Chapter 300: Ambushes at sea

The British Atlantic Fleet is the third-ranked fleet among the four British fleets (before the demise of the Mediterranean Fleet), and its activity area is the entire Atlantic Ocean. Of course, the focus is on the North Atlantic Ocean. Before the rise of Iberia, the South Atlantic Ocean was mainly controlled by Spain and Portugal, but the British Atlantic Fleet also had a certain influence in the South Atlantic Ocean. Since the rise of the Iberian Navy, which was later the French Empire Navy, the British Atlantic Fleet was slowly squeezed out of the South Atlantic Ocean. The strength of the Atlantic Fleet between the two sides was almost the same. Although there were constant conflicts, this state of dividing the North and South Atlantic Oceans was preserved.

After 1813, there were constant wars between the British Navy and the French Navy, and the two major fleets were dragged on the English Channel, and the important task of protecting overseas colonies fell on the shoulders of the Atlantic Fleet. However, the British Atlantic Fleet wanted to suppress the development of the Navy of the United States of America on the one hand, and on the other hand, they wanted to compete with the French Navy for territory. It gradually seemed a little overwhelmed. In the confrontation with the French Navy, they were also at a disadvantage. This can be seen from the control of the South Atlantic by France and the isolation of Britain from the colonies of Asia and Oceania.

"General, the fleet is fully prepared. Can we set sail?" a major asked in front of Admiral Brian, the commander of the British Atlantic Fleet.

Brian nodded and ordered the fleet to set sail. Thick black smoke emerged from the high chimneys, and the warships under the British Atlantic Fleet also began to move out of the port in sequence. Looking at his fleet, Brian felt a little uncertain. Today is March 7. Since the officer Ptsmouth was destroyed by the French Navy and he received the order from the Navy, all the British Atlantic Fleet took action. All the fleets stationed in North America were transferred back and forth, ready to invest all their troops into the straits and destroy the French Navy with thunder to ensure Britain's maritime advantage.

Brian was actually a little resistant to the Navy's plan, because France also had a powerful Atlantic fleet. If the British Atlantic fleet retreated to the strait, it would be equivalent to opening the North Atlantic to the French Navy completely, and even North American colonies would be threatened. However, the orders from the Navy were not to be disobeyed. Despite some slanderous complaints, Brian resolutely led the entire army to move to the strait.

There are two home ports of the British Atlantic Fleet, namely the Canadian city of Halifask on the west coast of the North Atlantic and the British west coast of the East Atlantic. Now, the full strength of the British Atlantic Fleet is from Auburn. They will bypass the Ireland Islands, enter the Atlantic Ocean, then enter the Bay of Biscay, and then enter the English Channel from Biscay. Brian originally insisted on another navigation route, crossing the North Sea from northern Scotland to enter the English Channel. But in this case, it would take longer than the previous route, but it would be much safer. Because the North Sea is completely within the control of the United Kingdom, there is no need to worry about being introduced by the French fleet.

It would be different to attack and walk on the Bay of Biscay. The British Atlantic Fleet is stationed in the Azores, and it is possible to encounter the British fleet deployed in the English Channel, which will increase the danger a lot. However, his suggestion was rejected. The Navy's explanation was that the French Mediterranean Fleet had been severely damaged, so there was no need to worry at all. The French Strait Fleet was dragged down by the British Navy. As for the French Atlantic Fleet, let alone the French Atlantic Fleet, everyone's strength is similar. If they really want to fight, the French Atlantic Fleet may not necessarily take advantage. Moreover, the British fleet's actions were very confidential this time, and the French Navy had no way of knowing the British Navy's plans.

However, what the British Navy did not know was that since their plan was released, a week later, the plan was placed on Xiao Jie's desk, which was completely attributed to the unremitting efforts and infiltration of the French Intelligence Agency over the years. After the British Atlantic Fleet left the port, the French Atlantic Fleet also secretly left their base, the Tserra Naval Base in the Azores. Two days later, the French Mediterranean Fleet also left Saint-Heril in the Channel Islands at night. However, the current French Mediterranean Fleet is half smaller than before, with only one "Dreadnought" class warship, the "Brave" class warships, the two "Former "Defying" class warships, the "Grand Duke" and the "Warrior", as well as four "Bonapart" class warships and 12 "Iberia" class warships, the total combat power is only the original one.

Half. But if you join forces with the Atlantic Fleet, it is still possible to severely damage the British Atlantic Fleet. After all, the French Atlantic Fleet is much stronger, including two "Dreadnought" class warships, "Hero" and "Knight", five "Former "Defying" class warships, "General", "Marrior", "Centurion", "Sailor" and "Railer", 14 "Bonapart" class warships and 50 "Iberian" class warships, which are almost twice the strength of the "Mediterranean" fleet in its heyday. The strength of the British Atlantic Fleet cannot be underestimated. Although it ranks last among several British fleets, the gap is not large. The British Atlantic Fleet has more than 120 warships, 30 of which are "Honor" class warships, and the rest are "British" class warships.

On the afternoon of March 10, Brian's fleet bypassed the Ireland Island and entered the outer edge of Biscay Bay. In order to prevent the sudden attack from the French fleet, Brian ordered the fleet to line up in battle to advance at full speed. Fortunately, they only passed through the outer edge of Biscay Bay and entered the English Channel without having to go deep into Biscay Bay. In this way, the dangers they might encounter were much less. Perhaps it was years of experience and intuition in sea battles. Since entering Biscay Bay, Brian felt a little uneasy, as if his fleet was walking into danger step by step. This feeling made Brian very uneasy, but at this time, it was impossible to retreat, so he had to order to strengthen his vigilance.

At the same time, a huge fleet was sailing towards the English Channel 120 kilometers southwest of the British Atlantic Fleet. They were the French Atlantic Fleet. According to the direction and speed of the two sides, if they did not go out, the two fleets would encounter at noon on the second day.

"Is there any news about the British Atlantic Fleet?" On the battleship of the 'Hero', Admiral Kirk Bryde, the commander of the French Atlantic Fleet, was anxiously waiting for news about the search fleet ahead.

"General, there is no news about the British Atlantic Fleet at this time." A lieutenant colonel staff officer replied. In order to discover the British Atlantic Fleet in time, Kirkbride sent 20 "Iberia" class warships in front of the French Atlantic Fleet at the fastest speed, searching for traces of the British Atlantic Fleet on the left and right.

"Where is the Mediterranean Fleet? What can we meet with them?" Kirkbride continued.

"We just contacted the Mediterranean Fleet. If nothing unexpected happens, we will meet them tomorrow at 2 pm." The lieutenant colonel replied.

Kirkbride nodded. He did not believe that the British Atlantic Fleet could escape under such intensive searches. "The ships entered a state of combat. Once the traces of the British Atlantic Fleet were found, they would immediately launch an attack." Kirkbride ordered.

"General, the Navy Command called. Marshal Burt asked about the situation of my fleet." A communication officer asked with a telegram.

"Tell the Marshal that everything is normal at the moment. Our fleet is searching for the traces of the British Atlantic Fleet with all its might." Kirkbride replied.

At 7 a.m. on March 11, the Hero suddenly received news of a search warship, which reported that the British Atlantic Fleet was found 30 kilometers northeast of the fleet.

Upon receiving this news, Kirkbride was excited and ordered the search warship to follow the British fleet closely, and at the same time sent a report to the Mediterranean fleet to inform the British fleet of its location. He led the main force of the French Atlantic Fleet to rush towards the British Atlantic Fleet.

Almost at the same time, the British Atlantic Fleet also discovered the existence of French warships. "General, I found a French warship 10 kilometers southwest of our fleet, keeping track of our fleet." An officer reported to Brian.

Brian immediately realized that his fleet had been discovered by the French fleet, and at the same time, his bad premonition became stronger and stronger. "Send a few warships to destroy the enemy ship that tracked us, and at the same time the fleet turned north 10 degrees." Brian took remedial measures. He didn't know whether the fleet could get rid of the tracked French fleet after turning, but now he could only do it with a try.

Brian's measures did not allow the British Atlantic Fleet to escape the tracking of the French Atlantic Fleet. At 12 a.m., the main force of the French Atlantic Fleet led by Kirkbride finally came out 110 kilometers southwest of the Normandy Peninsula to catch up with the British Atlantic Fleet. Brian did not retreat, but ordered the fleet to fight. The two fleets had a total of more than 200 warships fighting fiercely in this area.
Chapter completed!