Volume 3 Chapter 40 Part2 (2/2)

“Ammunition depot, report the situation! Is there a fire? h.e.l.lo!” … No one answered.

“Immediately flood the “B” ammo compartment! Now!”

Forbes told the captain. “It seems that the sh.e.l.ls have killed everyone there. No matter the losses, we must ensure the safety of the ammunition.”

Then, the wars.h.i.+p once again started to shake. Enormous columns water rose up around the HMS Nelson once more.

“How many fortress guns do the Germans have? Where did they get so many heavy artillery guns!” Admiral Forbes mourned as he gripped the handrail.

“…….Boom! ……. ”

An incredibly violent tremor shook the s.h.i.+p. The explosion came from behind the bridge. Then, a few moments later, a phone in the bridge suddenly rang. Captain Mills quickly rushed to pick up the phone.

“Admiral!”

After listening to the phone, the captain told Forbes with a look of deep frustration.

“The engine room was. .h.i.t. There was a fire. The damage control team is currently working on extinguis.h.i.+ng it.

“What? What are the casualties?”

Mills looked down and answered: “No one should have survived. What’s worse is that we’ve completely lost our engine.”

“G.o.d.”

Forbes stood at the side of the window. He could feel the s.h.i.+ps gradually slowing down. He lamented as this s.h.i.+p would soon become no more than a floating target. The turrets require power to move, lifting the sh.e.l.ls also required power. The moment that a s.h.i.+p loses power, is the moment that it’s effectively disarmed.

“Captain, order those personnel to fight the fire in the quickest time possible. We must repair the s.h.i.+p. Signal the other s.h.i.+ps, the flags.h.i.+p is immobilized. They are to immediately fire on the German positions!”

“Affirmative!”

“Boom….” The sound of another explosion came from the outside. But luckily, this sh.e.l.l didn’t hit the HMS Nelson. However, Forbes’ heart soon dropped to the floor.

“Admiral, the other s.h.i.+ps have been hit. The HMS Rodney has been severely damaged!” An officer ran onto the bridge in panic.

“What!”

Admiral Forbes ran out of the bridge and looked toward his rear. The sight of the scene made him stunned. The wars.h.i.+ps behind him were dispersed in a scattered formation. Spewing from each s.h.i.+p was one or two pillars of black smoke. The s.h.i.+p closest to him, the HMS Rodney, had two vast holes ripped open on its forward deck. Even worse, the “A” turret has been dislodged by the sh.e.l.l. Whirling flames could be seen raging within the cavity. The admiral suddenly felt a burst of intense cramps coming from his chest. Leaning slowly on the railing.

“Admiral!”

The officers quickly forward and carried their commander back into the armored bridge.

“Admiral! Are you alright?” Mills shouted loudly.

Forbes slowly opened his eyes. “Ugh, it seems… Now… I give the command of the fleet…. to Vice Admiral Will. Inform him that if he wishes to fight, fight. Should he choose to retreat, he will bear all the responsibility for the operation’s failure. But, tell him. He must wait until the boats are to safety until he can retreat. Before even death, we must keep the honor of the Royal Navy. So as to never let it diminish. Do not leave the civilians, do not… maintain… honor…”

Then Admiral Forbes forever closed his eyes. Filled with doubts, he died unwillingly on the bridge of his flags.h.i.+p.

“Carry the general to his room, contact the HMS Hood. Report everything that happened. Notify all s.h.i.+ps of the switch in command! Quickly! Go! We are still in battle. Repair the wars.h.i.+ps, we will find revenge for the Admiral!” Captain Mills stood as he addressed the officers.

“Boom!!!” An explosion even more violent than before came from outside.

“The Rodney… The Rodney exploded!” Someone gave a frightened shout.

Mills quickly went to the observatory platform and looked toward the s.h.i.+p’s rear. The HMS Rodney was engulfed in strong flames. The huge hull was slowly tipping to the left. Explosions still continued within her hull. The rumble overshadowed the tearing of metal and the miserable shouts of the crew.

Captain Mills watched as the HMS Nelson’s sister s.h.i.+p drowned into the sea. A deep fear penetrating his heart. The HMS Rodney, one of the world’s top seven battles.h.i.+ps would sink here? No, this is unacceptable. If she should sink, it should be in battle against a worthy foe. Not in the hands of cowardly gunners.

“Quickly release the lifeboats, rescue the crew!” Mills roared.

Suddenly the sea became noisy as the roar of anti-aircraft guns came from the destroyers.

“Look! German fighters! They are nearly on top of us!” A lookout shouted.

Video of

(Helps kinda visualize the chapter)

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