Chapter 1,113 Maneuvering
Chapter 1113 Maneuvering
Although the distance is a bit far away, the British fleet has already started shooting. In the distance where the sea and the sky meet, a series of shining firelights fill it. In each time, the light can capture hundreds of flashes, forming a The 100-ton shells landed 1,000 meters away from the High Seas Fleet after flying over a distance of 20 kilometers. However, even so, the water columns raised by the shells still obscured the advancing fleet, and there were constant explosions. The sound and the water falling like a storm still made the German fleet feel terrified!
"It doesn't matter, they can't hit us." Looking at the nervous officers around him, the prince said easily, hitting the target at 20 kilometers? It seems that there is no such record in the naval battle and action in World War I!
"Your Excellency, Commander, the German fleet is sailing parallel to and in the opposite direction from us, at a distance of 20 kilometers!" an officer reported to Jericho.
"We basically can't hit them. And they are moving at high speed in the opposite direction to us! There is a conspiracy!" Lieutenant General Charles Madden, Jericho's chief of staff, said.
"The fleet turns three compass points south. Let's get behind them." Jericho said, looking at the German fleet that was quickly moving away from him. Along with the semaphore and radio waves, the entire British main fleet quickly understood Jericho's order. Under the leadership of five Revenge-class battleships, the British fleet began to sail south. The originally huge fleet in a straight line formed a huge and gentle formation. arc.
"Very good, you guessed what I wanted to do, but it's a pity that I didn't move fast enough!" the prince said. The prince's original plan was to sail west quickly and then turn north. In this case, the entire German fleet would reach the British fleet. The battle lines were deployed on the sides and rear. At the same time, because of the advantage of speed, you can keep chasing. The British Grand Fleet would be in a situation where it could neither escape nor defeat. But unfortunately, before the German fleet launched, Jericho had already realized the prince's intention, and the fleet in front began to outflank the German fleet in reverse, which made the situation much more complicated.
"If our speed were faster, we might be able to complete the maneuver before the large fleet and launch the battle line." Scheer said with some regret. At this time, the average speed of the entire German fleet was about 22 knots. According to the Rear Admiral Meaning, if it can be increased to more than 25 knots, there is a complete chance.
"Do you really think we will win if we occupy the position? It's not that easy. Today, I will definitely get an advantageous position, but the result may be very different from what you imagined." The prince said with a smile.
At this time, if the German fleet wanted to leave, it would be easy, just turn to the south. Precisely because it could break away at any time, the prince was not in a hurry to go back. He wanted to see what would happen if the British fell into a passive situation. At this time, the German fleet once again adjusted its formation and sailed northwest. Still made the move to launch at the rear of the British fleet.
"Hurry! Must be fast! Let the revenge ahead be faster! Otherwise, it will be too late.
"Looking at the movement trajectory of the German fleet on the chart, Jericho became more confident in his judgment. He asked the fleet to go faster!
"In that case, the Revenge-class battleship will separate from our team, and the battleship behind us can reach a speed of up to 17 knots!" Chief of Staff Madden said.
"Let the second and fourth light cruiser squadrons and three torpedo boat squadrons cover Vice Admiral Bernie's squadron." Jericho ordered. At this time, Jericho must get behind the Germans before the German fleet launches its battle line. Since there is no fast fleet to restrain it, Jericho can only order the latest and fastest Revenge-class battleship to take the first step. , but in order to ensure safety, he still arranged sufficient covering troops for the Revenge-class.
At this time, the British fleet, which was like a giant dragon, had formed a huge smooth fold line. The Revenge-class battleship, which was like a dragon head, further increased its speed and tried to attack the German battleship from the rear!
"The head of the British Grand Fleet is still about 27 kilometers away from us. The straight-line distance between us and the rear of the British Grand Fleet is about 20 kilometers. We seem to be one step faster." Scheer looked at the fifth ship at the rear of the Grand Fleet in the distance. The four battleships of the battleship squadron almost had fire in their eyes!
"The fleet turns to 16 compass points! Head to the southeast! Expand the battle line! Immediately! Immediately!" the prince ordered.
"That will collide with the front column of the Grand Fleet! We may directly hit their T-shaped crossbar! Why is this!" Scheer said loudly with an expression of disbelief!
"That's why we have to be quick and execute the order immediately!" The prince ignored Scheer's Chinese and immediately said to the herald next to him. After the latter realized that this was the order of the supreme commander, he decisively carried it out!
Therefore, in today's encounter, the High Seas Fleet made its first 180-degree turn, from heading northwest to heading southeast! The Second Battleship Squadron, headed by the battleship Saxony, was the first to take the lead and began to turn. Then came the third battleship squadron, and then the main fleet led by the prince. A total of 16 battleships connected end to end. In front of the British, the main force of the High Seas Fleet showed its heroic appearance for the first time!
The nine Bavaria-class battleships took the lead and sailed towards the front of the Revenge-class battleship. Then came the Helgeland-class battleships, and finally Hipper's fast fleet. A 6-kilometer-long battle line was completed in less than 10 minutes. When complete, the dragon-like formation almost lay across the front of the Revenge-class battleship!
"Hold the grass!" Lieutenant General Bernie, who commanded five Revenge-class battleships, felt his eyes go dark at that time! The Germans moved too fast, beyond their expectations! After arguing for a long time, they didn't plan to chase the weak ships behind the large fleet, but directly targeted themselves! At this time, the Revenge-class battleship was already at least 4 kilometers away from the main force of the large fleet behind!
"The fleet turns to the northeast! All warships release smoke! Let's go quickly and inform Admiral Jericho that the enemy ships are heading to the southeast! Heading to the southeast!" Lieutenant General Bernie almost roared to his subordinates.
"Perfect calculation." At the same time, in the command tower of the Bavaria, Admiral Scheer, who had just been frightened into a cold sweat, finally breathed a sigh of relief. The situation now is very good. At the last moment, the German fleet took advantage of its speed. Finally, they occupied the T-shaped crosshead before the British fleet. At this time, the distance between the two sides was very good. They were 17 kilometers away from each other and had entered the effective range of the German fleet.
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