In the afternoon, the strong wind blew and the waves rolled. Four huge warships were escorted by light ships. The leading ship had a long and straight figure as razor-like, and the simple and thick lines showed a strong German style. The pair of artillery protruded from the turret and the cannon mount added a lot of dominance to it. The brightly colored black eagle iron cross battle flag fluttered proudly in the wind.

The "Markensen" is the German Markensen-class battlecruiser No. 1, inheriting the powerful protection of the "super battleship" Deflinger-class, and showed amazing survivability in the naval battle of San Miguel. The accuracy and penetration force of the Krupp 50-fold diameter 15-inch sk-c21 naval gun during long-range shooting also left a deep impression on the world. However, the peak period of giant ship cannons has passed. The three sisters of Markensen, who are dominating the seas, sank and injured during the Battle of Azores, and now only the "Markensen" is left to fight alone.

In this solid and heavy battle bridge of the German battle patrol, Paul Bernke, dressed in a German admiral's uniform and wearing a large cross on the collar, patrolling the sea calmly. Under the current situation, the main fleet of the Allied Powers distributed half of the troops to return to San Miguel Island. This commander with outstanding meritorious and calm combat is undoubtedly the best candidate for the great task.

After receiving a message from the correspondent, the lieutenant colonel officer quickly glanced and reported to Bainke: "General, the theater command sent a telegram. As of 12 noon today, our reconnaissance planes did not find anything within 100 kilometers around San Miguel Island and Santa Maria Island. Judging from the reconnaissance photos taken by the high-altitude reconnaissance planes at 10 a.m., the main ships of the US and British still did not leave the berth of the northern Pico Island."

Bainke frowned lightly: "The more you do this, the less you can't be careless! Maybe that unknown Major General Jin is really a Joachim-like madman."

"Do you also think that His Majesty Joachim I's combat deployment is often too radical?" This lieutenant colonel worked under Bainke for many years and knew that his commander was a traditional soldier with no political inclination and loyalty and patriotism. Although the genius from the Hohenzollern royal family was suspected of being overly praised by public opinion, Bainke always respected him very much. Suddenly, he heard the derogatory term "madman", and he was a little curious. In his question, he used a "also" to actively put himself on the same position as Bainke.

Bainke shook his head: "Madness does not mean radical, but a kind of character, unruly, courageous and fearless, which is beyond ordinary people. If you use the same force to confront His Majesty Joachim I, you will probably have one-tenth chance of winning."

"Although the early combat operations were not going well, there is no need to underestimate yourself. The British Jane Naval Yearbook published last year listed you as one of the five best naval commanders at the moment, and the evaluation was quite high. Even the arrogant British people highly praised your abilities. I think it is the best proof." Lieutenant Colonel comforted.

Although Bainke has a stubborn side in his personality, stubbornness does not mean being stubborn. He has a more objective and rational view of himself: "No, war is the real test of the commander's ability. Unfortunately, I was unable to hand over an ideal answer, and in this exam, His Majesty Joachim I was the only one who has not lost points."

The lieutenant colonel moved his lips and realized that the conversation between the two had attracted the attention of the officers around him, so he swallowed the doubts he had just wanted to say.

As time goes by, the sea conditions become worse and it is difficult for aircraft carriers to take off and land normally in such weather. The closer they are to San Miguel Island, the officers and soldiers are thinking about entering the port to shelter as soon as possible, but Bainke recalls the speculations he had when he talked with the King of Ireland yesterday, and the hidden worries in his heart quietly heat up.

An hour later, the theater command sent a reconnaissance notice as usual. Although land-based reconnaissance aircraft can be deployed in such weather, the visible distance of the pilots has been greatly reduced, making it difficult to see the sea surface from the air. The airborne radar is still in the stage of small-scale use and is also affected by the weather. In this way, the existing advantages of the Allied troops in the Azores are equivalent to being cut by most of the time.

Not long after that, Bernke's concerns were confirmed to have been confirmed, the German submarine U-2432, located in the north of San Miguel Island, was suddenly attacked. It lost contact and did not have time to send a complete telegram. However, from the only paragraphs of the telegram, large enemy ships appeared in that area.

When Bainke received this battle report, His Majesty Joachim I, who personally led the main fleet to stay in the northern waters of Azores, must have received the same report. However, in the next two hours, Bainke did not receive any instructions from the flagship. The fleet gradually approached San Miguel Island. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to enter the port of Punta-Delgada, which was protected by the fortress and mine array before dark.

Bainke anxiously awaited a second report on the enemy's main battleship. After the u-2432 was lost, the theater command had quickly dispatched aircraft and ships to its normal area of ​​activity. As long as the enemy did not withdraw in a hurry, they should have discovered something.

As time continues to pass, the outline of San Miguel Island has appeared in front of sight. The warning fleet stationed in the port of Ponta Delgada sent a pilot ship to guide the fleet into the harbor through a mine formation. The tangled Bainke ordered three aircraft carriers and some light ships to enter the port first. The "Markensen" and two light cruisers moved from pilot to the rear of the hall.

The light on the sea was getting dimmer and dimming. The officers and soldiers under their command returned to the intersection of the far-flying family like wanderers, and they all returned home like arrows. However, at this time, Bainke's uneasiness reached an unprecedented level. Even he himself felt inexplicably confused. Is it because he was too nervous or the so-called battlefield intuition?

The three aircraft carriers and the escort ships passed through the minefield one by one, and Bernke stood in front of the porthole on the right side of the bridge, looking east in a daze. He didn't come to his senses until his subordinate officer came to remind him.

Never saw Bainke like this, the lieutenant colonel couldn't help but show a worried look. He asked for instructions carefully and said, "Sir, let us keep up, do you need to inform it and wait?"

Bainke hesitated for a few seconds, and looked east for the last time.

The rain curtain is like a pearl curtain, and the vision is vast.

"Follow up!" Bainke ordered in a low tone.

The lieutenant colonel asked tentatively: "Sir, if you really feel uneasy, let the guard fleet send additional ships to strengthen patrols in the surrounding areas!"

Bainke did not respond, but instead signaled the lieutenant colonel to do what he had just ordered.

The last three ships also followed the pilot ship into the minefield.

Since the fall of Texel, the Allied forces have been continuously strengthening the defense of San Miguel, turning it into an indestructible maritime fortress. More than 4,000 anchor mines were laid out at a location no more than ten kilometers from the coastline. In history, no island has ever used such a large number of mines in defense. As a result, it not only shocked the enemy, but also made its own ships walk on thin ice when passing through here.

Suddenly, Bernke heard a roar, as if it was the muffled thunder that was often seen in spring. Before all the officers reacted, he picked up the telescope and looked east. The water droplets on the porthole affected his vision. He slightly adjusted the focal length knob, and then he seemed to be the first to detect the Hun cavalry on the top of Orleans. He shouted in a trembling voice: "It's a large caliber naval gun! The enemy's target is San Miguel!"

The most unlikely situation became reality. Bainke was emotional, not because he was afraid of the enemy, but because he felt incredible about his accurate intuition, and was surprised by the appearance of another madman.

After being surprised, Bainke whispered to recount what someone said yesterday: "This Ernest Joseph King is really not simple!"

The officers in the battle bridge turned their eyes to the east, and in a moment, an observation report came from the observation deck: 8,400 meters ahead of the starboard side, about 500 meters offshore, water waves stirred by heavy artillery shells were found.

In just a moment, the communication room was already busy.

"Received an enemy attack alarm from s09!"

"I received an enemy situation alert from as20!"

"Received a combat alarm from the San Miguel Island Defense Command!"

"Received a telegram from the War Zone Command!"

...

The officers and non-commissioned officers in charge of communications rushed to verify the codes and then sent these emergency telegrams to the combat bridge. During this period, heavy shells fell again near the coastal defense fortress of San Miguel Island. The explosion on the shore made people feel that the entire island was trembling.

"Sir, the pilot ship responded to us that the safe channel is very narrow and only small ships can turn around." The lieutenant colonel staff officer hurriedly reported to Bainke.

If it were an ordinary general, seven or eighteen would lead the warships into the port with tight defense, relying on the coastal defense fortifications and land-based aviation forces to fight against attackers of unknown strength. However, Bernke was well aware of the deployment of the Allies' troops on the Azore battlefield and knew the positive significance of retaining a maritime mobile force here, so he made a quick decision: "Reverse and retreat on the same road!"
Chapter completed!