February 6, 1804 A.D.
One by one, the warships left the Sasebo military port and sailed into the vast sea.
These warships can be called the entire strength of the combined fleet of the Eastern Imperial Navy.
Two Fuji-class battleships, four Shikijima-class battleships, two Asama-class armored cruisers, Yakumo armored cruisers, Azuma armored cruisers, two Izumo-class armored cruisers, and two Kasuga-class armored cruisers form the core combat power of the combined fleet.
On the periphery, there were 17 protected cruisers and 23 destroyers.
It can be said that this time the Eastern Imperial Navy has already poured out. If they lose the battle, or suffer heavy losses. Then, the investment of the Eastern Empire for many years will be lost.
This is undoubtedly absolutely unacceptable to the Eastern Empire.
Therefore, the Combined Fleet of the Eastern Imperial Navy was almost determined to meet the next war if it did not succeed.
On the battleship Mikasa, the flagship of the Combined Fleet, Vice Admiral Heihachiro Togo, the commander of the Combined Fleet, was in a surging mood.
Ten years ago, the first commander of the Combined Fleet, General Ito Yuheng, led the Combined Fleet to defeat the Qing Imperial Navy and lay the way for the rise of the Eastern Empire. This time, he will lead the combined fleet to defeat the Russian Imperial Navy in one fell swoop, making the Eastern Empire successfully among the world powers. And, it will also become one of the most powerful navies in the world.
If he can do all this, then his future will be bright. Not to mention the admiral, even if it is a marshal, it is also at your fingertips.
So, whether it is for yourself or for the Eastern Empire. The combined fleets must win this battle.
“Your Excellency Commander, all formations are ready. It is expected that we will arrive at Lushun Military Port early the day after tomorrow. Combined Fleet Chief of Staff Shimamura reported Daisa.
Lieutenant General Heihachiro Togo nodded: “Let everyone have a good rest.” Once the war began, we would not have time to rest. Unless it is to defeat the Russians. Or, die in war. ”
“Hi, Your Excellency Commander!” Shimamura replied.
The six battleships of the combined fleet of the Imperial Navy of the East were divided into two battleship formations, namely two Fuji-class battleships plus the battleship Shikijima, forming the first detachment of battleships. The remaining three Shikijima-class battleships formed the second detachment of battleships. Among them, the battleship Mikasa served as the flagship of the combined fleet.
Eight armored cruisers, also formed two armored cruiser detachments, namely two Asama-class armored cruisers, plus the armored cruisers Yakumo and Azuma armored cruisers, formed the first detachment of armored cruisers. Two Izumo-class armored cruisers and two Kasuga-class armored cruisers formed the second detachment of armored cruisers.
17 protected cruisers, then formed into three detachments of protected cruisers. Among them, those cruisers built after the Sino-Japanese War formed the first detachment of protective cruisers. The protective cruisers built before the Sino-Japanese War formed the second and third detachments of the protective cruisers.
24 destroyers, also formed into three destroyer detachments. Six Ray-class destroyers and two Xiao-class destroyers formed the first detachment of destroyers. 6 Tokumo class
Destroyers and two Baiyun-class destroyers, forming the second detachment of destroyers. 7 Chunyu-class destroyers, forming the third detachment of destroyers.
The huge combined fleet slaughtered Lushun Military Port. It was wanted to block the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy in a military port. It would be best if the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy dared to go to sea, and they would destroy these warships of the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy in one fell swoop.
Of course, the combined ships did not want to harden the shore firepower of the Lushun fortress.
In this time and space Lushun fortress, the shore firepower has been further strengthened. Even if the combined fleet is strong and powerful, it is undoubtedly very uneconomical to resist shore firepower. If the battleship is damaged, or even sunk, it will be very detrimental to the next battle.
After all, in the eyes of the top of the combined fleet, their worst enemy is the main fleet of the Russian Imperial Navy, which came from far away in Europe.
Until the main fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy was defeated, the combined fleet could not afford to lose much. Otherwise, he will add a lot of variables to the next battle.
They also counted on the army to launch an attack on the Lushun Fortress from land and capture the Lushun Fortress in one fell swoop. In this way, they can easily destroy the Pacific Fleet of the Tsarist Imperial Navy and take the Lushun fortress under the condition of sea and land attack.
On the side of the Pacific Fleet of the Imperial Russian Navy, Vice Admiral Alekseev has always attached great importance to the movements of the combined fleet. (Read violent novels, just go to Feilu Fiction Network!) ）
Early in the morning of February 7, when Russian intelligence officers discovered that the combined fleet had left the Sasebo military port, they reported the news by wireless telegraphy.
When Lieutenant General Alekseev learned of this, he was shocked.
“Damn the Orientals, they must have come at us. Do they want to fight against us as they did against the Qing Empire? Order the 1st and 2nd detachments of the fleet to immediately enter combat readiness. Of these, the 1st detachment acted according to plan! Lieutenant General Alekseev ordered.
“Yes, Your Excellency Commander!” An admiral of the Pacific Fleet replied.
Immediately, the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Imperial Navy immediately took action.
The entire Lushun fortress entered the highest state of combat readiness. All the coastal defense batteries have entered the stage of imminent combat.
One by one, the warships have also begun to boil water and prepare for action.
Vice Admiral Alekseev summoned the Chief of Staff of the Pacific Fleet, Rear Admiral Vovidsky.
“Your Excellency Chief of Staff, according to the order of His Majesty the Tsar, I will sit in the Lushun Fortress. Therefore, the task of leading Detachment 1 south to Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base is entrusted to you. You immediately led the fleet south, keeping radio silence the whole time, so that the Orientals could not detect it. Lieutenant General Alekseev had a serious expression.
He knew very well that with the strength of the Pacific Fleet, once blocked by the combined fleet of the Orientals, it would definitely be a dead end.
Until the main fleet arrived from Europe, they simply did not have the strength to deal with the combined fleet.
“Yes, Your Excellency, Commander. This side of the fortress will be handed over to you! Major General Vovidsky, without any unnecessary words, saluted Lieutenant General Alekseev and turned to leave.
Soon, the 1st Detachment of the Pacific Fleet Fleet left the fortress of Lushun and quickly went south.
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