Chapter 2097 Destroyer Squadron

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This time, the Germans improved all the S113 destroyers that were ready to participate in the war. The two double-mounted 600MM torpedo tubes were removed, and two 105MM guns were installed on the vacant positions. The placement method is similar to that of submarine deck guns. So, after these improvements, the S113 destroyer has four 150MM cannons and two 105MM cannons with side-firing firepower. What is this concept? At the same time, the destroyer with the strongest artillery combat capability in the British Navy was only equipped with six 4-inch guns or five 4.7-inch guns. In terms of artillery combat capabilities, the British destroyers are far inferior to the improved S113 destroyers. To put it bluntly, if it is a night battle, it is possible for a German destroyer with such fierce firepower to be regarded as a light cruiser! After all, the displacement of the British in history is close to that of the E-class light cruiser, and there are only 6 6-inch guns!

(Don’t tell me why a 2,000-ton destroyer can be equipped with six 150-gun cruisers. After all, destroyers are unarmored, while cruisers are armored, and this class of cruisers is also very capable of mine warfare, with 4 triple mounts 533MM torpedo launch equipment. If this explanation does not satisfy the reader, I can only say that it is true...)

Regarding the dismantling of torpedo launchers in exchange for additional deck guns, there were objections within the German Navy. After all, German light cruisers and above warships do not have mines, and if there are no torpedoes on destroyers, in the opinion of some destroyer officers Is that still a destroyer?

In the end, this question was brought to Earl Spey's desk. As the commander of this fleet, his suggestion was naturally very important. After seeing the report in his hand, Earl Spey thought about it for five minutes before improving the plan. Signed his name on the book. The Earl expressed his full agreement to remove the torpedoes and replace them with artillery.

As for the reason? Very simple, although torpedoes have the advantage of great power, German torpedo tactics largely use torpedo boats to go forward and cover the main fleet by salvoing torpedoes, and do not expect torpedoes to kill many opponents' warships in actual combat.

In night battles, both sides are fighting at close quarters. It is not difficult for the destroyers to reach a relative speed of 50 knots. Moreover, due to visibility problems, once the two sides meet, it is easy to fight. Torpedo shooting is not as ordinary people imagine. It is enough to just aim at a general direction and throw it out. It is also necessary to estimate the speed, navigation and other information of both sides and then launch it after strict calculations. Think about it, the speed of the destroyers of both sides is at least 25 knots, or even 30 knots. Above, the firefight distance may even be within 1,000 meters. How can you hit your opponent with random torpedo launches from a single ship at this time? Moreover, the destroyer's torpedo launcher has no protection, and a high-explosive bomb may cause disastrous consequences.

In fact, the German fleet does not lack torpedo firepower. In addition to large destroyers, the German Navy also has various other types of destroyers and no less than 50 offshore torpedo boats! These destroyers can already provide enough torpedo firepower, let alone underwater submarines.

Therefore, Earl Spey, who is experienced in night battles, knows very well that as long as he can suppress the opponent's destroyers and light cruisers in artillery battles in night battles, then the British transport ships will be in danger, and artillery battles are still the first. Adding artillery to a destroyer of about 1,000 tons does not make much sense, and it is not powerful, so we can only strengthen the firepower of the large destroyer first. As for the torpedoes on the destroyer of 1,000 tons, there is also the danger of dying, so there is no way.

In addition to the top nine S113 large destroyers, Earl Spey also has 10,000-ton destroyers. If the S113 destroyers are more heavy artillery, then the G85 destroyers are more balanced.

This class of destroyer is equipped with three 105MM cannons and six 600MM torpedo tubes, with a power output of up to 24,000 horsepower and a maximum speed of 33.5 knots. This destroyer unit is the core force in the earl's hands. In terms of naval gun firepower, it is similar to that of British destroyers of the same level, and its torpedo firepower is stronger. At the same time, they undertook the task of cooperating with the S113 destroyer and the British destroyer in bloody battles. At the same time, when necessary, they could also launch an attack on the British transport ship with a small team, depending on the situation.

Considering that this mission is mainly to block and attack the Strait of Dover, some of these destroyers can carry about 24 to 40 rounds of mines during the war. If the situation permits, these destroyers will also rush to Dunker A guest role as a high-speed minelayer near Clark Harbor.

As for the remaining more than 3 dozen warships, this composition is a bit complicated. Well, if the 700-ton warships can barely be called destroyers, then the S138 and other warships with a displacement of only 500 tons can only be called destroyers. It can be called a torpedo boat, but I am ashamed to call it a destroyer. These ships have very weak firepower, usually 2 to 3 88MM guns, and then equipped with 3 torpedo tubes, which may be 450MM or 500MM. However, one of the great advantages of these ships is that they win in numbers, and when they lose, they don't feel sad except for people...

If counting minesweepers, minelayers, and other auxiliary ships, the total number of warships in Earl Spey's hands has exceeded 100. Although there are not too advanced warships, this burden is enough for the Earl Adults are walking on eggshells. In addition to the fleet that can be directly commanded by the hands, the German submarine force and aviation force that participated in this operation theoretically also obeyed the orders of the earl. In short, this large-scale night battle that is about to break out in the Strait of Dover will create a history Record! This will be the longest and most tragic naval battle in the entire World War I, and it will also be the naval battle with the highest degree of arms synthesis!

The British can know the German fleet stationed in Zeebrugge through various channels, and the Germans can also obtain information through various channels to determine the time for the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force. After all, such a large-scale mobilization is impossible to avoid the air and sea of the eyes. And just a few hours ago, after Earl Spey learned that the evacuation of the British Legion would start tonight, Earl Spey decided to "test the waters" tonight.

The British will not directly use the entire fleet to evacuate the army when the situation is unclear at the beginning, and the German navy will not put all the family assets up immediately. After some consideration, Earl Spey decided to bring the armored cruiser Mainz and Prince Albert, two light cruisers Frankfurt, one large destroyer squadron, and two 1,000-ton destroyer squadrons today. , and 4 detachments of small destroyers and torpedo boats to test the waters. The armored cruiser Mainz served as flagship and command ship. Leading 2 destroyer squadrons, while the light cruiser Frankfurt is responsible for leading 4 light destroyer squadrons.

And tonight, the submarine force of the German Air Force and Navy will also cooperate with Earl Spey's actions. As night fell, the prelude to the war slowly opened.

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