The two high-speed cruise ships suddenly appeared on the sea, causing the entire landing group to panic like a hair-fried. The sailing hand on the three-masted sailboat climbed the tall mainsail like a monkey amid the captain's screams. The other sailors swayed the winch hard and quickly adjusted the direction of the mainsail.

On the blue sea, the white trails plowed by more than twenty large sailboats immediately became scattered, like a group of frightened sheep, and the harsh alarm bells rang across the sea.

According to the command

The five sail warships on the left wing quickly adjusted the sail cables. The main sail was filled with the sea breeze and sailed towards the two enemy ships, and pierced from the left side of the entire regiment to face the enemy ships.

The brigade, led by the cruiser "Seven Provinces", deviated to the right and tried to break off contact as soon as possible.

This was an unexpected encounter at sea. The Royal Dutch Task Force showed a sophisticated and steady style, focusing on protecting the safety of landing troops and not fighting.

In the left wing confrontation fleet, the two-layer gun doors of all five sail warships were opened. The gunners loosened the cables that fixed the guns as quickly as possible, cleaned the barrels, filled the shells into the barrels, and prepared for the upcoming naval artillery battle.

The two sides came towards each other, and the distance between the two was quickly shortened.

From about seven to eight nautical miles when the enemy was discovered, it was soon shortened to about 4 nautical miles. The sail fleet on the left that was facing the attack raised the battle flag and turned in turn under the leadership of the first ship, drawing five beautiful snow-white trails on the sea surface.

The skilled sail warship control techniques are as accurate as textbooks. This is the profound foundation left by the Netherlands for hundreds of years of manipulating sail warships. It looks simple and the difficulty is as high as the sky.

In this era when the enemy is found to be based on their eyes and contacting friendly ships and shouting, the five warships can make uniform and precise queues on the sea. From the captain, helmsman to all sailors, they must be prepared in advance, and cooperate as precise as gears and as natural as flowing water.

Five sailing warships form a powerful fist to face the enemy, rather than spreading five fingers to hit them.

"Perfect, as smooth and natural as Mozart's piano music, composes wonderful movements on the sea." Colonel Van Basten stood in the cruiser's seven provinces and admired this scene through the glass porthole, unable to help but express his sincere praise.

He had recovered his calmness, picked up the white towel handed over by Navigation, wiped the remaining soap bubbles on his face, revealing his chin that was only half scratched, which looked a little ridiculous.

"Have you discovered the enemy ship?" Lieutenant General Jan Kok Burkov, commander of the Royal Dutch Navy Task Force, pushed open the hatch door and walked in. He wore the dazzling golden badges and belts on his white uniform neatly.

This was completely redundant, but Colonel Van Basten still had to answer respectfully; "Yes, Commander, the fleet suddenly encountered two small bugs in trouble ahead. The left escort sail fleet has taken the lead in fighting, and the joint fleet is turning to the right front to avoid harassment from the enemy ships."

"Well, it's a good deal."

Lieutenant General Jan Cork Bourhoff picked up the binoculars on the console and came to his eyes, carefully observing the situation on the sea.

Suddenly, he said "Huh" in surprise...

On the blue sea

The sail fleet on the left facing the attack formed a column on the sea surface, aiming the side of the side at the enemy ships, and taking the lead in firing fire at a distance of 3.5 nautical miles, making a series of deafening sounds of cannons.

Countless fire balls flashed by, and gunpowder filled with smoke.

The shells fired smashed dozens of water columns on the sea, stirring the originally calm sea like a boiling water pot, churning endlessly.

The closest shell was only more than 80 feet away. It was lucky enough to shoot a close-arrow bomb effect. This round of shooting can be said to be excellent, showing the superb skills of the Dutch gunner.

Limited by the times

The artillery battle on the undulating sea surface not only requires precise artillery skills, but also requires a great component of luck.

Fleets often increase hit rate by covering artillery bombardment. It is normal for more than a dozen rounds of volleys to fail to hit near-arrow bombs.

Once a near-arrow bomb is fired, the fleet's artillery fire can hit the enemy ships by adjusting the aim of this area, and after several rounds of artillery fire, it can always hit the enemy ships.

If the sailing warship is equipped with a large caliber main gun above 300 mm, this round of near-missile missiles alone can cause considerable damage to the enemy ship. After the explosion, the strong water pressure can squeeze and deform the steel plate of the hull under the sea of ​​the patrol ship less than 1,000 tons, and even break or enter water.

Unfortunately, the new German breech guns that were replaced by sail warships have a maximum caliber of the lower gun deck, and the upper ones are only 120 mm and 95 mm.

So, only a small column of water was blown out.

The two high-speed patrol ships that came towards them rushed wildly in the thick sound of cannons. The waves smashed on the bow formed a large fog, with a speed of more than 22 knots, just like a cavalry galloping in the jungle, suddenly one point left and right.

On the sea surface that was stirred by the shells, a clear snow-white trail of the "Eight" shape appeared, which expanded almost instantly, rapidly elongating the "Eight" shape.

The high-speed cruise ship turned sharply and showed obvious sideways on the sea surface, which thickened the snow-white marks of the "Eight" shape several times.

The process description in the battle is complicated, but in fact, it is just something that happened in just a few minutes.

"Oh, damn it, what do they want to do?"

After being shocked, Lieutenant General Young Cork Burkov swears and looks forward with a telescope.

Standing aside, Colonel Van Basten couldn't help rolling his eyes, and he had the urge to curse.

Isn't this an obvious thing?

Two enemy patrol ships used the amazing high speed, one left and one right, bypassing the blocking left-wing five sail warships, rushing towards the ship like a hungry wolf, preparing to tear the slow and clumsy cargo sailboat to pieces.

Regardless of whether its fighting intention can be realized, the joint fleet must respond immediately, otherwise it will be too late.

Because the opponent's high-speed patrol ship was too fast, the left-wing sailing fleet soon lost its shooting angle and was about to be broken through...

In less than five minutes

The two patrol ships that rushed and turned at high speed on the sea had shortened the distance between the two sides to about two nautical miles, and broke through the left and right wings of the sailing fleet.

The sailing fleet had only time to launch two rounds of shells to cover it. The second round of shooting was outrageously off and had completely lost its shooting angle and was forced to turn with it.

The late 19th century

The main force in naval battle is the breech-fired main gun, which is rigid gun mount. Therefore, the angle that the muzzle can be adjusted left and right is very small, and it mainly depends on the adjustment of the hull heading. Only by facing the enemy from the side can all firepower be exerted.

The most important tactic of maritime tactics is the battle line;

Each lined up in a shape of a column and walked towards each other, forming two battle lines with completely opposite directions, with close-range artillery bombarding each other.

In naval battles, the large caliber and rate of fire of artillery are emphasized, and more intense firepower is poured out in the shortest time. This is also the origin of sails and steam iron armored battleships.

The two enemy high-speed cruisers were completely unreasonable, just like the receiver who broke through high speed in English rugby, rushing all the way to the rear for touchdowns.

Driving in the building

Colonel Van Basten couldn't help but remind him, "Your Excellency Commander, we must make correct and timely responses. Have you taken over the command?"

He was a little anxious inside;

Stop looking at it, look at the enemy's high-speed cruiser and rush in.

The situation on the battlefield changed rapidly, and the left-wing confrontation fleet could not keep up with the opponent's speed at all. Now it has completely lost the artillery shooting angle, and the beautiful formation is useless.

Sail warships can only fire from both sides of the ship. Once the enemy ship enters the front hemisphere or the rear hemisphere within 45 degrees, the shooting angle will be completely lost.

A single warship is better. It can quickly adjust the front spinnaker to adapt to the steering of the enemy ship, always aiming the gun door on the side at the enemy ship, and continuously covering and shooting.

The fleet lined up in a row is no longer possible, because the shooting angle of the warships on the side is completely silent. If they open fire, they will hit their own friendly ships. And each one is accurate, without any near-arrow bombs.

"God, these farmers who have just put down their hoes have no knightly demeanor. We give him a chance to fight fairly, and what are they doing?"

Lieutenant General Jan Cock Burkhoff pointed his finger forward in surprise, and looked at Colonel Van Basten with wide eyes, acting like a chattering woman.

"I have to remind you, Your Excellency Commander, that the enemy's high-speed patrol ship is about to break through the interception line, and the soft lower abdomen of the joint fleet will be exposed to the muzzle. Have you taken command?"

"Command, oh... no no, no, it is still under the command of Mr. Colonel. I believe you will crush these two little bugs to death. They are your prey." Lieutenant General Jan Cock Bulchoff flatly refused.

Colonel Van Basten clearly saw a hint of panic on his face. This incompetent and stupid senior noble officer was completely panicked and did not know how to deal with it.

As usual

Whether it is a small sampan or a steam iron armored battleship, the battleship where the fleet commander is located is a flagship, responsible for commanding the overall battle.

The squadron flagship is responsible for commanding the squadron's battle.

This high-ranking aristocratic bureaucrat is clearly shirking responsibility, which can be seen in any empire that has gone from strong to weak and corrupt.

The Ottoman Empire, the Qing Empire, the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Spain...

The leader is a stupid pig who is afraid of death. No matter how powerful the army is, it cannot exert its combat effectiveness.

The situation is critical and the situation on the sea changes instantly.

Colonel Van Basten forcibly suppressed his urge to curse, and did not bother to say anything, and immediately issued an order;

"Appoint the left-wing fleet to turn around and entangle the enemy ships, the combined fleet continues to turn 12 degrees to the right front, and order the right-wing fleet to protect the landing fleet from the battle, and the Seven Provinces and the Netherlands Giant face the enemy ships head-on."

The flag bearer on the Seven Provinces played flag words to the ships of the neighbors and drove at full speed to face the enemy ships. The tall chimneys emitted thick smoke to cover the sky, cutting the waves all the way.

The Netherlands Giant followed closely and tried to form a second interception line.

A more intense battle is about to break out.
Chapter completed!