Another World: Naval Storm

Chapter 167 Joys and sorrows of Port William

The return of the Ocean Fleet caused the relatively quiet naval port to become agitated in an instant.

According to post-war statistics, more than 3,100 officers and soldiers were killed and more than 1,200 were seriously injured, including the total casualties of officers and soldiers of the Second Battleship Squadron of Malawi.

The victory of Simbrika was announced early by radio. Although the residents of Port Wilhelm had spontaneously held a grand carnival ceremony, this time was different. They had just fought a big battle with the main fleet of the Royal Navy and won. The people of Drake simply believed that they were not prepared enough.

The workers at the dock put down their work and together with the sailors on the civilian ships looked at this mighty army that had experienced war. Then more and more people came. They were military dependents and residents of Port William who had heard the news. They pointed at every battleship of the Ocean Fleet that was anchored in the port and shouted their names.

"Lützow... Derfflinger... Bilow... Moltke... Von der Bella... King... Elector... Caesar..." Every time a name was read out, the crowd burst into cheers.

The exciting good news spread throughout the port from the officers and soldiers and the wounded who walked off the warships with their heads held high. The most outstanding commander of the Imperial Navy, the hero Drake who was blessed by the goddess of luck, sank three battlecruisers of the Kingdom of Taren and severely damaged one at the cost of sinking one Drake battlecruiser and severely damaging one battlecruiser.

In addition, Vice Admiral Malawi used six outdated pre-dreadnoughts to defend the Grand Fleet's battle line, saving the High Ocean Fleet from danger at the cost of sinking three pre-dreadnoughts.

Admiral Lyon sank two main battleships of Talen at the cost of two old battleships and severely damaged at least five; the outstanding submarine wolf Major Mehus destroyed the battleship Vengeance, giving the final answer to the Royal Navy, which was defeated disastrously in the Battle of Simbrica.

The news spread quickly. Some people were heartbroken, some were overjoyed, and a small number were shocked and excited.

Those who expressed sadness were the relatives who were looking forward to the safe return of the Drake's officers and soldiers, the Allied spies and intelligence officers, and the pro-Taliban elements. Those who were shocked and excited were the journalists from neutral countries, because they obtained detailed details of the naval battle and could report shocking news. Those who were overjoyed were the majority of the Drake people.

Everyone knows that after the Battle of Simbrica, the maritime situation between the two sides will no longer be the same, but the Drakes who are blocking the dock will not consider these. What they have to do now is to lead the returning boys to enjoy the victory!

The coastal artillery was firing at will, with no limit today; merchant ships were blowing their whistles wildly to the cheers of the crowd; boxes of champagne were broken into pieces and toasted to every officer and soldier, the passionate young people held up colorful flags, the young girls waved flowers and didn't mind rewarding the brave sailors with kisses, and the children were chasing around every naval officer and soldier, giving them blessings, praises and some small bouquets of flowers.

Although the Drake sailors who fought bloody battles and returned victoriously were physically exhausted, they enjoyed the taste of victory even more. The Drake officers and soldiers who were still on duty stood in neat rows on one side of the deck and saluted the Drake military salute to the celebrating crowds on the shore!

Late at night, the Japanese naval attaché stationed in the Fog City hurriedly sent a summary of the intelligence he had learned back home; in the Kingdom of Itli, the former Prime Minister hurriedly asked his assistant to stop his party's attack in Congress; the navy of the Republic of Yemelica gradually relaxed its pursuit of the Von der Cassi; the Osmagali Empire and the Ottoman Empire were delighted and fought the Allied Powers even harder.

The Empire's celebration in Wilhelmshaven lasted all night long, with joyful songs echoing throughout the port. It was a rare moment of indulgence.

In the Heligoland Bight, several destroyers are carrying out combat readiness missions, with powerful spotlights constantly scanning the silent and boundless sea.

The main force of the Grand Fleet's officers and men were resting in Port Wilhelm because of continuous combat voyages, and some patrol and duty tasks fell on the shoulders of the smaller members of the Ocean Fleet.

Most of the sailors in the destroyer formation were participating in such a large-scale naval battle for the first time, and the excitement of winning for the first time made it impossible for them to sleep peacefully.

"Faraday, are you asleep?" The eighteen-year-old Maotaki, a sailor in the engine room of the battlecruiser Derfflinger, who was also from Kerry like Leo, sat up from his hammock and asked his half-asleep companion opposite him.

"What's the matter?" Faraday, who came from the countryside of Platinum, forced himself to open his eyes and turned around.

"Sergeant, did we really defeat the Royal Fleet?"

"Of course! Under the leadership of the naval hero General Leo, we defeated the invincible Royal Navy!" Faraday was no longer sleepy at this point, and spoke passionately. "The general fulfilled his promise. He said that we would eventually become the king of the North Atlas Sea, and now we are!"

"However, although the Tarun people were badly damaged in this battle, their centuries-old heritage is still there. As long as the Tarun people can survive the difficult year of 1917, their strong shipbuilding capabilities will enable the Royal Navy to quickly recover to the level before the Battle of Simbrika." Maotaki said worriedly. This young man has elders in his family who have served in the navy for many years, and they would impart some knowledge to him when they have nothing to do.

"You know a lot." Faraday sat up and yawned, looking at the young man and explained, "What are you afraid of? If we can defeat the Royal Navy once, we can defeat them a second time! Besides, the Talens will definitely not recover within a year. You think too optimistically of the Talens. No matter how much overtime their shipyards work, the strength of the Grand Fleet will never be restored to the pre-war ratio of nearly one to one and a half!"

"We are so lucky to have a hero like General Leo!"

"Leo is indeed a hero of the entire Drake nation! But you are also a hero!" Maotaki said in disbelief.

"Me too?"

"Of course! Leo said that every sailor who fights for the people of Drake is a hero! Maybe, when you finish your duty, a beautiful girl will hand you a love letter!" Faraday said jokingly with a wink.

"Rather than receiving a love letter, I would rather be transferred to General Leo's battlecruiser fleet!" Mao Taki took out a photo from his military uniform pocket, "This is my girl. She is the school beauty of Kaili Naval Children's Middle School!"

"Are you a student of Kaili Naval Children's Middle School? The general also studied there!" All the officers and soldiers of the First Reconnaissance Fleet knew Commander Leo's resume by heart.

"Yes! All the students in the Children's Middle School idolize the general!" Maotaki said proudly, "All the general's actions have been proven to be correct. If it weren't for the ignorance of the imperial bureaucrats, Drake would be even more powerful!"