"Boom!" The naval guns were still roaring loudly. At this moment, the direct comparison between the capital ships of the two sides is already 5 to 7. The gap seems to be narrowed. But in fact, the situation of the French Atlantic Fleet is even more dangerous.
Of the remaining five capital ships of the Atlantic Fleet, three are thin-skinned 'Tiger Shark' class warships. After losing the cannonball magnet 'God's Family', the weakness of the three 'Tiger Shark' class battleships of the Atlantic Fleet was completely exposed. Although the fighting power is extremely powerful, once hit, the damage is also very large. Not to mention the 305mm naval gun, even if the 210mm naval gun hits a key position, it is enough to severely damage them.
"Boom!" The bow of the "Santa Maria", which was at the end of the battle line of the French Atlantic Fleet, was engulfed by a ball of flames. The violent explosion destroyed most of his bow and the gunfire on the front deck. In addition, there was also a hole in the horizontal part. Although it was blocked, after entering more than ten tons of seawater, the hull has tilted a little. [bsp; "How's the Santa Maria?" asked Kirkbride. Look very nervous.
"Marshal, the 'Santa Maria' reported that the bow of the ship was flooded, and the front main and secondary guns were destroyed. The hull has tilted, and they requested to withdraw from the battle!" said the staff officer.
"I agree with the 'Santa Maria' to withdraw from the battle!" Kirkbride hesitated for a while, and finally agreed to the request of the 'Santa Maria'. The current "Santa Maria" was seriously damaged in the morning and lost most of its combat effectiveness. If it continues to fight, it will only die and add results to the Americans. Therefore, it is better to retreat first. If you can return to the country, there may be a chance to repair it. Even if it cannot be repaired, the soldiers on the battleship are a very precious asset for France.
The 'Santa Maria' withdrew from the battle line. Although the capital ship of the US fleet wanted to take the opportunity to sink the 'Santa Maria', the remaining 4 battleships of the Atlantic Fleet blocked the US fleet again. go back. Under the protection of several destroyers of its own side, the "Santa Maria" staggered away from the battlefield.
"Very good, the French only have 4 capital ships left, and we have 7 more. It's almost twice the advantage, and we will win." Archibald, commander of the US 10th Fleet, said on the "New Hampshire" Inside the bridge, said excitedly. And ordered the communication officer below to send the warning of the imminent victory to Aldridge, commander of the 3rd Fleet who had not yet arrived on the battlefield.
The situation is becoming more and more unfavorable for the French fleet. The remaining four capital ships are also in jeopardy under the attack of the seven capital ships of the US fleet.
"Damn it! When will Marshal Clarence arrive!" Kirkbride asked. In the capital ship battle, the Atlantic Fleet lost miserably. In addition to the battlefield of cruisers and destroyers, the French Atlantic Fleet continued to maintain its advantage. But the advantage is not obvious. Obviously, the U.S. fleet knew that the destroyers of the French Navy were struck by lightning. While increasing the protection of its capital ships, it also desperately entangled the destroyers of the French Atlantic Fleet, preventing them from attacking their own capital ships.
"Marshal! Marshal Clarence is calling. They have arrived on the battlefield, and in 10 minutes, they can launch an attack on the US fleet!" The staff officer reported with a happy face.
"Huh!" Kirkbride let out a long breath, feeling a lot more relaxed. The previous pressure had always made him a little out of breath. Fighting so far, the Atlantic Fleet has sunk one capital ship and one has lost its combat effectiveness. The remaining four ships were also wounded. If there is no more support, I am afraid that it will be exhausted in a short time. However, they also achieved great results. A total of two capital ships of the US fleet were sunk and three were severely damaged. The US 4th Fleet can be said to have existed in name only. In the entire fleet, only some cruisers and destroyers are still struggling. For the sake of the battle so far, it can be said that all officers and men of the Atlantic Fleet have tried their best. Although it is already afternoon, everyone has no time for lunch, or rather, no time and no mind for lunch.
"General, the watchman reports that the French warships have appeared behind us!" On the "New Hampshire", a low-ranking officer rushed into the bridge in a hurry.
"What? How many? How far is it from us?" Archibald was also shocked. Before, he still had a dream of annihilating the French Atlantic Fleet, but the sudden arrival of the French fleet quickly shattered his dream.
"A lot! Use your binoculars to see!" The staff officer next to Archibald also noticed the arrival of the French fleet.
Archibald took the binoculars and went to the porthole. Sure enough, at the place where the sea and the sky meet, a large figure of 艨艟 appeared, and a large amount of black smoke formed a thick cloud in the sky.
"Damn it, there are at least a hundred warships!" Archibald put down the binoculars and said angrily. After a little thought, he guessed that this fleet should be the only Mediterranean fleet in the French Navy that has not yet surfaced.
Around the battle line of the US fleet, there are always more than a dozen 'Franklin' class destroyers. Even when the battle with the French Atlantic Fleet was extremely fierce, the cruisers and destroyers of our own side were at a complete disadvantage in naval battles. At that time, none of these warships were transferred. The purpose is to prevent the destroyers of the French Atlantic Fleet from launching lightning strikes on the capital ships of the US Fleet. Play the role of protecting the capital ship.
The French Mediterranean Fleet has dozens of destroyers. It is impossible for the dozen or so destroyers of the US fleet to be able to withstand the attack of wolves from the French Mediterranean destroyers. Once being approached by the destroyer of the French fleet, the ending will be quite tragic. The 4th Fleet is already a lesson learned.
Therefore, Archibald decisively ordered the remaining dozens of cruisers and destroyers to break away from contact with the French fleet and protect the capital ship again. Even if this will attract heavy shelling from French battleships. But as long as the capital ship exists, there is still a chance to counterattack.
"In addition, inform General Aldrich that the last French fleet has appeared. They can enter the battlefield." Archibald ordered.
The electric wave was transmitted from the USS "New Hampshire" and sent to the flagship of the 3rd Fleet, the USS "Philadelphia".
After finding the telegram, Aldrich immediately ordered the 3rd and 8th fleets to enter the battlefield. At this moment, they are less than 30 kilometers away from the battlefield. Within an hour, it can be put on the battlefield, and the 10th and 12th fleets can attack the French navy. So win this decisive naval battle.
One after another, the cruisers and destroyers of the US 10th and 12th Fleets broke away from contact with the French fleet and headed towards their capital ships. Although in the process, the French fleet caught the opportunity and sank several ships one after another. But in the end, they were allowed to evacuate back to their capital ship, and the protection of the capital ship was impenetrable. Let the destroyers of the French fleet find no chance to break through.
However, the arrival of the Mediterranean Fleet gave the French Navy the upper hand at this moment. The Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet each have 4 capital ships. In terms of the combat power of the capital ships, they completely surpass the US fleet. Moreover, the number of cruisers and destroyers once again greatly surpassed that of the opponent.
The American fleet, however, had to huddle together, a cruiser and a destroyer, to prevent the destroyers of the French fleet from launching lightning strikes and protect the capital ship. At the same time, the powerful firepower of capital ships also provides protection for cruisers and destroyers.
But it is not impossible to deal with this tactic of the US fleet. Both the French Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet took the initiative to widen the distance between the two sides, and the main target of the attack was placed on the cruisers and destroyers surrounding the capital ships of the US fleet. The outer shell of the US fleet is peeled off layer by layer. When the shell is finally peeled off, it will be the end of the US fleet.
Under the heavy bombardment of the French fleet, the cruisers and destroyers of the American fleet were continuously hit or sunk directly~www.mtlnovel.com~ This method is very effective, but the only disadvantage is that it is too time-consuming. As for the French fleet, there is simply not so much time at this moment.
Sure enough, forty minutes later, a large black cloud came from the east, and the US 3rd and 8th Fleets arrived. Immediately, the balance of power between the two sides was reversed again. Especially in terms of the number of capital ships, the American fleet is almost twice that of the French fleet.
"Marshal, Marshal Clarence is calling. There are a large number of American fleets in the east. Marshal Clarence suggested that we temporarily retreat to the south, join the Channel Fleet and the South Atlantic Fleet, and then engage in a decisive battle with the American fleet." A staff officer, Hastily came to Hercules and reported to him.
"Retreat?" Hercules was a little unwilling. However, the current situation is such that if you fight hard, the French fleet will not have an advantage at all. The main reason is that the capital ships are too different. This gap can only be made up after the arrival of the capital ships of the Straits Fleet and the South Atlantic Fleet.
In the end, Hercules accepted Clarence's suggestion and began to retreat to the southern waters before the US 3rd and 8th Fleets entered the battlefield.
The current retreat does not mean that the war has been lost. Retreating now is just to prepare for future attacks.