Chapter 206: The wheel of fate has begun to spin

Not only that, before leaving the United Kingdom, the British also installed a very new thing on two Japanese armored cruisers. This is radio equipment. This thing is still rare in this era. At least one of the Far East fleets of the three countries of Britain, Russia and Germany. Not installed... Moreover, the radio equipment of Japanese warships can perfectly connect with the radio equipment deployed by the British in Hong Kong and other places!

  Along with the sudden change in the situation, the Japanese action plan has been adjusted. Considering that the Americans are now gathering in German colonies, they will not be able to come over in one breath if they want to go to the Philippines. After all, the distance lies there. So the Japanese thought was that when the Spanish fleet went south to deal with the Americans after the official war broke out in the West, Japan cut a knife from the back and landed directly on Luzon Island, and then responded to the Philippine guerrillas. Under the occupation of some areas.

  The landing force will be covered by old warships, because the initial alternative is not a fortress like Manila Bay. At the same time, it was only after the Spanish fleet moved south that it began to act, so the force responsible for cover was not very strong. Of course, the Japanese main fleet will not stand idly by. They will wait for the other two armored cruisers in the Bashi Channel while providing cover for the landing forces.

   On January 15, 1898, the Japanese army, their equipment and horses of a wing had been transported to Tainan by transport ships, and the main force of the combined fleet was stationed in the Ryukyu Islands. Asama and Yakumo entered the Port of Mumbai under the cover of night on this evening. Then complete the last coal refueling before entering the Strait of Malacca. It is expected that in three days, the two warships will enter Singapore and complete the last maintenance before entering the war.

  One day later, three Spanish armored cruisers were stationed in Manila under the leadership of Sevilla. A lamb entered a trap that was mortal in a daze. The two packs of wolves in the north and south had been sharpened. At that time, Severa only thought of the Americans in the south and ignored the Japanese in the north. Of course, he was also at a loss for the situation of the US fleet, and the British did not intend to tell Severa the specific information. In Severa’s impression, the current US fleet should be the same as it was a few months ago, right?

  At this time, the US-Russian fleet is also undergoing final maintenance work. The Germans provided Americans with relatively high-quality coal, and supplemented fresh water and food. Speaking of coal, Scheer and others were surprised to find that the US-Russian fleet can really hold it. During this period of time, the entire fleet has installed nearly 10,000 tons of coal! It is said that it directly moved the German navy's coal reserves in Dagua directly by more than two-thirds! An armored cruiser just Lurik bought 1,500 tons of coal from the Germans! Of course, the American prices are still very fair, taking into account the cost of purchasing and transporting coal.

The American fleet was prepared very early, but the first landing force of about 3,000 people had just set off, so they did not launch an attack as early as possible. War has not been declared between the United States and the West. On this issue, the Americans are better than Japan. People still have integrity, and they will not do things that are not declared. And for this reason, the Americans gave the Japanese time to concentrate their fleet.

  Whether it is the possible PK between the United States and the West that everyone knows, or the upcoming PK between the United States and Japan that only some major powers know, it is an extremely rare model for the navies of various countries! Although the Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 created a precedent for iron-clad steam battleships. But the fleet is too small, and the level of warships participating in the battle is also uneven. For the major powers where iron ships are in line, there is little reference value.

  And this time is different! This is a PK between big countries, and the equipment is even more concentrated on the top warships of Britain, Germany, the United States, and Russia! The second-class British Centurion battleship, the German super armored cruiser, the latest American battleships and armored cruisers, and the largest armored cruiser of the Russians most suitable for breaking ties. So many masters gathered together for a melee, and it's exciting to think about it. !

  The British Far East Fleet first organized a visiting group. A group of people headed by British Far East Fleet Commander Felimant boarded the largest and most tasteless protective cruiser Qiangsheng in the British Empire! Up to 3,000 tons of coal reserves are enough for the British to watch the whole journey! It can be called the most luxurious existence among all onlookers. The German onlooker group is naturally Earl Spey’s Hamburg. They will follow the US-Russian fleet for 24-hour non-stop “interviews and reports”.

  The French and even the Italians also dispatched notification ships to step up their patrols in the Far East waters. Although they don’t know what happened, they feel murderous. No matter what, the attitude of taking a look before talking finally took the upper hand. The actors have been in place and the audience has entered, so now we are waiting for the moment when the show opens.

  On February 14, 1898, the American ironclad ship Maine forcibly broke into the port of Havana without notifying the Spanish side. Unlike history, on the same day, a Japanese merchant ship also entered Manila Bay. The roulette of fate has begun to spin, and all parties participating in this national luck gambling have been in place. Everyone pushed their chips to the gambling table, and then began this fateful match!

On February 15th, with a loud noise in the port of Havana, the Maine was bombed into a pile of wreckage. In this explosion ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ the U.S. Navy suffered heavy casualties, and on the second day the U.S. The newspapers reported this event with an extremely fanatical attitude. The difference in history is that the Americans didn't even have to worry about it this time, and directly declared that the Maine was sunk because of a mine, and the Spanish were responsible! He also asked Spain to stop its suppression of the Cuban insurgents and disarm the West Indies.

  On February 17, the American fleet from the east coast of the United States sailed towards the West Indies under the leadership of three battleships. This time, the Americans did not wrestle with the Spaniards for two months before going to war. On February 20th, the United States and the West officially declared war on each other. On February 19th, three major events also happened in the Far East!

  At 12 noon on February 19, Brigadier General Dewey, commander of the US Far East Fleet, received the order to start the war from Washington, and then the general headed for the Philippines with a huge fleet consisting of 11 warships and 8 transport ships. On the evening of February 19, the Japanese merchant ship Awamaru accidentally exploded and sank. On the second day, the Japanese government requested the Spanish government in the Philippines to allow the Japanese navy to enter Manila Bay to investigate the situation! And almost at the same time that the Awamaru exploded, the Asama and Yakumo had already left Hong Kong and headed towards the Bashi Channel! The magnificent Philippine naval battle is about to kick off!

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