Chapter 1333： Fleet catches fire (1/2)
The German fleet is nearby!
Although a seaplane ejected from the Red Caucasus did not fly back, it did not make the brave Soviet navy afraid. The seaplane ejected from a destroyer flew toward the sea again in the southeast direction. This time, it After flying only tens of nautical miles, almost just out of the fleet's field of vision, I found a fleet coming by wind and waves!
”Attention, the German main fleet is found, ready to fight!” On the Red Caucasus, upon receiving this news, Gorshkov immediately issued a battle order: ”One-word column!”
If there are battleships and heavy cruisers, maybe Gorshkov will put up a horizontal line and directly press on to fight, just like the kind of exciting naval battles during the First World War.
However, he has nothing. His own 10,000-ton battleship is already the largest, while the opponent's fleet, with aircraft carriers and battleships, has a displacement of up to 70,000 tons.
Therefore, he can only put up the formation of this column to minimize the frontal projection area. He can only hope that the opponent's shells will be empty, so that his warship can rush to fight the bayonet.
In naval battles, this is not impossible. Although the power of naval guns is great, it is not easy to hit the target, especially for warships moving at high speed.
Thick black smoke came out of the chimneys of the warships, and the smoke from the warships in front happened to envelop the warships behind. At this time, they were sailing against the wind.
”Report the Red Caucasus, what we encountered was not a German warship.”
Because the opponent did not have an air defense fighter, the Soviet seaplane could fly closer. When the pilot saw it clearly, he couldn't help but be surprised. The opponent was flying the flag of the Italian Navy!
On the Count Cavour, the Italian Rear Admiral Catano was standing on the bridge. At this time, he also received a report from his watchman.
The Black Sea Fleet is right in front of you. The opponent's largest warship is just a 10,000-ton heavy cruiser!
”Attention, the one-word line, let us pour out the greatest firepower and send the Black Sea Fleet to hell!” Catano gave an order.
If it is a French battleship, eight naval guns are in front, which can display the most violent firepower, but the Italian battleship is not. Although there are ten naval guns, there are only half of the front and the back.
It's just that, for everything they are afraid of, the biggest Soviet person on the opposite side is the cruiser. Even this battleship alone is enough to send the opponent into the sea, and only use the artillery in front to kill them!
Following his order, the Italian fleet quickly changed its position and placed a horizontal formation on the sea, continuing to approach the front.
The 320 mm naval gun was loaded with armor-piercing shells, and the gunners suppressed their excitement, waiting for the **** battle that was about to come.
On the sea, the opponent's mast appeared, followed by the bridge, and then the two fleets could finally see each other clearly.
On the Earl of Cavour, the gunner was staring at the sights intently at this time, and the mechanical ballistic calculator was running rumblingly, calculating the shooting elements.
”Fifteen nautical miles away, this is the first test shot.” The gunner shouted: ”Fire!”
”Boom!” The 320 mm naval gun, a huge fire came out of the muzzle, black smoke rose, and a 525 kg armor-piercing projectile flew out at a speed of 830 meters per second.
When the Duke of Cavour was initially built, it was only a 305mm naval gun. After a period of use, the naval gun was close to the shooting limit, so through the expansion operation, the 305mm naval gun was expanded into 320 mm naval gun, but the accuracy has not improved.
The gun smoke was filled, and the gunner suddenly realized that he was in a big trouble.