Chapter 293: It feels so good to bully the weak! (Second update!)

Japanese Colonel Takei Sohei saw contempt in the other party's eyes, if it weren't for the fact that he needed to rely on the navy now.

He really wanted to draw his sword and duel with the other party.

The Navy is a bunch of bastards.

I have always looked down upon their army.

"We need to get to Haikou as soon as possible. The current speed is too slow." Colonel Takei Sohei suppressed his anger and spoke kindly.

"This speed is already very fast. If it goes any faster, the soldiers on the transport ship behind will not be able to bear it. This is for your own good."

"After all, you army idiots have hardly been on a ship many times." Lieutenant Commander Nagata Taizo said indifferently.

Although his words were full of contempt, he was indeed considering the army's idiots.

After all, we have to ensure speed and also ensure that they can continue fighting after reaching the shore.

Otherwise, if the speed is too fast, it will take at least two or three days after landing before we can engage in battle.

When the time comes, these army idiots will definitely blame them.

But Colonel Takei Sohei did not understand the other party's good intentions, but emphasized again that their mission this time was very urgent.

Seeing this, Lieutenant Commander Nagata Taizo snorted coldly and began to speed up.

The destroyer commanded by Lieutenant Commander Yasuzo Nagata was the Fumitsuki destroyer.

It belongs to the Mutsuki-class destroyer, a type of destroyer built by the Japanese Navy in the mid-20s.

The Mutsuki-class destroyers were the first warships to be equipped with 610mm caliber torpedoes.

Its main combat weapon is the torpedo.

A total of 12 ships of this class were completed.

Mainly used for escorting landing troops and fire support.

After the Battle of Midway, the Japanese army felt the shortage of transport ships.

Therefore, six of the Mutsuki-class ships had some of their artillery removed and their interior areas expanded to become high-speed personnel transport ships similar to the U.S. Navy's APDs, specifically tasked with the "Tokyo Express" mission of smuggling reinforcements and supplies to trapped islands.

The destroyer Bunzuki was responsible for the escort mission from Luzon Island to the Hong Kong River.

This time, it was because of Rensuke Isogai's persuasion, or perhaps for the sake of oil, that he agreed to help the army escort.

The maximum speed of the Bunzukki destroyer can reach 37.3, and the ship's displacement reaches 1315 tons.

The main weapon is four single-mounted 4mm L/120 Type 45 guns.

The secondary weapons are two single-mounted 2mm machine guns, which were not modified in time.

The real killer is the 610mm caliber torpedo.

Since this area was dominated by the Japanese army, Lieutenant Commander Nagata Yasuzo did not send out the gunboats for reconnaissance, but instead had them surround the transport ship closely.

In their eyes, this entire sea area was theirs and there would be no danger at all, so basic reconnaissance was not carried out.

"Report: Only one destroyer, two coastal defense ships, four gunboats, and several transport ships were found."

"I see." Sun Guanghua nodded. If nothing unexpected happened, these should be the Japanese troops supporting Haikou.

What a fast support speed.

If it weren't for the naval escort, I'm afraid the landing in Qiongzhou would not have been so smooth.

If these reinforcements were sunk at this time, the war in Qiongzhou would be resolved quickly.

But if we choose to retreat, the war will become stalemate.

Since the Japanese army has sent reinforcements, the number must be considerable.

Plus, Xiangjiang is not very far from Qiongzhou.

Thinking of this, Sun Guanghua quickly pressed the button and switched to the ship-wide channel.

"I am Captain Sun Guanghua. We have spotted an enemy ship ahead. I once again order the entire ship to enter combat mode and all personnel to enter combat positions. All personnel must be determined to fight to the death and fight to the end."

Then, Sun Guanghua repeated it again, and after that he looked at the first mate beside him and asked with a smile.

"Are you afraid?"

"Don't be afraid. Our cruiser is not meant to be a mere cruiser. What's a mere destroyer? We can still defeat them. It's not like we haven't done it before." The first mate was his old comrade who had fought side by side with him. Upon hearing this, he said with great pride.

They were naval officers recruited by Cun Yunsheng through the Military Control Commission.

The original navy had long since disappeared, and the navy soldiers had all gone ashore and become infantry.

When the Military Control Commission found him, he thought they were joking with him.

When the other party said that there was really a warship waiting for them, Sun Guanghua finally couldn't resist the temptation and decided to go and take a look.

When I arrived in Bangkok, I was attracted by the Thonburi and decided to stay.

Later, the Sichuan Army captured Hanoi, and through a transaction with the Japanese 4th Division, it incorporated the French Indochina Navy, which led to the current cruisers.

Otherwise, there would be no cruisers.

There weren't even any gunboats.

"Okay, let's kill them." Sun Guanghua also said loudly.

At this time, the sound of gunboat No. 1 came again.

"It's the Japanese military's Bungetsu."

When Sun Guanghua heard the name of the Wenyue destroyer, the model of the Japanese warship flashed through his mind.

Then it dawned on him that it was a Mutsuki-class destroyer.

As long as you guard against the enemy's torpedoes, sinking the enemy will definitely not be a problem.

Thinking of this, Sun Guanghua spoke again.

"The enemy ship is confirmed to be the Bungetsu. Yes, it is the Bungetsu. Prepare your guns. Move into firing position in half a minute. Listen to my orders and be ready to fire at any time."

At this moment, all the sailors on the flagship cruiser La Motte-Pickett were extremely nervous.

Even though many of their sailors had previously fought several naval battles with the Japanese.

Still very nervous at the moment.

After all, this time a cruiser of nearly 10,000 tons was used to bombard a destroyer of 1,000 tons.

This was the first time they had encountered such a naval battle where the big bullied the small.

Apart from these experienced sailors, the rest are some cadets.

These are students specially selected by Cun Yunsheng for the purpose of training them.

After all, no matter how much you learn, it is important to practice it more in actual combat.

The important positions are filled with experienced sailors, and the rest of the less important positions are filled with cadets, whose only task is to follow the orders of the veterans.

Time ticked by, and they were about to reach the firing range, but Sun Guanghua did not give the order to fire.

Instead, he stared at the Wen Yue through the telescope.

He knew that the displacement of Wen Yue was only over a thousand tons. If Sun Guangcai was still commanding the previous gunboat, he might still be a little afraid, but now, he didn't take the other party seriously at all.

After all, for a 155-ton cruiser, even if the caliber of its guns is only mm, there are eight of them, so sinking a destroyer is absolutely easy.

Not to mention, there are two Thonburi coastal defense ships nearby.

That’s a 203mm naval gun.

It is already at the level of a heavy cruiser.

"Almost, almost, all gun positions ready...fire."

The eight 8mm naval guns were constantly adjusted according to the given coordinate parameters under the operation of the gunners, and Sun Guanghua's roar was heard from the loudspeaker on the deck next to the guns.

Eight 8mm naval guns began to fire shells at the distant Wen Yue destroyer.

Boom boom boom!
The shells flew towards the Wen Yue like giant dragons.

At this moment, the Japanese sailors on the Bunzuki thought it was an illusion when they heard the sound of artillery fire.

The result is the next second!
The entire Wen Yue was suddenly in chaos, and the noise of the exploding shells stunned everyone.

Is it really the sound of a cannonball exploding? This is their sea area, why is there the sound of a cannonball exploding?

This was the same thought that flashed through the minds of all Japanese sailors.

But soon, these well-trained Japanese sailors reacted.

He began to rush to the battle position desperately.

Sun Guanghua looked through the telescope at the Wen Yue ship being attacked by artillery shells, and a hint of excitement appeared on his face.

That is to say, the hit rate is a bit low.

Eight guns, not a single one hit.

In fact, this is very normal. In a naval battle, when the two sides fire their guns at each other, they can hit the target with just one shot.

That's basically impossible.

Fortunately, Sun Guanghua also knew about the situation, so he immediately continued to give the order to fire.

After giving the order, Sun Guanghua continued to stare at the Wen Yue. At this time, the two gunboats were advancing straight towards the stern of the Wen Yue. At this pace, they would be within the firing range in half a minute at most.

Their mission was to deal with the gunboats behind the Bungetsu.

As for the two Thonburi ships, they targeted two Japanese coastal defense ships.

"Damn it, what the hell is going on?" Lieutenant Commander Nagata Taizo asked in horror on the Bungetsu.

According to estimates, it will take at most two hours to reach Haikou.

By then his escort mission will be over.

The results of it?
We were unexpectedly attacked by a warship here. From the sound, we could tell that the enemy's naval guns were at least 155mm in caliber.

"Could it be that the Siamese fleet is attacking?" the second mate couldn't help but guess.

Because apart from the Japanese warships, the only other warships nearby were the Siamese warships.

"Damn, that's impossible. This place is far away from Bangkok, there can't be any warships here." Lieutenant Commander Nagata Yasuzo shook his head and denied his subordinate's statement.

"Report, enemy ship spotted, it's the flagship of the French Indochina Navy - the cruiser La Mothe-Piquet." After the Japanese sailor observer recognized the warship that fired the shot, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of fear in his tone.

"Damn, why are they here? Damn, who can tell me why?" Lieutenant Commander Nagata Yasuzo felt something was wrong.

The most confused person should be Colonel Takei Sohei, he had no idea what was going on.

I didn't know what to say. After all, he was in the army, not the navy. I could only pray in my heart and hope that everything was fine.

"Brothers, we can't lose face. Work hard and try to sink the Japanese gunboat." The captain of the No. 2 gunboat shouted loudly.

"Yes!"

"fire!"

At this time, the No. 2 gunboat, which had circled to the left side of the Wen Yue, began a frantic attack.

Their target was the Japanese gunboats.

But the hit rate is still touching.

Basically, not many shells hit the target.

And because the caliber is too small, it is impossible to destroy the enemy with one shot.

"No, we need to get closer." The observer reported.

"Then let's keep moving forward." Their original warships were all sunk by the Japanese army.

I have no one to talk to about the frustration in my heart, and now that I finally have a chance to take revenge, I naturally cannot give up.

Even if I die in battle!
We must also destroy the Japanese gunboats.

The shells landed on the deck of the Japanese gunboat, splashing countless wood chips.

The decks of the gunboats were all made of wood, after all, steel was scarce for the Japanese army, so they were later modified to add a layer of armor.

However, facing the crazy bombardment of 37mm artillery shells, it still couldn't hold on.

At this time, gunboat No. 3 also joined the shooting queue, and for a while the Japanese gunboats suffered a crazy attack.

"Baga..." Lieutenant Commander Nagata Taizo on the Bunzukuri wanted to rescue him, but facing the cruiser's 155mm naval gun, he could only dodge and it was impossible for him to fight back.

As for the two coastal defense ships, they are now in danger facing the 203 naval guns of the Thonburi.

I don't know if it was bad luck or something for a coastal defense ship.

It was directly hit by a 203mm shell, causing its speed to drop, and it was not far from being sunk.

"Turn, turn, turn full left, quick, quick!" The captain of the Japanese gunboat commanded the gunboat to turn, while desperately giving orders to the officers on the bridge.

"Go and tell the engine room to increase the horsepower. Increase the horsepower!"

"Go and tell all the gun positions to aim at the target and fire with all their might! Fire with all your firepower!"

"Hay."

boom!
At this time, the coastal defense ship, which had slowed down before, was hit by a cannon, emitting thick smoke and then began to sink.

Lieutenant Commander Nagata Taizo finally couldn't bear it anymore and gave orders to his subordinates.

"Go send a telegram to the headquarters, saying that the Wen Yue was attacked by enemy ships. Request the headquarters to send warships to provide support as soon as possible, and request the air force to send fighter planes to provide support. Go quickly."

"Hay."

At this time, the Wen Yue destroyer could only rely on its speed to keep avoiding the shells.

But they can't run too far because there is a transport ship behind them.

If the transport ship is sunk, we will be doomed.

Thousands of brave warriors of the Japanese Empire are on it.

Even if the two sides don't get along, these are not important at the moment of life and death.

boom!
At this time, a 155mm shell hit the deck of the Bunzukuri.

"Captain, the deck has been breached."

The entire hull of the Wen Yue was shaking violently, the steel was creaking from being squeezed, and the armor covering the deck had long been pierced.

"Captain, the forward cabin above the waterline is severely damaged! The passage under the front deck has been blown up, Captain! Think of a solution quickly! Captain!" An officer ran in and yelled at the captain of the Wen Yue.

"Baga, have the damage control soldiers repair it immediately."

"Hay."

At this time, Colonel Takei Sohei, who had been silent, finally couldn't help but ask.

"How about retreating?"

This naval battle was so dangerous that their army could only watch helplessly.

Since I can't help at all, I might as well withdraw.

And it's too dangerous.

In just a short while, a coastal defense ship was sunk.

He always felt something was very wrong.

"Wait a little longer, the headquarters will send reinforcements soon."

"Torpedoes, torpedoes spotted, evade quickly." At this moment, black smoke was billowing from the deck of the Wen Yue, but the observers still risked their lives to observe. As a result, they saw six torpedoes coming towards them from three directions.

The La Motte-Piquet cruiser is equipped with four 550mm triple torpedo launchers and two seaplane reconnaissance aircraft.

While the two sides were fighting, two seaplanes had already begun providing coordinate guidance to the warships.

While the ships' guns were exchanging blows, the sailors on the cruiser La Motte-Pickett began to look for coordinates to launch torpedoes.

"Full speed ahead."

Unfortunately, it was too late. One of the torpedoes directly hit the Wenyue destroyer.

Boom!
A huge hole was blown in the hull of the destroyer Bunzuki.

(End of this chapter)