My Italy

"You mean to say that we encountered the Italian fleet in the waters thirty-eight nautical miles southeast?"

Yuhiro Ito asked again with confirmation, and beside him, Shiki Kayama, Shigeta Dewa and others also looked at the ordeal-ridden Captain Nakano with serious expressions.

"Yes, Commander, I did encounter the Italian fleet thirty-eight nautical miles southeast."

"Do you see clearly?"

"You can see it clearly."

At this time, Izuku Shigeon suddenly broke into the conversation. "Is there a transport fleet in the Italian fleet you saw?"

Although Nakano Ikki didn't know why the Chief of Staff would ask this question, when he saw the three officers with their bright eyes wide open, he immediately understood that this question was very important.

"Although my main attention is on the Italian fleet, I can still see a large fleet of transport ships behind the warships."

Nakano Ikki's answer made the three eyes light up, because they all knew that Colonel Dewa's plan was based on the fact that the Italian transport fleet was still there.

As Lieutenant General Ito asked a few more questions, Captain Nakano answered them truthfully.

"Okay, we already know the situation. Thank you and the other officers and soldiers of the Yaeyama for your efforts. I hope you will continue to serve the empire."

After Nakano Ikki left, Dewa Shigeno, the chief of staff, was the most frustrated.

"Since the enemy's transport fleet has not left, I think the plan can continue to be implemented. It is time to send an invitation to the enemy to fight."

Dewa Shigen's invitation to fight put great pressure on the commander, Lieutenant General Ito, because he would need to rely on him to give orders next. Regardless of whether this naval battle is won or lost, he will be the first person responsible.

However, Ito Yuheng also knew that he had no choice. Now he had an arrow on the string and had to take action.

"Immediately order the fleet to form a battle formation and advance to the southeast at a speed of 14 knots. In addition, the first battle group is composed of Yamashiro, Matsushima, Itsukushima, Hashidate and other ships, and the third battle group is composed of Yoshino, Takachiho, Hayami, Izumi and other ships. Team Two.”

Following Ito Yuhiro's order, the combined fleet no longer controlled the Eagle on the periphery, but instead formed a battle formation and advanced to the southeast.

Faced with the actions of the United Fleet, Lieutenant General Alvaro, who has a powerful communication tool, has always been aware of it since he was able to contact the Eagle. After giving the order to continue monitoring the Eagle, Lieutenant General Alvaro immediately ordered the transport fleet, led by the three cruisers Pernia, Courage, and Glory, to turn and retreat to the rear. Let these three cruisers leave with the transport fleet to avoid distraction. Moreover, these three cruisers are also the weakest in terms of tonnage and firepower in the formation. They only have a tonnage of one or two thousand, and their main responsibility is to protect the transportation team.

"Since the enemy wants a frontal naval battle, then we will give it to them. Order all ships to prepare for the battle."

Following Lieutenant General Alvaro's order, the remaining battleships began pre-war preparations. Sandbags, fire-extinguishing equipment, ammunition, etc. were continuously moved out by the sailors, while Lieutenant General Alvaro maintained contact with the Eagle. Contact allows you to control the enemy's dynamics at any time.

At this moment, Lieutenant General Alvaro felt that radio had a profound impact on naval warfare. It was impossible to know the enemy's movements without a lookout post. This was simply unimaginable in the past. Of course, this had a lot to do with the normal operation of the Eagle's radio.

At 1:25 in the afternoon, the rail pole of the combined fleet finally appeared on the sea level, and before that, the lookout post had already issued a warning in advance through the smoke column.

"finally come!"

At this moment, many officers and soldiers of the combined fleet, as well as officers and soldiers of the task force, suddenly had this idea in their hearts.

However, as the commanders of both sides, Lieutenant General Alvaro and Lieutenant General Ito Yuhiro had no such idea. The moment they discovered each other, they began to compete.

"Order the fleet course to deflect 15 degrees eastward."

Since the Combined Fleet is coming from the northwest and the Italian Fleet is in the southeast, turning eastward can give the Combined Fleet the advantage of grabbing the T.

However, Lieutenant General Alvaro sneered at Ito Yuhiro's operations. "Order the fleet to speed up and increase the speed to 18 knots."

That's right, the Italian task force commanded by Lieutenant General Alvaro has an unparalleled speed advantage. You can manipulate it in any way. Why don't I directly use the speed advantage? Unless the combined fleet is willing to divide the formation into two parts, otherwise it will start with T. He was determined.

Of course, if the Japanese fleet commander really divides the fleet into two parts in order to grab the T-letter, then Vice Admiral Alvaro will really laugh his head off. He can happily divide and eat the Japanese warships and return them to the opponent. Take a lesson.

As for the Italian fleet's use of speed as a means to grab the tank, of course the opponent Yuhiro Ito discovered it at the first opportunity.

However, as a saying goes, knowing a problem does not mean it can be solved. This is exactly the state of Ito Yuhiro.

Lieutenant General Alvaro's hand directly hit the lifeblood of the United Fleet. Because according to the short plank theory of the barrel, the United Fleet has a lot of 14-kilometer warships, and it is impossible to compete with the Italian fleet in speed.

So despite the expectations of others, Ito Yuheng has no solution.

Without the speed advantage and unable to divide his troops, Ito Yuhiro could only find compensation in other aspects. Fortunately, they didn't want to fight a formal naval battle.

"Let the fleet turn thirty degrees westward and continue sailing at a speed of fourteen knots. Also adjust the fleet order, with Yamashiro as the bow, followed by the three ships Matsushima, Itsukushima, and Hashidate, and then Yoshino in turn No. 1, Akitsusu, Chiyoda, Iwajima, Takachiho, Izumi, Atago, Kaimon, and Tateyama each acted according to their respective formation assignments after conducting their first bombardment against the enemy."

That's right, the combined fleet led by Yuhiro Ito must compete with the Italian fleet before proceeding with the plan formulated by Colonel Dewa.

Because they needed to bypass the obstruction of the Italian fleet, they had to line up for a bombardment. Then, the first team was left to entangle the opponent, while the second team left the battlefield and pounced on the transport fleet at the rear. This is also why the Yamashiro (formerly the Bullard) will stay in the first team. The Sankei ship is not strong and is afraid that it will not be able to withstand the giant guns of the opponent's three battleships. After all, except for the 320mm main gun of the Sankei ship, Besides, it has nothing to offer in terms of protection and speed.

Of course, in addition to the main battleships, the combined fleet also carries some other warships.

"In addition, the torpedo boats Kitty Hawk, No. 7, No. 11, No. 12, No. 13, No. 19, No. 22, and No. 23 were ordered to follow behind and wait for the opportunity to Torpedo surprise disrupts enemy fleet."

Following Ito Yuhiro's order, the combined fleet began a bombardment line formation.

On Lieutenant General Alvaro's side, he laughed as he watched his opponent start preparing for artillery attacks from a distance. "It seems that the enemy has given up on grabbing the T. If this is the case, then we will do our part and turn 45 degrees to the west. Let us teach them a lesson with naval guns."

Although Lieutenant General Alvaro said it very easily, the artillery formation was also being carried out. Three Turin-class battleships took the lead, followed by two Venice-class armored cruisers, and then various types of protected cruisers based on tonnage, firepower and other factors. Next in line.

The two warship formations lined up two to three thousand meters long and began to gradually approach.

However, as it gradually approached, the Italian fleet led by Vice Admiral Alvaro relied on its high speed of 18 knots to firmly grasp the T-prefix advantage.

Yuhiro Ito, on the other hand, led the combined fleet to move left and right, not wanting to give the opponent a chance to insert the prefix T perfectly.

Although neither of the two sides fired a single artillery shell, the two sides battled wits and courage and demonstrated the abilities of their officers and soldiers to the fullest.

The warships of other countries watching from the sidelines were in awe.

However, no matter how hard the Combined Fleet struggled, the task force had an unparalleled advantage in terms of the capabilities of its officers and soldiers and the performance of its warships. Not to mention that the Italian fleet also had the weapon of radio, which made it impossible for the Combined Fleet to get rid of it.

The two fleets are approaching, and the opponent's figure is getting clearer and clearer.

Eight thousand meters!

Seven thousand meters!

Six thousand meters!

Five thousand meters!

When the two parties reached a distance of five thousand meters, they saw that the Turin ship at the head of the fleet had inserted the prefix T, and Lieutenant General Alvaro gave an order. "Order each ship to fire in turn."