Twelve battleships formed a long column, silently sailing southward under the lead of the flagship, the Unicorn. The fleet was not just navigating; a series of booming sounds echoed continuously, marking the gunners’ ongoing shooting drills.
To simulate the battlefield environment as closely as possible, live ammunition was used for shooting drills over the past two days, shrouding the entire fleet in a haze of smoke.
Commander Tirpitz stood at the bow of the Unicorn, leaning against the railing, pipe in hand, silently observing the seas ahead. Based on the interrogation of captured pirates, there were initially over 60 ships at the western port, but at least 20 were dispatched to transport the plundered goods.
Nearly 40 battleships remained. Could his fleet handle them? This operation was the first display of Alda’s military might beyond Northwest Bay, in cooperation with the kingdom’s army. A failure would not only tarnish Lord Grayman’s reputation but lead to severe consequences.
A defeat would intensify the disdain other regions of the kingdom held for Northwest Bay. While such stereotyping was not new, the main concern was internal strife within the bay. Failure would significantly damage Lord Grayman’s prestige among the lords, possibly reversing the gains Alda had made during the Pretender Wars.
Though a military man, Tirpitz was not ignorant of the current political climate in the northwest. The lords were forming an organization called the Customs Union. As with any alliance, it needed a leader or a de facto director. Though proposed by Alda, there was no guarantee that Alda would secure this leading role, as every powerful territory (or those who perceived themselves as such) was eager to assert dominance.
Alda urgently needed to enhance its political prestige, and military victories often provide the most direct path. Tirpitz glanced at the sailors on deck, diligently practicing their loading procedures, and remembered the Navy Commander Austin’s words used to motivate his subordinates:
“We are the most powerful and efficient killing machines of our era!”
Excellent food ensured their robust health, strict discipline forged their resilient spirits, ample pay maintained high morale, and generous pensions alleviated any worries about their families’ future.
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“We are the strongest!” Tirpitz silently repeated to himself.
A somewhat youthful voice interrupted his thoughts.
Turning around, Tirpitz’s gaze lowered to meet a young officer cadet.
Tirpitz greeted him with a smile, addressing him respectfully.
“Reporting, Commander, today’s linear tactics shooting drill is complete!” Cadet Allen reported with seriousness.
Although older ships like the Southern were left at Port Fran for repairs, officer cadets from these ships were also arranged to accompany the southbound fleet for field training. The navy was not missing any opportunity to train the next generation of competent officers.
“Understood, let the gunners rest for a while. We might encounter intense battles today,” Tirpitz responded.
“Ah, and Mr. Allen…” Tirpitz called back the young officer cadet.
“Do you need something else, Commander?”
Tirpitz had a specific task for the young cadet. “Once the battle begins, stay close to the gunnery officer on the lower deck of the Unicorn and await his orders.” His small stature made him ideal for navigating the cramped quarters of the ship to deliver messages and commands.
“Yes, Commander!” Allen saluted and left with evident excitement.
“This will be the first real test of the line tactics in combat. I wonder how effective they will be,” Tirpitz mused. The navy’s line tactics were adapted from the army’s line infantry tactics, invented by Lord Grayman, who also developed firearms and artillery. These tactics played a significant role in Alda’s various wars. Alda’s soldiers, armed with guns and arranged in neat rows, became a relentless nightmare for their enemies. They moved in unison to the beat of drums, firing simultaneously at the command, efficiently reaping the lives of their adversaries.
Following the army’s success, Lord Grayman ordered naval officers to study the application of line tactics in naval warfare. Grayman, who had never received formal military training, was considered a prodigy blessed by the Lord of Light, for how else could one explain his numerous successes?
The navy’s high command, deeply trusting in Lord Grayman, immediately began adapting the line tactics for naval use. The navy shifted from a focus on individual ship combat to a more cohesive, “whole” approach. Since the narrow bow and stern of that era’s ships could only mount a few light cannons, the main armament was placed on the ships’ sides, perpendicular to the keel.
The specific tactic involved arranging ships side by side, forming a long column, allowing each ship to bring half of its cannons to bear on the enemy. The Naval Command’s “Maritime Combat Directive” explicitly stated this column formation as the standard for naval engagements.
According to this directive, a captain who left the formation during combat could face a military tribunal, even if they achieved greater success.
This new tactic also compensated for another weakness of Alda’s navy. Despite being a young force, its sailors lacked the combat experience at sea compared to traditional maritime powers like the Horn Bay countries. In traditional naval tactics like boarding actions, Alda’s navy couldn’t match its enemies in close-quarters combat.
Thus, the navy focused on maximizing its advantages in range and firepower. The goal was to inflict heavy casualties and demoralize the enemy before they could close in for boarding, which was crucial in developing the new tactics.