On the sea 40 nautical miles southeast of Weihaiwei, artillery roared and gunpowder smoke filled the air. Large-scale naval battles broke out again on the Yellow Sea, which had been calm for three years.

After an hour of fierce fighting between the two sides, the Imperial Russian Far East Fleet suffered a heavy loss as soon as the battle began, because it did not know the comprehensive operational situation of the Pacific Fleet. The four battleships of the third cruiser echelon of the Imperial Russian fleet, which had the weakest firepower and protection, were the first to be fiercely attacked by the superior firepower of the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet, and as a result, the No. 4 ship of the third echelon of the Russian army, the Manghan, was sunk half an hour after the battle began. Immediately afterwards, the Vidyaz, the leader of the third echelon of Imperial Russia, which had been heavily damaged, was rammed and sunk by the second ship Renda when it panicked to avoid artillery fire.

Within an hour of the start of the battle, the Pacific Fleet, relying on its own superiority in speed and firepower, and in view of the weakness of the Imperial Russian Fleet's aging equipment and uncoordinated and ununified speed and firepower, and with the advanced naval combat tactics of 'creating absolute superiority in local firepower,' the Imperial Russian Fleet's Vidiaz and Manghan's ships were sunk in the first round of the battle, and the Nicholas I and Renda were severely damaged, which made the spirit of all the officers and men of the Imperial Russian Far East Fleet tense up and their fear was further expanded.

Although the loss of two cruisers of the Imperial Russian fleet did not affect the combat effectiveness of its main fleet. At this time, the Imperial Russian fleet still had one armored battleship, six armored cruisers and two cruisers, two more capital ships than the Pacific Fleet, but the advantage was no longer obvious.

The two extra cruisers of the Imperial Russian Fleet were the cruisers Reynda and the Bandit in the third echelon, the protection cruiser Renda was severely damaged and caught fire during the battle with the Sea Scale, and the other unprotected cruiser the Robber had not yet escaped the siege of the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet and was in a precarious state at the moment.

At 2:53, the Renda was overtaken by the Yuyong. At this moment, the starboard side of the Renda was under fire, most of the guns could not fire, and the Russian officers and men of the whole ship were trying their best to extinguish the fire. The Yu Yong took the opportunity to approach the enemy ship and launched a fierce attack on the enemy ship at close range.

"Knock knock!"

The two main guns and eight secondary guns on the port side of the Yu Yong opened fire violently, and a single shell was fired at the enemy ship in the blink of an eye.

"Boom!"

Hot shells exploded all over the enemy ship, and in an instant, a cloud of fiery mushrooms rose. The enemy ship shook violently, and an eight-inch main gun shell exploded violently through the starboard side of the Renda. In an instant, the enemy ship was in flames and black smoke billowed out.

"Bang bang bang!"

The eight rapid-fire guns of the Yu Yong continued to rain shells on the enemy ships, firing more than 400 shells in just three minutes. Such a close range of fire caused great damage to the combat personnel of enemy ships. Suddenly, there were dead bodies one after another, stumps and broken arms scattered on the deck, flesh and bones flew sideways, and blood flowed into rivers, and the stench was stinking.

The enemy ship Renda was severely damaged by the fire of the Yu Yong, and the starboard side was in flames, with more than ninety percent of the casualties and immediately losing its combat effectiveness.

At 2:58 a.m., the Reynda attempted to evade the Yong's artillery fire, but her intentions were pierced by the captain of the Yong, Du Xigui. Relying on its speed advantage, the Yu Yong always stuck to the enemy ship, and in the second round of main gun attack, two 152 mm shells hit the starboard waterline of the enemy ship at the same time. The shells exploded, raising two huge flames, and at the same time tearing through the armor of the enemy ship's waterline, and thick smoke erupted from the tear, and then the sea water poured in, and the enemy ship quickly tilted to the right at the speed that was seen, and began to sink.

The Bandit behind the Renda was besieged by three armored cruisers from the Second Squadron of the Pacific Fleet. Without any protective armor, the Bandit was no match for any of the Second Force's ships in terms of tonnage, speed, firepower, or armor. After five minutes of siege, the ship was badly damaged, scarred by bullets, and on fire, and was powerless to fight back.

At the same time that the Second Squadron of the Pacific Fleet stormed the third echelon of the Imperial Russian Fleet, the First Squadron of the Pacific Fleet, the Weiyuan and the Sea Scale, were also fiercely attacked by the first and second echelons of the Imperial Russian Fleet.

Although Wang Chenhao's tactic was to use his speed to evade the main gun attack of the Russian ship Duke Attenborough and use armor to resist the attack of the armored cruisers of the Russian fleet, the three armored cruisers of the second echelon of the Russian fleet soon gave up attacking the armored Weiyuan and instead attacked the weakly armored Sea Scale behind the Weiyuan.

After the battled between the Sea Scale and the Renda, a fire also broke out on the port side, resulting in heavy casualties.

At 2:46, the three armored cruisers of the second echelon of Imperial Russia bypassed the Weiyuan and approached the Sea Scale by virtue of their superior armor to the Sea Scale. Numerous shells were fired at the Seascale, which was immediately heavily damaged, damaged in many parts of the ship's hull, and ignited a large fire.

At 2:52, four 8-inch (203 mm) guns on the starboard side of the Donskoy, the flagship of the second echelon of the Imperial Russian fleet, hit the Seascale command tower one after another after the third round of shelling. However, with only 6 inches of protection, the commander's armor barely withstood the violent explosion, but the surge shock wave after the superposition of the two violent explosions suddenly injured the command staff in the command tower. Captain Chen Jiliang and a British adviser officer were seriously injured at the same time and fell into a coma, while five other staff officers were injured to varying degrees, and Chief of Staff Wang Wu Daqing was slightly injured and took charge of the battleship.

The three armored cruisers of the second echelon of the imperial Russian fleet were very strong, generally equipped with 6 large-caliber main guns, and half of the main guns of the Russian armored cruisers in this period were loaded on the side side, although the double diameter was not high, and the penetration force was not strong, but the side fire was extremely fierce.

Wu Daqing saw that the target of the enemy ship's attack turned to the Sea Scale, and knew that it would definitely not be spared under the siege of the three armored cruisers. In order to avoid the siege of the enemy ships, Wu Daqing decisively ordered to break away from the first team, and the battleship quickly accelerated to a top speed of 22.8 knots, quickly getting rid of the siege of the enemy fleet and leaving the battlefield.

After breaking away from the first team, Wu Daqing immediately sent a telegram informing the flagship Weiyuan that 'the ship had been heavily damaged'. Soon the flagship called back, 'Understand the condition of the Seascale, and allow it to leave the battlefield'.

After the Sea Scale avoided the siege of the enemy ships, Wu Daqing immediately ordered the officers and men of the Sea Scale to fight the fire and treat the wounded, and the mechanics and repairers urgently repaired the damaged artillery and damaged armor, and must return to the battlefield as soon as possible.

The Seascale broke away from the first team, leaving the first team with the flagship Weiyuan to fight alone. The Weiyuan faced the siege of seven warships from the first and second echelons of the Imperial Russian fleet, although it was very difficult, but the Weiyuan tried its best to get rid of the large-caliber main gun attack of the Duke of Attenbourg, the flagship of the Imperial Russian fleet, with its speed advantage, and could block the attack of the other six Russian ships with its thick armor. At the same time, the fortress-like turret protection of the Weiyuan makes its guns immune to the destruction of enemy ships and can continue to return fire.

Vice Admiral Foucadzem, commander of the Russian Far East Fleet, planned to sink the Weiyuan, the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, with all its might, using itself as a bait and relying on its own superiority to constantly maneuver with seven Russian ships, successfully contained the attacking firepower of the two fleets of the Imperial Russian Fleet, and provided valuable time for the second fleet to destroy the four cruisers of the third echelon of the Imperial Russian Fleet and created favorable fighters.

However, this advantage of the Weiyuan gradually changed with the long battle.

At 3:12, the ironclad ship Weiyuan maintained a combat speed of 17 to 18 knots for a long time in order to avoid the attack of the Duke of Attenborough's 305 mm main guns, which made the ship's propeller shaft continue to be hot. If you can't continue to maintain combat speed, you must switch to cruising speed, otherwise it will cause disaster.

"The higher authorities have informed that in order to ensure the necessity of our ship's sustained combat capability, it is requested to reduce the speed and change it to cruising speed."

Lin Fan, the captain of the Weiyuan, sent a request to Wang Chenhao to reduce his speed, and Wang Chenhao knew that it was time to make a decision.

"How long will it take to regain combat speed?"

"Returning to my lord, it will take 25 minutes at the earliest!"

Wang Chenhao nodded and shouted, "Approve the request!" Reduced to a cruising speed of 10 knots, instruct the crew of the tube wheel to restore the combat speed of the ship as soon as possible! ”

When the order was given, the speed of the Weiyuan dropped sharply, from the original 18 knots to 10 knots. But the battleships of the Imperial Russian fleet approached rapidly at the speed of sight.

"Guys, it looks like we're going to be a meat shield!"

Wang Chenhao's words, although they still had a smile, no one thought it was funny. At this moment, everyone understands that the Weiyuan will have to change back to cruising speed, which means that the Duke of Attenbourg, the flagship of the imperial Russian fleet, will catch up, and the opponent's four 305mm main guns will give the Weiyuan a mortal threat. However, Wang Chenhao was still smiling at this time, and this kind of psychological quality of Mount Tai was overwhelming and unfazed, which made everyone suddenly awe-inspired.

"My lord! It is recommended to immediately send the second team back for reinforcements! ”

Lin Jianzhang proposed, and all the generals agreed, so Wang Chenhao ordered the second team to quickly move closer to the flagship.

Vice Admiral Fouceur Jam, the commander of the Duke of Attenborough, the flagship of the Imperial Russian fleet, noticed through the telescope that the Weiyuan had suddenly slowed down, and he immediately guessed that the Weiyuan could not bear the long-term combat speed and changed to cruising speed. So he put down his binoculars, turned around and shouted: "Pass the order, the first echelon and the second echelon will quickly launch an attack on the flagship of the enemy fleet, seize this golden time, pour shells on the enemy ships as much as possible, and be sure to sink the enemy's flagship." ”

The order was issued, and seven warships of two echelons of the imperial Russian fleet quickly approached the Weiyuan, and launched simultaneous attacks on the Weiyuan from the left and right directions.

"Boom!"

The first and second echelons of the imperial Russian fleet concentrated hundreds of artillery pieces of various calibers to attack the Weiyuan, and in an instant the cannon roared and deafened, and the smoke of gunpowder filled the air. Huge columns of water rose on the sea, the sea water splashed, the huge waves rolled, and the Weiyuan was instantly filled in endless smoke and rain, and it was difficult to distinguish between them.

In less than five minutes, the three 120-mm rapid-fire guns on the port side of the Weiyuan were destroyed, and the two 120-mm rapid-fire guns and two 57-mm rapid-fire guns on the starboard side were also destroyed, resulting in more than 40 casualties and heavy losses.

Outside the command tower, several shells exploded violently, and the violent shock wave rushed into the command tower from the lookout hole wrapped in heavy gunsmoke, and several staff officers who were observing the enemy situation with binoculars were rushed to the ground, choking Wang Chenhao with a violent cough.

"How long will it take to recover?"

"It's going to take about ten minutes!"

Wang Chenhao sighed helplessly, it turned out that only fifteen minutes had passed, but it felt like fifteen years had passed. Looking outside, the artillery fire was continuous, and I really didn't know if I could hold on for another ten minutes.

At half past three o'clock, with a loud "boom," a shell fired from a 305-millimeter main gun on the bow of the Duke of Attenbourg, the flagship of the Imperial Russian fleet, hit the bridge of the Weiyuan and exploded near the interrogation room, destroying the telephone relay room and radio room of the Weiyuan in an instant, and immediately depriving the Weiyuan of its modern communication and command function, and the Pacific Fleet losing its flagship command.

At the same time, the two fleets of the imperial Russian fleet had already sandwiched the Weiyuan in the middle, and the Weiyuan was attacked by the enemy left and right, and the hull of the ship was shot one after another, and the damage was serious. Although all ships of the Pacific Fleet were equipped with sandbags to prevent them from catching fire, the firepower of the Russian fleet was too fierce, and hundreds of shells poured in every minute, causing fires in many places on the bow and amidships of the Weiyuan.

The commander of the Duke of Attenborough, Vice Admiral Foucedem, the commander of the Imperial Russian Far East Fleet, watched the Weiyuan fall into the sea of fire and smoke caused by the artillery fire, and his mood was much better, and he finally showed a smile since the start of the war.

"Great! The order continued, and the ships continued their efforts to sink the enemy's flagship. ”

The order was issued, and the first and second echelons of the Imperial Russian fleet continued to maintain a fierce offensive against the Weiyuan.

"Report! The third echelon was completely annihilated, and the enemy's five battleships were rapidly approaching the enemy's flagship! ”

"What? The third echelon was wiped out? ”

Vice Admiral Foucajam was stunned for a moment, and the glimmer of joy just now was suddenly dispelled by the news of the sinking of the four cruisers of the third echelon.

"What location?"

"25 degrees to starboard!"

Vice Admiral Foucaedum hurried to the right, and through the lookout of the command tower, he saw billowing smoke billowing from the chimneys of five large warships to the northeast, which was a sign of rapid advance, and the intention was obviously to reinforce the besieged flagship Weiyuan.

"Your Excellency Commander, our current formation must be adjusted, otherwise once the enemy fleet rushes in and forms a division posture, our fleet will be seriously threatened."

The Chief of Staff, Senior Colonel Pinkov, raised concerns. By this time of the war, the commanders of the Imperial Russian Far Eastern Fleet had already figured out the firepower, tonnage, speed, and armor of the ships of the Pacific Fleet. The five large armored cruisers of the 2nd Squadron of the Pacific Fleet of 7,000 tons were significantly higher than the Imperial Russian Fleet in terms of speed and firepower, and their combat power was formidable.

Vice Admiral Foucaulium frowned, looking at the Pacific Fleet's flagship Weiyuan, which was struggling in the sea of gunfire in the port direction, at this time, if he divided his forces, he might miss the opportunity to sink the Weiyuan, but if he continued to maintain the offensive against Weiyuan, then the formation of the fleet would probably be overwhelmed by the second battle group of the Pacific Fleet, forming an unfavorable situation of division and encirclement, which would pose a great threat to the entire Russian fleet.

Although Lieutenant General Foucaeur was somewhat reluctant, he had to make a decision for the sake of the overall situation.

"Order the first echelon of the three ships Admiral Nasimov, Azov and Monomakh to be reorganized into the second echelon with the second echelon Donskoy and the Imperial Guard, with Admiral Nasimov as the second echelon leader and responsible for intercepting five enemy ships in the northeast direction. The second echelon, Nicholas I, was ordered to be formed into the first echelon, and the ship continued to attack the flagship of the enemy fleet. ”

Vice Admiral Foucaeur's response was a counter-opposition, with five armored cruisers, Admiral Nasimov, Azov Memorial and Monomach, Donskoy, and Imperial Guard, against five armored cruisers of the Second Fleet of the Pacific Fleet. The five armored cruisers of the second echelon of the Imperial Russian Fleet had more main guns than the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet, for example, the lead ship Admiral Nasimov had eight 35x diameter 203 mm guns, while the lead ship of the second battle group of the Pacific Fleet, the Yu Yong, had only two 40x diameter 203 mm guns. However, in terms of the number of secondary main guns and rapid-fire guns, the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet is much more than the second echelon of the Imperial Russian fleet. Also comparing the two leading ships, the Admiral Nasimov's second secondary gun had only 6 40x 152 mm guns, 4 45x 76 mm rapid-fire guns, and 4 45x 47 mm rapid-fire guns. The Yu Yong had 16 45x 152mm guns, 8 45x 88mm rapid-fire guns, and 8 45x 47mm rapid-fire guns. Comparatively speaking, the second and third level firepower of the Yu Yong is twice that of the Admiral Nasimov, and the double diameter of the guns of the two sides is also significantly different, the double diameter of the guns of the Yu Yong at all levels is longer than that of the Admiral Nasimov, so that the muzzle velocity of the shells is high, and in the face of the same armor protection capabilities of both sides, the attack and destructive power of the Yu Yong is stronger than that of the Admiral Nasimov, and it will take advantage of the battle.

On the whole, the five warships of the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet were superior to the five warships of the second echelon of the imperial Russian fleet in terms of firepower and speed.

At 3:40, the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet rushed to reinforce the flagship Weiyuan, and was intercepted by the second echelon of the imperial Russian fleet on the way, and when the two sides were about 3,000 meters apart, the Russian ship took the lead in firing.

The second echelon of the Russian fleet chose to engage at long distances because they wanted to take advantage of the number of main guns and bully the ships of the Pacific Fleet with fewer main guns than theirs.

However, the commander of the second squadron of the Pacific Fleet, Du Xigui, did not plan to fall in love with the enemy fleet, but rushed to reinforce the flagship Weiyuan. Du Xigui wanted to rescue the Weiyuan as soon as possible, which virtually shortened the combat distance between the two sides to about 2,000 meters, but in this way, it was just right to give full play to the Pacific Fleet's superiority in the number of second-stage main guns and rapid-fire guns.

The two fleets rushed in frantically, the other desperately intercepted, and the fiercest naval artillery battle broke out between the two sides. Countless shells came and went between the two fleets, exploding and setting off fiery mushroom clouds. Thick smoke rushed into the sky, and in an instant, the sky was filled with gunsmoke, covering the sky. Huge columns of water were lifted on the surface of the sea, the sea water splashed, the huge waves rolled, and the sea water boiled violently.

The main fleets of the two sides have been fighting until now, and finally reached the ** at this moment.

(To be continued)