Chapter 200: Confrontation at Sea

(Thanks to the book friend dur.) A monthly pass with book friend Misea! ）

"Fire!" With the order of the gunner, the six 05-mm 50-caliber naval guns on the battleship "Sichuan" let out an earth-shattering roar. Six shells weighing 25 kilograms roared towards the 1,000-ton merchant ship that was the target ship 10,000 meters away. Half a minute later, there was a splash around the merchant ship. However, it is a pity that in this round of salvo, the target was not accurately hit. However, after the use of the fire control system, despite the first salvo, the point of impact of all shells was basically within two hundred meters in front of the target ship.

"Two hundred meters to the left! Adjust the shelling position! The gunslinger ordered. At this time, a small airship was floating in mid-air at a height of 100 meters above the "Sichuan", and the observers inside were looking down from a high altitude, providing more direct numbers for the battleship. After these numbers are gathered at the gunner, the direction of the shelling is adjusted in preparation for the next salvo.

The three twin-mounted main guns of the "Sichuan" began to slowly adjust the direction of the shelling. Three minutes later, on the orders of the gunnery officer, the "Sichuan" fired a second salvo. This time, the impact point of the six shells was closer to the target ship, and the nearest shell was even less than 100 meters away from the target ship. Although the power of a near-miss bomb is not as great as a direct hit, the pressure fluctuation of the seawater can cause metal fatigue in the hull, so much so that tearing the hull open a large hole will also pose a very big threat to the battleship.

Two rounds of salvos, to be able to have such a result, should be considered very good. What the "Sichuan" lacked should be nothing more than luck, and if it fired several salvos in succession again, it should have no problem hitting the target ship. In naval battles, there are many times when luck is very important. Fighting at such a long distance, it takes luck to hit the target, or how many casualties you can inflict on the enemy ship. If you are lucky, a single shell hits the ammunition depot of the enemy ship directly, then the enemy ship will only have the fate of being killed. If you are a little unlucky, even a dozen or more volleys, you will not even touch the hair of the enemy ship.

"It's great to be able to get to where we are now. In comparison, it's only been more than half a year. I hope you keep up the good work! Inside the bridge of the "Sichuan," Wang Yuze put down the telescope in his hand. Just after the New Year, he came to Beihai again. At the end of the day, he was not very comfortable with the naval fleet, so he wanted to review the results of the fleet's training for himself.

In the Beibu Gulf in mid-February, the wind and waves are not high, and the sea surface seems relatively calm. Four battleships, one cruiser and six destroyers of the First Fleet of the Kawanishi Navy are training in this area.

Hearing Wang Yuze say this, the hearts of Deng Shichang, commander of the fleet, Li Dingxin, chief of staff of the fleet, and Zhang Cheng, minister of the navy, finally let go. In the past six months or so, the fleet has maintained high-intensity training and consumed countless ammunition, and now it has finally been affirmed by Wang Yuze, which represents Wang Yuze's recognition of them.

"It's all the reason why the soldiers used their lives!" Fleet Commander Deng Shichang said modestly.

Wang Yuze nodded, and then continued: "There are still a few months to go, everyone must not relax, and we must do our best to improve the combat power of the fleet." When the time comes, strive to become famous in World War I and let the world know the prestige of our western Sichuan Navy! ”

"Yes, handsome! I promise the First Fleet won't disappoint you! Deng Shichang listened to his chest and said with a firm gaze.

Next, the "Xikang", "Plateau" and "Qinghai", which were lined up behind the "Sichuan", also carried out shelling. Their results are also about the same as those of the "Sichuan", which is already very good for a fleet that has only begun training for half a year. Further, a cruiser opened fire, and a large number of shells fell around the target ship. At a distance of 10,000 meters, it was relatively difficult for the 55-mm naval guns on the cruiser, and despite the use of a fire control system, the hit rate was still relatively low at this distance.

In the end, the six destroyers were at full speed and rushed towards the target ship. At a distance of two thousand meters, torpedoes were fired. Thirty 450-millimeter torpedoes produced by Kawanishi rushed at a speed of 30 knots toward the target ship 2,000 meters away, leaving wake streams on the sea.

"Boom!" A torpedo that accurately hit the middle of the target ship. The explosion of 40 kilograms of picric acid explosives in the torpedo warhead lifted the target ship, which was only more than 1,000 tons, more than two meters above the water, and then smashed into the sea and tore it into pieces.

For this training, Wang Yuze is generally quite satisfied. There are still a few months to go, and if the Navy maintains this kind of training and keeps improving, when war breaks out, the Navy will be fully able to shoulder their responsibilities.

"Ready to go home!" After the training, the commander of the fleet, Deng Shichang, gave the order to return to the sea.

At this time, a dozen kilometers directly south of the fleet, a battleship appeared, on which the white, red, and blue flags of the French Navy were hoisted.

"The battleship of the French?" Wang Yuze frowned.

"Marshal, since the return of our fleet, the French warships have often appeared near the North Sea. It's like they're spying on us. Fleet Commander Deng Shichang replied.

"Here comes the ironclad ship Atarante of the French Far East Fleet." Li Dingxin, chief of staff of the fleet, said.

"Send a battleship to drive the French ** ship away!" Wang Yuze ordered.

"Yes! Handsome! Deng Shichang immediately gave an order.

Soon, the light cruisers "Leshan" and "Qijiang" sailed out of the queue and turned around and pressed towards the French ** ship Atarante ironclad. After leaving the queue, the two cutting-edge light cruisers in western Sichuan immediately burst out at a strong speed, and the speed soared from the original 2 knots to 20 knots, and thick black smoke rose from the chimney and went straight into the sky.

"This is Chinese waters, please leave!" The flag-bearer on the "Leshan" waved the flag to the French ** ship. "Qijiang" was behind the side of the "Leshan" and provided cover for the "Leshan".

The ironclad ship Atalante is the main warship of the French Far East Fleet, and its anchorage is Da Nang, an important military port in central Indochina. This battleship has been in service for almost twenty years now. However, the French Navy could not afford to replace the ships for the Far Eastern Fleet, so it had to let these ships continue to serve. At this moment, on the bridge of the ironclad ship Atarante, a tall white officer, he was none other than the captain of the ship, Colonel Thomas. At this moment, he was frowning at the two Kawanishi warships in front of the Atarante ironclad. There was a hint of envy in his eyes. The warships of the French Far East Fleet are getting older and older, and the navy of the western Sichuan River, with one new warship after another, has formed a strong contrast with the French Far East Fleet.

"Your Excellency Captain, the people of western Sichuan say that this is Chinese waters, and they want us to leave here!" The communications officer of the ironclad of the Atarant reported to Thomas.

"Hell! When did this become Chinese waters? It's always been part of French Indochina! Thomas said angrily.

"Sue them, this is the territory of the French Navy, let them get out!" Thomas commanded.

"But Captain, the strength of the Kawanishi Navy is far above ours!" The gunnery officer on the ironclad of the Atarante said with some concern. The Atarant ironclad ship is too old, not to mention the four 10,000-ton battleships of the Western Sichuan Navy, even if it is the two light cruisers in front of him that are only more than 3,000 tons, if the war really starts, the Atarante ironclad ship is estimated to be difficult to fight.

"No! We are French people, and we want to defend the interests of France! Captain Thomas said stubbornly.

"Yes, Captain!" The communications corps had no choice but to reply to the Kawanishi Navy on Thomas's orders.

"Dashuai, the 'Leshan' sent a telegram, the French refused to leave, and said that this is their sea area!" Deng Shichang said with a frown.

"If they don't leave, then drive them away!" Wang Yuze said coldly.

Before the establishment of the Kawanishi Navy, it did not have the strength to protect its own interests. But now, the navy of western Sichuan has become an army, so it is natural to bear this responsibility. When I think about future generations, those small countries around the South China Sea have jumped out and forcibly occupied islands and reefs that belong to China. This time, Wang Yuze will never allow such a thing to happen. The strength of the French Far East Fleet is weak, and even the current West Sichuan Fleet can easily wipe them out. And all the battleships of the French Navy are only ten, and their combat power is far inferior to the four battleships equipped by Kawanishi, even if they come from the mainland, the Kawanishi Navy is not afraid at all. Therefore, Wang Yuze demanded to be tough on the French navy. Although it can't defeat the world's most powerful British navy, it still has no problem resisting the French navy. All, Wang Yuze is very confident.

A trace of excitement flashed in the eyes of Deng Shichang and the others, and they immediately gave an order.

After receiving the order, the "Leshan" and "Qijiang" immediately issued even tougher flags. At the same time, the main guns on the two battleships adjusted their positions one after another and aimed at the ironclad ship Atarante.

"Your Excellency, the people of Western Sichuan are very tough, if we don't retreat, they will be expelled by force!" The communications officer on the ironclad ship Atarant looked terrified.

The ironclad of the Atarant was armed with two 20-mm guns, six 55-mm guns, and some light guns. Although the number of main guns is not less than that of the two "Leshan" class light cruisers in western Sichuan, these naval guns are old models in terms of power and rate of fire, and they cannot be compared with western Sichuan at all.

PS: The third update is here! Tomorrow's fourth watch, there will be an update in the early morning!.