The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 278: The Royal Navy's Tragedy (Subscription Request)

“God bless Argentina!”

Armando Mayora pushed the joystick up, and the plane climbed rapidly. Then, in just three seconds, he pushed the joystick down again, and the plane descended rapidly.

This up and down movement only takes 3 seconds.

In such a short time, the aircraft's electronic equipment has accurately measured the position of the "Invincible" aircraft carrier and various data required by the "Eagle Strike-1" anti-ship missile.

The plane fell at a high speed, and at an altitude of fifteen meters above sea level, it turned into level flight again, and then started to increase the power. The plane shot straight towards the predetermined target like a bloodthirsty arrow shot from the ground.

Not long after, Armando Mayora pressed the button, and four "Eagle Strike-1" anti-ship missiles with orange-red flames left the aircraft's racks almost at the same time.

At the same time, the missile had already flown out, flying at a speed of 0.9 Mach, and when approaching the target, the automatic radar seeker turned on the target confirmation mode and locked onto the "Invincible" aircraft carrier in the blink of an eye.

The four missiles flew at high speed, and finally began to accelerate at a height almost touching the sea surface.
"Boom~~~"

"Boom~~~"

With a deafening roar, four terrifying holes were blown out of the "Invincible" aircraft carrier in an instant.

"Confirmed to have hit the target!"

Armando Mayora's lips curled up slightly, and he felt so happy in his heart.

He piloted the Super Etendard, quickly left the battlefield and flew towards the airport.

He had no desire to fight because the missiles had been launched, he had completed his mission, and the Super Etendard could no longer participate in the battle.

Because there is not much fuel left.

He has already reported the situation back.

The setting sun casts a soft glow.

Thick smoke billowed above the sea level.

The destroyed warships, ships and damaged warships showed the desolation of the British Royal Navy at that time.

The falling planes showed the tragic grandeur of the Pampas Eagle.

The Chief of Staff was reporting the damage statistics to Wood.

"The destroyer HMS Glasgow was sunk, the three frigates HMS Ambush, HMS Arrow and HMS Avenger were sunk, the HMS Lively was severely damaged, the landing ships HMS Sir Parkinson and HMS Sir Foley were sunk, the landing ship HMS Sir Andrew was severely damaged, the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible was sunk, 40 helicopters and 68 fighters were lost, 6823 people were killed and 3691 were injured."

As he spoke, the chief of staff burst into tears and sobbed.

"Bang~~"

As Wood listened, he suddenly collapsed in his seat, staring blankly at the huge and detailed nautical chart in front of him. His mind was already in a mess and his heart was in great pain.

This is no longer just an ordinary failure, but a complete and utter defeat.

The disastrous defeat they inflicted was enough to write them into the "glorious" record of the Royal Navy's shameful history.

Wood felt heartbroken and could not accept it.

He couldn't help but shed tears. As a commander of this task force at the age of fifty, Wood was not a waste but a real talent.

Wood was admitted to the Royal Naval Academy in 1946 at the age of 14. After graduation, he was assigned to cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, starting as a private, performing various duties and receiving professional training. After more than a year of naval officer training, Wood worked hard and made great progress in his professional skills, and was officially awarded the rank of lieutenant in the Royal Navy.

Soon after, he was sent to the Royal Navy Staff and Command College as a promising lieutenant. After graduation, he was assigned to work on submarines, from submarine department head to captain. Wood worked in the difficult submarines for more than ten years. Wood was gradually recognized as a submarine expert, anti-submarine warfare expert and nuclear plant expert of the Royal Navy.

As a result, Wood was selected to study at the Royal College of Defence Studies. After graduation, he served as the captain of the large modern missile destroyer "Sheffield"!

As the commander of the task force this time, Wood relies on his own strength and he also shoulders the expectations of the public.

But in just today's battle, the Royal Navy suffered heavy damage, and even the aircraft carrier "Invincible" was sunk.

Many warships were sunk or damaged, 6823 people were killed and 3691 were injured.

It can be said that this time the task force is no longer able to launch an attack.

Morale is extremely low!
At this moment, in addition to the heartache, Wood felt extremely regretful. He regretted why he was careless and did not send out reconnaissance planes for investigation, regretted not sending paratroopers to land first, regretted underestimating Argentina's combat effectiveness, regretted trusting intelligence too much, and he even regretted serving as the commander of this task force!
This battle shattered all his pride and self-confidence!
He also knew very well that he was finished!
With such a huge loss, there must be a scapegoat to take responsibility.

And this blame must be borne by him as the commander.

He might not just retire and return to the countryside, he might even be brought to a military court.

"Commander! Commander!"

The chief of staff's voice pulled Wood out of his thoughts: "What now?"

"Retreat, retreat and rest!" Wood gave the order.

At this time, it is no longer suitable to fight.

After suffering such a heavy blow and huge losses, morale is extremely low. How can we fight?!
The chief of staff frowned, as if thinking of a tricky thing. "How should we report to London? Our losses this day are really too great. I'm afraid London won't be able to accept it. Should we make up a story, or postpone the report for a few days?"

"Just report the actual situation. You must accept it even if you cannot accept it!" Wood waved his hand and said.

After saying this, Wood closed his eyes, and he seemed to have aged several dozen years in an instant.

At this moment, Wood was no longer the high-spirited commander when the task force was about to set out, but an old man with a dying air.

"Go down, follow the order, and let me be alone for the rest of the time!" said Wood.

When the chief of staff saw tears in Wood's eyes, he couldn't help but shed tears himself.

The losses in this battle were too great, it can be said to be the death of the Royal Navy.

Back in the day, the naval fleet of the "Empire on which the Sun Never Sets" roamed the world, was invincible, and owned colonies that were incredibly large.

The Royal Navy has a glorious history. Whether in World War I or World War II, the Royal Navy has a brilliant record.

But now, a huge task force is coming to teach its disobedient little brother a lesson across 13000 kilometers. No one had thought it would be so difficult before, because Argentina has been declining step by step in the past half century, and its weapons can only be purchased from Europe and the United States, and the army has not fought a war for more than a hundred years.

It turned out that this little brother was so fierce and cruel that he beat up the big brother severely, dealt such a heavy blow to the Royal Navy and caused such great losses.

Such a huge loss is hard to bear even for Britain today.

Of the six Type 6 frigates, five have been sunk and one has been severely damaged so far.

Three Type 3 destroyers, HMS Sheffield, HMS Coventry and HMS Glasgow, were sunk.

Even the British pride, the aircraft carrier 'Invincible', was sunk!
Not to mention the other landing ships and shopping malls that were sunk, and the numerous casualties.

(End of this chapter)