Chapter 572 Summer Thunder (4)
The only result notified to the troops was that the He-218's shortcoming was its weak firepower, and it was recommended to continue follow-up attacks from the rear hemisphere. However, when this conclusion was sent to the fighter troops, the commander tore it to pieces and cursed: "Idiot!"
If you think about it carefully, you will know where the problem lies: the He-218's firepower is not strong, but its speed is extremely fast. In many cases, the F6F cannot keep up with the opponent. It can still hit the enemy for a while when volleying, but chasing behind can only eat ashes. Where to talk? Can we continue to follow up the attack?
Although this is boring, it is not outrageous. The most outrageous thing is the analysis of the Bf-219: In July last year, the U.S. military obtained a complete Zero fighter on Akutan Island. Aviation experts were like a treasure and urgently needed it. After being sent back to China for research, the conclusion was very gratifying: the survivability was weak, the dive was not good, and the right roll was defective. Then I confidently believed that the newly launched F6F and the F4F using the Saatchi scissor tactics were enough to overwhelm it. Then it became clear during the Battle of Guadalcanal that the Zero Fighter 32 was not a new model, but a modification of the Zero Fighter. Therefore, no attention was paid to the analysis of the Bf-219 based on the Zero Fighter 32, and no report was made to Russia. People also asked for the wreckage of the Bf-219 - the parties concerned believed that the Russians could not be blackmailed again.
The fact is that during the battle between aircraft carrier-based aircraft, those F4Fs and F6Fs were directly educated. The so-called shortcomings almost did not exist on the improved Bf-219. When the bitten pilots were confident, they followed the methods taught by their superiors to try to get rid of the pursuers. When killing him, he did not expect that the enemy would retaliate with faster speed and better maneuverability. This kind of shock is especially obvious when using the Saatchi scissors tactic. When the US military pilot finally suppressed the ultimate move and wanted to use the Saatchi scissors to catch the opponent off guard, the result was that the Bf-219 was directly used at a faster speed and within a small radius. It broke as soon as it was cut, and the F4Fs were beaten to pieces.
Finally, we came to the conclusion that the German-produced Zero War and the RB-produced Zero War are two different things. The original analysis was basically invalid, and we had to spend money again to ask the Russians for a land-based version of the Bf-219 that was shot down on the Eastern Front battlefield.
In order to regain the upper hand in aircraft performance, the Navy Department has taken urgent action:
The first is to order Grumman to increase their efforts: requiring them not only to seize the improvements of the F6F, but also to research a newer and better generation. The company immediately put the design of the future model F8F on the agenda. Based on combat experience and ideas, the F8F will use the same engine as the F6F, but the aerodynamic shape will be optimized and lightweight. It is prepared to learn from Japanese and German ideas and use lightweight The body obtains better aerodynamic performance.
The second is to require Douglas Company, which developed the SBD dive bomber, to conduct research on a new aircraft and prepare a new generation dive bomber equipped with a liquid-cooled engine. The engine model was also determined - using the same British Rolls-Royce Gray Back as the Army's P-51 fighter. The Falcon liquid-cooled engine not only puts forward higher design requirements than the He-218 in terms of speed and range, but also emphasizes that the new aircraft must be conducive to aircraft carrier takeoff and landing;
The third is to join forces with the Army and the British to invest like crazy in the research and development of the Meteor jet aircraft. The Navy even ambitiously put forward tender requirements for jet carrier-based fighter jets and attack aircraft.
Spruance smiled and said to Cunningham: "This is good, it shows that the enemy is also worried about fighting us. Without the help of the combined fleet, the German navy does not dare to fight us in a big way. It only dares to fight secretly." Merchant ship."
Cunningham nodded slightly. He knew Spruance's intention: This was not to underestimate the enemy or be arrogant. It was to cheer up the staff and other officers in the command tower and help them build confidence. After consecutive failures and the surge in new recruits in the army, , and even these officers began to feel a little unconfident.
"Sir, the radar shows that there is a large group of aircraft coming from a distance, nearly 200 in number, heading 20 degrees, and at a very high altitude, more than 7,000 meters..." The message from the radar room by the confidential staff made everyone unbearable. Lift it up.
Spruance was startled at first, then his brows relaxed, and he said extremely calmly: "Level 2 combat readiness, take off a group of air defense fighters to take a look. If I guess correctly, they should be our strategic transportation across the Atlantic. formation."
A few minutes later, the fighter formation sent a report: "The alarm has been lifted, it is a formation of high-altitude bombers and transport aircraft departing from the direction of Newfoundland..."
Seven minutes later, everyone saw an extremely spectacular scene: more than 200 4-engine heavy-duty aircraft roared past the aircraft carrier formation.
Cunningham was a little confused: "Didn't you say that strategic air strikes were suspended? Where are these B-29s going to bomb?"
"It has indeed stopped, but this is not a strategic air strike, this is strategic transportation." Spruance smiled bitterly.
The British-Canada route was blocked for more than half a month, and the British Isles were complaining. The wealthy Americans felt a little sorry for stopping their strategic air strikes against Germany, so they responded to Churchill's request and sent out temporary bombers transformed from B-29 bombers. Transport aircraft and C-54 strategic transport aircraft transport supplies to Britain by air. The route takes off from Newfoundland to airports in the UK, with a one-way distance of nearly 4,000 kilometers. On average, each aircraft can carry about 7 tons of supplies (the B-29 is slightly less than 7 tons , C-54 slightly more than 7 tons), fully loaded with urgently needed supplies such as food, medicine, fuel, etc.
In order to carry more supplies, the temporarily modified B-29s all removed machine guns and machine gunners to reduce weight. Anyway, there were no German aircraft on this route, so it was very safe overall. Today is the first large-scale trial flight. A total of 213 aircraft were dispatched, which can transport almost 1,500 tons of cargo. Although it is not a quantitative level compared with shipping, it gives the British who are struggling to support themselves a little hope and encourages them to continue to fight.
The United States is ambitiously preparing to reach a scale of at least 10,000 tons per day for this transatlantic strategic transportation. On the one hand, it has placed an additional order for Douglas for 3,000 C-54s, and on the other hand, it has requested Boeing to develop B-29 transport aircraft. During the transformation, Boeing stated that it considered transportation transformation during the design. The new model is positioned as a C-97 and can carry 10 tons of materials at a time for a distance of 5,000 kilometers. The Joint Chiefs of Staff also placed an order for 2,000 aircraft.
Cunningham nodded: "This is a good idea. If we have such a rapid transportation force, can we transport the shipbuilding workers to the United States quickly on the return trip? One plane can pull 5 families. 5,000 households can be visited in one day. If more people are involved in shipbuilding, warship construction can be faster. "
Spruance's eyes lit up and he nodded heavily: "This is a good idea. I will send a telegram to Admiral Jin immediately."
Cunningham's estimate was good. The German fleet that broke diplomatic ties in the North Atlantic had indeed returned three days ago. However, the Germans did not know that the American aircraft carrier fleet had pounced on them, and they did not shrink back in fear of the prestige of the British and American Atlantic fleets. They only It is just a matter of returning home after completing the set mission and preparing to carry out the next mission - the "Pearl of Peace" project that is scheduled to set off on July 15.
Since the fleet was also escorting 4 captured American freighters, the overall sailing speed was not fast, only advancing slowly at a speed of 13 knots. However, Machal did not feel impatient. He had already seen the distant Spanish coastline through the telescope. After entering the port, the fleet will leave the captured freighters and British civilians in La Coruna, and then return to Italy for supplies. He may even go to Berlin to report on the results of the break-up of diplomatic relations.
The British civilians who were captured along the way were very honest, because they were told that they would not be detained in Spain for a long time, and soon the United States would start an exchange - with an equal number of German expatriate families, and the Portuguese would be the matchmakers in the middle. After the United States launched the National Security Act and other related regulations, hundreds of pure German families (meaning that both parents and children were born in Germany and have not yet obtained American citizenship) have been forced to embark on the road of return. Since there are fewer American expatriates in Germany than German expatriates in the United States, Germany must substitute other ordinary British and American civilians or Jews to fill the quota to fulfill the exchange.
Just like Germany's treatment of Jews, the belongings of German expatriates can be taken away, but the real estate, remaining shares or other assets they own in the United States will all be auctioned off as "enemy property" and confiscated.
This diplomatic-breaking operation was a solo operation by the German Navy, and it was also the first large-scale diplomatic-breaking operation carried out entirely with an aircraft carrier formation. The last diplomatic-breaking operation was interrupted midway by Spruance. After the establishment of the Sore base and a complete aircraft carrier formation, Germany has formed a multi-dimensional and integrated comprehensive capability to break diplomatic ties, and its capability to break diplomatic ties and destruction efficiency have doubled - the fleet suspended navigation on the British-Canada route for three weeks, cutting off the lifeline of the British. Let everyone see the power of blockade operations.
This made Machar particularly high-spirited. Thinking of the history of the British using the superiority of the Royal Navy to block all German external channels during the last war, he was filled with the pleasure of revenge. As for how many supplies could be intercepted and sunk It has become secondary.
"Sir, a telegram has been sent from China. The Italian Navy's Harrier aircraft carrier has completed all sea trials and has officially entered service. We can use three aircraft carriers for the 'Peace Pearl' project; the two Marine Corps brigades and Air Force pilots responsible for combat missions are gathering. It is expected that We arrived at the designated port in Italy on July 11, completed boarding on July 14, and set off on time under the escort of the Italian fleet on the evening of July 15. The Supreme Command recommended that we rest and resupply in Italy for 7 days, and then set off to perform the mission. The fleet can regroup after passing Socotra Island."
"Very good." Machar nodded with satisfaction, "The transport fleet is slow, so it doesn't hurt to let them go first. We can catch up."
"The head of state is very concerned about the relevant issues arising from the breakdown of diplomatic relations. You and the main military officers need to go to Berlin to report to him in person. The meeting time will be around the evening of July 16."
"Based on this time, if there are any other changes, please notify us separately from the headquarters."