Under the heavy care of Deng Shichang, the cruiser New York was hit by several shells one after another, and smoke and fire engulfed the battleship, and Goeben ordered the fire to be extinguished immediately. At this moment, two aerial bombs fell from the sky, and with a violent explosion, Goeben was thrown up by the air wave. When he woke up, his subordinates reported that the battleship had been badly damaged and had withdrawn from the battle. Goeben, whose head was bandaged, fainted again when he heard the news that half of the ship's commander had been killed. The naval battle has entered a white-hot situation, and the stubborn operation of the US Navy has caused the battle losses of the covering fleet to continue to increase.

The first four main guns of the Raptors were all destroyed, and after the New York withdrew from the battle, the Mongol took the opportunity to turn the bow of the ship and began to bombard again with its tail guns. Up ahead came another medium-sized cruiser, the Dallas Mavericks. "Report to the captain, the battleship on the other side is the original Monte Cristo, and his former main gun has been destroyed." When the captain heard this, a hideous expression appeared on his face and said, "Concentrate your firepower and sink this battleship." The two sides began to split again, fighting to the death.

A shell hit the Raptor, and the blast filled the command compartment. The captain came to his senses, and the first thing he said asked how the cannon was, and his subordinates reported that two of the cannons were still in good condition. The captain ordered to continue firing the cannons. The captain of the Dallas Mavericks looked at the smoky Raptor, and a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, knowing that the other party had no ability to fight back. Suddenly, the other side ran away again, one hit the front main gun, and the other shot was in the front of the command module, and the explosion quickly hit the glass, and the glass shards hit the captain all over the face.

The captain drew the blood stains on his face with his hand and said, "Leave me alone, check the cannon immediately." "After inspection, two cannons were destroyed. The captain ordered the artillery bombardment to continue, and it was necessary to sink the battleship in front. At that moment, a bomb landed on the right side of the bow, and a huge shock wave turned the gunner's bomber on his back. The front main gun was suddenly dumb. At this moment, two more shells flew over the opponent, one missed and exploded in the sea, and the other hit the command module.

When the captain of the Raptors saw this, the telescope slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a bang. On the flagship Nanyang, a subordinate reported: "Report 505." The captain of the Raptors is dead, and the tail guns are still intact, is the Raptors ordered to withdraw from the battle? "Order the Raptor's deputy captain to take command. Keep fighting! Deng Shichang stood tall and gave orders decisively, he knew in his heart that the withdrawal of the main battleship from the battle at this time would affect morale. Especially when the enemy's main warship is more than one-third, it is necessary to fight with all its might.

Carrier-based aircraft strike, frankly, air strikes, albeit inefficiently. But succeeded in attracting enemy frigates with full air defense. At the same time, it also interfered with the combat efficiency of the enemy's main warships, which in the current state is basically two points. But Deng Shichang knew very well in his heart that two points were very unfavorable to him, the enemy's purpose was to fight for consumption, and his own side could not afford to consume at all, but the task of covering the fleet was to entangle the enemy fleet, and this purpose had been achieved. Before the expedition, 501 and 502 repeatedly emphasized that the covering fleet would encounter a fierce battle. It is inevitable to pay the price.

However, Deng Shichang was still a little surprised by the stubborn interception and bloody battle of the US fleet, and his own losses could be judged by the intentions of the opposing commanders. Its tactic is to fight attrition. In the current state, the two sides have reached a draw, which shows that the carrier-based aircraft have involved the strength of the enemy fleet, otherwise the battle will be unimaginable. Wen Biao has already reported that all the pilots of the reserve carrier-based aircraft have entered a state of readiness for battle, so that they can maintain high-intensity combat without stopping their aircraft. The naval battle filled with gunpowder entered twilight, and each side retreated into a state of truce.

After dark, the traffic boat leaned on the flagship Nanyang, and Wen Biao hurriedly boarded the battleship. Entering the command module, one of his subordinates was reporting. "After a day of fighting, we had 4 frigates, two destroyers were sunk, and 10 frigates and destroyers were damaged. Two battleships sank, 6 were seriously damaged and 5 were lightly damaged. The main guns of the cruiser Raptors were scrapped and the captain was killed. Another 4 cruisers were seriously damaged. After hearing this, Deng Shichang waved his hand and asked his subordinates to go down.

"I didn't expect the enemy fleet to be so tenacious, and the enemy completely adopted the method of fighting attrition, 505, and tomorrow's battle may be even more difficult." Deng Shichang said with a stern face: "Did you find it, the enemy fleet has no intention of retreating at all, and they are also stubbornly resisting." It seems that the trace of the landing fleet has not been discovered, our goal has been achieved, the purpose of the enemy fleet is to fight with us for attrition, and it is intended to delay our approach to the coastline, and the enemy's purpose is very clear, and it seems that we can only fight with our backs. ”

"505, tomorrow's battle will be more brutal, I suggest that you go on the Yangtze River ship, and I will stay on the Nanyang ship." Wen Biao knew in his heart that it was possible for the flagship to participate in the battle tomorrow. "Don't fight with the old man, it's more important to protect the aircraft carrier battleship, once the aircraft carrier battleship is attacked, we lose the capital to fight. As long as we maintain high-intensity air strikes, we will not fall into passivity. Tomorrow the Raptors will not be able to take part in the battle, but his broadside guns will be intact and will temporarily serve as a cover for the carrier battleship. ”

"505 I understand what you mean, the aircraft carrier team can send 4 frigates to participate in the battle, but I hope 505 will consider my suggestion again!" Wen Biao requested. "506, if there is a problem with the flagship tomorrow, you will take over the command of the battle, you and I have the same great responsibility, don't say that even if the old man gives the combat order, you will return to the Yangtze River ship immediately." Deng Shichang walked over and patted him on the shoulder and said, "If my handsome flag is lowered tomorrow, you will immediately take over the command." Where did Wen Biao think that this was the last thing he had with Deng Shichang.

On the USS Trailblazer, the flagship of the US fleet 50 kilometers ahead, Commander Buck listened to Chief of Staff Rice's report with a blank expression: "Your Excellency, the cruiser USS New York was heavily damaged and unable to participate in the battle, 4 cruisers were damaged, 2 battleships were sunk, and 6 were seriously damaged. 12 frigates and destroyers were sunk and 15 were damaged. The losses of our main battleships were not large, and His Excellency the General was very successful in using the tactics of fighting attrition. Although the enemy fleet sank few warships, we still had the advantage of being wounded. You've hidden a third of your main battleship, and you'll be ready to show your might tomorrow. ”

Buck said: "The enemy did not expect that our side would quickly deploy anti-aircraft weapons, and they would also have a time when they ran out of tricks. The combat efficiency of the enemy's carrier-based aircraft has greatly decreased, and our air defense weapons have played a tremendous role and created conditions for the fleet to strike at enemy ships with fire. Now I have the confidence not only to delay the enemy's attack, but also to inflict heavy damage on the enemy fleet. If we inflict heavy damage on the enemy fleet, the enemy's landing operation will be aborted. The High Command has sent a telegram highly commending us for our heroic fighting. ”

"Your Excellency, although the efficiency of the enemy's air strikes has decreased, the officers and men on our warships have suffered heavy casualties." "There's no way, the bomb didn't hit the point, but you can't stop the bomb from falling on the battleship, and now we have to bear that price. Inform all the main warships that they will all be put into operation tomorrow. After Chief of Staff Rice left, Buck went to the deck to look at the enemy fleet, he was wondering what the opposing commander was thinking, he was guessing that tomorrow was a crucial battle, and if the battle was fought the day after tomorrow, the enemy's landing fleet would come up??????。

At this time, Deng Shichang also stood on the deck and looked at the enemy fleet, although he could not see the enemy ship clearly, but the lights on the battleship in the sea area ahead could be clearly distinguished. The two fleets were gasping for dawn, and the two commanders were secretly gathering strength. Deng Shichang calculated the date, if there is no accident in the landing fleet, it will reach the sea area of San Francisco the day after tomorrow, thinking of this, Deng Shichang seems to have added a force, for the great cause of the empire, even if it is blood-stained on the battlefield. As the night grew thicker, the sea breeze sang softly, and Deng Shichang was still standing on the deck.

At this time, the subordinate came over and said, "501 call!" Deng Shichang walked into the command cabin and took the telegram to check, only to see that it was written: "When the two strong meet, the brave wins!" "There is no following. Deng Shichang knew the meaning of the joint command of the province and the province, no matter what the price was, it was necessary to ensure the smooth landing of the landing fleet. The east gradually revealed the whiteness of the fish's belly, the deck of the aircraft carrier battleship began to roar again, the carrier-based aircraft took the lead and opened the prelude to the fierce battle, and the battle alarm sounded over the fleet.

The naval guns are roaring, the flesh and blood are flying, and the desperate fight continues to be staged. The battle lasted until noon, with varying degrees of losses on both sides. With the enemy's main warships joining the battle group, the covering fleet gradually fell into disadvantage. "Report, the main gun of the cruiser Great Wall was hit in front!" One of his subordinates shouted hoarsely. Deng Shichang raised the binoculars to check, and sure enough, the dumb fire of the main gun in front of the Great Wall was wrapped in a large cloud of smoke. The Great Wall was in danger, Deng Shichang said decisively: "Order the battleship to go forward and cover the Great Wall's turn." "This order was given to mean that the flagship Nanyang joined the warband.

On the U.S. flagship Trailblazer, an officer made an urgent report: "Your Excellency, the enemy's flagship has joined the war group." Hearing this, Buck said decisively: "Concentrate your strength and strike at the enemy's flagship." The Nanyang went forward to relieve the siege of the Great Wall, and suddenly the enemy three cruisers and two battleships outflanked it, and the artillery fire was aimed at the Nanyang. At this time, Deng Shichang ordered the handsome flag to be lowered and handed over the command of the fleet to Wen Biao. Then Deng Shichang walked out of the command cabin and stood on the command tower to command the artillery. He pulled out his waist sword majestically, standing like a god of war.

Seeing this scene, Wen Biao's heart was like a knife, so he had to order the handsome flag to be raised. At this time, the fleet fell to the downside, and the US fleet became more and more courageous as it fought. Suddenly, a cloud of black smoke rose in the middle of the Nanyang, and Deng Shichang's figure was quickly wrapped in smoke. After the smoke cleared, Deng Shichang staggered to his feet with a war knife in his hand. Several subordinates quickly rescued him into the cabin. The subordinates in the cabin called out loudly, and Deng Shichang, who was covered in blood, opened his eyes and said with all his strength: "Tell Wen Biao that perseverance is victory!" ”

When the bad news came, Wen Biao closed his eyes in pain. At the critical moment, Wen Biao shouted loudly: "Order the carrier-based aircraft group to launch a decisive attack." This is the most correct order given by Wen Biao. (To be continued......)

PS: It's hard to be in the dark.