Against the Tide Imperial: The Struggle for Ceylon (The Usurper's War: An Alternative World War II B by James Young (classic book list .txt) 📗

“No, it does not, Russell,” Hairns replied. “In talking with Air Marshal D'Albiac, the intent is to hold Baron Squadron back as a long range strike asset against the Japanese.”

Don’t fancy our odds if we have to attack during the day, Russell thought. The Mosquito’s primary advantage was that it was fast, with the ability to carry a large bombload a close second. Neither of those would matter one bit in a general melee.

“Understood, sir,” he replied.

“I will not lie to you gentlemen,” Hairns said. “None of the senior leaders expect us to survive this fight. But we will make the Japanese pay dearly for this island.”

The Feinting Gargoyle…

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as the night, and when you move fall like a thunderbolt

Sun Tzu

U.S.S. Houston

1000 Local (0300 Eastern)

5 August

Was wondering when enemy aircraft were going to show up, Jacob thought as the Houston began accelerating. TF 25, for its part, was rushing south after the Axis fleet flushed from harbor. Radar had detected a large blip approaching from the northwest, roughly in line from Mogadishu.

I am sure someday history will reveal whether the Italians were tipped off to our presence or they had just happened to be leaving Mogadishu for Mombasa when our strike showed up.

The fleet had been sighted by a scout from the Bonhomme Richard roughly fifty miles south of Mogadishu heading towards Mombasa at fifteen knots two hours before. The joint British-Italian force had immediately sped up once it had realized TF 25 was coming south in full pursuit. Now, even as the Houston vibrated in a way that gave Jacob a great deal of concern, TF 25 wasn’t closing the gap very much.

“When you said that Vice Admiral Godfrey would chase the Italians all the way to Mombasa, I did not think we’d get a practical demonstration,” Jacob noted to Commander Farmer.

“It’s why I find it quite amusing the Italians have some Usurper vessels with them,” Farmer replied. “They built their own ships fast so they could always get away from the Royal Navy if it came to a fight.”

I don’t blame them for running, Jacob thought. If I’d had four carriers launch that strike against my harbor, I’d probably try to fight another day as well. Especially with the wind out of the south letting their carriers get aircraft off as they run.

“Massachusetts estimates the northern group at approximately thirty aircraft,” the talker reported.

“Understood,” Jacob replied.

“I guess your strike didn’t suppress the airfields as much as they’d hoped,” Commander Farmer observed grimly.

“Hard for four carriers to tie down an entire base complex,” Jacob replied. “I don’t know how your vessels ever attempted it with those flight decks and smaller hangars.”

“We usually stayed within range of our land-based aircraft.”

“Kind of hard to do that without colonies, but I take your point,” Jacob said, then changed topic. “If it’s British birds, any insights you’d like to give us?”

Commander Farmer pursed his lips.

“Well, I am already surprised that your lads ran into Spitfires and Hurricanes as well as Italian fighters. So it could be anything from Beauforts to some big bombers. Nothing specific though, no.”

“Sir, the Tallahassee is reporting additional radar contacts from the south,” one of the talkers interrupted. “Range approximately seventy miles.”

That would be the British carriers’ contribution to things. I am concerned at how well they’ve coordinated with the Italians. Admiral Hart’s forces had greatly improved since fighting in the Indies. They also had not started out the war bitter enemies. Could get rather, as the British say, ‘sporting’ the next time we come into the Indian Ocean.

“Time for steel pots, gentlemen,” Jacob stated, very obviously putting on his helmet. The warm breeze from the Houston’s passage swirled around the vessel’s bridge, and he immediately felt like it was twenty degrees warmer inside the structure. Turning, Jacob looked towards starboard, keeping a keen eye on the Houston’s position relative to the Massachusetts and Indiana.

Guess we’ll figure out how well those new ships handle. Well aware that his force had not had a chance to work together, Vice Admiral Godfrey had ordered a very loose circular formation in the face of the imminent attack.

“Port ten degrees rudder,” he ordered the helmsman. “We’re already bow on to the folks from the south, but it looks like the folks from Mogadishu are going to get here first.”

“Not surprising,” Farmer said. “The folks from the south are probably coming in biplanes.”

That’s right, I forgot your navy hadn’t joined the modern world with regards to carrier aircraft, Jacob thought. Which is why our boys had to keep flying older models while Roosevelt gave you the newer production.

“So, about the insights?” Jacob pressed. Farmer looked embarrassed.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about my perverse joy at the RAF utterly gelding our Fleet Air Arm between the wars,” he replied. “This far out, this soon, it’s probably Beauforts if it’s our chaps. Tough birds, but not all that maneuverable and not something I’d want to press an attack in given your navy’s habit of bolting anti-aircraft guns to every horizontal surface.”

Have you observed your old friends the Japanese lately? Jacob thought sarcastically.

“In any case, they’ll probably ignore us and go for the battleships,” Farmer said. “They’ll try to fly past us and engage from the bow, makes for a better run. Textbook says you can’t drop a torpedo at over one hundred fifty knots, one hundred is preferred if that helps your gunners any.”

“OOD, pass that last bit of info to Guns,” Jacob said. “Thank you, Commander Farmer.”

“You’re welcome, sir,” Farmer said. “May we not kill anyone I know too terribly well.”

“Combat Air Patrol is being vectored to the planes coming from the north.”

Commander Farmer would have been joyful if he’d realized the group attacking from the north was, in fact, Italian. Escorted by ten Folgore fighters operating at the extreme limit of