allonlinenovel Chapter 684: Naval Battle (6)
Chapter 684: Naval Battle (6)
V2 rockets, these 13.5-meter-long steel behemoths, each carrying 13 tons of weight, are like black lightning across the sky, carrying enough power to shake the ocean. They are not just weapons, but also messengers of death, accurately delivering a one-ton warhead to a target 322 kilometers away, with enough power to make any sea monster tremble.
The battleship Musashi, once regarded as an indestructible steel fortress, has now become a stage for them to demonstrate their power.
The shock wave from the explosion was like an invisible hammer, tearing apart the thick armor plates, and the fragments flew everywhere, like dead leaves blown up by the wind, drawing shocking arcs in the air. In the flames, the hull seemed to be torn open by an invisible hand, and the seawater rushed in, interweaving with the flames to form a doomsday scene.
Each explosion was accompanied by a deafening roar and blinding flames. The main turret was shaky under the bombardment of rockets, and the barrel was twisted and deformed. The commander and gunners inside the turret did not even have time to react before they were torn into pieces by the huge explosion force. Flesh and blood flew everywhere, mixed with steel fragments, and scattered on the sea.
Even more tragic was that when a V2 rocket directly hit the ammunition depot of the Musashi, the entire ship seemed to be a burning barrel of explosives, and the power of the explosion was instantly magnified several times. Flames shot up into the sky, illuminating half of the sky, and thick smoke billowed, covering the sky and the sun. The shock wave generated by the explosion almost completely destroyed the superstructure of the Musashi, and the crew on the deck were either instantly vaporized by the high temperature or turned into balls of fire. The wailing and explosion sounds intertwined together, forming a tragic scene like hell on earth.
Every part of the battleship Musashi suffered a devastating blow. The hull was severely damaged, with many cracks and twists. The armor protection that was once proud of was now as fragile as paper. The seawater continued to pour into the damaged hull, intertwining with the flames and smoke from the explosion, forming a frightening picture.
Most of the Fuso naval officers and soldiers were not spared in this catastrophe. Their lives were like a meteor across the night sky, short and brilliant, but in the end they could only turn into a wisp of smoke on the sea and dissipate in the endless darkness.
The huge body of the battleship Musashi was almost completely blown up, and the flames and thick smoke intertwined into a doomsday scene. The hull was broken in many places, and the armor plates were turned inside out. The former steel behemoth was now like a torn beast, emitting bursts of mournful cries. The seawater quickly poured into the cabin, forming a sharp contrast with the fire inside. The cold and hot, reflecting each other, foreshadowed that the Musashi was about to face its final fate - sinking.
Not far from the Musashi, two Nagara-class light cruisers, the Ghost Cry and the Howling Moon, were also not spared. They were deployed nearby to protect the Musashi, but they were unexpectedly hit so badly. The Ghost Cry was hit by explosion fragments on one side of the ship, leaving a deep scar, and the deck was covered with scorch marks and scattered debris. The crew hurriedly shuttled between the sea of fire and gunpowder, trying to control the fire and repair the damaged parts, but their efforts seemed so small in the face of such a huge disaster.
The situation of Howling Moon was equally grim. A fragment of a V2 rocket deviated from the main target during its fall and accidentally hit the bridge of Howling Moon, causing the entire bridge to be almost razed to the ground. The commander and important staff members suffered heavy casualties, and the ship's communication and command systems were paralyzed. The crew tried to re-establish order in the chaos, but without a commander, they seemed at a loss and could only rely on their own experience and instincts to save themselves.
The two light cruisers struggled under the shadow of the sinking of the Musashi, their fates closely tied to the Musashi. The crews of the Ghost Cry and the Howling Moon supported each other and resisted the disaster together. However, in the face of such a huge combination of natural and man-made forces, their strength seemed so insignificant. The sea gradually submerged the wreckage of the Musashi, and the Ghost Cry and the Howling Moon were also shaky in the waves, and they could follow the footsteps of the Musashi and sink into the vast ocean at any time.
Facing this almost suffocating scene, Yamamoto Feng's eyes were particularly shocked under the reflection of the fire and gunpowder. He had experienced countless battles, but this scene still caused a storm in his heart. The brief shock and panic surged like a tide, but were quickly drowned by the responsibility and calmness of being a commander.
"Asshole!" He shouted angrily in a low voice. Although his voice was not loud, it contained indescribable anger and disbelief. He knew very well that anger and shock at the moment would be useless. Only a quick and effective command could minimize the losses and save the situation.
"All ships, start the emergency evacuation procedure immediately!" Yamamoto Feng's voice was transmitted firmly and forcefully throughout the fleet through the radio waves. "Ghost Cry, Howling Moon, evacuate the danger zone first, meet up with other ships, and form a defensive formation!"
He quickly analyzed the situation, and although he was filled with resentment and anger, his command was exceptionally clear and calm. He knew that the sinking of the Musashi was a foregone conclusion, but the battle was not over, and he had to lead the remaining fleet to continue to fight the enemy and protect the dignity of this ocean.
"Anti-aircraft gun crew, continue to maintain high alert to prevent further enemy air strikes!" Yamamoto Feng's orders were issued like a string of cannonballs, and every word revealed his desire for victory and his intolerance of failure. "At the same time, immediately send out reconnaissance planes to find out the enemy's movements and provide intelligence support for the next step of the operation!"
Under the command of Yamamoto Kaede, the fleet gradually restored order. Although the Ghost Cry and Howling Moon were severely damaged, they still managed to leave the danger zone and reunite with other ships.
In fact, if Yamamoto Kaede had not transferred his command post from the Musashi to his own command ship, the Yaki, he, the commander of the Pacific First Fleet, would probably have been wiped out along with the Musashi.
"Longteng, this is Polang, we have important battle results to report." The captain of the Polang spoke in a firm voice, transmitting news from the front line through the radio waves.
Inside the flagship Longteng, Commander Wang Junjie looked calm, but his eyes sparkled with wisdom that showed he could see through everything. He had already anticipated the direction of today's battle, but when he heard the news that the Musashi had suffered a devastating blow, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but slightly rise, revealing a hint of barely perceptible satisfaction.
"Break the Wave, please continue." Wang Junjie replied in a deep voice, his voice revealing the confidence that he was in control of the overall situation.
"Yes, Commander. According to our latest reconnaissance, the battleship Musashi has suffered multiple rounds of V2 rocket attacks from our side. The hull is severely damaged and it is almost sinking. The nearby Nagara-class light cruisers Oniwa and Howling Moon have also been affected to varying degrees. The overall formation of the enemy fleet is in chaos and morale is low." The captain of the Breaking Waves reported the battle situation in detail, and every word was filled with the joy of victory.
Inside the tactical room of the Dragon Soar, the deputy commander's eyes flashed with fighting spirit. He turned to Wang Junjie and asked respectfully, "Commander, should we seize the opportunity to launch another round of V2 rockets to deal a heavier blow to the enemy?"
Wang Junjie shook his head slightly, looking deeply at the battlefield situation map on the tactical screen, and said slowly: "No need. Each battleship carries a limited number of V2 rockets, only two. As you said, good steel should be used on the blade. Now, the enemy fleet is in panic and the formation is in chaos. This is a great opportunity for us to pursue the victory and expand the results of the battle."
He paused, his tone more resolute: "Pass on my order, the entire army speeds up and adopts the tactic of dividing and attacking together to encircle and attack the enemy fleet from multiple directions. At the same time, strengthen reconnaissance and communication to ensure that intelligence flows smoothly. Our goal is not only to defeat the enemy, but also to completely destroy their fleet and let them be buried forever on the seabed!"
As Wang Junjie's order was issued, the entire North Sea First Fleet quickly took action. The warships' engines roared, their guns turned, and one ship after another rushed towards the enemy fleet like an arrow from a bow. In this vast ocean, a more intense battle was about to begin.