Bismarck

Compared to the two battleships that kept firing their main guns, the Zeppelin, which did not fire at all during this battle, was naturally the best "viewing platform" without any interference - there were crew members standing in groups of three or two on both the bridge and the flat deck, and even the hangar could see this unique scenery. It made the air force technicians who had been seasick climb up and seemed to stop vomiting.

Of course, a large part of the reason was that the convective weather in the strait was gradually weakening, and Lütjens noticed this. Although the battle was very enjoyable and relaxed at this time, Lütjens did not forget that Tovey and his aircraft carrier were nowhere to be found. There was also an airport here in the Gibraltar Fortress. If it was surrounded by both sides, Zeppelin might not be able to gain any advantage, so with this in mind, he also ordered to speed up.

"Bismarck, tell Tirpitz and Zeppelin that the time is almost up. Increase the speed and evacuate at full speed."

"Hmm?" Bismarck was stunned and fired the last round of shells. "Okay, I got it."

"I'm on guard against Tovey's fleet." Lütjens smiled. He saw that Bismarck seemed to be unsatisfied. "Now the rain and fog are dissipating. We should leave. There will be opportunities in the future."

It seems that destruction is sometimes addictive. Bismarck licked her lips. Not having to face the brutal artillery fire on the battlefield made her feel completely stress-free. After all, things that were not happening in front of her did not have such a big impact. However, if she were to kill someone with her own hands, it was estimated that not many people would be able to bear it...

"Captain, where are we going now?" Bismarck blinked, and her mood returned to normal after the shelling stopped.

"Book a place, go to Genoa!"

"clear."

Bismarck received the order and then informed Tirpitz, who was still firing;

"Tizi, and Zeppelin, the captain's order, stop firing, sail to Genoa, full speed ahead!"

"I'm going to fight for a while longer!"

"Be obedient...Tizi."

"No, the British are so abominable! They beat me so hard!"

"You don't want to eat pasta?"

"Uh..." The seemingly strong voice in the voice was stunned, and then immediately became soft and coquettish "Sister~"

"Turn, full speed, Genoa, do you understand?" Bismarck snorted.

"Yes! Tirpitz understands!"

----------

The Atlantic Fleet had gone far away and the gunfire had finally stopped, but the fire and chaos were far from over. The entire fortress area was in the midst of crackling flames, and thick smoke and high temperatures shrouded the sky above the fortress.

Firefighters finally came out, dragging hoses to put out the fire, but at this time everyone was a firefighter. Except for the doctor, everyone was involved in firefighting and rescue. The surface of the entire fortress was no different from hell. There were not many casualties - except for the fleet. However, the important targets on the ground were plowed and destroyed by shells, and it would take a lot of effort to repair them in the future.

Since the purpose was the same and they were basically all soldiers, there was no confusion and they were all busy carrying out rescue operations together.

There is only one place that seems particularly out of place in the busy fortress...

Sir Riddle, Governor of Gibraltar and Commander of the Fortress Garrison, sat in his office.

This office was located inside a carved-out mountain and was extremely solid. Even though it had just suffered the worst blow, the inside still looked exactly the same as when he left. Not even a speck of dust had been stirred up.

The mahogany furniture was wiped spotlessly clean by the orderly, the exquisite table lamp still emitted a dim and comfortable light, and the gold-inlaid pen was quietly placed on the paper. Everything here was decorated by Sir Del according to his preferences. Usually he liked to sit here quietly and relax, and then put on a film of elegant piano music.

However, today, he just stared blankly at the loss report that was submitted to him.

The shocking figures were beyond his belief.

In fact, at the later stage, he no longer dared to stay in the command center and listen to the constant calls for help coming from the radio. The atmosphere of despair filled the entire command center.

It's all over.

In every way, he was finished.

With trembling hands he picked up the paper covered with writing, which was held down by his favorite fountain pen.

Fleet H was completely wiped out, and except for three destroyers that managed to escape, the navy suffered innumerable losses.

The shipyard of the Gibraltar fortress was destroyed and almost razed to the ground. All the warships under construction were destroyed, and the fire has not yet been extinguished.

A 380mm fortress gun was destroyed, and seven 234mm turrets were destroyed!

More importantly, the myth of the indestructible Gibraltar fortress was shattered, leaving him ashamed and ending hundreds of years of deterrence.

He was indeed ashamed. He didn't know what reason he had to face this failure. The fortress was breached in his hands. No matter how much he tried to explain or shirk responsibility, it was still in his hands that the Germans breached it...

Sir Del knew exactly what he was getting into.

With this kind of historical shame, there is only one way out for him - a dead end.

If he was brought to the military court, he would be shot. It would be better to defend his dignity, his family's honor and his son's future with death.

Thinking of this, I seemed to feel a little better and there was nothing to be afraid of anymore.

At his age, he has actually let go of everything. What else is there to pursue?

Sir Del took out a small Browning pistol from the drawer. It was silver-white, very beautiful, and had patterns carved on it.

It is a tradition for officers to carry pistols. They do not need to go to the front line to kill the enemy, so a pistol for self-defense is enough. By the way, sometimes it can be used to end one's own life. This function is similar to that of a samurai sword.

When I opened the magazine, I saw orange-yellow bullets inside, each with a round and full bullet tip.

"Click."

Bullets loaded.

Sir Del looked around to see if he had forgotten anything.

He suddenly thought, should he leave a last word or something.

So he used a pen to write a big line of words on a blank piece of paper - Long live the British Empire.

For myself and for the prosecutors.

The pistol was pointed back at the temple, as people who commit suicide usually like to point it there. The splattering blood has a special beauty.

"Commander! An urgent message from the Prime Minister!"

Suddenly the door opened and the secretary rushed in, then was stunned when he saw the scene in front of him.

"Oh, what's the matter?" The Jazz did not take the document, but asked lightly.

The secretary repeated it blankly. He didn't know whether he should give advice or just take the gun away...

"You go and give it to Somerville, and tell him that from now on, he is responsible for the defense here."

"Go ahead."

"Damn the Germans, damn the Atlantic Fleet."

Jazz grinned.

"hehe."

"boom."

The secretary stupidly walked out of the room. Just as he closed the door, before he could turn around, a short gunshot froze him...

-

When Tovey arrived, he didn't know where the German ship had gone. He only saw the devastated fortress.

Everyone was shocked.

I can’t even imagine, is this an indestructible fortress?

Is this Gibraltar?

The docks were destroyed and there was no place for battleships and other large ships to dock. Tovey had to wait until the afternoon before he could barely dock.

His old friend did not come to greet him, and seeing the mess, there was really no need for him to do so.

Tovey's fleet encountered wind and waves, so it was delayed for some time and was unable to encircle the Atlantic Fleet with the H Fleet and fortresses as expected.

Tovey stepped onto the shore with a grim face, and then found his old friend squatting at the door of the fortress's command center, smoking.

"What's going on here?"

A corpse covered with a white cloth was carried out and passed in front of Tovey.

"Sir Del, the garrison commander here, committed suicide." Somerville took a deep puff of his cigarette and said hatefully.

"How is the situation here?"

"You saw it, didn't you?" Summerville glanced at him. "Do you still need to ask?"

"The fortress has been washed up in blood. The main turret is not damaged much, but the other losses are heavy. The fleet has disappeared. Tovey, let me tell you a joke. The current flagship of the H Fleet is a destroyer."

"And what about the Atlantic Fleet?"

"They left." Summerville flicked the ash from his cigarette and said expressionlessly, "They just left without a second thought. I didn't even see their faces."

"I'll tell you the details later. I'm so busy. It's a mess. Sigh."

He sighed.

"Honestly, Tovi, it's a good thing you didn't arrive in time, otherwise, the consequences would be uncertain. That ship girl you mentioned is really amazing..."

After saying that, Somerville sighed again, patted him on the shoulder, and left.

The war situation that could make Somerville so dejected might be...

Tovey also broke out in a cold sweat when he recalled it.

Tovey was extremely anxious at first, but now he felt that it was a good thing that he did not arrive in time, otherwise the only fleet he had would not be able to escape Lütjens's clutches. You know, he had been avoiding the Atlantic Fleet all the way.

So, what should we do next?

no one knows.

----

The weather gradually improved, we moved out of the severe convection area, the temperature began to rise, and the waves subsided. After all, it is spring now.

Not long ago, Lütjens broadcast to the world through the radio that the German War Navy's Atlantic Fleet had successfully broken through the impregnable Gibraltar fortress and entered the Mediterranean Sea. According to the orders of superiors, it was officially renamed the Mediterranean Fleet.

Why not call it the Bathtub Fleet, Bismarck thought lazily.

It seemed as if four seasons had passed in one day.

Facing the Ocean, Spring and Blossom.

Bismarck stretched and lay quietly on the railing of the bridge. If possible, she really wanted to become a Persian cat, lying gracefully on the turret to bask in the sun.

This is the Mediterranean sunshine.

Oh, by the way, after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, they officially entered the Mediterranean area.

This sunshine is worthy of its reputation.

It’s better to get more sun exposure.

ps: Facing the sea, spring flowers are blooming~

Chapter 396: Welcome Dinner

The Mediterranean Sea is a bathtub, and it is true. Compared with the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, it feels a bit cramped to see the destination waters after just two days of driving. One of the reasons is also the Atlantic Fleet's current rapid speed.

When the Atlantic Fleet entered the port of Genoa, the Italians stared at their ally's warships with wide eyes. Although some of them were injured, they were all majestic, especially the aircraft carrier, which attracted all their attention.

Lütjens' domineering declaration of entering the Mediterranean spread across the globe through radio waves. Not only did it cause a wave of admiration in Germany, but even the Italian soldiers began to respect him. Not only the soldiers, but also among the common people, a group of Italian girls admired him like those star-chasers in later generations. So, unknowingly, Bismarck had a rival in love?

Although my naval colleagues envied and hated the Germans...

Look at our own fleet and then look at the German fleet. The gap is really obvious...

They were bullying the British and even broke through the fortress, while they were being bullied by the British. What a huge difference there was.

In addition, my VV is still in the repair shop, so I can't help feeling a little dejected.

It is true that their allies are here to help them, but it is better for them to be strong than their allies.

Lütjens led his fleet to the shore in high spirits, and then walked down the gangway to the warm welcome of the port commander - how could he not be enthusiastic, did he still have a fleet that could fight?

The area around the dock was crowded with people who came to watch the fun, as if the German fleet were animals in a zoo, and the slightest movement would attract a lot of attention.

I just wonder how many Italian girls will give birth to German-Italian children after this incident.

Of course, the military band was indispensable. This band was put together temporarily because Lütjens kept his whereabouts secret until he entered the Mediterranean and told his allies that he was about to arrive. This made the garrison officer of Genoa busy for a while. Only then was he ready when the fleet arrived.

feel good.

Bismarck followed his captain and commented, "Of course, it is still not as good as the military band on his own ship. You can tell from their bad spirits that it deserves a bad review."

The garrison commander and Lütjens reviewed the troops and military band in front, then walked down the red carpet and began the subsequent meeting.

Bismarck did not continue to follow, but went to find Zeppelin and Tirpitz.

After docking, the two battleships were immediately overhauled. They were still hit by several shells, although the casualties were not serious. These minor injuries could be fixed in the ship's repair room, and no one was called in from the Italian shipyard, mainly because they were worried, no matter from which aspect.