Chapter 1509: Take the initiative to retreat (ask for a monthly ticket)
Chapter 1509: Take the initiative to retreat (ask for a monthly ticket)
?? "It hit, we hit the American battleship!" Seeing that one's own shell hit the target and exploded. The German sailors on the battleship Kaiser couldn't help cheering.
??But then they discovered that the "Montana-class" battleship of the US fleet was not injured at all, and continued to fire, which made everyone look stunned.
?? "General, the armor of the American 'Montana-class' battleships is too thick. It may be very difficult to penetrate their main armor." Major General Rudolph said.
??Lieutenant General Gerke nodded: "The 'Montana-class' battleship is the most powerful battleship of the Americans. The armor of several important parts is very strong, and it is very difficult to penetrate the opponent's armor!"
??In fact, the current capital ships adopt the design idea of ??focusing on defense. That is to say, focus on strengthening the defense of key parts, while other places can be ignored. In naval battles, as long as the key parts are not destroyed, even if the battleship is riddled with holes, it will not be sunk. Even, even the combat power will not suffer too much loss. The "Montana-class" battleship focuses on strengthening the turret, conning tower and side armor, making it have a very strong defense.
?? "General, what shall we do?" Major General Rudolph was a little frustrated. If there is no way to sink the opponent's battleship, then even if the German fleet has a numerical advantage, it may be difficult to take advantage of this naval battle.
?? "Persist a little longer and see if there will be a turnaround!" Lieutenant General Gerke said.
?? If it really doesn't work, Lieutenant General Gerke will not continue to persevere. After all, if the fight continues, it will be fearless casualties. Since one's own capital ship has nothing to do with the opponent, it can simply be handed over to shore-based aircraft and carrier-based aircraft. The aircraft's heavy aviation armor-piercing bombs and heavy aviation torpedoes will also pose a greater threat to the "Montana-class" battleships. As long as there are enough bombs and torpedoes, they will be sunk.
??In another time and space, the "Yamato-class" battleships of the island navy were all killed by American carrier-based aircraft. In this time and space, the German Navy can also use shore-based aircraft and carrier-based aircraft to kill the American "Montana-class" battleships.
??Major General Rudolph nodded, they all hoped that a miracle would happen.
?? "Boom! Boom!"
??The fierce battle continued, and the capital ships of the German Navy, relying on the advantage of the gun aiming radar, successively scored hits. But unfortunately, the defense of the 'Montana-class' battleship is very strong. Even if it is hit, the key parts have never been penetrated. This allows the US Navy's "Montana-class" battleships to still maintain a strong combat effectiveness.
?? Instead, the three "Iowa-class" battleships following the five "Montana-class" battleships were at a disadvantage in the battle. After all, although the 'Iowa-class' battleships are powerful, their defense is not as abnormal as the 'Montana-class' battleships. Especially the side armor is relatively weak, and the 380mm artillery shells of the German fleet can penetrate it as long as it hits.
?? "Boom!"
??A 410mm artillery shell fired from the U.S. Navy's "Maine" battleship hit the German Navy's "Grand Kurfürst" battlecruiser. The shell hit the superstructure of the battlecruiser 'Grand Kurfürst', not only breaking a mast, but also igniting a raging fire. Most importantly, even the radar on the mast was damaged.
?? "Very well, seize the opportunity and gather firepower to attack the German warship on fire. Kill him!" Admiral Hasben Kimmel ordered. He wanted to seize this opportunity and sink the battlecruiser 'Grand Kurfürst' in one fell swoop, so as to achieve greater results.
?? All of a sudden, the five "Montana-class" battleships of the U.S. Navy began to concentrate their firepower on the "Grand Kurfürst" battlecruiser. Shells fell like raindrops around the battlecruiser 'Grand Kurfürst', making this huge battlecruiser look dangerous.
?? "General, the battlecruiser 'Grand Kurfürst' is on fire and has been besieged by the Americans!" Major General Rudolph reported.
??Lieutenant General Gerke couldn't help but feel tight: "Order the battlecruiser 'Grand Kurfürst' to withdraw from the battle immediately!"
??In the previous naval battle, they had already lost a battleship. Lieutenant General Gerke did not want to lose another battlecruiser.
?? "Yes, General." Major General Rudolph nodded.
??After receiving the order, the battlecruiser 'Grand Kurfürst' broke away from the battle line and began to withdraw from the battle. As a battlecruiser built on the hull of the British Navy's "Hood-class" battlecruiser, the "Brandenburg-class" battlecruiser can reach a speed of 33 knots. This speed is already comparable to the 'Iowa-class' battleship before it was injured. Therefore, even if the U.S. fleet wanted to pursue it, it couldn't do it.
?? "General, the German warship that caught fire has escaped." Rear Admiral Kevill looked regretful.
??If the German Navy's "Grand Kurfürst" battlecruiser does not escape, it may not be long before the US fleet will reap another victory.
?? "Hmph! I'd like to see how many warships they can make escape!" Admiral Hasben Kimmel's face was livid.
??After the damaged capital ships of the German fleet withdraw from the battle, their pressure will gradually decrease.
?? "Order all ships, keep firing! Let the Germans see that our battleships are the most powerful!" Admiral Hasben Kimmel ordered.
?? "Yes, General." Major General Cowell replied.
??Five minutes later, the battlecruiser "Wols" of the German Navy was also shot and caught fire. Although the injuries were not too serious, the fire almost illuminated the entire battleship. The US fleet once again concentrated its firepower and opened fire on the battleship 'Wools'.
?? With no other way, Lieutenant General Gerke had to order the battlecruiser "Wools" to withdraw from the battle.
?? A company of two capital ships withdrew from the battle, which left only 13 capital ships on the German Navy's battle line to continue fighting. Although there is still a quantitative advantage, it is not that big anymore.
?? What's more, the "Montana-class" battleships of the US Navy have shown extremely powerful combat effectiveness. If the battle continues, more and more capital ships of the German fleet may be hit.
"It can't go on anymore. Order the fleet to turn around and break away from contact with the Americans. We are not the opponents of the American 'Montana-class' battleships. The next battle will be left to shore-based aircraft and carrier-based aircraft. Go!" Lieutenant General Gerke gave the order.