What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 259 Please Stop Moving Forward

At 9:30 a.m. on the 29th, after several hours of continuous pursuit, the Perry-class destroyers could no longer find any trace of the Carl without the help of helicopters.

After a night of high-speed pursuit, the fleet finally began to slow down, abandoning the chase and preparing for an encounter with the second fleet.

Dalton, his eyes bloodshot, roared at the telegram he had received on the bridge:
"These so-called eagles, receiving the most funding, are telling me they can't provide support! This is our own backyard, why aren't there any planes here!"

Edwin: "The only aircraft that can get here right now are bombers. The nearest B-1B just took off, and there will definitely be support this afternoon. The B-52Gs that can launch Harpoons are also just being prepared. You know, many bases don't have any in stock."

In fact, thanks to the strength of the navy, the B-52Gs equipped with anti-ship missiles were never intended to be used seriously except for exercises, and a lot of time was spent just finding harpoons.

Moreover, while the old B-52 is good for high-altitude reconnaissance, launching harpoons requires clear guidance and it will never risk searching for the enemy alone. Its maneuverability does not support any evasive maneuvers, so the main force sent out is still the faster and semi-stealthy B-1B.

"Minister, you should go and rest. I believe we will find Bismarck's trail soon."

Because of the sudden retreat of the USS Carl, the Atlantic Fleet was forced to be led around all night, and the crew was already exhausted, with officers of all ranks arranging for them to rest.

Dalton did not refuse; his age simply could no longer support such all-nighters.

The fleet as a whole began to slow down, actively reducing its speed to 15 knots.

About two hours later, the USS New Jersey was filled with a piercing ringing sound.

Dalton quickly jumped out of bed and saw sailors running around all around him.

The servant found him, panting, and said:
"Commander, the Bismarck has been spotted!"

"The air force has been deployed?"

"No, it's radar!"

Dalton glanced at his watch, which meant that the Second Fleet was less than 100 kilometers away!

……

After being shrouded in smoke for several days, the three battleships stopped using their smoke generators and broke through the smoke to reveal their menacing faces.

The formation speed was reduced to 32 knots, with the Bismarck leading the way, and the Scharnhorst and Gleisenau flanking it, forming a standard triangular formation.

Six seaplanes took off in sequence and began their search.

【Target found! 】

[?-class American battleship "Iowa" (Super) (??/??)]

[?-class American battleship "New Jersey" (Super) (??/??)]

[?-class American battleship "Wisconsin" (Super) (??/??)]

[?-class American-type frigate...]

【…】

Once we reached 40 kilometers, the seaplane could already see the oncoming Atlantic Fleet.

The formation of the three Iowa-class battleships was almost identical to that of their own, and it was exactly three against three.

To reconnaissance aircraft, the Perry-class battleships were just tiny white dots, while the three battleships were already showing some shape.

The midday sun shone on the white hull of the Iowa-class destroyer, making it gleam.

The Carl von Schoenberg, already returned to service, was now pointing north again ahead of Scharnhorst.

……

In response, three SH60s also took off, heading straight for the oncoming seaplane.

Dalton climbed straight to the top of the bridge and observed the Second Fleet in the distance using a fixed telescope.

It's not a red Christmas-themed paint job.

It's impossible that there were still three battleships left, so they just repainted them while they were at sea?

Dalton was puzzled, but it was still much more acceptable than the 70 knots speed that he was so concerned about.

So—the Carr really did sail at top speed for 24 hours, so it really wasn't an oil-fired boiler. If it were under conventional power, it would have already consumed more fuel than its own weight.

Without time to think too much, Dalton remembered his main task. After going down to the bridge, Edwin immediately came up to him and said:

"The identities have been confirmed. The one in the middle is the Bismarck, the one on the right is the Scharnhorst, the one on the left is the Gleisenau, and the destroyer that was just being chased is also there."

"Five to four."

Dalton muttered to himself that the Second Fleet was not releasing any smoke, but it also showed no signs of slowing down.

Edwin: "According to the orders from above, we should try to incorporate them."

"But obviously, the first priority is to get them to stop."

Dalton immediately said, "At twenty kilometers, have them stop and cease sailing north."

……

Forty kilometers, thirty kilometers, twenty-five kilometers.

The helicopters and seaplanes in the sky were already touching face to face, moving up, down, left, and right, but the battleships below had only just entered visual range.

The awkward thing was that Dalton recognized all the Second Fleet warships, but Tang Wen couldn't tell them apart.

The three Iowa sisters were in the same grade, and from a distance, they were indistinguishable by appearance alone.

Even at a distance of twenty kilometers, their outlines were already visible to the naked eye.

Strictly speaking, even without modernization, the three Iowa-class battleships are still Tier IX battleships, while the Bismarck is only Tier VIII, and the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are both Tier VII ships. Overall, they are not in the same class.

In terms of main gun caliber, the Iowa-class ships are all armed with nine 406mm guns, for a total of 27 guns.

The Bismarck had 8 380mm guns, the Gneisenau had 6 380mm guns, and the Scharnhorst had 9 283mm guns, for a total of 23 guns, putting them at a disadvantage in both firepower and quantity.

If it were a game of animal chess, then Bismarck's fleet would surely lose.

If it were a historical showdown in the 40s, he would still inevitably lose.

Dalton, seeing that the Second Fleet had not slowed down, did not hesitate to issue an order for the fleet to prepare to turn and block the Second Fleet's path.

Several helicopters were already struggling to cope and were preparing to land before the confrontation began.

“I am Commander John Dalton of the Atlantic Fleet. I am calling on you in my capacity as Chief of Staff to stop, state your true identities and purpose, and cooperate with the investigation.”

Dalton's voice was steady and powerful, fully embodying the confidence and authority of a strong fleet.

This was Tang Wen's first real experience of a large-scale event. He could hear the waves and the hum of machinery in his ears. Right in front of him, five warships, almost lined up in a row, were approaching each other.

“I am Bismarck Lütjens, captain of the flagship of the Second Fleet on the High Seas. This is international waters. You have no right to stop us, and we will not accept any inspections.”

The two fleets are still approaching each other at high speed; it would only take 10 minutes to cover 20 kilometers.

Seventeen kilometers away, the sailors of the Atlantic Fleet were trying their best to observe the mysterious "Second Fleet." This was the first time they had seen a battleship as big as the Iowa, as if they had returned to the era of their fathers.

Unlike the graceful and slender Iowa, the three German battleships look much heavier, and their paint scheme gives them a strong sense of metal and iron-bloodedness.

Dalton: "If the Second Fleet continues northward, it will threaten vital international shipping lanes. If it continues forward, we will have to take coercive measures."

Bismarck: "Our goal is to cut off vital international shipping lanes."

The curt reply created an awkward silence. The Bismarck maintained its speed, carrying the two battleships at full speed, and the two sides would collide in seven minutes.

Dalton: "Captain Bismarck, the USS New Jersey beneath me has nine 16-inch guns and 32 missiles. I don't know if you understand what missiles are, but if the USS New Jersey launches them, it can destroy the Second Fleet in 10 minutes."

Furthermore, we possess advanced radar that can increase the hit rate to over 60%, leaving the Second Fleet's warships with no counterattack capability.

"If you are willing to cooperate with us and tell the truth, I guarantee your safety with my personal honor."

"A second warning: Please slow down and stop immediately!"

(End of this chapter)