Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1165

1165. The Calamity Came from the Sea (1)

Three days after the Battle of Gibraltar, an event later dubbed the ‘Calamity of the French Navy Fleet,’ the Imperial Navy’s grand fleet cleared the entrance to the Bay of Gibraltar.

Once outside the bay, the Imperial Fleet split into two groups, adjusted their formations, and sailed in opposite directions.

The Gibraltar-based Imperial Fleet headed east, while the Punitive Fleet turned west.

This marked the beginning of the disaster.

* * *

“Our first stop is Puerto Real,” Count Lee Gong announced, having gathered all the fleet’s captains and commanders just before departing Gibraltar. He unfolded a map and pointed to Puerto Real.

Although he used the word ‘stop’ rather than ‘destination,’ no one questioned it.

The reason was the operation’s purpose, which they had heard before leaving Shinji.

-The purpose of this operation is ‘punishment.’

-To achieve this, destroy as many of France’s major ports as possible.

-Do not distinguish between military and civilian ports.

-In addition to the ports, raze shipyards and surrounding villages wherever feasible.

-This operation will continue until the gunpowder and incendiary bombs are exhausted.

-Supply operations for the fleet will be officially conducted three times.

-Gibraltar will be expanded to the maximum extent possible, not only for regular supplies but also for temporary resupply.

-Contact Gibraltar immediately if necessary.

The senior aide, standing in for Count Lee Gong, used a pointer to indicate various locations on the map, providing more detailed explanations.

-The targets for the first stop, Puerto Real, are Puerto Real itself and Cadiz.

-Cadiz, which guards the entrance to the Bay of Cadiz, possesses a reasonably strong coastal battery.

Therefore, it must be neutralized first to ensure safe entry.

-The air wing will be deployed to strike the coastal battery.

-Afterward, the Salsu [a type of warship] will completely suppress any remaining resistance from the coastal battery.

-Once the entrance is cleared, enter the bay and obliterate Puerto Real.

Having explained this much, the senior aide produced another map and overlaid it on the first.

“This map details the location of the Cadiz coastal battery. It will be distributed after the meeting, but please memorize the locations in advance.”

At the senior aide’s instruction, the captains and commanders approached the desk and committed the battery locations to memory.

The map, made of thin oil paper, was translucent, revealing the map underneath. Only the dots marking the batteries were visible. This design ensured that outsiders would be unable to decipher its contents without the underlying map.

Those who required this type of map all received the same training.

-If you face a situation where this map might be captured, burn it immediately or douse it with water.

As the captains and commanders, having memorized the approximate locations, stepped back, the senior aide continued.

“When approaching Puerto Real, be aware of France’s… ridiculous weapon.”

* * *

The Punitive Fleet, having rounded Cape Tarifa at high speed, raced towards Puerto Real without pause.

Spanish soldiers monitoring the coastline immediately raised the alarm upon spotting the Punitive Fleet. The alarm from the watchtowers sent coastal residents scrambling to pack their belongings and flee, while signal towers relayed urgent reports.

The urgent reports were delivered to Puerto Real and Valladolid.

However, the speed and accuracy of delivery were significantly slower compared to the Empire’s system.

In any case, Admiral Tourville, upon receiving the urgent reports transmitted through the signal network, summoned his staff, captains, and commanders with a grim expression.

“These are urgent reports from the Spanish coastal outposts. The Empire bastards are coming.”

A collective groan rippled through the room.

“I share your sentiments. What is the current status of the fleet? Can we move immediately?”

At Admiral Tourville’s question, the senior aide stepped forward and answered.

“We can move, but not at full speed.”

“Are you saying we can only proceed at a leisurely pace?”

“That is correct.”

“Ugh…”

Admiral Tourville, groaning at the senior aide’s answer, quickly regained his composure.

“But we can’t simply sit here. Let’s discuss how best to defend ourselves.”

“First of all, we must rely on the coastal battery on Cadiz Island.”

“What is the firepower and defensive capability of the Cadiz Island coastal battery?”

“It’s not as good as those damn Empire bastards’ batteries, but it’s quite solid. The Spanish aren’t completely incompetent.”

“That’s a relief.”

Admiral Tourville looked genuinely relieved.

One of the biggest concerns for the joint French and Spanish fleet during the Gibraltar campaign had been the coastal batteries. Their powerful shelling made it difficult for the French and Spanish fleets to approach. If the Cadiz coastal battery was indeed solid, as the senior aide claimed, it would be difficult for the Imperial Fleet to pass through the narrow entrance to the Bay of Cadiz, regardless of their power.

At that moment, one of the commanders listening to the explanation raised an objection.

“We must also consider the Empire bastards’ planes. Their planes can carry heavy bombs.”

In response, the senior aide immediately replied.

“I’ve already looked into that. According to Count Montfort, the cruising range of the planes is unlikely to exceed 100 leagues [approximately 300 nautical miles or 555 kilometers], no matter how long it is. Even the Empire bastards’ planes are expected to have difficulty exceeding this distance. Ceuta, which we suspect is the location of the Empire bastards’ damn secret base, is roughly 115 leagues [approximately 345 nautical miles or 639 kilometers] round trip. You don’t have to worry about the plane issue.”

“It’s approximately 90 leagues [approximately 270 nautical miles or 500 kilometers] round trip from Gibraltar to here.”

“Count Montfort will handle that issue.”

The commander who warned of the danger of the planes fell silent at the senior aide’s answer.

Although they were showing weakness against the Empire bastards’ planes, it was Count Montfort’s air force that was promoting morale and burning fighting spirit every day.

And the only opponent for planes was, of course, planes. Therefore, further mention was unnecessary since Count Montfort had stepped forward.

As the situation seemed somewhat resolved, Admiral Tourville asked the senior aide.

“When do you think the Empire bastards will launch their attack?”

“The most likely time is around sunrise tomorrow morning. No matter how brazen the Empire bastards are, they won’t enter the bay in the middle of the night.”

“Hmm… So we’ve gained a day after all?”

“That is correct.”

“That’s a relief. Then, let’s find a way to use it. Let’s hear any good ideas you have.”

At Admiral Tourville’s command, the attendees began to rack their brains.

As a result of the brainstorming, the following operation was devised.

-First, actively utilize the coastal battery on Cadiz Island.

-To intercept the Imperial Fleet entering the bay around the north side of Cadiz Island, the surviving 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rate battleships are to be arranged in a semicircle at the entrance of the bay.

-The most damaged battleship is to be placed in the center, with the less damaged battleships positioned towards the outside.

-Naturally, the center will collapse easily, drawing the Empire’s forces into the center. At this time, attack from the left and right.

-Due to the difference in strength, the Empire’s entry is inevitable. At this time, deploy the remaining assault ships.

-In the narrow confines of the Bay of Cadiz, even the Empire’s battleships will be unable to fully exploit their maneuverability, while the assault ships can move much more easily thanks to their small size.

-Defeat is inevitable, but inflict as much damage on the Empire as possible by mobilizing all available resources.

This last clause reflected the true desire of the surviving French fleet.

-The Empire has already publicly stated that it will hold France accountable. Naturally, the French mainland is also in danger.

-It is safe to say that there is no fleet power to protect France right now.

-Therefore, we must inflict as much damage as possible on the Empire here and now. Only then will our homeland France suffer even a little less damage.

-Even if we all die here.

“…Okay. It has been decided what we must do. We will do our best with what remains?”

“That is correct.”

At the senior aide’s answer, Admiral Tourville ordered the soldier next to him.

“Go and bring brandy glasses for everyone present.”

“Yes, sir.”

After a short while, the soldiers returned with trays laden with glasses.

As the glasses were distributed to the staff, commanders, and captains gathered in the room, Admiral Tourville opened a wooden box on one side and retrieved brandy bottles. After filling everyone’s glasses, Admiral Tourville muttered as he gazed at the brandy filling his glass.

“The glass is very pretty.”

At that, the orderly replied.

“It is said to be made in the Empire.”

“Huh…”

Having closed his mouth, Admiral Tourville soon raised his glass high.

“Long live France!”

“Long live France!”

Those who shouted the cheers immediately emptied their glasses and began to depart.

Those who finished the meeting returned to their posts, and all the soldiers on Puerto Real and Cadiz Island entered combat readiness. It was perhaps their last battle.

The next day, early in the morning, the Empire’s offensive began as everyone in Puerto Real and Cadiz Island had anticipated.

However, the attack commenced from the sky.

* * *

Despite Count Montfort’s assurances, the commanders of Puerto Real and Cadiz Island had not lowered their guard against aerial attacks. However, the Empire’s airstrike still caught them off guard.

The French and Spanish commanders had anticipated the Empire’s planes’ attack routes to be from the east (Gibraltar) and south (Ceuta).

However, the Empire’s albatrosses [a type of aircraft] approached from the northwest.

This unexpected direction slowed down the commanders’ reaction time.

This was because there was an allied airbase in that direction.

Only after a massive explosion occurred as the large incendiary bombs dropped by the first three albatrosses detonated did the commanders begin to move busily.

“Why from that side? If it’s that side, it’s the direction where our base is located?”

“Is that the problem now! The problem is that we are being attacked!”

“Move the Hwachas [Korean rocket artillery]! Move the Hwachas!”

The commanders and soldiers, caught off guard by the unexpected direction, hurriedly dragged and moved the Hwachas.

Just then, the kestrels [another type of aircraft, likely a fighter] swooped down and strafed the Hwachas.

Tutatatatata!

“Aaaagh!”

The soldiers manning the Hwachas fell or jumped aside to avoid the kestrels’ machine gun fire. Exploiting the gap, the second wave of albatrosses dropped their bombs.

After a total of five bombing runs, the albatrosses and kestrels retreated into the distant sky. As the immediate threat of the airstrike subsided, the commanders shouted at the soldiers and began to organize and restore order.

“Call the medics!”

“Quickly put out the fire! It’s over if it spreads to the gunpowder!”

“Check the condition of the cannons!”

Under the commanders’ urging, the soldiers did their best to carry out the organization and restoration work.

“Check the condition of the cannons and batteries!”

“The Empire bastards are coming now!”

“The Empire bastards are coming! Wake up!”

At the commanders’ urging, some soldiers joked with their comrades in a detached tone.

“Who doesn’t know that?”

And after some time, the Empire’s Punitive Fleet approached Cadiz Island.

As expected, the Salsu was at the forefront, confidently cutting through the waves.

“Damn it…”

The soldiers in the battery, seeing the Salsu’s appearance, unknowingly cursed.

No matter how they looked at it, they didn’t think they could face that monster with their cannons, and they lost confidence.