Chapter 143
December 15, 2020, 05:12, on Jeju island N33° 10′ E128° 8′ of the deep seas
The type 214 class Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) submarine under the 93rd Submarine Fleet received the order from the Commander an hour ago. It was now silently navigating toward Japan’s 2nd Escort Class 6th fleet in the deepest diving depth.
“Bring the active sonar online! We will check the location of the enemy fleet.”
Lieutenant Colonel Yoo Dong-il, Captain of the Youn Bong-gi, gave the order to the Sonar Operator in a whisper.
“Sending out the M-SUSL sonar, sir.”
The Battle Command Center aboard the Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) submarine was silent except for the sound of the detection sonar. Then a report from the Sonar Operator came in.
“The distance between us and the Chokai is 17,000—18,500 for the Harusame and 18,900 from the Dakanami and Onami, sir.”
“Can we not detect the Japanese subs?”
“None are being detected on our sonars within a 30-km radius.”
“Very well! Our target is the Chokai Aegis destroyer. No matter what happens, we must take it down! What’s the location of our submarines?”
“Based on our plans, they are expected to be 27,000 away from us at eleven o’clock, with an error of three km, sir.”
The Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) submarine had cut off communications from their silent navigation, so they did not have the exact location of their allied submarines.
“All right, Helmsman! Change the azimuth to 1-2-5. Set the rise angle to 10 and raise depths to 70. Set the speed at 3 knots, we approach up to 15,000.”
“Azimuth 1-2-5, rise angle to 10 and depth to 70! The speed at 3 knots.”
The Captain of the Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) submarine dismissed the silent answers of the helmsman and continued his orders. However, the Captain’s heart was pumping from the anxiety of the battle.
“Armsman! Load the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Great White (K-744) torpedoes for the Chokai and stand by.”
“Loading the number 1 through 3 torpedoes for Chokai.” The distance was the factor that would determine whether they would successfully hit their target or not. Therefore, the Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) braved the chance to be detected by the Japanese ships and sailed under the dark depths to close in.
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December 15, 2020, 05:15, 40 km southwest of Jeju Island (the 1st Fleet’s location)
The 1st Fleet’s destroyers and escorting ships were trying their best to fend off the type-90 (SSM-1B) ship-to-ship missiles coming from Japan’s 2nd Escort Fleet. However, the allotment of 25 missiles per ship made more missiles pass through the interception net than those caught.
In truth, it was an overreach to fend off 125 rounds of ship-to-ship missiles with only 5 ships. However, to survive, the Korean ships used all they had to intercept.
“Thirty-five out of 125 missiles successfully intercepted! Fifty-eight seconds before impact! Entering the third interception attempt now.”
The King Taejo (DDG-995) that had been leading the interception missions calculated the target allotments for the interception to the destroyers and escorting vessels in real time.
“Ah! Zeus 1 is aiding the interception.”
Streams of laser beams began to fall from the sky like rainfall.
Boom! Boom!
Lieutenant General Lee Ki-hyung, who was aboard the 3rd Fleet’s King Sejong (DDG-997), made an urgent request to the Zeus 1. It was supporting the ground forces marching to Beijing but changed directions to the skies above Jeju Island and intercepted the Japanese type-90 missiles. However, the surviving missiles still flew toward them at high speeds.
“Six rounds headed to our vessels! Twenty-five seconds before impact! Six at the Kim Jun! Twenty-seven seconds before impact! Five to the Hook Bul-moo! Twenty-eight seconds before impact, and four rounds to the Kim Um-soon! Thirty seconds before impact, and six to the Kim Jong-seo! Thirty-two seconds before impact.”
The Interception Operator reported the status of their own vessel and those of others in detail.
“Twenty seconds before the first missiles in 20 seconds! Entering into the close-in interception phase.”
The vessels under the 1st Fleet were in an uproar as they were near death’s door. All they could do now was to place their hopes on the 21 MLRS RAM-116 Block 2 close-range missiles that only had a range of 15 km.
“Sixteen seconds before impact! Activating RAM missiles.”
The 21 rounds MLRS ram launchpad turned toward the detected missiles and flew off repeatedly.
Woosh~ Woosh~ Woosh~ Woosh~
There were two 21 MLRS RAM missile launchpads on the King Taejo (DDG-995). The vessel targeted the missiles for not just its own but for the others in its fleet before launching them.
Within a short time, two launchpads of the 21 round MLRM RAM missiles fired 20 rounds of short-range missiles into the air. They all flew off in an arc while emitting white smoke.
Boom! Bang! Boom!
The flashes of fire from the short-range missiles intercepting the Japanese ship-to-ship missiles could be seen from the bridge now. Their distance was that much closer.
“Four out of six missiles headed to our vessel have been successfully intercepted! Two are remaining. nine seconds before impact! We have no time for a second interception attempt. Activating the CIWS Phalanx.”
The Operator shouted tearfully. All they had left were the 20-mm Phalanx.
Whirl! Zap!
The Phalanx detected the missiles with its own radar and began to pour out 20-mm rounds on its own as it faced the ship-to-ship missiles.
Vrooo~ Vrooo~ Vroooo~
The 20-mm Vulcan had tracer rounds loaded at certain intervals and made a scene as if a line of wire was headed toward the Japanese ship-to-ship missiles.
Boo Booo Booom!
The type-90 missile on the lead got hit by the 20-mm Phalanx rounds and exploded.
Bang!
“The first interception was successful! There is only one more left! Four seconds before impact. Everyone, brace yourselves!”
The Operator’s shout made the entire crew, including the Commander, curl up and cover their hearts.
Woosh Booom!
“What the—?”
Captain Kim Yoo-hwan, who was bracing for impact, slowly raised his body and looked around his surroundings. The Taejo (DDG-995) was fine.
“Zeus 1 must have intercepted the last missile headed toward us, sir.”
The Operator checked the radar and cheered while raising both his hands.
“What about the other ships?”
Brigadier General Gil Un-suk momentarily felt relief but began to worry about the safety of the other ships.
“I will check, sir.”
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December 15, 2020, 05:20, in the seas 140 km west of Jeju island (the 2nd Escort Fleet’s 6th escorting Force)
“Escorting vessels, the Kim Um-soon, Huk Bul-moo, and the Kim Jon-seo have been directly hit. Failed to hit the King Taejo! The last ship-to-ship missiles have been intercepted, sir.”
“Damn it! We used all of our ship-to-ship missiles, and we still missed the big one.”
Captain Sekiguchi Yuki frowned at the report coming in from the Chokai (DDG-176)’s Command Center and swore. He picked up the microphone.
“Command Center, how long will it take to reload the missiles?”
“It will take at least ten minutes, sir.”
“Tell them to hurry.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Communications Operator.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Tell the 2nd Escort Fleet to attack with all available ship-to-ship missiles! We must take them out right now.”
“Yes, sir, requesting for an all-out attack—”
Before the Communications Operator could answer, an urgent report came in.
“Torpedo detected! Torpedo detected! Distance is at 8,100, three rounds in total. ”
“What has the Sonar Operator been doing this whole time the torpedo has closed the distance between us?”
The Captain shouted on the microphone in disbelief.
“I am sorry, sir. The noise from the battle delayed the detection.”
“I don’t need an excuse. Did you detect the enemy submarines?”
“We are searching right now, sir.”
“You idiot.”
The Sonar Operator, who had been concentrating on hearing sounds with both of his ears, stood up and shouted.
“We have found it, sir. Azimuth 2-8-9, distance 11,230. Captain, we can hear additional water injections.”
“What?”
“Opening the launchpads! Confirmed! An additional torpedo has been added. Four rounds in total, sir.”
“From this distance, we have plenty of time to intercept. We focus on the submarine first. Do not let it out of your sight! Identify the enemy vessel first.”
“One moment, please.”
The Sonar Operator analyzed the sonar patterns. Then he continued his report.
“It seems to be a 214 class type submarine. Analyzing the sonar patterns . . . It is the Youn Bong-gil!”
“A 214 class? Those arrogant bastards. We have their position correct?”
“Yes, their diving angle is at 90 and azimuth is 2-7-5. They are diving at high speeds.”
“Good, when’s the time of impact of the enemy torpedo?”
“Based on the leading torpedo, 355 seconds, Captain.”
“Good. There is plenty of time. Prepare two anti-submarine missiles.”
“Yes, sir!”
Moments later, the Kongo class Chokai (DDG-176) ship’s vertical launchpad fired two rounds of 07-2 type anti-submarine missiles into the air. The missile was developed in 2011 and went further improvements until 2018. The 07-2 type (VL-ASROC) anti-submarine torpedo was evaluated to be a better model than the Korean Redshark torpedo.
“We deploy the Torpedo Acoustic Counter Measure (TACM) when the distance from the enemy torpedo is at 5,000. Prepare the torpedo decoy.”
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December 15, 2020, 05:28, the deep sea Southwest of Jeju island N33°10′ E 128° 8′
The Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) that had fired 4 rounds of the Great White (K-744) torpedo had raised its speed and set its diving depth to 90 to move away from the Chokai’s (DDG-176) attacking range.
“It seems we have been detected by the Chokai, Captain.”
“I guess we have no choice but to move away at full speed! What’s the status of the enemy torpedo?”
“They will arrive in 320 seconds from torpedo 1 through 3. Number 4 will take 25 seconds, Captain.”
“Please take the bait.”
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December 15, 2020, 05:28, the seas 140 km West from Jeju island (2nd Escort Fleet’s 6th Escort Force’s location)
“The number 4 torpedo’s speed!”
The Sonar Operator shouted while being horror-struck.
“What is it?”
“The number 4 torpedo seems to be a hypercavitating torpedo. Its speed is rising to 450 knots. Thirty-two seconds before impact, Captain.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
The Operations Director on the Chokai checked the monitor of the Sonar Operator. He gave the order to deploy the decoy then reported in.
“Deploying the decoy!”
The Decoy Operator sent it out when he heard the order that was almost a shout.
Thud!
“Captain! The fourth torpedo is a hypercavitating one. Eighteen seconds before impact, sir.”
Captain Kiguchi Yuki heard the report and immediately ordered the helmsman.
“Helmsman! Azimuth to 2-1-0 to starboard at full turn!”
“Azimuth to 2-1-0 to starboard at full turn!”
The Chokai turned starboard abruptly, and the crew all leaned to the right. The large wave also engulfed the deck.
“Ah, the torpedo was not fooled by the decoy. It will arrive at our vessel in 10, 9 . . . 2.”
“Damn it.”
When Captain Kiguchi Yuki swore, a large explosion from starboard came and the shockwave traveled throughout the entire vessel. The crew of the ship all lost their balance and rolled around the floor. The bridge window also broke from the shock, and glass pieces flew in.
The crew on the bridge was all covered in glass, and they were bleeding. Captain Kaguchi Yuki also was unconscious from colliding on the rear wall of the bridge.
Creaaaaak~
A hair-raising noise rang throughout the ship. The power of the explosion had torn down the walls open like pieces of paper; seawater was pouring int through the ripped walls. A moment later, the Helmsman and First Mate Ono Shinji woke from the noise.
“Captain, are you all right, sir?”
Helmsman Shinji crawled on the bridge floor that was leaning starboard rapidly and checked on the Captain. Fortunately, there was no external physical trauma, and the Captain was only unconscious from the impact.
“Argh!”
“Captain, are you awake?”
“What about the ship?”
The Captain asked about the ship first as soon as he regained consciousness.
“We must retreat, sir. Our vessel is leaning rapidly starboard.”
“Damn it! Helmsman!”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Give the order to retreat.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Helmsman picked up the microphone and shouted.
“All vessels retreat! All vessels retreat!”
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December 15, 2020, 05:28, the deep sea southwest of Jeju island N33°10′ E 128° 8′
The Sonar Operator of the Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) cheered and reported.
“Captain! Torpedo 4 is a direct hit.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hahaha, we got them good.”
At first, the Youn Bong-gil (SS-077) had fired the normal Great white (K-744) torpedoes to reveal the identity. Then they had waited before launching the fourth hypercavitating Great White A (K-755) torpedo. This was to confuse the Chokai’s Sonar Operator into thinking that the fourth torpedo will be the same as the first three they had launched previously. Even if they had fooled them by a few seconds, their response would be slowed.
“The first, second, and third torpedo are all successfully navigating, sir.”
“Good! We must take them out.”
“Two hundred fifty-one seconds before reaching the enemy vessel . . .”
The Sonar Operator stopped midway in his report, then he put on his headset to focus on the noise coming through.
“It’s an enemy torpedo! Above by 72 and distance at 1200. Damn, there’s one more!”
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