The news that the French fleet had arrived in Algiers soon reached Italy.
Italy is taking this seriously. Not only has it sent several reconnaissance planes from Sardinia to the port of Algiers to observe the situation of the French fleet, it has also sent small warships to patrol the waters from Algeria to Tunisia. This has also caused its small warships to patrol the sea area from Algeria to Tunisia.
The number of battles has greatly increased.
"Bang"
A cannonball landed on the side of the Tempest, and the shock wave generated by the explosion gave the crew on the Tempest a chill.
However, they did not need to use sea water to feel cold, because behind them, two Italian destroyers were chasing after them. The navies of the two countries are rivals in the Mediterranean, so the other's warships have long been familiar with each other. There is no need for many figures behind them.
You can tell by looking at it that one of the destroyers is the Voyager-class destroyer. From the side hanger, it looks like the Damostro, and the other is the Serra-class destroyer.
Both of these two battleships are stronger than Storm. One is equipped with six 120-meter naval guns, and the other is equipped with four 120-meter naval guns. But the Storm is only equipped with 4 guns, so how can it fight them.
What's more, the Tempest was one of the first thousand-ton destroyers after World War I, and the two ships behind it, the Serra, were okay. The gap between the two was not big. The Tempest was still capable of fighting. But the Damostro,
The Tempest really can't be beaten. This is the Voyager class. It can crush it just in terms of tonnage, not to mention the firepower, protection, and speed. It will leave the Tempest behind.
Of course, if the Utopia-class appeared at the same time as the Voyager, it would not be able to offset the gap between the two. However, it is because there are no people nearby, and the Tempest has no choice but to escape.
The two destroyers were chasing after the Tempest, which made the crew of the Tempest chill. What's more, the top speed of the Tempest was 33 knots, and the two Italian destroyers chasing after it were one with 35 knots (Sierra) and the other.
Section 38 (Damosto). This puts the Tempest into an embarrassing situation where it cannot fight again and again, and cannot run away yet.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
After several consecutive shots, more and more water columns fell around the Storm, and the distance became closer and closer, and the pressure exerted on it became greater and greater.
"Fight back."
With the captain's roar, the Tempest was finally angered by the enemy's bombardment and wanted to fight back.
There are many such situations, some are dominated by the Italian Navy, and some are dominated by the French Navy. However, no matter which situation it is, it indicates that this is a sign before the storm is coming, and the two sides are trying their best to gain the first mover advantage.
Of course, Palermo and Algiers, where the two fleets are currently located, are the focus of attention. I don't know how many moles who usually don't show up easily take the initiative to show up at this time, just to send the message to our side a few minutes in advance.
On the fleet warship docked in Algiers, Admiral Darlan did not get off the ship. Not only did he not disembark, the crew members were also ordered not to disembark. Faced with such an unkind order from Darlan, the fleet had no complaints.
This also has a lot to do with Darlan's influence on the navy. Even though Darlan only became Chief of Naval Staff in 1936, his influence on the French Navy started very early.
However, his main influence on the navy was mainly concentrated in the past ten years or so. Under his influence, he has made indelible achievements in various aspects such as doctrine, technical equipment, treatment of officers and soldiers, commander training, etc. "The French Navy has made indelible achievements in his ten years."
Under years of dedicated management, its performance is better than at any time since the French Revolution."
It can be said that, to a certain extent, Darlan is the French Tire Bize or Fischer. Therefore, it is no accident that every battleship and every sailor in the French Navy is absolutely loyal to him.
Admiral Darlan's abilities are also recognized by everyone, even his current enemies, colleagues from the three French navies, also sincerely recognize the head of the French Navy.
So when the unforgettable message from the Algerian waters to the Tunisian waters appeared in front of him, the admiral only took one look and put it down.
The navy suffered casualties in battle, but he also knew that this was inevitable in the pursuit of victory.
So what he wants to ask now is where the British fleet is.
"Is there any news about British warships now?"
"No, their latest news is that they passed Gibraltar last night and entered the Mediterranean Sea."
After listening to the report from his subordinates, Darlan came to the chart. After some measurements, he spoke. "The fleet commanded by General Cunningham should not be too far away from us, but I believe he will definitely avoid the Italians next."
Discover yourself. Then let’s give it the greatest help.”
After putting down his pen, Darlan issued an order. "Now I order the fleet to set sail immediately and advance towards the city of Tunis. At the same time, I order the air force to cover us along the way to avoid Italian air attacks."
"Yes, Your Excellency, General."
Following Darlan's order, each ship immediately rang the bell to prepare for departure. At the same time, the huge anchor was slowly stowed away, which also announced that the fleet was preparing to leave.
Such a huge movement attracted the attention of many people in the city, not to mention some special people who wanted to hang their eyes on the warship.
For a time, the radio waves in the city were booming, and countless messages were sent through the radio waves to where they wanted to go.
All this had no impact on Darlan. He had already known this, otherwise he would not have stopped in Algiers.
Of course, if Darlan moves, Italy will not be able to sit still. The Italian fleet in Palermo also started to make the same move, making fire and preparing to set sail.
In particular, Admiral Compioni, as the commander of the fleet, was mobilizing before the war.
"Everyone, now the French fleet is rushing towards the city of Tunis. Our opportunity has come. The French fleet has been huddled in its own port and dared not face our challenge head-on. So now the 100,000 French troops in the city of Tunis have become a necessity.
The reason for coming out.”
Compioni glanced at the energetic officers standing upright in front of him, and sighed in his heart that it was great to be young.
"Since the French fleet dares to come out, we must not let it go this time. We must let the French know who is the master of the Mediterranean. The next battle will show all this, so I hope every naval officer will stick to his own
Post, do your best for the Navy to win the crown of sea power."
With Compioni's mobilization, the Italian fleet also went to sea, and both fleets were heading towards Tunisian waters.
As the two fleets approach, the attention of all countries in the world is focused on Tunisia, where a naval battle known as Post-Jutland is about to begin.
