"Order the fleet, turn, and return to the Sasebo military port." On the battleship 'Katori', the commander of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy, Admiral Goro Ijiin, gave the order. He knew very well that with the current strength of the United Fleet, it was no longer enough to defeat the Chinese Navy, and if it didn't work, he would lose all their capital. Rather than this, it is better to retreat for the time being and look for a new opportunity to turn the tables around.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." The captain of the battleship Katori, Mano Sajiro Osa, nodded.

When the order to retreat reached the ships of the Combined Fleet, although the officers and men of the Japanese Navy were somewhat dissatisfied. However, everyone can still understand. After all, the current situation is already very unfavorable for the combined fleet.

Dozens of warships, large and small, of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy, began to turn and withdraw to the east. However, the lightning strike formation of the Imperial Navy hung far behind them. The Lightning Strike Formation originally consisted of 12 'Class A' destroyers. Three of them were damaged during the lightning strike operation, and the ships were ordered to evacuate. However, the remaining nine ships were still cruising on the periphery of the battlefield. They, which were undoubtedly waiting for the arrival of the main forces of the Imperial Navy.

"Does Little Japan want to run? Where is it so simple. Report to the flagship that the Japanese Navy is beginning to withdraw, and we will monitor the traces of the Japanese Navy. "The commander of the lightning strike formation, Major General Li He, ordered.

"Yes, General." The staff officer immediately reported the news to the flagship battleship 'Longteng'.

The combined fleet of the Japanese Navy wanted to evacuate, it was not so easy. At this moment, the main forces of the Imperial Navy were on their way. Although, although the two sides are separated by a distance of more than twenty nautical miles. But at the moment the speed of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy was no more than 14 knots. This is already their maximum speed. After the Iwami battleship was damaged, it was able to maintain this speed at best. And at this moment, the Imperial Navy is approaching at a speed of twenty knots. Other words. In about four hours at most, the Imperial Navy was able to catch up with the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy.

Admiral Goro Ijiin also knew that it would be difficult for them to escape with the destroyers of the Imperial Navy trailing them. So, he ordered the light cruisers of the Combined Fleet to lead the destroyers to drive out the destroyer formations of the Imperial Navy. However, the light cruisers of the Japanese Navy. Most of them were slow, and the Imperial Navy's destroyers could easily get rid of them. As for the destroyers of the Japanese Navy, destroyers with a displacement of only a few hundred tons are simply no match for many 'Class A' destroyers with a displacement of up to 1,450 tons. In the exchange of fire between the two sides, the destroyers of the Imperial Navy were often able to completely suppress the destroyers of the Japanese Navy, so that the Japanese Navy not only failed to expel the destroyer formation of the Imperial Navy, but made itself pay more costs. This also made Admiral Goro Ijiin know that it was impossible to get rid of the pursuit of the Imperial Navy.

Combined fleet of the Imperial Navy and the Japanese Navy. Speed races were carried out on the surface of the sea. However, the Japanese Navy was clearly at a disadvantage. By 7 a.m., the distance between the two sides had been reduced to more than a dozen nautical miles. Now, the sky is already very dark, and if you stand on the high mast of the battleship, you can even faintly see the opponent's battleship.

"Commander, a telegram has been sent from the destroyer formation, which has confirmed the remaining warships of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy. The capital ships were the battleship Katori. The battleship "Shikishima", the battleship "Fuji". The battleships "Sagami" and "Iwami", as well as an armored cruiser "Izumo". As for the light cruisers, the main ones were the light cruiser "Tsutsu", the light cruiser "Shintaka", the light cruiser "Kasaki", the light cruiser "Suma" and the destroyer "Akashi". On the part of destroyers. There are mainly 'kamikaze-class' destroyers, 'Chunyu-class' destroyers, 'Baiyun-class' destroyers, and 'Xiao-class' destroyers, and there are more than 20 in total. A staff officer reported the information to Admiral Sa Zhenbing. Judging by the remaining warships of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy, they have indeed paid very heavy losses. Lost combat power. More than half of them are already. In the face of the Imperial Navy, the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy will not only not take advantage of the slightest advantage, but will also be completely at a disadvantage.

"Well, order the fleet to keep sailing and prepare for battle. Soon, we will have another life-and-death showdown with the Japanese. Sixteen years ago, we lost a lot. But this time, we will be ashamed and annihilate them all in one fell swoop, so as to comfort the souls of those heroic souls who died in the sky! Admiral Sa Zhen Bing ordered.

"Yes, Commander." The staff officer nodded.

The order was soon sent to all the warships of the Imperial Navy, and almost all the officers and men were red-eyed, ready for this battle with the Japanese. They have been preparing for this battle for too long. Now, at last, it's time to be ashamed.

The formation of the Imperial Navy is also gradually changing, and it has begun to take on a battle formation. Two 'Longteng-class' battleships were in front, and two 'Longyao-class' battlecruisers were behind. The battleships 'Longteng', 'Longxiang', 'Longyao' and 'Longhui' were battlecruisers. Although, Wu Haoxuan once said, battlecruisers are not suitable for decisive battles between the battle line and the enemy's battleships. But who called the lack of battleships in the Imperial Navy now? Battlecruisers can only be used as battleships. In addition, the battlecruisers of the Imperial Navy, although not as thick as the battleships of the Imperial Navy, were not as thick as the battleships of the Imperial Navy. However, in terms of defensive power, it was far above the battleships of the Japanese Navy. In addition, the four twin 50-caliber 305 mm guns of the 'Ryuyao-class' battle cruisers are much more powerful than the Japanese Navy's 45 times caliber 305 mm guns or 40 times the caliber 305 mm guns. This makes the Imperial Navy's 'Ryuyao-class' battleships, even if they go head-to-head with the Japanese Navy's battleships, they will definitely not fall behind.

In addition to the capital ships, the Imperial Navy's seven 'Northern Seven' light cruisers were scattered around the capital ships to provide protection. After all, the Japanese Navy had more than two dozen destroyers left. If they launch a lightning strike at all costs, they will still pose a huge threat to the capital ships of the Imperial Navy.

Like the 'Northern Seven' light cruisers, the eight 'B-class' destroyers also play the role of escorts. Of course, at the right time. They could be converted into mine-strike ships and launch torpedo attacks on the Japanese Navy.

As for the remaining nine 'Class A' destroyers, they continued to wander around the periphery of the battlefield. Their mission was to get out of the wounded Japanese Navy if they wanted to evacuate. This time, the Imperial Navy planned to leave all the warships of the Japanese Navy here, and not a single one of them would be spared.

The appearance of the main fleet of the Imperial Navy immediately attracted the attention of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy. Admiral Goro Ijiin immediately ordered the fleet to enter combat condition. The remaining five battleships. The battle formation is also laid out, ready to fight against the capital ships of the Imperial Navy at any time. Even if, judging from the current comparison of strength, the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy is already at a complete disadvantage. However, they are still not afraid of a battle.

"Your Excellency Commander, General Shigetaro Yoshimatsu has sent a telegram requesting instructions." Mano Sajiro Osaku reported.

"Tell General Shigetaro Yoshimatsu that it is now the most critical moment and that we want to evacuate. But the people of China will not let us go. Therefore, we can only fight to the death with the people of China. General Goro Ijiin said.

If the main fleet of the Chinese Navy went to sea to fight a decisive battle with them while the strength of the combined fleet was still in existence, Admiral Goro Ijiin would probably be very happy. However, now everything is different. The capital ship of the United Fleet is only one more than that of the Chinese Navy. However, the difference in the performance of the warships of the two sides is very large, and in this way, the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy has no chance of winning at all.

Right now. There are only two options before the combined fleet. Fight to the end or surrender, and there is no other option. If you want to evacuate, that's not possible. The Chinese Navy is stuck and will not let them go.

"Ladies and gentlemen, for the sake of the national fortune of the Great Japanese Empire. Let's fight to the end with the people of China! Although, the people of China have made us pay a heavy price with their despicable means. However, the spirit of bushido in the Great Japanese Empire was unbreakable. We have one more capital ship than them, and we still have a chance to turn the tide. As long as you fight to the end, the final victory will definitely be ours. "Admiral Goro Ijiin sent electricity to the ships of the Combined Fleet. It is hoped that this will boost everyone's morale and play a role in finally turning the situation around.

Of course, whether this will have an effect or not, Admiral Goro Ijiin does not know. Perhaps, he could only pray for Amaterasu's blessing.

However, the encouragement of Admiral Goro Ijiin did restore the morale of the officers and men of the Japanese Navy, which had been depressed due to heavy losses, and made them muster up the last courage to fight.

Goro Ijiin believes that the quality of the Japanese navy is much stronger than that of the Chinese navy. While the Chinese Navy's capital ships are more performant, the Japanese Navy has a numerical advantage. If these advantages and disadvantages are offset, the Japanese Navy will not have no chance of victory.

As time passed, the distance between the combined fleets of the Chinese Navy and the Japanese Navy was also getting closer. The enmity and resentment accumulated between the two sides over the past 10 years since the First Sino-Japanese Naval Battle will finally come to an end at this moment. (To be continued.) )

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