Cannonballs continued to fall one after another, splashing a lot of water.
The huge explosion shrouded the entire sea in turbulent waves. The powerful explosion caused the sea water to roll and stir. Waves of waves kept lapping at the side of the Dutch warship. After the waves in front broke, more waves swept in from behind, in a steady stream. Battleships with slightly smaller tonnage began to shake involuntarily.
The waters of Nanyang are very rich in fish. Especially near the port, there are large schools of fish. On a clear day, they can be seen with the naked eye. At that time, as long as the fishing boats went out to sea, they would definitely get something, and they would never return empty-handed. Of course, when the war came, all the fishing boats had already quietly taken shelter. As a result, these poor fish all became victims of cannonballs.
The water column stirred up by the explosion of the artillery shell was even more than ten meters high. When blown by the sea breeze, it turns into a large curtain of water. Inside the gorgeous water curtain, there were many fish killed and injured by the explosion. Some of those poor fish were blown directly to the deck of the battleship by the wind. A large number of dead fish also fell on the deck of Vice Admiral Seedorf's flagship.
Of course, not all fish are dead. Some fish were only temporarily stunned, but after landing on the deck, they immediately became alive and kicking again. For their own lives, they jumped around on the deck desperately, trying to jump back into the sea. At a glance, countless sea fish are jumping around on the entire deck, which can be regarded as a small spectacle. Unfortunately, at that time, there were no cameras.
Seedorf¡¯s brows immediately frowned.
Damn it, the artillery in the port of Palembang turns out to be so fierce!
No wonder all the fleets of the White Army Navy dared to leave the port, leaving the safety of the Palembang port behind. This was not a case of carelessness on the part of the White Navy fleet, but rather their confidence that they would not benefit the Dutch. Maybe it was a deliberate arrangement by the White Army Navy in order to induce the Dutch Navy to attack Palembang Port. From this perspective, this attack by the Dutch Navy will not be easy to succeed!
However, now that things have happened, there is no chance to look back. The current Dutch navy is definitely riding a tiger and is in a difficult situation. If they retreat in despair and the news gets out, other Western powers will deeply despise the Dutch. The Dutch's status in the Far East and the reputation of the Dutch navy will definitely plummet.
"War is weird sometimes. It was obviously just a small defeat, but it could lead to the defeat of the entire battle. Right now is a perfect example. If the Dutch are unable to capture the port of Palembang and withdraw in despair, other powers will be able to spy on the weakness of the Dutch navy. They will definitely take advantage of the situation and swarm them. This is the outcome the Dutch least want to see. This is how the Spaniards fell back then.
Esco¡¯s brows suddenly furrowed, and he said nervously: ¡°Your Excellency, Lieutenant General, it seems that the artillery at the White Army¡¯s port has a larger caliber!¡±
Seedorf nodded solemnly and said slowly: "Not bad!"
They are all generals with very rich experience in naval battles. Based on the explosive power of the shells, they can deduce the truth of the facts at once. Although they could not know exactly the caliber of the White Army's coastal defense artillery, they were not that evil yet. However, what is certain is that the caliber of the White Navy's coastal defense guns is definitely larger than that of naval guns.
The 75mm naval gun owned by the White Army Navy is already very powerful. For the warships of the Dutch Navy, a 75 mm cannon shell is no longer able to withstand it. If it were an artillery piece with a larger caliber, one shell might fall and the entire battleship might be shattered. In other words, the sailors didn't even have a chance to dive.
If the battle is on the sea, Seedorf may also be able to adopt some flexible tactics to offset the power of the White Army's large-caliber artillery. However, now that we are storming the port, there is only one possible way. Seedorf had no idea of ??any maneuverable method that could disable the White Army's coastal defense artillery. Because the Dutch naval fleet must enter through the main channel next to Palin before it can approach and shoot at close range, destroying all the equipment and facilities in the port.
"However, the power of the white-coated navy's shore defense artillery is really terrifying. Even Seedorf's flagship, with a displacement of more than 1,500 tons, did not dare to easily withstand a blow from the White Army's shore defense artillery. As for other battleships with smaller displacements, it goes without saying. Seedorf had no doubt that a single shell could destroy a battleship.
What¡¯s even worse is that the hit rate of fixed turrets is much stronger than that of floating battleships. Fixed gunThe advantage of the station is that you can test all the shooting parameters in advance. When needed, you can call up the parameters and adjust the shooting according to the parameters. This kind of shooting method has a higher hit rate than target shooting. Seedorf conservatively estimated that if the Dutch fleet insisted on entering from the main channel, at least five warships would be lost.
Such a loss really gives Seedorf a headache. If we only lose five warships with the smallest displacement, that's it. But what if his own flagship is also included? Who can guarantee that the shells from the White Army's coastal defense guns will not land on his flagship? There is a proverb in the Eastern world, which is to capture the thief first, capture the king. If he were the commander of the coastal defense artillery of the White Army Navy, he would definitely focus on shelling the flagship of the Dutch Navy fleet!
In fact, even if he was willing to pay the price of losing five battleships, Seedorf did not dare to be sure of victory. There are too many favorable factors for coastal defense artillery. It is actually unwise for naval warships to force a battle with coastal defense artillery. Cannons on land are more powerful than naval cannons in any case, with longer range, higher hit rate, and stronger resistance to attack.
The Dutch suddenly dispatched the main fleet of the navy to attack the Palembang port this time. They were just bullying the white-coated navy who had just arrived and may not have deployed the coastal defense guns. Unexpectedly, the white-clothed army and navy had already been prepared. Under such circumstances, if they insist on continuing to fight, the price the Dutch will have to pay will be quite high.
However, if the Dutch do not insist on going to war, as time goes by, the balance of war power will definitely tilt towards the white army and navy. In the eastern world, the White Army and Navy have advantages in time, place, people and other aspects that the Dutch simply cannot match. The further to the back, the greater the advantage of the white-coated navy. By that time, the Dutch may not even have the courage to take the initiative to attack the port of Palembang.
Unless the Dutch are willing to give up their interests in the Far East, their only chance is to take decisive action now. Before the wings of the white-clothed army and navy have fully grown, he decisively wields the sharp blade to cut off the claws of the white-clothed army and navy, and strangle the white-clothed army and navy in the cradle as much as possible. Even if it cannot be strangled, we must try our best to create some difficulties in the growth process of the White Army Navy. If this cannot be done, the Dutch will have to taste the bitter fruit when the white army and navy truly grow up.
Esco was also aware of Vice Admiral's dilemma, and said empathetically: "General, should we conduct a careful reconnaissance before talking about it? There is a book in the Eastern world called "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, and there is a sentence in it, It¡¯s called knowing yourself and the enemy, and you will be victorious in every battle. We have to admit that we know too little about Palembang Port.¡±
This is just looking for an excuse to go down the stairs. Reconnaissance has a very broad meaning. It can not only detect the movements of Palembang Port, but also detect the movements of the fleets of the White Army Navy. The Dutch navy can continue to investigate as long as it likes. As for the battle at Balinpang, it was naturally temporarily stopped until clear reconnaissance results were available.
Of course, Esco is not talking nonsense, talking nonsense, and blindly flattering Seedorf. What he said actually made sense. In fact, before the Dutch Navy launched the battle this time, the reconnaissance work on Palembang was indeed not detailed enough. The Dutch navy did not even detect the coastal defense guns at Palembang Port. This can not but be said to be a huge dereliction of duty.
However, Esco¡¯s words, instead of having a persuasive effect, actually aroused Seedorf¡¯s fighting spirit. He subconsciously tightened his grip on the Vice Admiral's sword. After all, he is the commander of the Dutch Far East Fleet, and his perspective and height of looking at problems are completely different from Esko. Esko's words made him suddenly understand that once even he, the fleet commander, loses the courage to continue fighting, then the Dutch in the Far East may be completely destroyed.
On the contrary, only fighting can get the Dutch out of their predicament. Regardless of the outcome of the battle, the Dutch would never give in. Even if you die in battle, you must never give in. If he accidentally dies in battle, it will arouse the same hatred among other Dutch people. Seedorf is absolutely loyal to his country. As long as fighting is beneficial to the country, even if it means sacrificing yourself, you will not hesitate.
"keep going!"
"Search for opportunities to bombard!"
Seedorf gave a decisive order to continue fighting.
He ordered his vice-admiral¡¯s flag to be raised to the top of the flagship¡¯s mast.
This is a clear and unmistakable message to all other Dutch naval officers and soldiers that the fleet commander is determined to fight to the death. If he is not a coward, then fight bravely!
Sure enough, Seedorf's move inspired the courage of quite a few Dutch naval officers and soldiers, and the originally low morale gradually recovered. No one is willing to admit that he is a coward. All the battleships follow the West closely.Dove's flagship operation.
Esco was also infected, and his blood surged up. He wanted to wave his sword immediately and engage in hand-to-hand combat with the navy in white. He walked to the edge of the flagship's deck, took over the job of the semaphore, waved the flag himself, and directed the warship to enter the main channel.
The farthest range of the Dutch Navy¡¯s naval guns is only about five kilometers. For a smoothbore cannon, this is already the ultimate range. When the British's large-caliber red-coated cannon fires solid bullets, its longest range is actually about five kilometers. Naval guns must take into account the issue of recoil, which has great limitations in terms of power and range. Moreover, the power of solid bullets and grenades is so different that they are not the same at all.
In addition, the hit rate is also a big problem. The hit rate of a smoothbore cannon, just like a smoothbore gun, cannot be completely controlled by the gunner. The further away you shoot, the greater the margin for error. From a distance of five kilometers, when shooting with solid bullets, the impact point of the solid bullets is really not flattering. A hit rate of one thousandth is not bad. In other words, out of a thousand artillery shells fired, only one or two can accurately land on the fixed fort next to Balin.
For a fort constructed of reinforced concrete, the power of solid bullets is indeed a bit small. At most, it would just make a hole in the hard cement floor. If you want to smash the reinforced cement concrete, it is not something that ordinary solid bullets can do. The diameter is at least 150 mm. Of course, if someone is unfortunately hit by a bouncing solid bullet, the consequences will be serious. However, such casualties are basically negligible.
If you want to effectively cause losses to the White Army Navy, you must pass through the main channel and get within a distance of about three kilometers. At this distance, hundreds of cannons of the Dutch Navy can fire a salvo of chain shells or cannonballs. Only the overwhelming shotguns could have a chance to wipe out all the officers and soldiers of the White Army.
"Want to be close to the port? Dream on!"
"You think our howitzers are just for food?"
Of course, Yun Qifeng could not give the Dutch a chance to get close to the port.
"Aim at the main channel and shoot quickly!"
Yun Qifeng sneered quietly and pressed down the pennant in his hand.
All the howitzers had already adjusted their firing coefficients for the main channel. With Yun Qifeng's order, the gunners quickly revised their firing coefficients. The ammunition hand pushed the heavy shell into the barrel and closed the breech. The shooter immediately drew fire. Soon, a large number of artillery shells roared towards the main channel. The entire main channel was shrouded in the power of grenade explosions. The waves rolled like boiling water.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, there was an earth-shaking loud noise.
Yun Qifeng, who was holding a telescope to observe the battlefield, subconsciously moved the telescope away.
But it was a large Dutch warship that was hit in the tail by a grenade. The grenade exploded and immediately blew the second half of the Dutch warship to pieces. The huge fire produced by the explosion was very dazzling, as if it was dozens of times brighter than the sun. Yun Qifeng was caught off guard and suddenly felt a stinging pain in his eyes, and he couldn't see anything in an instant. It was as if the sky was filled with fire, exploding in front of his eyes. He rubbed his eyes several times before gradually returning to normal.
The damage caused by the 105mm grenade is really too great. Damage control crews had no chance of saving the ship. They looked at the ruins of the warships and were at a loss. Immediately, a large amount of seawater poured in, causing the Dutch warship with a displacement of nearly a thousand tons to continue to sink and the bow to rise. All the debris on the deck, as well as various supplies in the cabin, rolled one after another and fell into the dark black water.
The Dutch sailors on the battleship felt something was wrong and jumped into the water to escape. The large battleship sank rapidly as if being dragged by invisible hands. Because the battleship sank so fast, a huge whirlpool was formed on the sea, swallowing up all the debris around it. Many Dutch sailors, before they had time to swim too far, were sucked into the ferocious whirlpool and disappeared without a trace.
Seeing all this, Seedorf's face naturally turned ugly.
"This battleship sank so fast that the sailors didn't even have time to escape. It was really terrible. There has never been such a precedent in previous battles. In previous battles, no matter how fierce the battle was, as long as the sailors were willing to escape, there was always a chance. Large warships rarely sink.
"Boom!"
When I was feeling depressed, there was another deafening loud noise.
But it was another large Dutch warship that was unfortunately accurately shot by the white-coated army's coastal defense artillery. The fate of this Dutch warship was even more tragic. The shell hit directly in the middle of the battleship,It exploded in the middle of the deck. As a result, the battleship was broken into two parts from the middle on the spot, completely broken into two parts. Before the Dutch sailors on the ship had time to react, the two battleships were deeply inserted into the sea water.
It is estimated that many Dutch sailors on this battleship died without knowing how. Especially the sailors inside the cabin may not even know what is happening outside. I have to say that their fate is indeed too tragic. Perhaps a second ago, they were praying for God's blessing. And the next second, they saw God.
According to the establishment, there are a total of 358 Dutch sailors on this Dutch warship. Seedorf conservatively estimated that at most only one in 10 people had a chance of surviving. There is still a chance. As for how many people actually survived in the end, only God knows. No one alive has been found near the sea where the battleship sank.
The loss of one or two battleships is of course nothing. As the Vice Admiral Fleet Commander of the Dutch Navy, the loss of several warships is completely bearable. The problem is, judging from the smashing of these two battleships, the situation is indeed dangerous. Although Seedorf had made some mental preparations before and had taken targeted measures for some possible unexpected situations. However, now I find that everything I have done before is not enough!
Although the number of coastal defense artillery pieces of the White Army is small, the key is that the power of the artillery shells is too great. As long as one is hit, the consequences will be very serious. Such a threat is fatal to any Dutch warship. Because no one can guarantee whether the artillery shells of the White Army will fall on them. In other words, no one knows when misfortune will strike. I have to say that such psychological pressure is indeed a bit uncomfortable.