Chapter 588 The first shot of the Western Attack

Cape Town.

Southeast, Falls Bay.

Beautiful Cape Town is the most prosperous and lively city on the African continent. It was built by white colonists. In the era when there was no Suez Canal, it was an important city guarding the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Because of its unique strategic location, it has been slaughtered by war and changed hands several times.

Falls Bay, 32 kilometers wide from east to west and 30 kilometers deep, is the focus of the colonists' competition. After the Battle of Fort Mason gave the British a taste of sweetness, as diamonds and gold were discovered, the war came here again.

After the end of the arduous Boer War, Britain finally won the whole of South Africa. The continuous flow of gold and diamonds maintained the vitality of this old empire. It was with South Africa and India that the British Empire survived until the end of World War II.

In the naturally formed Port of Falls Bay, there are dozens of large and small ships moored. They were supposed to start from here and return to Europe with much-needed materials to help Britain and the Treaty, but the trip was delayed because the fleet that slaughtered New York was heading south and the Atlantic Ocean had not yet returned to calm.

The sunset was projected into the bay, as if the cargo ships were covered with a layer of gold armor. The sailors sat on the deck in twos and threes, staring at the six particularly huge figures in the distance.

The once arrogant rice flag and the tricolor flag, known as the symbol of freedom, fluttered in the wind. Every sailor who saw this picture felt strange and relieved.

It's strange that these two countries have been incompatible and have fought many times. It's reassuring that although the army is fighting in German West Africa next door and a large number of German troops who suddenly come from, as long as they are stationed here and the forts on both sides of the strait, the German army can't come in, even the terrible ship. It is impossible for the team to come in.

The sailors talked quietly, not only worried about the situation and the future, but also looking forward to returning to China early, but they did not notice that after the 800-meter peak more than five kilometers east of the bay, a faint plane quickly flew east after a few turns.

Of course, some people saw it, but they didn't care, because Cape Town is not a wild place. There are more than 20 seaplanes of the British Royal Navy. Even not long ago, the army was equipped with dozens of camel fighters that are said to be very good. What's more, no one except Britain will fly to Europe at this distance of 10,000. They came from many kilometers away, so they didn't feel strange about the plane without any sign.

An hour later, the returning biplane finally saw several black spots on the sea. When it aimed its head at the runway, Zhu Houbin in the corner of the deck island held his breath.

To land on the narrow flight deck, it requires not only superb technology, but also enough courage. Although the speed of the plane has dropped to 30 kilometers per hour, the sea eagle, which has begun to swing under the side wind, still makes everyone sweat.

When the wheel finally landed on the deck, several quick-sighted aircrew soldiers had already caught up with an iron rod with a large hook on their heads. When the plane passed by, the hook suddenly hooked the special ring installed on the wing and tail.

After the soldiers were dragged by the plane and staggered all the way for more than ten meters, they always stabilized the sea eagle, which had been blown by the wind and had deflected to the side of the side of the ship. When the propeller finally stopped rotating, Zhu Houbin finally relaxed.

This is the biggest danger on a wooden biplane with insufficient weight, and why the emperor wants to build a heavier metal aircraft. Although the ship is equipped with more advanced blocking cables, the tearing force of the blocking cables will be concentrated on one point, which is what wood can't do, so the fuselage needs to be strengthened. That's why the designer put forward the idea of developing a heavier biplane metal machine.

Fortunately, Longya will be in service soon, and there is no need to spend money to build another aircraft.

A few minutes later, Zhu Houbin got the information of this investigation. When he held the information and checked it carefully, he suddenly felt that his shoulder had been patted. He turned his head and found that Le Fei was standing behind him.

After a mutual respect, Zhu Houbin immediately handed over the information and said, "Sir, you're right. The two French battleships have arrived in Fowles Bay. Now there are six battleships there, five cruisers and many torpedo ships. According to the pilots, the latest one is the French Lonely Class. Battleships, as well as an old-fashioned Charlie Martel-class, two British King Power-class battleships, and two British Edward VII-class battleships.

"And." Zhu Houbin shrugged his shoulders: "There are at least 20 ships, and it is estimated that they are hiding from the 31st Fleet here."

"Ha ha, is it a lot?"

It's rare to see a crack in the corners of Le Fei's mouth. Zhu Houbin smiled and said, "Yes, with the forts on both sides, even the 31st Fleet can't get in." If Li Xiuyan can't get in, it doesn't mean we can't get in. Le Fei pinched the information and said with a smile, "If you are allowed to attack now, are you sure?"

"Now?" Zhu Houbin looked at the setting sun on the left and shook his head: "Sir, our mission is to protect the 31st Fleet, not attack Cape Town, and it will be dark in more than an hour. There is no problem with takeoff and attack, but it should be dark the day after the completion of the mission. There will be a great threat when we come back and land. In addition, we are currently at present. Falls Bay is about 300 kilometers. Although the combat radius of the sea eagle is only 320 kilometers, it is very easy to get lost at night.

Before Zhu Houbin finished talking about the problems and difficulties, Le Fei raised his hand to stop him: "Hou Bin, you are an excellent pilot, but you still need to exercise as an officer."

Lefei combined the information, looked at the sea in the distance, and took a deep breath: "War will never prepare you for everything, nor will you put all the conditions you meet in front of you. Although you have become a fleet flight officer, there is still a lot to learn."

"A problem." After Le Fei finished speaking, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Zhu Houbin: "Do you know why the 31st Fleet will be stuck in the main neck when it is about to cheer and bring unprecedented encouragement to the empire?"

Zhu Houbin was a little puzzled. He didn't know why Lefei suddenly turned to this topic. After thinking about it, he said, "Because they didn't sink the cruise ship."

Zhu Houbin's answer made Le Fei smile, looked at the young colonel, and shook his head: "On the surface, it looks like this, but at the deep level, this young guard is too young!"

"Why do you say that?"

"It's very simple. They are cultivated by the emperor. They are young, enthusiastic, witty and brave. They dare to challenge and meet the most difficult tasks, so the emperor let them complete this adventurous task, because they have enough energy.

But the problem is that after being in the enemy's cave, the sharpness of Li Xiuyan and Chen Shaokuan became cautious because of pressure and was lost from the beginning, and the sharpness was their greatest advantage. If I had commanded the 31st Fleet at that time, I would not consider safety and chose to hide at a long distance and not enter New York Bay. In shelling, I will rush in and completely destroy New York, and I won't give the United States a chance!

The attack ship is not the biggest problem. The biggest problem is them. They lost themselves under pressure and left quickly after completing the task safely.

But they are all the best captains I have ever seen. I believe this experience will make them mature. Now I really want to see what they look like when they come back!"

Looking at Le Fei with a straight figure and a cold face, Zhu Houbin's body suddenly shook. At this time, he felt that the commander who had just become a lieutenant general had reached a height that ordinary people could not reach. Perhaps only Ji Rushan, who had never been able to show the water, could be comparable to him.

"I just said this, just to remind you that war will never happen when you are fully prepared, and no matter how weak the enemy is, it will never give you a stable opportunity to attack! Therefore, whenever and wherever you are an officer, you need to consider every detail and possibility!" Speaking of this, Le Fei suddenly became serious: "Do you think the eldest prince will not expect the final outcome after boarding the Guam in military uniform? Do you think that when only a few battleships can protect the 31st Fleet back, the emperor is stupid enough to take out two offensive aircraft carriers to act as bodyguards?

"You should have also read the general participation in the western attack plan. For us, the situation after Gibraltar is extremely unfavorable. In any case, the three lines cannot be formed by the Allied countries, so there is a western attack plan!" Le Fei suddenly took out a pen and drew a circle on the back of the intelligence.

"The Indian Ocean is a traditional force of Britain, and Cape Town is known as Gibraltar in Africa. The strategic position is very important, and don't forget that South Africa and India are the two pearls in Britain's hands." Le Fei said while painting: "From a geographical point of view, Cape Town is only 5,000 nautical miles away from India, and it takes only seven or eight days to travel one way.

Now, the Ally are desperately mobilizing troops to India. Obviously, they also know that we are about to attack Malacca and are ready to open a second front, so the South African fleet in Cape Town is extremely critical.

Once a decisive battle breaks out in the Indian Ocean, they can support India's main force to the west and cross Australia to support the southwest to the east. We may face front and back attacks if the total force is not dominant.

"So we must destroy the South African fleet first, forcing the enemy not to form a pinch attack, and we can only honestly go to Suez to fight!" Before he finished speaking, Zhu Houbin immediately understood.

"Most of the submarines are now being reloaded, and they can enter the full blockade of the Indian Ocean in five days at most, so we must destroy the South African fleet, and then..." Speaking of this, the pen in Le Fei's hand suddenly swept along the African continent. This thick stroke made Zhu Houbin's eyes stare out!

"Remember, we are a gangster fleet and the only mobile force of the empire at present!"

In a short speech, Zhu Houbin benefited a lot. It seemed that God was also helping to verify what he had just said. Suddenly, the muffled sound in the distance made him turn his head quickly. At this time, a staff officer had rushed over: "Report that an explosion occurred on a French freighter 50 kilometers away from the southeast."

"Explosion? How did it explode? Is it?" Zhu Houbin looked at the staff officer in surprise, who had shrugged his shoulders and couldn't laugh or cry: "Who else..."

Le Fei didn't care that the stunned young man didn't receive the news of the activities of the task force in this area. He came here to kill, but frowned and asked, "Have you heard the radio communication?"

"Yes."

"In the wind, full speed!" As soon as he heard the communication, Le Fei immediately gave the order, but he was not in a hurry to walk to the bridge. Instead, he turned around and glanced at Zhu Houbin again: "War will never wait for you to be fully prepared."

After saying that, he suddenly raised his voice: "Give you fifteen minutes. In fifteen minutes, the first attack aircraft must leave the deck!"

"Yes."

Zhu Houbin gritted his teeth and saluted, "I will lead the team myself, for sure."

"No!" Before he finished speaking, Le Fei decisively interrupted him and pointed to his shoulder: "Don't forget your current identity, flight officer, colonel of the Imperial Navy!"

In Le Fei's words, the bows of the two aircraft carriers began to deflect rapidly. As the engine burst into a dull roar, the wind speed on the deck became obviously violent.

The harsh alarm sound spread all over the corner. A war eagle came to the deck through two lifts. When it weighed 780 kilograms, the pilots jokingly called the "fish thorn" that could jam the enemy's throat. The new aviation torpedo was raised to the deck with the lift and was quickly hung under the abdomen of the plane. The first four The escort bumblebee has rushed out of the deck.

Within 20 minutes after the order was issued, the first wave of 12 bumblebees and 28 sea eagles rushed into the sky.

Thirty minutes later, the second wave of 28 sea eagles also flew into the sky. Looking at the direction in which they disappeared, Zhu Houbin looked at Le Fei, who returned to the bridge and regained his cold look, and his heart was full of praise.

(to be continued)