RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 21-4: The Hunt for Bismarck (Part 4)

RM Vol 3: For a World without Boundary – Chapter 21-4: The Hunt for Bismarck (Part 4)

"Vice Admiral!" The ensign in charge of fleet communication reported. "I've tried establishing contact with the Fifth Destroyer Squadron, even going as far as broadcasting on an open channel, but all I get was statics, sir. And it's not our comms that were on the fritz, the Prince of Wales had also been unable to reach any vessel of the Fifth Squadron."

Vice Admiral John Holland frowns, coming up with many possibilities as to why their scouting destroyers were out of contact. It's either the entire fleet's comms were bloody scraps, or the Fifth Squadron was gone. Either way, it's bad news. "What's their last transmission?"

"They reported coming into contact with the Belkan convoy and their last known coordinates, sir."

"Signal the Prince of Wales, Suffolk, and Norfolk, all vessels are to set a course to the last known position of the Fifth Destroyers Squadron, going at a full, with Suffolk and Norfolk going ahead at a 15 km distance, acting as screening parties. And inform the rest of the Home Fleet of the newest development." The Erusean Vice Admiral shot out a string of orders. "Is there any allied scout plane in the area?"

The flagship's Captain overlooks a war table and shakes his head. "There isn't any sir. Ark Royal and Hermes called off their aircraft for the night."

Smacking his lips, the Vice Admiral says. "Such unfortunate timing. By the time we reach their location, it would have been noon of tomorrow with the Prince of Wales lagging behind us. The Hood and our escorts could have sailed at 30 knots if it weren't for the limiting speed of the Wales."

The Captain adds. "At the first ray of sunlight, we can either send out a spotter first, sir. That will at least help us in locating the Fifth Squadron faster."

"I just hope we still have a Squadron left to locate by then." Vice Admiral Holland said before turning around. "I will be in my quarter if you have a need of me. You have the con."

"Have a good evening, Admiral."

By the dawn of the next day, they never find any sign of the Fifth Destroyer Squadron. Rather, they find their very own Moby Dick. A great whale that is in the shape of the Bismarck herself.

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Tallulah nods. "If all goes to plan, we can achieve both naval supremacy of the Atlantic and the desired outcome that the Reich Marshal required from us."

"I will have tactical prepare for a close-range engagement at under 30 km and less." The XO said. "Shall we welcome them with a salvo of our finest 432mm AP shells?"

"That will be quite a welcoming fanfare. Proceeds." Tallulah nodded, letting the XO excuse himself.

Now left alone, Lindemann speaks in a small tone. "Radar or not, there's still a risk that they will scratch Bismarck's paint job."

Tallulah smiles, replying. "I doubt they could even hit our broadside unless we let them get as close as 20 km or less. And I highly doubt that both of us would allow them that chance. We still have an entire fleet to sink, after all."

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Per the predicted hour of 7 am, Bismarck has sighted the squadron led by the HMS Hood. Knowing that an engagement between both parties is mere minutes away, action station alerts are sounded on all vessels. And despite Bismarck has range advantage over the Erusean warships, her guns are silenced, awaiting the order from her Admiral in command. Around three minutes later, HMS Norfolk and HMS Suffolk spot the Bismarck and the Prinz Eugen. They then start shadowing her at the hypothesize maximum engagement range of the Bismarck. It's only ten minutes later that the HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales join them, by then, both parties can spot each other's vessel through the use of high-magnification optics.

HMS Hood then radios in a report for her fleet command as both sides sail parallel to each other. They've managed to report their coordinate and heading before a barrage of radio static blasts through their comms, causing the total collapse of their communication structure. The sudden disabling of their radios doesn't bold well for Vice Admiral Holland of the Royal Navy. However, he knows that they have gone too far to be deterred by the failure of their communication equipment. As such, he is quick to utilize the backup signal intelligent system, using floodlight and Morse code. That said, it will only be useable for vessels close to each other, and the combat at hand won't allow them such luxury.

"Signal the Norfolk, she is to lead the Suffolk ahead and cut across the enemy battleship at a comfortable distance. We don't know the capability of their vessels so advise them to proceed with caution. And until our comms system is fixed, they're to engage at their discretion until the enemy's sunk. After that, tell the Prince of Wales to follow us in. The Hood has a weak topside protection, it will serve us well to close the distance as soon as possible. As such, Hood and Wales will cut straight into their formation to around 15 km if possible. All guns are to be loaded with armor piercing and aim at the enemy battleship. Expect to come under heavy enemy fire."

"GOD SAVE THE KING!"