Chapter 3: The Naval Battle in the Fog (4)

  The otaku had a dream, a long and drawn-out nightmare. In the dream, there were the sobs of his past-life little girlfriend, Catherine's melancholy and sorrow, and the mistaken love for Annie that lasted a lifetime. There was also the dignified teachings of Principal Lao Lai, the ruthless suppression by Tirpitz, the persuasion of his bosom friends Owen and Reder, as well as the peak of triumph in 1898 and the desperate end of the road in the cold winter of 1912. In the dream, there was also his mother Hester's final warning before her death, his father Frasi's apology to his son, and his daughter Evie's playful laughter while building sandcastles on the beach.

  Suddenly, the sound of cannons boomed in her ears, even the glass windows were shaking, countless people were running and shouting near the beach, Eve turned around, covering her delicate and lovely ears with her small face, blood seeping out from between her fingers, recklessly dyeing her snow-white long dress red.

  "No! Avril!" King Haitai lifted his head from the pile of marine charts on his desk, his forehead covered in cold sweat, still shaken. "Fortunately, it was just a nightmare... but... the cannon fire seemed real!"

  The door to the office burst open and Captains Lauren and Schiller rushed in, panting and pointing northwest, exclaiming in unison: "Headquarters, the British are attacking!"

  "What the f***!" Years of military experience allowed Wang Haitian to calm down instantly, he cursed and grabbed his uniform coat, walking towards the office door while asking his staff about the specific situation.

  Three British submarines took advantage of the night to cross our blockade line and lurk in the northwest sea area of Heligoland Island. They fired at the high ground on the northwest coast of Heligoland Island, and a logistics warehouse was hit, with losses still being counted.

  Wang Haite's calm and composed demeanor as a general soothed Lieutenant Lauren's panicked heart. As a staff officer, he picked up some important information and introduced it: "The coastal artillery unit on Heligoland Island fired back, but unfortunately, the visibility was poor, and none of them hit their targets. The three British submarines have already retreated in a northwest direction, and Colonel Miklang, captain of the Cologne, has led the Cologne and four destroyers from the second squadron of the First Sea Patrol to pursue them..."

  "Who let them chase after us?!" Just as Wang Haitian was about to step into the command center, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. His sharp gaze swept across the pale faces of the young staff officers in the command center, and he furiously exclaimed: "Luring the enemy in deep, can't you see such an obvious trap?!"

  Captain Laurence's face turned red instantly, stuttering and unsure of what to say. Wang Haitian knew that now was not the time to pursue responsibility, he glared at Laurence fiercely, and countless orders poured out: "Lieutenant Hille, order: Report to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ocean Fleet, a British raiding fleet has been discovered in the northwest waters of Heligoland Island, the number is unknown. The second squadron of our first sea patrol fleet has engaged with enemy ships, casualties are unclear; Send a telegram to General Hipper's First Reconnaissance Fleet, abandon Plan A and implement the backup plan, our defense command strives to entangle the enemy; Send a telegram to General Blücher-Mas' Second Reconnaissance Fleet, the Heligoland Bay Defense Command requests support from the second cruiser squadron."

  Second Lieutenant Hille hastened to the telegraph room, while Wang Haitie gave a few people a bandit-like nod and waved his hand magnanimously: "To the dock!"

  At 6:23, the four destroyers of the First Sea Patrol Squadron had just returned to port under the cover of the light cruiser Kolberg, their boilers still not fully extinguished, when they heard the sound of gunfire coming from the high ground on the coast. Major Mickl asked for the opinion of the duty officer at headquarters and decided to launch a swift attack, aiming to annihilate the three audacious submarines.

  At 6:29, K?ln and the four destroyers of the Second Flotilla put to sea again, forming a search line in Heligoland Bight. The ships steamed towards the three fleeing submarines with great haste. Just as it seemed that the pursuing force was about to overtake the British E-class submarines running on the surface, the British boats suddenly dived and the pursuit force had to abandon its mission after searching aimlessly in thick fog for a while.

  At 6:49, Commodore William Goodenough's scouting force of the light cruiser HMS Undaunted and the 2nd and 3rd Destroyer Flotillas, comprising 22 destroyers, emerged from the mist.

  Miklós realized they had fallen into a British ambush, and he sent a distress signal to the Hvar Command while ordering his ships to retreat. However, the way back was also blocked, as Captain Jones led the Explorer, a light cruiser, and 10 destroyers of the 1st Destroyer Squadron from the direction of Hvar Island, cutting off the pursuing fleet. The prey suddenly transformed into a large group of hunters, while the pursuing fleet became a fleeing fleet, performing a life-and-death high-speed chase in the dense fog and morning twilight of Hvar Bay.

  A small-scale artillery battle began, facing the British with a forest of guns, Commander Miklós was fearless, leading his cruiser Koln from a diagonal direction to charge out, sacrificing himself to save the world in front of the weakly armored destroyer, trying to cover the second squadron's breakout.

  The prey was finally on the hook, and the British were not about to let go. Colonel William-Browne shouted loudly as he rallied his troops to surround and attack the retreating German fleet. The 76mm and 47mm shells from the latest L-type destroyers and the old D-type destroyers rained down like a torrential downpour in Kiel in June, pouring down on the second squadron. G-192 and G-193 were instantly turned into sieves by the British, with G-192's 600-ton steel hull almost completely engulfed in flames; G-193 was hit by a 76mm shell that tore open a hole over three meters long, and as seawater poured in, it began to list.

  On one side, the British destroyer flotilla was beating up on the weak second scouting group. On the other side, the British Fearless and Adventure scout cruisers were in a duel with the German cruiser Kolberg. The result was unexpected: the Fearless and Adventure were old third-class scout cruisers launched in 1904, with a full load displacement of less than 3,000 tons and main guns of only 76mm. In contrast, the Kolberg belonged to the Kolberg class of cruisers, with a full load displacement of 4,400 tons and main guns of 105mm. Its firepower was strong and it had the traditional German style of armament - defensive capabilities were first-rate. The Kolberg quickly sent the British cruisers fleeing in defeat.

  At 7:32, on the dock of Heligoland Island, the Mainz light cruiser, which was on standby for battle, had half of its boilers lit and was ready to depart at any time. The Strasbourg, Stettin light cruisers and the first squadron of the First and Fourth Destroyer Flotillas with 8 destroyers, as well as the Third Torpedo Boat Squadron of the Second Scouting Group with 5 torpedo boats had also begun to raise steam in their boilers urgently. Commander Heide on board the Mainz light cruiser was inwardly burning with anxiety but outwardly calm and patient, waiting for the supporting fleet to assemble.

  Since the appointment of Admiral Hipper as commander of the defense circle of Jade Bay and his determination to build an offensive defense circle, the British had anticipated a cruel and bloody revenge. Admiral Hipper had built the Jade Bay defense circle into a fortress, leaving only one beautiful loophole, hoping that the British would take the initiative to attack. Considering the possible risks, he borrowed a light cruiser squadron from the Second Reconnaissance Fleet, strongly urging Admiral Hipper and his First Reconnaissance Fleet to sail out of Jade River to guard Jade Bay, in order to strengthen his bargaining chips.

  Wang Haitie did not underestimate the strength of the British, but he clearly overestimated his own advantages. A thick fog and Lieutenant Colonel Lauren's recklessness disrupted all his plans. Now the second squadron of the First Sea Patrol Fleet and the cruiser Koln are surrounded by the British, and the troops deployed on the surface by the British must be more than that. Aircraft and seaplanes are almost useless in this weather, and submarines, known as underwater killers, are not suitable for group battles. The only hope is that Admiral Hipper's battlecruiser and Lieutenant General Richter-Mas' second scouting fleet can take decisive action.

  "Commander, the military situation is urgent. We can't just keep waiting like this. Why don't we prepare one ship and send it out?" suggested Lieutenant Schiller in a low voice.

  "Fool!" Wang Haitian, the otaku king, cursed without courtesy and explained impatiently: "The British are obviously going to eat my He Wan defense circle. Rather than adopting a tactic of adding oil to the fire and then being defeated one by one, it's better to concentrate our main force and fight a decisive battle with our backs to the water. At least we can drag it out until the main force of the Great Ocean Fleet arrives!"

  "Commander, except for the V-117 strike ship, the support fleet has assembled!" The captain of the Mainz cruiser rushed in.

  The captain's words had barely fallen when the deputy commander of the Mainz rushed in with red eyes and said painfully: "Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel Mittelrand has sent a telegram... G-193 has been killed in battle, Captain Frank Belli sank with the ship!"

  Wang Haitie's fist, which was inserted into his pocket, unconsciously clenched tightly, with such great force that it seemed to be on the verge of **. He took a deep breath and shouted with all his might: "Raise the flag, set sail!"

  ****

  "Your Majesty, an urgent telegram from the Navy Department!" The Emperor's adjutant burst in, forcibly interrupting the Army's situation analysis meeting being held at Sch?nbrunn Palace. "The British fleet has shamelessly launched a surprise attack on our Heligoland Island, and Colonel Heidekamp has already led all the warships of the Heligoland Command into battle!"

  August 4, the Imperial Army crossed the Belgian border. By August 9, all of Belgium had fallen and French forces in Belgium were driven back into France. On August 21, the Imperial Army advanced on northern France in five columns, routing the French. The Emperor's military advisors and officers from the General Staff thronged to the palace to brief the buoyant Emperor on the situation on the ground.

  "What?! Wilhelm, who had just been rejoicing at the iron-blooded German army's rainbow-like offensive, changed color and stood up involuntarily, tightly grasping the edge of the sand table as if to issue an order at any moment.

  "Notify General Ingénieur, without My command, the Great Ocean Fleet is not allowed to set sail!"

  "Your Majesty, the telegram says that Admiral Hipper's First Scouting Group has departed. To ensure absolute safety, he has mobilized the 1st and 2nd Battleship Squadrons of the High Seas Fleet to participate in the battle. The arrow is on the string and cannot help but be released!" The adjutant replied with a rhythmic tone.

  "Who gave the order?!" The self-proclaimed protector of humanity, Kaiser Wilhelm, was so enraged by a telegram from the Navy Department that he shook all over, his face dark with fury.

  "It is... it is Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz, Minister of the Imperial Navy!"

  ****

  On the morning of 23 August 1914, Admiral Jellicoe returned to Scapa Flow with the Grand Fleet's First Battle Squadron after a North Sea sweep. Dusty from his journey, Admiral Jellicoe immediately sensed that something was amiss as he failed to see the main body of Admiral David Beatty's First Battle Cruiser Squadron.

  "What's going on here?" Jellico asked, his voice tinged with annoyance, as he turned to his chief of staff, Brigadier General Charles Madden.

  As commander-in-chief of the Grand Fleet, Jellicoe felt his authority had been grossly insulted by his subordinate's unauthorized departure.

  "On August 20, the First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the First Sea Lord Fisher and the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Frederick Sturdee drafted a plan to raid Heligoland Bight and destroy the German High Seas Fleet. The Harwich Force and the First Cruiser Squadron were to be the main striking force, supported by Vice-Admiral David Beatty's First Battlecruiser Squadron."

  "This kid! Since the Navy Department has decided to execute a surprise attack plan, and most of the troops are light warships, how can I stop him from attacking just because of personal grievances?!" Jellico was speechless with David Beatty's cleverness, and didn't think the situation was that serious. But when Admiral Jellico saw the rough and unbelievable surprise attack plan from the Navy Department, this old general who had been drifting at sea for decades was shocked, and his momentary stunned expression froze.

  "Impossible, Churchill is a civilian, he doesn't understand military tactics, that's okay. But facing the criticism of the people and the newspapers, Frederick Sturdee was anxious to keep his precarious position as First Sea Lord and was flustered, I can understand that. But how could the experienced Admiral Fisher possibly agree to this simple, crude and full-of-loopholes plan? This is not a joke with the Grand Fleet!"

  "General... Field Marshal Fevsi has resigned..."

  The grudges of the previous generation were resolved after this naval battle, and the fate of this generation's otaku and Betty... Haha... I have something to do on the weekend, so I need to stockpile drafts for the next few days. It's unlikely that I'll be able to update twice, but I'll try my best to write 4,000 words per update, so as not to disappoint everyone. As always, please collect and recommend votes, by the way, Xia Yu is too pitiful!