Chapter 2228 Storm 1
And when Jericho withstood the wrath of the main force of the High Seas Fleet, it was also Thomas's chance, because at this time the main output of the High Seas Fleet hit Jericho.
"Your Highness, our air force is here," General Scheer said, pointing to the fleet of aircraft flying from the east in the distance. 50 fighters and 90 bombers formed a huge flying formation and quickly approached the battlefield.
"Very good order. The main force of the High Seas Fleet is preparing to attack the target British 2nd and 3rd battleship squadrons. I hope that in half an hour, these two British battleship squadrons will disappear from the sea," Ruprecht said decisively.
"Send a telegram to Hipper at the same time. We can't control him for the time being and ask him to take care of himself." Ruprecht hesitated and said. The Crown Prince knew very well that when the main force of the High Seas Fleet launched a general attack on Jericho, Thomas would not hesitate to take action. At any time, Ruprecht did not dare to look down on the man who had fought through two century wars in history. Queen Elizabeth class battleship
"Start tactical maneuver" Following the order, on the battle line of the High Seas Fleet, the five battleship squadrons began to accelerate and control the distance between each other. After a few minutes, the leader of each fleet deflected to the right at the same time. 1 compass point. If Scheer historically escaped by turning in a rectangular formation when facing the T-shaped head of the Grand Fleet, then this time, each squadron turned separately, and then resumed after closing the distance. Battleships are formed for attack
This kind of tactical maneuver is different from the general sequential turning, which is too slow. The warships originally on the same battle line turn separately in squadrons, which greatly reduces the turning time. Of course, under the British artillery fire, There is a certain risk in turning down, but on the one hand, because the British range measurement was interfered with, and on the other hand, because the previous smoke has not completely dissipated, the High Seas Fleet did not suffer any damage during the 10 minutes of the formation change.
When the smoke screen completely dissipated, the High Seas Fleet, which had completed its transformation, was only 15 kilometers to 17 kilometers away from the British Grand Fleet. This distance was the best range of German warships. At the same time, it was still difficult for British artillery shells to hit the Bavaria class. Battleships pose a threat
"The Germans are coming!" panicked shouts echoed within the British fleet. The previous example of the German fleet neatly killing two British battleships left a huge psychological shadow on the British. But now, everyone has the same number, and the Germans The people have shortened the distance, but the British do not have enough means to stop the other party from approaching.
"All battleships open fire. The light cruiser squadron attacks. The destroyer squadron attacks and I stop them." Faced with the suddenly approaching German fleet, Jericho ordered hurriedly.
Along with the thunderous sound of the cannon, balls of orange flames spurted out from the thick muzzle again. If the two sides were like two giant beasts conducting a tentative attack before, then now, the two sides have entered No one will flinch at the shopping stage, because the distance is too close, and those who flinch will only die.
With the rumbling sound of cannons, the British auxiliary fleet launched its first charge under the leadership of the light cruiser, and the German light cruiser rushed forward with its own destroyers without hesitation. The destroyers quickly shuttled between the battleships. However, the relative speed of each other has exceeded 50 knots, and all the naval guns have been leveled. They are aiming at the opponent who is moving quickly in the waves in the distance, just waiting for both sides to enter the shooting range.
The 8 German light cruisers led by "Open Fire" opened fire first at a distance of 0 meters from the British light cruiser. More than 30 175 naval guns spit out long flames, and the shells flew out almost parallel to the sea level, at a speed exceeding 10 seconds. Ten seconds after flying into the distance with a muzzle velocity of 100 meters, a dense water column rose in the British light cruiser squadron. Before the water column fell,
The second round of shelling has followed
At this moment, the German light cruiser's rate of fire and the high quality of its personnel were brought into full play. In the second salvo, the two light cruisers Frankfurt and Pillau formed a straddle attack on the Falmouth. Then the two German light cruisers quickly entered the effective firing stage. The 12 175 artillery pieces hit the poor light cruiser with more than 4 tons of shells every minute.
With the violent metal impact, a 175 shell easily left a deep scar on the Falmouth's waterline armor belt. An entire armor plate was ripped off, and then the battleship moved at high speed. The incoming water impact made the battleship's injuries worse.
"Preparing for drainage operations" Colonel Farley seemed to want to save his flagship, but before his order could be conveyed to the damage control team, a series of shells fell on the poor battleship in less than a minute. , this battleship was actually hit 8 times by 175 artillery pieces
The bombardment was accompanied by a violent explosion, and the Falmouth's bow 6-inch gun was blown into the sky.
Along with the violent explosion, three more penetrating wounds were added to the side strings of the hull. Two shells fell into the boiler compartment, blowing the stoker and the boiling boiler who were working desperately into pieces. The constant explosions made this A light cruiser with a displacement of more than 5,000 tons shook like chaff in a sieve. The pressure in the pipes dropped rapidly. Flames, high temperatures, and flying shrapnel made the interior of the battleship a hell.
The battleship began to slow down, and a large amount of seawater poured into the hull from the holes in the bow and sides of the ship. The nearly one thousand tons of water caused the battleship to tilt seriously. Even the propellers were exposed from the water from time to time, and accompanied by a cannonball Penetrating into the steering gear compartment at the rear of the hull, the poor battleship completely lost control. Like a burning ruin floating on the sea
During the approach, in addition to Falmouth, one British light cruiser was sunk and another was severely damaged. The British light cruiser squadron paid a huge price and finally brought the destroyer squadron to the center line of the battlefield. , and at this time, under the cover of the German light cruiser, the German destroyer had also approached, and the two sides fired wildly at a distance of several thousand to several hundred meters.
"The first group of destroyers, launch torpedoes and scatter them." Following Rear Admiral Goodnow's order, the signal flag of the flagship Caroline quickly changed. Three destroyers quickly rushed out of the array and fired at the German guns. Sloping down across its own hull.
Naturally, this act of seeking death was frantically attacked by German destroyers. The three large destroyers of V108 and V108 used more than double-digit 6-inch guns and 88-inch guns to show the German navy's respect for these heroic British destroyers.
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