On the turbulent North Sea, steel warships are shaking waves on the sea. The sea conditions in the North Sea are much worse than the calm Pacific Ocean. However, the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy has been stationed in the North Sea for many years and has long been familiar with this sea area. No matter how strong the wind and waves are, it will not have much impact on the Imperial Navy's steel warships. Especially those large warships are very good at seaworthiness.

On the sea, sixteen warships with Chinese flags were sailing rapidly to the southeast. This fleet was a reconnaissance fleet composed of the 1st Heavy Cruiser Detachment of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy and the 3rd Detachment of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy. Eight huge heavy cruisers and eight destroyers form this fleet. Although, this reconnaissance fleet seems much smaller than the main force of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy. However, both heavy cruisers and destroyers are very fast and are suitable for use as avant-garde of the fleet.

The 1st Heavy Cruiser Detachment consists of four "Daduhe-class" heavy cruisers and four "Haihe-class" heavy cruisers. The "Daduhe-class" heavy cruisers have a displacement of more than 14,000 tons, and a maximum speed of 30 knots. The military equipment is three triple-mounted 50 times the caliber 210 mm main guns. The "Haihe-class" battleship has a displacement of more than 13,000 tons, and a maximum speed of 29 knots. The military equipment is also three triple-mounted 50 times the caliber 210 mm main guns. With the power of the Imperial Navy's heavy cruisers, they may not be the opponent of the main ships. However, they have to deal with it.

The enemy's light cruisers and destroyers were easily captured. In particular, the Imperial Navy's "Daduhe-class" heavy cruisers and the "Haihe-class" heavy cruisers are both new warships of the Imperial Navy, with extremely high speeds, more than three knots faster than the "Prussian-class" heavy cruisers equipped by the German Navy. Even the German Navy's "Hamburg-class" light cruisers are catching up with these two heavy cruisers of the Imperial Navy in terms of speed. The only one who can catch up with the Imperial Navy's heavy cruisers at speed is the German Navy's "Kir-class improved" destroyer.

The "Kir-class Improved Destroyer" destroyer is the latest destroyer in service in the German Navy. Compared with its prototype "Kir-class" destroyer, the subsequent improved performance is much higher, and both the displacement and speed are far exceeding the prototype. When the "Kir-class" destroyer was in service, the displacement was only 1,500 tons, and the maximum speed was only 22 knots. However, the "Kir-class" improved destroyer that was recently put into service has a displacement of 1,800 tons and a maximum speed increased to 30 knots. If the boiler is overloaded, the speed can be further improved. However, the "Kir-class Improved Destroyer" destroyer is too small, with only one 155 mm main gun on the bow and stern. The most threatening are the four torpedo tubes on the bow. However, it is undoubtedly unlikely to attack the heavy cruiser of the Imperial Navy with the same speed.

On the flagship of the Imperial Navy's 1 Heavy Cruiser Detachment, the flagship of the 1st Heavy Cruiser Detachment. Major General Wei Xingfeng, commander of the 1st Heavy Cruiser Detachment, is studying the information in his hands. At present, the reconnaissance fleet is more than 100 kilometers away from the main force of the fleet. Eight seaplanes dispatched by the reconnaissance fleet are also searching for nearby waters. However, no trace of the German high seas fleet has been found.

"Where are these German guys? Could it be that they have retracted again?" Major General Wei Xingfeng said to himself. If the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy wants to fight the German Navy's High Seas Fleet, then the first thing to do is to find the German Navy's High Seas Fleet. If you don't even know the position of the other party, how is it possible to defeat the other party?

"The Germans shouldn't have escaped. After all, the current situation is very bad for them. If they cannot defeat the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy and gain sea control in the North Sea and the eastern North Atlantic, they will lose this battle. Order our seaplanes to focus on searching the southeast direction." Major General Wei Xingfeng ordered. If the German Navy's High Seas Fleet was for the purpose of a decisive battle with the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy, they would definitely be rushing towards the main force of the Imperial Navy. After all, defeating the main force of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy in the shortest time is the most beneficial for the German Navy's High Seas Fleet.

"Yes, General!" The communications soldier immediately went to send a telegram. Through the radio station, he could contact the sent seaplane.

Just half an hour later, a seaplane about 100 kilometers southeast of the reconnaissance fleet discovered a fleet facing westward at a high speed. Although this fleet does not have battleships, there are many heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers, with a total of 24.

The seaplane immediately sent a telegram to the reconnaissance fleet. Then it raised it up and hid in the clouds to avoid being discovered by the German fleet. After all, although the imperial aircraft were advanced than the German navy, the seaplanes had poor air combat performance. If they were besieged by the enemy, eight out of 10 would be shot down.

"One hundred kilometers southeast direction? It must be the enemy's reconnaissance fleet. Report to the main fleet immediately, and then order the seaplane to continue searching in the southeast direction." Major General Wei Xingfeng immediately issued an order.

At the same time, the Imperial Navy's reconnaissance fleet also began to sail southeast at high speed, and the fleet's speed increased to 20 knots, which is more than 30 kilometers per hour. In addition, the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet is also coming quickly. In this way, both sides will encounter it within two hours. Although the enemy's reconnaissance fleet had several more light cruisers, Major General Wei Xingfeng didn't care. He was confident that with the strength of the 1st cruiser team, he was enough to defeat the enemy's reconnaissance fleet.

However, half an hour later, the seaplane sent another telegram. Eight battleships were found behind the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet. These battleships were about fifty kilometers away from the enemy's reconnaissance fleet, which was more than an hour's voyage.

Major General Wei Xingfeng immediately ordered the reconnaissance fleet to slow down. After all, the eight extra battleships of the enemy are difficult to deal with. If you want to use the reconnaissance fleet's heavy cruiser to fight against the enemy's battleship, you are simply seeking death. The armor of the battleship can easily resist the 210mm main gun of the heavy cruiser. The huge caliber main gun of the battleship can easily damage or even hit the heavy cruiser.

Major General Wei Xingfeng ordered the seaplane to continue searching, while sending telegrams to the main fleet.

On the battleship "Ming Xuanzong" flagship of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy, the fleet commander General Lu Haipeng and the fleet chief of staff, are also studying the latest situation. The reconnaissance fleet has captured a German reconnaissance fleet and has also discovered several battleships. It can be foreseen that the main force of the German navy's high seas fleet is the enemy not far from the enemy's reconnaissance fleet.

"First order the seaplane to focus on searching the areas 250 kilometers to 300 kilometers southeast!" Admiral Ye Feng suggested.

Admiral Lu Haipeng nodded, but he didn't want to let it go. With the strength of the reconnaissance fleet, it should be no problem to defeat the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet. The only problem is the eight battleships following the enemy's reconnaissance fleet.

"Order Wei Xingfeng to prepare to fight with the enemy's reconnaissance fleet and spend an hour and a half to severely damage the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet. Once the German battleships are found approaching, evacuate immediately. In addition, send the 2nd Battleships and the 3rd Battleships to rush to reinforce. If you have the chance, solve the eight German battleships." A trace of hideousness flashed in General Lu Haipeng's eyes. If you can eat the eight German Navy battleships before the final decisive battle, this will undoubtedly widen the gap between the two sides. The Imperial Navy can also further gain more advantages.

"Well, however, our 2nd Battleship Detachment and 3rd Battleship Detachment need to circle a big circle. Otherwise, it would be easily discovered by the Germans." General Ye Feng said.

Admiral Lu Haipeng nodded.

More than ten minutes later, the 2nd Battleship Detachment and the 3rd Battleship Detachment of the 5th Fleet of the Imperial Navy began to accelerate their navigation. Under the protection of a group of light cruisers and destroyers, they sailed into the waters where the reconnaissance fleet was located, preparing to support the reconnaissance fleet.

At the same time, the reconnaissance fleet, which received the combat order, began to accelerate its efforts to force the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet. With the strength of the 1st Heavy Cruiser Detachment, if the opportunity is seized, it will undoubtedly be able to severely damage the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet in more than an hour. After all, the heavy cruisers of the Imperial Navy are much more advanced than the "Prussian-class" heavy cruisers of the German Navy.

At 11:24 am on August 24, 1863, the Imperial Navy's reconnaissance fleet and the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet met in the central North Sea. The Imperial Navy's four "Daduhe-class" heavy cruisers and four "Haihe-class" heavy cruisers were against the German Navy's eight "Prussian-class" heavy cruisers. However, the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet also had eight "Hamburg-class" improved light cruisers. In terms of force, the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet was in an advantage.

The commander of the German Navy's reconnaissance fleet was Major General Leo, the commander of the 1st Heavy Cruiser Detachment of the German Navy's High Seas Fleet. On the flagship "Prussia" heavy cruiser, Major General Leo immediately ordered the fleet to prepare for combat. At the same time, he sent telegrams to the main fleet and the 3rd Battleship Detachment in the rear, asking them to come as soon as possible.

After doing all this, Major General Leo began to order the fleet to prepare to fight the Chinese Navy's reconnaissance fleet. He believed that he had eight more light cruisers than the enemy. The final victory must belong to him. (To be continued)

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Chapter completed!