inspire-indiana Chapter 330 FIRST BLOOD
Chapter 330 FIRST BLOOD
The weather was clear at this time, the Andaman Sea was calm, and the visibility at sea was excellent. If it were Fu Zhengyang, he would definitely not choose to command the submarine to attack under such circumstances, because this would simply be a suicide attack.
But no matter what, the Japanese submarine appeared in this way, which is an indisputable objective fact.
Fu Zhengyang in the bridge turned his head frequently and looked at the radar soldier, expecting him to bring him some good news.
Unfortunately, however, the SG radar is a warning radar mainly used for air and sea purposes. The GSG-1 (modified SG) radar launched by the Sixth Institute based on it only has lower power consumption and a longer detection distance, but does not enhance the detection capability of small targets.
Therefore, the reflected waves from the Japanese submarine's periscope, which was barely half exposed above the sea surface, were only small ripples on the display screen in front of the radar soldier. With the naked eye's ability to distinguish, it was easy to confuse them with the echoes of the waves.
The radar soldier stared at the cathode ray screen that glowed green for a long time, but still could not provide any information about the location of the Japanese submarine.
At the critical moment, the lookout holding the telescope on the edge of the ship's side was more powerful.
His cry became the key to his fate:
"Periscope spotted not far to starboard!"
Following the lookout's shout, all officers and soldiers on the ship looked to the right together.
Inside the bridge, Fu Zhengyang's brows knitted tightly together. He immediately responded, "Full right rudder! Both cars in two!"
Following his decisive command, the anti-submarine boat No. 6-29 on the outer right side of the fleet quickly turned, drew a graceful arc on the sea, and rushed towards the target.
At the same time, the sonar operator's nervous report came from the listening room: "Report from the listening room, the Japanese have launched torpedoes, 4 rounds in a salvo!"
"Report from the listening room, the Japanese have launched torpedoes, a salvo of four!"
This sudden report made Fu Zhengyang's expression even more solemn, and he felt very irritated.
It had been almost three years since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the "powerful Type 93 oxygen torpedo" was no longer the secret weapon of the Japanese navy.
The characteristics of this weapon were already known to the Allies - it had an extremely long range, good power and a concealed trajectory.
But Fu Zhengyang still did not give up:
"Gunner, watch the sea! All gun positions fire freely, try to intercept the torpedo!"
The Hunter-9 anti-submarine boat immediately opened fire at full power, firing wildly in the direction of the periscope. A series of 20mm tracer bullets flew towards the sea surface, attempting to form a dense interception fire barrier before the torpedo arrived.
There are many examples of using light weapons such as machine guns to detonate underwater torpedoes in actual combat, so all officers and soldiers on the ship are trying their best.
At the same time, Fu Zhengyang saw from the corner of his eye that the Hunter-12 and Hunter-17 were also rushing towards him in the distance, as if they were preparing to encircle the Japanese submarine.
At this moment, the lookout at the bow shouted again: "Sight the torpedo, shoot!"
Following the shout of the lookout at the bow, the 20mm Oerlikon immediately began to adjust its direction, madly tilting its shells in pursuit of the inconspicuous wake on the water.
One after another, the 20mm machine gun shell drums were emptied, and the deck was covered with steaming brass shell casings.
Unfortunately, because the Japanese torpedoes were aimed at merchant ships and the set sailing depth was very deep, the intercepting fire fired at the sea surface did not work.
Everyone on the ship suddenly fell silent, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.
Will our own transport ship be in trouble?
Suddenly, the sonar operator in the hydrophone room excitedly reported:
"The Japanese submarine is starting to fill up with water and dive. It's less than a chain length in front of us. I've locked onto the target!"
This news was like a shot of adrenaline, quickly igniting the fighting spirit of all the officers and soldiers on the ship.
The Hunter-9 anti-submarine boat quickly sailed above the Japanese submarine, and Fu Zhengyang immediately ordered: "Drop depth charges!"
As soon as the words fell, the first mate at the stern quickly repeated the order:
"You all heard it clearly, drop the bombs quickly, quickly!"
At this moment, the sailors at the stern of the ship quickly rushed to the side of the ship, kicked open the baffle, and dropped the depth charges fixed on the slide one by one.
The depth charges, which looked like iron oil drums, sank into the cold sea water. After diving to the predetermined depth, the fuses detonated the TNT charge inside, causing a violent explosion and instantly forming a fierce sea of fire underwater.
At the same time, the rocket depth charge launcher (pictured) on the bow of the ship was not to be outdone. One rocket after another was fired obliquely into the sky, and then fell into the sea around the Hunter 6-29 like flowers scattered by fairies.
"Boom boom boom!"
The muffled sound of underwater explosions came one after another, and bursts of water splashed on the sea surface, as if the entire ocean was shaking.
"This is the hydrophone room. I heard the sound of metal breaking. We hit the target effectively!" There was a hint of excitement in the sonar operator's voice.
Upon hearing the news, the officers and soldiers on the bridge all showed expressions of nervousness and anticipation.
Fu Zhengyang hurriedly left the bridge, came to the side of the ship, and looked at the rolling sea in the distance.
As he watched, a cloud of oil and metal fragments quietly rose to the surface. The irregular oil stains and glittering metal wreckage on the sea surface indicated the tragic fate of the enemy submarine.
A sailor on the ship shouted excitedly: "Oil! Look, it's oil!"
Immediately, the entire ship was in an uproar, and the officers and soldiers cheered:
"Oh! We sank the Japanese submarine!"
"We have achieved our first anti-submarine victory!"
The cheers of the sailors were mixed with excitement and pride. They had been cooperating with the army in providing ground support in the inland rivers of Pegu before, and this was their first underwater achievement!
Fu Zhengyang smiled, but soon his face became sad again.
The Japanese submarine fired four torpedoes before it sank.
He shouted seriously: "Don't cheer yet, everyone return to your posts and stay alert! If there are still Japanese submarines nearby, we must be ready to fight them at any time!"
Fu Zhengyang stopped everyone and turned back to the bridge with a worried look on his face.
Fortunately, after a while, there was no sound of explosion from torpedoes hitting merchant ships.
Because it was discovered too early, the attack position of this Japanese lone wolf submarine was not good and all four torpedoes missed.
The ship's radio communications were continuous, and the officers and soldiers were busy conveying the good news to their superiors and celebrating the victory of the battle.
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Another day later, the YG-11 fleet finally arrived in Chittagong safely.
In a newly built three-story reinforced concrete building at the port, army officers in army field green uniforms and naval officers in white naval uniforms gathered together.
This was a new building built by the Anmin Army after it occupied Chittagong. Bai Minghui found a large room and set up several tables to host a banquet to entertain his naval comrades who came from thousands of miles away to support him.
Bai Minghui, with pine branches and three stars (Lieutenant General) on his shoulders, smiled and pointed at the Hunter-9 anti-submarine boat anchored in the harbor not far away:
"I heard you sank a Japanese submarine on the way here?"