(Chapter 1 arrives, there will be chapter 1 later)
"What? The French Channel Fleet came to attack on a large scale!" Nelson jumped out of his chair in shock after hearing the news. Doesn't it seem like today is April 1st? Nelson sounded blankly. Then broke out in a cold sweat. "Why did the French fleet choose this time to attack? Do they know that our main force is going to meet the local fleet? Who leaked the news?" Nelson roared like an angry lion.
"It's too late to say these things now, let's think about how to deal with the French fleet that is coming soon." Long Tedusk urged. To investigate those reasons, at least we have to wait until we have overcome this difficulty.
"How many warships are there in Portsmouth Harbor?" Nelson quickly calmed down.
"Now there are only 35 'British' class warships and 10 'Honorary' class warships in the port." Long Tedusk replied. Now the number of warships in Portsmouth Harbor is extremely small, and now he even regrets why he sent the main force of the fleet out in the morning. Otherwise, even if it is not an opponent of the French Channel Fleet, at least it has the power to fight. Unlike now, there is no chance of a comeback at all.
Nelson's face is very ugly now, and he is also thinking about what to do. Fighting, then his current strength is not enough for others to squeeze between teeth. But had to fight. People have already called to the door of the house, how can they avoid it?
"Quickly give the order! We are running out of time now." Long Tedusk urged.
"Old man, if we fight to the death with the French fleet, what do you think will happen?" Nelson asked.
Long Tedeske was taken aback, and then replied: "Does this need to be said? Our entire army must be wiped out, and even Portsmouth Naval Port may be difficult to preserve." Long Tedeske replied honestly. Portsmouth Naval Port is the largest Naval Port in the United Kingdom. Once the French have the opportunity to destroy this Naval Port, I believe they will be very happy to do so.
Nelson nodded, and he thought so too. Rather than doing this, it is better to retain a certain amount of strength in order to seek revenge in the future. "Old man, I am going to let the fleet withdraw to Brighton, where they will join the main force of the fleet and the local fleet. In that case, the strength of the navy will be preserved." Nelson said with determination.
"What? You mean to give up Portsmouth? My God! If you really do this, you will definitely go to a court-martial." Long Tedusk said in shock.
"But there is no better way now. I believe you can understand. The port is gone, we can rebuild it. Now we have a chance to keep the fleet, and we don't need to let the fleet lose in vain." Nelson persuaded.
"I admit that you are right, but if we fight to the death with the French fleet, even if the entire army is wiped out, I don't think we will bear too much responsibility. But if we escape, then the careers of the two of us will be at stake. If it is all destroyed, it will even go to a court-martial." Long Tedusk also persuaded.
"Did tens of thousands of soldiers die for our official positions?" Nelson stared at Long Tedusk angrily.
Seeing that Nelson had made up his mind, Long Tedeske sighed helplessly and chose to compromise. He knew that once Nelson decided to do that, there was nothing he could do to change it.
When the last warship sailed out of Portsmouth Harbor, Nelson and Long Tedusk's high-hanging hearts were finally relieved. I looked at the nautical clock, and it was 11 o'clock in 10 minutes. Without making any stops, Nelson ordered the ships to advance at full speed, aiming at the port of Brighton.
Just as Nelson's fleet disappeared into the sky, dozens of black smoke appeared just south of Portsmouth. The shrill intelligence sound resounded throughout the military port. Although the fleet left, the battle was not over. The coast guards guarding Portsmouth will continue to defend the naval port with their fort guns.
"Damn it, where did the British fleet go?" Looking at the empty port, Admiral Castelli, commander of the French Channel Fleet, punched the table angrily. At this moment, the British coastal defense guns fired, but due to the range, these cannons could not reach the French fleet at all. Seeing the provocation of the British coastal defense fleet, Castelli's anger was stimulated again: "Leave 5 'Bonaparte' class warships and 10 'Iberia' class warships to teach those arrogant British guys a lesson. , destroy Portsmouth for me."
Five "Bonaparte"-class warships and 10 "Iberia"-class warships left the fleet and engaged in fierce artillery battles with the British coastal defense artillery. Relying on the advantage of range, the French fleet firmly suppressed the British coastal defense artillery positions, and it was only a matter of time before they won the final victory.
Castelli continued to issue orders: "Order the fleet to search in the northeast direction, and at the same time contact General Broca, let the Mediterranean Fleet pay attention to search the southwest waters."
Countless 'Iberia' class warships launched a search to the northeast, while Castelli waited anxiously. Twenty minutes later, the news finally came. A British fleet with more than 40 warships is rushing northeastward, about 7 or 8 nautical miles away from Portsmouth.
Castelli immediately became excited, and immediately ordered the fleet to pursue it. At the same time, he urgently contacted the Mediterranean Fleet and informed them of the discovery of the British fleet. As for why the huge British Channel Fleet now only has more than 40 warships, he did not go there. After digging into it, the only thing he thinks about now is to kill this fleet as soon as possible.
"Marshal, the French fleet is catching up." An hour after Nelson's fleet left Portsmouth, the lookout spotted the French Channel Fleet.
"Regardless of them, the ships will increase their horsepower and sail northeastward. As long as they can converge with the main force of the fleet, we will be safe." Nelson ordered. He knew that the speed of the French fleet was much ahead of that of the British fleet, and it was at least an hour and a half away from Brighton, and he was not sure whether the main force of the British navy had reached Brighton. So his fleet can only continue to flee to the northeast, the farther the better.
Half an hour later, the distance between the two sides was only 10 kilometers. The range of the 240mm naval gun on the 'Dreadnought' class battleship has reached a terrifying 12 kilometers, but the hit rate is frighteningly low in this situation, so Castelli did not waste shells, but excitedly ordered the fleet Accelerate to catch up.
"The 'Honor' led the 'Rhône', the 'Sorn' and the 'Loire' to outflank me from the right side." Castelli ordered a 'Dreadnought' class battleship and 3 'Pre-Dreadnought' Class warships outflanked Nelson's fleet, hoping to intercept them.
Looking at the approaching French fleet, Nelson's heart became colder and colder. After a long time, he ordered: "The 10 'British' class warships and 5 'Honorary' class warships in the rear fleet turned their bows and held the French fleet back. The other warships are speeding up." Seeing that in order to avoid the destruction of the entire army, Nelson planned to abandon the car and report to the commander. After receiving the order, the 15 warships in the second half of Nelson's fleet turned around and rushed towards the French fleet. A few minutes later, there was an explosion. And Nelson turned around quietly and wiped his eyes.
The 'suicide' charge of the British fleet disrupted Castelli's plan, and he had to clean up all the British warships blocking the way~www.mtlnovel.com~ Destroying these warships cost Castelli almost half Hours, and during this period, Nelson's fleet had long since disappeared. All 15 British battleships were sunk, while the French fleet only paid the price of a few battleships being injured. Because he was afraid that the British fleet would set up an ambush ahead, Castelli did not dare to continue chasing forward. It would not be worthwhile if it was surrounded by the British fleet. After all, he didn't know where the main force of the British Channel Fleet was hidden. Despite his great pity, Castelli gave the order to return to Portsmouth. And Nelson and his fleet were lucky enough to keep the order.
On the way home, Castelli also informed the Mediterranean Fleet of the battle just now. They are asked to pay close attention to the sneak attack of the main force of the British navy hidden in the dark. At the same time, it is hoped that they will send some warships to join in the work of destroying Portsmouth. Although it failed to severely damage the British Navy, it was also a considerable achievement to destroy Portsmouth Naval Harbor, the largest naval base in the United Kingdom.
After 30 hours of devastation by the French navy, the once prosperous Portsmouth was in ruins. Especially the military port, which was completely destroyed. If the British Navy wants to repair it, it will be impossible without a year and a half.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the French Navy left Portsmouth and returned to the French port. At the same time, the patrol density at sea has also increased. They don't want the British navy to use the same tricks against them.