Chapter 1647 Juan’s decision

If you use the naval guns of this era to fight against coastal defense firepower, the party at sea will basically suffer. Even if the Haihan Navy is equipped with weapons and equipment that are ahead of its time, it still does not dare to face the coastal defense batteries in Manila Port.

This time, even Tom Wang voluntarily obeyed the command's decision and gave up storming the Manila Port from the sea. Instead, he implemented a landing on the coast far away from the city of Manila and advanced to the city of Manila by land.

In the battle between the Spanish warships and the Haihan artillery deployed on the shore, the gap was even more obvious. The exchange completely showed a one-sided trend. Although there were only eight artillery pieces on the shore, it was far less than the naval guns equipped by the Manila fleet.

, but the hit rate is several times that of the opponent. The damage caused by these army artillery on the warship is actually very limited, and the psychological impact on the Spanish crew is greater. After all, they rarely encounter this when they invade the colonies in the Far East.

"Intense" coastal defense artillery strikes, not to mention that this battle is still at the doorstep of one's own home.

Juan was slightly relieved that the crew did not panic due to the artillery fire from the shore. They were still able to launch artillery attacks on the pier in accordance with the established tactics, beating the wooden trestles and stacked wooden boxes on the pier.

Debris was scattered everywhere, which was a little visible gain. For a moment, Juan was so excited that he almost ordered the fleet to dock and launch a landing battle to clear out those abominable Haihan artillery on the shore.

Fortunately, he kept a clear head, because soon the ships patrolling the periphery issued fireworks warnings, and traces of the enemy fleet appeared on the western sea.

"It came really fast!" Juan could only sigh at Haihan's quick response. This was much faster than the response of the defenders when Haihan's fleet attacked Manila Harbor the day before yesterday. Obviously Haihan was not satisfied with this situation.

Only after making more complete preparations in advance could reinforcements be rushed from the Port of Cavite so quickly. This is not an effect that can be achieved by issuing a few death orders, but an objective gap in the comprehensive strength of the two armies. Juan

Even if you are envious and jealous, you will not be able to make effective improvements in the short term.

"Abandon attacking the dock, all ships turn around and prepare to fight!" After Juan gave the order, he took the monocular telescope from the adjutant's hand, adjusted the focus and began to observe the movements on the sea.

This pair of telescopes was not made in Spain, but he had someone spend a lot of money and find many ways to buy it from Haihan. Since Haihan has strict management on the sales of such paramilitary items, this thing was bought from Sanya.

After going around for several months, including a long trip to Daming, it was finally delivered to Juan. Although the process was quite troublesome, Juan had to admit that you get what you pay for.

Yes, the binoculars produced by Haihan are indeed better than similar products in Spain in terms of visual range and effect. And this is only a version for export. It is said that the binoculars used by Haihan military officers are better in performance.

It is far better than this single-tube structure, but how good it is, Juan has never seen the real thing, so he can't imagine it.

Dots of sail shadows have appeared on the sea in the distance, and the red and blue flags flying on the top of the mast can be seen through the telescope. This is bad news for the Spanish, but it is good news for the Haihan artillery that is struggling to support the dock.

It is said that the navy's reinforcements arrived in time, which finally helped them relieve the current pressure.

Roger, who was watching the battle from a higher place on the shore, also breathed a sigh of relief. He was actually not worried about how much trouble the Spanish fleet could make here. He even wished that the Spanish fleet would be bold enough to engage in a landing battle, so that he could have the courage to do so.

A better opportunity to unleash the true combat effectiveness of the South China Sea Special Warfare Group under his command.

However, Roger could also expect that the Spanish fleet attacking from the sea would not rashly launch a landing here. First, the conditions at the fishing port in Pasay Town are not suitable for large ships to dock. Second, it is very close to the Port of Cavite, unless

The Spanish commander was crazy, otherwise he would not have been able to land the fleet under the eyes of the Haihan Navy.

What Roger really cared about was that the Spaniards deliberately made some noise at sea to attract their own attention, and then launched a counterattack from the land. Therefore, he only deployed artillery units on the docks and sent the South China Sea Special Warfare Group's

The main force stayed in the fishing villages and the town of Pasay, which were outside the range of the naval guns. If the Spaniards really dared to play the trick of concealing themselves from others, then Roger would teach them what textbook defense was.

But the Spanish deployment ultimately disappointed Roger. Until the Spanish fleet at sea began to turn around and leave, there was still no sign of the Spanish armed forces in the north. Obviously this was not a well-arranged amphibious operation, just the Spanish fleet.

It's just a one-man show.

"These Spaniards...how did they endure it?" Roger was very puzzled by the Spanish strategic thinking.

The Haihan Army has already pressed to a place less than ten kilometers away from Manila City. They actually don't plan to send out the army to expel the invading foreign enemies. At this time, the main force of the Haihan Army is stationed in Cavite Port and Pasay.

It was a good time for the Spaniards to attack, and it was probably the only opportunity to take the initiative before the Haihan army fell. But the Spaniards obviously did not realize the importance of this opportunity, or they

Although he was aware of this, he did not have the ability or courage to formulate a complex combat plan to deal with the Haihan vanguard troops stationed in Pasay Town.

Roger believed that with Spain's status in this era, they would never tolerate such a humiliating tactics. They should definitely take advantage of this opportunity to send troops. Even if they knew they couldn't defeat Haihan, they should at least send one.

The troops launched a feint attack to put pressure on the Haihan Army stationed here and cooperated with the offensive launched at sea. What if the blind cat really hit the dead mouse and took the retreat of the Haihan Army?

Roger didn't know whether the Spaniards were too cautious or too timid. In short, the completely unorganized Spanish armed forces appeared near the town of Pasay. The cavalry deployed outside the town successively sent back safety signals, and Roger finally

After confirming that the other party really had no other follow-up means, I couldn't help but feel greatly disappointed.

In the previous attack on Cavite Port, Roger's troops were responsible for mopping up the troops. Naturally, they did not receive any military honors. They held their breath and fought for the opportunity to lead the attack in Pasay Town. However, the Spaniards did not deploy defenders in this area and landed.

The battle did not encounter any decent resistance at all, and ended without any trouble. Today, we finally waited for the Spanish to take the initiative, but the opponent's offensive only came from the sea, and there was no movement at all on land.

"Will there be a war?" Roger was very dissatisfied with the Spaniard's performance. In his opinion, this ability to seize opportunities was completely amateur level. But if the opponent did not take the initiative to attack, he had no choice but to

I watched helplessly as my colleagues in the navy came and took advantage.

The man who led the naval fleet to come for reinforcements was Navy Commander Wang Tom. Of course, he would not let go of an opportunity for such a large-scale naval battle. So after hearing the alarm, he immediately boarded the ship and set off, even rushing for breakfast.

Food on the way to the battlefield. Although it is unclear whether the enemy fleet's attack is harassment or a head-on confrontation, Wang Tom has already made up his mind to devour the opponent in one fell swoop.

The "Black Shark", which had just completed some minor repairs in Cavite Port, also participated in this operation, but its mission was no longer to go deep into the enemy's position and fight alone, but to cooperate with the fleet's offensive and attack some victims.

Perform a last-ditch attack on the enemy's sailboat with obvious damage, completely disintegrating its combat effectiveness.

Wang Tom gave Wu Sen, the commander of the "Black Shark", extremely high operational authority. He can assess the battlefield situation by himself and freely choose the target of attack. This deployment can be said to make full use of the "Black Shark"'s speed, long range and accurate shooting.

Advantages, but the specific effect depends on Wu Sen's on-the-spot command and adaptability. Of course, this is actually giving Wu Sen an opportunity to make meritorious deeds in disguise. If he can successfully sink a few Spanish sailing ships, it will definitely be after the war.

It’s time to remember the great merits.

"O God, please bless your followers to defeat these Easterners! Let their blood stain the water of Manila Bay red!"

Facing the oncoming Haihan fleet, Juan kissed the cross pendant hanging around his neck, and then issued a combat order—to confront the enemy head-on.

Perhaps the devout prayers really worked. The Manila Fleet actually succeeded in seizing the upper hand before the Haihan Fleet changed direction, and gained an advantage in the battle formation. In the first round of artillery, the Manila Fleet fired

The number of artillery shells clearly exceeded that of Haihan's side, and several artillery shells accurately hit the target.

But the good start did not bring a sustained advantage to the Spanish. The formation of the Haihan Fleet almost made a huge sea turn along the route of the Manila Fleet, and then maintained an almost parallel advance with the Manila Fleet.

direction. In this way, the broadside firepower of the Haihan fleet was completely released. In an instant, there was a loud sound of artillery, and the Spanish sailing ship participating in the battle also received a round of artillery fire.

Whether it is in terms of tonnage or the number of artillery, the Haihan Fleet has a clear advantage. Therefore, in this kind of close-range naval artillery battle, the weaker party must suffer. The favorable situation God gave to the Spanish is only

It lasted only about ten minutes before being pulled back to the cruel reality by the Haihan fleet.

Due to the extremely destructive power of artillery, for the weaker side, one round of shelling is enough to cause it to lose part of its combat effectiveness. And the strength gap between the two sides will also be quickly widened in this kind of artillery battle, until the weaker side

One side collapses.

The first round of bombardment by the Haihan Fleet basically caused the two Spanish sailing ships to lose the ability to continue fighting. One was hit by the gunpowder barrels stacked on the second deck, and the explosion caused directly broke the front mast, and the fallen ship

The mast tore the sail of the mainmast again, causing chaos on the ship. On the other ship, the poop at the stern was bombarded to pieces by a majesty-class battleship, and the captain who was directing the battle on the poop was not there.

It was possible to escape, leaving only a pile of minced meat on the deck.

At this time, the "Black Shark" appeared on the battlefield like a vulture smelling carrion. It fired several shells at the waterline of the two immobile sailing ships, blasting several large shells on the hull.

Open the hole and let sea water pour in, causing it to slowly lose its balance and sink.

Juan also witnessed this horrific scene on the "San Diego", but he could not order a U-turn to rescue the two sailboats that had lost power. At this time, he could only continue to fight and lure the Haihan fleet away from the two ships.

Nearby was the best way to rescue him. However, the actions of the "Black Shark" completely extinguished his hopes. A few clean shellings sent the two ships away. He saw them slowly sinking on the sea.

Shen and Juan understood that even if the fighting stopped immediately, it would be impossible for the two ships to return to Manila Port.

The nightmare of the last battle off the coast of Sanya reappeared before Juan's eyes again, and this time the Haihan fleet's firepower was stronger, the combat rhythm was faster, and there was also a black warship that could not be caught at all cruising around the periphery, inserting itself into the battle from time to time.

The regiment fired a few shots at a scarred Spanish galleon, completely losing its combat effectiveness. Juan's pre-war tactics of using chain bombs to attack the black warship were basically useless in today's battle.

. Several sailing ships that were damaged and sunk by it did not even succeed in getting within the range of the chain bombs.

Juan was not a rookie. He was able to get the command of the Manila fleet and still had a few skills in his hands. When he noticed that the black battleship changed its fighting method, he knew that his plan would probably fail. If that

If the ship continues the tactics from last time, he is at least 40 to 50% sure that he can severely damage the opponent. But today, the strange ship is cruising around the outside, so he can only watch the opponent's performance.

By the time the fifth ship was beaten and retired from the battlefield, Juan's heart had actually become colder. Although there were still more than a dozen ships struggling to support him, so far no ship in the Haihan fleet had withdrawn from the battle.

The gap between the two sides will only widen, and Juan understands that if the fight continues, there will only be one result, and that is the annihilation of the Manila fleet.

"Go north! Get out of the battle as soon as possible!" Juan could only issue a last resort order. Now he no longer dared to hope to defeat his opponent, and saving a few ships from the battle would be the greatest achievement.

However, after the Haihan fleet noticed this trend, it did not intend to let the Manila fleet leave so easily. With the advantage of speed, it still clung to the Spanish sailing ship that was already riddled with holes, and continued to carry out bombardment.

.Even Juan's flagship "San Diego" was not spared. There was a majesty-class battleship on the left and right, sandwiching it in the middle for special care.
Chapter completed!