Chapter 755 Atlantic Strangulation War (64)
ps: Thank you to all readers for your support over the past year. I wish you all good luck and happiness in the new year. Welcome to join the book club, and we will send out another round of red envelopes later...
At 5:30, the US military special envoy flying a white flag blindfolded walked into the maze-like complex of the air defense tower basement. Seeing his arrival, Colonel Link suddenly laughed: "Qiao... you came at the right time. Is it uncomfortable to be bombarded outside? The warship is about to carry out the next round of bombardment. Considering that you have come to our place many times, we will make an exception and let you hide here until the bombardment is over before going back to avoid suffering. "
The officers and soldiers around burst into laughter.
Joe had been in contact with the German army many times on the mission of persuading surrender, and had become very familiar with Link. He licked his lower lips with difficulty and said in bitter words: "Well, I'm here to contact you about surrender."
"Surrender?" Link shook his head like a rattle, "I have said many times, we will not surrender, we will persist until the last bullet. You see, we still have enough ammunition." He kicked deliberately He kicked the ammunition box next to him, and a pile of yellow bullets rolled out.
"That's not what I meant. What I meant is that we hope to surrender. I wonder if your country can accept it?"
"What?" Link and everyone around him widened their eyes, as if hearing a fantasy, "What are you talking about?"
"It's not me, it's our two divisions." Joe took out the authorization letter and surrender conditions jointly signed by MacDonald and Hull. "Can you let the warships stop the bombardment first so that we can lose fewer people?"
"I can't decide this...oh..." Link said hurriedly, "I mean I can't decide this surrender, but I can send a telegram to Berlin, and I will suggest that the navy postpone the bombardment for two hours. "
There is a 2-hour time difference between Berlin and Cape Verde. When Link sent the telegram to the High Command, it was already dawn. Hoffman was discussing the next step of the battle at the High Command. He received two telegrams in one go, one from the horse racing team. Schaer called to report on the fleet's combat status and results today: Under Cunningham's desperate attack, the Harrier aircraft carrier was sunk, the Zeppelin aircraft carrier was slightly injured but it did not affect the operation, and the rest of the losses were minor. Less than 30 of the 91 British and American aircraft left the battlefield, and only 17 pilots were able to fly to the designated location and be rescued in various ways.
Now both sides have 2 aircraft carriers left, but the U.S. carrier-based aircraft only have more than 70 aircraft left after all the backup aircraft are deployed, while the German carrier-based aircraft can still achieve the full complement of 2 aircraft carriers after adding additional aircraft. Ozawa suggested that the fleet withstand the Pressure continued the attack and ordered the fleet to move southeast in an effort to annihilate the opponent.
Another telegram was from Link, reporting that the remnants of the US Army's 3rd and 5th Divisions on the island intended to "surrender before the battle" and listed the relevant conditions in detail.
"Isn't this a delaying tactic by the enemy? More than 10,000 remnants of two divisions surrendered to more than 1,000 people... God, have I seen a ghost?"
"The navy has lost. They cannot escape. They are trapped on Sal Island and can only starve to death and be bombarded by warships. It is better to surrender to our army, but the conditions are too much."
"Promise! Promise them all! This is a landmark demonstration. Whether they are sincere can be seen from the news they reported. The Navy sent a destroyer to meet them? Tsk tsk..." Hoffman smiled, "I am looking forward to Roosevelt. And the look on Marshall’s face, it’s going to be great then, I’m going to call the Doctor.”
After hearing the concise and concise incident on the phone, Goebbels immediately praised Hoffman: "The Führer's wise strategy of dividing and dismantling the American nation has achieved remarkable success. It is a breakthrough for us to solve the Anglo-American problem. I will make full use of it." Well, this incident..."
“Generals Macdonald and Hull, as well as U.S. military officers at all levels, are deeply gratified to learn of your sincerity in leading the uprising in front of the battlefield. I now commit to you as the head of state and supreme commander of the German Empire as follows:
1. After the battle, the officers and soldiers (including the wounded) who actively responded to the uprising on Sal Island were all incorporated into the 2nd SS American Division, plus the original 1st American Division. Two generals served as division commanders, and the rest at all levels All officers will be retained in their original posts, and the wounded will be medically treated by the Axis allies;
2. Officers and soldiers (including the wounded) who are unwilling to respond to the uprising will be temporarily detained by our army, and the captured personnel of our army will be exchanged from the US military through the neutral Portuguese authorities at a ratio of 10:1. During the detention period, we will provide good treatment;
3. All American officers and soldiers who join the SS will be warmly welcomed by us and given equal treatment. We will fight side by side to overthrow the tyranny of the international capital oligarchy and the Jewish group. I cannot promise you the best material conditions. , but I will ensure that all German comrades will be with you and never give up;
4. After the war, all officers and soldiers of the American SS Division can live freely in Europe with their families. I will arrange corresponding work according to your abilities and specialties. Those who are willing to continue to serve in the army can play an active role in the European integrated defense force. You You can also live in German East and West Africa, and I will distribute land and other related assets according to your merits;
5. Both sides understand each other’s combat experience and process during the Sal Island Battle and do not hold each other accountable;
6. Unless you voluntarily apply, neither of the two SS American divisions will be used in combat against the United States;
7.…”
"In order to prevent the leakage of information and other changes, as well as to prevent the US military from committing fraud, the headquarters and the navy must make proper arrangements. In addition, they must also assist them in handling matters proposed by the Americans." Hoffman said confidently in front of a group of confidants, " I have a hunch that this battle will be a key turning point in this world war, and the final victory of the empire may be sooner than I expected!”
Keitel boasted: "This was all achieved under the wise leadership of the Führer. Since the Führer was established, the German people have overcome darkness and confusion and stood up with their chests straightened out!"
After nightfall, the fleet received the latest intelligence from Berlin. Machar and others were overjoyed. If the news was true, it was clearly a sign that the U.S. military could no longer fight. Although everyone cautiously believed that the whole matter still needed to be verified and arrangements made for responses. , but the concerns about combat had disappeared, and new plans were immediately formulated according to the requirements of the headquarters and the battlefield situation.
On Sal Island at night, the Germans did not conduct shelling as promised, but for the American soldiers struggling to support themselves on the island, it was no less than hearing the roar of a super cannon. Since Macdonald and Hull planned to take this path, and received the personal guarantee from Hoffman, they naturally had the confidence. They quickly organized their close associates to conduct series and discussions. If they wanted to draw the troops out to implement their plan, there was no way. A bunch of people can't do it. In order to prepare for accidents, the two also summoned a guard of more than 100 people. Unexpectedly, when they announced the news that the two divisions were abandoned by the navy and were forced to break out on their own, they announced to officers above major and above that they were determined to take the "formation" After the "Pre-Uprising" road, the venue immediately exploded. Before McDonald could fan the flames, the crowd's reaction was more intense than expected, erupting like a volcano:
"These bastards! I'm really blind. If I come back to Washington in the future, I'll make sure I kill them all with Thomson!"
"Do it! **** did it! My ancestors are also German!"
“My ancestors are Hungarian!”f
"My ancestors are Italian!"
"My ancestors are British, but I can't stand this anymore. I'll do it with you!"
There is no airtight wall in the world. The truth about the African War has been widely circulated. The people below are most afraid of being treated as abandoned by their superiors. Coupled with the frustration of being unable to conquer for a long time and the news about suspension on the spot and meritorious service, The officers were even more depressed. The officers of a division have always been a group that prospered and suffered losses. The division commander and regiment commander at the top were all kicked off. How can the life of the battalion commander and company commander below him be easy? Now that I heard that the two division commanders did not intend to carry out this death order and were determined to take a new path, everyone would immediately know where to go as long as they were not stupid.
There is no need for statistics. Just look at the frigates, cargo ships, and torpedo boats still owned by several islands around Cape Verde. You will know that it is simply wishful thinking to transport all these 10,000 people, because these light ships have been lost in continuous battles. What's more, without strong naval escort, can these warships escape back to the United States? It’s simply whimsical! Most of the officers and soldiers, especially the wounded, would inevitably become prisoners on Sal Island or be caught up by the Germans during their escape and be buried in the belly of the fish.
The hidden intention of Cunningham and Turner was to allow the officers and main backbones of the two divisions to retreat. However, since McDonald and Hull issued the two orders of immediate dismissal and meritorious service, they have lost confidence in the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the top army officials. Confidence, they are determined to take risks. Now that they have the support of middle-level backbones, things will be easier to accomplish.
In the dark night, there were messy and noisy sounds everywhere on the islands in Cape Verde. Of course, the German defenders in the bunker also heard it. Someone asked Link worriedly: "Sir, will they delay the attack first and then take advantage of the opportunity?" Escape? The term "pre-battle uprising" sounds so unreliable."
"If you run away, run away..." Link smiled bitterly, "The navy and the head of state will settle the rest. With more than 1,000 of us, we can't rush out and capture them. We should defend our position and be prepared for a surprise attack."
Late at night, the noisy US officers and soldiers boarded various ships one after another, and many people were stranded on the shore, motionless, watching all this with a cold eye. This quietness made Lieutenant Colonel Thomas, who was in charge of the response at the scene, feel very hairy. He was originally worried about accidents due to the small number of people on the ship, and was worried about the retreat scene. Unexpectedly, it was a different scene now. He couldn't help but be confused: When could the army's discipline be so strict? This is the United States, which has always been known for its laziness and freedom. The army?