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In the Mediterranean in July, there are less winds and waves. Huge fleets sail the seas, leaving long trails. A fleet of 8 battleships, one battleship and six heavy cruisers, as well as more than two dozen light cruisers and destroyers of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy, sailed in the Ionian Sea. From Sicily to the junction of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, it is about 400 kilometers and at the speed of the Indian Ocean Fleet, it will take only one day to arrive.

"Chief of Staff, order the fleet to slow down! Cruising at a speed of 10 knots will do. Make sure you arrive in the waters off the Ionian Islands by tomorrow afternoon! Admiral Li Haitao, commander of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy, ordered.

"What's wrong? Don't need to enter the Adriatic Sea? Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Wu Zhiyuan asked in surprise. The previous plan was to assist the 8th Marine Division to land in Sicily, and the main force of the Indian Ocean Fleet would quickly enter the Adriatic Sea, and together with the Austro-Hungarian Navy, flank the Italian Navy, leaving all the main forces of the Italian Navy in the Adriatic Sea.

"Not going! The latest information available is that the main force of the Italian Navy is heading south. I really admire their courage to take the initiative to meet us. I don't even know whether to admire their bravery or despise their arrogance! Admiral Li Haitao said with a smile.

"Oh? Italians are so bold? I thought they would take refuge in a military port when they heard the news of our attack on Italy! I didn't expect them to have the courage to meet us. But that's fine, the Adriatic is too narrow and not conducive to the speed advantage of our fleet. It would be better to fight a decisive battle in the wider Ionian Sea, which would be even more advantageous for us! Lieutenant General Wu Zhiyuan said with a smile.

"Yes! Since the Italians are so not afraid of death, then let's sober them up. The current naval warfare is no longer the model they are familiar with, and it is not that after equipping the new battleships, they will be able to adapt to the current naval warfare! Admiral Li Haitao said proudly. The Italian Navy has a much longer history than China, and the modern Italian Navy was established at least a few decades before the Chinese Navy. However, since its formation, the Italian Navy has not fought any decent battles at all. Although the Chinese Navy has been established for less than 20 years, it has already experienced countless tragic wars. According to these big battles, the Chinese Navy has long grown from an immature rookie to an experienced veteran. Moreover. The use of new battleships in naval warfare was also the first of its kind for the Chinese Navy. If the Italian Navy wants to engage the Chinese Navy without absolute superiority in strength, and if it wants to defeat the Chinese Navy, it is simply a dream!

"What about the Austro-Hungarian Navy? Will they flank the Italian Navy with us? Lieutenant General Wu Zhiyuan asked. Although the Chinese Navy had more capital ships than the Italian Navy, the 'Zhonghua-class' battleships in the fleet were relatively backward, and the other three captured British and French battleships were also relatively backward. Only the battleship "Emperor Ming of the Han Dynasty" and the two "Qin-class" battleships had a large advantage. In such a decisive battle with the Italian Navy, even if the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy wins, I am afraid that it will pay a certain amount of casualties.

"The Austro-Hungarian Navy is not ready to participate. The commander of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, Archduke Ferdinand, said that the Austro-Hungarian Navy was not ready. Therefore, this time against the Italian Navy will be on our own! Admiral Li Haitao said with a sigh.

"***, that's cunning!" Vice Admiral Wu Zhiyuan couldn't help but curse secretly, Archduke Ferdinand obviously wanted to let the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy fight with the Italian Navy. The Austro-Hungarian Navy is good to pick up the bargain behind!

"After all, he is the one who wants to be the emperor! is really ruthless enough and thick-skinned enough! Admiral Li Haitao said with a smile. Archduke Ferdinand was the crown prince of Austria-Hungary and a supporter of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's strong navy. The battle of another time and space began precisely because he was assassinated. Meantime. After his assassination, the Austro-Hungarian navy could no longer receive significant support. In the end, all four 'Combined Forces' battleships were sunk one by one during the war.

"Commander, in that case, it's up to us. The battleships of the Italians, albeit only six. But the number of main guns is very large. We have to find a way, or we will kill 1,000 enemies and lose 800 ourselves. It's going to cost us a lot! Lieutenant General Wu Zhiyuan said.

"Hmmm! Two of the Italian Navy'Andrea. The Doria-class battleships and the three 'Count Cavour-class' battleships as well as the original 'Dante. The battleships of Alig Ichherie were all battleships with small displacement but many main guns. Such a battleship with a higher center of gravity and low seaworthiness. In addition, the slightest wind and wave on the sea surface or if the speed is too fast, will seriously affect the shooting accuracy. Therefore, I am going to control the distance at about 12,000 kilometers during the naval battle. At the same time, the speed of the engagement is maintained at about 15 knots. Through long range and high speed to counteract the advantage of the excessive number of main guns of the Italian Navy. If the Italian Navy were to follow us, it would inevitably further reduce the accuracy of their shelling. If they don't follow us to speed up, then we can grab the T-prefix lightly and concentrate our firepower to hit them hard! This time, we want to let the Italians know that it is not only the number of guns that determines the performance of a battleship, but also the speed and armor that are very important! Admiral Li Haitao's eyes shone with excitement, every time before the big war, although it will make people feel a lot of pressure, but at the same time, it will also make everyone full of desire for the upcoming big war. Soldiers all hope to reap their own glory in the battle of blood and fire!

Italian Navy's 'Andrea. The Doria-class battleships had a displacement of 26,000 tons and a maximum speed of 23.5 knots. The Count Cavour-class battleships had a displacement of 23,500 tons and a maximum speed of 21.5 knots. 'Dante. The battleship Alig Ichheri had a displacement of twenty-one and a half thousand tons and a maximum speed of 21 knots. As a result, the maximum speed of the Italian fleet was only able to maintain around 21 knots. And at this speed, because the center of gravity is too high, the battleship will be very bumpy, and it is good to be able not to capsize, let alone start a fierce artillery battle with the opponent.

The Chinese Navy's 'Han-class' battleships have a displacement of 28,500 tons and a maximum speed of 26 knots. The Qin-class battleships had a displacement of 23,500 tons and a maximum speed of 24 knots. The 'Zhonghua-class' battleships had a displacement of 21,500 tons and a maximum speed of 22.5 knots. The other battleships 'Zhongnan', 'Nanyang' and 'Zhongdong' have also been modernized and refitted, with a displacement of about 21,000 tons and a maximum speed of 22 knots. At the same time, the most advanced fire control system of the Chinese Navy was also installed on the battleships, which improved the firing accuracy of the three battleships a lot.

In contrast, the Chinese Navy declared war on a decisive battle with the Italian Navy at a distance and at high speed, which would inevitably put the Italian Navy in a dilemma, thus giving the Chinese Navy an excellent opportunity to defeat the Italian Navy. The departure is a manifestation of God, otherwise, as long as the Italian Navy dares to take the initiative to come to the door this time, it is looking for death!

At 8 a.m. on July 11, the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy arrived at the sea 100 kilometers northwest of the Ionian Islands in the Ionian Sea, which is already almost the center of the Ionian Sea. The wide sea is undoubtedly an excellent battlefield for a decisive battle at sea. After the arrival of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy, it began to cruise on the sea at a low speed, and had no intention of continuing north. And at this time, the main fleet of the Italian Navy was not very far from here.

Since 11 a.m. yesterday, after the main force of the Italian Navy departed from Venice, the fleet has been moving south at a speed of 12 knots, and it is expected that tomorrow morning they will be able to reach the waters where the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy is located.

After the Chinese Navy appeared in the Ionian Sea, it was quickly learned by the Italian Navy's reconnaissance ships. They quickly reported the location of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy. When the Italian Admiral Bohini, who was leading the fleet south, learned about it, he immediately understood the intentions of the Chinese Navy.

"Order the ships to keep their speed south and prepare for battle. Since the Chinese want to fight us in the Ionian Sea, then we will fulfill them! This time, we want them to know who is the master of the Mediterranean! Admiral Bohini said in high spirits. He seems to have seen it, and victory is at hand.

At 8 a.m. on July 12, the Chinese Navy and a destroyer spotted the main fleet of the Italian Navy heading south and immediately reported to the fleet. At this time, the direct distance between the main fleets of the two sides was already less than a hundred kilometers.

Admiral Li Haitao, commander of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy, immediately gave the order to prepare for battle, the guns of the ships were removed, and all the battleships sped up until after 15 knots, and began to sail in the direction of the main fleet of the Italian Navy.

Two hours later, the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy and the main fleet of the Italian Navy encountered in the Ionian Sea, about one hundred and fifty kilometers northwest of the Ionian Islands. This is where the naval battle begins. In addition to the navies of both warring sides, there was an Austro-Hungarian light cruiser and a French Navy light cruiser in the sea. This is a warship sent by France to observe this naval battle after learning of the Chinese invasion of Italy.