"If the Spaniard's plan continues, by 1898 his main fleet will consist of two Dante-class battleships, two PISA-class armored cruisers, and three thermo-(Baidu)-class (Baidu) sub-class dome/armored cruisers. Perhaps there may be another type of cruiser, so that there will be 8 capital ships. Xu Jie paused and continued: "But this is far from enough. It's not that there aren't enough capital ships, it's that there is a lack of a complete naval system. ”

"A complete naval system should include a fleet with a reasonable composition that can face its own potential adversaries, a high-quality naval force, and a field support system that can meet the minimum needs of the fleet. Let's start with the first point. Xu Jie wrote as he spoke.

"First of all, we have to analyze the situation that the Spanish Navy needs to face, first of all, the Spanish Navy needs to cross the entire Atlantic to engage the American Navy on the other side of the ocean, which determines the inferior position in the total tonnage of auxiliary warships and fleets. Second, although Cuba is a colony operated by Spain for more than 100 years, its logistical support system is not sufficient to maintain a strong and modern fleet. It will be very unfavorable in terms of resupply and repair. Thirdly, according to the above two days, Spain had to end the fighting in the shortest possible time. Xu Jie said.

"Then let me analyze the advantages of the Spanish fleet, first, the US fleet must keep the sea lines open in the first place, and as long as the Spanish Navy launches an active assault around the line of communication, the US fleet must give up the surprise attack on the main ports of Spain and ensure the safety of the line of communication."

"Second, from the perspective of fleet composition, although the total number of the US fleet is very large, the composition is not reasonable, the performance of the battleships is relatively poor, and the battleships plus the construction are only 6, and the combat effectiveness of the two battleships before Indiana is not as good as the two patrols. (the displacement is only more than 6,000 tons) and the four new ships behind are too slow, and the armor layout is too old, and the artillery transmission is not as good as the new ships ordered by Spain. Simply the main fleet attack. The American battleship formation really couldn't beat the Spanish capital ship formation. ”

"In terms of loading, there are only two large and inappropriate loadouts, the armor protection is too poor, the vitality projection is good, and the speed is average. It can overheat (Baidu) that (Baidu) sub-class cruiser, but it can't catch up. It's the kind of guy who bullies the protective cruiser well, but can't go to fleet battles. As for the protection of cruisers, what to say. Although the overall performance is good, it is too mediocre. And not to do what a protective cruiser should do. Yang Yonglin smiled and said.

"What do you mean by what a protective cruiser should do?" Xu Jie asked with a smile.

"Scouting and fighting ships of the same class, scouting requires you to have enough speed to scout the enemy, and preferably to bite part of the opponent's fleet. And evacuate the battlefield in an unfavorable situation, but the US Navy's protective cruisers generally have a low speed, which determines that even if an opponent is found, the opponent can evacuate at a high speed, and once the situation is unfavorable. The vast majority of U.S. protective cruisers don't have enough speed to get out of engagement," Yang replied.

"But there are enough American protective cruisers. And more emphasis on firepower, how do you deal with this cruiser formation? Xu Jie asked with a sense of comparison.

"In fact, it is not very difficult, there are only 13 American protective cruisers with a speed of more than 17 knots, and there are 6 of these 13 ships below 4,000 tons, these 6 warships are actually not suitable for large fleet operations because of factors such as service time and performance, and only 7 ships can really be put into the main naval showdown, if the main force of the two sides fights, the United States will win by relying on the absolute firepower projection advantage of the fleet, but because of the speed problem. The Spanish fleet had the option of retreating and finding another fighter. Yang Yonglin analyzed. …,

"And where do you think the fighters of the Spanish fleet are?" Xu Jie continued to ask.

"Still on the sea transport line. It is impossible for the main American fleet to keep all the capital ships in it all the time, and in order to cover the transport lines, it will inevitably lead to the division of forces, and this is the opportunity of the Spaniards. Gradually weaken the U.S. fleet and inflict heavy losses on your opponents in the final battle. Yang Yonglin thought about it and said.

"If that's your idea, then you have to pay attention to the other force of the Americans." Xu Jie said solemnly. "The 10-inch guns and 12-inch guns on these ships are still very lethal to protect the cruisers, and if you lose any of the capital ships. It was a disaster for the Spanish fleet. So remember, fleets must not be easily dispersed. Even if the protective cruiser is damaged, in the face of the opposing battleship of about 20 knots. It also means death, unless you can cover its retreat with the entire main fleet. ”

"There is no point in doing so. If such a situation occurs, even if it escapes, it will definitely not be repaired, which will be a burden to the fleet, and it will be even more dangerous to be bitten by the opponent's main fleet. Yang Yonglin shook his head and said.

"Okay, you just know that, and if you can get an advantage in the decisive battle, what do you do next?" Xu Jie asked.

"Of course, it's cutting off the U.S. Army's sea transportation lines." Yang Yonglin said assumedly.

"So what if the American battleship is repaired? The United States is different from Japan, he has too many resources to call on, and tens of thousands of troops trapped are nothing to the Americans. Only the Navy, which requires a long period of construction and specialized technical personnel, is the deadliest blow to the United States. Xu Jie said.

"You mean, defeat is not the goal, and total sinking is the only way to solve the problem?" Yang Yonglin suddenly realized.

"The Americans have well-developed ports and repair plants, the Spaniards do not, so only a devastating blow can solve the problem fundamentally, and the result of losing both sides is actually equivalent to failure." Xu Jie smiled and nodded.

"But it is very difficult to sink enemy ships with naval artillery, and it took a long time for our Beiyang Fleet to sink a battleship like Fuji under the condition of absolute superiority, not to mention that it is now facing a 10,000-ton battleship of the United States." Yang Yonglin knew very well that it was really difficult to sink a warship of the same level with artillery. Unless you use torpedoes, but now you know how torpedoes are tricky.

"The best way to sink a battleship is to let it sink into the waterline and capsize. In this sense, torpedoes and mines are the best weapons. Although the current torpedo still has many deficiencies, it does not mean that three years later, the torpedo weapon is still so bad. Xu Jie said meaningfully.

"Your Excellency means that the Spanish Navy will form a capable lightning strike force? So that it can be used at the last moment of the war to attack large warships that have lost their combat effectiveness? In this way, if we can grasp the initiative in the war, we will not be afraid that the slow warships of the United States will run away. Yang Yonglin nodded and said.

"It's not just for understanding the large warships that have already been heavily damaged. When necessary, for a suitable engagement situation, whether it is to disrupt the opponent's formation or gain an advantage in battle, these seemingly weak warships can be used. Of course, if it is used for the queen of the palace, it can also be used. Xu Jie smiled and said.

"I understand what my lord means, a kind of battleship that resembles cheap cannon fodder. In the Spanish fleet, there were already 4,000-ton cruisers for the vanguard and reconnaissance roles, but the top and PISA-class armored ships for the main combat power, as well as finishing heavy battleships and mine-striking ships for cover. A basic naval system has been established, but the port and supply problems are still difficult to solve. Yang Yonglin frowned. …,

"Cuban ports can provide a place for the fleet to rest and replenish, but they cannot be used as a solid base for a long time, and at the same time, they cannot carry out comprehensive repairs on large warships. There's no way around it. In order to solve this problem, there are only two ways, the first is to take the initiative and make the US Navy unable to take care of those ports. The second is to fight quickly, and at the same time set up minefields and torpedo boats outside the harbor to delay the enemy's attack. Xu Jie clearly told Yang Yonglin that a quick solution is the only way out.

"The most important thing to pay attention to is that the morale of the fleet, without morale, no matter how good the plan is, it will not be able to carry out the plan, and no matter how powerful the equipment is, it will not be of the slightest use. How to make the officers and soldiers under your command adapt to the local combat environment, have the hope of victory, and can withstand all kinds of pressure is the most important thing, and it is also the most test of a person's level, and I hope you can complete this arduous task. Xu Jie said solemnly.

"Can I ask a question before I accept this assignment?" Yang Yonglin said. Seeing Xu Jie nodding, Yang Yonglin continued: "Why do we want to help Spain win against the United States? ”

"The United States is already interested in the Far East, North America can no longer accommodate this giant, and the aid to Japan in the Qing-Japanese War has already exposed its ambitions. We must give the Americans a warning. At the very least, it is necessary to delay his expansion into the Far East and buy time for the strength of our Qing. Xu Jie concisely told Yang Yonglin the reason for containing the United States.

"But I'm afraid it's going to be a relationship." Yang Yonglin said.

"This world is a world of the jungle, and only the strong can communicate with each other on an equal footing, and since what the United States has done has hurt the interests of our Qing Dynasty, then we need to teach them a lesson. More importantly, in the Far East, and even in the entire Western Pacific, there was no need for any other powerful force other than the Qing Dynasty. What's more, if it's all about enmity, what is the British and Italians who provided the Spaniards with money and warships? Xu Jie said categorically.

"My subordinates understand that what the adults are planning is a great cause. Yang is not talented, and it is a great fortune to be able to contribute to such a great cause. Yang Yonglin arched his hand and said.

"Lord Yang, what you are trying to do is not for the private sector or for a certain group, but for the country and the Chinese ethnic groups living in this land." Xu Jie said earnestly after returning the salute.

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