Chapter 702 Atlantic Strangulation War (11)
Ps: According to the advice of book friends, the German version of the 93 spear oxygen torpedo model (610mm) should actually be classified as H9 according to the rules. As for the power, the ordinary G7 torpedo has a charge of about 280 kilograms, and the H9 charge is about 800 kilograms...
"Why are the losses so huge?" someone muttered dissatisfiedly.
"Gentlemen, this is a good result. At least we only used 5 escort aircraft carriers and more than 130 aircraft to wipe out Cape Verde's air power. We will bomb it again tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow we will bombard it with naval artillery. The navy will wait and see. The army successfully landed and captured the prisoners.”
"Can the Navy blow up those 14-inch shore defense guns?"
"cannot!"
"Why?"
"Because the aircraft on the escort carrier can only carry 500 pounds of bombs at most, which is not powerful enough to destroy the shore guns protected by thick reinforced concrete. Speaking of this, the fleet actually has more headaches than you, and they have to risk using naval guns. To Boom."
Marshall nodded: "We have to worry about the navy. These giant guns are too great a threat. One shot will destroy at least half the army's company."
"Is there no news yet about the German fleet?"
Admiral Jin shook his head angrily: "The Germans have become a coward. They just don't move and are completely helpless."
Since the Axis fleet has been hiding in the Azores air defense protection circle, the US fleet does not dare to head north rashly. According to Turner's arrangement, the fleets will continue to press forward tomorrow. Admiral Cunningham's aircraft carrier formation will focus on the Axis. fleet, providing appropriate cover for other fleets. The artillery fleet and landing fleet moved forward to prepare for landing. The escort fleet continued to conduct air strikes on Cape Verde, trying to find ways to clear the ground fortifications and defense systems to create conditions for landing, but it was impossible to completely clear them.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff fully affirmed Turner's strategy. Although Turner's temperament is a bit "wild", he is very cautious in fighting and has many methods. Even if this combination of punches cannot deal with the German fleet, it can at least capture Cape Verde more safely. ——This is also an amazing victory.
It is relatively easy to reach an opinion on Cape Verde, but what to do about the Falkland Islands? When the Joint Chiefs of Staff studied and adjourned the meeting, they could not reach a consensus: the Navy believed that if the intelligence was true, it would not be able to take it down with its original strength. Either increase troops or adjust the combat plan - it is recommended that ground troops bulldoze Argentina first; the Army believes that ground troops bulldoze South America too slowly, the cost is too high, and the international impact is too bad, and it demands that the supply lines of the Falkland Islands be blocked as soon as possible. Then consider increasing your strength to attack.
The two sides finally reached an agreement: the second batch of troops will arrive in Brazil before the end of November and be deployed as planned. The third batch of troops heading to South America will include 8 divisions, including at least 2 armored divisions. The Navy promises to provide 2 more ships. Fleet aircraft carrier and 10 escort aircraft carriers, the Army promised that all forces will be ready before December 15th - in fact, it has overturned the binding requirement to launch the Falkland Offensive before Christmas. However, now that the enemy situation has changed, they believe that this adjustment can be achieved President's understanding.
Both sides also agreed that in the troubled times of South America, assistance to Brazil should be increased and the Lend-Lease Act should be applied to Brazil, as long as the latter agrees to open more bases and areas to the United States and arm the Brazilian army as much as possible to maintain order in South America. Although the passionate and unrestrained nature of the Brazilian people is more suitable for performing circus or playing football, it is still possible to arm 300,000-400,000 Brazilian troops. If there are 400,000 Brazilian soldiers and 100,000 US Army troops to control the scene, the situation in South America will be very different. . Everyone also expressed their intention to win over Chile as much as possible. The latter now practices Tai Chi every day and does not tell the truth at all. However, those who have dealt with him believe that the Chilean army is much more reliable than the Brazilian army.
Both sides avoided talking about the opening of the British-Canadian air route. The army and navy had jointly expressed their disgust with the endless bottomless pit of Great Britain. Out of "political correctness" and to avoid unnecessary complications, after Marshall's good advice, Admiral King Holding his nose, he promised to give the upcoming Hornet (Essex class) to the British to comfort the British's wounded soul.
These opinions were recorded one by one and formed into meeting minutes to be submitted to President Roosevelt. As the weather got colder, he had some health problems. He happened to be in the hospital for the past two days and missed the meeting again. The wish of all senior generals was Unanimous: Occupy Cape Verde as soon as possible to report the good news to the President! In any case, the British-Canadian route cannot be opened at present, and the Azores and Falkland Islands cannot be won for a while. If there is no more successful results, no one will be embarrassed to face the president.
However, they never expected that the remaining nine escort carriers would be reduced by two after the meeting.
Under the cover of night, the German S-boat troops deployed in Cape Verde made a decisive attack. 12 S-boats penetrated the U.S. anchorage like daggers. Although the U.S. military radar soldiers observed traces of the S-boats on the radar screen, these small boats The reflected ripples are so small that even the larger S-168 class, which is used for offshore operations, is inconspicuous on the vast sea. It often dodges in the waves, making people mistakenly think it is a false alarm and does not pay attention to it. It was not until it was about 10 kilometers away from the outer defense line that it was discovered by the alert destroyers and escort boats.
The 168-class S-boat is a new product developed in early 1943. It is the result of comprehensive strengthening of armor, range, speed and firepower based on the S-100. The tonnage reaches 168 tons, so it is called the new supercharged type developed by the S-1AN company. The diesel engine has a combined horsepower of 4,800 horsepower, can achieve a maximum speed of 44 knots, and a maximum range of 850 nautical miles at high speed. The entire S-boat has a set of triple torpedo launch tubes and two quadruple 20mm high-level dual-purpose machine guns (the same equipment as the Tornado self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, one on the front and rear decks), as well as sea detection radar and a complete radio system.
Germany's original torpedo boats generally had a caliber of 533mm, but after the successful production of the H9 oxygen torpedo, the new S-boats were all replaced with a caliber of 610mm. This is the crystallization of Germany's latest industrial research, using segmented manufacturing, joint assembly and rail transportation. It can also be towed by large cargo ships. After removing the torpedo tubes, it can also be used as an inland fast cargo ship or an ocean lifeboat. Hoffman liked these short and powerful daggers. On the one hand, he ordered the previous levels to be given to allies, and on the other hand, he built new ones. Level 168.
By October 1943, more than 300 of these speedboats had been built to meet the needs of the expansion of Germany's war scope. Most of the S-boats were deployed on islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, such as the Azores, Cape Verde, Madeira Islands, They have been deployed in the Canary Islands, Socotra Island, Madagascar, and the Falklands. They are also common on the Eastern Front battlefield. They are involved in the Northern Sea Route and the Black Sea Route. The Caspian Sea Route in the Central Asian Theater has also begun to be used in batches for transportation and lightning strikes. It can do all kinds of work, including anti-submarine warfare, escort, rescue, anti-smuggling, and investigation, which greatly makes up for Germany's shortage of destroyers and frigates. There is no hope of competing with the United States in destroyer construction speed, but Germany is not afraid if it competes with S-boat construction speed. Except for a few troublesome diesel engines on the S-boat, the rest are all jointly produced by European countries. Even Italy can build them effortlessly.
The power of the S-boat is already powerful enough, and it is even more powerful when equipped with the powerful H9 oxygen torpedo weighing 2.85 tons.
In the dark night, the S-boats ignored the enemy destroyer's gunfire and continued to rush forward at a high speed of 44 knots. The speed was so fast that they could not keep up with the launch speed of US searchlights or flares until they approached the core force of the US escort fleet about 3,200 meters away. Launching torpedoes at a distance - this is the H9 flying spear method practiced by the German Navy after acquiring oxygen torpedoes. 36 powerful H9 oxygen torpedoes with a caliber of 610mm were launched in a semi-arc fan shape under the eyes of American officers and soldiers, just like in the Middle Ages The assault knights throwing flying spears wildly in front of the two armies. Then the S-boats turned around gracefully, dispersed and broke out, without checking the results of the battle - such as the proud swordsman drifting away after completing a unique blow. At a speed of 44 knots, no one except the aircraft could catch up.
The U.S. military has been on guard against raids by German submarines at night. The formation is relatively tight. A loose formation can easily allow submarines to find opportunities, but a tight formation is very fatal to torpedo attacks. What's more terrible is that the oxygen torpedo track is not in the initial stage. It is very inconspicuous outside a section and can only be seen at an extremely close distance. If you want to clearly distinguish it and avoid it in the night, you will be blind. The destroyer is still so-so. The Casablanca class has a speed of less than 19 knots, so it is impossible to avoid it. Avoidable.
With the H9 torpedo's top speed of more than 50 knots, it only took a little over 2 minutes to cover 3,500 meters. Although the US military tried its best to dodge it, an escort aircraft carrier in front was hit by a mine. After a loud "bang", the charge exceeded The 800-kilogram H9 torpedo directly blew the crispy escort aircraft carrier into two pieces and sank, without even a chance to escape - only 13 lucky people survived the entire warship. What's more terrifying than the charge is the range of the H9 torpedo. The range exceeds 20,000 meters at a speed of more than 50 knots. One torpedo penetrated all the front lines until it hit another escort carrier 15 kilometers later. The result was naturally the same. Lei Shen.
The final result of 36 torpedoes was to sink 2 escort aircraft carriers, 1 Atlanta-class light cruiser and 1 destroyer. Although it was slightly worse than the Japanese army's result in the night battle of Tassa Faronga, it was still very satisfactory and even more satisfying. What is incredible is that the German army only lost 2 S-boats. Although 36 H9 torpedoes are expensive, they are only a fraction compared to the sunken US ship.