Bismarck

"So we need a new type of submarine," I said. "To survive the raid, we need bigger submarines and faster speeds, especially longer cruising times, and fewer surfacing times for breathing. We can consider installing larger batteries. We need to be faster underwater than on the surface - although it's impossible to catch up with a battleship."

"As far as I know, there is a new type of submarine under development," Dönitz turned to the captain and said, "The upgrade plan proposed by Miss Bismarck is basically consistent with that new type of submarine."

"How's the progress?" the captain asked

"It's still in the experimental stage, there's not even a prototype yet." Dönitz shook his head.

"Then you should practice your tactics first," said the captain. "Although Bismarck's warning makes sense, I believe that Britain has no effective way to deal with you now. You can still cause great damage to merchant ships and their sea routes for a period of time. After all, our strategy is not to fight a decisive battle with them at sea, but to focus on disrupting trade."

"Yes," Dönitz nodded.

"But, Captain, can you use my... No!" I held back what I was about to say out of habit. "Can you use Bismarck's seaplane for anti-submarine reconnaissance? I think the exercise can be divided into two parts, one is pure destroyer anti-submarine, and the other is aircraft cooperating with destroyers for anti-submarine. This way, perhaps the effect can be better seen."

"I think Miss Bismarck's proposal is feasible," said Dönitz. "I also want to see the danger of air power to submarines."

"Okay then, I will ask for two options and then call you back for a meeting." The captain nodded in agreement.

"But, Bismarck, you are increasing my workload," he said with a smile

"Captain, I can stay up late with you~" I said in a whirling tone

"..."

Dönitz officially stayed on my ship, and the captain also modified the exercise plan according to my suggestion, dividing it into Phase A and Phase B. However, the one who stayed up late in the end was not the captain... but a staff officer on my ship. The captain only needed to tell the staff officer his ideas, and the rest would be handled by the subordinates - the boss is great!

He called Dönitz and Frederick together the next day and announced a new exercise plan. They each took a new plan and discussed it together again, revising some of the shortcomings.

"Okay, if there are no problems, then this exercise is settled." The captain put his hands on the large table and glanced at the other two people.

"I agree!" Dönitz raised his hand

"I agree too!" Frederick nodded.

"Okay, then this is the final plan!" The captain slapped the table and decided, "Everyone go and prepare."

"Yes!"

Finally, I did not see the submarines in the Port of Hamburg. I think it was because the submarines were too slow, so we asked them to go directly to the exercise area in the North Sea in advance, so as to avoid being unable to keep up with us if they set out together... However, the U556 that has been by my side seems to be taking part in the exercise as well. According to the captain, this guy also left my port a few days ago, and should have gone to the North Sea in advance.

I hope this young man Wolffarth will perform well. Of course, it is impossible for me to show mercy! Submarines are black all their lives!

That night, I appeared alone on the bridge. Except for the people on duty on the side, everyone else had gone to sleep. The bridge seemed empty and dark and silent.

The feeling of tranquility is inexplicable.

My eyes moved, and the bulkhead above my ear twisted and a small chair appeared. When I sat on it, I was facing the sea outside.

The "gentle" sea breeze blew, and I squinted my eyes comfortably. It is said that in winter, the sky of the earth is facing the center of the Milky Way, so the Milky Way in winter is particularly beautiful. It looks really good. The moon has not risen from the sea yet, and the sky is dotted with stars. It is a different world outside.

Compared to the universe and time, human beings are really small. Not to mention human beings, even the earth is pitifully small. But it is these tiny creatures that kill each other on this tiny planet and invest their limited intelligence into the development of killing machines. It is said that human beings are the only animals that deprive their own kind of lives... How strange.

"Bismarck, you are here!" A voice came from behind me. I knew it was the captain without turning around.

"Hmm? Captain, is there anything you need from me?" I asked lazily, leaning my head against the bulkhead and counting my fingers boredly.

"I'll come up and take a look at the bridge," the captain said.

"It's okay, I'm always here" I smiled

"Looking at the stars?" The captain came to my side and put his hand on my head.

“I guess so. The stars are beautiful, but actually I’m looking at the universe,” I said.

"The universe?" the captain asked doubtfully.

"Yes, the universe is so vast," I sighed, "and humans are so small. Captain, can you tell me why humans are fighting each other?"

The captain gently stroked my head and said, "I don't know either, but I know what my duty is."

"I know that too..." I rolled my eyes at him

Since my brave confession, the captain has been laughing more and more in front of me. Maybe our relationship has really progressed, but he still has that icy face in front of his subordinates - I understand. Now he just smiles and says to me, "Haha, Bismarck, that's enough."

"Maybe," I said, "I'm just confused. Humans, the most intelligent creatures on earth, are not even as good as animals in this respect."

"Bismarck, we should have multiple views on everything," said the captain. "On the one hand, war does destroy homes and makes our mothers lose their sons, but on the other hand, war will also promote the progress of mankind itself. Many technologies are used to serve war. Of course, if you ask why, I can only say that perhaps mankind really wants too much..."

“Okay” I actually understand all these principles…

"Do you like looking at the stars?" the captain suddenly asked.

"Yes, I like the feeling of lying quietly alone under the night sky." I smiled. "It's a very peaceful state of mind. Of course, it would be best if the captain could accompany me."

"So do you like the Aurora?" the captain said with a smile

"Oh, I like it very much. I haven't seen it yet. I only saw it in books."

"If there's a chance, there are some in Finland, we can go and see them then."

"Really?!"

"real"

p.s. Please give me a recommendation vote. I have nothing else in mind...

Chapter 55: Destroyer-Submarine (I)

On January 1940, 1, the destroyer-submarine exercise officially kicked off.

At three o'clock in the morning, the quiet Port of Hamburg was suddenly broken by the roar of machines. It was the fleet setting off under the cover of night. The light destroyers had little inertia and were the first to leave the dock under their own power. I, a 50,000-ton ship, could not do this, so I could only rely on the help of a circle of tugboats that surrounded me and slowly leave the shore.

The huge bow made a splashing sound in the darkness, and the roar of the engine echoed in the empty sky and earth. I stood on the top of the bridge, letting the sea breeze blow on my cheeks. Ten minutes later, I caught up with the destroyer formation that was sailing slowly at the mouth of the Elbe River. I joined them, and then the formation began to accelerate and sailed at full speed towards the exercise area.

At 14: a.m., the fleet arrived at the designated sea area and began to slow down. I was slowed down to the merchant ship speed of knots. The huge ship suddenly swayed like a small boat under the action of the waves. I briefly observed the sea conditions in the North Sea today. The wind and waves were not big, but there were a lot of swells. To be honest, this sea condition is not conducive to anti-submarine operations. It is not only difficult to find the traces of submarines between the ups and downs of the waves, but also the physical endurance of the crew is reduced under the bad sea conditions, making it difficult to concentrate on observing the sea surface, which is even worse. But anyway, the fleet was quickly deployed as pre-set.

According to the pre-arrangement of the exercise, the Bismarck will play the role of the target ship at a speed of 14 knots, and cannot directly participate in the exercise - nor can I use my ability to provide support. However, since the attack and defense are all centered around the Bismarck, the exercise referee is set up on the Bismarck. And because the German Navy has not had many admiral officers until this time, the general director directly let the captain take the position. (PS: In fact, at this time, Lutjens was still the rear admiral commander of the destroyer fleet, which is the position of Bonte in the book...). In addition, considering that submarine activities focus on concealment and improvisation, Dönitz directly stated that he would let his submarines play freely and live on the ship to watch the fun - it seems that there is no place for him to live on the submarine.

On the other side, Major General Bonte (note: Frederick) knew very well how poor the training quality of the German surface fleet was (especially the training of destroyers. In the Polish Campaign, two destroyers were actually beaten and fled by the Polish one-destroyer-one-minelaying configuration. This is really amazing), and he also knew the combat effectiveness of the German submarine force. Especially after the U47 attacked Scapa Flow at night and sank the Royal Oak, the U-boat force became famous in one battle. No one dared to underestimate their combat effectiveness. Therefore, Bonte deployed the six destroyers in a textbook anti-submarine escort formation of four in front and two in the back from the beginning, surrounding me as if facing a great enemy.

"The significance of this formation is," the captain said to me while standing on the bridge and looking at the formation of the destroyers, "the four destroyers in the front are lined up in a row. Their role is to search the front where the biggest threat is. The role of the two destroyers in the back, one on the left and one on the right, is to prevent submarines that may attack from the side and rear."

"The destroyers' formation is generally quite neat, and the deployment speed is also very fast," I said on the side. "It seems that your last request to the Navy Department to strengthen the destroyers' training has been effective."

The captain put down the telescope, looked at the stopwatch, nodded with satisfaction, then turned to me and continued, "Yes, our enemy is Britain. How can we not train more strictly?"

"The coordination of fleet operations is reflected in the formation. If the formation is not good, the enemy can exploit the flaws at any time. At that time, the trouble will not be a small matter like mistakes."

"Watch this exercise carefully and simulate searching for the submarine in your mind. Just keep it to yourself and don't tell me."

"Yes, I will." I agreed and turned to see how Dönitz would react, to see how his men would deal with such a well-prepared escort formation, and three submarines against six destroyers. But the most leisurely man on the ship was sloppily leaning against the window drinking coffee with his hat tilted and a cigarette between his legs, not seeming to care at all.

So confident? I raised my eyebrows. You know, destroyers are the mortal enemies of U-boats.

"General Dönitz, aren't you nervous?" I walked over and asked him.

"I really trust the boys under me." He took off his hat, smiled, and took a sip of the fragrant coffee.

"But with such a strict formation, and six against three, isn't that too much pressure? Aren't submarines generally bound to lose when facing off against destroyers?"

Dönitz tilted his head and smiled: "A sure loss? There is no such thing as a sure win or a sure loss." Then he raised his head and looked at me. Perhaps he thought of something and put away his cynical look.

"Ms. Bismarck, you have to fight for everything yourself, whether it's victory or the future of the German nation..."

Looking at Dönitz who was starting to get serious, besides the old "handsome" man who was different from the captain in seriousness but equally full of mature man charm, think about him, the captain, the SS soldiers I had met at the dock before, the officers and soldiers fighting on the Polish front, and even the infamous mustache in history, and then think about another group of people thousands of miles away who were also fighting for their own country and nation. Perhaps they had the same expression at this moment, right?

The fleet wandered around the sea for a whole day as if facing a great enemy, but still nothing happened. With their nerves highly tense, some people had already yawned and looked exhausted. The helmsman mechanically controlled the direction according to instructions, and the sea observer rubbed his eyes from time to time.

This is not good, I thought to myself. Although my perception distance underwater is not very far, I can clearly feel that submarines have appeared around us because they have entered my range more than once.

In the bridge, only the captain and Dönitz were still chatting energetically, and I stood quietly by and listened.

"They still haven't appeared yet. So your men will probably launch an attack at dusk, right?" the captain asked Dönitz. "On the one hand, the destroyer crews are already very tired, and on the other hand, dusk and night can provide the best cover for your submarines, right?"

"Ah, yes, that's right." The man took a puff of his cigarette and blew out a smoke ring. "It's very tiring to maintain mental tension for a long time. When people are tired, they can't control their emotions easily, and they are prone to making mistakes. At that time, even the most rigorous formation can be artificially induced to have flaws. So, I suggest that we observe a minute of silence for their poor British counterparts in the Atlantic."

"Forget it, don't think I don't know how many troops you have," the captain said with a smile. Even I know something about this kind of thing. At this time, Dönitz only had 20 or submarines, of which were old-fashioned small submarines that were not suitable for sailing in the Atlantic.

It is said that Dönitz had already begun to study and train wolf pack tactics when he rebuilt the German submarine force in 35. However, due to insufficient manpower, the North Atlantic submarines at that time were still operating individually and had not yet been tested in actual combat.

"It's okay to have fewer people, but we have to make preparations first." Dönitz said seriously, "We would rather wait for the equipment to be installed than let the equipment wait for us!"

I silently gave a thumbs up in my heart.

"Besides, the new submarines have already started mass production and will soon be put into service. Besides, isn't this exercise the final test for the wolf pack?"

"New submarine?"

"Ah, I don't mean the kind Miss Bismarck is talking about," Dönitz looked at me and smiled, "It's just a large submarine suitable for long ocean voyages."

It was almost dusk, and at 3500 meters in front of the fleet, a periscope was secretly poking out of the water, using the cover of dusk and waves to spy on the alert fleet. I was pouring coffee for Dönitz at the time, and accidentally scanned the sea surface when I suddenly found this uninvited guest protruding from the water. I immediately locked onto it.

I stopped moving, and all my mental energy rushed in that direction. Then, as if I had a sense of touch, I followed the periscope down until the entire submarine was wrapped up and its general shape was outlined. I easily penetrated my consciousness into it, and all the people in the submarine were in sight.

Finally... I found you, I breathed a sigh of relief.

I saw that behind the camera, the captain of U99, Otto Kretschmer, who was only wearing a vest and shorts and was as cynical as their boss, grinned and said to his subordinates: "Boys, they are coming. Get ready for battle! Heading 100! Speed ​​3 knots! Both front torpedo tubes are flooded, slow mode! Set depth 0! I'm going to scare them well!!"

"Yes! Course 100! Speed ​​3 knots!"

"Yes! Double injection of water in the front tube! Slow speed mode! Set depth to zero!"

Responses from the helmsman and the torpedo man came from the microphone one after another.

"Very good! Distance 3300...3200...3100...Ready! 3000 meters! Front tube double launch - fire!!" "Fire!!!"

Two torpedoes popped out of the launch tubes at the same time. Under the cover of the waves, there was no movement at all, only the U-boat trembled slightly.

My heart tightened, and the scene of the sneak attack by the Polish submarine suddenly emerged in my mind. The Poles must have been observing me in the same way at that time...

Shaking my head vigorously, I told myself, this is an exercise, this is an exercise, nothing will happen! I walked quickly to the bridge with my coffee, while mobilizing my mental power to track the torpedo's track.

The torpedoes have been deployed, so what about the destroyers? After I arrived at the bridge, I also paid some attention to the escorting destroyers.

On the destroyer, the lookout of the destroyer Z10 on the front left wiped his dry eyes from the sea breeze, checked his watch, picked up the telescope, and while looking at the sea, he muttered, "Why hasn't the shift relief officer arrived yet? What time is it?"

Suddenly, his movements froze...

Two or three seconds later, the sound of a lookout soldier's heart-wrenching cry suddenly came out of the microphone in the drowsy bridge: "Torpedoes! Front of the port side! Two torpedoes! Evade quickly!"

Two torpedoes appeared in his field of vision with white tails...

"Full left rudder!" The captain followed the lookout's report and saw the torpedo that had already surfaced. He quickly shouted

"Full left!" This was the panicked order from the helmsman.

The bridge was instantly in chaos, but fortunately the destroyer had low inertia and was quick to respond to rudder changes, and soon Z10 began to turn full left, pointing the bow in the direction of the torpedo.

At the same time, the other destroyers also responded when they saw Z10 urgently turning left, and they all launched anti-submarine maneuvers while asking for instructions from their superiors.

Rear Admiral Bangtai, who was dozing off on the bridge of the flagship destroyer Z7, opened his eyes immediately: "They are finally here!"

He stood up and gave the order, "Since one submarine has been exposed on the port side, there shouldn't be a second submarine coming here for the time being...Call Z11, he and Z10 are both on the left front, tell them to attack the submarine together! On the right front are the flagship Z7 and Z5 - no, Z5 will remain in its position, we Z7 will go to the left front and fill their positions! Quick!"

"Yes, sir!" the signal officer shouted.

Rear Admiral Bonte's command was relatively orderly, but the adjustment of positions took time. What was even more terrible was that the training quality of the German destroyer fleet was not high. Although the previous intensive training had some effect, as an outsider and a half-layman, I could see that the destroyer's movements were a bit slow, not to mention the experienced captain and the Sea Wolf King.

The two looked at each other, and the captain said, "It seems that the destroyer needs to strengthen its training. This will not be a good thing!"

Dönitz turned his head and smiled at me with a cigarette in his mouth: "Didn't I tell you that I believe in my boys? They fought very hard for the opportunity."

The captain's poker-faced face twitched when he heard this, and I was thinking that this smile looked like he deserved a beating. If Bangtai was here, would he punch him? I think it's very likely...

ps: First of all, thank you to the boss lady for popularizing submarine tactics, otherwise I would never be able to write it! Then I recommend a novel "The World View of the Sea Fog Ship Girl", the author is a girl~ Finally, please vote for recommendation! !

Chapter 56: Destroyer-Submarine (II)

What happened next was exactly as expected...

Z10's hasty evasion did not avoid U99's double salvos, although U99 deliberately set the torpedo depth to 0 in order to let the destroyer find the surfacing torpedoes as soon as possible, so as to scare the destroyer fleet into adjusting its formation and create opportunities for other U-boats. However, it was almost dusk, and Z10 only had a few hundred meters left when it found the torpedoes. Even if the destroyer desperately turned, it could not avoid the torpedo fired by the first submarine ace of World War II (later) at a distance of 3000 meters.

A training torpedo without explosives hit the middle of Z10, making a crisp sound of impact, and the swelling of Z10 suddenly dented a little. Everyone on the bridge heard the crisp sound very clearly, and the captain of Z10 immediately turned very ugly. This small-tonnage warship was basically reduced to slag after being hit by a torpedo, and it was in the swelling. If the ship sank after being cut off, no one would be able to escape. If it was in wartime, it is estimated that there would be no survivors on Z10 by now.

I have the urge to hold my forehead. I lost a battleship at the beginning. What the hell...

"General, Z10 was hit by a torpedo and sank!" The referee team on my bridge quickly came up to report.

"I understand." The captain nodded with a grim expression. After all, the destroyer fleet was his former place. No one would be happy to see such a record.

"Not bad," Doenitz said with a smile after hearing this, "I guess those two torpedoes were not really meant to hit the target, they just wanted to disrupt the formation. Who knew that Z10 had such bad luck, hahahaha."

General Dönitz...is it really okay for you to gloat over other people's misfortunes?

I looked at him with some dismay, even though what he said was absolutely correct. In my perception, the captain of the U-boat was almost laughing - after he saw the destroyer being hit hard and spewing out smoke indicating its elimination.