Chapter 79: Queen Elizabeth-class Finally Takes The Bait
Admiral Hood paid the heavy price of sinking two King Edward VII-class and lightly damaging three. He figured out the enemy’s baseline strength, discovered some major design flaws in his own warships, and took out part of the enemy.
Since everything had been figured out and the enemy’s fatal weakness was known, the Britannians certainly wouldn’t continue such reckless head-sending antics.
They would rather spend another day waiting and assembling forces, ensuring absolute crushing numerical superiority before making one final push to completely shatter the enemy!
Hood and Betty reported the updated operational plan and received approval from the Naval Ministry. The Naval Ministry also coordinated with the Army Ministry, notifying Marshal French in the encirclement:
Don’t let the front line collapse too quickly these two days. Fully utilize the advantage of having large amounts of supplies in the Ypres encirclement for a war of attrition, first hold the position steady, and wait for the navy to slowly relieve him.
But two days later, when the navy launches a full assault on Dunkirk Fortress at the same time, the army must also go all out together, attacking from two sides to clamp down and completely shatter the German Army at Dunkirk Port!
The reason before was only to have Hood probe lightly while having French temporarily hold back from counterattacking was precisely to create this time difference. To ensure the main sea and land forces attack together, not staggered one by one in gourd baby head-sending incremental tactics.
After receiving the order, Marshal French could only treat a dead horse as a live one and guarantee resolute execution.
At the same time, French confirmed a piece of news with the ministers in the rear: Albert was killed in last night’s bombardment, and the body has been recovered.
Found in the command tower of that destroyed “Caroline-class” light cruiser, the captain was with him and was killed together.
After London confirmed this news, many people felt deep sorrow and anger, and hurriedly prepared to have Albert’s son, who was still in junior year at Eton College, succeed in exile to rally some hearts and continue maintaining the claim.
This news further stimulated Minister Walton, who had always advocated quickly bringing allied nations’ heads of state to London. As a result, the enemy sank the warship he used to rescue them, and the hostage died too—this was tantamount to slapping Minister Walton hard in the face!
Walton’s orders to Betty and Hood became even harsher, demanding they take out Dunkirk Fortress in 24 hours! By then, it wouldn’t be 7 pre-dreadnoughts attacking; they would assemble all available forces! And first have the new battleships with the longest range loiter outside the enemy’s range!
……
“After the enemy retreated, they indeed went quiet for a whole day. Who knows what conspiracy they’re plotting.”
Major Keitel hid in Fort Rohan’s firing command room, spending the whole day either sleeping or studying firing tables and shore battery blueprints, extremely excited but also helplessly frustrated with energy nowhere to vent.
Especially seeing Major Loeb, who was responsible for the position further north, sink two enemy pre-dreadnoughts early in the morning—that stark contrast made Keitel even more anxious.
As soon as he saw Lelouch, he couldn’t help but press him, hoping this miraculous officer could help him find a battle opportunity.
Lelouch handed him a freshly brewed cup of sugared black tea and a few scones, saying calmly:
“Don’t rush! The enemy suffered such a big loss; they won’t step in the same pit twice. I don’t know what tactics the enemy will use next, but they’ll definitely be different from this morning’s. What we need to do is stay in good spirits and condition, then adapt accordingly.”
Keitel had no choice but to accept it, sighing unwillingly: “Lelouch sir, did you hear? Loeb is getting promoted to lieutenant colonel! I’ve always performed better than him, my gunnery is more accurate, and my training of subordinates is stricter!
During the Kemmel Hill campaign, I even used the hyperbola method for sound-ranging blind fire to take out several British Army 9.2-inch howitzer positions! But I’ve always been just short of that breath for lieutenant colonel, and now he sank two pre-dreadnoughts and gets promoted straight to it! I hear the Army Group will send someone soon for the promotion ceremony.”
Lelouch smiled faintly and patted his shoulder: “That’s nothing, just two pre-dreadnoughts. I believe this is only the appetizer. As long as your artillery tactics are superb and training strict, there will be plenty of chances to shine.”
After chatting for a bit and finishing afternoon tea, an Army Group Headquarters vehicle really arrived, announcing several promotions.
All the officers of Dunkirk Fortress attended the ceremony. Keitel originally thought today’s protagonist was Major Loeb and his key meritorious subordinate officers.
But unexpectedly, at the actual reading, he was surprised to hear his own name included.
“In view of the outstanding combat performance of the garrison troops at Marloye Ban Fortress and Fort Rohan… it is decided to promote von Bock to infantry colonel, William Loeb to artillery lieutenant colonel, William Keitel to artillery lieutenant colonel…”
Keitel was dazed until after the reading ended, then incredulously asked the Army Group chief of staff major general in charge in a low voice: “Excuse me, is it just because I sank one enemy light cruiser that I gathered enough merit for this promotion? It didn’t seem like that before…”
The Army Group chief of staff then lowered his voice and explained discreetly: “You’re lucky. The empire’s informants in London have confirmed that the Britannians are preparing to have that Eton middle school student succeed, so we can basically confirm you killed the king yesterday.
The top is very satisfied with this result. Although not as good as capturing him alive, it’s much better than killing him in land combat. After all, sinking a warship wasn’t targeted at a specific person; it’s an accident and won’t easily stir up hatred.”
Keitel suddenly understood, and the gloom of these past days vanished.
After the promotion ceremony, Keitel and Lieutenant Colonel Loeb’s gratitude toward Lelouch, their guide, overflowed even more.
After all, it was their first promotion since joining this combat system.
Lelouch, however, took no credit, casually congratulating them: “I’m actually ashamed; when I was still a lieutenant, you two were already majors. Back then, we discussed everything together.
In the end, our infantry brothers got promoted so fast, delaying you all. Fortunately, now we’re even again, both lieutenant colonels. In the future, if you have any ideas on warfare, let’s still discuss them together…”
“No no no! Lieutenant Colonel Lelouch, we all listen to you! We’re just a bit better at gunnery. When it comes to strategic vision, we’re nowhere near you. Only under your guidance can we play to our strengths!”
Keitel and Loeb immediately rejected Lelouch’s kindness, saying it wasn’t about rank—even if ranks were even now, they still wanted to follow Lelouch’s orders.
Over these days, their artillery unit, with perfect coordination with the assault battalion, had achieved too many results, now even sinking enemy battleships.
With such a war god-like guide, how could they not hug the thigh?
After expressing loyalty, Lieutenant Colonel Keitel still unwillingly said in a low voice: “By the way, sinking that cruiser last night wasn’t it carried out per your arrangement? The gunnery merit counts to us, but the command and coordination merit should count to you. How come Lieutenant Colonel Bock got promoted another level…”
Lelouch didn’t mind, and generously reminded them not to create internal conflict:
“That’s normal. So-called ‘command and coordination’ is just a few casual pointers; such intangible contributions are hard to quantify, and it doesn’t matter who gets credit. Lieutenant Colonel Bock and I are respectively the supreme commanders of these two fortress batteries, so consider it taking turns sharing the fruit.
This time it’s his; next time it might be mine. His uncle is the chief of staff; let him have it first. The duke knows the score.”
The two artillery lieutenant colonels hadn’t quite caught on yet when Lelouch casually gave an example:
“Just think of it this way: this time we killed a king, credit to him. Next time if our troops can kill or capture Marshal French, shouldn’t it count to me?
I think that’s fine. Killing a king draws hatred; killing a marshal is chivalry, perfectly justified. If you’re really indignant for me, just don’t let French escape then.”
Keitel and Loeb couldn’t help but laugh, half-jokingly saying: “No problem! Next time if Marshal French dares to take a ship through Dunkirk battery’s range, we’ll definitely leave him behind!”
……
Keitel and Loeb were now completely convinced by Lelouch heart and soul, so he struck while the iron was hot, discussing war game simulations with them for a while and chatting about the enemy’s possible next offensive methods, doing their homework thoroughly.
They talked until 8 p.m. Fearing a big battle in the latter half of the night or tomorrow, Lelouch went to rest first.
At the same time, he was too lazy to return to Fort Rohan and slept at Marloye Ban Fortress, because he knew the enemy would attack here first; Fort Rohan’s position was further back, and the enemy would definitely clear them layer by layer.
After sleeping who knows how long, Lelouch was jolted awake in a daze by huge cannon fire.
He had just gotten up when he saw Keitel already awake, handing him a towel while asking with lingering fear:
“I’ve never heard enemy shells make such a big noise! Much louder than our 340s—could it be the Queen-class 380s!”
Lelouch didn’t answer immediately but waited a bit more. Hearing the second round of cannon fire, his expression grew even graver, and he silently nodded:
“Probably the Queen-class 380s. Has the sighting room reported rangefinding results?”
“We can only see the muzzle flashes, but don’t know the size between the enemy ship’s front and rear main turrets, so can’t precisely rangefind!” a soldier in the rangefinding room shouted back.
Without rangefinding results, how to return fire?
While Lelouch was pondering, fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Loeb, directly in charge of commanding Marloye Ban Fortress battery, decisively ordered the remaining two 340 turrets to fire full speed toward the north:
“No need for rangefinding, just aim left and right—directly at the enemy muzzle flashes, maximum elevation, maximum range, fire!”
After a few minutes of chaos, Marloye Ban Fortress battery’s 340 giant cannons finally spoke, their mighty roar resounding across the sky again as 4 600-kg armor-piercing shells whistled fiercely, flying 25 km far to crash heavily on the sea surface.
“Visibility too dark, can’t clearly observe shell splashes, but we can confirm we definitely fell short!”
Hearing this, Loeb frowned even tighter: “The enemy is lobbing fire from outside our maximum range! They must have gotten the range limits of these big guns from the Franks, and now want to test their own new artillery’s nighttime long-range accuracy. It’s past 4 a.m. now; if they find accuracy lacking, they’ll probably wait for dawn to continue bombarding, while we can only take it helplessly…”
Hearing Loeb’s concern, Keitel seemed struck by inspiration:
“The enemy is just relying on longer range, right? Then let’s bring out those 380/L45 ‘Big Marks’ from the cave and show them what’s what!”
Loeb was quite tempted, but Lelouch immediately raised his hand to stop it:
“Don’t act rashly! Those are our only trump cards. We’ve held them back so long without using them because for other older warships, the 280 railway guns and 340 shore batteries suffice. These 380s are our ace saved for the Queen-class!
At this extreme range, the enemy can’t hit accurately. Nor can we. And once we reveal them, the enemy will immediately turn away alertly. To ensure heavy damage, we must let them get closer!”
Keitel knew Lelouch was right, but Loeb was unwilling: “But before the enemy destroys these 4 340 guns at Marloye Ban Fortress battery, they won’t close in—that means just taking hits without firing back?”
Keitel could yield, but Loeb had to fight—Marloye Ban Fortress battery was his responsibility, Fort Rohan was Keitel’s. If letting the enemy “in to hit,” his defense sector would be wiped first.
But Lelouch remained unmoved, calmly to a frightening degree: “You just said you believe in my strategic vision—Lieutenant Colonel Loeb, is this how you believe?”
Loeb’s heart jolted, and he calmed slightly: “Then tell us, how exactly should we respond…”
Lelouch took a deep breath: “I know your worry, but if you trust me to be fair, then follow my command—
Keitel, transfer command of Fort Rohan battery to Loeb too; you focus on commanding the railway gun group. Then have all artillery here at Marloye Ban withdraw first; don’t stay here for pointless sacrifices.
Once Marloye Ban’s last two turrets are damaged, the enemy will naturally swing east, toward the coast, and close distance to get line of sight to bombard Fort Rohan battery.
Fort Rohan is 4 km south of Marloye Ban Fortress battery. Even lobbing fire over Marloye Ban without sight, they’ll need to close at least 4 km. If swinging east along the coast facing the port breakwater, even further.
Moreover, once they figure these big guns have only 25 km max range, they might get overconfident and close even more for higher accuracy. And that’s when our railway guns strike! I’d rather sacrifice four barrels to show weakness and let the enemy get as arrogant as possible!
Besides, swallowing these four barrels costs them too. Queen-class gun barrels have accuracy life of just three or four hundred rounds, and sustained firing heats them up, wearing rifling and temporarily dropping accuracy; they need to return to port for maintenance to recover.
Plus, how many shells can they carry at once? If armor-piercing shells are half-consumed, combat effectiveness drops sharply, making it easier for our follow-up surprise forces.
So we must stay calm! No matter how many 340 coastal defense gun turrets or pre-dreadnought kills, they’re worth less than one Queen-class! For this goal, we can endure! As long as the enemy gets proud and careless because of it!”
Lelouch’s words finally convinced Loeb and Keitel.
The two exchanged a final glance, seeing utter conviction of Lelouch in each other’s eyes, and began executing the new plan.
……
Waiting is always the most tormenting, especially when you can only take hits without firing back—or rather, firing back doesn’t reach.
Meanwhile, the opposing “Queen Elizabeth-class” after bombarding a while seemed to realize accuracy too low in the dark, so reduced firing frequency and tried closing a bit more, apparently waiting for dawn to bombard again.
In Marloye Ban Fortress battery, most artillery had withdrawn, leaving only minimal personnel for firing tasks.
After deploying everything, Loeb said to Lelouch: “Sir, you leave here first too; no point staying. The enemy won’t rest until these two turrets are destroyed.”
Lelouch tapped the map table with his knuckles, slowly stood, then suddenly said: “I just had a new idea, about how to take hits even better…”
Loeb: “?”
Lelouch: “Have someone prepare several barrels of fuel, and haul more carts of coal dust, then spread on the armored turret tops, mostly coal dust, then pour oil on top. Be careful, work during enemy firing gaps.
Then, at extreme range, keep firing—even if missing, but low frequency, one round every few minutes. If enemy shells hit our ‘fake death bait’ and ignite a big fire, immediately cease fire, pretend that turret has lost combat effectiveness, and withdraw the last guards from that turret.
And so on: whenever enemy bombardment causes fire around either of Marloye Ban’s two main turrets, have that one cease fire and play dead first. After dawn, I’ll have Lieutenant Colonel Immelmann send reconnaissance aircraft to intercept any enemy air reconnaissance, preventing close inspection of the armored turrets’ damage…”
Loeb couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath.
He had to admit, this fake death bait trick had no risk—though the enemy might not fall for it, they had nothing more to do. Tricking them is best; if not, no extra loss.
He immediately had people fetch fuel. The fortress bottom had shell hoists and train tunnels for transport, so warehouses held plenty of coal dust for train steam engines and fuel oil for emergency generators.
The remaining infantry hauled barrels of coal dust and fuel oil to the mountaintop defense fortifications, piling and splashing everywhere to ensure surface fire upon hit.
Since it wasn’t fully light yet, the trick had no danger and wasn’t spotted by the enemy.
Soon after finishing, it was 6 or 7 a.m.
As visibility cleared, the two “Queen-class” enemy ships were visible far on the sea surface. Rangefinders urgently measured: opponent holding at 27 km.
The enemy ships could see here more clearly too; the “Queen-class” firing rate rose back to about two rounds per minute. Huge shells fell frequently, but accuracy still dismal—
In Earth’s history, the “Queen-class” throughout service record, farthest hit was just 26 km, achieved in World War II dueling Italian battleships.
The so-called 31 km extreme max range was just theoretical; at that distance, accuracy pitifully low.
Fortunately now hitting fixed targets made it slightly easier. But armored turrets much smaller than warships; hoping direct hits to destroy them still extremely hard.
Most times, ship-to-shore bombardment judges a turret destroyed once it stops firing and no longer attacks—not necessarily needing to bomb the turret itself “to total wreckage”; could be damaging hydraulics, loading mechanisms, fire control sighting.
The two “Queen-class” thus lavishly lobbed from long range for a full one or two hours before one twin 340 armored turret area at Marloye Ban Fortress battery burst into raging flames.
Then that turret stopped counterfiring. The moment the fire started, Lieutenant Colonel Loeb had all artillery transfer; not one left in upper works, all fled to the mountain-bottom train tunnel to hide temporarily.
But the British Army general commanding those two “Queen-class,” that cunning and suspicious General David Betty, didn’t believe he had succeeded.
“Can we confirm destruction? If not, continue bombarding another hour!” General Betty decisively chose to keep whipping the corpse.
Unfortunately, the German Army showed no reaction to the corpse-whipping.
No matter how much whipping, since counterfiring couldn’t reach anyway, just keep playing dead; personnel already gone—barefoot not afraid of shoes.
Ultimately, no matter how suspicious David Betty, facing an enemy utterly unresponsive to any whipping or finishing blows, he couldn’t spot the flaw.
With Marloye Ban Fortress battery’s two armored turrets completely ceased fire for a long time and fully engulfed in raging flames, Betty finally realized he couldn’t delay, ordering the fleet to swing southeast, closing another 4~5 km toward the coast, bypassing Marloye Ban Fortress battery’s sight block to start bombarding Fort Rohan.
At the same time, some of his pre-dreadnoughts followed the main fleet south, using their cheap main guns to continue whipping the blazing ruins—
In fact, in Earth’s history, the Royal Navy in the later Battle of the Dardanelles did the same to confirm if Ottoman fortress shore batteries were truly dead.
“Finally hooked! Prepare the 380 ‘Big Mark’ railway guns! First use enemy ship coordinates shared by other friendly units to adjust firing data!”
“Hold steady, don’t rush! Wind speed, direction, humidity errors—first reverse-calculate from other friendly units’ trial shots, adjust those error elements perfectly before allowing fire!”
Seeing the enemy close in, Lelouch finally gave Keitel the order to commence battle.
Keitel’s men meticulously adjusted and re-adjusted, handling every input error parameter as perfectly as possible. Truly unobtainable ones temporarily shelved.
“Sir, all prepared!” Keitel finally said confidently.
Lelouch’s mouth curled up in a fierce grin, taking a deep breath: “380 ‘Big Mark’ railway guns 1 to 4, target ‘Queen Elizabeth,’ 5 to 8 target ‘Warspite,’ fire!”
——
PS: Second update today might be late at night; don’t wait up.
