Chapter seven hundred and twentieth the unjust death of Izumo
After entering a section of Jiangsu, the Yangtze River suddenly opened up, and its width reached 10 kilometers in the Nantong area. However, between Nanjing and Shanghai, there is another place with a width of 1,250 meters behind the river, and that is Jiangyin.
Since ancient times, Jiangyin has been regarded as the key to the Yangtze River Estuary and an important military town. The Manchu and Qing Dynasties also overhauled forts here for river defense, but they have fallen into disrepair in recent years.
However, with the arrival of Fengjun, the Jiangyin Fortress was strengthened unprecedentedly. Especially after the conflict between China and Britain, Fengjun mobilized more than twenty cannons. Since the south bank of the Yangtze River was still in the hands of the rebels, Fengjun could only
It's a bit of a pity that we can use the northern fort but can't form cross fire.
But precisely because of this, Fengjun spared no effort to strengthen its firepower, equipping it with 8 latest 240mm shore guns, 12 152mm cannons, and 9 old-fashioned howitzers of various types left over from the former Qing Dynasty.
Although these old-fashioned artillery have lagged behind, fortunately, the caliber is above 150 mm, and their lethality is still good. In addition, there is an independent artillery brigade of the Army outside Jiangyin that can provide support. This artillery brigade also has 60 artillery pieces of various types.
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After years of accumulation, Fengjun has completely integrated the artillery doctrine into his bones. Problems that can be solved with artillery will absolutely not require anything else. In such an important place as Jiangyin, no amount of investment is too much.
In fact, when the British warships arrived in the Zhoushan area, they were discovered by the submarine force. Although these submarines did not find an opportunity to attack, they had already informed the inland of the situation so that the Feng army could prepare.
From the moment the British warships entered the Yangtze River, the Feng army had been paying close attention. Just when they entered the attack range of the Jiangyin Fortress, the cannons were fired. The shells were like hail, making the river boil.
The British soldiers on the two ships were also well-trained, and they had already prepared plans for this situation. Therefore, although they were panicked, they were able to deal with it calmly and continuously launched counterattacks on the shore.
Cannonballs came and went, and balls of fire rose into the sky, illuminating the dark river surface. At this moment, a huge cannonball fell into the river, setting off a huge water column, and a British ship was very close.
The ** ship seemed to have encountered a huge wave. The hull shook violently and the two sailors fell into the river.
Hearing this loud noise, the British were all frightened. This is definitely a heavy cannon of over 200 mm. Let alone a frigate like theirs, even if a heavy cruiser is hit by one, it will be skinned if it is not dead.
"Damn bureaucrats, didn't they say there are only a few old artillery pieces here? These guys deserve to go to hell. They are making fun of the lives of soldiers!"
The British commander's face showed a look of complete horror: "Quickly, retreat!"
"Sir, what about the Yarmouth?"
"Young man, now is the time to ask us what to do."
Before the captain finished speaking, a shell hit the starboard side of the warship. The 152mm shell instantly penetrated a large hole, and a violent explosion was heard in the middle of the warship.
"No!" Amidst the captain's desperate cry, a huge flame rose from the middle of the frigate. The warship quickly split into two pieces and sank into the river.
When the other ship saw that their companions had been sunk, they were also frightened and hurriedly turned around to escape. However, the shells also fell on the front deck, and the violent explosion wiped out everything on the deck. The out-of-control ship crashed into the
He landed on a stubborn rock by the river and immediately lost power.
The other artillery had not let go of them yet. After being hit by several more shells, the ship burned with raging fire, like a living coffin, and almost all the British troops inside turned into a pile of coke.
Seeing two British warships being killed, the Fengjun soldiers didn't feel anything. They just sank two frigates. It was really not enough. Why didn't the British warships catch up?
In fact, they didn't know that the British heavy cruiser Hawkins and the ironclad cruiser Shannon had already come here to rapidly increase their personnel.
Just when the fort started bombarding the two British ships, they had already reported the news to James. After James got the telegram, he immediately knew that this mission was somewhat troublesome, but as a proud Royal Navy,
They are absolutely not allowed to retreat.
However, James also urgently revised the battle plan. He no longer expected to drag out the Yarmouth, but at least destroyed these warships, so as to preserve the dignity of the British Empire.
And James also knew that there was not much time left for them. If they lost the cover of night, they would be exposed to Fengjun aircraft, and maybe they would make the same mistake as the Yarmouth, so
James decisively ordered that a total of six warships, led by the Hawkins, took action immediately to break through the Fengjun blockade, destroy the Yarmouth, and then evacuate as quickly as possible.
The heavy cruiser USS Hawkins took the lead and rushed in along the Yangtze River estuary. It was already past 11 o'clock at night. However, no one in the Fengjun command headquarters was resting. When Yang Yuting got the British warship, he came
After receiving the news of the crime, decisive measures were immediately taken.
His appetite was greater than he imagined. Saving the Yarmouth was nothing, and repelling the British fleet was nothing great. What Yang Yuting wanted was to kill the entire British fleet.
As long as these warships can be eliminated, the British forces on the coast of China will almost be eliminated. If they want to continue fighting, they must mobilize the fleet from the mainland. That will not take a day or two. Use this time
, the trouble in Nan Province has been solved long ago.
Of course, Yang Yuting also had a trump card in targeting the British fleet. Just now he had received news that a squadron had arrived in Nantong.
It doesn't look like anything special from the outside, but this squadron is unique among the Fengjun Army. They are equipped with the first batch of torpedo planes in the Fengjun Army.
As the name suggests, torpedo planes are fighter planes that use torpedo attacks as attack weapons. During World War II, torpedo planes, as the main carrier-based aircraft of aircraft carriers, were responsible for attacking large enemy combat ships. They played an important role in the navy.
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Fengjun has already begun to modify the Mackensen. Naturally, the torpedo machine cannot be missed, but manufacturing a torpedo machine is not an easy task. A 533 mm torpedo weighs 800 kilograms, or even 900 kilograms. And even larger
The size of the torpedo exceeded one ton.
This has exceeded the bomb load of some of Fengjun's current bombers. It is very difficult for China, which has weak industrial strength, to produce qualified large-scale torpedo aircraft. Bayama Zao Wangsuke and others also tried their best. The result is still there
Piles of technical problems.
But at this time, a torpedo aircraft arrived at Fengtian, and Fengjun suddenly had a reference. Fengjun's research suddenly became much easier. Just half a year ago, Fengjun finally developed the first torpedo aircraft. In half a year,
During this time, Fengjun established the first torpedo squadron and trained the first batch of pilots. Now it has just formed its combat effectiveness. The best training opportunity is right in front of it.
However, it is somewhat ironic that the torpedo aircraft obtained by Feng Jun belongs to the British. The United Kingdom is the first country in the world to develop torpedo aircraft. It has already begun to equip a large number of torpedo aircraft in the late World War I. The torpedo obtained by Feng Jun
The aircraft is a Schottscher type. The biggest advantage of this aircraft is its endurance. It can fly continuously for more than six hours, which is far more than the aircraft of the same era.
Being able to do this is actually related to the excellent engine of this aircraft. It is equipped with a Rolls-Royce "Eagle VIII" V12 water-cooled engine, reaching 358 horsepower, and it is also economical and fuel-efficient. It is definitely a let-down.
Drool-worthy stuff.
Logically speaking, outsiders would not have a chance to get their hands on this kind of equipment. However, due to its excellent performance, this aircraft participated in the cross-Atlantic competition, which gave Fengjun the opportunity to take action.
After bribed the British officials, the aircraft was very cooperative and disintegrated due to a fall. As a result, Feng Jun successfully transported a bunch of "junk" back to the country and reassembled it. A complete torpedo aircraft appeared in
In front of Bayama and the others.
With this finished product as a reference, everything became much easier. Moreover, through cooperation with Germany, Feng Jun also understood the key to the British engine and copied similar products. Although it is not as fuel-efficient as the original product, it is still enough to make it more efficient.
Fengjun's engine technology has taken a big step forward.
In addition, Bayama and the others are not satisfied with simple imitation, and have also made a lot of improvements. Some structural supports are made of aluminum alloy materials, which greatly reduces the weight of the aircraft and increases the bomb load.
The redesigned torpedo plane was named "Mountain Eagle". This time, in order to deal with the British Navy, Zhang Tinglan sent out the only torpedo plane squadron, which also shows how much Zhang Tinglan attached great importance to it.
These torpedo planes also gave Yang Yuting full confidence. With so much equipment on hand, he was determined to take a bite out of Britain.
Of course, the torpedo planes would have to wait until daytime to take effect. The most important thing at this time was to let Jiangyin Fortress hold back the British.
Needless to say, Yang Yuting said that the fighting in the fortress was at its most intense at this time. The Hawkins and the Shannon wanted to break through quickly, but the soldiers on the fortress tried their best to block it. Shells from both sides flew across, and heavy shells fell from time to time on both sides of the Yangtze River.
Countless gravel and sand splashed up.
The defenders on the south bank of the Yangtze River were also alarmed. Logically speaking, they should support the British. You must know that the British were helping them. But in fact, these soldiers all hoped that Feng Jun would attack the British ships.
Even some soldiers were eager to use the forts in Jiangnan to launch artillery attacks on the British.
The Hawkins is equipped with a total of seven 190.5 mm main guns, which are quite powerful. In addition, the British Navy is well-trained, and the shells are accurate and powerful. On the Chinese fort, one after another continues to explode.
flame.
Boom! There was a loud noise, and an artillery shell happened to land in a culvert. The artillery shells stored inside were detonated immediately. Flames rose into the sky, and the surrounding mountains trembled. Huge gravel fell into the river with a crackling sound. There were more than a dozen people in the river.
A soldier was caught in the explosion and lost his life forever.
But on the battlefield, they no longer care about these sacrifices. Every Fengjun only knows how to transport artillery shells and fire them out. The only thought is to sink the British ships. As for the rest, they are all insignificant.
"Hit!"
A soldier blurted out excitedly, a shell just landed on the stern of the ironclad Shannon, and a ball of fire suddenly burst out. All the dozen or so British sailors around him were blown to pieces, and one of the main guns was also silenced.
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Fortunately, misfortune never comes alone. Another 240mm shell fell on a destroyer, and the warship was immediately blown beyond recognition.
James, who was still commanding the Hawkins, was extremely anxious at this time. Time passed minute by minute, and it was already past twelve o'clock. The Fengjun's firepower was too strong, and they were unable to break through. If so
If they delay, they will be in trouble by daybreak.
At this moment, the Hawkins shook violently. James was shocked and hurriedly asked about the situation. It turned out that a shell hit the front deck, but fortunately it did not explode, but this also shocked him.
Cold sweat.
The Hawkins was so lucky, but the same may not be true for the Shannon. Because the stern of the ship was shot and the flames shot into the sky, the Shannon became the best target, and all kinds of artillery shells were aimed at the warship.
Suddenly a storm of metal was set off on the deck, and the British sailors cried for their fathers and mothers, suffering heavy casualties. What's more terrible is that a cannonball was hit at the stern of the ship, and the warship had lost power.
From the beginning of the war to now, six warships, including two small warships, have been sunk, and the Shannon has been severely damaged. It has also passed one o'clock, and James no longer wants to fight anymore, so he can only give the order to retreat in a hurry.
In the dim light of morning, the British warships with scars retreated from the Yangtze River Estuary. Each warship had scars. During the retreat, the Hawkins took two more shells. Fortunately, it was only 152, but
It also blew two big holes in the deck.
Just when the British were withdrawing in embarrassment, another fleet came towards them in the distance. It was the Japanese fleet. As the country that most actively encouraged Britain to declare war on China, the Japanese were holding back their bad feelings. They dispatched
A fleet with the cruiser Izumo as the core arrived at the mouth of the Yangtze River. In name, it was to ensure the safety of the overseas Chinese. In fact, it was to wave the flag for Britain. When necessary, it wanted to pull chestnuts from the fire.
But just as the Izumo arrived, all the torpedo planes of the Seventh Air Squadron were dispatched, and there was also a squadron of fighters to escort them.
Since the mouth of the Yangtze River is relatively shallow and not suitable for torpedo attacks, they first made a large circle and then attacked from the outside. As a result, they did not encounter the British fleet, but hit the Izumo first.
They were both ironclads of about 10,000 tons. These pilots mistakenly mistook the Izumo for a British warship, so the fighter jets immediately flew over to attract firepower. At the same time, the torpedo planes stayed close to the sea and rushed towards the Izumo.
come over.
"Baga, open fire and shoot down these damn Chinese planes!"
The Japanese commander hurriedly issued orders, but just when he focused on the fighter jets, a slow torpedo plane had entered the attack position, and a 533mm torpedo fell into the sea.