Comrade, your ingredients are too complicated.

Twenty-five minutes later, in the shallow sea basin in the central part of Bohai Sea.

The cruiser's slender hull cut through the blue waves. The North Sea Fleet's flagship, the Yellow River, led a destroyer squadron and was raiding towards Laizhou Bay at a combat speed of 32 knots.

Inside the bridge, Philip and Li Yujie leaned over the nautical chart and completed the last tactical check before the battle.

Seeing his colleague's hand tightly grasping the combat briefing, the legendary captain patted him on the shoulder and said comfortingly:
"Li, relax. You are a little too nervous right now. A real naval battle is not as complicated as you think, especially when considering the dual advantages of warship performance and intelligence."

"The battle plan we worked out together was very comprehensive, and there was no chance that the Japanese would be able to turn the tables."

"Unless Yamamoto Isoroku comes to the rescue personally and lets Yamato, Musashi, Shokaku, and Zuikaku rush into Bohai with a group of cruisers and destroyers, the enemy will be unable to escape even if they have wings."

In an area of ​​7.7 square kilometers, it is not difficult to accurately locate and continuously track the Japanese Navy's task force. After all, TG has a complete sea and air reconnaissance system.

The advantage of full-range vision, coupled with the crushing level of combat ships.

With such a great start to the naval battle, it would be almost impossible to lose as long as the fleet commander did not make a major mistake. This was the main reason why Philip dared to make such a harsh statement.

Hearing his colleague's advice, Captain Li Yujie took a deep breath and then responded with a reassuring smile. He had to admit that there was indeed a big gap between him and a mature naval commander.

However, with the help of the advisory group, comrades learn as fast as a sponge absorbs water, and the promising future is not just talk.

"Don't worry, Commander. I was just summarizing my shortcomings. After all, we will have to fight independently sooner or later, so we must read more, learn more, and think more now."

"By the way, judging by the time, the water scouts we sent out earlier should be back soon."

Said Cao Cao, Cao Cao.

Just as Li Yujie was silently calculating the time, the intelligence operator of the Yellow River came to the bridge with the latest developments of the Japanese Navy.

"Commander, Captain, our flagship's seaplane has completed its reconnaissance mission. The aircraft is currently being hoisted and will be ready to attack again after it is ready."

"According to the aerial photos provided by the pilots, the enemy navy in the direction of Laizhou Bay sent out a mine warfare team consisting of five Kamikaze-class ships and three Cong-class ships to fight back."

"That Tianlong-class cruiser did not leave the port. Its power system seemed to have exploded during the maneuver."

Unlike the mine-laying boat formations of mainstream naval powers, the Japanese Navy's mine warfare fleet is generally composed of a light cruiser as the flagship and several destroyers.

This tactically flexible and highly mobile organization is very suitable for night combat and rapid assaults.

Of course, the strength of the mine warfare team also depends on the combat experience of the opponent's commander, as well as the training level and warship performance of each fleet.

If Honko sent out the strongest combination of Agano + Kagero, Philip would definitely think twice before making a decision, and at least call on the air force to bomb a few rounds before attacking.

But you are a Pacific Veterans Club, a makeshift team that is called a mob among its members, and has never even gone out to sea for combat training. Why are you pretending to be so big-headed in Bohai?

You really are just a sea monkey pretending to be Aquaman, are you worthy enough to play CW?

After hearing the details of the enemy's organization, Philip immediately became alert.

There are only eight old destroyers, and they don't even have the powerful Type 93 oxygen torpedoes in service. They are definitely an easy target.

Well, who doesn't like to punch the old folks in the head? It's just right to build up the confidence of the young TG marines.

"Combat alert, all ships enter level one combat readiness!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the sound of electric bells immediately rang in every corner of the ship.

Since the entire fleet was still in radio silence, the Yellow River's communicator could only rely on light signals to notify the four destroyers following closely.

A soldier was seen quickly climbing onto the signal platform on the side of the bridge and adjusting the light shield of the signal light to ensure that the light beam was directed only toward the target destroyer.

He flipped the switch expertly, emitting a series of short flashes.

At the same time, feedback from various departments also came through the loudspeaker.

"The battle situation center is ready!"

"Engine room ready."

"The gunnery department is ready."

"Torpedoes ready!"

"Hydroacoustic department is ready."

During World War II, the French Navy's disciplinary regulations clearly stipulated that the fleet commander or captain must speak to all crew members and mobilize morale before a major battle.

This tradition was maintained even after Vichy and Liberty were split in two.

The only difference is that the former shouts loyalty to the Grand Marshal, while the latter adds Dai’s classic quotations to the original ones.

The TG Navy, which was inspired by France, naturally has a similar system.

After a whistle, Li Yujie picked up the microphone and began the pre-war mobilization. His voice quickly reached every battle position through multiple broadcasting areas.

"Comrades, our next enemy is eight destroyers, and they are now rushing out of Laizhou Bay at a speed of 33 knots."

"48 years ago, our predecessors fought bloody battles in these waters. Today, as the younger generation, we will show the world what the Chinese Navy of the new era is like."

"The entire fleet will lift radio silence and attack the enemy according to the predetermined tactics! North Sea Fleet! We will win!"

"Must win!"

The roars of 587 soldiers on the ship exploded simultaneously through the communication system.

······
An hour and a half later, the North Sea Fleet, advancing at full speed under the guidance of seaplanes and the Air Force, had already approached the designated ambush area.

This is the mouth of Laizhou Bay. The fleet and the three air force divisions of the Jiaodong Peninsula launched a three-dimensional pincer offensive from west to east.

Inside the bridge, Li Yujie looked out at the sea, his face inevitably a little nervous.

"Commander, based on the speed of the Japanese destroyer, the enemy's mine warfare team should be almost out of the bay. Why haven't they shown up yet?"

"Are we exposed?"

Hearing this, Philip looked down at the sea chart, and then said confidently:
"Don't worry. The 3rd Air Division has laid a large number of mines in the east and west sections of the bay. Theoretically, this is the only way for the Japanese Navy to enter the central shallow sea basin."

"Of course, if they are really sunk by a mine, just ignore what I said, but the enemy shouldn't be that stupid."

"Please be patient and wait. The radar technology of the Weapons Testing and Research Bureau has never let us down."

That's right, the Lancaster fleet of the 717rd Air Division deployed 500 -kilogram magnetic mines at the mouth of Laizhou Bay.

We must thank Mr. Huang for his generous sponsorship for such a "desperate" tactic.

As a World of Warships player, he will never forget the days when he was disgusted by aircraft carrier torpedo bombers.

The British can use Lancaster to block the Kiel Canal and the Rhine River. The Eighth Route Army Air Force can certainly learn from it and use it to further weaken the Japanese navy before the naval battle officially begins. If it weren't for the new navy to practice, Huang He would even propose to use mines to completely block Laizhou Bay.

Just as the two were talking, a loud explosion suddenly came from the direction of the mouth of Laizhou Bay in the distance.

Almost at the same time, reports from the combat situation center and the lookout were heard through the loudspeaker system in the bridge.

"Commander! 314A radar detected multiple targets in contact, bearing 052, distance 19000 meters, identified as eight destroyers, speed 30 knots!"

"Smoke spotted at position 052! It is believed to be the boiler exhaust of the Japanese Mine Warfare Squadron!"

The news of the enemy's appearance immediately activated the bridge of the Yellow River cruiser. The comrades performed their duties and spontaneously entered combat mode.

Commander Philip first glanced at the sea chart, then turned on the fleet's communication system and gave the order:
"Attention, all ships, this is the flagship. Enemy ships in contact, bearing 052, distance 19000 meters, confirmed to be the Japanese mine warfare column."

"Execute T-shaped maneuver, use formation 3, reply received!"

"Yan'an received it, Taiyuan received it, Weihai received it, Guisui received it!"

Following the command of the legendary captain, the flagship Yellow River took the lead in turning left 30 degrees, increasing its speed to 25 knots, and began to occupy the T-shaped horizontal position.

The Fletcher-class and three Benson-class ships also turned synchronously, with each ship maintaining a distance of 1000 meters, and formed a battle line in a swift and decisive manner.

After all the ships had completed their maneuvers, Philip gave another order:

"All fleets, prepare to launch torpedoes! Target, enemy mine warfare team, bearing 052, distance 17000 meters. Speed ​​42 knots, depth 2.5 meters, 15-degree fan spread!"

"M1942D, salvo!"

Information asymmetry is one of the core factors that determine victory or defeat in war.

In the Navy's tactical manual, whether it is the Eighth Route Army's magic torpedo, Commissioner Smith's kinetic iron rod MK15, or the French 550mm antique.

They are all short-legged with a range of no more than five kilometers.

The M20D, with a range of over 1942 kilometers, perfectly meets all the prerequisites for a first-sight kill and is about to tear apart all stereotypes with a bloody sea of ​​torpedoes.

After issuing the orders for maneuvering and torpedo strikes, the legendary Captain Philip decisively handed over the command.

Although today was Li Yujie's first time to command an actual combat, he threw away all distracting thoughts in his mind the moment the Japanese Navy's torpedo squadron appeared.

While the Yellow River's torpedo fire control was being calculated, the young captain gave the order to the battle situation center:

“我做以下部署，将敌纵队的首舰命名为甲1，距甲1尾部800米的第二舰命名为甲2，剩下的三艘神风级分别为甲3、4、5。”

"The two Cong-class ships are numbered Yi 1 and 2 from front to back. The one that was seriously damaged by the mine is Yi 3."

"Combat Situation Center, I need a firepower plan to attack A-1."

"Roger that!"

Unlike the Type 1942 torpedo in Japan, which requires oxygen refilling, the Fletcher-class and Benson-class destroyers using the MD can still use the rapid launch mode.

Theoretically, it only takes two and a half minutes from target identification to execution of salvo fire.

While the combat situation center was still operating the fire control radar, 46 Cold War-level torpedoes had been fired in salvo, forming a death fan 1.5 kilometers wide on the sea surface.

If there is any shortcoming, it is that the white tail of the torpedo is a little too obvious.

Light sticks, please understand.

Anyway, anti-ship weapons such as torpedoes have always been used by those who are willing to take the bait. Don’t you see that the Germans who have water listening are still the main force that eats torpedoes all the time?

After waiting for a while, the combat situation center submitted the fire plan, and the main gun group also prepared for salvo fire according to the parameters.

Seeing this, Li Yujie immediately ordered:
"Main gun crew, lock on to target A1. Azimuth 052, distance 16000 meters. Full salvo, rapid fire!"

"fire!"

At the moment when the Yellow River cruiser fired eight guns in unison, the soldiers in the bridge felt that the deck under their feet was shaking, and the muzzle flames almost blocked everyone's vision.

4 twin-mounted 155mm missiles, firing one salvo every 12 seconds.

With this caliber and firing rate, it would definitely be despised by everyone among the light cruisers in World of Warships.

In Wowoshit, you call me a useless light cruiser, and I don't care. But in reality, facing eight old destroyers, what should you call me?

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

It turns out that worshipping Mazu before going out to sea is really useful. The average hit rate of the Degetrouan-class light cruiser in the original timeline was only 4.5% throughout World War II.

When fighting against pasta, only 120 out of 2 shells hit the target, yielding an extremely incredible 1.66% response rate.

Nowadays!

She performed unexpectedly well and her first volley was a cross-shot at an incredibly long distance.

Eight towering water columns exploded on both sides of the bow of Ship A1, like a water curtain cage opened by the Dragon King.

"Stride fire! Target A1 has started a Z-shaped evasive maneuver! Rapid fire! All guns fire at full force!"

As an old ship with a service life of nearly twenty years, the main guns of the Yellow River cruiser are loaded purely manually.

Even though the Shandong men tried their best to carry the shells, the firing rate and firepower projection could not be increased.

Fortunately, at this time, the Japanese torpedo squadron had entered the range of the 38-caliber Mk.12, and the four destroyers that were eyeing it also joined the bombardment sequence.

After the fire control radars of each ship locked onto the leading A-1, 20 127mm naval guns spewed flames almost at the same time and began to tilt their firepower towards the enemy ship.

"Fire!"

As one of the most advanced destroyers today, both the Fletcher and Benson classes are equipped with manually assisted semi-automatic loading systems.

In addition, the Ugly sailors were well-fed and had endless energy, so much so that the four destroyers fired hundreds of shells in one minute.

"Straddle shot!"

"Keep up the projection! Kill those Japanese!"

Under the full-force bombardment of a light cruiser and four destroyers, water columns appeared one after another around the Kamikaze-class destroyer with the tactical number A-1, and the surging sea water almost overturned the hull.

Theoretically, in the naval battles of World War II, even if thousands of shells were fired, it was not certain that a single shell would hit the target.

But with the joint efforts of Mazu and the Weapons Experimental Research Bureau, the North Sea Fleet's flagship, the Yellow River, hit the target just two minutes after the war began.

"It hit! I saw a shell hit the bridge of the A-1, and in the firelight I could see a figure being thrown into the sea by the blast!" (End of this chapter)