Chapter 1,152 Elite Gathering 1

Chapter 1152 Elite Gathering 1

"The High Seas Fleet detachment was found 60 nautical miles southeast of the Grand Fleet. It is confirmed to be Hipper's fleet, and there may be Bavarian-class battleships among them."

"The main force of the German High Seas Fleet was found 20 nautical miles behind Hipper's fleet. They should all be here."

"Rear Admiral Moore's fast fleet is expected to meet Hipper's fleet in half an hour, and Rear Admiral Moore is already ready for a fight."

"Hipper's fleet began to withdraw to the southeast, and they tried to join the main fleet."

"We can't catch them! General Moore requests the fast fleet to withdraw as soon as possible."

In less than an hour after the Grand Fleet and the Fast Fleet converged, Jericho received at least a dozen telegrams, and looking at the telegrams piled on the table, Jericho could feel a rather strange feeling. The uncomfortable feeling, this definitely does not mean that the Grand Fleet cannot defeat the High Seas Fleet, but that the current situation makes him feel that he is unable to use it. Today's weather conditions are good. Relying on a large number of seaplanes and airships for reconnaissance, the warring parties can better understand the situation on both sides. One of the results of this is that Jericho has never been able to think of a way to catch his opponent!

If Jericho was not in a hurry before, anyway, the Grand Fleet would only have to ensure that the High Seas Fleet is kept in the cage of the North Sea. So what if the High Seas Fleet is intact? As long as the North Sea blockade is not broken, it's fine to let the opponent do whatever they want, but now the situation is different. The British suddenly discovered that under the stranglehold of submarine warfare, the British material supply situation was not much better than that of Germany, especially the Royal Navy. Apart from other things, it was difficult to get just fuel. Germany could also get supplies from Romania and Mesopotamia. Get fuel, where's the UK? The oil fields in the Dutch East Indies have not yet been restored, and the United States has a chokehold on Britain. And Persian oil cannot be shipped out. So much so that Jericho discovered that it was impossible for the British Grand Fleet to accompany the Germans and just go out for a walk... Jericho didn't even dare to tell his officers that at the most critical moment, the fleet's fuel could only last for 8 days!

Therefore, now that the offensive and defensive momentum has changed slightly, if Jericho wants to severely damage his opponents, he must at least give them a lesson so that they don't dare to come out and turn around without any trouble! As the prince said at the beginning, even if everyone came out for a spin, the British would be the losers. Who let them have more ships? Yes, there are many ships that can burn coal, but the British have limited coal. Although the British had large quantities of high-quality Welsh white coal. But the British still wanted to provide coal to the French. no way. Who made the French lose Alsace and Lorraine...? So this time Jericho brought the Royal Navy family out just to see if there was any chance!

"Hipper's fleet has been in contact with the British forward fleet. All seven of their Queen-class battleships are present, as well as three battlecruisers. General Hipper chose to temporarily evade."

"Airship No. 98 discovered the Grand Fleet,

All six battleship squadrons are present, located 70 nautical miles northwest of us. "

"The British fleet has discovered us and is heading back towards us. The opponent's fleet is traveling at around 16 knots."

"Okay, the guests are here, everyone, get ready!" The prince said relaxedly after looking at the situation between the enemy and ourselves on the sand table. At this time, the prince had a total of 15 capital ships of the High Seas Fleet under his command, including 8 Bavaria-class battleships, Hipper's 3 battlecruisers, 1 Dreadnought fast battleship and 3 Helgeland-class fast battleships. After adding Moore's fast fleet, the number of battleships in the Royal Navy directly exceeded the 30 mark! The number is more than twice that of the German fleet, and facing such a huge fleet, it is impossible not to be afraid. But for the next action, the prince must try to meet the British Grand Fleet and Fast Fleet!

The German fleet composed of 15 battleships, 8 light cruisers and 24 destroyers was like a small but extremely fierce panther. This time they are going to challenge the most powerful, lion-like main force of the Royal Navy in the world. This time, almost all British warships above the dreadnought are present! "This is a meeting between two million tons of steel!" Someone later described it this way.

"It was like we were attending a banquet. In the vast North Sea, the German fleet appeared in our field of vision. They were well-formed and well-trained, but they lacked a murderous spirit, which was different from the situation we encountered before. It's completely different. Before, they were like ferocious wolves. They would rush up and bite their opponents fiercely whenever they had the opportunity! They were very proactive, always maintaining high speed before engaging in battle, and looking for opportunities, but this time, it seemed that they could not Same......."

After seeing the German fleet in the distance, Jericho intuitively told him that the other party didn't seem to be fighting for his life, but it didn't look like they were turning around and leaving. How should I put it? It was more like they were approaching each other, and then in a kind of way. Face yourself with a chess mentality.

"We are 30 kilometers apart from each other, and the German fleet has not yet deployed its formation. What do they want to do?" Lieutenant General Jerram, commander of the First Battleship Squadron on the same ship as Jericho, frowned slightly.

"They seem to be keeping their distance." Vice Admiral Charles Madden, Chief of Staff of the Grand Fleet, put down the telescope in his hand and sighed. At this time, the fleets of both sides always maintain a distance of 27 to 30 kilometers. This distance is very subtle. The other side can choose to attack or retreat.

The current situation is that the German fleet has a speed advantage, and the British do not dare to deploy if the opponent does not deploy. It only takes more than ten minutes for the fleet to change from a box to a single battle line, but it is easy to deploy but difficult to close. Lessons from the last battle Jericho didn't dare to start the battle line easily.

"Let Major General Moore go up and take control?" Lieutenant General Madden asked after pondering for a moment. Why bring a fast fleet this time? Isn't it because you want them to take advantage of high speed and restrict the opponent's maneuvers?

"This... assign the Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron to Rear Admiral Moore." Jericho hesitated for a long time but agreed with Vice Admiral Madden's intention. It turned out that in its heyday, the Fast Fleet was assigned three light cruiser squadrons. But after successive battles, the British fast fleet could only be divided into two light cruiser squadrons. This time, in order to ensure the safety of those precious fast battleships, Jericho gave an additional light cruiser squadron! Although there are still far more auxiliary battleships than the Germans, they are already unable to make ends meet!

"The British fast fleet has moved, and they are outflanking our left wing!" Scheer said while looking at the purple track drawn by the staff on the left diagram representing the movement of the British fast fleet.

Here comes the second update~~~! Please subscribe and reward~~~!