Chapter 873： Hipper in action

"Your Excellency Commander, we have already crossed the Kattegat Strait. We will enter the Skagerrak Strait in less than half an hour, and then head north to enter the British maritime blockade between the Shetland Islands and Norway. This is the latest intelligence we received from the submarine force about the location of the auxiliary cruisers in the North Sea Blockade." The chief of staff on the side sent a telegram to Hipper.

"Mark their positions on the nautical chart. We should move faster. In the telegram sent by the Admiralty just now, the main fleet of His Royal Highness has already encountered the British, and the combat effectiveness of the entire Royal Navy has been constrained along the southern coast of England. Region, this is a very good opportunity." Hipper said.

"Maoqi, Goben, and Cedric, what excellent warships, but unfortunately, they could only find the bad luck of those auxiliary cruisers for the first time. I regret it now. If possible, my flagship I also want to float for a while at sea." Hipper said to the Captain of the Cedric next to Lieutenant Colonel Edman.

The latter is not currently on its own flagship. Although his suggestion has been approved by Hipper and endorsed by the prince, some things should not be spread. Therefore, there are some things that Hipper will and Ai Lieutenant Colonel Deman said separately.

"According to intelligence reality, the number of auxiliary cruisers patrolling in this area is about 24, and there may be armored cruisers. Since we shaded several British auxiliary cruisers through camouflage cruisers and submarines, the British have increased Strength, so we may have a bumper harvest this time."

"Your fleet is arranged in the d5 zone closest to Norway. After you kill the mission target, you can choose a relatively hidden sea area to stand by. You don't need to participate in hunting in other zones. This is a new key. You can contact the submarine cruising in this sea area, and then get information and help. We have a camouflage supply ship in Norway, which can provide your warship with 2500 tons of heavy fuel and 1200 tons of other supplies. You can choose to receive supplies. , You can also refuse."

"There will be no problems at home. Our boss has agreed to endorse our actions. I just hope you and your warship can return with full glory! Of course, before you decide to stay, His Royal Highness will tell us this fleet. The results of the battle, especially the damage of the opponent's fast battleship, you can decide to take action or give up, it doesn't matter if you give up." Hipper said.

"Give up? If I really give up, I will regret the great opportunity created by the entire fleet for a lifetime. It was wasted because of my cowardice. What an unforgivable mistake!" Lieutenant Colonel Edman laughed Said.

Compared with the situation where the prince had to deal with three or even four waves of British warships, and maybe even a face-to-face meeting with the large fleet, Hipper felt that his action was almost an autumn hunt. The large fleet has already moved south, and they cannot make trouble for themselves if they go north today. The speed and fuel cannot support the British to do so, and his enemy is the old-fashioned armored cruiser. Then there are those auxiliary cruisers that can be solved with a few shots. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Edman's mission is somewhat challenging. If he is not the commander of the fleet himself, Hipper wants to challenge himself.

Although the task was relatively easy, Hipper did his best. In the last period of time before entering the battlefield, he reassigned the task. The various action teams were separated. Normally destroyers do not participate in direct attacks. They will provide investigation intelligence. The light cruisers will also operate separately in order to hunt their opponents in the largest possible area. This is the biggest change to the original plan, because in the previous plan, in order to prevent possible encounters with the opponent’s armored cruisers, light cruisers were required Acting with the battle patrol.

But now, the Germans have discovered that the British cruisers seem to have a relatively small range of movement and are fixed. Basically, when they reach the place, they can see... Therefore, in order to improve the hunting efficiency, the light cruiser was pulled out separately, after all, the light cruiser that was re-watered was enough to fight the ordinary auxiliary cruiser. As for the armored cruiser? Can't beat you, can't run you?

At this time, Hipper’s fleet consisted of three parts, the five battleships of the battlecruiser squadron, Mochi, Goben, Sederitz, and Vonder Tann and Blücher. Although the latter two warships have been in service for a little longer, they are well maintained (well, on the other hand, the use intensity is really not as strong as the British battle cruisers of the period), so the top speed can run above 27.5 knots! For the fourth light cruiser squadron attached to it, the speed of these light cruisers was slower than the battle cruisers, generally 25 knots. The most elite light cruiser formation in the German Navy will naturally be assigned to Prince Ruprecht. Although Hipper is equipped with 5 light cruisers, the quality is worse, the speed is relatively slow, and the artillery is also used. Mainly 150mm artillery, it can be regarded as the first generation of light cruisers after Germany entered the era of fearlessness.

The remaining force is a lightning squad consisting of 12 V-type and G-type lightning strike ships. The difference in the lightning strike ships of the Germans in World War I is a bit big. For example, the g130 destroyer has a displacement of only 414 tons. Only 1,060 nautical miles under 17 knots still burns coal! Weapons are only 2 to 4 52mm guns and 3 450mm torpedo tubes. The maximum output is only 7000 horsepower and the speed is 28 knots.

The slightly higher ones, such as the V25 destroyer, have a displacement of 812 tons and a speed of 20 knots, 1080 nautical miles. The weapon has 3 88mm guns, 6 500mm torpedo tubes and 24 mines. The maximum power output is 23,500 horsepower, and the speed has reached 33.5 knots! And most of the tonnages of German lightning strike ships (destroyer) are at this level.

However, the destroyer attached to Hipper's fleet is definitely the most elite, most capable, and most powerful destroyer in the entirety. There is no way, at such a long distance, the range of a 1,000-ton destroyer is slightly insufficient. Therefore, it can only be given to the highest-equipped destroyer, such as the v116 destroyer, which has a displacement of 2060 tons. Although the number of artillery is relatively small, there are only 4, but they are 150mm! There are also 4 60mm torpedo tubes and 40 mines! The power output has reached 45,000 horsepower! This power is enough for battleships! The maximum speed is 36 knots! There is a distance of 2500 nautical miles when sailing at a speed of 20 knots. (This class of destroyer is so useful that it served in the French Navy until 1936 after the end of World War 1 in history.)

Such a fleet is already a very high match against auxiliary cruisers, and Hipper’s mission is not to destroy a few ships, but to kill them all!

Today is a transition, and the main battlefield will continue tomorrow~~~! Please subscribe for a reward~~~!