Chapter 404: Disgraceful defeat (Part 2)

"Oh!" Paul responded without saying anything. Although, he was also puzzled why the Navy Command did not stop him, even though he was ready to disobey the order.

In fact, although the situation facing the Mediterranean Fleet is very critical, as Paul said, if you grasp it well, you may not be able to escape unscathed, and you may even be able to severely damage the US Navy. The French Navy Command saw this and did not stop Paul. The reason is also very simple. Judging from the current situation of the entire Atlantic Naval War, after the United States and Canada joined forces, France was slightly weak. In addition, in land wars, it has a very big advantage in aesthetics, so the overall situation is very unfavorable for France. It has to be said that this is a chance to turn things around. If the Mediterranean Fleet can fight this battle well, then the situation facing France will reverse and will have an advantage in the Atlantic Naval War. Therefore, after Boult asked Xiao Jie for advice and received Xiao Jie's approval, he did not stop Paul. As long as he tried his best to preserve the Mediterranean Fleet.

"General, Gauderfrey sent an urgent telegram, claiming that they were under the fierce attack of the French Mediterranean Fleet. The 5th Fleet has now suffered heavy losses and has lost half of its troops. If they cannot be rescued in time, they will likely be destroyed." A communication officer reported to Davis with the telegram he had just received.

"Tell General Gaudfrey that if he wants him to hold on, the reinforcements will arrive soon." Davis said with a smile on his lips. Now, he can be completely sure that the French Mediterranean fleet has completely fallen into the trap he set. What he has to do now is to close the net.

"General Aldridge, where is the 5th fleet now?" Davis asked looking at the chart.

"They are 20 nautical miles southeast of us," Aldridge replied.

"Okay, order the fleet to prepare to advance and target the southeast direction. In addition, send a report to the 4th Fleet and ask them to start immediately and prepare to encircle the French Mediterranean Fleet's rear route." Davis ordered with a smile. He seemed to have seen the goddess of victory lifting his skirt at him. Judging from the current strength comparison between the two sides, plus the 5th Fleet, the ratio of the number of warships between the US and the French army is one to two. Although the French warships are slightly stronger than the American warships, in the case of one to two or one to three, the only one to three will be the French Mediterranean Fleet. Moreover, for the US military, the real concern is only the "Defaultless" class warships and four "Fore Defaultless" class warships. For this problem, Davis has long thought of a solution. Although the US "New York" class warships are much inferior to the "Defaultless" class and "Fore Defaultless" class warships,

However, it will be quite difficult for France's Fearless and Former Fearless to destroy the American New York-class warships, at least in a short period of time. At that time, Davis will use the 3rd Fleet's Philadelphia and Boston, the 4th Fleet's 4th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's 5th Fleet's

The remaining warships besieged the remaining warships of the Mediterranean Fleet. Davis believes that the US will definitely win if it is one to two to five. After solving other warships of the Mediterranean Fleet, it will siege the five large warships of the Mediterranean Fleet. As the saying goes, "the ants kill the elephant" and are besieged by the US military. Even if the five large warships of the Mediterranean Fleet are armored and have strong firepower, they will eventually be sunk.

For the two sides who are moving forward quickly, the distance of 20 nautical miles is not far, and in less than 40 minutes, both sides encounter it.

"General, discover a new American fleet." The lookout hand discovered the American fleet that was constantly approaching, and immediately sounded the alarm.

"It seems that this is the 3rd Fleet of the US Navy." Paul put down his telescope and said.

"It's unlikely that there is only one fleet size." Clarence hesitated.

"Don't worry, it's better to have a fleet. Let's fight first." Paul said. Then, under Paul's order, the Mediterranean fleet lined up in combat formations and rushed towards the American fleet.

The United States also made quick adjustments. After the 3rd Fleet arrived, in order not to disrupt the 3rd Fleet's formation, Davis ordered the remaining warships of the 5th Fleet to circumn from both sides and re-form the combat team behind the 3rd Fleet.

In the collision, a fierce collision occurred between the 3rd Fleet of the United States and the Mediterranean Fleet. Soon, the original combat formation was severely dispersed. The Mediterranean Fleet was divided into three parts, one part was the "Dreadnought" class and the "Former Dauntless" class warships, the second part was the "Bonapart" class warships and a small number of "Iberia" class warships, and the last part was all composed of the "Iberia" class warships. The two sides started a melee. The most intense was the battle between large warships. Since the large warships were equipped with large caliber naval guns, the destructive power was very high, so that other warships dared not roll into it. But despite this, the battles of large warships still occasionally affected small warships. These small warships were often hit by only one shell and were blown into pieces.

Even if the US 3rd Fleet and the 5th Fleet with half its strength are still not an opponent of the French Mediterranean Fleet. In the confrontation between large warships, the US Navy, which currently has only three "New York"-class warships, is not an opponent of the five large warships of the Mediterranean Fleet. Under the fierce attack of the Mediterranean Fleet, the situation is already quite critical. In the other two battlefields, the Mediterranean Fleet does not have the advantage in number, but can still be tied. As long as the battle of large warships can win, it is naturally no problem to destroy the US military.

"Damn it, where is the 4th Fleet? Why did it arrive at the battlefield? What is that stupid pig Duruk doing?" Davis roared. According to the plan, the 4th Fleet should have been put into battle long ago, but there is still no sign now. Moreover, the current situation is very unfavorable to the US military, so Davis is very angry.

"Boom!" A shell exploded less than 100 meters away from the Philadelphia. The huge pressure and waves almost carried the Philadelphia away from the sea. Davis and others were also unstable and fell on the deck.

"Damn it." Davis climbed up from the deck and cursed loudly. He didn't know whether he was scolding the Mediterranean Fleet or Duruk.

Finally, with the ardent hope of Davis and others, 30 minutes after the battle began, the 4th Fleet appeared on the battlefield. The place where they appeared happened to be the rear of the Mediterranean Fleet.

"Damn it, another American fleet came. It seems that the situation is a little bad." Paul murmured. Seeing that victory was right in front of him, the situation has taken a sharp turn.

"Order the fleet to retreat. Get out of contact with the Americans immediately and withdraw from the battle." Clarence suggested eagerly. In his opinion, the Mediterranean Fleet has achieved very good results, and it is time to stop. From the beginning of the battle to the present, the Mediterranean Fleet has severely damaged the US 5th Fleet, and the US 3rd Fleet has also suffered a considerable blow, and the Mediterranean Fleet has not suffered much loss. If the battle is withdrawn now, then this naval battle will end with the complete victory of the Mediterranean Fleet.

"Okay. Order the ships to immediately break away from contact with the US fleet and break out in the southeast." Although he was a little unwilling to give up, Paul finally compromised and issued an order to withdraw his troops. He could not compensate the entire Mediterranean fleet for his own selfish desires.

However, after seeing the arrival of the 4th Fleet, the US military's fighting will quickly rise and launched a fierce counterattack. It became very difficult for the Mediterranean Fleet to get rid of the US military for a while. "Bite them, the French are about to escape." Davis shouted.

Under Davis' order, the US warships rushed towards the Mediterranean Fleet fearlessly, making it impossible for the Mediterranean Fleet to get rid of the entanglement of the US military. Slowly, the US Navy's 4th Fleet approached from the southwest and formed an encirclement with the US Navy's 3rd and 5th Fleets of the French Mediterranean Fleet.

"What should I do? Break through? Or do I have a bloody battle with the Americans to the end?" Clarence sweated coldly on his forehead.

Paul is also very conflicted now. According to the current situation, the US fleet will soon form a siege against them. Only by forcibly breaking through can we get rid of the fate of being completely wiped out. However, if we want to break through successfully, we must have warships that will be left to cut off the back, and we must also be warships with strong firepower. Moreover, if we want to break through successfully, the warships must have a fast speed, otherwise we will not be able to escape the pursuit of the enemy fleet. This means that if we choose to break through, the Mediterranean Fleet must give up 5 "Default"-class warships and "Former Fearless"-class warships. In this way, even if the breakout is successful, the Mediterranean Fleet will lose most of its combat effectiveness, which is definitely not what Paul is willing to see.
Chapter completed!