My Italy

In the evening of the same day, Vice Admiral Spey led the German, Italian and Austrian Pacific Fleet to attack Sydney Harbor.

The Sydney Coast Guard, which had already received the news, cooperated with the Royal Australian Navy to resist the attack of the Spey Fleet. In the end, at the cost of losing four gunboats, three torpedo boats, and more than ten coastal defense guns, the Spey fleet was driven out of Sydney Bay. He also damaged many of the opponent's warships and achieved a strategic victory.

Although this resulted in the sinking of 14 transport ships in the port and the destruction of two shipyards, it broke the Spey fleet's determination to destroy Sydney. (Spee: I need an ammunition supply fleet)

News of the attack on Sydney quickly spread throughout the world.

The Southeast Asian fleet, which was originally searching for the whereabouts of the Spey fleet in the Maluku Islands, set sail from the islands as soon as it received the news. They rushed non-stop to the east coast of Australia. In the words of Major General Craddock, the commander of the fleet, since Spey dared to show his face, the British Empire must let him know the consequences. Therefore, the mighty Southeast Asian fleet immediately turned around and headed straight for the east coast of Australia.

Moreover, in order to prevent the Spey fleet from escaping further, Major General Craddock also sent a formation headed by the reconnaissance cruiser Debok to the Samoa Islands, Fiji Islands and other South Pacific Islands for reconnaissance. This is to prevent the Spey fleet from using the South Pacific Islands to escape its search.

In addition to sending warships to alert and search, he also sent telegrams to British and French strongholds in the South Pacific Islands, asking them to pay attention to foreign ships, especially warships.

In addition, he also sent a telegram to the Royal Australian Navy, asking them to pay attention to whether there were suspicious ships in Bass Strait and Australia Bight. Although the sea conditions in the South Indian Ocean are rough and windy, the possibility of the other party taking the risk of passing through this area cannot be ruled out (there is currently no navigation in the South Indian Ocean).

Moreover, by crossing the southern Indian Ocean, the other party can obtain supplies and repairs in the Italian colonies in East Africa. Major General Craddock believes that as long as the other party wants to escape, they will definitely pass through here. Therefore, he also paid great attention to the southern waters of Australia.

But it is a pity that all the elite warships of the Australian Navy have been transferred away, otherwise the Spey fleet would not dare to be so reckless.

Although Craddock has many arrangements, the most important thing is to lead the fleet to the east coast of Australia. Only in this way can the unscrupulous Spey fleet be stopped.

However, after Sydney was attacked, no matter whether it was Melbourne, Brisbane, Australia's important ports, or the reconnaissance ships scurrying around the sea, the Spey fleet was no longer seen.

If it were not for the attack on Sydney Harbor, it would be as if the Spey Fleet had never appeared. Then where was the Spey Fleet?

As a sea area named after the famous Captain Cook, Cook Strait separates the north and south islands of New Zealand. Due to the influence of strong westerly winds, the currents in Cook Strait are turbulent and changeable, which is not very friendly to ships.

At this time, a fleet was sailing in the strait under the gaze of the moonlight.

Yes, this is the Spey fleet that many people miss.

As the target of most concern in the east of the Indian Ocean, the Spey fleet after attacking Sydney did not continue to attack other Australian seaports as the British thought.

According to Lieutenant General Spey, the most important thing about this attack is that the enemy cannot figure out the movement trajectory of the fleet. Because there is a huge disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves, if the enemy grasps the trajectory of one's actions, the consequences will be disastrous. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the fleet, Spey would rather reduce the number of attacks to ensure the safety of his own fleet.

And his idea also received support from the captains. After all, no one is stupid. Who wants to be caught by the British fleet when there is a huge disparity in strength.

Although they are willing to make sacrifices for the motherland, they don't have to make fearless sacrifices. Isn't it better to keep their names and make greater contributions to the country?

That's why Spey led the fleet across the vast Tasman Sea and rushed to Cook Strait. The scenery of Cook Strait under the moonlight is beautiful and gives people a very comfortable feeling.

However, Lieutenant-Admiral Spee on the flagship Scharnhorst did not feel comfortable at all. Instead, he was extremely miserable at this time. The reason that made him miserable was none other than Lieutenant Colonel Greylatt, the fleet combat staff officer in front of him.

"Lieutenant Colonel Graylat, please tell me why there was a low-level mistake such as miscalculation. This is on the battlefield and we are still performing a dangerous mission. There is such a serious mistake as miscalculation of speed. Your combat staff room is too conceited. I'm disappointed."

At this moment, in the command tower, Lieutenant General Spey looked at Lieutenant Colonel Graylat in front of him with an angry look.

"Your Excellency, Commander, this time we did not take into account the impact of attachments on the ship's speed, resulting in a calculation error. This is the fault of our combat staff room, and we are willing to accept any punishment."

Lieutenant Colonel Graylat, who was staring at him, lowered his head in shame to express his acknowledgment of his mistake.

The reason for Spey's anger was simple. When formulating the plan for the attack on Wellington, the combat staff made a stupid mistake and failed to take the reduced ship speed into account.

Due to the fact that the battleship has not been maintained for a long time, the attachments on the bottom of the battleship have become clustered, which has resulted in the battleship's top speed generally being reduced by one to two knots.

The plan drawn up by the combat staff was originally for the fleet to attack Wellington at dawn on February 16 at maximum speed. But based on the current speed, we can only reach Wellington in the early morning. The difference between them is not small. One is unprepared and the other is prepared.

Although Wellington's coastal defense facilities are not very good, they will still cause some damage to the battleships in the fleet, especially small cruisers. Therefore, Lieutenant General Spey was furious about this kind of mistake in the operational staff room. This will cause the fleet to suffer more unprovoked losses, so it would be strange not to get angry.

As for why it is only now discovered that the maximum speed of the warship has been reduced, it is because the fuel consumed by the warship when sailing at the maximum speed is more than twice its economic speed. The fleet's carrying capacity is limited, and even with a supply ship, it is impossible to consume fuel for no reason.

"Commander, are we still going to Wellington now?"

At this time, an officer asked, but then he immediately knew the consequences of asking blindly.

"If we don't go to Wellington, will we just return in vain?"

It was obvious that this person was getting angry and successfully directed Lieutenant General Spey's anger towards himself.

…………

The early morning sun jumps out of the water and shines into the windy city of Wellington.

As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington has developed well. With a population of more than 60,000, it is also the second largest city in New Zealand. The hustle and bustle of Wellington is gradually rising in the early morning sunshine, and residents are getting busy.

The gunboat Cole was patrolling off Wellington at this time, which was the result of the Spey fleet's attack on Sydney. At this time, the crew members on the Cole were chatting tiredly.

"I've been up all night again, why haven't the replacement Nuggets arrived yet?"

"Who knows, maybe the crew on the Stubborn Stone overslept, or maybe there was a malfunction on the ship."

"Don't let it break down. The last time the Stubborn Stone broke down, we stayed for an extra three hours."

"I hope so. The Germans attacked Sydney. Your Excellencies gave the order and we suffered. I don't know where the German fleet went. They haven't been seen for a week. Did they run away?"

"Who knows, but did he run away?"

While the crew members on the Cole were bragging and spanking, the lookout was seen staring at the distant coastline and shouting loudly. "Attention, there are ships coming from the west, it seems to be a fleet."

The lookout hand's words caused the crew to observe in the direction he pointed.

"This boat is so fast."

"It looks like a warship. Did the Australian Navy send a fleet here?"

"I don't think so. It should be sent by the Southeast Fleet."

At this time, the crew of the Cole were not aware of the danger. Years of comfortable life without war left the New Zealand Fleet of the Royal Navy with little vigilance. After all, there are no pirates here in New Zealand. Since the establishment of the fleet, there have been no other dangers to the fleet except accidents.

So the reaction of the crew of the Cole at this time was not surprising.

But soon, as the warships in the distance gradually approached, some sharp-eyed crew members finally realized that something was wrong.

"Why does this ship look so wrong? It's a German warship."

This sentence immediately made the crew of the Cole busy.

"Quick, send a message that the Germans are coming."

"I'm too busy sending telegrams, so I just fired artillery to alert the defenders."

Although the Cole made the most correct decision, since Vice Admiral Spey dared to lead the fleet to attack Wellington. Naturally, he figured out his strength.

Soon afterwards, Wellington residents watched menacing warships rush into the harbor, and a disaster befell Wellington.

News of the attack on Wellington soon reached Major General Craddock, who led the Southeast Asian fleet, via radio waves.

At this time, he was still halfway with his fleet, and his current location was still in the eastern part of the Coral Sea, still more than two thousand nautical miles away from New Zealand.

At this time, after Major General Craddock put down the telegram, he issued an order that he would regret for the rest of his life. "Immediately send a message to the Australian Navy, requesting them to search the Tasman Sea and keep an eye out for suspicious ships. Send a message to our warships in the South Pacific, ordering them to keep an eye out for foreign ships. In addition, have the First Cruiser Group head to the Palau Islands immediately, and then Searching all the way south. I took the fleet to New Zealand."