Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 336 Merchant Ships on the Atlantic

On the Atlantic Ocean, amidst high winds and rough seas, a fleet sailed forward.

In this second sortie, the British Navy was much more composed than before. They wouldn't be greedy for quick success and would carefully analyze everything about their opponent. But now... having received news of the situation in the Middle East, they all... fell silent.

David's Air Force is the most powerful force in the Middle East. They look down on everything around them, but they have suffered a defeat only against the Syrians.

Last time, it was because the SAM-6 missile was too powerful, but this time, they have learned from their experience and found a way to solve the SAM-6 missile problem. Their Shrike is tailor-made for the Syrian Air Force.

On the first day of the Bekaa Valley air battle, the SAM-6 was destroyed, and a mysterious missile appeared, causing the David Air Force to suffer. Then, the sudden appearance of Eastern equipment in the Syrian Air Force caused even more trouble for the David people.

An E-2 early warning aircraft was shot down!
This is the most fatal thing for them, because... they also have the same type of early warning aircraft!
On the bridge of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, Mike Cramp watched the carrier-based aircraft take off and land with a heavy heart. Their teamwork was becoming more and more proficient, but he couldn't feel happy.

An early warning aircraft with a large plate on its top took off. Mike Crap couldn't hold back any longer and looked at the people around him: "Do you think the Easterners' Super-7 will pose a threat to our early warning system?"

“It shouldn’t be that bad. The air combat report from the Beka Valley has already been shared with us. According to them, it was a twin-engine Q-6A fighter jet that launched long-range missiles with a range of over 100 kilometers,” said Arthur Clark, the carrier air wing commander. “So far, the Crying Nation doesn’t have this kind of fighter jet; they only have Super-7s.”

"No, no, that was before. Xu Tuo didn't have those weapons before, and suddenly they appeared. This time..."

They are afraid!

If the Weeping Kingdom were to acquire those powerful weapons, and the British Expeditionary Force were to suffer a second defeat, the consequences would be...

The backbone of the entire British Empire was completely broken.

No one can bear the consequences. Even if they turn the Crying Country into scorched earth with mushroom bombs afterward, it will be meaningless. Failure is failure!
So, what next?
“Even if the Crying Kingdom has two Q-6 missiles, it doesn’t mean we will lose. As long as we maintain airborne early warning capabilities on the battlefield, and our fleet has dedicated early warning balloons that can detect them from a distance,” Arthur Clarke said. “Rest assured, we will absolutely not fail this time!”

He was full of confidence because he now had a fully-equipped aircraft carrier, and their Phantom fighters were not only those on the carrier, but also a batch could be deployed on Asunción Island, which could fly to the carrier at any time.

This aircraft carrier is more like a springboard. As long as the aircraft carrier doesn't sink, they will have the most powerful force!
“Yes, our fighter jets have also been improved using Eastern electronic technology. They can launch medium-range missiles and can search at a distance of over 100 kilometers. They are definitely no worse than the Super-7. The failure last time will not happen again!” Captain Augustus Cameron said.

His gaze drifted out the window to the four escorting Kidd-class destroyers, which were also cutting through the waves and moving rapidly forward.

"See that? The warships we're escorting are the most powerful! Even if we faced the same threat as last time, we could handle it with ease!"

This is the most powerful warship in the history of the British Navy! This reminded Augustus Cameron of the HMS Hood, how majestic it was when this giant battlecruiser sailed the seas, although in the end…

Pshaw, how could I suddenly think of something so unlucky?

"Report, we are about to reach Asunción Island."

"Order the fleet to enter Asunción Island and rest there for three days."

This trip was rather rushed, so many officers and soldiers were not mentally prepared. They originally thought they were going to sea for training, but they ended up setting off in a daze.

Now that we've arrived in Asunción, it's time to rest and recharge so we can conquer Mazda in one go!

“Do we need to launch all the aircraft from the deck?” Augustus Cameron asked Mike Crap.

According to US Navy practice, all carrier-based aircraft need to fly ashore before arriving at the base. It is more convenient to receive maintenance and upkeep on shore. Moreover, when it is time to launch, they can take off from the shore base, fly to the aircraft carrier, and have another landing training exercise. If any aircraft is not skilled enough and cannot land, then it is fine. They don't need to go on the ship and can go back to land to continue training.

Now that we have acquired American warships, we must follow American training methods.

“Yes, launch all carrier-based aircraft!” Mike Crap said. “Let our fighters also go ashore for a complete overhaul, after all, next…”

Overhauling aircraft carriers on the hangar is much more troublesome than on land. A full overhaul is necessary. In the midst of fierce naval battles, there probably won't be many opportunities to do so. The catapults will also have to be disassembled and overhauled after docking.

"Attention, entire formation, you are about to turn into a headwind, full speed ahead!"

Following the order, the entire fleet of warships began to accelerate and turn against the wind. In the fierce sea breeze, on the deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, two Phantom fighters taxied to the takeoff point. Various uniformed personnel busied themselves, attaching catapults and raising flare deflectors. As two uniformed personnel made skilled hand gestures in front, the two carrier-based aircraft whizzed into the air and quickly launched into the sky, leaving steam billowing behind them.

This scene is so powerful!

“Aircraft carriers used to be like children’s toys. After this war, those damn guys in Congress will never stop us from building a powerful navy again, right?” Arthur Clarke said with emotion.

One after another, Phantom fighters took off and left the deck, while the aircraft carrier's speed decreased more and more, until it finally dropped to 15 knots.

"Attention, formation attention, the Queen needs three minutes, continue to accelerate."

To launch carrier-based aircraft, the carrier needs to be at its maximum speed to increase deck wind. At the same time, each launch consumes precious steam. The steam generated by the carrier's boilers cannot keep up with the rate of consumption, so the carrier will continuously reduce its speed.

The so-called full-deck attack sounds great, but in reality, even with four catapults, it's impossible to launch all the ship's equipment at once.

Moreover, with four catapults, steam consumption would only be faster.

Beside them, the Kidd-class destroyer HMS Sheffield provided escort.

The British are very traditional; when a warship is sunk or decommissioned at sea, another warship will be built using the same designation.

HMS Sheffield was originally a Type 42 destroyer that was sunk in naval battle. So, when they acquired the new Kidd-class destroyers, they named one of them after it, as if to reminisce about the past.

They never seem to worry about anything unlucky.

At this moment, on HMS Sheffield, the AN/SPS-49(V)5 2D long-range air search radar was rotating at a speed of six revolutions per minute, radiating electromagnetic waves into the sky.

Suddenly, a bright spot appeared on the radar screen.

"Report, aerial target detected! Altitude 10,000, speed 800..."

"Hey, Cole, don't panic. Look closely, that's a civilian flight path. The planes flying over there are definitely civilian airliners! Don't make a fuss. If there are enemy planes, they'll definitely be flying at extremely low altitudes. Besides, this is around Asunción, not the Falklands."

Radar officer Cole smiled. Yes, he was too nervous. As a former radar officer on the HMS Sheffield, Cole clearly remembered how he jumped overboard to escape, how he struggled on the surface of the sea, and how he was finally rescued. In particular, he also saw how his companions were swept away by the big waves and disappeared without a trace.

Every night, as soon as he closes his eyes, he dreams of this experience, and then wakes up drenched in sweat. It has become his nightmare.

So when the fleet was reorganized, he chose to join it. He could no longer integrate into peacetime life. Like the Vietnam War veterans, he suffered from war syndrome. Only by returning to war and winning could he cure his illness.

At this moment, he was also eager to see the strength of the British naval fleet. Yes, they were very strong at this moment, and they would be invincible. There was nothing to be afraid of!

He tried to reassure himself with this thought, continuing to look at the bright spot on the screen, but... he still felt uneasy.

He rubbed his eyes, trying to calm himself down, and then the apocalyptic scene appeared before his eyes.

"Oh, no, no..."

Hearing his shout, those around him cast sympathetic glances.

"Cole, we're about to dock. We can go ashore and rest for a few days. Many family members will also be arriving on commercial flights to Asunción Island to visit their loved ones who are about to embark on their mission. You...you relax. Everything that happened in the past was just a dream. Next, we will use our powerful fighting force to completely defeat the Crying Kingdom!"

Cole took a deep breath, and his emotions gradually calmed down.

"That's right, you're right. Everything in the past was just a dream. Now, we are strong!"

Cole finally calmed down and looked at the target again. For some reason, his hand still wanted to activate the weapon system and shoot it down with a Standard Missile. He couldn't move, he couldn't move. If he fired, it would be a serious friendly fire incident, a friendly fire incident.

"Alright, Cole, turn off the radar. We're about to enter port," Captain Tom King said. He could now tell that his poor radar officer was a bit off. Besides, since they were about to enter port, the fixed radar stations in the harbor would naturally search the sky, so there was no need for them to rush.

In the distance, Asunción Island can already be seen in the distance!
150 kilometers away in the sky.

The Y-10 maritime patrol aircraft was flying smoothly along a civilian flight path. On board, the radar officer shouted, "Report! All targets have been identified!"

"Immediately use the data link to send the coordinates to our attack ships and send an attack request back. Tora, Tora, Tora!"

During World War II, the Japanese used this code when they attacked Hawaii. Now, the Crying Nation is going to attack the British naval fleet, and they're using the same code!
The Weeping Kingdom, its capital, the Rose Palace.

"General, we have successfully locked onto the target and are ready to attack at any moment!" Anaya said excitedly. "Now, please give the order!"

Castelli didn't speak, but stood up and silently walked to the nautical chart, looking at the large area of ​​the chart and pondering silently.

He knew that once he gave the order to attack, something earth-shattering would happen.

The Falklands were a war zone, but Asunción was not!
When the British attacked the Falklands, they didn't attack the mainland of the UK. But now, they've sunk a British naval warship near Asunción, which means they've launched an attack on the British mainland. What will happen next?
"General, we can't hesitate! Now is the best opportunity. Their carrier-based aircraft have already flown to land, and the carrier strike group is completely unprepared. If we attack now, we can easily send the entire group to the bottom of the sea!"

Even now, Castelli is still hesitating.

For soldiers, hesitation is absolutely taboo; when it's time to act, they must act with all their might!
“The area we are attacking is not British territory, but at sea, and in international waters. Besides, the British navy is coming here to attack us. If we launch an attack now, it is a counterattack. If the British hadn’t come, this situation wouldn’t have happened!”

If someone hits you, should you just take it? If you retaliate even slightly, does that constitute mutual assault?

Of course not! If someone attacks us, we can strike first and take them down. This world is a dog-eat-dog world, and there are no police to maintain world peace. The United States, which they trust the most, has long since completely sided with Britain!
Therefore... we must go all out!

"The nation that weeps will prevail!"

"Destroy the British Navy!"

Just then, slogans rang out from outside.

Castelli opened the window and looked outside.

His people remain very enthusiastic. After the last victory, they did not protest due to inflation. They silently endured it all, and many even donated money to the country in the hope of strengthening its military power.

Now, they need good news of victory!
Castelli appeared at the window, and the crowd below immediately erupted in excitement, rushing toward the Rose Palace while chanting fanatical slogans.

"Protect the Falkland Islands!"

"Send the British Navy to the sea!"

"Let's take back all the humiliations we suffered during the colonial period!"

Castelli took a deep breath.

"Where is our naval fleet?"

"We can launch an attack anytime you give the order, even if we are 500 kilometers away from the enemy!"

"Alright, relay the order: Operation Cepflower, officially commencing!"

In the early years, Anayi, the daughter of the chief of the Guarani tribe, was captured while resisting the colonists and was then burned at the stake. Legend has it that at that time, the Cypo tree, which was not yet in bloom, suddenly bloomed with blood-red flowers.

This colonial-era legend is considered by the Weeping Kingdom as a symbol of its independence. The five petals symbolize freedom, equality, justice, sacrifice, and rebirth, and thus this flower became the national flower of the Weeping Kingdom. Now, this flower has become the code name for the Weeping Kingdom's actions against the British Navy!
Operation Cypher Flower has officially begun!
On the sea, 300 kilometers away from the British aircraft carrier group, a convoy of merchant ships was slowly sailing.

The lead cargo ship was the Panamanian-flagged Lookout. Captain Aion, with a large beard, stood on the bridge, gazing at the distant, rippling blue sea and listening to the various commands coming from behind.

"The data has been bound!"

"All missiles are ready!"

"Attention, prepare to open the blinds..."

"Attention, watch out, a maritime patrol aircraft has been spotted!"

Everyone tensed up.

It would be wrong to say that the British were completely unprepared. Air force personnel patrolled Asunción Island every day, and they also had a large number of Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft.

Back then, the Comet airliner emerged and became the world's first commercial jet airliner. Since then, this airliner has undergone various improvements. For example, the HS.801 Nimrod anti-submarine patrol aircraft was developed using the Comet airliner as a platform.

The four engine nacelles at the wing roots, combined with the large nose, made this aircraft look quite comical. However, it is undeniable that this aircraft had unparalleled advantages at the time, which is why it was modified.

Even from today's perspective, it's not that outdated.

At the nose of the aircraft, the sea-searching radar is vigilantly searching the distant sea, displaying the information on a full-color screen inside the cabin.

This is the MRMK2, which was upgraded in 1978. Compared to the MK1, its old ASV-21D radar was replaced, and it can detect ships at long distances, even the snorkels and periscopes of submarines.

They became anxious when they spotted several echoes on the sea surface.

What is this echo?
Could it be the navy of the Crying Nation?

"US reconnaissance satellites show that the main warships of the Crying Nation's navy set sail a week ago, and their current whereabouts are unknown." On the patrol plane, the commander said with some concern, "The CIA's analysis suggests that this main fleet is likely planning to launch a surprise attack on us."

"How is that possible? How could a piece of junk like the May 25th possibly attack us?" The radar officer looked up. "If we really encountered them, our navy could easily send them to the bottom of the sea! The May 25th's displacement is about the same as our Kidd-class destroyers. How could we possibly fight them?"

Hearty laughter filled the cabin; they were all very relaxed.

"Report! We can now see the ships below!" The sonar operator picked up his binoculars and looked down. "Let me see what this is... It's a merchant fleet!"

Merchant ships have always traveled back and forth in the Atlantic Ocean, carrying various goods from South America and southern Africa to the Northern Hemisphere. So it's not surprising that a fleet of merchant ships has appeared on the sea.

"Alright, we've searched the area within 300 kilometers of the base. Now it's time to head back!" the commander said with satisfaction. "As it turns out, there's no need to be alarmed. Our enemy, though seemingly powerful, is actually just a thin veil; it's easy to break through!"

They didn't realize they had committed an unforgivable mistake!

"Report! The target has flown away!"

"Great!" Ian exclaimed excitedly. "Our chance has finally arrived! Have we received news from the Rose Palace?"

"Report! A telegram from the Rose Palace! Operation Cephalexin has officially begun!"

"Alright! Attention all ships, prepare for a salvo!"

(End of this chapter)