Chapter 688: Encounter
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On the calm Red Sea, a fleet was rapidly moving south, led by two huge ships like hills, two of the latest 'Dreadnought-class' battleships that the British Navy had put into service, the 'Dreadnought' and the 'Resistance' battleship. Vice Admiral Howard, commander of the British Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, was standing on the bridge of the battleship 'Dreadsome', smoking a pipe, enjoying the unique scenery of this tranquil sea. Because of the geographical factors, the sea surface of the Red Sea is relatively calm, the wind and waves are very small, and the battleships sail at high speed and do not feel the turbulence.
This time, Vice Admiral Howard, commander of the Mediterranean Fleet of the British Navy, was the commander of the operation. Not only was he given command of the Royal Navy's six Dreadnought-class battleships, but the French Navy's four Dreadnought-class battleships were also under his command. Together with other armored cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers, a total of fifty or sixty battleships were all under his command, which made Vice Admiral Howard full of confidence and high spirits. Even if the opponent is the powerful Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy, Vice Admiral Howard is confident. In his opinion, ten new battleships are twice as advantageous as the Chinese Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet, and in such a situation, not to mention blockading the entire Red Sea, even if it is to enter the Indian Ocean and compete with the Chinese Navy for sea supremacy in the Indian Ocean, this is no problem at all.
Thinking of this, Vice Admiral Howard couldn't help but complain a little about the caution of the Admiralty and the Cabinet, if the Indian Ocean Fleet of the Chinese Navy can be annihilated or even severely damaged, what a great credit it is! Vice Admiral Howard was sure that he could even be promoted to admiral in one fell swoop, becoming commander of the most important Turkish fleet in the Royal Navy, and he would soon become the third Lord of the Admiralty. The second Minister of the Navy is not a problem. If you're lucky, you might even become Lord of the Navy! However, the Admiralty strictly ordered him that this operation was mainly to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, prevent the Chinese Navy from entering the Red Sea, and ensure the security of the army's operations and supply lines in the western region of the Kingdom. This made Vice Admiral Howard think that so many new warships were dispatched just for such a mission. This is a bit of a fuss!
"It would be nice to be able to go into the Indian Ocean and kick those yellow-skinned monkeys in the ass!" Lieutenant General Howard wistful. It's just that he knows that this can only be thought.
"How long will it take to get to Yanbu?" Lieutenant General Howard asked. The transport fleet that they escorted. It will land in Yanbu and then launch an offensive against Chinese and Saudi forces in the southwest of the Kingdom, while Lieutenant General Howard will be tasked with continuing south and blockading the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The four 'lonely-class' battleships of the French Navy were right behind them. In addition, four more of the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships. Also on standby in Alexandria, Egypt, they will fight in the Red Sea through the Guò Suez Canal if necessary.
"General. At the current rate, we will be able to reach Yanbu in another hour. After that, we will make a quick heading south, which is expected to be in the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. We'll be able to reach the Bab el-Mandeb Strait! A major staff officer reported.
"Alright! After arriving in Yanbu, I can finally get rid of these slow guys! After arriving in Yanbu. Immediately accelerate southward. I'll go back and rest first! Lieutenant General Howard ordered. The speed of the transport ship was only ten knots, which made Lieutenant General Howard a little uncomfortable. The maximum speed of the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships has reached 21 knots!
"Yes, General!" The major staff officer replied. As commander of the fleet, Vice Admiral Howard had the right to enjoy the most luxurious cabins on the battleship, which were much more luxurious than those of ordinary sailors.
At two o'clock in the afternoon of October 25, the fleet arrived at Yanbu, the transport ships docked, and a large number of British and French troops began to land, while the British fleet, at a speed of 15 knots, accelerated southward.
On October 26, at 12 noon, Lieutenant General Howard began lunch. Despite the limited conditions on board the battleship, the chef prepared caviar and grilled steak for him, much to the satisfaction of Vice Admiral Howard. Of course, it would be nice to have another glass of French wine. However, when performing military duties, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, and even Vice Admiral Howard cannot violate this rule!
"Whew!" Just as Vice Admiral Howard was about to start, a whistle suddenly sounded on the battleship, which was the sound of a battle alarm, and the entire fleet immediately became busy.
"Damn, what's going on?" Lieutenant General Howard also immediately stood up from the table and asked loudly.
Soon, his adjutant rushed in and reported to him: "General, Chinese warships have been found in the south, a heavy cruiser, a light cruiser and a destroyer!" ”
"Chinese? Those yellow-skinned monkeys actually entered the Red Sea again? Or a heavy cruiser! Order the ships, rush forward, and sink them! Lieutenant General Howard immediately gave the order excitedly. The heavy cruisers of the Chinese Navy are equivalent to second-class capital ships. In the naval battle three years ago, it caused a lot of trouble for the British Navy, and many old battleships of the British Navy were sunk by heavy cruisers of the Chinese Navy. Now, it seems that the time has come for revenge. The 'Dreadnought-class' battleships are much more powerful than the heavy cruisers of the Chinese Navy.
The British fleet began to accelerate continuously, rushing towards the Chinese fleet to the south, and the intention of wanting to leave the Chinese fleet behind was very obvious.
Twenty kilometers away from the British fleet, on the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing', the captain of the ship, Colonel Liu Fei's brows were tightly furrowed, and before he entered the central part of the Red Sea, he actually encountered the British fleet, and it was still two 'dreadnought-class' battleships. Although the 'Nanjing' heavy cruiser had two twin 305-mm main guns, which could threaten the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships, the 'Nanjing' heavy cruiser had a displacement of only 10,500 tons, which was only half of the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships, and even if the British Navy did not pay special attention to armor, the armor of the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships was much thicker than that of the 'Nanjing' heavy cruisers. If the two sides face off, unless the 'Dreadnought-class' battleship is unlucky, it must be the 'Nanjing' heavy cruiser that is sunk, not to mention that the other side has two 'Dreadnought-class' battleships.
"Captain, the British are starting to speed up, I'm afraid they want to attack us!" The navigator on the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing' reported to Colonel Liu Fei.
"Immediately turn around, sail south, exit the Red Sea. Also, send a telegram to the fleet headquarters with the news of the appearance of the British 'Dreadnought-class' battleships in the Red Sea! Colonel Liu Fei did not hesitate and immediately chose to retreat. After all, it was impossible for the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing' to fight with two enemy fighters and the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships, so it could only rely on high speed to leave. Fortunately, the 'Nanjing' heavy cruiser had a maximum speed of more than 26 knots, and it was not difficult to get rid of the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships of the British Navy. It's just that since then, their mission has failed, and Colonel Liu Fei is still counting on being able to advance to the area around the Suez Canal.
"Yes, Captain!" The navigator replied.
The heavy cruiser 'Nanjing' quickly began to turn, drew a long arc on the sea, turned around and sailed south. At the same time, the speed began to increase dramatically, from 15 knots to 22 knots. The light cruiser 'Linxia' and the destroyer 'Changle' also followed suit and began to sail south at high speed.
"General, the Chinese have fled!" On the battleship 'Dreadnought', the adjutant reported to Vice Admiral Howard.
"Catch up and find a way to stop the Chinese!" Lieutenant General Howard ordered with a cold face, of course he knew that the Chinese would run away, after all, the Chinese were not fools, and they would drive out the matter of hitting stones with eggs. It's just that seeing the results of the battle slip away like this, he is still a little unwilling.
"General, the speed of the Chinese is fast, it is difficult for us to catch up!" The adjutant replied. The maximum speed of the 'Dreadnought' is only 21 knots, and even if it is pursued at the highest speed, it will not be able to catch up!
"Humph! Pursue them with light cruisers and destroyers, intercept them. Give the capital ship a chance! Lieutenant General Howard ordered through gritted teeth.
"Yes, General!" Although, there was something dangerous about it, the British fleet did it.
Four light cruisers and four destroyers of the British fleet, rushing out of the queue, accelerated towards the Chinese fleet, their speed, which had increased to 26 knots.
In this regard, Colonel Liu Fei, the captain of the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing', did not order the fleet to continue to accelerate, but to maintain a speed of 22 knots. Since these Englishmen are going to rush to find death, then fulfill them! Although the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing' was no match for the 'Dreadnought-class' battleships, it was still easy to deal with several light cruisers and destroyers.
At 3 p.m., the light cruisers and destroyers of the British fleet caught up with the Chinese fleet. However, they were also hit by heavy fire from the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing'. The two twin 305-mm guns on the heavy cruiser 'Nanjing' were undoubtedly deadly weapons for these light cruisers and destroyers.
"Boom!" At 3:24 p.m., the bow of a light cruiser of the British Navy was hit, the entire capital of the ship was blown up, and in less than a minute, the light cruiser sank to the bottom of the sea.
At 3:43 p.m., a British Navy destroyer was hit by a 305-mm main gun, and more than 300 kilograms of shells directly blew the destroyer with a displacement of less than 1,500 tons into two, and none of the dozens of British Navy soldiers on board survived!