dtnovels Chapter 161: The former fearless returns to Hong Kong
Chapter 161: The former fearless returns to Hong Kong
Admiral Lyon, holding tightly to the armrest of his chair, could not hide his excitement. The six words "defeat the Royal Navy" meant so much. Before 1917, he had never thought of this. His most extravagant dream was to perish together with the great fleet.
"Ocean Fleet, pursue!"
Admiral Leon roared loudly on behalf of the Drakes and the navy, venting emotions that had been suppressed for countless years.
The Ocean Fleet began to pursue, following the Grand Fleet's movements and making a sharp turn. In order to maintain the high speed, many sailors were added to the engine room, and they worked hard to ensure that the fleet's speed did not decrease at all after the turn.
Although the Grand Fleet had the advantage of first-mover speed and time, the pursuit by the Ocean Fleet was not in vain.
According to Leo's proposal, the new battleship should increase its speed as much as possible while ensuring that its defense and firepower meet the standards, while also ensuring the uniformity of the fleet's speed standards.
Under the guidance of Leo's ideas, designer Drake abandoned the traditional pursuit of the number of turrets and the caliber of main guns as battleships became faster and faster. Even though the large steam engines lagged behind those of Taron's counterparts, he managed to make the Nassau class have a maximum speed of 21.5 knots, which surprised Taron's first generation of dreadnoughts.
After that, 21.5 knots became the speed standard for every new class of dreadnoughts built by Drake. Even though technology was developing, more powerful steam engines appeared, and the increase in tonnage provided more space in the hull to accommodate more boilers, the maximum speed of the King-class was still maintained at 21.5 knots.
On the other hand, although the latest Iron Duke-class battleships of the Kingdom of Tarun can reach a maximum speed of 21.6 knots, and the St. George, Guardian, Colossus, Uranus and King George V-class battleships have a maximum speed of 21 knots, in order to maintain the numerical advantage in the Grand Fleet, the Berthoven-class with a speed of 20.3 knots must also participate in the artillery battle on the battle line. What's more, the Tarun people have also launched the Glory, which can only run at 21 knots even with an overload. The Ocean Fleet can sink as many ships as possible, and expanding the results of the battle is the only idea of the Ocean Fleet at this moment.
At high speeds, the hit rate would drop to an outrageous level. In order to save the limited ammunition, the Ocean Fleet stopped firing.
hit.
In Port Wilhelm of the Drake Empire, the people on the three pre-dreadnoughts looked at the welcoming crowd at the port with confusion.
"Are you welcoming us? Malawi?" Macbeth looked touched.
"I don't know! No one told me? I have never enjoyed this treatment!" Malawi replied hesitantly.
"I saw Marshal Piltz. This should be organized by the Marshal! He still cares about you very much." Macbeth patrolled the shore with a telescope and saw a small group of people that were very conspicuous.
"Maybe he's here to see Leo. Isn't he right behind us?"
"Don't be jealous here! Hurry up and tidy up, the people of Port William are going to inspect us!" Macbeth persuaded.
"I will not let our warriors lose face. Order the fleet to stand in formation with full flags! The Second Battleship Squadron deserves everyone's respect!"
Amid the sound of salute whistles and gun salutes, the three remaining dreadnoughts of the 2nd Battleship Squadron docked smoothly and securely.
"Marshal Piltz! A good father will have a good son. We have all seen the battle report. Malawi's courage is beyond words!" Naval Chief of Staff Paulin sincerely congratulated Marshal Piltz beside him.
"It's nothing. This is what an imperial soldier should do! He just didn't let me down!" Piltz still acted calm.
"Your requirements are too strict. Look, our warriors are coming!" Malawi took the lead, and a group of officers and soldiers lined up neatly to accept the people's welcome. The wounded soldiers slowly passed through the crowded crowd. Each of them had a bouquet of flowers and wreaths, and the stretchers were covered with petals.
"Report to the commander, the second battleship squadron has returned safely, please give instructions!"
"You have done a good job. The Empire will not forget your contributions! There are no instructions. What you need now is rest and treatment. Go back to the base! The celebration party will be held after the return of the Ocean Fleet!" Bollinger said patiently.
The crowd saw off the officers and soldiers of the Second Battleship Squadron, but Malawi and Piltz quietly left the crowd and walked along the coastline.
"Father, what do you want to say? I still have to visit the injured officers and soldiers in my fleet!" Malawi followed Piltz impatiently.
"Don't be in such a hurry. Don't cause trouble for the medical staff." Piltz continued, "Your performance today impressed me. Your extraordinary courage will make the whole world admire you!"
"This is the duty of an imperial soldier! I just want to prove myself!"
"Sometimes the more you want to show off, the more disaster you will bring upon yourself. Take Liam from Taren for example. He brought irreparable damage to the fleet! But what you did saved the Ocean Fleet!"
"Father, that's a bit exaggerated. I just overestimated my own capabilities. It was Leo's First Reconnaissance Fleet that finally rescued the Ocean Fleet!" Malawi said in a deep voice.
"Haha, your actions are important, no one can deny that! Why be jealous of Leo?"
"I'm not jealous of Leo. I know his abilities very well. I..."
"You hate me, I know! Who made you have such a strong self-esteem? You are my son, but I didn't ask others to give you any convenience. You know I hate people who use backdoors the most! You relied on your ability to be promoted to lieutenant general, and it has nothing to do with me!" Piltz explained.
"I know, otherwise why would those dreadnoughts of my fleet be transferred away, leaving me with only a bunch of obsolete pre-dreadnoughts? If I had a few dreadnoughts, the grand fleet would definitely be beaten to pieces by me!" Malawi said indignantly.
"Don't say those angry words. Relocating the warships is a strategic necessity for the Ocean Fleet. All you can do is obey! The Ocean Fleet only has a few dreadnoughts. If we give them to you, the strength of the Ocean Fleet will be weakened, and anything could happen!"
"I know, I know. Is there anything else? Father, if you have nothing to do, come home early. Little Katya is waiting for you to feed her!" Little Katya is the dog that pees very accurately in Admiral Leon's mouth. Malawi bought it to entertain Piltz.
"It's okay. Your mother has cooked a lot of your favorite dishes! She's waiting for you to come home!"
"I understand, father. I will go home after visiting the wounded soldiers. Remember to take out the wine you have collected for more than ten years! I want to take Macbeth home!" Malawi said and ran to the base hospital. Macbeth was still waiting for him.
"Smelly boy!" Piltz lit a cigarette and looked at Malawi's back, recalling the short figure a long time ago, the boy who loudly told him his dream and was already realizing his ambition step by step.