章 141: Chapter 219 Naval Battle (2)
Wilhelm rolled his eyes. "Enough of these flattering words. What I want to see is your actual actions." Pointing towards the distance, he asked, "The enemy is right there. What will you do?"
"Fight!!" The crowd erupted into the fiercest roar, a heart-wrenching sound as everyone answered Wilhelm's question with their loudest voices.
Satisfied, Wilhelm nodded and looked at Lütjens. "General Lütjens, commence the battle."
"Yes!" Lütjens saluted and turned, loudly commanding, "Full speed ahead, hoist the battle flag! Arm all aircraft! Signal the escort destroyers! Set outer air and anti-submarine defenses to level one alert!"
With the orders given, ground crew members on the aircraft carrier deck, wearing various-colored vests, immediately became busy. They loaded bombs and torpedoes onto the Stuka dive bombers and Fw 190T planes already parked on the deck.
Everything proceeded as planned; ground crew members were busy arming aircraft and refueling, while pilots gathered in the briefing room, studying mission briefs. They received real-time updates on the enemy fleet's current position parameters from the staff. Once the attack command was issued, the pilots would swiftly pilot their aircraft towards the target.
Wilhelm personally entered the briefing room to boost the morale of the participating pilots. "Gentlemen, today you will create a new history. You will be recorded in history as the first wave of carrier-based aviation to sink battleships, and the aircraft carrier will replace battleships as the new maritime dominator! Today marks the beginning of the decline of battleships."
Before World War II, battleships had been the mainstay and core strength of fleets for major naval powers, holding the position of maritime supremacy. However, the rapid rise of aircraft carriers and the successful application of carrier-based aviation during World War II gradually undermined the battleships' dominant status. Especially after the Pearl Harbor incident, where eight American battleships were either sunk or heavily damaged, battleships fell into decline, signaling the end of their era of maritime dominance. Post-World War II, nations ceased building battleships, and those in service were gradually decommissioned. Battleships almost disappeared from the naval scene.
In the 1980s, the United States Navy decided to modernize the remaining four Iowa-class battleships worldwide, providing them with a "renewed lease on life". The focus was on enhancing anti-submarine and anti-air capabilities, upgrading communication and electronic equipment to modern standards, and improving the living conditions of the crew. The modernized Iowa-class battleships' main missions included operating in coordination with aircraft carrier task forces, engaging in independent naval warfare, supporting amphibious landing operations by marine forces, or demonstrating military strength in crisis regions.
Before the pilots could celebrate, Wilhelm's next words nearly left everyone petrified. "And I will join you in this attack."
"Ah?!" Lütjens, standing nearby, was shocked and promptly refused, "This won't do, Your Highness! You are invaluable. How can you put yourself in harm's way?" If possible, he wanted to send Wilhelm back right now.
Wilhelm remained extremely calm. "There's nothing that can't be done. I've said that I will lead with the flag of our Germanic heritage at the forefront. Now is the time."
Despite the crowd's numerous attempts to dissuade Wilhelm from risking himself, he remained unmoved. "Enough, everyone. There's no need to persuade me further. My decision is final. You are soldiers of the Empire, and it is your duty to face the enemy. As a member of the Empire, I will not fear death. I want to witness this historic moment with my own eyes."
"But, Your Highness..." Lütjens felt like his head was spinning. If possible, he wished he could dive into the cool sea to find some peace and quiet.
Wilhelm interrupted him. "General Lütjens, if you keep dawdling like this, it will delay the aircrafts. A soldier's duty is to follow orders, and I'm ordering you now to hold your position and fulfill your duty."
Seeing Wilhelm's persistence, Lütjens sighed and waved his hand. "Depart!"
As Wilhelm left the briefing room with the pilots, the anxious vice-captain exclaimed, "Captain, what... what... what should we do?"
Lütjens slapped himself hard in regret. "It's our fault for being useless. If only we had gathered the courage earlier..."
The vice-captain was almost jumping in urgency. "Captain, what's the use of saying this now? His Highness is about to board the plane!"
Regaining his composure, Lütjens quickly instructed, "Go and check which Stuka His Highness is boarding. Inform the pilots. Stay far away, don't get close to the British fleet!"
"Yes!" The vice-captain hurried out, and Lütjens returned to the bridge.
By now, Wilhelm and the pilots were on the deck. Wilhelm casually chose a Stuka dive bomber, asking the rear gunner who was about to climb aboard to step aside. He climbed up and settled into the rear seat.
"Your Highness..." the front-seat pilot felt like he was about to cry.
Wilhelm smiled at the pilot, who was even younger than him. "What's your name?"
The trembling pilot answered, "Bazel, Bazel Schmidt, Your Highness."
Wilhelm patted his shoulder kindly. "Bazel, no need to be nervous. Just follow the usual training procedures."
The pilot thought, '...usual training procedures don't involve Your Highness.'
But there was no turning back now. Arrows on the bowstring must be released. Watching one aircraft after another starting their engines, with the propellers at the nose spinning, Bazel reluctantly started the plane.
Wilhelm fastened his seatbelt, put on the oxygen mask and communicator. As soon as he put it on, he heard an urgent voice on the radio. "Swordfish Five, Swordfish Five; strictly prohibited from approaching the British fleet. Stay as far away as possible. Respond if you hear this!"
Wilhelm retorted, "Heard you. Shut your mouth; I'm not here to watch a show."
The aircrafts ahead of them took off one by one. Soon, it was their turn. The Stuka accelerated against the wind on the deck, and just before reaching the end of the deck, the front wheel lifted off, soaring into the air.
Like the previously launched aircraft, they began to circle in the airspace above the fleet, waiting for other planes to form a formation.
It was the first time in Wilhelm's life sitting in a warplane. Excitedly, he explored the various controls. After playing with the 12.7mm defense machine gun in the rear for a while, he suddenly thought of something. "Bazel, do you think the rear gunner back here plays a significant role?"
As far as he knew, Stuka dive bombers were slow, had poor maneuverability, and the rear gunner could only provide basic self-defense firepower. Without the cover of friendly fighter planes, encountering enemy fighters meant a near-certain death. In such a situation, the rear gunner seemed like an unnecessary presence.
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