bookpub Chapter 137 The Russians Run Away (Second Update, Please Subscribe!)
Chapter 137 The Russians Run Away (Second Update, Please Subscribe!)
On the night of February 6, 1804 AD.
Battleships one after another left the Sasebo Naval Port and sailed into the vast sea.
These warships can be called the entire strength of the combined fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy.
Two 'Fuji-class' battleships, four 'Shikishima-class' battleships, two 'Asama-class' armored cruisers, 'Yakumo' armored cruisers, 'Azuma' armored cruisers, two 'Izumo-class' armored cruisers The cruiser and two "Kasuga-class" armored cruisers constitute the core combat power of the combined fleet.
On the periphery, there are 17 protected cruisers and 23 destroyers.
It can be said that this time, the Oriental Imperial Navy has come out in full force. If they fail in this battle, or if they suffer heavy losses. Then, the investment of the Eastern Empire over the years will be in vain.
This is undoubtedly absolutely unacceptable to the Eastern Empire.
Therefore, the combined fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy almost embraced the next war with the determination to succeed or succeed.
On the battleship Mikasa, the flagship of the United Fleet, Lieutenant General Togo Heihachiro, the commander of the United Fleet, was in a great mood.
Ten years ago, General Yuhiro Ito, the first commander of the United Fleet, led the United Fleet to defeat the Qing Empire Navy, laying the foundation for the rise of the Eastern Empire. But this time, he will lead the combined fleet to defeat the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy in one fell swoop, making the Eastern Empire successfully rank among the world powers. And, it will also become one of the most powerful navies in the world.
If he can do all this, his future will be bright. Not to mention the admiral, even the admiral of the navy is also at your fingertips.
Therefore, whether it is for oneself or for the Eastern Empire. The combined fleet must win this battle.
"Your Excellency, Commander, all formations are ready. It is estimated that we will be able to arrive at Lushun Naval Port early in the morning the day after tomorrow." Chief of Staff of the United Fleet, Chief of Staff Hayao Shimamura reported.
Lieutenant General Togo Heihachiro nodded: "Let everyone take a good rest. Once the war starts, we have no time to rest. Unless we defeat the Russians. Or, die in the war."
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander!" replied Colonel Hayao Shimamura.
The six battleships of the combined fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy were divided into two battleship formations, that is, two "Fuji-class" battleships and the "Shikishima" battleship to form the first battleship squadron. The remaining three "Shikishima-class" battleships will form the second division of battleships. Among them, the battleship Mikasa served as the flagship of the combined fleet.
Eight armored cruisers also formed two armored cruiser detachments, that is, two "Asama-class" armored cruisers, together with the "Yakumo" armored cruiser and the "Azuma" armored cruiser, formed the first armored cruiser detachment. Two 'Izumo-class' armored cruisers and two 'Kasuga-class' armored cruisers form the second squadron of armored cruisers.
The 17 protected cruisers formed three protected cruiser squadrons. Among them, those cruisers built after the Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War formed the first squadron of protected cruisers. The protected cruisers built before the Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War formed the second and third divisions of the protected cruisers.
24 destroyers also form three destroyer squadrons. Six "Lei-class" destroyers and two "Akatsuki-class" destroyers formed the first destroyer squadron. Six "Dongyun-class 1" destroyers and two "Baiyun-class" destroyers form the second destroyer squadron. Seven "Chunyu-class" destroyers form the third destroyer squadron.
The huge United Fleet rushed towards Lushun Military Port. Want to block the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy in the military port. If the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Empire Navy dared to go to sea to fight, it would be the best, and they would destroy these warships of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Empire Navy in one fell swoop.
Of course, the United Fleet does not want to feel the cold coastal firepower.
This space-time Lushun Fortress has further strengthened its shore defense capabilities. Even if the United Fleet is strong and powerful, it is undoubtedly very uneconomical to fight against shore firepower. If any warship is damaged or even sunk, it will be very detrimental to the ensuing battle.
After all, in the eyes of the top executives of the United Fleet, their biggest enemy is the main fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy that came all the way from Europe.
Before defeating the main fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy, the combined fleet cannot suffer too much loss. Otherwise, he = this will add a lot of variables to the next battle.
They also counted on the army to launch an attack on Lushun Fortress from land and conquer Lushun Fortress in one fell swoop. In this way, they will be able to easily destroy the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy and take down the Lushun Fortress under the situation of sea and land attack.
On the side of the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy, Lieutenant General Alekseyev [Ten Heavy] attaches great importance to the movement of the combined fleet.
In the early morning of February 7, when the intelligence personnel of the Tsarist Empire discovered that the combined fleet had left the Sasebo Naval Port, they immediately reported the news by radio.
Lieutenant General Alexeyev was shocked when he heard the news.
`々Damn Orientals, they must have come for us. Do they want to declare war on us just like they did against the Qing Empire? Order the first and second divisions of the fleet to immediately enter a state of combat readiness. Among them, the 1st unit will proceed as planned!" Lieutenant General Alekseev ordered.
"Yes, Your Excellency!" replied an admiral of the Pacific Fleet.
Immediately, the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy immediately took action.
The entire Lushun Fortress has entered the highest state of combat readiness. All coastal defense batteries have all entered the battle stage.
One after another, warships have also begun to boil water, ready to launch operations.
Lieutenant General Alexeyev (Li Wangzhao) summoned Rear Admiral Wovidski, chief of staff of the Pacific Fleet.
"Your Excellency Chief of Staff, according to the order of His Majesty the Tsar, I will be stationed at Lushun Fortress. Therefore, the task of leading the 1st Squadron south to the Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base is entrusted to you. You will immediately lead the fleet south and keep the radio silent throughout the journey. It can be discovered by the Orientals." Lieutenant General Alekseev looked serious.
He is very clear that with the strength of the Pacific Fleet, once it is blocked by the combined fleet of the Orientals, it will definitely be a dead end.
Before the main fleet arrived from Europe, they simply did not have the strength to deal with the United Fleet.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander. I'll leave it to you for the fortress!" Major General Wovidsky didn't have any extra words, and after saluting Lieutenant General Alexeyev, he turned and left.
Soon, the 1st Squadron of the Pacific Fleet left Lushun Fortress and headed south quickly. .