Chapter 1682： South Indian Ocean One (1/2)
Chapter 1682 Southern Indian Ocean (1)
The Japanese strategy played a part. Before the German fleet departed, the Americans had another news that a group of Japanese transport ships was going to India. For this fleet, the Germans naturally did not care. Two camouflaged cruisers and four submarines were sent out for interception, which indeed weakened Germany’s ability to intercept southward. However, in the opinion of Major General Rodhart, after an aircraft carrier, the German fleet’s reconnaissance capabilities were stronger than before. In terms of combat effectiveness, as long as there are two fast battleships, it is the same with or without auxiliary cruisers. Therefore, after Earl Su Xiong agreed to attack the Japanese fleet as the main force, he did not mind the opponent's order to divide the forces.
As a result, three days after the Japanese fleet sailed to the Horn of Africa, the German fleet also sailed out of the Persian Gulf under the cover of night, towards the preset battlefield east of Madagascar. Before the departure of Earl Su Xiong, 3 submarines and 2 camouflaged cruisers had already set off 2 days in advance, and they would patrol near routes that the Japanese might sail. Eight days after the Japanese fleet left Sumatra, the world's first battle with carrier-based aircraft as the main attack force kicked off! Because this naval battle broke out in the southern Indian Ocean, it is also called the Battle of the Southern Indian Ocean.
”Your Excellency Commander, the seaplane we just came back from the investigation has sent information. There is a ship flying the Argentine flag 80 kilometers north of our fleet. It has been circling nearby. This should be a high-speed ship. The pilot claimed that the ship had ran at a speed of about 14 knots. And the displacement was around 6000 tons.” When Hyakutake Saburo was enjoying an English lunch, the news made him no idea to eat.
”80 kilometers? This distance is a bit uncomfortable.” Hyakutake Saburo walked to the chart and frowned when he looked at the position of the ship just marked on it. 80 kilometers, which is more than 40 nautical miles, considering the ship. Your own speed, if you let the Tianlong go up and chase, you will waste a lot of time. If you can be sure that this is a German camouflage cruiser, it’s better to say, if you can’t be sure, then the fuel lost by the Tianlong can be It hurts him a little bit. Although this new cruiser claims to be no problem with running more than 30 knots, this is not suitable for fuel shortages!
”Send another seaplane to have a look, this time a seaplane equipped with radio communication equipment.” Hyakutake Saburo emphasized. To be on the safe side, the Japanese decided to continue to monitor the ship instead of directly expelling or attacking it. On the one hand, it was because the opponent was too far away. On the other hand, he felt that even if the ship was really a German cruiser in disguise. At this distance, it is impossible for them to find the Japanese fleet! Unless, this ship carried a seaplane. And this last point is also something Hyakutake Saburo is uncertain about.
Seaplanes are easy to carry. In this era, as long as you have a crane on your ship, you can easily retract the seaplane. According to intelligence, the Germans also carried seaplanes on their camouflaged cruisers. (Also in history, this German attack ship with planes was called the Wolf, and the small plane on it was also called Coyote.) So, Hyakutake Saburo decided to follow up and see if he found that they were carrying a seaplane. , Then let the cruiser Tianlong or the seaplane kill the ship!
Yes, the Japanese also equipped the seaplane with some weapons, such as 50KG bombs and machine guns. Although these things are incomparable with those of Britain and Germany, they are still a bit lethal for civilian ships and submarines. of.
”Order the fleet, change the course, let's go south.” Hyakutake Saburo thought for a while, and half an hour later, another two-seater seaplane took off. It flew in the direction of the suspicious ship just now, and a few minutes later, Katori also released a seaplane and continued to patrol near the fleet. Looking at these eyes in the sky, Hyakutake Saburo was relieved.
”Head, we seem to be being watched!” At the lookout post of the German auxiliary cruiser Swordfish, a watchman lowered his binoculars and shouted to the colleague below.
”Three o'clock, close to the sea! Something!” An officer on duty looked along the line of defense pointed by his colleagues. On the blue sea, something was moving fast on the sea.