Unlike aircraft carriers, fighter ships are thicker and tougher. To put it simply, they are more difficult to sink. Therefore, Romania chose to deal with the Counterattack first.
This battle cruiser is the second one in the Prestige class. It is an old ship built in 1915. However, although it is an old ship, it still has a speed of 30 knots. As for the role of such a fast battle cruiser, the Romanian Navy is very
Clearly. With the development of new technologies, today's naval battles require higher and higher speeds. Nowadays, new warships do not have a speed of more than 28 knots, and you are embarrassed to say hello to others.
Therefore, the priority of the Repulse in the attack plan was higher than that of the two Nelson-class battleships (Nelson and Rodney).
Facing the Romanian air attack, Captain Padden, the captain of the Counterattack, was struggling to direct his officers and soldiers to fight back.
Captain Padden stayed on the warship because he had something to do last night, and after the air defense siren sounded today, he was also the only captain on the battleship who was on duty.
"Except for the people from the air defense and damage control teams, everyone else should move the anti-aircraft ammunition immediately, quick!"
"Ask Doral how long it will take for his power crew to get this ship moving. We can't stay here. Damn it. Can't they move faster?"
"It still takes half an hour, why doesn't he jump into the sea! Tell him that I can't wait, no one can wait! There are only fifteen minutes, I don't care what method he uses, we must make this boat move!"
"Pay attention to the two bombers coming from the right. Let the anti-aircraft firepower from positions 4-7 give priority to them and fire on them."
Although under the command of Colonel Paddon, the anti-aircraft firepower of the Repulse was impressive, its inability to move was its biggest weakness.
Several attacks immediately greatly reduced the anti-aircraft firepower of the Counterattack. Six of the eight 4.5-inch anti-aircraft guns it was equipped with have been lost, and 18 of the 24 40mm anti-aircraft guns (12 twin-mounted guns) have been lost. In the face of firepower
Naturally, the H57 torpedo planes would not miss the greatly reduced Counterattack. Only 12 torpedo planes were seen, rushing towards it from three directions: 11 o'clock, 9 o'clock, and 7 o'clock.
"Attention! Torpedo machine!"
Seeing such a scene, Colonel Paddon let out a heartbreaking shout to remind his officers and soldiers.
Of course, the officers and soldiers of the only remaining anti-aircraft gun positions would not turn a blind eye to this, and the available anti-aircraft guns would naturally not turn a blind eye to this. They immediately pointed their sights at the incoming torpedo aircraft and fired violently, with tongues of flame constantly jumping out of the muzzles.
It shows that the shooter has raised the rate of fire to the limit.
It was the third torpedo squadron of the Bormiku aircraft carrier that was attacking. Under the leadership of the squadron leader, Captain Ledley, they launched a fatal blow to the battle cruiser, which had greatly reduced its threat. They kept flying around.
The exploding anti-aircraft shells did not scare them.
Before flying torpedo planes, they had already put life and death at risk. Without such courage, don't operate the torpedo planes known as Widow Makers. This sentence is not only speaking of themselves but also of the enemy.
Captain Ledley was seen commanding the release of torpedoes.
"Everyone, hold still, don't worry, the opponent is already a dead fish. We need to get into the best attack distance. The Counterattack belongs to our squadron, and no one can take away the honor that belongs to our third squadron."
As he cheered me up, a chorus of voices of approval came from the microphone.
"That's right, head!"
"Yes."
"Our No. 3 Squadron is the best, let others envy us!"
Although Ledley gave his team members courage, how could there be no casualties? As they got closer and closer to the Counterattack, anti-aircraft firepower from other warships were also taking care of them. The Water God and the Sirius were beside the Counterattack.
The light cruiser is trying to use its own firepower to help the Counterattack.
Faced with such firepower, they continued to attack the Repulse.
"boom!"
A torpedo plane was hit by an anti-aircraft shell, which instantly detonated the torpedo under the belly of the plane and turned the entire plane into a ball of sparks.
"puff!"
Another torpedo plane had its wings broken by a shell and fell into the sea.
This short distance was like a road to death, causing Ledley's squadron to lose numbers one after another. One moment they were chatting and laughing, and the next moment they were separated by life and death.
The thrilling and short road to death finally came to an end, and the torpedo launch indicator light finally turned green.
Ledley immediately gave the order: "Drop the torpedoes."
Following his order, nine aviation torpedoes were thrown into the sea. Since the fuselage was much lighter, the nine torpedo planes immediately accelerated to escape. It is one thing to risk one's life, but another to commit suicide.
Within a few seconds, seven torpedo lines were seen heading straight towards the Repulse (two of them sank to the bottom).
At this time, the Repulse and the two light cruisers no longer cared about the departing aircraft. All their firepower was used to deal with these seven white lines. Every shooter operating a weapon was firing. A fierce metal storm soon came.
As a result, there was only an explosion in the water, and only 6 of the 7 white lines were left.
This achievement inspired everyone present, but this pair was also their only achievement. Six torpedoes were seen approaching the Repulse at a speed of 45 knots, which even caused the officer to shout, "Prepare for collision avoidance."
"
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Five consecutive explosions caused everyone on the Repulse to feel violent shaking. The earth-shattering explosion tore out four gaps several meters in size in the Repulse's weak hull, and the turbulent water immediately poured in. And the surface was so
The damage control team was unable to deal with the dangerous situation. More importantly, one of the torpedoes hit the stern of the hull, and seawater poured into the power room, which made everyone's efforts in vain.
Moreover, being attacked by four torpedoes was a damage that the Repulse could not bear. The inflow of seawater caused the hull to tilt rapidly. This made the captain, Colonel Paddon, feel a little nervous. Sure enough, the first mate's subsequent report did not meet his expectations.
"Captain, the damage control team reported that they can no longer stop the influx of seawater, and the warship is expected to sink soon."
Faced with the words of his first mate, Paden could no longer hold on. He used his hands to hold himself up to prevent himself from falling, and issued the last order to him. "Convey our order immediately, and all officers and soldiers abandon ship immediately."
After finishing speaking, Paden patted the first mate on the shoulder. "Escape for your life, Ronnier. Thank you for your help over the years."
First Officer Ronnier knew what his captain wanted to do, but he had no right to stop it. I saw him giving the last military salute to his captain.
"It has been my honor to work with you all these years."
After Captain Paden gave the order to abandon the ship, the officers and soldiers of the Repulse took transport boats or other ships to leave. As for Captain Paden, he tied himself in the captain's cabin.
The huge sore caused the Repulse to sink very quickly, making the Repulse the first British battle cruiser to be lost.
