1472 Encounter 1
Just as the German fleet was sailing towards the Port of Wallisos on Chios Island, a British fleet was also cruising in the nearby waters. A huge fleet of four British former dreadnought battleships, two cruisers and two destroyers was sailing towards the north. However, by chance, the two fleets were almost exactly heading towards each other. The Germans went from north to south, and the British went from south to north......
"The German fleet attacked Lesvos Island, and they were so brave." Major General Weisme, who was on the flagship Triomphe, said as he looked at the chart on the wall.
"Yes, when we were most willing, I gave it to us, but now the Germans should go back. The French main fleet was cruising near the island of Lesvos, and no trace of the German fleet was found." said an officer.
"Since the Germans have left, what's the point of mobilizing us? We can't catch up with the Germans." Another officer said with some complaints. In his opinion, the emergency dispatch tonight was completely a hindsight and had no effect.
"The order said that the British and French fleets would put pressure on the Allied fleets. At most, they would be to deploy a circle of mines outside the Dardanelles and then arrange some alert forces. We can't rush through the minefields and the straits and go to Constantinople to find trouble for the Allied fleets, right?" Major General Weissum paused and continued: "Of course, this cruise is necessary. After all, the French army suffered heavy losses, so we cannot remain indifferent. Even if we go through a formality, we must show our attitude. Otherwise, the French would not even have the courage to land in Turkey!"
Although Major General Weisme's words were a bit mean, it was indeed the case from a political perspective. Military, if the Germans returned, then all the fleet mobilizations were of no use. But from a political perspective, the French suffered losses this time, and the British had indirect responsibility. After all, the French fleet believed in the British's intelligence and neglected defense. If the British did not make any statement, it would be unreasonable.
The British and French navies did not analyze based on the character of Earl Spee that the Spee fleet would continue to fight in the Aegean Sea, but they still decided to mobilize the fleet. To some extent, it was also considered a blind cat encounter with a dead mouse? But what's even better coincidentally, the double-installed destroyer team almost found a clue!
The British fleet was also very careful when they walked. There was no way. The German main fleet appeared here, so what else could it be impossible? Moreover, in the distance, the British destroyers seemed to have discovered submarines, which made the entire British fleet feel a little pressure. The surface fleet and submarines of the Allies were dispatched at the same time. This was not a problem. Therefore, Major General Weissum decisively ordered the fleet to implement light control and began to take zigzag routes. This time the British were good, because in this way, the submarine cordons on the periphery could not capture the specific route of the British fleet. Not to mention the attack, they didn't know how to report the direction, so the Count did not receive an alarm from the submarine.
"Please indicate your identity." The British destroyer Garland suddenly found a vague shadow of the ship at 10 o'clock on its port side that had tried it from less than 2,000 meters away. The somewhat surprised British immediately sent a light signal to the other party and prepared to verify the other party's identity.
Of course, at the first moment, the British naval officers and soldiers on the Wreath did not expect that this was an Allied warship. After all, the German fleet seemed to be too sarcastic at home... So Wreath sent out a signal again. "Please indicate your identity!"
"Damn it! We seem to have been discovered?!" At the same time, the German destroyer S128 opposite the Wreath was the German destroyer. The other party appeared in the southeast direction of it, and he was using light signals that he didn't know. At this time, the other party's identity was about to emerge. Anyway, he was definitely not his own!
"Give them a signal and say we are merchant ships!" The captain of s128 ordered.
"Head, but we don't know the British signal." The signal officer said nervously.
"Then use clear code! Also, send a report and prepare for battle, and the enemy is in front of us!" The captain wiped the cold sweat on his head and said. So, a few seconds later, the Wreath finally found the other party's response, but this response obviously did not satisfy the British! At the same time, a short radio wave instantly spread throughout the Allied Mediterranean Fleet.
"Finally, we are here! Our enemy is here!" The Count looked at the flashing light spots not far away with a serious face. After receiving this telegram, the entire fleet command was quiet, because everyone knew the answer. No matter what, they had been exposed. There was an unknown enemy in front of them, just fight directly!
The destroyer troops gathered in the direction of discovering the enemy ship, while the battleships controlled their speed and hid themselves in the darkness. Both sides were like hunters hunting in the darkness. Whoever exposed themselves first would suffer the loss!
"Stop the ship immediately and accept the inspection!" The Wreath became more and more suspicious of the other party's identity because he had no idea of the identification signal within the agreement. However, until now, it still did not realize how terrifying a giant hidden in the darkness. The Wreath further approached the opponent and turned on the searchlight at a distance of about 1,500 meters! Under the light column, a figure more than 70 meters long appeared in front of the British!
"This seems to be a torpedo boat?!" According to the blurry shadow of the ship, the British discovered the other party's identity. However, at this moment, a series of shells flew out from the night, and another German destroyer, L85, took action first! Three 105mm rapid-fire cannons fired quickly. After a moment, the British destroyer was covered by fire and explosion!
"After an under attack!" The British destroyer team was also fan-shaped, so after the sudden fire exchange, the destroyers fought on their own. More than a dozen double-shot destroyers instantly formed a pot in this small sea area! The light columns of searchlights were flying on the sea surface, and countless flares and tracer bombs bloomed in the air! The roar of artillery and the violent explosions covered all the sounds on the battlefield, and the constantly jumping fire filled this sea area. In less than 6 minutes, the two sides sank a destroyer!
"We were attacked! Sir Fisher immediately telegram, we might have encountered the German main fleet!" The situation in front of us also surprised Weissm. After all, the Germans had no reason to simply send destroyers to fight. This thing could not even be defeated by ordinary army artillery. Is there a good use for coming up?! One of the biggest reasons why the Germans dared to fight like this is probably that there is a boss behind them!
Chapter completed!