Island Nation Tokyo, Naval Ministry. Even though it was already late at night, the place was still brightly lit at this moment. Navy Three Chiefs, all gathered here to analyze the battle situation based on the intelligence compiled and analyzed by the staff, and then make a decision.
Although, Island Nation Navy's strategy in this battle was to avoid a decisive battle with German Navy Expeditionary Fleet. However, they regard the sneak attack on Expeditionary Fleet's supply fleet as their first target. If it succeeds, it might be able to change the situation on the battlefield in one fell swoop, allowing them to gain an unprecedented victory.
"The Germany people shamelessly launched an attack on our merchant ship. Now, it is difficult for us to know their whereabouts. However, it is inferred that they will arrive at Kyushu Island soon." Admiral Ijūin Gorō said.
"Yes! Who said that the Europe people would not attack civilians during the war? Didn't these Germany people spare no mercy on any of our merchant ships? So far, more than ten merchant ships have been sunk, and our intelligence personnel have suffered heavy losses." Admiral Shimamura Hayao said.
"The loss of more than a dozen merchant ships is nothing. What I'm worried about is that once the Empire's Expeditionary Fleet breaks into our coastal waters, it will be a disaster. All merchant ships must avoid encountering German Expeditionary Fleet as much as possible. Otherwise, the consequences will be serious." General Yashiro Rokuro looked worried.
Island Nation also relies heavily on sea transportation. In addition, their land area is small and there is not much land for cultivation, so they have to ask the sea for food. This also makes them have many fishing boats. Once German Navy Expeditionary Fleet also attacks these merchant ships and fishing boats, the losses caused to Island Nation will be inestimable.
"Damn! We should condemn to the international community this kind of attack on civilians by Germany people." Admiral Shimamura Hayao said.
"That is of no use at all. The Germans are now the world's most powerful country. Will those countries risk offending the Germans and accuse them? Besides, such accusations are useless. If the Germans still go their own way, no one can do anything to them. What's more, we are launching attacks in Southeast Asia, which has already happened in Germany It caused an uproar. Most of the Germans thought that we were stealing the fruits of their victory, and the calls for punishment were rising. Even if the German naval expeditionary fleet attacked the merchant ships, the Germans would turn a blind eye. In this case, this method would be useless," General Ijuin Goro also said.
"Since there is no other way, we can only order merchant ships and fishing boats not to leave the port as much as possible to avoid being attacked by Germany people." Yashiro Rokuro sighed.
"However, after such an order is issued, it will cause panic in the country and cause great losses. Cabinet will definitely have objections to this." Admiral Ijūin Gorō said.
"There is no other way but to do this. It is better than having our merchant ships and fishing boats sunk by Germany people!" Yashiro Rokuro said.
"Yes! If it is sunk by the Germany people, then our losses will be really great. As long as we can defeat the Germany people, all the losses can be recovered." Admiral Shimamura Hayao said.
That night, the Island Nation Navy Ministry requested Cabinet to issue an order requiring all Island Nation merchant ships and fishing boats not to leave the port to avoid being attacked by Germany people. However, not many Island Nation people obey this order. Of course, they know that once they go to sea and encounter Germany people, they are likely to die. But if we don't go to sea, the losses will be even greater. Especially the fishermen, they are still waiting to sell the money to buy rice after catching fish!
On the morning of August 6, when the sun rose from the sea, German Navy Expeditionary Fleet had arrived in the southern waters of Kyushu Island. This is a very busy shipping route. The routes from Island Nation to Huaxia and Southeast Asia have major cities passing through here.
Although Island Nation's Cabinet issued an order prohibiting merchant ships from going to sea last night, there are still many merchant ships in this area at the moment. Especially those merchant ships returning from Southeast Asia and Huaxia to Island Nation did not receive orders at all.
"General, Island Nation's merchant ship!" Rear Admiral Mauff said excitedly.
"Order the fleet to launch an attack. Let the destroyers do it! Battleship's artillery shells are too expensive, it's better to save a little!" Vice Admiral Spee gave the order expressionlessly.
After receiving the order, the 21 destroyers immediately pounced on the Island Nation merchant ships.
Although, some German Navy soldiers have some objections to attacking merchant ships. However, in the military, executing orders from superiors is the top priority. Therefore, they could only bite the bullet and launch an attack.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
German Navy The latest batch of destroyers all have three 88mm main guns Naval Gun. Although the power of this Naval Gun is not great, its rate of fire is amazing, and it can fire more than ten shells per minute. It poses a great threat to light warships. It is even easier to deal with civilian ships.
"Baga! What's going on? We are a merchant ship! What do those Germany warships want to do?" The captain of a Island Nation merchant ship was roaring angrily. They are merchant ships traveling between Southeast Asia and Island Nation. The boat is loaded entirely with rice. After the Island Nation's Army occupied Southeast Asia, they harvested a lot of rice, a specialty product, and shipped it back to the country to alleviate the domestic food shortage.
"Captain, they are firing!" said a Island Nation man Panic.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The sound of shelling sounded in this area of the sea, and the shells easily tore apart the wooden hull of the Island Nation merchant ship and destroyed it.
"Amaterasu Omikami! Those Germany people actually attacked the merchant ship, please save us!"
At this time, Island Nation realized the crisis, and they helplessly prayed to Amaterasu Omikami, whom they believed in, for help. However, it was of no use at all.
One after another, Island Nation merchant ships were hit, burst into flames, and then sank into the sea amid the fire. Countless Island Nation people jumped from merchant ships into the sea. However, it is dozens of kilometers away from the coast. It is almost impossible for them to survive.
Vice Admiral Spee coldly issued an order not to rescue these Island Nation people. They had to seize the time to continue Kitakami and attack more Island Nation merchant ships and fishing boats. If under such circumstances, Island Nation Navy does not go to sea for a decisive battle, then they will have to take more drastic measures. In order to win, German Navy Expeditionary Fleet plans to do whatever it takes this time.