Bismarck

"We must send Lütjens' Atlantic Fleet over immediately. They don't have many tasks in the Atlantic right now. The British Hood has also sunk. We can rely on two battlecruisers and U-boats to disrupt the trade. As long as we control the Mediterranean, the situation in North Africa for Germany will be greatly improved!" Reger said righteously, and the field marshal on the side nodded repeatedly, almost giving out the good guy card.

The mustache guy also praised Reger's decision and expressed disdain for the Italian navy.

Although Goering was unhappy, he finally agreed to the action reluctantly.

Although Goering's condition: "If there is no certainty of breaking through the channel, then as long as the Zeppelin and other battleships are safely withdrawn to France, it will be a great achievement", it was naturally understood by Reger as "protecting the traitors of the navy..."

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In Brest, far away from the political struggles, the Atlantic Fleet, which would soon be renamed the Mediterranean Fleet of the Greater German War Navy, began intensive preparations to break through the Strait of Gibraltar.

This name is so long that Bismarck almost laughed out loud when he heard it for the first time.

In order to avoid suspicion from the mustache man, to avoid exposing some dark thoughts in his heart, and to be able to legitimately put all the blame on Lütjens in the event of an accident, Reger was unusually generous this time, giving Lütjens's requests a green light, which was extremely unusual. Bismarck was a little confused, and even wondered if Reger had changed his personality.

However, the captain knew Regger's thoughts very well. After all, his predecessor as commander of the Grand Fleet, Admiral William Marshall, was dismissed from his post by Regger on the ridiculous grounds that "the main battleships consumed too many shells in the Norwegian campaign" because of his disagreement with Regger.

However... although he knew what Regel's intention was, he had the right not to let it expire. Such a good opportunity to get supplies from the navy logistics was simply pie in the sky. How could Lütjens, who was not a fool, miss it?

As long as the supplies were likely to be used, or would be difficult to replenish in the Mediterranean in the future, and would not be nitpicked by the audit team of the Navy Department, an application report was submitted, and those applications based on the reason of "time urgency" were given the highest priority.

Under such unspoken rules (Basic Law?) that must be followed even in political struggles, Reger could only hold his nose and approve a large number of "special materials" with a lot of anger. And he didn't dare to do anything - the mustache guy who still suspected that there was something fishy about the Rhine Exercise was still watching him.

Under Reger's frustrated signature, a large amount of supplies were transferred to Brest. High-pressure xenon lamps were installed on the temporary welded racks on both sides of the bridge, and shells were stuffed into the ammunition depots of the two battleships - or dragged out by the three ship girls for various mysterious modifications - in fact, it was mainly Bismarck who did this work, Zeppelin had no demand for shells, and the hamster was too weak.

However, when faced with dozens of sturdy torpedoes, Bismarck was still confused - the ill-intentioned Reger also sent four additional torpedo tubes to the cat house, as well as a batch of matching G7A torpedoes...

"Hey, who do you think these torpedoes of Reger are for?" Bismarck was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zeppelin with a sly smile.

"Why are you looking at me? I don't need the torpedo. It must be for you." Zeppelin looked at her in confusion.

"What do you mean you don't need it? Well, you really don't want it? Huh?" Bismarck coughed lightly, his eyes filled with evil.

You can't blame her, but she suddenly remembered a cartoon drawn by a blogger in later generations - Saratoga sat astride Mrs. Lie's body, and then took out the big pipe with a lewd smile.

Ahem, that big tube is a torpedo. As for what a torpedo is used for, gentlemen all know it.

"What do I need?" Zeppelin was even more puzzled. "Bismarck, your boiler is not overheating, is it? It's not normal today."

Zeppelin was not an experienced driver, she was just a pilot! Naturally, she didn't know what Bismarck meant, even if Bismarck hinted clearly, she didn't understand.

All I can say is that Bismarck is too pornographic, while Zeppelin is too pure. In the end, the veteran driver Bismarck had no choice but to sigh and put down the one-ton torpedo in her hand. The people on the other side didn't understand, so it was meaningless to talk to them.

Of course, Bismarck could have demonstrated it himself, but it was so embarrassing! (Thick fog)

This is just a small episode...

--

As expected, this torpedo is for cat and mouse.

"What the hell! A big warship equipped with torpedoes?!" Lindemann almost exploded: "...If we get hit by a shell here, no matter what caliber, if Grape is not seriously injured by the explosion, I will write my name backwards!"

Lindemann, who was protective of his own people, was immediately furious. If Grape was injured like this, he would be depressed to death.

"That's right!" Bismarck was also angry. "The maximum range is only 14000 meters, and it's only 44 knots. If it reaches a high speed of 6000 knots, the range will only be meters... What's the use of something that can't run faster or hit farther than us!"

Ahem. Lütjens glanced at her, only to receive a blank stare from her.

It makes sense that a battleship's guns are faster than torpedoes, right?

But can you try to launch the torpedo yourself and then catch it yourself?

"But Regel said that this is a modification specially made to strengthen firepower, so we have to install it..." Bangtai also frowned, holding a modification order in his hand...

Lutjens looked at his subordinates in silence, and then looked at the submarine cave being excavated in the port of Brest...

"I'm telling you guys, why don't you use your brains... Isn't it just installing a torpedo tube? Installing a torpedo tube doesn't mean we have to carry torpedoes when we go out to sea. At worst, we can 'forget' the torpedo at the submarine base when we go out to sea, or we can just fire the torpedo when we encounter the enemy, and that's it!..."

Before he finished speaking, a group of headache-inducing bastards were collectively stunned...

So Lütjens apologetically placed those dozens of torpedoes in the submarine base.

"The launching tubes on our ship have not been installed yet, so you guys should put them here for the time being." He said this to Dönitz.

How could the smart Dönitz not know what Lütjens meant? Well, what's the use of a battleship carrying torpedoes, so he happily accepted it.

Dozens of torpedoes, that's a huge amount of supplies, who wouldn't want one for free?

ps: Don’t forget to comment on my new book. Thank you in advance. I don’t know how this city is written. I want to write with the feeling of prose, but unfortunately my writing skills are not good enough.

Chapter 381: The Eve of the Strait

While the three sisters of the Cat House and Professor Wolf were busy making their own homemade magnetrons, Lütjens, Bonte and Lindemann were also busy formulating a battle plan to break through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The operational plan consisted of two parts. One part was the electronic jamming plan, which was codenamed "Thunderbolt" because it involved electronics. The other part was the Atlantic Fleet's channel breakthrough plan. Since the force of the assault was the three sisters of the ship, and the three sisters were hated by the British, who cursed the Atlantic Fleet as the devil more than once on the radio, the code name of the operation was simply "The Three-Headed Dog of Hell".

In the operational plan collectively known as "Operation Thunder-Cerberus", the general idea is very simple. It is nothing more than to take advantage of the cover of electronic interference and take advantage of the waning moon from late April to the end of April - there is no moonlight in the deep night of the waning moon, and the sky will be darker - to find a foggy day to force through the Strait of Gibraltar.

However, the specific combat details are still kept secret - especially the electronic jamming plan code-named "Thunder". Up to now, except for himself, Bonte, Lindemann, the three sisters of the ship girl, Professor Wolff, the electronic expert sent by the Air Force, Goering who watched the exercise, and the mustache man who reported separately later, even Reger is not clear about the specific details - although to be honest, Reger's understanding of radar and electronic equipment is not as good as Goering's!

In fact, the public plan did not even mention "Thunder" at all, only that it would take advantage of the darkness and fog to break through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Since we've completely fallen out, you don't need to know about it...

Lütjens was too lazy to tell Reger anything.

Lütjens, who knew that someone was playing tricks on him and did not underestimate the opponent's ability, knew that with the Americans' interference, his fleet in the Atlantic could no longer move freely - and almost all French ports were exposed to the iron wings of British bombers. Therefore, the British knew that they would leave here sooner or later. Even if there was nothing fishy among the top leaders in Berlin, given the current situation, the British judged that it was only a matter of time before they went to the Mediterranean - and the Gibraltar Fortress was originally a gate of hell!

The British are not stupid. They will never allow Lütjens to enter the Mediterranean like this. Once these three battleships enter the Mediterranean, the situation in North Africa will change drastically. Although they have Queen Elizabeth-class battleships in the Mediterranean Fleet, everyone knows whether they can fight against the German Bismarck - absolutely impossible.

The only way is to organize them outside the Mediterranean, and closing this door is Gibraltar.

In addition to the strong firepower and narrow terrain of the fortress, the powerful Gibraltar Fleet (H Fleet) commanded by Samoville is stationed there for a long time. According to intelligence, the size of the H Fleet includes at least a whole squadron of aircraft at the Gibraltar Fortress Airport, two battleships and four to six cruisers, as well as a large number of destroyers and torpedo boats. As for whether there are submarines and mines that are more dangerous than battleships in the near sea and narrow waters... No one dares to guarantee it...

What's more likely is that after his fleet goes out to sea, the local fleet will follow behind with the Americans "taking sides", and then at the entrance to Gibraltar, the junction of the European and African continents, with no way out and pursuers behind, his three warships will be captured in one fell swoop?

Considering the abilities of Tovey and Samoville, as well as their long-term relationship as classmates, comrades-in-arms, and comrades-in-arms... and considering the deterioration of the war in the Mediterranean, and Regel's face...

Well, it seems that the only way is to break through Gibraltar!

Of course, you have to do the whole show.

Although his purpose was probably known to everyone, in order to paralyze the British to the greatest extent, Lütjens still sent people to spread false information that the fleet was about to return home, and at the same time he solemnly asked people to purchase winter clothes and cold-proof supplies.

Although with the British intelligence means, they certainly knew that this was an attempt to cover up their upcoming assault on Gibraltar, but this was exactly the effect Lütjens wanted - since the battle intention could no longer be concealed, he could only conceal the new tactics he was about to adopt.

It's okay for you to know that I'm going to attack the Gibraltar Fortress, as long as you don't know what means I will use to attack the Gibraltar Fortress.

Although the British are not stupid, they may even know the existence of the ship girl - after all, there is already a Hood. And the British seem to have guessed that they would use the foggy weather to force their way into the Strait of Gibraltar. The latest intelligence reports show that the British are constantly transporting and installing various radars there, and there may even be searchlights, flares, etc.... Obviously, they are to gain a certain perception ability even in the night with poor visibility!

However, it would be fine if the British just didn't know about electronic warfare.

Even if the British knew of the existence and perception capabilities of the ship girls, as long as the enemy was still unaware of the power of large-scale electronic interference and continued to rely on advanced radar equipment and the powerful ships and guns of the Gibraltar fortress as before, there would still be a slight chance of victory.

Therefore, Lütjens still had some confidence in this assault, because Britain needed to meet many conditions to fully determine its position. As long as one condition was not met, it would leave itself a loophole.

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Just two days after the homemade magnetron was completed, Professor Wolf was leading a team of experts and sailors to install jammers on three large battleships. On April 1941, 4, a cold front forecast came from Norway...

"Strong cold air will move southwards from the eastern North Atlantic, and is expected to affect Scotland in the next two days, the southern Bay of Biscay in the next five days, and the waters around Gibraltar in the next week or so... Well done, that's great!"

Almost at the same time, Lütjens set the time for the assault. He was waiting for this moment!

Putting down the weather forecast, Lütjens clapped his hands happily. Thinking that the long-prepared operation was finally about to begin, the usually calm man could not hide his excitement: "Bismarck, notify Bonte and Lindemann, and Professor Wolff to come to the meeting immediately. Also, Grape and Zeppelin must install the equipment within the next two days and prepare for sailing! Oh, by the way, tell Zeppelin that Professor Wolff and his team of electronic experts will be arranged on the Zeppelin at that time."

"Okay!" Bismarck nodded happily and turned to walk away.

In fact, Bismarck was still very nervous... Finally, the three ships could go out to sea to fight together. Although the opponent was very nervous, if she could be with her sisters and the captain... there should be no problem.

"Tizi, Zeppelin, get ready now, we are going to go out to sea! Also call Captain Bonte, Lindemann and Professor Wolff to come to the meeting immediately! Emergency notice!"

"Zeppelin got it, I understand!" Zeppelin, who was always straightforward, agreed readily. But...

"Ah... why are you going out again... wait! Sister! We can talk it over, don't use your fists, sister... Okay, okay, I'll go call Lindemann..."

Seeing the otaku put down the book in his hand angrily and helplessly and walked out, Bismarck loosened his fist with a smile. However, he still did not forget to shout to Tirpitz who had already slipped out through the WIFI:

"Tell Lindemann to set off immediately after the British night bombers leave tonight!"

--

The Strait of Gibraltar, the only sea passage between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, is also one of the only two exits from the Mediterranean Sea - the other is the artificial Suez Canal. The Strait of Gibraltar is 58 kilometers long and has an average width of about 20 kilometers. The narrowest part is between Cape Marroqui in Spain and Cape Sires in Morocco, which is only 13 kilometers wide! From the Cape Europa Lighthouse at the southernmost tip of the Gibraltar Peninsula, as long as the weather is not too bad, you can even see the African continent on the other side! Such a short distance makes blockade a very easy thing. Intercontinental artillery shells are also easy to use in this place. Not to mention fortress artillery, even the range of other ordinary artillery shells can easily cover it.

The Strait of Gibraltar, which is the throat of the Atlantic and Mediterranean traffic, has a very important strategic position. Especially after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, as the closest route from the Indian Ocean to the North Atlantic, its strategic position has been further strengthened. For this reason, as early as 1704, Britain relied on its powerful navy to cover the landing of the army and occupied the throat point here - the Gibraltar Peninsula. Since then, relying on its powerful fleet, the unreachable Rock of Gibraltar, and the entrance to the Gibraltar Peninsula, which is only a few hundred meters wide, Britain has occupied this place from the Spanish for nearly three hundred years.

In order to occupy this place permanently and control the shipping of the whole of southern Europe and even the Indian Ocean-Atlantic Ocean, Britain has been building fortresses here, equipping them with heavy troops, and even building ship repair yards and large docks, gradually forming a solid fortress - this is the world-famous Gibraltar Fortress.

One man is in charge, no one can open it!

Today, Gibraltar has reached the level of "armed to the teeth" after years of painstaking efforts by the United Kingdom. The Gibraltar peninsula, which is less than three kilometers long and one kilometer wide, has deployed a total of fourteen 381mm heavy guns, twenty-four 234mm (9.2-inch) fortress guns, and thirty-six 155mm guns, as well as a large number of radar stations, observation stations, etc. in scattered locations!

It can be said that it is impossible to break through the fortress from the sea. No fleet can resist such powerful firepower. Hitler has always regarded Gibraltar as a major concern. The existence of Gibraltar has completely turned the Italian navy into a bathtub navy, and it has also made it difficult for German warships to enter and exit the Mediterranean. Of course, he wanted to take Gibraltar, but there was no need to think about a sea assault. The only thing he could think of was an attack from land - but Spain was unwilling to lend him a passage, which made him very uncomfortable.

英国人当然会防备德国人从陆地进攻，因此除了那么多的面对海峡的炮以外，要塞的守备兵力也是极其雄厚。要塞北部的机场驻扎着包括50架喷火式战斗机、36架SBD无畏式俯冲轰炸机和36架布伦海姆轰炸机和18架PBY卡特琳娜式远程侦查巡逻机在内的，整整140架飞机的一个加强航空兵联队。而海上则有萨莫维尔率领的，包括两艘伊丽莎白女王级战列舰巴勒姆号和马来亚号、6艘巡洋舰、16艘驱逐舰以及42条鱼雷艇的强大舰队驻扎。

Moreover, in order to deal with the "weird abilities" of the ship girls, Somerville was fully prepared.

He also learned this secret from his old classmate Tovey.

The sinking of the Hood was a big blow to Tovey. Later, the suicide assault that was highly expected also failed, which made Tovey even more disheartened. He knew that he might not be able to avenge Hood in this life. If it weren't for Somerville's advice to Tovey and his worry about the navy, Tovey might have retired. But even so, Tovey has lost a lot of vitality in the eyes of his old classmates, and he just muddles through every day. On a night out drinking, the drunk Tovey accidentally revealed the news of the ship girl, which made Somerville know about this special existence.

He didn't want to believe this truth, but Tovey's expression didn't sound like nonsense at all, so he had to believe it.

Later, Tovey came to his senses and learned that Somerville knew the secret. He was not angry, but told him many things about it, including the details of the battle with Bismarck - after all, he was one of the few commanders who had fought Bismarck head-on and came back alive, so he could speculate some things about her.

"You must be careful of those German bitches!" Tovey took a sip of wine and laughed. "But even though they are strong, they are not immortal. Didn't my Hood die?"

Looking at his old classmate's expression, Summerville said silently.

"I will."

Although many British high-ranking officials still did not believe the story of the ship girl, Samoville still transferred a large number of radar equipment to the Admiralty on the grounds of "strictly preventing the German fleet from forcibly breaking through by taking advantage of the bad weather", including the first batch of centimeter-wave radars equipped with troops! (271/272/273 sea search radar family, wavelength 10 cm, power ranging from 5 kW to 90 kW depending on the model, effective range 10-25 miles) Now the Gibraltar Fortress, basically every artillery command post above 234 mm and every warship above the destroyer are equipped with radars!

"It looks like we will soon become the world's first fully radar-enabled war zone."

In the Gibraltar Fortress Headquarters, Somerville was half-jokingly and half-seriously reporting on the combat readiness status to the Governor of Gibraltar and Commander of the Fortress, General Sir Clive Gerard Liddell of the British Army.

Although he did not leave any name in history and was not from the navy, Sir Riddle, who once served as the deputy chief of the army's general staff, was not an incompetent person. Moreover, with his military rank at this level, his main job was to take charge of overall management and coordination. While listening to Samoville's report, Sir Riddle considered the deployment of the defense. After Samoville finished his report, Sir Riddle began to ask some questions.

"…If Lütjens is most likely to break into the fortress through these routes, what are the latest plans from the Navy?"

"The latest report from the navy is mainly about the Mediterranean Fleet and the Home Fleet." Samoville reported: "Because the Italians have repaired two battleships in the Mediterranean Fleet and there is a need for escort from North Africa to Italy, Cunningham may not be able to transfer the main battleship to support this side, but he also promised that he would not withdraw troops from this side unless it is absolutely necessary. As for the Home Fleet, Tovey said that as long as Gibraltar can withstand their breakthrough, Tovey will lead the main force of the Home Fleet to come up from behind and try to destroy Lütjens' Atlantic Fleet from the front and back!"

"Hmm..." Sir Riddle held his head and nodded slightly: "So what about the combat readiness of Fleet H? Are you sure?"

"Yes! Now all our warships above destroyers are equipped with radar and IFF (Identification Friend or Foe). Even if the German fleet has more advanced battlefield environment perception capabilities, our radar is enough to deal with them!" Speaking of this issue, Samoville smiled complacently: "Moreover, we have considered the situation where the radar is not functional. All our ships, including torpedo boats, are equipped with xenon searchlights and flares. Even in thick fog, xenon lamps can illuminate more than 5000 yards - the width of the Strait of Gibraltar is only to yards wide! And we have organized several night and thick fog exercises, including fleet drills and fleet-battery joint training, and basically no problems have occurred!"

"Well... that's good!" Hearing that there was no problem, Sir Riddle was relieved. But at this moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" cried Sir Riddle.

With a "Report!" from the communications officer, a telegram was placed on Riedel's desk. The content was: "Notice from the Joint Chiefs of Staff! This morning, the Air Force discovered that the German Atlantic Fleet is no longer in the port of Brest! The government has contacted its American allies to assist in the search, and the main force of the Home Fleet has also been dispatched. The northern cold current has moved south, and Gibraltar is expected to have severe weather in the next three to seven days. Now order the Gibraltar Fortress and the H Fleet to strengthen their alert level and not allow the enemy to take advantage of the situation. If the situation permits, cooperate with the Home Fleet to eliminate Lütjens!! - Hastings Ismael, Chief of the General Staff of the British Empire's Armed Forces"

Riddle and Summerville looked at each other, smiled, and said in unison: "It seems that we may have something to do..."

Chapter 382: Cat and Mouse on the Atlantic Ocean (Part 1)

After the last night bomber passed by as a routine, the bombs it dropped ignited several "fires" around Brest, but the fire was quickly put out by local firefighters.

Due to alert against air raids, the local area has been under a blackout at night. Today was no exception. After the sun went down, the entire port area was in darkness, without any light at all. Even flashlights were not allowed to be used.

Since Brest is a military port and the surrounding area is under the control of German troops, ordinary people cannot get close to the dock. Today is the waning moon, and the new moon is like a hook, with only a thin crack hanging in the sky. The faint moonlight can hardly illuminate anything, let alone the three figures in the port.

This is what we have always said, on dark and windy nights, people are murdered and set on fire.

Of course, Bismarck was not going to kill or burn people, but was preparing to slip away right under the noses of the British.

This was a great opportunity for the Atlantic Fleet, which had been preparing for a long time. The right time, right place, and right people were all in place.

"Captain, the commander of the Brest garrison has sent a message that the British bombers have left and we can prepare to leave the port." Bismarck hurriedly took a telegram and walked into the bridge.

Only the emergency lights were flickering faintly in the pitch-black bridge, and the dim light illuminated the chart table in front of Lütjens - that was all.

Not only was the entire port area under blackout, but so were several warships. Since the British assault force failed, there were more bombers in the sky, and the darkness was Bismarck's normal life every day. Fortunately, it didn't matter if she didn't have eyes. It didn't matter to the ordinary sailors whose living quarters were below decks, but the bridge had glass, so basically no lights were turned on.

"They're finally gone!" Trainee Captain Hyde clapped his hands happily, making a crisp sound that was particularly noticeable in the darkness.

Those bombers were like annoying flies that appeared every day. Although the casualties were not heavy due to the blackout, the daily harassment was still very depressing. And they were finally leaving.

As for why they had to wait until the last flight of bombers left before leaving the port, there was of course a reason. There was a plane in the bomber group that was specifically responsible for confirming the results of the battle and was equipped with an aerial camera. In order to prevent their plan to leave the port from being discovered in advance, they had to create the illusion that they were in the port. For this reason, the anti-aircraft guns of Bismarck and Tirpitz had just fired intensively, announcing their presence.

In the dark bridge, all the sailors were standing ready at their positions, watching the bean-sized light with bated breath. Even a pin drop could be heard clearly. A gentle sea breeze blew in from the open armored door, bringing the sound of waves hitting the hull.