I Became a Captain of the British Empire - Chapter 150



Lewis Faction (1)

“Directly under the fleet… What if?”

Admiral Field asked, frowning.

“Are you talking about the Mediterranean Fleet or the Home Fleet?”

“no. The fleet I envision is a little different concept.”

In front of the admiral’s tilting head, I continued my explanation.

“If you have to put it that way, you could say it’s a task force within the fleet. The only difference is that it is always organized.”

As expected, he tilted his head.

Originally, a fleet is an assembly of squadrons composed of a single type of ship. For example, a battleship squadron, cruiser squadron, destroyer squadron, etc. are gathered in a certain number to form a fleet.

This way, each ship type is grouped together to make it easier to manage. However, most of the main power fleets of the great powers during this period were oversized. It was difficult to mobilize unless it was a decisive battle.

Of course, everyone maintains this arrangement for a reason. Therefore, the way I proceed is very experimental and heterogeneous.

“It is to maintain individual maneuver forces (forces) such as H units and Z units at all times so that they can project naval power quickly at any time.”

An all-weather mobile unit that can strike quickly and accurately anywhere in the world. I would like to introduce the US Navy carrier strike group a little earlier.

Admiral Field, who had been quietly listening to the explanation with his mouth closed, chinned.

“Go on.”

“Until now, the Royal Navy has deployed a certain number of ships in each port or route to protect maritime traffic routes.”

Home Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet. Except for the two fleets with capital ships deployed, the Royal Navy’s bases and troops are deployed throughout the five oceans. It is the background from which the empire can project power all over the world.

“It’s a long tradition.”

“yes. It’s simple and direct. The effect is excellent. But this way is too expensive.”

Of course, it has the advantage of being able to operate smoothly around the world without a large-scale supply fleet. Even if you don’t have marine supplies, you can go to a nearby port and get supplies.

But, as I said before, it’s oversized.

“A direct escort can be the greatest force to protect the fleet. But the empire’s budget is limited.”

The world is changing.

The era of imperialism will reach its twilight in less than half a century. Right now, the back of the British Empire is also a yard that has been shaken to a large extent by this war.

This time, he managed to successfully counterattack the empire in a short battle, but he couldn’t repeat the same thing twice. In the end, it is necessary to take a proven method.

A method that has proven effective in original history.

“If we maintain individual maneuver forces at all times, we will have the deterrence of being able to quickly project our force into the ocean at any time.”

“What is the advantage compared to the current large fleet?”

Field Admiral with sparkling eyes.

I answered calmly.

“It costs less money, but you can enjoy a similar effect in normal times.”

“How?”

“Sometimes people are more afraid of having this power than the direct exercise of it.”

Admiral Fields drinking a cup of tea.

Those firm eyes were still staring at me.

“Even if the fleet doesn’t have to line up and fire, as long as there is a fleet that can put a knife under its chin at any time, it will have a more reliable deterrence.”

widely-

The sound of the glass being set down echoes quietly.

He took a deep breath and spoke again.

“Of course, the basic concept is not much different from the missions that battlecruiser squadrons have done so far. It just expanded its scope and capabilities.”

“how?”

“Through the aircraft carrier.”

It’s different now.

With the advent of carrier-based aircraft, the engagement distance of fleets has been extended beyond the horizon.

It is truly the ultimate out-of-range weapon.

“The engagement range of the maneuver fleet will be the same as the radius of the aircraft’s cruising range. You no longer need to maintain multiple ships to guard traffic routes in a radius of hundreds of miles. It also means that we can divert the power of our reconnaissance fleet to the other side.”

Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Perhaps this is the point I should emphasize. Let’s save money by depowering the scout fleet. In the end, the problem is money. Since a consensus has already been formed here, it is easy to persuade.

“If the reconnaissance fleet is dedicated to escorting the fleet instead, and the aircraft carriers are responsible for reconnaissance, strike, and pursuit, the fleet’s flexibility will be unparalleled. The Z Fleet has already proven it.”

In addition, practical experience provides an incomparable basis. The Z Fleet is a kind of prototype.

Admiral Fields, who had been quietly listening to the story, shrugged his shoulders and asked.

“A battlecruiser directly under the fleet means that you want to eventually build a battlecruiser mobile fleet?”

“It depends on where you look at the subject, but… .”

But from here on out, it can be a little, provocative story.

“I think this aircraft carrier will serve as the actual main force of the fleet.”

Confused eyes stared at me. Again, that wasn’t a very positive look.

But the admiral was not that flexible. He immediately shook his head and asked.

“hmm… Why do you think so?”

“I will be honest. How many times have the main guns of a battlecruiser fired in peacetime, when not in an all-out war?”

“Very few.”

“Yes, they are too strong. Also, the range of use of artillery fire is limited.”

If you get stabbed once, the next time you have to back off.

Objectively, battlecruisers are not useless. Their firepower is still strong. The only problem is that I can’t write at any time.

“Thus, an aircraft carrier with high versatility would be good to serve as the main force of the fleet.”

“Isn’t that an alternative?”

“At the heart of this fleet is coordination.”

He spoke with an exceptional accent.

“There is no class of ship that is not needed in the Task Force. Battlecruisers are in charge of bombardment and all-weather operations, aircraft carriers are in charge of reconnaissance, strike, and pursuit, and cruisers and destroyers are in charge of anti-submarine escort.”

The useless warships were culled immediately. All that’s left are the idiots.

And the Royal Navy must suck all this wealth down to the marrow. Even in order to prepare for the rough future ahead.

“The cooperation of all these ships in their respective duties will be key in future naval warfare. It is my opinion that battleships are only a component of this fleet.”

Oops, is this going too far?

Looking at the admiral’s eyes, he hurriedly continued.

“It’s a little bit big, but that’s it.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Fortunately, it seems to have been taken as a joke.

Admiral Fields leaned back in his chair and gave a comfortable smile.

It doesn’t seem like a negative reaction.

“Okay, 5th Naval Police. I know what you think.”

The admiral tapped the chair with his fingers. But soon, his sharp eyes twinkle.

“But there is a problem.”

While crouching, he continued to ask.

“What are you going to do by telling me about that?”

“… yes?”

What do you mean? The purpose should be clear. Churchill and Admiral Beatty, who borrowed a hand earlier, have their limits. Churchill is first of all a civilian and has a dirty personality. Admiral Beatty is a legend, but now retired.

However, Admiral Fields, the 1st Navy Police, is a comrade with Beatty, and at the same time is still on the job. In other words, the final boss of the battleship faction. So the meaning is clear… .

“Do you want to ingratiate yourself with this irregular report?”

“No, it’s not like that. I was just curious about the Admiral’s opinion.”

“What are you going to do by persuading me? Admiral of the Royal Navy is not alone.”

“It goes slowly… .”

Admiral Fields, who threw up his hand to stop his words, wrinkled his face unexpectedly.

“If you’re going to do it, you have to do it right. You can’t do it this way, Louis.”

Is it black?

He closed the papers again and quietly clasped his hands together and leaned over. A shadow covered the table.

As we held our breath at the gloomy results, the admiral immediately continued.

“Please submit the agenda at the next regular report.”

“… yes?”

“If you’re going to do it, go for a showdown.”

It seems to be going in the wrong direction.

Why did this result come out? I was forced into a decisive battle that I didn’t even want to do. I think it’s still too early for a fleet showdown.

The position of the air wave is just about to be established. Damn, I’m in such a hurry.

“I’ll try to watch it again then. Good luck, Admiral.”

As if he had no idea about my complex situation, the admiral quietly sipped his teacup.

* * *

Naval Headquarters, Oval Office.

As befits the office of the 5th Naval Police Officer, I held my head in a room with a wall mural of a biplane.

“It’s already a head-to-head match with the battleship group… No, the situation is better than then… .”

Damn, things got messy. Originally, this was not the plan.

It slowly expands its position, and without anyone noticing, the Naval Aviation Corps is changing to occupy the main force… After all, there is no such thing as going your way in life.

“how will we do it… Should I borrow Cunningham’s hand?”

no He is also a traditional admiral who served as a battleship squadron commander.

Of course, Cunningham of the original history used the aircraft carrier in the Taranto air raid. But still, I am also anxious. Isn’t it only the early 30’s now?

“What’s the matter with you wrapping your hair like that, Admiral?”

Lieutenant Colonel Rich, who has brought a pile of papers, asks. Looking at the amount of work piled up like a mountain, I want to get rid of it already. Why did I get a pilot’s license… .

“I have to stick with the battleship admiral, but it’s not easy. An aircraft carrier has never single-handedly inflicted a fatal blow on an enemy fleet.”

“Why don’t you use the experience of Task Force Z as a weapon?”

“However, if we emphasize that battleships are not the main force, what will their eyes look like? I’m not going to take it that warmly.”

“Is it really necessary to say so?”

Lieutenant Colonel Leach blinks incredulously.

I shook my head and answered.

“This is an important matter, Rich. If done wrong, the carrier can be dragged into the operation of the battleship. It can’t be. Unless it’s a small aircraft carrier like the Furious, Arc Royal shouldn’t be driven like that.”

For example, building an aircraft carrier in front of a battleship. This was one of the mistakes made by the Japanese Navy during the Battle of Midway.

It is easy to see blood in this era if you use an aircraft carrier with weak defense power aggressively. Therefore, in general, the battleship must guard the carrier in front or escort it right next to it.

“The center of the aircraft carrier fleet must be the aircraft carrier. In order to do that, we need concessions from the battleship faction’s admiral’s camp… .”

It’s a question of whether or not you’ll welcome such a supporting role. At this time when the battleship is the main force of naval warfare, who will be satisfied with the role of bodyguard on the main ship?

Of course, there were few such problems in the Z Task Force. This is because the Furious itself only played a supporting role.

The main force of strike force was the battlecruiser.

But it’s different from now on. The size of Arc Royal’s air corps can handle the attack force of 2 Furious ships without difficulty. It is said that air operations are fundamentally changing. Then, the battlecruiser’s position also needs to be changed flexibly.

“Wouldn’t it be bad if we told our captains to focus on escorting the aircraft carrier?”

“You mean Colonel Torbay and Colonel Phillips? The two of you will obey the Admiral’s words.”

“Well, even if they are… .”

wait for a sec.

Shouldn’t it be like this?

“… Richie, you mean.”

“yes?”

I turned my head and looked at Lieutenant Colonel Rich.

The lieutenant colonel just blinks his eyes.

“Are you getting promoted soon?”

“yes… It is.”

Yes, the timing is right too.

“I have a good idea.”

If the perception of the existing captains is a problem,

“Hey, don’t you want to try captaining a capital ship?”

I just need to save my people.