In the southeastern seas of Ceylon, about two hundred nautical miles, a fleet is sailing west at a speed of 12 knots. This fleet was the one led by Vice Admiral Li He, commander of the Imperial Navy's Nanyang Fleet. In the center of the fleet is a fleet of two 'Longxing-class' battleships, two 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers, two 'Longteng-class' battleships and two 'Longyao-class' battlecruisers of the Imperial Navy. On the periphery, there are four 'Zodiac-class' heavy cruisers, seven 'Qinglong-class' light cruisers and 12 'B-class' destroyers. The strength of such a fleet is no longer weak. In other words, if it were a small country, it would not have such a powerful fleet as a whole country. However, for several naval powers, this fleet is nothing.

The two 'Longxing-class' battleships and the 'Longteng-class' battleships formed a battle line. The two 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers and the two 'Longyao-class' battlecruisers were lined up in another battle line. Because the maximum speed of the 'Longxing-class' battleships was only 23 knots, and the maximum speed of the 'Longteng-class' battleships was only 21 knots. So, the speed of the fleet is a big disadvantage. On the contrary, the speed of the 'Longfei-class' battlecruisers and the 'Longyao-class' battlecruisers was more than 27 knots. With its thick armor, even if it encounters the powerful battle cruisers of the British Navy, it may not be without the strength of a battle. Of course, if you encounter a perversion like the 'Admiral-class' battlecruiser, that's another matter.

"Lao Li, we have been wandering around this sea area for so long, and we have not found any trace of the British. Otherwise, I'll take four battlecruisers and go a little further. Major General Lin Jianzhang suggested.

"No, that's too risky. According to a telegram from the submarine forces, the British had already left Mumbai four days earlier. If they were fast enough, they would have reached the waters near Ceylon. Maybe. It's not far from us. If the troops are divided at this time, it is likely that the other side will seize the opportunity. Lieutenant General Li He shook his head.

Before the departure of the surface ships of the Imperial Navy, the submarine forces of the Imperial Navy were already distributed to the northern part of the Indian Ocean. They were on a reconnaissance mission, and of course, if they had the opportunity, they would not let go of an attack on the British Navy. These submarines carried 533-mm heavy torpedoes. Even in the face of the battleships of the British Navy, it had enough lethality.

"What about the 7th destroyer detachment? Where are they now? Major General Li He asked.

"The 7th destroyer detachment is about forty nautical miles north of us." Major General Lin Jianzhang replied.

Rear Admiral Li He hesitated for a moment, and then ordered: "Let the 7th destroyer detachment search further north." I suspect that if the British navy reached the Rakdev Sea, it would have come straight to the waters south of Ceylon. We set out from Batavia, and if we went north, we would either go straight to Ceylon and intercept them, or we would wait in the waters near Batavia. It doesn't matter what we choose. If they go south, they will be able to find us. ”

"Okay, I'll send a telegram to the 7th Destroyer Detachment." Major General Lin Jianzhang nodded.

The 7th Destroyer Detachment has a total of 6 'Class B' destroyers, with port numbers ranging from 1 to 6. Although the 'B-class' destroyer has been in service in the Imperial Navy for more than ten years, it is still a very powerful destroyer in the world. With a displacement of 1,800 tons, it is already more than most destroyers. Even some light cruisers could not be compared. The maximum speed of 33 knots is surpass only a few warships. Of course. With the advancement of science and technology, more and more warships have surpassed the 'B-class' destroyers in terms of performance.

The British Navy's 'R' destroyer, with a displacement of no more than 1,005 tons, was armed with three 4-inch (101.6 mm) guns, a twin 40 mm rapid-fire gun, and two twin 533 mm torpedo tubes, with a top speed of 36 knots. Except that it is a little faster than the 'B-class' destroyers of the Imperial Navy. Other aspects of performance. Completely inferior to the destroyers of the 'B class' of the Imperial Navy. What's more, the 'R'-class destroyers were built after almost a decade of service with the 'B-class' destroyers.

The commander of the 7th destroyer detachment was Major Li Shijia, a young officer who had just graduated from the Imperial Naval University for six years. After graduating from the Naval University, he served first as first officer on a destroyer, and then as captain. It was only last year that he was promoted to commander of the destroyer detachment.

"Sir, flagship telegram." The signal corps of the destroyer 'Yiyi' sent a telegram to Major Li Shijia.

After reading the telegram, Major Li Shijia immediately gave an order: "Order the fleet to turn 45 degrees to the left and search the nearby seas." ”

"Yes, sir." The signal corps immediately sent a telegram to the other ships.

A few minutes later, the 7th destroyer detachment sailed north, searching for the British fleet that might appear.

At the same time, not far from the 7th destroyer formation, a destroyer formation of the British Navy, which was also searching in a southeasterly direction. After the battle patrol detachment led by David Beatty left the main fleet, he also kept looking for traces of the Chinese navy, and he was also eager to find the traces of the Chinese navy in advance, and then take a bite and then evacuate, leading the Chinese navy to the main fleet of the British navy.

However, after going all the way south, the British Navy was unable to find any trace of the Chinese Navy, which made David Beatty think that the timid Chinese Navy did not go north, but stayed in the waters near Batavia and waited for them. If that's the case, then he'll have to change his tactics again.

At 10 a.m. on April 10, 4620 (22), the 7th Destroyer Detachment of the Imperial Navy was in the waters near 180 nautical miles southeast of Ceylon, and the 1st Destroyer Squadron of the British Navy was formed. Both sides discovered each other almost at the same time. As a result, a terrible siren sounded over this sea area.

"Sending a telegram to the flagship, we found six 'R-class' destroyers of the British Navy, the main force of the British Navy, and the base friend may be around here." Major Li Shijia ordered.

Subsequently, he ordered the 7th destroyer formation, which accelerated its advance and launched an attack on the destroyer detachment of the British Navy. If it was the opponent's main fleet, Major Li Shijia might order a retreat. However, since it was the destroyer detachment of the opposing side that was encountered, there was nothing to fear. The destroyers of the 'B class' of the Imperial Navy, although they have been in service for a long time. However, there should still be no problem against the destroyers of the 'R-class' of the British.

Major Kevins, commander of the British Navy's 1st Destroyer Formation, also hurriedly reported the news of the encounter with the destroyers of the Chinese Navy to the flagship, and then asked the flagship for support on the one hand, and led the fleet to kill them on the other. Although the Chinese Navy's 'B-class' destroyers are powerful, the British Navy's 'R-class' destroyers are all new. What's more, the main forces of the British Navy were not far from here and would soon be able to arrive. If the siege is carried out at that time, it may not be impossible to completely annihilate the destroyer formation of the Chinese Navy.

After receiving the telegram from the 7th Destroyer Formation, Vice Admiral Li He immediately ordered the fleet to go north and prepare for battle. Marshal David Beatty ordered the fleet to speed southward. He believes that as long as the destroyer formation of the Chinese Navy is captured, the main fleet of the Chinese Navy will soon be drawn out.

When the main fleets of both sides began to accelerate, the destroyer formations of both sides had already begun to fight.

Although destroyers are inconspicuous ships in the navies of various countries. The caliber of the guns equipped is relatively small, and the armor is even more approximate to nothing. However, if there is a fight between destroyers, it is often very tragic.

"Fire!" After Major Li Shijia gave the order, the six 'B-class' destroyers of the 7th Destroyer Detachment of the Imperial Navy each found an opponent and began to fight each other.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! ”

The Class B destroyers each had a twin 105mm main gun in the bow and stern, and four 88mm rapid-fire guns and four 37mm rapid-fire guns on each side. The British Navy's 'R-class' destroyers, on the other hand, had only three 4-inch (101.6 mm) guns and one twin 40 mm rapid-fire gun. The destroyers of the 'B-class' of the Imperial Navy were almost twice as dynamic as the destroyers of the 'R-class' of the British Navy. So much so that at the very beginning of the battle, the 7th destroyer detachment of the Imperial Navy gained an advantage.

The speed of the destroyers was very fast, so in less than ten minutes, the distance between the two sides was shortened to more than 1,000 meters. At this distance, it was precisely the best distance at which small-caliber rapid-fire guns played.

"Boom! Rumble! "The destroyer 'B-one' of the Imperial Navy opened heavy fire on the destroyer 'Radstock' of the British Navy. The twin 105mm guns in the bow and stern fired shells that could easily damage the destroyer Radstock. The four 88mm rapid-fire guns on the side were also capable of posing a lethal threat to the destroyer "Radstock". Even a 37mm rapid-fire gun was capable of inflicting great damage on sailors exposed to the deck.

Several explosions rang out, and several small-caliber rapid-fire gun shells exploded on the side of the destroyer 'Radstock', killing the British sailors who were operating the guns, while also igniting a raging fire.

"Hell! Why are those yellow-skinned monkey destroyers so vigorous? It's almost time to catch up with the average light cruiser! Major Kevins couldn't help but complain. After all, the displacement of the 'B-class' destroyers is almost half that of the 'R-class', so they are naturally able to deploy more weapons. (To be continued.) )

PS: The thirty-third is here, ask for a monthly pass and a reward!