This time, the Germans improved all the S113 destroyers that were preparing to participate in the war. Two double-mounted 600mm torpedo tubes were removed, and two 105mm cannons were installed at the vacant position. The placement method was similar to the submarine's deck cannon. Therefore, after this improvement, the S113 destroyer had four 150mm cannons and two 105mm cannons. What is this concept? At the same time, the British navy's artillery battle can

The most powerful destroyer is only equipped with 6 4-inch guns or 5 4.7-inch guns. In terms of artillery combat capabilities, the British destroyers are far inferior to the improved S113 destroyers. To put it bluntly, if it is a night battle, it is possible for German destroyers with such fierce firepower to be regarded as light cruisers! After all, in history, the British's Danae-class light cruiser with a displacement of nearly 5,000 tons in only 6 6-inch guns!

(Don't tell me why a 2000-ton destroyer can be equipped with 4 150 guns, and a 5000-ton cruiser is 6 150 guns. After all, destroyers are not armored, and the cruiser is armored, and this class of cruisers has strong mine warfare capabilities, with 4 triple-mounted 533mm torpedo launch equipment. If this explanation cannot satisfy the readers, I can only say that this is the case...)

Regarding the removal of the torpedo launch device in exchange for additional deck cannons, the German Navy had objections. After all, German light cruisers and above-level warships do not have thunder-mounted. If there are no torpedoes on the destroyer, is it still a destroyer in the eyes of some destroyer officers?

In the end, this question was stabbed on Earl Spee's desk. As the commander of the fleet, his suggestions were naturally very important. After seeing the report in his hand, Earl Spee thought for five minutes, and then signed his name in the improvement plan. The Earl said that he fully agreed to remove the torpedo and change it to artillery.

As for the reason? It is very simple. Although torpedoes have great advantages, in German torpedo tactics, they use torpedo boats to exit forward and cover the main fleet by volleys. They do not expect to kill many opponents of warships in actual combat.

In the night battle, both sides fought in close combat, and it was not difficult for destroyers to reach 50 knots. Moreover, because of the visibility issue, it is easy for both sides to fight a chaotic battle once they meet. Torpedo shooting is not as simple as ordinary people imagine. It is also necessary to estimate the speed, navigation and other information of both sides before they can be launched after strict calculations. Think about it, the speed of the destroyers of both sides is at least 25 knots, or even more than 30 knots, and the fire exchange distance may even be within 1,000 meters. At this time, how can you hit the opponent by launching torpedoes in a single ship? Moreover, the torpedo launch device of the destroyer is not protected, and a high-explosive bomb may lead to catastrophic consequences.

In fact, the German fleet is not short of torpedo firepower. In addition to large destroyers, the German Navy also has various other types of destroyers, with no less than 50 offshore torpedo boats! These destroyers can already provide enough torpedo firepower, let alone underwater submarines.

Therefore, Earl Spey, who has rich experience in night battles, is very clear that as long as he can suppress the opponent's destroyer and light cruiser in night battles, the British transport ships will be dangerous. Artillery battles are still the first priority. The 1,000-ton destroyer is not very meaningful and has no power. Therefore, he can only strengthen the firepower of the large destroyer first. As for the torpedoes on the 1,000-ton destroyer, there is no way to do so.

In addition to the top 9 large S113 destroyers, Earl Spee also has 24 G85 1,000-ton destroyers. If the S113 destroyer is more focused on artillery battles, then the G85 destroyer is more balanced. This class of destroyers is equipped with 3 105mm artillery pieces and 6 600mm torpedo tubes. The power output is as high as 24,000 horsepower and the maximum speed can reach 33.5 knots. This destroyer team is the core force in the hands of the Count. In terms of gunfire, the gun fire is similar to that of British destroyers of the same level, and the torpedo fire is stronger. They also undertake the task of cooperating with the bloody battle between the S113 destroyers and British destroyers. At the same time, they can also launch a team to attack British transport ships when necessary. It depends on the situation.

Considering that this mission is mainly to blockade and attack the Dover Strait, some of these destroyers can carry about 24 to 40 rounds of mines during wartime. If the situation allows, these destroyers will also rush to the near Dunkirk Port to play a guest appearance as a high-speed mine-breaking ship.

As for the remaining warships with more than 3 dozen, this composition is a bit complicated. Well, if a warship with a displacement of about 700 tons can be barely called a destroyer, then a warship such as S138 with a displacement of only about 500 tons can only be called a torpedo boat. I'm really embarrassed to call it a destroyer. These ships have very weak firepower, generally 2 to 3 88mm cannons, and then equipped with 3 torpedo launch tubes, which may be 450mm or 500mm. However, one of the major benefits of these ships is that they have a large number of losses. If they lose, they are not heartbroken except for people...

If we include minesweeping ships, minecraft ships, and other auxiliary ships, the total number of warships in Earl Spee's hand has exceeded 100. Although there are not too advanced warships, this burden is enough for the Count to walk on thin ice. In addition to the fleet that can be directly commanded, the German submarine troops and aviation units participating in this operation also theoretically obey the Count's orders. In short, this large-scale night battle that is about to break out in the Dover Strait will set a historical record! This will be the longest, most tragic, and the most synthesis of troops in the entire war!

The British could know the German fleet was stationed in Zebrugge through various channels, and the Germans could also obtain information through various channels to determine the time of the British Expeditionary Force's evacuation. After all, such a large-scale mobilization was impossible to avoid the eyes of the air and sea. Just a few hours ago, after Count Spee learned that the evacuation of the British Legion would start from tonight, Count Spee decided to "try the water" tonight.

The British would not use all their fleets to evacuate the army when the situation was unclear at the beginning, and the German Navy would not push all their assets up as soon as possible. After some consideration, Earl Spee decided to take the Mainz armored cruiser and Prince Albert armored cruiser, two Frankfurt light cruiser, one team of large destroyers, two teams of 1,000-ton destroyers, and four teams of small destroyers and torpedo boats to try the water. The Mainz armored cruiser, as a flagship and command ship, leads two destroyers, and the Frankfurt light cruiser is responsible for leading four light destroyers teams.

Tonight, the submarine forces of the Luftwaffe and Navy will also cooperate with the actions of Earl Spee. With the arrival of night, the prelude of the war slowly opened.
Chapter completed!