At 4 o'clock in the morning, it was still dark. But German Expeditionary Fleet calculated the time, and when they arrived at Uraga Channel, it was almost 5 o'clock in the morning. By this time, the sky was already getting slightly brighter, and we could barely see the water ahead clearly. Moreover, this is also the time when Island Nation people are most lax on their defenses.
The leading battleship is Battlecruiser, 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' of German Expeditionary Fleet. The rough-skinned and thick-skinned 'Mackensen-class' Battlecruiser probably wouldn't be seriously injured even if he was hit by Naval Mine. Therefore, it is more suitable to be a pioneer. Following closely are the numbers 'SMS Friedrich Karl' number Battlecruiser, 'SMS Lützow' number Battlecruiser and 'Hindenburg' number Battlecruiser. These Battlecruiser are also responsible for suppressing the shore defense firepower of Island Nation people.
The width of Uraga Channel is less than ten kilometers. The shore fire defense deployed on both sides of the strait can fire violently at enemy ships trying to break in, thereby ensuring the safety of Tokyo Bay.
It is precisely because of this that Island Nation did not evacuate from Tokyo even after the fiasco of Combined Fleet. In their view, Tokyo Bay's defense is trustworthy. It is almost impossible for German Expeditionary Fleet to break into Tokyo Bay.
And German Expeditionary Fleet's two 'Mackensen-class' Battlecruiser and three 'Derfflinger class' Battleship, He is responsible for using the powerful Naval Gun to suppress the shore defense firepower of the Island Nation people when passing through Uraga Channel, ensuring that the fleet can pass safely. Although, German Expeditionary Fleet's Capital Ships is not afraid of the shore firepower of Island Nation people. But those Light Cruiser and destroyers are different. The Island Nation people's shore firepower is enough to easily sink them.
Vice Admiral Spee doesn't want his fleet to suffer any more losses. What's more, after the fleet enters Tokyo Bay, it has to guard against lightning strikes from Island Nation destroyers. Although there are only a dozen destroyers left in Island Nation Navy. However, these destroyers can also pose a greater threat to German Expeditionary Fleet and Capital Ships.
The fleet flagship 'Mackensen' Battlecruiser, and the two 'Moltke-class' Battlecruiser are responsible for the rear. Light Cruiser and the destroyer passed through the waterway at maximum speed after several Battlecruiser ships in front successfully passed through the waterway. For these destroyers, the waterway that is only a few kilometers long will not take long at all, only a few minutes at most.
Once you enter Tokyo Bay, you must be prepared for a lightning strike from the Island Nation destroyer.
On the flagship 'Mackensen' number Battlecruiser, two people, Vice Admiral Spee and Rear Admiral Mauff, stared ahead. As time passed slowly, the night gradually dimmed. The East There was also a faint light in the sky. All this indicates that German Expeditionary Fleet will soon enter Uraga Channel.
"How long?" Vice Admiral Spee asked.
Even though Vice Admiral Spee has been battle-hardened for a long time, he is still a little nervous about this action. After all, there are Naval Mine dense waterways ahead. If you are not careful, you may come into contact with Naval Mine, and the consequences will be disastrous.
"General, there are less than twenty minutes left. When the 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' arrives at the waterway, the time will be almost up!" Rear Admiral Mauff replied.
Vice Admiral Spee nodded and said nothing more.
Time passed by, and at 4:55, the front number 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' had arrived at the entrance of Uraga Channel.
Vice Admiral Spee Without any hesitation, he immediately ordered the plan to be launched.
Suddenly, the number 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' Battlecruiser took the lead and drove into the waterway. 'SMS Friedrich Karl' number Battlecruiser also entered the waterway shortly after. Other warships also entered the waterway one after another.
At this time, because the night has not completely dissipated, visibility is not high. In addition, the Island Nation* troops guarding the coastal fortifications were very tired. So they know nothing about German Expeditionary Fleet's actions.
For German Expeditionary Fleet, the most dangerous thing is not the Island Nation shore fire protection from both sides of the waterway, but the Naval Mine on the sea. The previously detected distribution map of Naval Mine was incomplete, and the safety of the waterway could not be ensured. If you are not careful, you may touch Naval Mine. This makes all warships entering the waterway a little nervous.
"Order all warships to be ready. Once the Island Nation people's shore defenses open fire, we will immediately fire to suppress them!" Vice Admiral Spee ordered.
Of course, Island Nation people's shore defenses may be very strong. However, 380mm Main Gun of German Expeditionary Fleet is definitely not a vegetarian. It is also a great threat to the Island Nation people's coastal defenses.
As the pioneer 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' number Battlecruiser, the pressure is undoubtedly the greatest. They are not only responsible for exploring the path, but also try not to be exposed as much as possible to avoid being attacked by the Island Nation people's shore defense firepower.
"God bless you! I hope the channel map we obtained is safe!" The captain of the 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' Battlecruiser kept praying to God.
"Turn left!" the navigator compared the channel map and issued the order.
The huge battleship began to turn slowly.
No one noticed that a Naval Mine deviated from the predetermined area due to ocean currents and was drifting towards the channel.
A few minutes later, the bow of the ship 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' Battlecruiser came into close contact with Naval Mine.
Naval Mine suffered from gravity, the fuse was triggered immediately, and the explosive inside exploded violently!
"Boom!"
A huge explosion sounded, and a water column rose from the bow of the 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' Battlecruiser.
"Damn it, we encountered Naval Mine." The captain cursed.
"Report damage!"
"Sir, a hole was blown in the underwater armor of the bow of the ship. However, it is not big. The damage control personnel said that it can be blocked soon!"
The captain breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that this was the case.
"Report to the flagship immediately!" the captain ordered.
Vice Admiral Spee was relieved after learning about the situation of 'SMS Friedrich der Grosse' number Battleship. However, it is obviously impossible to pass Uraga Channel secretly after starting Naval Mine. Next, you have to face the powerful firepower of Island Nation Coastal Defense Force.
"Command the fleet and prepare to fight!" Vice Admiral Spee ordered.
In fact, there is no need for Vice Admiral Spee to issue an order. The several Battleship ships in front are already ready. The muzzle of the main gun has been raised high, the heavy shells have been stuffed into the barrel, and the gun has also been filled in. Each main gun is ready to fire, just waiting for the order from Commander.