Another World: Naval Storm

"These requirements? Is the navy's strategy going to change?" The old designers had eaten more salt than Hubert had eaten rice, and they sniffed out sensitive information from Leo's words.

"Okay, don't lose heart, you still have time to redesign the Cologne-class light cruiser. By the way, how are you doing with the tasks I assigned to you?" Leo didn't hesitate, the mission to the design bureau was not that simple.

"General, the modification plan for the 1885-class torpedo boat and second-hand merchant ship...this, this." The designers looked at each other, looking as if they were unable to speak.

"It looks like you're going to disappoint me again. The navy's missions are diverse, and sometimes the giant ships and cannons in the fleet are not as useful as some light and special ships!" Leo has experienced enough of the harm of inherent thinking in the past few decades. He didn't expect that after his years of training, the design bureau was still so stupid.

As a naval power that came from behind, the Drake Empire has no shortage of minesweepers and minelayers. It has two Nautilus-class mine-laying cruisers and more than 40 minesweepers. In addition, the empire also has a large number of minesweeping fishing boats and old destroyers that can be converted, all of which can contribute to the navy's minesweeping missions.

But Leo didn't want any professional minesweeper. He just wanted the design bureau to transform a bunch of old antiques. Now those broken things were already in the shipbuilding process and waiting for orders.

The 1885-class torpedo boat is the first large torpedo boat of the Drake Empire. It is an antique that has just been dug out from the ship graveyard. A large torpedo boat, no matter how famous it is, is just a torpedo boat. It has a full load displacement of only 135 tons, equipped with three 450mm torpedo tubes and two 37mm revolving guns. How to modify it? The basic limit is here, and the naval designers have racked their brains but have no good solution.

These torpedo boats had many competitors in 1885. The people of Xunyang bought a dozen of them just to fill the need for offshore defense and for cheapness. After 32 years, these old guys were no different from garbage in the eyes of many people.

"Oh my God!" The design bureau also sent people to inspect those old merchant ships with a tonnage of about 1885 tons. When they saw the condition of those ships, they were shocked. These ships were even more dilapidated than the class.

These ships can still float on the sea, all thanks to the blessing of the goddess of luck. Leo was too reserved when he told them that they were second-hand merchant ships. What second-hand merchant ships? Drake's designers bet that it was absolutely impossible. Second-hand? Pah, they bet that if there were less than seven, they would be willing to pay two months' allowance.

"General, um, we have already inspected these broken... their power systems, and they can indeed still be operated, but the hull structure needs to be strengthened to a certain extent, otherwise they will most likely sink to the bottom of the sea as soon as they leave the port." Ryeh said stiffly, "Of course, we will also reinforce their armor... um... the necessary defensive weapons we plan to..."

"Stop, stop, stop. I asked you to modify these pieces of junk, not to make them look brand new." Leo knew that the gang had misunderstood him again, so he interrupted Leie's speech. "Tie buoys and some cheap floating objects to them. I only ask that these pieces of junk can sail, but minesweeping equipment must be equipped."

"General, I don't understand why we are not using the mine-laying cruisers and minehunters currently in service. If you are worried about the loss, our carefully modified trawlers can also complete the task, and there are quite a few of them; but if it is the 1885-class torpedo boats and those second-hand... merchant ships, General, I am worried that these junk will be consumed in the first minesweeping operation after the modification..." Gu De expressed everyone's doubts.

"I know very well, gentlemen. They are just disposable and cheap weapons. One use is enough!" Leo thought for a moment, but still did not tell the crazy plan.

In the dark night, the English Channel was filled with fog, and the waves pouring in from the estuary hit the transport ships anchored in Portsmouth Harbor. Young army soldiers in khaki uniforms jumped off the trucks one after another and assembled at the call of their superiors.

With a long whistle, a transport fleet slowly entered the harbor under the escort of several destroyers. Seven or eight transport ships docked at the berths one after another. One of the 3,000-ton transport ships seemed to have been attacked and was towed by the other transport ships. A large hole was blown in the middle of the port side. The hull was slightly tilted to the left, and the superstructure was full of traces of burning flames.

Seeing the traces of war up close made these young army soldiers unconsciously nervous. Since the beginning of the war, there has been an endless stream of ships in Portsmouth, with transport ships loaded with cargo and personnel coming and going in the port one after another.

Teams of soldiers stepped on the gangway, looking back at their hometown for the last time, and they were about to sail to the bombarded Fran. A few months ago, these soldiers were farmers in the countryside, assembly line workers in factories, or salesmen in shopping malls. Under the overwhelming recruitment advertisements on the three islands of Tarun and the preaching of veterans on the front line, they took the initiative to join the army. After several months of basic training, they were packed into a transport ship with enthusiasm and sent to a strange and tragic battlefield.

The concept of patriotism is ingrained in the Tarun people, but that doesn't mean they are not afraid of death. The passion has passed, and fear has already appeared on their young faces, but it doesn't matter, their superiors will escort them to the ship that may never return, and the entire harbor will not stop because of a few people. The harbor, which operates day and night, maintains the survival of the Tarun Kingdom.

After the outbreak of the war, Drake Navy submarines and destroyers sneaked around the Talen patrol fleet and minefields to attack the transportation lines. Especially after the decisive battle in the North Sea, the Talen losses were increasing. If a transport fleet was not attacked by the Drakes, it would bring cheers to the whole of Portsmouth.

The soldiers of the Albion Fusiliers had been lined up in front of the transport ship for more than an hour, and the tired soldiers were complaining.

"Stand up straight! What a mess it is standing in such a crooked position!"

"Stand at attention!" Under the threat of the officer's whip, the soldiers had to cheer up.

"Beep!" A black military vehicle stopped in front of the group of soldiers, and former Prime Minister Lord Hoqiukis got out of the car.

"Mr. Hawkeye, all members of the Albion Fusiliers have been discharged. Please give instructions!" A lieutenant colonel reported to Hawkeye.

"Uh-huh, Lieutenant Colonel! Let our brave soldiers board the ship! We are going to Faran to beat up the Drakkan people!"

Hoqiukis straightened his bloated body, dangling a cigar from his mouth as he gave orders to the lieutenant colonel. He was wearing a decent army uniform, but it was the largest size, so he didn't look very impressive. There were two grenades hanging on each side of his neck, which made people laugh.