Chapter 2773 Battle 1
The battleship Yamashiro at the front first took the second battleship detachment and began to turn 135 degrees! At the same time that Yamashiro completed its turn, the three battleships behind began to slow down and then caught up with the fleet flagship. At the same time, the Nagato flagship of the first battleship squadron also began to turn, and the Japanese fleet began to implement the squadron unit. Turning at a large angle, after a few minutes, the long-range battle line turned into three small fleets advancing hand in hand. As the leaders of the three fleets, the battleship Yamashiro, the battleship Nagato, and the battleship Ibuki were aligned like a trident. Raeder and his destroyer squadron.
Facing the sharpest sword of the Japanese combined fleet, what will Redel do?
"The fleet releases smoke to prepare for evacuation. Return to the main fleet and prepare for a decisive battle in the battle line. The destroyer squadron releases interference lightning strikes!" Reidel looked at the Sims fleet blocked by the Japanese smoke and roughly estimated the distance between them. , decisively issued a retreat order. Although Japan's formation was very bad, the three leading battleships alone were not something Redel's one battleship and two armored cruisers could defeat! So, the Redel fleet once again pulled out the smoke and began to evacuate.
At the same time, a large number of U.S. Navy destroyers began to release torpedoes at the Japanese fleet from a long distance. In a very short period of time, 18 destroyers fired more than 50 torpedoes at a distance of about 5,000 meters! At this time, considering that the Japanese fleet and the American destroyer fleet were sailing almost opposite each other, the speed of the torpedoes relative to the Japanese fleet was as high as more than 50 knots!
The Japanese fleet also had to respect the torpedoes fired in swarms, and they began to dodge. However, this series of maneuvers made the Japanese fleet's formation more messy, and its speed dropped further. During the turn just now, some Japanese warships tried to slow down. The high-temperature and high-pressure steam in the steam pipes has been released in advance. If it wants to speed up again, the boiler will need to burn for a while. But judging from the current situation, the Japanese fleet obviously does not have time to increase the speed!
"General Reddell sent a telegram that they will join us." Magiffin said.
"What's the situation with the Japanese fleet now? The destroyers can't see it, but the seaplanes can always see it, right?" Sims asked.
"The speed of the Japanese fleet has dropped, and it is estimated that it will be difficult to increase it again in a short period of time. According to our current speed, the two sides will soon have a fleet decisive battle." Ma Jifen said.
"Okay, maintain course and speed, and prepare for a decisive battle!" Sims ordered.
"Get ready for battle! Send a signal to the two dreadnought ships in the rear and ask them to follow quickly!" Shigetaro Yoshimatsu issued the same order. When the smoke on the sea gradually dissipated, and when the Japanese combined fleet re-completed the adjustment of the formation, , the roar of naval guns could be heard in the distance, and 23 kilometers away, the American fleet opened fire first, just like the ancient knight's cry to invite battle. A large number of American destroyers also began to move forward from the front of the fleet, assuming a posture ready to intercept lightning strikes at any time. At this time, the Japanese finally understood that they were stuck this time. Unless they fought, they would have to pay a price if they wanted to escape!
Therefore, in the final stage before the battle, the fleets of both sides tacitly opened up their posture. Japan's 13 battleships faced off against the U.S. Navy's 11 battleships and 5 cruisers!
"Maybe we are not at a disadvantage." Sims looked at the Japanese fleet on the opposite side and then at his own battle line that was more than 4 kilometers long and said confidently. It is true that the American fleet has 5 makes up the number, but the two Kongo-class battlecruisers of the Japanese fleet are also scum! What's there to be afraid of? At this moment Sims is full of confidence!
Before the smoke dissipates completely,
The fleets of both sides finally completed their adjustments. The Japanese fleet is still in the previous formation. The adjusted order from front to back is the Second Battleship Division, (Yamashiro, Hyuga, Takaha and Tosa) and the First Battleship Division (Nagato, Mutsu). , Fuso and Ise) Third Battleship Division (Ibuki, Kongo, Hiei and the dreadnoughts Kawachi and Settsu.)
The corresponding order of the U.S. fleet from front to back is Tennessee, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado (fleet flagship), Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Mecklenburg ( Redel's ship, the USS Nevada. These 11 battleships fought one-on-one with Japanese battleships, and behind the main fleet were two fast armored cruisers, the USS San Francisco and the USS Baltimore. The last ones are 3 old armored cruisers. In order to ensure absolute superiority, two new armored cruisers were used to deal with the Hanoi, and three old armored cruisers were used to deal with the Settsu.
"Very good, this is almost our most perfect battle situation!" When the smoke dissipated and the battle lines of both sides were completely displayed in front of each other's eyes, Sims said excitedly. After some planning, the U.S. fleet finally achieved According to the pre-war plan, use the Iron Turtles to block the most elite battleships of the Japanese Navy, and then use the Bavaria to face King Kong to open the battle as soon as possible. At the same time, the armored cruisers face the weakest dreadnoughts of the Japanese Navy!
"This distance is a bit far." Reidel said, raising his telescope and looking at the Japanese fleet in the distance. According to the data provided by the rangefinder just now, the combat distance between the two sides at this time is about 17 kilometers. How to say this distance? The 15-inch and 16-inch artillery belonging to the Japanese fleet can hopefully penetrate the 13.5-inch armor of the American battleship. But the American 14-inch gun was absolutely unable to penetrate the opponent's distance. The most critical thing is that at such a long distance, the shooting accuracy of the old American armored cruisers is worrying. On the one hand, it is an equipment problem, and on the other hand, the old American armored cruisers rarely shoot at such long distances!
"This game can be fought!" At this time, on the Japanese flagship, Betty was also observing the formation of the American fleet. He knew that the U.S. fleet used its strongest warships to target the weak points of the Japanese fleet, but at the same time, Betty also did the same. The Nagato dealt with the Colorado. In the previous battle, the Colorado was injured by a bomber, and its optical equipment must have been damaged. It is said that one of the main turrets has been destroyed. The Nagato has a huge advantage. If the Colorado can be severely damaged or destroyed first, the battle situation will be very favorable. As for the 17 kilometers of fighting distance between the two sides, he deliberately maintained it. Yes, after all, this engagement distance is a bit far for the 10-inch artillery of this era. It is still unknown how much output the last five armored cruisers of the US fleet can produce!
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