Qianlong: Qing Dynasty?What about my Daqing?

On the bridge of the cruiser Hong Lie.

Captain Deng Huanzhuang was using a pen to record the situation he had just investigated, and then recorded it in his notebook.

He needed to send these information to the flagship via the ship's telegraph machine.

Today's telegraph is a "high-tech" thing. Deng Huanzhuang himself can't figure it out, so there is a dedicated telegraph operator on the ship.

"Governor, there are about eighty enemy ships, including thirty battleships, of which 14 main battleships are arranged in a horizontal formation, and the remaining 16 main cruiser ships are arranged in two columns, with eight main battleships in each column. Ships, trailing on the left and right sides of the line, in addition to some frigates following behind, and at the end there is a column composed of steam sailing ships!"

On the table with charts.

Based on the summary of observations by each ship, the formation of the British Empire's Indian Ocean Fleet this time has been unfolded on the chart through wooden ship models.

Zhang Bao looked at these complicated formations and shook his head slightly.

A century-old navy is indeed not an empty talk.

It was absolutely impossible for the Ming Empire Navy to fight in such a complicated formation without the use of radio telegraph machines.

Of course.

Actually it is not necessary.

His Majesty the Emperor is right.

The role of naval warships is a platform for firepower projection. Simple and practical formations are more conducive to the development of firepower - because the Ming Empire Navy has never considered using the ridiculous method of ramming to deal with enemy armored ships.

But even though his men can't do the complicated tactics that the British are deploying now.

But as a commander.

Of course he can judge the opponent's tactical plan through the opponent's formation.

Those 14 battleships were obviously the core of the fleet.

These are battleships with huge main guns with a caliber of more than 330 mm. The shells fired by the main guns of this caliber are still powerful enough if they hit at close range.

and.

They also installed collision angles, and the warships also underwent special design enhancements to adapt to collisions.

If they line up in a horizontal line.

It seemed to be a heavy infantry collision.

It is easy to break up the thin column formation of the Ming Empire Navy - if it is hit from the waist when facing the enemy from the side, it is possible to directly scrap a capital ship under this collision - the impact The power is indeed not comparable to the power of current artillery shells.

and so.

It is indeed understandable that the British Navy put so much effort into the collision - this is currently the fastest way to directly destroy an opponent's battleship with one blow.

Of course.

Because the British battleships were designed to be short and fat in order to adapt to collisions, they could not compare with the Ming battleships of the same tonnage in terms of speed.

They are slow.

At the same time, they also set up a horizontal formation that was not very flexible.

So I want to really complete the impact.

It's really difficult.

after all.

The distance of current artillery battles has increased from less than 1 nautical mile in the sailing battleship era to about five nautical miles now - that is, a distance of about 9000 or [-] meters.

therefore.

The British's fierce columns were actually intended to be like cavalry in land battles.

Outflanked by two wings.

Limit the opponent's range of movement, making it difficult for the enemy to maneuver flexibly, and form a horns offensive with the middle line, pinching the opponent like giant pliers.

In theory.

The cooperation of horizontal teams and columns can indeed maximize the advantages of British warships.

But the only problem is.

Such a complex formation.

On land, the cooperation between line infantry, cavalry, and artillery requires very sophisticated training.

On the sea, bulky warships must be commanded to complete such complex formations and attacks.

Accidentally.You will get into trouble on your own first.

The column formation currently deployed by the Ming Empire is much simpler.

Complex formations have complex play styles, and simple formations naturally have their advantages.

"We can't let them surround us. The frigates protect the landing fleet and avoid it in the northeast direction. If necessary, we can directly seek ports in India. The rest of the squadron follows the battleship squadron and turns [-] degrees to the left. We take them in a circle! "

Zhang Bao immediately issued the order.

Since the opponent has put up such a complicated formation.

Of course it was impossible for Zhang Bao to hit him head-on.

"I don't believe how long they can maintain such a complicated formation!" Zhang Bao said loudly.

"Take them for a few rounds first to see how powerful they are!"

"Admiral, they are starting to turn!"

Will Smith's voice sounded, "Their armed merchant ships are retreating towards India, while their capital ships are turning towards East Africa!"

"Do we need to send a convoy to pursue their transport ship?"

"unnecessary!"

John Jervis said coldly.

"They are too far away. Even if they catch up, they will almost reach the coast of India. India does not belong to us now!"

Even in the era of ironclads, naval warships did not dare to approach the fortresses on the coastline easily - on land, the caliber of cannons was not restricted.

The Ming Empire re-divided India's territory. Ports such as Calcutta were lands directly under the Ming Empire's jurisdiction. These key ports were equipped with fortress artillery that was no less powerful than the core ports of the Ming Empire such as Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Not to mention a small escort fleet.

Even if the battleship arrives, it will not dare to attack the fortress artillery on land.

"The key is their main fleet!"

"The Third Armored Cruiser Fleet and the Fifth Armored Cruiser Fleet merged to fight for the T position with six armored cruisers and 12 fast cruisers! The two fleets are commanded by Major General Ben White, commander of the Fourth Armored Cruiser Fleet! "

'The rest of the fleet maintains its original formation and turns collectively! '

John Jervis's orders came one after another.

Use the semaphore on the flagship to command the fleet you want.

His subordinates are not the Beiyang Navy.

and so.

This formation consists of a horizontal team plus several columns.

Completing complex collective turning tactical maneuvers on the sea is not too difficult for the British Empire Navy.

On the cruiser Hong Lie opposite.

The lookout has reported the enemy's situation to the captain Deng Huanzhuang.

Deng Huanzhuang immediately reported to Zhang Bao and Chen Huacheng via telegram from the ship.

"The British want to use 18 cruisers to rush in front of us to grab the T position. Their speed is very fast. Once they succeed, we will be in trouble!"

Chen Huacheng said with a solemn expression.

Now both sides have not fired a single shot, but they are both trying to seize the best position! !
The T position must not be taken away by the opponent, otherwise, 18 cruisers firing together will be enough to wipe out the Hong Lie in a short time.
"Continue to turn left!! The whole ship accelerates collectively!!"

Zhang Bao's order was issued quickly.

"They've turned again!"

Will Smith was a little surprised.

Not that I was surprised by the response of the Ming Navy.

But
He didn't see it.

If the other party communicates through semaphore, it has already completed two tactical actions in a row.

"They don't use semaphores."

Will Smith's mood sank. (End of chapter)