African Entrepreneurship Record

The Grand Duke Ferdinand’s idea was quickly relayed to Constantine. It was a simple matter of reallocating some of the immigrants from Dar es Salaam to Mkani to complete the clearance work that had been abandoned for two years.

As long as it required no money, Constantine was quite generous, and soon over two thousand immigrants were assigned to Mkani, which would temporarily become the largest city on Bemba Island and the second-largest military port in East Africa.

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At this time, on the Adriatic Sea, the Austro-Hungarian Navy had already engaged in battle with the Italian Navy. The battle site was not far from the Republic of San Marino on the Apennine Peninsula; on the coast, people could faintly hear the sound of gunfire.

At sea.

”Load the ammunition, aim.” Following the orderly commands of the commander, the Austro-Hungarian soldiers completed each operational step in an orderly manner.

”Fire!”

With a ”boom,” the ship’s gun emitted thick black smoke, and the shell shot straight towards the Italian naval ship.

Unfortunately, the first shot did not succeed, landing in the sea near the enemy ship, but it helped the Austro-Hungarian Navy find the angle.

The firing of the cannon brought a massive impact, causing some shaking on the entire ship, but the Austro-Hungarian naval soldiers seemed unaffected.

Due to the reforms by William von Tegetthoff, the Austro-Hungarian Navy’s military skills had comprehensively improved compared to the Battle of Lissa two years ago.

”Damn it, the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s new warships have strengthened their firepower, and their execution is very high. We almost let them succeed just now. Fire back!”

The Italians also began shooting at the Austro-Hungarian ships. After the lesson from the last Battle of Lissa, although the Italian Navy’s budget was significantly reduced, they had put considerable effort into their soldiers and command system.

During the Battle of Lissa, the Italian Navy had been composed of five fleets, leading to chaotic command, and the naval soldiers’ quality was uneven, with the troops being quite disorganized. This was a crucial reason why the Italian Navy failed despite having a massive advantage.

Despite the current Italian Navy’s comprehensive enhancement in self-perception, the Austro-Hungarian Navy had also made significant progress, especially in utilizing new technology and training soldiers’ professional skills.

Soon, the training results of the naval soldiers of both countries were evident. This time, Italy finally achieved overall cooperation and coordination, and the cooperation between the ships was also commendable.

But they were still a notch below the Austro-Hungarian Navy, especially in terms of shooting, where the Austro-Hungarian Navy’s ship artillery was evidently more precise.

”General, our flank was hit by the Austro-Hungarian Navy’s artillery!”

”The other side changed formation, and their ships are closing in.” At this moment, the Italian commander noticed the movement of the Austrian Navy, ”It’s a ’V’ wedge formation, William von Tegetthoff is trying to use the same trick again!”

”Have our ships form a ’V’ wedge formation as well, this time we’ll meet them head-on,” the Italian commander ordered.

On the other side.

”Ha! Naive.” William von Tegetthoff sneered when he saw the Italian Navy mimicking them through the telescope.

”Let the first squadron immediately break away and slant in from the left, the second squadron follow immediately, and we’ll charge straight through,” ordered William von Tegetthoff.

Soon, Italy noticed the Austro-Hungarian movement again. Almost instantly, the Austro-Hungarian naval fleet’s formation changed again while the Italian ships were still regrouping.

The Italian naval commander was very confused upon seeing the Austro-Hungarian Navy’s movement: ”What is the Austro-Hungarian Empire doing!”

”That’s our formation from last time!” observed a meticulous Italian commander.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, like the Italian Navy during the Battle of Lissa, formed three columns and encircled the Italian Navy.

”This time we need to fully leverage our mobility. Compared to last time, our strength has significantly improved, and in terms of equipment, we’re on par with Italy. Each ship must attack the Italians under the command of the flagship in an orderly and flexible manner,” William von Tegetthoff said to his subordinates.

”Commander-in-Chief William von Tegetthoff, why not use your famous ’V’ wedge formation and instead attack the Italian Navy with this common column formation?” a Austro-Hungarian naval general inquired.

”The ’V’ wedge formation was never my expertise; it was just a method I used when the Austro-Hungarian Navy was at a disadvantage to counter the numerous Italian ships at the time. It was mainly to avoid being defeated one by one by the then numerically superior Italian fleet, especially to ensure the safety of those outdated ships. If you review the Battle of Lissa, you’ll find that I placed the outdated and smaller ships at the ’V’s tail to avoid them suffering losses because they could never win a frontal attack at that time.”

”Couldn’t the Italian side do the same this time?”

William von Tegetthoff shook his head and said, ”Back then, the Italian commander Persano failed to utilize his advantages, and his command errors gave me the opportunity. The Italian fleet’s poor cooperation led to each ship fighting on its own. As long as we don’t make the same mistakes, the coordination of the three columns will definitely deal a heavy blow to the Italian Navy.”

As the two conversed, the ships of both sides had already engaged.

”Fire!”

Almost simultaneously, both sides opened fire, causing massive splashes on the sea surface.

”First squadron, flank around. Second squadron, attack the Italian Navy’s flank. We’ll circle around to the Italian Navy’s right side,” William von Tegetthoff ordered.

Under the command of the Lissa, the Austro-Hungarian fleet divided into three parts, directly avoiding the Italian Navy’s frontal charge.

Meanwhile, the Italian Navy, seemingly understanding William von Tegetthoff’s intentions, moved in a ’V’ pattern towards the second squadron, attempting to cut off the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

Italy’s Caesar issued orders, directing the entire Italian fleet to veer towards the Austro-Hungarian Navy’s left side.

At this moment, the disadvantage of the ’V’ formation became apparent, as its maneuvers were inflexible, allowing only left or right turns and straightforward charges.

However, the well-trained Austro-Hungarian Navy, under William von Tegetthoff’s command, gave the Italians no opportunity for a frontal confrontation.

Besides the third squadron where the Lissa was located, the first two squadrons turned significantly to the left, appearing somewhat fleeing from a high vantage point.

But almost instantly, the Austro-Hungarian Navy made a rapid right turn and attacked the Italian Navy’s left side, while the third squadron circled around to the Italian Navy’s right side.

The Austro-Hungarian Navy and the Italian Fleet instantly formed a three-line parallel state.

”Damn it!” the Italian commander cursed furiously.

By this time, he had awoken from his dream, but it was too late. Although grabbing the tail of the Austro-Hungarian second squadron, the Austro-Hungarian three columns had completed the encirclement of the Italian Navy.

”Fire!” The Italian Navy, sandwiched between the Austro-Hungarian Navy, quickly became sitting ducks.

”Accelerate and break out of the encirclement, return fire with our cannons,” the Italian commander ordered.

At this point, the Italian Navy had no enemy in front, so if they ran fast, they could still break out, but William von Tegetthoff wouldn’t give them the chance.

”Third squadron, charge towards the center of the Italian Navy, led by the Lissa.”

The Lissa, commanded by William von Tegetthoff, immediately led the third fleet towards the center of the Italian Navy.

Although most of the Italian Navy’s front had already broken through, due to the relentless attack by the Lissa and the third squadron, most were still tightly pursued by the Austro-Hungarian forces.

At this time, the first and second columns also joined the melee, with the second column heading towards the head of the Italian Navy.

And the ships at the front of the Italian Navy tried to turn around to return to reinforce the rear for a last-ditch resistance, only to be caught by the second squadron’s attack during the turn.

In an instant, the Caesar’s hull suffered a violent hit, causing the Italian commander to almost lose his footing in the face of the sudden massive collision.

By then, he realized that the Italian Navy had completely lost its chance of victory, facing two paths: either fighting the Austro-Hungarian Navy to the death, with the likely result of total annihilation, or surrendering, though returning to Italy would certainly not spare him from blame, for Persano in the Battle of Lissa, despite the great defeat, was much more influential than himself.

While he was still torn in his mind, the Austro-Hungarian Ferdinand crashed in from the left.

Surrender! The fear of death instantly cut off the Italian commander’s thoughts of martyrdom. After all, Italy’s prospects were bleak at the moment, so why bury himself with Italy? However, he had to quickly find a new patron.