Chapter 1,119 Closing the Net
Chapter 1119 Closing the Net
"Damn it, the Germans really know how to find time!" Thomas looked at the clock on the wall after receiving the information and couldn't help but cursed. The Germans are very good at finding opportunities. It is already 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and it will be dark in two hours. Now, the British fleet is more than 3 hours away from the nearest warship, and it is impossible to track it at night. and warring. This is destined that the British fleet can only roughly determine the opponent's position, and then accurately determine it during the next day. However, the range of activities of a fleet of fast battleships in one night is very large! It is really difficult to rely solely on the strength of Thomas's fleet for tracking.
However, as the most NB squadron commander in the UK, Thomas has already thought of a way to deal with it! "If our intelligence is correct, then the Blücher's oil tanks should have been severely damaged in the last battle. (Oil traces of more than ten kilometers were left on the sea surface.) They will not be able to hold on for long. If this time If they fail, then the only option is to sink themselves."
"The Germans are very cunning and sent a telegram at this time. Although we still cannot decipher the content of this telegram, we can be sure that this is definitely a telegram asking for help. If they want to go back, the High Seas Fleet will definitely come out to respond. Of course , we don’t have to worry about this matter, General Jericho will take care of it. He will command the Grand Fleet to try to blockade the German coastal waters. Until we catch these annoying guys."
"Okay, let's talk about our arrangements. In one night, the German fleet will definitely have the opportunity to break into the North Sea. Considering that the German fleet has two battleships, if they fight hard, we will have the advantage of two Queen-class battleships in one detachment. It's not obvious, so I want to join up with the second detachment, and the third detachment will block it and kill the opponent's squadron together. As for Major General Moore's detachment, just block it directly at the entrance of the Skagerrak Strait. Germany If people want to go back, they can only take these two roads, and they are blocked by us, so it is only a matter of time before we kill them!" Thomas said with confidence.
Lieutenant General Thomas is definitely the "little brother" in the British Navy. Doing things with utmost care! He firmly grasped one basic point of the two centers. The first center was to block the passage of the German fleet in the North Sea. The second center is to block Skagerrak. After determining these two centers, the German fleet will definitely not be able to return home. Therefore, the Grand Fleet is responsible for the North Sea, while the most powerful Moore Fleet, with a Queen, a Tiger and two dreadnoughts, is used to block the Skagerrak Strait.
In this case, even if the three Queen Squadrons fail to find their opponents, the two battlecruisers Moltke and Blücher will never be able to break through the Skagerrak and return to the German mainland. A Queen and a Moltke are evenly matched. Blücher will definitely not be able to defeat three battle cruisers, not to mention that Major General Moore's fleet also has a light cruiser squadron and a seaplane carrier!
The so-called basic point is that we must concentrate our superior forces to defeat the opponent! Thomas was deeply touched by the terrifying single-ship combat effectiveness of the German battleships. Who would have thought that two Scharnhorsts could defeat two 25,000-ton Queen-class fast battleships? After experiencing the defeat in the Indian Ocean,
Thomas was very cautious during the battle. Therefore, after confirming the traces of the German fleet, Thomas must gather the battleships of the two squadrons for the final battle, 4 versus 2! The advantages are solid! Don't give the other side any chance to make a comeback! Kill it completely with the force of smashing eggs with a hammer!
After notifying the naval aviation force and asking the other party to cooperate with him, Thomas decisively sent a telegram to Admiral Jericho, who had just returned to False Bay, explaining the current situation and his plan. Jericho, who had just returned and cleaned up the fleet, After Admiral Rico saw the telegram, he spit out a mouthful of tea!
"Will this NM still let people live?" This was Jericho's first reaction after seeing the telegram! Jericho had just returned to the port with his fleet in less than 12 hours, and he was about to go out again... During this period of time, Jericho had just arranged for the repair of three battle-damaged Revenge-class battleships. The officers and soldiers under his command have not had a good night's sleep, and the coal and fuel have not been replenished. Are they going to attack again? ! And go directly to the door of the German Navy!
"Thomas, you bastard, do you know that if you go like this again, my oil depot will be close to the warning line?!" Jericho cursed while calculating the gains and losses of this battle. Why does the prince insist on meeting the British fleet at this time? In addition to wanting to see each other's worth, the most fundamental reason is that as long as you come out, you will definitely make money! Even if everyone just turns around and dodges, given the size of the fleet, they will definitely consume much more fuel than the High Seas Fleet! Why doesn’t the prince do something that is sure to make money without losing money?
Under the current circumstances, Jericho is indeed hesitant. Thomas's seven queens and three battlecruisers have been out for more than ten days. Those battleships with all oil-fired boilers have burned tens of thousands of tons of fuel! Going out on my own requires tens of thousands of tons of fuel and coal. But this time, Thomas not only asked himself to attack again, but also asked for a near-shore blockade at the doorstep of the High Seas Fleet. This is not just a matter of walking around. We may have to stay for several days, and we will also face the threat of submarines and mines near the coast. In short, this trip will definitely not be stable.
However, it is impossible not to leave this time. The Thomas fleet has been at odds with the opponent for such a long time, and it is almost time to reveal it. If the success falls short at this time, then the previous efforts made by the British Empire will not only be in vain, but also a heavy blow to morale! This is tantamount to telling the world that the British Empire Navy, the most powerful navy on the planet, has mobilized a large number of battleships at its doorstep and still cannot capture two lonely battlecruisers overseas. If the blame falls, neither Jericho nor Churchill will be able to bear it!
"Tell Thomas that I agree with his plan, but it must be done quickly!" Jericho finally ordered. "By the way, bring three seaplane carriers. We need to know whether the High Seas Fleet will take any new actions this time."
"Your Highness, Colonel Lefetsov sent an urgent message. Blücher and Wiesbaden will take on the task of luring the enemy. Moltke will choose an opportunity to return. It's time for us to prepare." At the same time, in William In the harbor, Lieutenant General Scheer said while holding the telegram he had just received.
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