My Italian: Chapter 403 rescue fleet

When the whole world is paying attention to the movements of the United States and Spain, the U.S. Navy made an uproarious move. I don’t know if the time is not calculated well, or there is a problem with the explanation. On August 12, American warships blocked the three ports of Havana, Mariel, and Santiago in northern Cuba, and prohibited any ships from entering or leaving.

The practice of the US Navy was quickly spread to Europe, which caused an uproar in various countries. Because this kind of blockade is completely a military action, what is the difference between making a military action and going to war without declaring war before declaring war.

At this time, the U.S. government was also taken aback by the actions of the navy, and it was too late to say anything at this time. Regarding the undeclared war of the United States, the media of European countries even reported it extensively, allowing the United States to show its face in front of the European people.

Of course, facing the undeclared war by the United States at this time, the Spanish government has long since had no way out. In order to keep Cuba, they even sold the Philippines. What else can they do now except declare war.

So on August 13, Spain officially declared war on the United States.

The Americans who made an own goal, while declaring war on Spain in Congress, dated the start of the war to August 11. This operation of temporarily modifying the start time of the war is also fascinating enough.

In fact, it can also be seen that the United States is unfamiliar with the rules of war. After all, it has not been used for decades. And this is just a small detail that doesn't need to be cared about. What is really worth paying attention to is the head-to-head contest between the two parties. At this point, all countries are looking forward to it.

After the declaration of war, the U.S. Army's preparations for war can be described with great fanfare, and its pocket-sized army units expanded like balloons. Before the declaration of war, the U.S. Army had only 28,000 people, but in the plan of the U.S. military, at least 100,000 U.S. troops were needed to land in Cuba.

So there is nothing to say, the recruitment of retired officers and soldiers and reserve officers and soldiers, as well as the procurement of arms, the preparation of materials, etc., are waiting for the army to deal with. These tasks make the army very busy, and there are countless mistakes.

Although busy, the size of the army is constantly expanding. From 28,000 to 45,000 in just ten days. Of course, it can grow so fast, thanks to the help of people from all walks of life.

For example, Bonnie La Clemente, younger brother of Virginia Governor Clemente and also advocating the liberation of Cuba, with the help of his family and friends, convened 800 people a week after the start of the war to form a 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry.

And Ayi Wilson of the Wilson family in Georgia also organized 600 people in ten days and was named the 1st Georgia Volunteer Cavalry Battalion.

It is precisely because of the promotion of these very powerful families in each state that the US Army can be expanded in such a short period of time. Moreover, these people are basically equipped with weapons, and they also have a certain amount of training. They even carry supplies and some other materials. initially formed.

However, compared with the vigorous Army, the U.S. Navy appears to be unknown.

In addition to still sending a small fleet to continue to blockade the island of Cuba, the participating warships of the US Navy are all docked in the Jacksonville Naval Port, as if quietly waiting for something.

That's right, what the U.S. Navy is waiting for is the arrival of the Spanish fleet.

After the Spanish warships were supplemented by Italy, they have become able to compete with the US Navy. Under such circumstances, the U.S. Navy is naturally willing to wait for work and wait until the Spanish fleet arrives to give it a head-on blow. As for the comparison of patience now, this is nothing.

Of course, apart from waiting for the arrival of the enemy fleet and continuing to blockade Cuba, the U.S. Navy is not doing nothing. For example, the navy has never stopped delivering weapons, ammunition and other supplies to the rebel army.

And with the import of a large amount of American arms and materials, the rebel army in Cuba is also revived, and the situation in Cuba is getting worse day by day. After all, the combat effectiveness of the Spanish army is doubtful, and the corruption in the army is serious, and its mobility is not high. Even under the strict orders of the Cuban Governor Weiler and the garrison commander General Morro Revley, the Spanish garrison still failed to suppress the insurgents running around.

The change in the situation in Cuba is exactly what the United States wants to see. For them, if Cuba is full of gunpowder by the rebels, then Spain must take action, and the best action is of course to send the fleet over, which is what the US Navy wants to see.

And the situation is exactly as the United States expected. When Cuba is blocked by the sea and the situation is deteriorating, the Spanish government will definitely not be able to sit still.

In order to defend the rich land of Cuba, Spain even sold the Philippines, so it is naturally unwilling to see Cuba in danger.

So dispatching the fleet in hand is a very favorable card. For this reason, Prime Minister Castillo has issued an order to the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Sierra Villa, requiring the rescue fleet to set off within a week to help Cuba.

Facing the prime minister's strict order, of course, Admiral Shirvila could only accept it, and it was worth ordering the rescue fleet to prepare for departure.

Located in the port of Serbia, Spain ~www.mtlnovel.com~ This is where the Spanish rescue fleet is located. Most of Spain's elite warships gathered here, including warships purchased from Italy. Among them, three Turin-class ships are one of the absolute cores of the fleet. The Turin, which has been renamed the Empress Isabel, and the Bari, which has been renamed the Isabel II, have been renamed the Princess Christina. the Palermo.

There are also two ships of the Venetian class, the Duke of Ulloa (Venice) and the Marquis Venaditto (Brescia). And the Garibaldi class purchased by Spain, the Columbus and the Francisco. Seven Italian warships with the same style are simply unique in the fleet.

In addition to these seven ships, three Maria Teresa-class cruisers are also among them. This was the first modern cruiser designed by the British and built in Spain. Its displacement is 7,000 tons, it has 13,700 horsepower, and its top speed is 20 knots. It is equipped with two 280mm main guns (one in front and one behind), and ten 140mm secondary guns.

In addition, there are some other warships, but these are the ten large warships.

The commander of the fleet is Lieutenant General Sedra, who is currently considered the most capable admiral in Spain.

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