April 2, 1653, Hanzhou, Jianye City, Admiralty.

"1. Once a signal from the fleet commander is received that the enemy fleet has been discovered, the fleet commander's flag will be lowered and the signal flag will be hoisted. Each squadron will send a fast frigate or flying fish clipper to immediately follow the enemy fleet and try to obtain the number and number of the enemy fleet as much as possible.

Quality intelligence, such as how many professional warships there are, or

Arson ships and other ships, enemy fleet changes, etc.; once intelligence collection is completed, fast frigates or flying fish clippers should gather to summarize the intelligence and then quickly submit it to the squadron or the commander-in-chief. If the enemy fleet exceeds its own number, it is not necessary.

Do not engage in combat unless you are in a superior position."

"2. Once the fleet commander is found engaging in combat or firing three guns and raising a red signal flag on the top of the main mast, each squadron shall use the best advantageous position to engage the enemy in accordance with regulations;"

"3. If any squadron or ship is besieged by the enemy or is in trouble, another squadron or ship should immediately go to rescue and help after receiving the signal. The signal is the red pennant on the top of the forward mainmast (

suggestion);"

"4,... keep the enemy ship in the leeward position of our fleet, seize the T-head position, and make full use of our side gunfire advantage."

"5. If the fleet commander is windward of the enemy fleet, he should raise the blue signal flag on the top of the mizzen mast, and other squadrons or ships should follow his course or route and move to the windward position of the enemy fleet as soon as possible;"

"..."

"10. If the enemy ship is incapacitated, our ship commanders who are fighting or pursuing the enemy ship cannot stay, seize, hold or burn these disabled enemy ships during the battle (because this behavior will cause the ship to lose its ability to move).

Complete a more important fighting chance);"

"11. Do not shoot at enemy ships with your own ships beside them, but you can shoot if you ensure that your own ships will not be harmed;"

"12. Before the main force of the enemy fleet loses combat effectiveness or escapes, our ships must not pursue the enemy's small fleet or sporadic ships;"

"13. During a battle, when an own ship is severely beaten but is not in danger of sinking or being surrounded by enemy ships, the ships following it should not stay to protect the former, but should attack the enemy ship resolutely and forcefully, and will

The task of protecting the damaged ships is assigned to the last ship in the fleet. Because, attacking the main force of the enemy fleet is the best way to protect the damaged ships."

"..."

Commander Qi Dajiang of the Indian Fleet Luo Shouxun spent several years summarizing and writing the "Naval Combat Instructions" carefully read twice, with a very satisfied smile on his face.

"Grand Commander, this "Battle Instruction" is purely my own opinion. There may be many deficiencies and omissions, which need to be improved and supplemented by all my colleagues in the navy after consultation." Luo Shouxun said solemnly.

"Not bad, not bad!" Qi Dajiang looked at Luo Shouxun, his eyes full of expectation and admiration, "If all the officers in our navy are like you, why worry about our navy not being prosperous? In more than ten years, the entire navy has

, only you

I am thinking of summarizing our combat logs and voyage logs at sea and compiling this "Battle Instruction". In the future, if all officers read and memorize this "Instruction", our navy will be able to command like an arm, and its combat effectiveness will be several times higher.

promote."

"The Governor is ridiculous!" Luo Shouxun shook his head and said: "I compiled this "Naval Combat Instruction" to imitate the standardized and standardized operating procedures in construction companies. The king once said that when we do anything,

We must try our best to break down complex things

In order to standardize and process routine things in a few simple steps. Therefore, I was wondering if we could also make corresponding regulations and procedures for our maritime combat mode. As long as we encounter similar situations on the battlefield, we can directly

Just introduce examples and procedures."

In a naval battle, in addition to the strength of the fleet, the factor that determines victory mainly depends on the fleet commander's ability to organize the warships into a disciplined fleet in various sea conditions and make them obey his orders or signals. Only when the fleet is well organized

Only when they think it is possible and beneficial to fight the enemy can they fight against the enemy. When the captains of each ship encounter a chaotic battlefield situation or do not understand the attack method chosen by the fleet commander, this is to a large extent.

It depends on the cohesion and coordinated training of the entire fleet.

Therefore, every captain in the fleet tries to keep his warships traveling according to the course and distance set by the fleet commander. Once the commander changes the sail direction, other warships in the fleet must immediately adjust the sail direction to be consistent with the flagship. In this way

As a result, each ship in the fleet will have the same wind power as the flagship.

But the larger the fleet, the more difficult it is to control it, and the longer it takes to execute formation changes. Therefore, when turning, each ship must have strict rules on whether to adjust the bow first or change the sail direction first or both.

Regulations. This is a severe test for every ship. To achieve these, a set of standardized and procedural combat instructions must be in place and strictly implemented.

In the early 17th century, the development of broadside shooting tactics lagged far behind the changes in shipbuilding technology and weapons. Although the warships at that time had a large number of cannons placed on the sides, using broadside shooting should still be the most reasonable strategy. But the naval battles at that time

Still the same as in the early 16th century, the fleet lined up in a battle formation. The main method of attack was to fire the bow cannon, conduct a one-on-one duel, and then board the ship.

Even in the first Anglo-Dutch War that broke out in July last year, the Dutch often broke into the British fleet during naval battles, boarded the ships, then launched boarding attacks, and finally captured the enemy ships. As for the real line

The use of column tactics did not occur until the Battle of Portland between the two sides in 1653, and it was only when the British fleet inadvertently used this tactic.

The British fleet took advantage of its own artillery, lined up the ships in a row, and fired at the Dutch with their broadside artillery. Although the Dutch were good at melee combat, they always wanted to get close to the British ships and board the ship to fight, but they were under fire from the other side.

Unable to do so under the blow.

Under Qi Tian's suggestion, the Qi Navy may have been the first to apply line tactics to actual combat during this period. In the second Sino-Dutch War three years ago, the Battle of Ambon and the Battle of Kupang were fought with two battleships.

The main force formed a column, moving in opposite directions and in the same direction, and launched a line bombardment against the Dutch fleet. With the fierce firepower of our own professional warships, they were defeated almost in the first round of the battle.

This increased the fighting confidence of the Dutch fleet.

Now, after several years of drills, the Qi Navy has basically mastered the use of line tactics. Even a small fleet with only two or three warships can proactively seize the T-position when a naval battle occurs.

, aim your most advantageous broadside gun position at the bow and stern of the enemy ship, and then use line tactics to violently bombard the enemy ship to gain the first-mover advantage.

"Shou Xun, this "Naval Combat Instruction" already includes many operational details of maritime operations and navigation, from the complete formation of the cruising formation, to the maneuvering of one battle formation into another, and even how the large fleet searches.

to the enemy fleet and how to base it on the current situation

There is a way to deploy the battle line." Qi Dajiang stood up and patted Luo Shouxun's shoulder affectionately, "This "Instruction" should be carried by every fleet commander and ship commander of our Qi Navy, and this should be studied and studied.

Keep it in mind and strictly implement it in daily navigation, training and combat."

"...Grand Commander." Luo Shouxun hesitated for a moment, then raised his head and said solemnly: "It is not enough for the navy to only have an instruction manual! The march and combat process of the naval fleet is a complex and systematic matter. Its actual operation cannot be based on just the reference

We compile instruction or specification manuals. Because the scenario described in any instruction manual is never complete, interpretation of tactics requires professional practice."

"For a powerful navy, its combat instructions or instruction manuals should be closest to combat practice. On the contrary, if official instructions are out of touch with combat practice, it will easily solidify the development and progress of the navy, thereby weakening the combat effectiveness of the navy. Our Qi State

The navy must constantly improve and perfect the corresponding combat training and guidance manuals to make them more close to and consistent with actual maritime combat situations, and ultimately allow our Qi Navy to become a regularized and standardized powerful maritime force."

"Well said!" Qi Dajiang felt inexplicably excited after hearing this, "Our Qi Navy has talents like you, so why worry about not being able to grow stronger. From now on, when we old sea dogs retreat, you will eventually be the main pillars of the navy.

Provoke. You have read books, systematically learned maritime combat skills, and after so many years of training at sea, I feel that your achievements in the future will far exceed those of us who are rough!"

"The Commander-in-Chief has oversold me!" Luo Shouxun looked slightly proud, but the "Naval Combat Instructions" he compiled was recognized and appreciated by Qi Dajiang, and deep down he was extremely excited.

"Grand Governor, I have some objections to our navy's plan to increase the number of ships. I wonder if we should talk about it or not?" Luo Shouxun, after chatting for a while about the improvement and advancement of the navy's combat training, suddenly expressed his opinion on the plan to increase the number of naval ships in the next five years.

Different opinions.

"We are all our own people. If you have something to say, it doesn't matter." Qi Dajiang said with a smile: "Originally, the navy's ship purchase plan has not been officially reported to the cabinet. We can discuss everything."

"The Navy Ministry plans to add two enhanced Han-class battleships (with a displacement of 1,500 tons) in the next five years. I think this move is inappropriate and should be carefully considered." Luo Shouxun considered the words and said as tactfully as possible: "Now

Today, excluding the Dutch East India Company, whether it is the Nanyang region, the Daming Sea, or even the Indian region, the enemies our Qi Navy faces are all

Weak. Even Zheng Zhilong's navy has many ships, but it is not as good as our navy's Ming-class fast cruiser in terms of shape and firepower. If two more Han-class battleships are added, it may be useless.

In addition, building a Han-class battleship is very expensive, and the money spent is enough to add six to eight Ming-class battleships, which can also expand the combat area of ​​our navy."

"In your opinion, the addition of new Han-class battleships is a flashy move?" Qi Dajiang asked in a deep voice.

"Grand Commander, what is the operational goal of our Qi Navy in the next five years?" Luo Shouxun continued: "I believe that in the next five years, the operational goal of our Qi Navy will still be to target the numerous lucky ships and bird ships in the Ming Dynasty.

Junk ships and other small and medium-sized ships,

As well as those Western armed merchant ships in the Southeast Asia and India regions. When facing these opponents, there is no need to use Han-class battleships. In addition, the many broken islands in the Southeast Asia and various narrow sea terrains have greatly restricted the combat conditions of large battleships.

"

Huge, gorgeous heavy battleships, although they look extremely powerful and represent a symbol of a country's maritime strength. However, in actual combat, battleships have poor maneuverability and cannot go to sea to fight in bad sea conditions.

The British battleship HMS "Sea Sovereign" was launched into service in 1637. The hull is 51 meters long, 14.7 meters wide, and 23.17 meters high. It has a displacement of 1,600 tons. It is a three-decker battleship and is known as the most powerful battleship in the world. The ship is equipped with

104 artillery pieces, total artillery weight

It weighed more than 150 tons. Because the artillery was too heavy, it seriously affected the maneuverability of this battleship. In the complex sea conditions of the North Sea, it was even difficult to control and participate in battles. In 1660, the "Sea Monarch" was forced to lose weight and a layer of guns

After the deck was dismantled, it reluctantly participated in the Second Anglo-Dutch War.

"However, the combat effectiveness of the battleships is enough to cope with the siege of four to five ordinary battleships. Three years ago, in the Kupang naval battle, the Hanhe and Hanping were able to resist more than ten Dutch armed merchant ships with only two battleships, without any

Don’t fall behind." Qi Dajiang still thought in his heart

He has a soft spot for giant ships, "In addition, battleships not only have powerful firepower, but also have better defense than ordinary battleships. Even if they are hit by dozens of bullets, their actions will not be affected at all. In large-scale naval battles, battleships have completely

The existence of decisive significance.”

"Grand Commander, with the current naval strength of Qi State and the two wars against the Netherlands, it has been fully proved that our Qi Navy has become one of the most powerful maritime forces in the entire Southeast Asia region, and even the Ming Dynasty and India. In this kind of situation

Under this situation, unless the Dutch are desperate and do not want to continue to maintain maritime trade with our country, Qi will no longer

This time a war broke out, I judged that for a long time to come, the Qi Navy would not face large-scale maritime battles, but would frequently engage in small-scale and sporadic battles with surrounding feudal kingdoms and even Western barbarians.

Maritime conflicts. This requires our Qi Navy to have the ability to deploy quickly and win the battle."

"However, there are many factors that need to be considered when deploying large battleships, especially the need to deploy corresponding cruise battleships to follow. When faced with small-scale maritime conflicts, it seems to be a bit too expensive. Well, from a businessman's point of view,

It’s just that the economic utility ratio is too low.”

"Then we won't build a single battleship in the next five to ten years?" Qi Dajiang was already persuaded by Luo Shouxun, but he still felt a little unwilling.

"In order to ensure the advancement and foresight of naval ships, we can let the shipyard research and build a number of new heavy warships. As for their type and scale, I would like to suggest that you consult the king. The king will certainly agree with this.

There is a unique solution.”

Qi Dajiang nodded, deeply agreeing with Luo Shouxun's suggestion.

"The king once said that in this world, whoever controls the oceans controls trade; whoever controls world trade controls world wealth, and thus controls the world. I hope that in a few years, we will be united
Chapter completed!