dognovel Chapter 138 The Outbreak Of War (Third Update, Please Subscribe!)
Chapter 138 The Outbreak Of War (Third Update, Please Subscribe!)
The 1st Squadron of the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy, with 4 "Ekaterina II" battleships, the "Navarin" battleship, and the "Tsarist Russian Empire" armored cruiser
The armored cruiser 'Rurik', the armored cruiser 'Pamitzova' and the armored cruiser 'Admiral Nasimov' as the main force, together with several protective cruisers, also possess certain combat effectiveness.
As long as they don't encounter the main force of the combined fleet, they can successfully get rid of the combined fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy and arrive at the Cam Ranh Bay naval base. There should be no problem.
Plus, time is on their side.
The combined fleet of the Orientals will not arrive at Lushun Fortress until tomorrow. When they discovered that the main force of the Pacific Fleet had retreated, it was too late to catch up.
Even if the Japanese battleships are a little faster. However, it was just over two quarters.
It is simply impossible to catch up with the Pacific Fleet 1st Squadron.
Besides, the endurance of warships in this era is generally not too high.
The 1st Squadron of the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy can go to Cam Ranh Bay for supplies. But the combined fleet of the Orientals may only be resupplied by transport ships.
After the first detachment of the Pacific Fleet withdrew from Lushun Fortress, the entire Lushun Fortress entered a state of combat readiness.
Meanwhile, Pacific Fleet 2, namely the remaining battleship 'Peter the Great', two battleships 'Alexander II Class 043', battleship 'Twelve Apostles' and battleship 'Gangut', and other aging The protective cruisers attacked the hull one after another, aimed their naval guns at the outside of the fortress, and used them as fixed turrets at sea, and cooperated with the coastal defense turrets to enhance the firepower of the entire fortress.
In this case, it is simply impossible for the combined fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy to defeat the entire Lushun Fortress in the same sea.
The combination of the powerful coastal firepower and the firepower of the battleship is enough for the Japanese to drink a pot.
On the morning of February 8, 1804, the United Fleet arrived at Lushun Fortress aggressively.
However, by releasing the observation balloons, they discovered that the remaining battleships in the military port have been reduced by more than half. All the most elite warships of the combined fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy have all disappeared.
This surprised the United Fleet up and down. ,
"Baga! Damn Russians? Where did their "Ekaterina II" battleships and "Navarin" battleships, as well as those armored cruisers go?
Lieutenant General Dongxiang Heihachiro was angry.
It was originally thought that the raid on Lushun Fortress by means of undeclared war could block all the Pacific Fleet in the military port. However, in the end, it was discovered that the most elite warships had disappeared.
This is undoubtedly a great threat to the United Fleet.
"Your Excellency, Commander, will the Russians dispatch the most elite warships to attack us?" asked the Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet, Hayao Shimamura.
Lieutenant General Dongxiang Heihachiro shook his head: "The Russians are not fools. They should be very clear that with their strength, even if the entire Pacific Fleet is added up, they are not our opponents. Not to mention the situation of missing a few battleships. Then it will be even more difficult for us.”
"Then, Commander, do you mean that the Russians have escaped?" Mr. Hashio Shimatoki looked in disbelief.
"This is just my guess. Order the fleet to prepare for the Russians' surprise attack. At the same time, immediately report the situation to the country and request the country to send out reconnaissance ships to search for the movements of the Russians. In addition, in the After confirming the movement of the Russian fleet, the army will act again!" Lieutenant General Dongxiang Heihachiro ordered.
If these warships of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy were going towards the transport fleet of the Eastern Empire Army, then the army would be in danger.
After all, the Army's transport ships are almost unarmed. Facing the battleships and armored cruisers of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy, it is absolutely a dead end.
Fortunately, the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy did not do this. They are simply trying to avoid the edge temporarily and preserve their strength.
Lushun Fortress has also entered a state of combat readiness after discovering the combined fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy.
However, the United (adef) fleet did not want to resist the coastal firepower of the Lushun Fortress, so they did not choose to attack, but stayed on guard from a distance.
This also made Lieutenant General Alekseev, commander of the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy, a sigh of relief.
At least, if the Combined Fleet of the Eastern Empire Navy is dragged here, the 1st Division of the Pacific Fleet will have more time to evacuate.
On the mainland of the Eastern Empire, the Minister of the Navy, Lieutenant Admiral Yamamoto Gonbei, and the Chief of Naval Command, Admiral Ito Yuhiro, did not dare to be negligent after receiving the report from the combined fleet. .
On the side of the Eastern Empire Army, the action was immediately stopped. The troops that were about to set off stayed on the transport ship one after another. The transport ships also stayed in the port "not daring to go to sea.
The Eastern Empire Army is also worried that they will be attacked by warships of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy. At that time, the army has not yet landed, and I am afraid that there will be heavy casualties.
The intelligence capabilities of the Orientals are still very good. Not only did they infiltrate the Qing Empire very seriously, but their intelligence personnel are everywhere. At the same time, at sea, there are also a large number of reconnaissance ships disguised as merchant ships or fishing boats.
Two days later, the reconnaissance ship of the Orientals in the East China Sea discovered the 1st Squadron of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Imperial Navy.
After reporting this news to the country, the senior officials of the Navy and Army of the Eastern Empire were relieved.
"I didn't expect the Russians to be so cowardly, they fled without fighting, they are simply cowards!" General Gui Taro looked disdainful.
However, Lieutenant General Gonbei Yamamoto and General Ito Yuhiro had serious expressions.
"The Russians want to preserve their strength. The main force of the Russian Pacific Fleet is fleeing. I am afraid that they are preparing to join their main fleet in Europe and then deal with the combined fleet of the Imperial Navy. In this case, the combined fleet will have even greater pressure! Lieutenant General Gonbei Yamamoto had a trace of worry on his face.
Originally, they planned to eliminate the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Russian Empire Navy first, and then deal with the main force of the Tsarist Russian Imperial Navy.
But now, that plan doesn't work.
"There is no other way. Anyway, the main force of the Russian Pacific Fleet escaped. The remaining warships were blocked in the military port of Lushun Fortress. Then, they can no longer constitute any impact on our next military operations. The impact is gone. Our battle can begin." General Gui Taro said.
The generals of the army and navy of the Eastern Empire nodded repeatedly.
On February 15, the war between the Eastern Empire and the Tsarist Russian Empire officially broke out.
The 1st Army of the Eastern Empire Army, with the support of the Navy, landed in Incheon and launched an attack on Seoul. .