When the Capital Ships formation of German Home Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet formed Encirclement Offensive American Navy the 2nd Capital Ships formation. In the western sea area of Flores Island, eight Capital Shipss of German Atlantic Fleet are also in the 3rd Capital Ships formation of Encirclement Offensive American Navy.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
German Navy's five 'Bavaria-class' Battleship and three 'Mackensen-class' Battleship are frantically firing at American Navy's four 'South Dakota-class' Battleship. One after another, the shells hit American Navy's Battleship hard. The two-on-one situation puts the American Navy and 3rd Capital Ships formations at a complete disadvantage.
German Navy's 'Bavaria-class' Battleship and 'Mackensen-class' Battleship are old battleships from the previous World War period. However, after modern modifications, it still exploded with extremely powerful combat effectiveness. The 50 times caliber 380mm Main Gun is still a fatal threat to 'South Dakota-class' Battleship.
Although, American Navy and the 3rd Capital Ships formation are also fighting back tenaciously. But now they are suppressed.
"Boom!"
An 380mm Shell hit the flagship 'South Dakota' Battleship of the American Navy 3 Capital Ships formation. The shell hit the Z main turret on the After Deck.
However, 380mm Shell was not able to penetrate the 457 mm thick turret front armor.
Although the full load displacement of 'South Dakota-class' Battleship is only 46,000 tons, it is much smaller than the subsequent 'Iowa-class' Battleship and 'Montana-class' Battleship. However, 'South Dakota-class' Battleship has strengthened its defense. The defense of some unimportant parts was reduced as much as possible to strengthen the defense of key parts. This made the front armor of the turret of 'South Dakota-class' Battleship 457 mm thick. The armor thickness of the command tower also reached 406 mm. The thickness of the side armor is 305 mm, and the thickness of the deck armor is also 179 mm.
"General, the Z turret was hit. However, it was not penetrated. But the sailors inside were stunned." An officer reported to Rear Admiral Ingram.
Rear Admiral Ingram couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. Fortunately, the turret armor of 'South Dakota-class' Battleship is the thickest. Otherwise, once the turret is penetrated and an explosion occurs, the consequences will be disastrous. If the ammunition depot was detonated, the consequences would be even more serious.
However, thick armor does not mean it will not be sunk. Especially in addition to the front armor of the turret and the armor of the command tower, the armor on other parts of the battleship is also unable to withstand German military's 380mm Main Gun. Once hit, it can be severely damaged or even sunk.
"Boom! Boom!"
Battleship on both sides opened fire like crazy, trying to sink the other side's warship. However, at a distance of 15,000 meters and still at night, it is indeed not easy to get a hit. Even with the guidance of Fire-control Radar, it is very difficult to hit the opponent's warship. More often than not, it still depends on luck.
The German Atlantic Fleet Capital Ships formation has eight Capital Shipss, and the performance of their Fire-control Radar is a little more advanced than the Fire-control Radar of American fleet. Therefore, the probability of getting a hit is naturally higher.
"General, the battle at the East is becoming more intense. Our 15 Capital Shipss are fighting six Capital Shipss at Encirclement Offensive Americanss. In order to sink Americans as soon as possible's Capital Ships, Görcke generals even ordered the combat distance to be shortened to 10,000 meters," said Major General Laizer, Atlantic Fleet Capital Ships chief of staff.
"General Gerke is going to fight the Americans with bayonets. However, they have no choice. The Americans' 1st battleship formation is quickly rushing to the battlefield. Therefore, they must severely damage the 2nd battleship formation of the US fleet before the Americans' 1st battleship formation arrives, and sink as many American battleships as possible. Only in this way can they gain the advantage." said Lieutenant General Weeks, commander of the Atlantic Fleet battleship formation.
"Yes, General. However, we don't use that tactic. Our duel with the 3rd Capital Ships formation of Americans was not interrupted for a while. Therefore, we have enough time to sink these Capital Ships of Americans," Major General Leiser said.
Lieutenant General Weikes nodded. "This is our advantage. We need to get rid of these four Americans's Battleship at the minimum cost!"
The Capital Ships formation of German Navy not only wants to severely damage the Capital Ships formation of American Navy, but also wants to preserve its own Battleship as much as possible. Although, this battle may be the last time Battleship participates in a battle. However, Capital Ships has other uses.
For example, once German Navy obtains the sea control of Atlantic Ocean and prepares to launch a landing operation on United States's homeland, these Capital Ships will serve as fire support ships to provide fire support for the landing troops and destroy Americans's shore defense firepower.
"Boom!"
A violent explosion broke out from American Navy's 'Alabama' Battleship. And, the flames shot into the sky, igniting the fire.
This was a 380mm Shell that hit the After Deck of the USS Alabama, Battleship. After the shell penetrated the deck armor, it exploded inside the battleship and caused a fire.
"Very good, seize this opportunity and kill Battleship of Americans!" Lieutenant General Weeks was shocked.
This is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity for German fleet. If American fleet and one Capital Ships can be sunk, this will give German fleet a greater advantage.
German Navy's 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' number Battlecruiser and 'Friedrich Karl' number Battlecruiser began to increase their firepower output. The main guns of the two Battlecruiser were firing wildly.
With the help of the fire on the "Alabama" Battleship, the hit rate of the two Battlecruiser's German Navy was greatly improved.
"Damn it!" On board the 'South Dakota' Battleship, Rear Admiral Ingram's face couldn't help but become even more ugly after learning that the 'Alabama' Battleship was hit by a bullet and caught fire. He knew that the situation of the "Alabama" Battleship was even more dangerous. Once the "Alabama" Battleship was sunk, the situation became even more unfavorable to them.
"General, the sailors of the Alabama are working hard to put out the fire." an officer said.
However, once it has been ignited, it is very difficult to extinguish it. The enemy's Battleship's hit rate will become higher and higher. Before the fire is extinguished, it may be hit by artillery shells again.