Chapter 208

The morning mist is gathering.

The ocean has her unique charm and can always inadvertently distort people's correct perception of things.

As long as there is no personal experience, the observation effect is just a distorted white line.

As long as the storm destroys the sky and the earth, you can see the calm eye of the storm in a short time. Although the outcome is still desperate, the process is enough to make people forget the true face of the storm.

Similar to them are mirages, icebergs, and sea fog.

The sea fog in Le Robel Bay is not high, winding around the island reef belt and rippling with the sea waves.

Judging from the hull of the ship, the main height of this layer of fog is probably less than 80 cm. It is thinner and thinner as it goes up. It is more than one meter high, which can hardly be distinguished by the naked eye.

But it was born on the island reef belt. The low bright reef, which is most common in weekdays, is covered by a vast fog scene. The original tortuous and clear channel has lost its trace, leaving only a few protruding Sea rocks and small islands.

The French Defense Fleet broke in at this juncture.

Standing on the lookout platform of the badger, Nelson held the mirror and said nothing for a long time.

Look down on your opponent!

When setting up the battlefield, Nelson thought he had evaluated most of the variables at the beginning of the war.

From the perspective of military strength, the French, who own a class IV ship and a class V ship, have an overwhelming advantage over the four small boats on Halloween in terms of firepower and military potential.

In hydrological intelligence, it is impossible for our own side in away combat to compete with our opponents at home.

The front is bound to lose, and guerrillas are difficult to win. Nelson knew the difficulty of winning from the moment the plan was submitted.

But he still submitted the plan of Halloween action, bet his life and Sir Parker's trust, and tried his best to persuade the Fleet Command.

Because of his strong self-confidence, he firmly believes that he can shorten or even level the combat effectiveness difference between the two sides through tactics, courage and consciousness.

The battle of Le Robel is the concentration of all this.

In his plan, the French will pour out because of the battle damage of the lucky horseshoe, look at the wind chimes of human flesh at the gate of hell, and then lose their reason and launch a strong attack on the island reef belt with the strength of ships and artillery and their familiarity with the geographical environment.

With the advantages of the French, such adventure is still in the "normal decision-making category".

It's just that the motivation for adventure is slightly insufficient.

That's why Nelson approved Lorraine's plan to bombard Le Robel.

In Lorraine's position, this may be done to eradicate possible risks and variables in the decisive battle, but in Nelson's position, the devastation of local towns will become the key motivation for the French to rush to fight.

He thought he had counted everything.

Motivation, position, emotion, judgment, advantages and disadvantages held by your side and the enemy

But he forgot to count people!

Leo von gervadang, commander of the French Defense Fleet, rear admiral, ordinary nobleman, hereditary count.

Among the intelligence available to Britain, count gervadang was a lucky man favored by the God of war.

At the age of 16, he joined the army as a common son of his family. He had no experience in sea school and began to hold the rank of corporal.

In the following 20 years, he participated in 57 naval battles. Regardless of victory or defeat, the warships he served were undamaged and won many times.

His official career has also progressed steadily. At the age of 29, he became a lord and major, became a captain, a baron at the age of 32, a lieutenant colonel at the age of 33, was transferred to the new world at the age of 35, a baron at the age of 38, and was promoted to major general. At the age of 42, he was promoted to count for his meritorious efforts in suppressing bandits and led the defense ship team. So far, it has been more than five years.

In the French navy, the Earl of gervadang was not the pride of heaven. The starting point is not high, the contacts are not wide, and they are not ranked in the same age group.

But he is a rare steady man.

Whether in war or political struggle, there are many people better than him, but it seems that he can't find a second one who can always be with victory for 30 years.

There must be a reason!

Nelson didn't really wake up until he was suddenly attacked. At first glance, there must be a reason why this ordinary veteran can always find a hiding place for victory.

This is a great talent!

"The width of the island reef belt is about 10 kilometers, and the straight-line distance between the Bay entrance and lerobel is more than 100 kilometers. The fire was so hot last night, I can hear the sound of artillery and see the light of fire, and it is impossible for the outer edge of the bay to know nothing about what happened to lerobel."

"The family glory did not warn in advance. Obviously, its whereabouts were exposed, and it was sunk with a high probability."

"The source of information... It takes only two or three hours to land outside the Bay and land in and out of Le Robel with a fast horse."

"Assuming that the family glory has been sunk for more than 12 hours, rewardang will have enough time to master all the information in the bay."

"He resisted the humiliation of the gate of hell and saw Le Rober burned to the ground, and hundreds of French pioneers were buried in the war."

"He knows that our strength is far inferior to him, and there is no possibility of winning the frontal war."

"In this case, he still waited for the best opportunity for him."

"Sea fog, although it increases the risk of his fleet crossing the island reef belt, as long as there are submachine boats leading the way in front, coupled with his detailed knowledge of hydrology, it is not an insurmountable natural moat."

"But we have lost the details of the channel. Most importantly, if we can't clarify the outlet of the channel, we can't achieve a complete blockade."

"Moreover, the most powerful golden deer has no operational ability for the time being. Fortunately, the horseshoe is chasing the slave ship. In order to protect the golden deer, it is impossible to join the blockade in a short time."

"Badger and wasp, three channels, island reef belt breakthrough is inevitable."

"Cold-blooded general, beautiful choice... Is this the favor given to you by the God of victory?"

"Learned..."

Nelson had no intention of organizing language and didn't intend to speak to anyone.

He just wanted to tell himself that this decisive battle has been taken back by his opponent, his advantage has disappeared, and every next decision will be related to life and death.

Just then, the chief mate who presided over the situation on the deck suddenly climbed the mast himself.

"Lieutenant, the golden deer is urgent. President Drake reports to you. First, [the ground attack mission has been completed, and the golden deer has begun to adjust the naval battle. The estimated time is 50 minutes]. Second, [I want the Jupiter. If the lieutenant wants, I can exchange the Andes. I hope you can allow it]. The report is over!"

Nelson was stunned on the spot.

Fifty minutes was handed over to the elite British navy, which could only complete the debugging of artillery and center of gravity, which meant that Lorraine was ready to stand on the messy deck, and the combat power of the golden deer was reduced by at least 20%.

Moreover, they have only completed a night's battle. Their physical strength, energy, psychology and desire are at a low ebb. Are sailors willing to fight? Even if we take part in the war, our combat power must be reduced by at least another 30%.

Is Lorraine really going to use the golden deer with 50% combat power to fight the patrol ship Andes with 60 guns alone?

This madman who keeps putting safety in the first place can be so decisive and confident at the critical moment of life and death?

How can I lose to you!

Nelson smiled. The cold smile hung around his mouth. The skin moved but the flesh didn't move. People couldn't tell whether it was sincere or deliberate ridicule.

He took out his pocket watch and scanned the time.

"How are the enemies distributed?"

"The No. 5 channel is two Briggs frigates, advancing slowly. The No. 1 channel is the Galen destroyer Jupiter, also advancing slowly. The No. 4 channel is the flagship of the French army, and the Galen cruiser Andes and one Briggs are confirmed."

"I'm determined to win... Juwo will be the count." Nelson put away his pocket watch. "Time, at 5:27, he ordered the hornet to block the No. 5 channel and not to make active contact with the enemy ship No. 4. The badger lifted anchor to block the No. 1 channel. This order shall be executed immediately without delay."

"Yes!"

"Draw up a letter and let the Stormtrooper hand it to Drake. The main content is... Tell him that I transfer the badger's Stormtrooper to him. If he can really sink or capture the Andes, the Jupiter will be his reward after the battle is won, and there is no additional cost."

"Yes!"

"The showdown has begun..." Nelson took a deep breath. "Ask Lieutenant Fran to tell Drake that for once, God bless him."