Bismarck

The British wanted to cut off their retreat. If the Red Sea was cut off, they would be isolated and helpless in the Indian Ocean. When the gasoline and other supplies ran out and the warships' spare parts were destroyed, they would have no choice but to wait for death.

We can’t let this happen!

Lütjens smiled and said, "One bombing is not enough to destroy our reserves, but if the British transport at least forty transport ships to India, they will definitely be able to strangle the Red Sea transportation line and even counterattack the Suez Canal. If that happens, we will most likely have to fight alone! In the worst case scenario, we should even consider preparing to break out by bypassing the entire African continent!"

Bismarck didn't say anything. She was frightened by what the captain said...

In fact, when the captain mentioned it just now, the battle-hardened ship cat did think of the possibility of a problem with the supply line. But... it seems that the situation may be much worse than she thought!

She only thought about the loss of the supply line, but the captain directly considered the possibility of the supply line being cut off! If the Red Sea was cut off, it would mean that the garrison was surrounded, and even ammunition and fuel would become a problem, so it would be impossible to repair the seriously injured!

So... this time the British took the risk of sending a large-scale escort fleet because they saw that our situation had become so dangerous?

Anticipate the enemy's moves! Think three steps ahead! Such a deep (lao) plan (mou) and foresight (shen)... As expected, our captain is the best!

"I understand! We must be prepared to fight alone or even break out on a large scale if the situation gets bad! If we suffer heavy losses in this battle, we won't be able to fight next time!" Bismarck figured out the problem instantly, looked at her captain seriously with her pretty eyes, and nodded vigorously!

Seeing the pretty blond cat on his flagship also looking serious, the captain smiled:

"Haha, it's good that you know what to do. Tell them the news - remember to use the tactical radio, confidentiality is important."

"Yes! Okay! I'll tell them right away!" Seeing the captain's smile, Bismarck, who had originally had a serious face, couldn't help but pursed his lips: "...By the way, Captain, the artillery mode we worked on before...using a speed measuring coil to measure the actual initial velocity, and then using radar to observe the trajectory changes to infer the airflow and wind deviation for correction, I haven't tried it since it was developed! This time is a good time to try it!"

Thinking about the purpose of the coil with a protective cover that I and a few sisters had installed on the muzzle of the main gun, and thinking about the sweet and busy time when the captain and I were developing new tactics together... a color called happiness seemed to appear on my face again.

At this moment, a thumb gently scratched Bismarck's slightly red cheek.

"Well, it happens that I am also interested and want to try it."

The captain's fingers gently stroked the Persian cat's face, and he smiled and nodded.

(PS: Sniper battleship Bismarck is coming online soon!)

(PS2: Although anti-artillery radar did not appear early in history, the front-end technology centimeter-wave radar happened to be available to cats. If some other equipment is added... Emmmmmm... Am I cheating too much? 2333)

Chapter 614: On the verge of breaking out

In another corner of the vast night, the new moon of the fourth day of the New Year has already set in the west.

In the command post of the Warrior, the flagship of a huge escort fleet on the sea, Somerville, who had not had a good rest for several nights in a row, was now staring at the sea chart with a pair of panda eyes and holding a cigarette in his mouth, trying to cultivate...

However, it seems that Summerville, a serious patient of Xiuxian, is now more relaxed...

A boss is a boss. Even if he is extremely sleepy, his mind is still clear.

"The Japanese fleet was bombed - yawn... by now it should not have rounded Ceylon yet?"

"It looks like the Japanese won't be able to catch up this time!"

He laughed and threw away the telegram in his hand. Yawning, Somerville wiped his eyes and lay on the chart, grabbing the slide rule and red and blue pencils to calculate. After calculating for a long time, Somerville, who was a little sleepy and almost perfect, leaned on the table, laughed and stood up, tears in the corners of his eyes - he could laugh and yawn, Somerville was really amazing.

"What's wrong, General?" Looking at Somerville's inexplicable laughter, a staff officer asked with a black question mark on his face.

The subordinates can have a good rest and at least they can take turns, but the commander cannot.

"What time is it now?" Summerville, who was about to achieve great success in his cultivation but was in a good mood, shook his head, as if trying to get rid of the sleepiness in his brain so that he could be more awake. He told himself to wait a little longer, and after this period of time, he would naturally wake up.

"Well...it's almost twelve o'clock, Seychelles time." The staff officer looked at the clock and started to act as a timekeeper.

"The radar didn't detect any signals from their reconnaissance aircraft and radar, right?" After hearing the staff officer's report, Summerville nodded and turned to the officer in charge of electronic equipment and continued asking.

"No." The electronics supervisor shook his head.

"No?" He paused, as if thinking about the question.

"Then... just pass on my order!" Summerville, holding a cigarette, smiled. His vision in the state of cultivating immortals seemed to be a little illusory: "Order (Commander of the US battleship and Deputy Commander of the Allied Indian Ocean Fleet) Major General Giffen to execute Plan No. 16 - take Tennessee and her four battleships and two escort aircraft carriers, and escort high-speed tankers and high-speed transport ships above 11 knots directly to India! The remaining ships, continue to advance at knots according to the original route!"

"This is!"

The staff officer didn't ask any questions and went down to issue the order happily.

As the radio room beeped, Cunningham, who was already drowsy from practicing Taoism, smiled in a sleepy manner.

Merchant ships are equipped with short-range tactical radios and navigation radars, and if Cunningham is to be notified, a directional antenna can be used to send signals in the predetermined direction - at least the direction of the directional antenna will definitely not be received by the German and Japanese fleets on the other side.

They thought that their fleet had been exposed during the day, but if the Japanese radar reconnaissance planes had discovered it in the dark night, they probably wouldn't come out - maybe the Japanese didn't have radar reconnaissance planes here for the time being?

Today is the new moon, and there is no moonlight in the second half of the night. If the Japanese don't have radar reconnaissance planes, they will probably find out that the transport ships have been scattered until after dawn tomorrow! At this time, with the speed of 16 knots of the tankers and high-speed merchant ships, they must have already gone far away, right?

As for whether it is possible to separate and regroup the team at night? Although it is difficult to do so in merchant ships in peacetime, it is wartime now, and all merchant ships must be equipped with naval soldiers! Moreover, did you really not organize concentrated training for the merchant ships in the past month? !

If that happens, I would be really derelict in my duty.

With dark circles under his eyes, Somerville, who had already cultivated himself into a "demigod (demigod?)", smiled self-deprecatingly and continued to calculate on the chart table.

After all, there are a lot of things to worry about...

The high-speed ship ran away, and he took the slow fleet to catch up with Bismarck and the others, while letting those fast merchant ships and fast tankers that could reach a speed of more than 1100 knots sail directly to India, which was only kilometers away in a straight line. This would probably ensure the transportation of the most critical aviation fuel to the greatest extent, right?

Although what is this called? Sacrifice the car to save the driver?

The only problem was that one's position had to be carefully calculated to ensure that it was stuck between the Germans and the high-speed fleet...

The current position of the fleet meant that the German submarines behind them would not be able to catch up with them for a while! The attack direction of the Lütjens fleet could be basically determined - they were just afraid that the enemy would ignore them and bypass them with their speed...

And in order to ensure the arrival rate... should we divide the slow-speed fleet into several small fleets and disperse them? Or should we wait until the Germans are found and then disperse the transport ships? Although except for the oil tankers, each of the other transport ships is scattered with various supplies needed by Auchinleck, including gasoline barrels - in order to prevent the shortage of supplies, this is necessary. But...

One of the duties of a soldier is to protect the people! Although he had to sacrifice his car to save his master, Somerville still hoped that as many ships as possible could reach India...

Although there is assistance from the intelligence department and the staff team to organize the data, these probabilities cannot be determined, and as the commander of the fleet, they must be carefully considered...

The admiral's decision...

“…Forget it, just bear with it for a while. Why should I sleep when I’m alive? When I die, I will naturally sleep too much to sleep anymore. Someone, bring me a big cup of coffee, strong one!”

Sa Banxian patted the table and continued to work on the probability analysis (fortune-telling?) diagram assignment over the table.

Under the setting crescent moon, thirty-one fast merchant ships followed the steps of the pre-war exercises and, under the dim moonlight, methodically separated from the transport fleet of "Operation Support". Under the escort of the four old battleships Tennessee, California, Nevada, and Oklahoma led by Major General Giffen, three escort aircraft carriers, and a covering fleet consisting of several destroyers, they increased their speed to sixteen knots, turned eastward, and headed towards India.

In order to intercept the Lütjens fleet as far away from the transport fleet as possible, Somerville's main fleet and transport ships continued to move forward along the original route, risking their lives...

--------April 18, the fifth day of "Operation Platform"----

Ever since Somerville's "Support" escort fleet was discovered yesterday, both the Axis and the Allies knew that a major war was inevitable, and it would happen today!

Before the sky even got light, the airport runways and aircraft carrier flight decks of the Allied and Axis powers were already in a state of extreme bustle!

The Japanese naval aviation, which lacked radar reconnaissance aircraft, tried hard to make up for the time lost during the night, so it took off almost all of its available twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft for reconnaissance before daybreak - although the Japanese national strength was really limited, and Ozawa did not have any long-range reconnaissance aircraft.

Zeppelin, who was also unsure about the size and whereabouts of the Allied transport fleet and escort fleet, decided to personally drive her Edelweiss and lead the reconnaissance team to conduct reconnaissance - she had previously predicted that the Allies would most likely have two ships underway to provide cover! Although Zeppelin was not afraid of anyone in air combat, if an enemy of this size attacked desperately, it would still pose a serious threat to her aircraft carrier, which was strong in offense but weak in defense!

Cunningham, Somerville, Auchinleck and Arthur Tedder (Commander-in-Chief of the British Middle East-India Theater Air Force), who were determined to ensure the success of Operation Support, spared no expense in filling aircraft carriers and airfields with planes. Auchinleck and Arthur Tedder had even begun to squeeze the limited high-standard aviation fuel reserves left in the British Middle East-North Africa Theater.

At 5:30 in the morning, the sun had just appeared in the sky, but there were still large areas below that were still hazy under the shadow of the horizon. In order to find the enemy as soon as possible, the pilots of the Allied and Axis powers had already flown in the sky early, opened their eyes and searched for targets at the predetermined distance as much as possible - as long as the sun's light shines through the shadow of the horizon, the reconnaissance pilots who have already flown to the predetermined position can start looking for targets immediately! The sea areas that were not searched in detail before because of the dark sky will be supplemented by the second group of reconnaissance planes sent from the rear!

But apart from this, the situation in the sky is still weird and unpredictable! Although the British escort aircraft carrier is small in tonnage, it can also take off fighter jets! The GR-186 Wing of the German Air Force has night fighters, and there are also terrifying Edelweiss Witches! But even so, at this moment, no one in the Axis Powers knows whether Britain still has large aircraft carriers, nor does it know where the large aircraft carriers that may exist in Britain are hiding now! Just like a poisonous snake, quietly stretching out its fangs in a dark corner - but before the poisonous snake bites people, people can't see where the poisonous snake is hiding.

Even so, the Axis and the Allies now have no way out! The key to the Allied forces' breakthrough in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East-India theater of the World War lies entirely on this escort fleet!

The rise and fall of the empire depends on this battle!

Under the rising sun that looks like an eruption of blood, a war is about to break out!

Chapter 615: Bloody Battle

April 18, 5:30, wind due east, dawn, clear...

A JU-87C2 squadron of three dive bombers, which were acting as reconnaissance aircraft, encountered the British Naval Aviation's part-time reconnaissance Fulmar fighters at a position 30 degrees to the right front of the German fleet and 200 kilometers away from the fleet. The two sides immediately engaged in a fierce exchange of fire.

It happened that Zeppelin was patrolling nearby, but the speed of the air combat was too fast. By the time she rushed over in her fighter jet, two of the three planes of the JU-87 squadron that were out for reconnaissance had already been shot down.

"Hold on, I'm coming." The only voice in the radio signal was Zeppelin's calm voice.

What is the gap? Pilots are very proud, but their pride is nothing compared to Zeppelin.

Occupy the position, bite six points, appear from behind the swallow in an instant, and then start the machine gun.

"Huh...Huh...I'm saved..."

After a flash of light, the pilot and machine gunner of the last JU-109 breathed a sigh of relief at the same time as they watched the two Fulmars suddenly die under the guns of the two BF-87s.

The two BF-109s soon approached, and the pilot of the JU-87 clearly saw a pure white edelweiss painted on the fuselage of the leading aircraft!

That was their first instructor, and now the squadron leader. She was also the goddess in the hearts of many pilots and ground crew members in the squadron...

"Are you guys okay?"

A cold voice came from the radio, and the crew of the JU-87 quickly put away their thoughts - whether it was the grief for the fallen comrades, or some other inexplicable thoughts...

"We are fine, but they died... That's right! Instructor! The British planes are coming from the southeast! Their aircraft carrier must be there!" Speaking of the British aircraft carrier, the pilot of JU-87 couldn't help but grit his teeth. He couldn't wait to report the enemy's position to his instructor.

"Okay, I understand. You guys go back, Marseille and I will go over and take a look."

"Okay, instructor, pay attention... Haha, of course you can come back safely." The pilot of JU-87 was really worried about the goddess in his heart, but when he thought of her combat record, he laughed at himself.

The person who wants to kill Zeppelin is probably not born yet.

"You talk too much, don't you? Go back quickly! If you go back too late, don't even think about attacking again!" Qi Bolin scolded with a smile.

After ordering the last remaining JU-87 to return, Zeppelin continued to fly in the direction of the attacking fulmars in the Edelweiss fighter. A few minutes later, the Edelweiss early warning command fighter discovered the British transport fleet on the Indian Ocean, which had just emerged from the shadows covering the horizon and revealed its true form under the rising morning glow.

The outer circle was patrolled by eight old battleships and three heavily armed light cruisers that were staring at their direction. There were five anti-aircraft cruisers and sixteen destroyers surrounding the transport fleet. There were also seven escort aircraft carriers and forty-five transport ships that were guarded by these warships. There were also more than twenty patrol fighters in the sky.

In particular, Zeppelin also saw the figure of an old enemy in this fleet...

"War-weary!"

Thinking of the huge loss he suffered in Crete, Zeppelin gnashed his teeth in hatred.

However, the most important thing now is to report the situation, gather reconnaissance planes, and prepare for the attack. War weariness is not the most important goal.

Knowing that Warspite had the ability to eavesdrop on Wi-Fi, Zeppelin simply turned on the radio and called in the direction of Bismarck.

This time, we can't make that kind of mistake again.

However, there was still some inexplicable doubt in Zeppelin's heart...

"They are all old battleships, and there is no regular escort... Although the only aircraft carriers that Britain and the United States can withdraw now are the Grudge and the Tireless, and the seven escort aircraft carriers can also have hundreds of aircraft, but the aviation force is strong in offense but weak in defense. Summerville can't really think that he can defeat me with a few more escort aircraft carriers, so..."

Zeppelin frowned slightly, considering the possibility that Britain and the United States might have lurking aircraft carriers that would launch a surprise attack on his main body while he was bombing the transport convoy.

"Forget it, never mind! If they really want to hide, with the maneuvering range of the aircraft carrier, they will probably not be able to find them now... It's really troublesome to deal with several targets at the same time... Let's go back first and make a long-term plan later..."

"But after I go back this time, I must find a way to ask His Excellency the Imperial Marshal to bid for a few large-range, high-speed carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft..."

While Zeppelin was thinking, four patrolling Spitfires flew over. However... even if Zeppelin had been thinking about the battle, these four patrolling Spitfires were no match for her and her wingman, Marseille! In just a few minutes, Zeppelin, who had already detected the movements of the enemy escort, turned with Marseille in the direction of returning, leaving only four dark smoke columns falling into the Indian Ocean.

But just as Zeppelin turned, the battleship HMS Warspite on the sea seemed to sense something and looked slightly in the direction of Zeppelin...

As his mental power spread, he quickly saw what kind of plane was coming.

Zeppelin, she sighed, we finally meet again.

"It looks like... the German aircraft carrier is in that direction..."

At the same time, Major General Giffen, who was leading the high-speed transport team, suddenly felt a little relieved for some reason...

It's as if... there's some serious concern or something, and I can finally take a break.

"I don't know what's going on with General Somerville... He's facing the evil fleet... God bless them, Amen."

Major General Giffen silently crossed himself.

After all, even if Somerville delayed Lütjens's fleet, he couldn't let his guard down. Although this place was not close to the Japanese airport, it was not far away either...

Although, just over half an hour later, when he had not yet been exposed to the rising sun, a Japanese reconnaissance plane seemed to have flown directly past their fleet from high altitude - it seemed that it did not discover the high-speed transport fleet still behind the shadow of the horizon...

………April 18, 7am, wind due east, clear………

The Indian Ocean was beautiful under the rising sun, but the tangled clouds of exhaust gas from fighter jets, the smoke from anti-aircraft guns, and the wreckage of fighter planes that occasionally fell into the sea with smoke and fire and turned into water columns, intertwined a waltz of wind and fire played at the cost of death and destruction on this blue stage...

"Bombers! All hands! Target the British airfield - charge!"

"The Japanese fleet has been spotted! For the British Empire, everyone, follow me!"

"Damn the Japs! - Fighters, follow me! Attack their bombers!"

"There's a fire! I'm going to fall! Mom..."

"Captain, these navy idiots seem to be in a tough fight..."

"As expected, the navy is still not good enough. It's time for our Army Air Force to take action... Kato Hayabusa Squadron, everyone, go!"