Chapter 679 Dawn (9)
As for Arnold's original idea of using the Bermuda airport to land on the island to refuel and then attack again, it was shattered by the rain of German and Italian artillery fire - the plane could not land at all, let alone resupply. Seeing that the army aviation was completely powerless against the enemy fleet, the defenders' last glimmer of hope evaporated. Under the threat of German landings and heavy artillery fire, they had no choice but to surrender.
Theoretically, Bermuda also has dozens of square kilometers of land, and is much larger than Tarawa in terms of area and population. However, because the island is close to the United States and under close surveillance by the U.S. Navy, the British colonial authorities never thought There will be people who dare to disturb Bermuda, and if the Americans want to attack Bermuda, no matter what defensive facilities they build, it will be in vain. Therefore, Bermuda's armaments are not as good as Tarawa. The only thing it can rely on is the aviation base and the close-range United States. support. Now that the aviation base has been destroyed, U.S. support is insufficient, and facing the sky full of artillery fire, the colonial authorities cannot allow tens of thousands of people to be destroyed along with the island. Surrender is the only way out.
"Why, why!" Arnold slammed his fist on the table angrily, "Originally they could have persisted..."
The surrounding Army Aviation executives couldn't bear to see him in despair. Only a few staff officers were still shouting unconvinced: "Sir, we can't give up. Even if the defenders surrender, we should continue to fight. We can't let the Germans in Bermuda." We must not let it become an outpost to attack us. The bombers must continue to bomb, not only the domestic bombers must concentrate their bombing, but also the bombers departing from Puerto Rico.”
Arnold nodded and ordered through gritted teeth: "Continue to bomb the island and any enemy targets. Don't let it become a pistol on the forehead of the east coast..."
Arnold overestimated the role and value of this "pistol on the forehead of the East Coast". Machar had no intention of using the island as a springboard for an attack. The range of the German carrier-based aircraft was not enough to support an air strike from Bermuda. . The reason why Bermuda had to be attacked was, firstly, to mobilize the US military, and secondly, to put psychological pressure on the United States. Moreover, even if the Germans had aircraft that could be used on the roadbed, it would be difficult to reuse the area that had been riddled with holes and full of butterfly bombs. Therefore, the mood of the US Army Aviation was completely excessive. The Axis' control of Bermuda will at best eliminate the reconnaissance vision centered on Bermuda, but will not allow the Axis to gain the advantage of attacking the east coast.
However, this two-pronged approach can effectively delay time until the second batch of troops from Madagascar arrives at the Falklands. Now it seems that the effect is quite good. At least the submarine force deployed for monitoring off the coast of Brazil has not yet discovered that a large US military fleet has passed through. This means that the Americans have successfully attracted attention and begun to attack the Bermuda Islands.
The main force transporting the second batch of troops was the Willowship. Although this standard cargo ship with a full load displacement of more than 14,000 tons and a top speed of 16 knots has a maximum range of nearly 15,000 nautical miles, it cannot reach such a long distance if it sails at the highest speed all the time. Therefore, the average speed can only be 12-13 knots. The reinforcements officially set sail from Madagascar on October 2. According to the planned speed and distance, it will take about 25 days. In addition, it will take at least 7 days to dock, unload, and correct. -10 days, so the fleet led by Machar must ensure absolute security in the direction of the Falklands before at least early November. Defense alone cannot defend this time, so he chose to attack Bermuda as a mobilization.
The Rhine-class escort aircraft carrier provided escort for the second batch of troops. As the sea area controlled by the Axis increased, especially after the Axis opened the two key passes of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, trade with South America, Africa, and the Far East increased rapidly. Therefore, the construction of escort aircraft carriers has also begun to be put on the agenda. Based on Hoffman's proposal and drawing on the experience of Britain and the United States in the escort field, the Rhine-class aircraft carrier was launched. The main hull is the same as the Voluntary Wheel, but the power is not the 9,500-horsepower diesel engine of the Voluntary Wheel, but replaced with nearly 14,000 horsepower. It has a steam turbine, so the maximum speed can reach nearly 21 knots. The main deck length is 142 meters. It can take off and land various types of carrier-based fighter jets and light attack aircraft (bombs not exceeding 250 kilograms). After the introduction of the folding-wing Bf-219C, the overall aircraft carrying capacity can reach 32 regular aircraft + 4 spare aircraft, with a maximum range of 9,400 nautical miles.
The overall combat effectiveness of the Rhine class is stronger than that of the American Borg class, and is basically on par with the Casablanca class. However, compared to the speed at which the United States builds the Casablanca class, the construction speed of the Rhine class is much slower. It is still used when there is a ready-made hull. It took more than 6 months, and it would take about 220 days if everything was started from scratch. Therefore, only one ship had been built by the beginning of September, and there were three other ships lying on the slipway, although Speer was confident that building 12 ships in a year would not be possible. question, but everyone within the Navy expressed cautious optimism. For Hoffman, no matter what, the Rhein-class has finally filled the gap, and Germany's sea routes are much safer than those of the United Kingdom and the United States. It can be smaller in number. It must be impossible to compete with the American emperor in everything.
"Enforce light control after dark, dock for supplies, and leave the port after dawn." After the Marine Corps Control Group scene in Bermuda, Machar gave the order decisively.
"Where do you want to go tomorrow? Toward the Azores?"
"Yes, Bermuda is too close to the mainland of the United States. I don't want to be attacked by the U.S. Army Air Forces when fighting the U.S. Navy, so I must leave here and keep distance."
Ozawa frowned and said, "Then the three battalions of Marines you arranged to station on the island will be in trouble. Will we come to rescue them or not?"
"This is indeed a big problem." Machar scratched his scalp in distress. "The U.S. military is likely to counterattack Bermuda for the first time, but I can't just watch these Marines die or become prisoners. There are three of them there. Camp, not 3 people.”
"I have an idea. It doesn't matter if we let the Americans attack Bermuda." Krank looked at the map and said, "We can hide the main fleet 300-400 nautical miles east (or northeast) of the Bermuda Islands. On the one hand, It can reduce the intensity of heavy bombers' detection of us. On the other hand, it can also deter the US military attacking the Bermuda Islands. If they dispatch troops and warships to attack the defenders, we can dispatch carrier-based aircraft to attack; if the Americans only use air strikes to attack the Bermuda Islands , we will ignore it for the time being. I believe that the Marines will have more courage to stand under the bomb than the enemy."
After detailed discussions, a unified opinion was finally reached. On the night of the 14th, the Bermuda Islands were reorganized and renovated. At least all the heavy oil, weapons and ammunition remaining on the island should be removed. On the 15th, the fleet began to hide in the northeast of Bermuda and stand by, waiting for opportunities to eliminate the incoming attacks. The British and American fleets, if there is no movement from the enemy within 7 days, will dispatch transport ships to assist the Marines in retreating.
At nightfall, Commander Tarry of the New Jersey held an emergency meeting of the Atlantic Fleet to discuss the next battle plan.
Turner frowned and said: "Judging from the Army Aviation's reconnaissance today, the Germans have stationed ground troops on the island. The number is unknown. At present, the key institutions and communication facilities on the island have been taken over by the Germans, and we are unable to contact them." We went to the local authorities, but the airport was not repaired at all, and no German aircraft were stationed. Moreover, the main force of the German fleet was not at the port. They were wandering on the periphery of the island, a full 1,300 kilometers away from the mainland. Due to the location and distance, At present, heavy bombers can only be used to attack it, but the effect is very little, and more than 20 aircraft are lost. "
"What do the Germans mean? They are waiting for us to fight?" General Ingersoll frowned and said, "Then what is the purpose of sending ground troops to land? Do the Germans expect to use these troops after losing?" Pick up?"
"I can't understand what the Germans are thinking." Turner shook his head. "Today is the first dark night after the fall of Bermuda. The Germans are likely to take advantage of it, such as attacking or harassing the east coast - this is very possible. Yes, as for the landing operation, I think the Germans would not choose it unless they were crazy. Moreover, even if the Germans wanted to fight us, they should not choose to fight near the Bermuda Islands, where we have sufficient reconnaissance and air attack capabilities. , the Germans have no advantage at all - at least not with the power they have."
"Does the enemy still have hidden power?"
"This is impossible." Turner said with a bitter smile, "We basically know how much money the Axis Navy has. It is possible to get 1-2 warships in and out, but it is completely impossible to be one fleet away. There are still Germans left. What?"
"Sir, the aircraft carrier formation sent a telegram. General Cunningham and General Spruance believe that the enemy may be luring us to attack the Bermuda Islands, and then use the concealed aircraft carrier to give us a fatal blow and repeat the story of the Battle of Midway. "
Ingersoll smiled bitterly and said: "I really want to cooperate with the Germans, but unfortunately I don't have a single marine. How can I land? Besides, most of them are British and American citizens. Where should I shoot with naval guns?"
"I have an idea." Turner's eyes suddenly lit up. "We can fight the Germans in a landing battle without using all our strength."
"Does this make sense? Let alone how to fight a landing campaign. Even if we can fight it, the most we can do to recapture the Bermuda Islands is to have an explanation for the country. The key is the German and Italian fleet. If the fleet is not eliminated, I will not be able to rest assured. , can’t we always have a dagger glaring at our backs during the joint element operation?”
"I really have a way."
Ingersoll racked his brains and couldn't figure out what to do, so he could only listen to Turner's advice.