Reincarnated as Napoleon

Chapter 417 The Naval Battle in the Baltic

February 16th, 1822.

The French North Sea Fleet, equipped with two battleships, three battlecruisers, sixteen destroyers, twenty submarines, and an experimental aircraft carrier, navigated through the Danish Strait into the Baltic Sea.

With the outbreak of the war, the Russian Baltic Fleet had already positioned themselves strategically, ready to counter any moves by their adversaries.

Admiral?Antoine René Thévenard, commanding the French fleet, was at the helm of the lead battleship, "L'Intrépide." The fleet moved cautiously, aware of the Russian presence.

On the aircraft carrier, preparations were underway for the first operation involving fighter planes. The pilots, briefed and ready, waited for the signal to take off. Below the surface, the submarines advanced, tasked with reconnaissance and clearing the path for the fleet.

In Paris, at the war room of the Hexagone Balard, Emperor Napoleon, surrounded by his military advisors, was closely monitoring the progress of the operation. The room was tense, with everyone's attention focused on the latest reports from the front.

Marshal Murat updated Napoleon on the Baltic operation. "The fleet has entered the Baltic Sea without major incidents," he reported.

There were only French warships entering the Baltic Sea, as the British had refused to involve themselves directly in the war. However, they had assured France of their support in terms of supplies and intelligence. This meant that the French fleet, although formidable, was operating without direct British naval backup.

"Good, tell them that if they spot a Russian battleship, sink them immediately."

"Understood, Your Imperial Majesty. We will be tasking our new vessel, the aircraft carrier Joffre, with a critical role in this operation," Marshal Murat responded. He noted down Napoleon's instructions to engage aggressively with any Russian battleships encountered.

Captain Maurice Gillet, aboard the Joffre, received a wireless telegram from the lead ship of the fleet. The operator immediately decrypted the message and handed it to the captain.

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Captain Gillet received the message with a nod. "Prepare the dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighter planes for immediate launch."

On the deck of the aircraft carrier, the pilots spurred to their stations, swiftly boarding their respective aircraft. The dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighter planes were lined up on the deck, engines roaring to life as they readied for takeoff.

Below the waves, the French submarines continued to relay crucial information. They reported no immediate Russian fleet sightings, but the threat loomed large, and the entire fleet remained on high alert.

Admiral Thévenard, aboard L'Intrépide, coordinated with the Joffre and the rest of the fleet, ensuring that all units were in sync and ready for any engagement.

One by one, the planes from the Joffre took off, ascending into the sky with a mission to survey the area and report any signs of the Russian fleet.

Admiral Thévenard watched the planes disappear into the horizon. He maintained steady communication with the Joffre, ensuring that any intelligence gathered by the aircraft would be promptly relayed and acted upon.

It was three o'clock in the afternoon and the planes were cruising at an altitude of three thousand feet, having been in the air for over an hour. The pilots, vigilant and focused, scanned the sea below for any signs of the Russian fleet. The clear sky provided excellent visibility, aiding their reconnaissance mission.

Suddenly, a pilot from one of the fighter planes spotted a cluster of ships on the horizon. The pilot, call sign "Falcon One," swiftly keyed his radio, connecting with the Joffre.

"Joffre, this is Falcon One. I have visual on multiple ships at coordinates 54.678° N, 19.456° E. Appears to be the Russian fleet. Over."

On the Joffre, Captain Gillet received the transmission. "Copy, Falcon One. Maintain altitude and keep visual. Do not engage. Relay any movement patterns or changes in formation. Over."

"Falcon One copies," the pilot responded. He continued to circle the area along with his squadron keeping a safe distance while observing the Russian fleet's formation and movements.

As Falcon One continued to observe the Russian fleet from above, he noticed a sudden change in their behavior. "Joffre, Falcon One. The Russian fleet is adjusting its formation. It looks like they've spotted us. I see anti-aircraft batteries being positioned. Over."

Within moments, the Russian fleet, consisting of the same composition as the French, began to aim their anti-aircraft batteries towards the sky.

Falcon One reported back, "Joffre, they are arming their AA guns. Looks like they're ready to fire. Over."

"Falcon One and all aircraft, increase altitude immediately. Stay out of their firing range."

Suddenly, the Russian anti-aircraft batteries opened fire, sending a barrage of flak into the sky, attempting to deter the French aircraft from further reconnaissance. The sky was filled with bursts of explosions as the shells detonated, trying to reach the now higher-flying French planes.

"Falcon One to Joffre, they're firing AA guns. We're staying above their effective range. Continuing observation. Over."

"No, stop your observation, if they fire at you, you might as well fire back!" Captain Gillet yelled.

"Is that an order from the Admiral of the Fleet?"

"Yes it is!" Captain Gillet confirmed

"Falcon One copies. Engaging the enemy," the pilot replied.

Captain Gillet, coordinating the operation from the Joffre, quickly relayed the new orders to the rest of the aircraft. "All units, you are cleared to engage. Dive bombers target their battleships and cruisers. Torpedo bombers, focus on their destroyers. Fighter planes, provide cover and engage any enemy aircraft."

The dive bombers, maneuvering into position, began their descent towards the Russian fleet. They had to navigate through the flak-filled sky, each pilot expertly dodging the bursts of anti-aircraft fire. As they approached their target altitude, the pilots released their bombs, aiming for the decks of the Russian battleships and cruisers.

Meanwhile, the torpedo bombers, flying low over the water to avoid anti-aircraft fire, lined up their targets. They released their torpedoes at a calculated distance, aiming for the hulls of the Russian destroyers. The torpedoes, once released, raced towards their targets beneath the water's surface.

The fighter planes meanwhile were simply hovering in the sky. After all, there were no Russian aircraft present on the scene. It must be that the Russians don't have an aircraft carrier yet or the concept is new to them. The primary players are the bombers and torpedo planes.

The Russian fleet, caught off-guard by the sudden and coordinated attack from the French aircraft, scrambled to respond. Anti-aircraft fire intensified, creating a hazardous environment for the French pilots. However, the precision and speed of the French aircraft proved to be a formidable challenge for the Russian defenses.

Explosions rocked the decks of several Russian battleships and cruisers as the dive bombers' payloads found their marks. Plumes of smoke and fire billowed from the damaged vessels, indicating successful hits. The dive bombers swiftly ascended after their runs, evading the continuous flak.

Simultaneously, the torpedoes cut through the water, unseen until the moment of impact. Several Russian destroyers were struck below the waterline, causing crippling damage. Explosions followed, with water erupting around the hit ships.

On the Joffre, Captain Gillet monitored the attack's progress, receiving real-time updates from the pilots. "Good hits, good hits," he muttered, acknowledging the successful strikes. "Are there any casualties on your side?"

"There's none, Captain. I repeat, we have suffered no casualties, all aircraft are intact and operational."

Realization hit him the moment he heard that. So a plane that is cheap to build can take down a battleship that is one hundred or five hundred times more expensive? So what's the point of building expensive battleships now?