Chapter 438： Start action two (1/2)
The length of the strait is about 200 kilometers. If the warship has traveled at the highest speed, it will take about 6 to 7 hours. Considering that you are unlikely to walk in a straight line, it takes one night to pass through the strait. One of the very important reasons for choosing to enter this area in the evening is to allow Italian reconnaissance ships to discover this warship!
Only by discovering it can it attract the Italian fleet, and relying on the superior speed of this warship, there is no problem in running away. Of course, there are no weapons on this ship. But don’t worry about being attacked by the Italians. On the one hand, you can’t catch up. On the other hand, even if the boat can catch up, would you dare to hit the muzzle of a 10,000-ton cruiser?
What if you are surrounded by each other? That's okay. The decoy ship has received an order before it leaves. If it can't escape, it can show its identity and remove its disguise. Anyway, this ship does not have any weapons. It is sailing on the high seas. You are mistaken. Can you blame the Germans? Coupled with the German squadron that is terrifying in the Atlantic, the Italians will make the right choice!
It is necessary to ask if there are any fatal flaws in this plan. For example, what if the Italians did not see the decoy boats? For example, what if the Italians were to mine in the Strait of Messina? If the fleet enters the Mediterranean, mines should not be laid in the Strait of Messina, because this is also a very important transportation route for Italy. If you sail at night, there are no markers, even if there is a Brayto, what if you hit it?
Moreover, the Strait of Messina has a characteristic. Its current movement is very intense. Let alone throwing a pile of drifting mines and not knowing where it went, it is hard to say what will happen even if anchor mines are thrown. It is difficult for Germans to do minework in this strait, but it is also difficult for Italy to do! Mines were planted before dark, and the minefields didn’t know where they went after dawn. It’s scary to think about it!
Fortunately, so far, the Italian navy has not laid mines in this area. How do you ask the Germans to know? The reason is simple. In the past half month, a German disguised reconnaissance ship flying the Norwegian flag has traveled the Strait of Messina 7 times!
This camouflage ship is a ship that normally runs the Mediterranean route. It was doing serious business even a month ago. The only change is that a group of three Germans disguised as a crew member to board the ship, with a new contact code, use this The ship’s radio makes contact. The cargo is still in the cabin. Even if Italy comes up to check, just hide a cipher book that weighs no more than 300 grams!
Generally speaking, even after mine-laying, in order to ensure the normal navigation of the channel, a pilot or guide ship will be arranged for civil ships to guide the neutral state ship through the minefield. Therefore, if the Italians really mine mines during the time when the German fleet is heading south, then let this German camouflage reconnaissance ship with a Norwegian construction schedule take the Schell fleet through the minefield with the help of the Italian guide ship. It was getting late anyway, and Italy could not see that this ship was a battleship.
”What do you think of this plan? I have always wondered why you only got half of the plan? You just got along with how to send Scheer in, but didn't make the next battle plan.” Came to Vienna as a representative of the Kaiser. Asked Herbert.
”Do you think that a person sitting in the court will understand the situation better than those on the front line? Once the battle begins, the battlefield is over instantly, and it is impossible to rely on rear instructions to act. If a commander can't respond to various emergencies In the event of an incident, then he is not a qualified officer.”
”And I also want to see what Scheer can achieve with this opportunity! This is a test, but it is also an opportunity. I think the Kaiser also meant this. We need a capable and determined fleet commander. Hipper and Earl Spey have led the team independently, this time we will look at Scheer's level.”