Off the coast of Le Havre, five "Deutschland-class" battleships and five "Brunschweig-class" battleships of the German Navy lined up under the guard of many small and medium-sized warships, aiming at Le Havre with their sides. Havre, so that the maximum firepower of the battleship can be exerted.
On the flagship battleship 'Deutschland', Rear Admiral Richter Fels was observing the situation in Le Havre with a telescope. He could clearly see that a large number of officers and soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force were fleeing from the coast to the city. A large number of sailors are also fleeing from various ships that were originally moored at the dock. Obviously, they were all afraid of being bombarded by these battleships of the German Navy.
Before, the British relied on the strength of their fleet to bombard the German army attacking Le Havre. Now, everything is their turn.
"It's a pity that I still couldn't arrive in time. Those guys in the carrier-based aircraft unit were really quick to kill more than 20 battleships and 13 armored cruisers of the British!" Major General Richter Fels looked regretful.
When the main fleet had other missions, these pre-dreadnought ships that were originally used for offshore defense finally came in handy. Originally, Rear Admiral Richter Fels thought that he might be able to have a duel with the British Navy in a pre-dreadnought battle. But unfortunately, the battle was over before they arrived at the battlefield. Under the attack of the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft force, the British fleet was killed and disarmed, and all the former dreadnoughts and armored cruisers were sunk. So much so that after they came all the way around, they couldn't get anything.
Of course, if there is no carrier-based aircraft force to attack. After the German fleet arrived, it may not be the opponent of the British fleet. After all, they only had ten pre-dreadnoughts. The British have 21 pre-dreadnoughts and 13 armored cruisers. The quantity gap between the two sides is really too big. Even the warships of the German Navy are superior in performance. But it is not so easy to win.
"Order all ships, get ready to fire!" Rear Admiral Richter Fels ordered.
Since the desire to fight a duel with the British fleet against the former dreadnoughts cannot be realized, they can only perform the original mission and provide fire support for the army attacking Le Havre.
"Yes, General."
The main guns of the ten battleships began to rotate and aimed at Le Havre. Because there is no clear target, they only need to launch the shells into the city of Le Havre. The power of the large-caliber naval gun is very powerful, and it will tear all enemies to pieces.
"In addition, send a telegram to the Army's 1st and 8th Army Corps, and our bombardment will start immediately. If necessary, they can specify the target of the bombardment." Major General Richter Fels continued.
After all, their mission this time is to provide fire support to the army attacking Le Havre. Then, everything should naturally meet the needs of the Army as the primary goal.
"Yes, General."
"Boom! Boom!" The battleship "Deutschland" fired first with its twin 280mm main guns. Immediately afterwards, the seven 170mm secondary guns on the sideboard also began to roar. One after another, the shells roared towards Le Havre.
Because they are attacking land targets, these cannons fire high-explosive bombs.
The other nine battleships followed suit and launched an attack. One after another, the warships began to roar. The sound of the explosion resounded throughout the sea.
"Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!"
One after another, the shells roared towards Le Havre. The shells flew at high speed in the air, and produced violent friction with the air, making a sharp and piercing whistling sound.
"My God! The German battleship is firing. Run away!"
The officers and soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force in the city of Le Havre, their faces pale with fright, ran around like headless flies.
"Boom! Boom!"
Heavy shells slammed into the urban area of Le Havre. A violent explosion sounded immediately, and the terrifying shock wave swept around, destroying everything around.
Originally, during the previous firepower preparations of the German army, Le Havre was almost blown into ruins. After that, the fierce shelling by the British fleet once again destroyed the eastern city of Le Havre. Now, the bombardment target of the German fleet is the western city of Le Havre. Here, it has become an important gathering place for the British Expeditionary Force.
"Boom!" A 280mm artillery shell exploded, leaving a huge crater on the ground. The streets that had already become dilapidated were completely destroyed. The British Expeditionary Force stationed in this area suffered heavy losses.
"Oh, God!"
A British soldier saw with his own eyes that his company headquarters was hit by a shell. When the explosion disappeared, the entire company headquarters had disappeared. Everyone was blown to pieces.
"Hell, this place is **** at all!" the British soldiers roared in horror. Then he stumbled and ran away into the distance. However, before he could take two steps, a shell exploded beside him. Then, his whole body disappeared in the explosion.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Violent explosions continued to sound in the city of Le Havre. The officers and soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force were blown to pieces during the explosion. Their losses began to soar.
"Damn the Germans! I would rather they launch an attack and fight with them with real knives and guns than be killed in their shelling." An officer of the British Expeditionary Force roared angrily.
Except, they seem to have forgotten. When the German army attacked Le Havre, the British fleet launched a fierce shelling, which caused heavy losses to the German army. At that time, how elated and cheered they were. Applause for the massacre of German soldiers by the British fleet.
However, it didn't take long before everything turned upside down again. The British fleet was almost completely wiped out under the attack of the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft force. The German fleet then arrived and began bombarding them with naval guns. They also finally tasted the pain and despair when the German army was bombarded by the British fleet.
"Boom! Boom!"
Several 170mm artillery shells fell one after another, and a British army position was covered by artillery fire. When the smoke cleared, the entire position disappeared. The 170mm secondary gun is not as powerful as the 280mm main gun, but it is still not something that ordinary infantry positions can resist.
The German army's tit-for-tat tactics began to make the British Expeditionary Force pay an unbearable price.