Chapter 189 Showdown (800 votes plus updates)

"General, it has been confirmed that it is a British battlecruiser, and it should be the latest level of 'Lion-class' battlecruiser." The staff officer reported to Lieutenant General Spee.

"'Lion-class' battlecruiser? Order the battleship, turn around, and go to meet the British battlecruiser. Let's see whose battlecruiser is stronger!" Lieutenant General Spee immediately issued an order.

Although, the full load displacement of the "Lion-class" battlecruiser is 2,000 tons larger than that of the "Moltke-class" battlecruiser. However, the "Lion-class" battlecruiser did not use this displacement to strengthen the defense, but to install more boilers to increase the speed of the battleship. This brings the maximum speed of the "Lion-class" battlecruiser to 28 knots, while the maximum speed of the "Moltke-class" battlecruiser is only 27 knots.

"Order all units, prepare for battle! At the same time, let the 'Goben' and 'Sedlitz' speed up and approach us. It would be great if we can kill a British battlecruiser Already!" Lieutenant General Spee ordered.

Although they sank many British merchant ships in this operation. But sinking a merchant ship does not give them the satisfaction of sinking a warship. Lieutenant General Spee is confident that as long as luck is not too bad, he will be able to defeat the British Navy's "Lion-class" battlecruiser.

On the other side, Lieutenant General David Beatty was yelling on the battlecruiser 'Lion'.

"Damn the Germans, I finally caught them inside. Order the battleships to move forward at full speed, and don't let the Germans escape!" Lieutenant General David Betty ordered,

"Send a telegram to the 'Princess Royal' and the 'Queen Mary' to speed up and catch up. This time, we must sink the German battleship."

"Yes, General. However, the Germans did not flee. They adjusted their course and came towards us," said a staff officer.

"What? Not only did the Germans not run away, but they wanted to fight us instead?" David Betty was taken aback, as if he hadn't expected such a result. But isn't that what he wants?

"Very good, very good. Since the Germans want to die, let them be fulfilled!" Lieutenant General David Betty looked confident in his victory.

In his opinion, the combat power of the British Navy is definitely above that of the German Navy. Even if the performance of the warships of the two sides is not much different, the quality of the sailors of both sides is definitely superior to that of the British Navy. The Royal Navy has dominated the world for hundreds of years, and it is definitely not for nothing.

The two battlecruisers began to approach at high speed, and the distance was getting closer and closer.

When the distance between the two sides was still fifteen kilometers, Lieutenant General Spee and Lieutenant General David Beatty both gave orders to turn around. The two sides gradually formed a parallel line, heading northwest.

"The German shipbuilding level is indeed very strong. It took hundreds of years for the Royal Navy of the British Empire to develop to the present, but it only took the Germans a few decades to catch up. If they are allowed to do so If it continues to develop, it may really pose a deadly threat to the Royal Navy! It is wisest to wipe out the German Navy and smash their ambitions while the Royal Navy is still in the upper hand." David Lieutenant General Betty put down the binoculars in his hand and said.

Even though Vice Admiral David Beatty had the inherent arrogance of the British Royal Navy generals, he had to admit that the warships of the German Navy were very good. Although the hull looks a bit flat, not as slender and aesthetically pleasing as the warships of the Royal Navy, overall, it is still very good.

"Ready to fire and let the Germans know how powerful we are!" Lieutenant General David Beatty issued an order.

At this moment, the distance between the two sides is about 13,000 meters.

The four double-mounted 45-caliber 343mm main guns of the battlecruiser "Lion" have already aimed at the battlecruiser "Moltke" in the distance. Similarly, the three triple-mounted 50-caliber 343mm main guns of the battlecruiser "Moltke" also took off their gun coats and are ready for battle.

For a long time, in order to conceal its own parameters, the capital ships of the German Navy have been wearing gun jackets during daily training. Only when it is ensured that there are no spy ships from other countries nearby will the gun jackets be removed and live ammunition will be fired. Therefore, the British Navy has always been unclear about the caliber of the naval guns of the capital ships of the German Navy. It can only be guessed based on some information obtained.

"Damn the Germans, the intelligence work is very good. The gang of bastards in the intelligence department thought that the capital ships of the German Navy were equipped with 305mm main guns. This is simply bullshit! That is clearly 343mm main gun." Lieutenant General David Betty's expression turned a little ugly. For the first time, he felt a little shaken in his heart when he thought about defeating a warship of the same level as the German Navy.

It's just that, at this point, it's impossible to back down. Lieutenant General David Beatty had no choice but to bite the bullet and order the entire ship to fight with all its might.

"Attack! God bless the British Empire!"

"God bless the British Empire!"

"Boom! Boom!"

The battlecruiser "Lion" started its test firing, and only four of the four dual-mounted 45-caliber 343mm main guns fired. Four artillery shells weighing hundreds of kilograms roared and slammed into the battlecruiser 'Moltke' more than ten kilometers away under the action of huge kinetic energy.

However, even if the sailors of the Royal Navy are well-trained, they still cannot achieve hits at such a long distance when the sighting equipment is limited by technology. The closest point of impact was two hundred meters away.

Of course, such a result is actually very good.

"Fight back!" Lieutenant General Spei immediately gave the order to fight back. The three triple-mounted 50-caliber 343mm main guns of the battlecruiser "Moltke" started firing.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Heavy shells flew towards the battlecruiser 'Lion' roaring. The shells smashed into the sea, splashing water jets into the sky.

For a while, the sound of artillery rumbled on the sea, as if it was thunder.

The battlecruiser 'Moltke' and the battlecruiser 'Lion' collided on the sea like knights in heavy armor. The shells whistling and flying out of the muzzle were the spears in the hands of the knights.

The battle of battleships is undoubtedly exciting. Although this kind of duel of large ships and cannons cannot be compared with the duel of aircraft carriers of later generations. But it is this kind of tactics of hand-to-hand combat that is more able to show the true qualities of a man.