Chapter 1620: Recasting the Broken Sword 2
Chapter 1620 Recasting the Broken Sword 2
Although the relationship between Thomas and Betty is far from harmonious, grievances are grievances. When it comes to real issues, Thomas still handles them impartially. After seeing Betty's plan, Thomas persuaded Jericho so that Betty could have the opportunity to meet Jericho to present his plan in person. After that, the cooperative relationship between the three became closer and even... It is said that the birth of the two aircraft carriers Hundred-Eyed Giant and Fury has a very important relationship with this plan.
"If we simply talk about the total number of aircraft, both the Royal Navy Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet have been equipped with a large number of aircraft. We have more than 4 seaplane carriers accompanying the fleet on voyages. These seaplane carriers can at least provide There are about 30 various seaplanes. If you also count the aircraft carried on the battleships, then the total number of aircraft in our entire fleet is about 140. The number of the Germans is not much less than ours. Each of their battleships has There are four or five aircraft and backup aircraft. And they also have a seaplane carrier."
"These seaplanes played a very important role in previous battles. In addition to providing reconnaissance and artillery correction, they were also the backbone of the fleet's air defense. For a long time, the fleets of both sides relied on these aircraft to resist Pressure on land-based aviation.”
"But just relying on such power is not enough. Carrier-based aviation is not only a defensive shield and an eye for reconnaissance, but also a sharp sword for offense. Land-based aviation has installed heavy bombs and torpedoes. On the aircraft, and achieved pretty good results, then why can't we put bombers carrying bombs and torpedoes on a certain kind of specially designed warship, and then destroy the German fleet at a range far beyond the range of naval guns?" After meeting Jericho, Betty convinced the Grand Fleet Commander who was not friendly to him.
By now, the carrier-based aviation power of the British Grand Fleet has taken shape, and the formulation of specific tactics has entered the final stage, and Betty's arrival is for this matter.
"According to the Royal Navy's plan, we can have four aircraft carriers by February next year, of which the Furious can carry 40 aircraft, the Giant has 20 aircraft, and the other two aircraft carriers can provide a total of 50 carrier-based aircraft. In other words, the real number of aircraft we can have is about 120. According to our previous estimates, the total number of aircraft that can be released at one time among these 120 aircraft is between 60 and 70, of which the number of torpedo aircraft is the largest It can reach 50." Betty showed the data he calculated together with the Royal Naval Air Force personnel.
"Such a force is very limited for the entire High Seas Fleet, because after all they have to face the German interceptors and sea firepower. In fact, I am very satisfied that these 50 torpedoes can hit the target 15 to 20 times. "Such an attack has very limited significance for the world's first-class fleet. If we cannot continue to increase the number of aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, we must be more cautious in their use."
"The German Navy currently has no plans to build an aircraft carrier.
At least we have not found any German all-deck warships in the intelligence, so the main carrier-based aviation force of the German Navy is still seaplanes, and seaplanes have great restrictions on their use. For example, seaplane carriers are releasing aircraft The sea conditions must be considered when doing so, and the aircraft carried by the battle fleet must be released before the large-scale artillery battle between the two sides, because not to mention scattered shrapnel will destroy these aircraft, and even the muzzle storm of the artillery can tear them apart. they. "Betty said.
What Betty said makes sense. After all, when most battleships were built, they didn't even consider how many aircraft they were equipped with. Not to mention a separate hangar. Those with tight space even put a few boards directly on the main turret to serve as aircraft. Mooring point. When releasing, just turn the turret to the upwind direction, and then the aircraft will just "pluck onions on dry land"... (This is a historical fact) Recycling is also simple. If you have a crane, you can lift it back directly. If you don't have a crane, just use the main turret to hoist the aircraft back and finish. (This is also a historical fact, the Goeben did this...)
Therefore, the situation in the previous battles was like this. If the two sides were equal in strength, the aviation power of both sides must be released before the main naval gun battle. Otherwise, they would have to wait to be destroyed by the artillery of both the enemy and ourselves. Fortunately, the aircraft in World War I It is light in weight, slow in speed, and does not stay in the air for long. Generally speaking, the continuous battle between the two sides does not exceed 3 hours at most. Most aircraft can make do with the addition of auxiliary fuel tanks. Of course, if necessary, At that time, Britain and Germany would allow the plane to make an emergency landing at sea and then recover the pilot. Anyway, single-engine light aircraft in this era are not worth much...
"So what you are saying is that before the main fleets of both sides engage in a battle, or even in the early stages after the exchange of fire, the carrier-based aircraft of the aircraft carrier are not suitable for combat, is that right?" Jericho said after listening to Betty's words.
"Yes, that's true. In fact, I think it is a waste to have fighter jets on aircraft carriers, because fighter jets can take off from other warships in the fleet. And it is impossible to take off bombers carrying torpedoes and bombs from other warships. . At the point of battle, the air power of both sides is actually the most powerful. At this time, sending carrier-based torpedo planes and bombers to launch an attack is tantamount to seeking death. After all, we only have 50 bombers, and the opponent's number of fighters may be greater than We have many more bombers. The carrier-based attack aircraft that fly like stupid ducks face the opponent's fighter jets equipped with 20mm artillery and large-caliber machine guns. This is a complete one-sided massacre!" Betty thought for a while and said.
The two people present had no objection to Betty's statement, because both the British and the Germans have assigned a certain number of "disposable fighters" to their fleets. These aircraft are almost land-based fighters, including seaplanes. It has no pontoon structure and maintains the combat effectiveness of a land-based aircraft. It is an aircraft that is launched to perform interception missions and then almost never considers recovery. Therefore, it can only be said that it is a bit difficult for a single-engine attack aircraft to face such a killer. (Japan says we don’t understand the world of local tycoons. In fact, in World War II, the British assigned this kind of aircraft to merchant ships. Because it was a catapult takeoff, the attached Spitfire or Hurricane even omitted the landing gear, just for Against the German FW200.)
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