The news of Italy and the Ottomans declaring war is currently the biggest news in Europe. Many countries have made predictions about the war between the two countries, and most of them are leaning towards Italy winning.
Because no matter what, Italy is one of the great powers. As for the Ottoman Empire, it was kicked out after the Tenth Turkish-Russian War.
Of course, these predictions are just a matter of watching the flowers from across the bank. Only the two countries themselves know exactly what to do.
However, for the Italian government, the declaration of war was not as important as it thought, because its preparations were basically completed.
Although it is a little rushed, fortunately, the efficiency is very good now, and Italy's preparations for war are basically completed. At present, all materials are basically ready, and after the declaration of war, as the most powerful military branch in Italy, the navy will bear the first wave of strike force.
Taranto is located in Puglia, on the Bay of Taranto on the Ionian Sea. It is an important port city in southeast Italy and a distribution center for agricultural products in the southeast of the Apennine Peninsula. Of course, Taranto is more famous for its status as a military port
, this port is one of the three backbone ports of the Italian Navy and the most geographically important one.
Thanks to the port's excellent water depth and good wind-sheltered environment, basically all the warships prepared by the Navy for this war gathered here.
From the latest three Turin-class battleships, to the two Durio-class ships Durio and Dandolo, and the three improved classes Lepanto, Francesco Morosini and Italia
, the total tonnage of these battleships alone reaches 110,000 tons, which can be said to be the strongest battleship formation in Italy.
The heaviest of these eight battleships is not the three Turin-class battleships, but the Lepanto. The ship has a standard displacement of 16,154 tons and a full load of 17,670 tons. It can be said to be the largest warship in Italy at present. This class is the most powerful.
Of course, it is equipped with four 431mm main guns, but in addition to the main guns, it is also equipped with 152mm secondary guns, ranging from 2 to 8.
However, this class has the same problem as its prototype Durio class. Since the main gun is located in the middle of the hull, its range of fire towards the rear is limited. It mainly exerts side firepower output. Therefore, its effect is far inferior to that of the new Dulio class.
Is the spirit level easy to use? And the same is true for the evaluation of officers and soldiers.
Of course, in addition to the battleship formations, there are also huge cruiser formations gathered here, from the most advanced Venice upgrading to cruisers with sails and steam engines? It is simply a gathering of cruisers from all eras.
Together, the five rings and eight gates are so dazzling that they can blind people’s eyes.
There is only one reason for this, and that is that there are not many Italian cruisers? So as long as they can be used? After all, the mission of most of these cruisers is to intercept Ottoman merchant ships and cut off the connection between the Mediterranean islands and Istanbul.
As for the Ottoman Navy, as long as it dares to come out, will the upgrading of the two Venices let it know? You should have thrown away these junks long ago. Although the Italian Navy also has a bunch of junk cruisers? But Italy has warships that can fight, and you Ottoman
Only rags.
However, these warships gathered in Taranto still have their own tasks. The tasks of the battleship formation are completely different from those of the cruiser.
Because this time Admiral Gorek, the Minister of the Navy, came to Taranto in person to see off the navy fleet.
This operation was related to whether Italy's first shot could be fired successfully, so General Gorek did not dare to neglect it.
This time to see off the fleet? This made the old admiral feel very excited. Many of the battleships here were built under his own supervision? Especially the battleships, which were basically newly built after he had controlled the navy for more than ten years.
Of course, now that he is older? At the age of more than 70, he begins to think about retirement. But before that? He needs to leave a qualified successor for the Navy. As for who can be this person? That depends.
performance in this war.
Admiral Gorek did not tell anyone about these thoughts, because as long as they were leaked, it would break the peaceful and peaceful atmosphere among the navy's subordinates. He absolutely did not want to see such a thing happen.
"Lieutenant General Yagir, this war is very important to our navy. I hope that you can let the navy show our style in this battle, and not let the army monopolize the limelight."
The full name of Lieutenant General Yagier mentioned by Admiral Golek is Mateusz Yagir. He joined the Navy of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1853 and performed very well during his many years of service, so Golek
The general listed him as one of his future successors.
"As you command, Your Excellency, Admiral, you will see the heroic appearance of the Navy appearing everywhere in the Mediterranean where it is needed."
Lieutenant General Yagir was also unequivocal and just patted his chest to assure himself.
And this operation is also an opportunity for him, because this time he will take a battleship formation to bombard Albania to create an opportunity for the army to land. According to the Ottoman Empire's barren coastal defenses in the area, this is completely useless.
Despite the pressure, Lieutenant General Yagir would never dare to be careless. If his fleet were to suffer any unexpected damage, it would be a shame.
Admiral Gorek then met with several other captains, including our Major Gomes and Lieutenant Colonel Leifer. It needs to be explained here that unlike Major Gomes who commanded the armored cruiser Venezia,
Leifer, who had just transferred back to the navy from the kingdom's adjutant, is now the captain of the Turin.
Although there seems to be no difference between the two, basically everyone knows that Lieutenant Colonel Leifer, who has served as the king's adjutant, has a brighter future. Not to mention anything else, even the military rank shows a difference.
This is also reflected in the battleships commanded by the other two people. Although the armored cruiser commanded by Gomes is also the main battleship of the Navy, the new battleship commanded by Leifer is the navy's favorite.
You must know that someone like Leifer, who can become a lieutenant colonel in his early thirties and can command the latest battleships of the Navy, can only have one goal: to become a strong contender for the Minister of the Navy. No matter how bad he is, he will also be the commander of the Grand Fleet in the future.
A type of role.
As for Gomes, he is already one step behind Leifer. The future development direction depends on whether there are good opportunities. Of course, compared with others, they are already lucky.
Didn’t you see that Admiral Gorek, as the Minister of the Navy, said a few words too deliberately when shaking hands with the two men? This is a matter of treatment difference.
But no matter what, everything needs to be determined by military exploits, and in this war with the Ottomans, they will each rely on their own abilities.
After Admiral Golek's interview, the naval commanders returned to their warships one after another. Then, under the orders of their respective commanders, they set sail one after another and rushed to their respective battlefields.
As the most conspicuous battleship formation, it sailed all the way east towards the other side of the sea.
