My Italy

The news that Italy and the Ottomans have declared war is currently the biggest news in Europe. Many countries have made predictions about the war between the two countries, and most of them are leaning toward Italy's victory.

Because no matter what, Italy is one of the great powers. As for the Ottoman Empire, it was kicked out after the Tenth Turkish-Russian War.

Of course, these predictions are just watching from the other side. Only the two countries themselves know exactly what to do.

However, for the Italian government, the declaration of war was not as important as it thought, because its preparations were basically completed.

Although it's a bit rushed, fortunately, the efficiency is very good now, and Italy's preparations for the war are basically completed. At present, all materials are basically ready, and after the declaration of war, as Italy's most powerful military branch, the navy will bear the first wave of strike force.

Taranto is located in Puglia, on the Bay of Taranto on the Ionian Sea. It is an important port city in southeastern Italy and a distribution center for agricultural products in the southeast of the Apennine Peninsula. Of course, Taranto is more famous for its status as a military port. The port is one of the three backbone ports of the Italian Navy and the most geographically important one.

Thanks to the port's excellent water depth and good wind-sheltered environment, basically all the warships prepared by the navy for the war gathered here.

From the latest three Turin-class battleships, to the two Durio-class ships Durio and Dandolo, as well as the three improved classes Lepanto, Francesco Morosini and Italia , the total tonnage of these battleships alone reaches 110,000 tons, which can be said to be the strongest battleship formation in Italy.

The heaviest of these eight battleships is not the three Turin-class battleships, but the Lepanto. The ship has a standard displacement of 16,154 tons and a full load of 17,670 tons. It can be said to be the largest warship in Italy at present. The most powerful thing about this class is of course its four 431mm main guns. However, in addition to the main guns, it is also equipped with different 152mm secondary guns, ranging from 2 to 8.

However, this class has the same problem as its prototype Durio class. Since the main gun is located in the middle of the hull, the range of fire towards the rear is limited. It mainly exerts side firepower output. Therefore, its function is far less useful than the new Turin-class, and the same is true for the evaluation of officers and soldiers.

Of course, in addition to battleship formations, there are also huge cruiser formations gathered here. From the most advanced Venetian class to cruisers with sails and steam engines, cruisers from all eras are simply gathered here. Along the way, the five rings and eight gates are dazzling, blinding people's eyes.

There is only one reason for this, and that is that there are not many Italian cruisers, so as long as they can be used, most of them are tasked with intercepting Ottoman merchant ships and cutting off their Mediterranean islands from Istanbul.

As for the Ottoman Navy, as long as it dares to come out, the upgrading of the two Venices will let it know that you should have thrown away these rags long ago. Although the Italian Navy also has a bunch of tattered cruisers, Italy has capable battleships, while you, the Ottomans, only have tattered cruisers.

However, these warships gathered in Taranto still have their own tasks. The tasks of the battleship formation are completely different from those of the cruiser.

Because this time Admiral Golek, the Minister of the Navy, came to Taranto in person to see off the navy's fleet.

This operation is related to whether Italy's first shot can be fired well, so General Gorek did not dare to neglect it.

This time to see off the fleet, the old admiral was in a good mood. Many of the battleships here were built under his own supervision, especially the battleships, which were basically newly built after he had controlled the navy for more than ten years.

Of course, now that he is older, in his seventies, he is beginning to think about retirement. But before that, he needs to leave a qualified successor for the Navy. As for who can become this person, let's look at the performance in this war.

Admiral Gorek did not talk about these thoughts to anyone, because if they were leaked, it would break the peaceful and peaceful atmosphere among the navy's subordinates. He absolutely did not want to see such a thing happen.

"Lieutenant General Yagir, this war is very important to our navy. I hope that you can let the navy show our style in this battle, and not let the army dominate the limelight."

The full name of Lieutenant General Yagier mentioned by Admiral Gorek is Mateusz Yagier. He joined the Navy of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1853 and performed very well during his many years of service, so Gorek The general listed him as one of his future successors.

"As you command, Your Excellency, Admiral, you will see the heroic presence of the Navy wherever it is needed in the Mediterranean."

Lieutenant General Yagir was also unequivocal and just patted his chest to assure himself.

And this operation is also an opportunity for him, because this time he will take a battleship formation to bombard Albania to create opportunities for the army to land. According to the Ottoman Empire's barren coastal defenses in the area, this is completely stress-free. Even so, Lieutenant General Yagir will never dare to be careless. If there is any unexpected damage to his fleet, it will be a loss. Adult.

Admiral Gorek then met with several other captains, including our Major Gomes and Lieutenant Colonel Leifer. It needs to be explained here that unlike Major Gomes who commanded the armored cruiser Venezia, Leifer, who had just transferred back to the navy from the Kingdom's adjutant, is now the captain of Turin.

Although there seems to be little difference between the two, basically everyone knows that Lieutenant Colonel Leifer, who has been the king's adjutant, has a brighter future. Not to mention anything else, even the military rank reflects the difference.

This is also reflected in the battleships commanded by the other two people. Although the armored cruiser commanded by Gomes is also the main battleship of the navy, the new battleship commanded by Leifer is the navy's favorite.

You must know that someone like Leifer, who can become a lieutenant colonel in his early thirties and can command the latest battleships in the navy, can only have one goal: to become a strong contender for the Lord of the Navy. No matter how bad he is, he will still be a commander of a large fleet in the future.

As for Gomes, he is already one step behind Leifer. The future direction of development depends on whether there are good opportunities. Of course they are lucky compared to others.

Didn’t you see that Admiral Golek, as the Minister of the Navy, said a few words too deliberately when shaking hands with the two people? This is a matter of treatment difference.

But no matter what, everything needs to be done in battle, and in this war with the Ottomans, they will each rely on their own abilities.

After Admiral Golek's reception, the naval commanders returned to their warships one after another. Then, under the orders of their respective commanders, they set sail and rushed to their respective battlefields.

As the most conspicuous battleship formation, it sailed all the way east towards the other side of the sea.