, but before the situation becomes clear, we can pull back the cordon. Second, contact the British to see what their attitude is." Xiyuanji Gongwang, who was sitting next to him, finally said. .
In Saionji's view, this question can actually be simplified into a multiple-choice question, that is, should the Americans fight or not? If it is a fight, then there is nothing to say. Japan should just go back and prepare for war. And if there is no fight, then the problem is very simple. Find a third country to act as an intermediary, everyone will take a step back, and the matter will be over.
As for whether the Shishi was killed by an American torpedo or mine, or whether it exploded on its own, is this important? Japan must say that it was an American mine or torpedo, just like the USS Maine exploded in Cuba in history. The Spaniards said it was a problem with the American ammunition depot. The Americans said they hit a Spanish mine. This is an unsolved case, or Americans don't really care about it, it's just an excuse.
Although Japanese politicians in this era are quite rational, Japan has still accumulated some confidence in the country on the other side of the ocean. At least so far, the various conflicts that have occurred between the two sides have been based on Japan's advantage. For example, in the Battle of the Philippines, most of the U.S. Navy's more than ten years of accumulation were wiped out. Later, in the Russo-Japanese War, Russia, supported by the Americans, also failed. And this time. Well, if it weren't for King Kong, the Japanese fleet performed perfectly.
Today is the last day of February! ! Author Jun three updates! ! ! Can anyone be more helpful? !