Chapter 868 The Vast Ocean Is a Casino (Part 2)

In the past two days, the Nimitz Fleet (TF46), which was jokingly called the existence fleet by Hoffman, and the main Axis fleet led by Ozawa, circled in the Atlantic Ocean. After several days of intensive reconnaissance, both sides were suspicious of each other. The strength is well understood. Of course, the German reconnaissance aircraft used Ar-352 carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft, which were fast and flexible, and could escape completely after the reconnaissance; the US military reconnaissance relied on four heavy bombardments taken off from the airport in Northern Ireland, or B-17 or It's a B-29. After the reconnaissance, it will definitely be beaten down by multiple Do-412s and become a disposable consumable. However, no matter how heavy the losses are, Britain and the United States have to grit their teeth and hold on.

Nimitz's main force is 3 Essex-class ships, 2 George V-class ships and 2 Iowa-class ships;

Ozawa's main force is the Zeppelin, Dunkirk and Hyuga, the same 3 aircraft carriers, and 1 more battleship, 4 Italian Veneto class and 1 Tirpitz.

The strength of the two sides is almost equal: Nimitz's aircraft carriers have more carrier-based aircraft, and Ozawa's carrier-based aircraft are more capable; the US military suffers a little bit from the battleships, but not to the extent of the disparity.

In the eyes of the staff, this formation should be a success, but both Nimitz and Cunningham spent their days maneuvering and conducting reconnaissance without mentioning a word of typing. This made everyone feel strange, and many people were speculating on the reason.

"Sir, do you think the Germans will come to attack Iceland?" Cunningham asked.

"I think this is the most likely goal of the German army." Nimitz then added, "In fact, I hope they go to Ireland or simply go to Great Britain to land. That would be more beneficial to us."

The expressions of the British staff behind Cunningham suddenly changed: What does Nimitz mean? It's not good for Great Britain, is it?

Who knew that Cunningham actually nodded: "I originally had this suspicion, but after listening to your analysis, I strengthened my judgment."

Hearing Cunningham say the same thing, the staff members were even more surprised. Finally, someone had the courage to stand up and ask the two officers why they made such a judgment.

"Actually, it's very simple. If the German army wants to land, the level of deployment will be around 100,000, and it will not exceed 150,000 at most. There are 3 million army troops on the British Isles. Isn't it more than enough to deal with 150,000? There is no need to worry in Ireland, it is close to Great Britain. Ah, the Royal Air Force can greatly exert its advantage! Only Iceland, alas... without the fleet to assist in defense, it is estimated that 50,000 German troops will not be able to withstand the landing. "

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. There were 80,000 Allied troops and more than 400 aircraft in Iceland. Why were the officers so pessimistic about the situation?

But for Nimitz and Cunningham, who have experienced two major battles in Cape Verde and Newfoundland, this conclusion is entirely out of public conscience: The 3rd and 5th Divisions of the U.S. Army are veteran troops after all, and they have been participating in the war. After training, they were beaten so badly in Cape Verde. What kind of combat effectiveness do those carefree American soldiers in Iceland have? It’s not that Nimitz looked down on the army. There is now an unwritten consensus among the naval circles of the two countries—excluding individual units, the armies of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada need at least 2.5 times the strength to withstand the German army under the same conditions.

Not convinced?

Just ask the British troops in Bermuda, the Canadian troops in Newfoundland, and the U.S. troops in Cape Verde and the African continent whether they are convinced!

The armies of the three countries also knew this comment. Although they were filled with indignation, no one dared to slap them in the face with data and combat examples. After all, the exchange ratio in the war with Germany was really ugly. In the past, everyone always laughed at Stalin for being beaten 1:5 or 1:1 by the Germans. 6. Now everyone's evaluation of the Soviet army's combat effectiveness is starting to rise, because the Soviet army often plays this exchange ratio with the German army in a disadvantageous situation. The British and American Allies often have the advantage, but what about the battle loss ratio? It also needs to reach the exaggerated 1:3, 1:2.5.

That is to say, Li Qiwei led two airborne divisions to achieve a record of 1:1.5. This is enough to boast, but there are only two such airborne divisions in the United States! If it didn't use planes to clear the ground, the U.S. Army wouldn't be fighting the war at all! Of course, the U.S. Army also laughed at the fact that the Navy could not defeat the Combined Fleet. Everyone is really like each other in this regard.

The reason why TF46 doesn't pounce and fight is actually the same as why Ozawa doesn't pounce and fight. Both sides are concerned about the other's land-based support.

"Sir, are we going to keep fighting the Germans like this?"

Nimitz said: "Don't worry, it's just these few months of hard work. When the new warships enter service in May, we will slowly overwhelm our opponents in terms of strength. The Germans are no match for shipbuilding!"

Cunningham shook his head: "I don't think it will take that long. The Germans will withdraw in two weeks."

"Retreat?" Nimitz was a little strange and asked subconsciously, "How can you see it?"

"Because of those four Veneto-class ships." Cunningham said with a smile, "I have served in the Mediterranean for a long time, and I know best the virtues of those Italian ships. Their guns are very powerful, and their defense is not bad. It is a pity that the short leg disease that is born is cured. Bad - at the most economical speed, its fuel can only maintain maneuverability of more than 4,000 nautical miles. If it is a long-distance attack, it can still rely on oil tankers for replenishment. However, in such blockade and break-up missions, oil tankers are a burden, and reconnaissance planes also report No German tankers have been found, and if there were, I would not hesitate to recommend that long-range bombers take the risk."

Nimitz chewed it carefully and thought that these words were correct. Even though battleships could no longer play a decisive role in the aircraft carrier era, they were still more or less powerful bodyguards. Without the four Veneto, the German fleet could not hold on and had to supply supplies. That's when the opportunity comes.

He finally smiled - a smile he had rarely seen in so many days: "Very good, your judgment is so valuable. We should study how to seize this opportunity."

Although Nimitz and Cunningham were very confident, the wartime cabinet did not dare to take it lightly. Although the air raids were reduced, the blockade of the British mainland did not change at all. Many people hoped that Pound would come forward to urge the fleet to fight the Germans. It was not a good idea to waste time every day. Apart from other things, the high-grade aviation fuel consumed by anti-aircraft fighters in the past two days was calculated in thousands of tons. In order to save fuel, Great Britain did not dare to use the Halifax and Lancaster four-engine bombers it had, and could only use some Mosquitoes to retaliate against Germany at night.

Nimitz patiently explained the reason for this urging, and Cunningham also sent a telegram to Pound to explain, trying to reassure the other party and tell him the true situation: the current situation is obvious. If the German army attacks the British and American fleets, they will be attacked by their own carrier-based aircraft and Icelandic land-based attack aircraft. But if Nimitz takes the initiative to attack the German fleet, they will be attacked by both. This kind of situation where whoever moves will die, everyone can only stare at each other. The result of the South Atlantic Campaign is vivid in our minds - it is completely unprofitable to fight the German army without absolute advantage.

After receiving this explanatory telegram, London did relax. If the German army will automatically withdraw in half a month, it doesn't matter whether to fight or not. Brooke even thought that the Germans were messing around. They didn't have a package plan to solve the problem at all. They just wanted to fight wherever they wanted. Maybe Hitler, who had two new toys, rockets and jets, was eager to show off.

The development of the air raid with much noise but little action seemed to verify Churchill's judgment that "Germany was bluffing". He always believed that this fierce offensive was just part of the German army's political blackmail and was used to scare the cowards at home. When reporting the war bureau to the members of parliament in Congress, the 70-year-old prime minister couldn't help but raise his arms and shout: "Persist! As long as you persist! Always persist! We can win the second British air battle! The final victory will definitely belong to the brave and fearless British who persist to the end!" The members of parliament stood up and applauded him, as if they had won a victory.

Putting aside the Amazon plan, did the German army really mess around with the air raid on Britain? It seems so on the surface, but in fact the German army has successfully completed the goal: the destructive power, hit rate, and reliability of the railway mobile launch of the V2 are all visible at a glance, laying a solid foundation for subsequent development. At least the armament department was much more refreshing when allocating funds. Hoffman never thought that the V2 alone could conquer Great Britain. This was just a political intimidation, telling the British or Americans that I have many means and can scare you to death. This may not have an effect on Churchill, but it was terrifying to others. Ribbentrop said that "Black Cat" Edward VIII was much more honest in the negotiations.

Rockets can also stimulate the Americans. Hoffman believes that fighting with the Americans, especially a war of attrition, is not cost-effective, and other effective deterrent methods must be used: the air raid on New York has raised the air defense level of the East Coast of the United States by several levels, and at least tens of billions of dollars have been spent; the attack on Newfoundland has made the Canadians tremble, and they have to ask the Americans for equipment and air defense systems, which is also bleeding the Americans; launching 500 V2 rockets at London will only cost 30 million Reichsmarks, and the United States will have to spend at least 3 billion US dollars to build it from scratch; using jet bombers to bomb London will probably make the Americans waste more money in this regard, saving them from the "evil ways" of heavy bombers - jet lightning bombing, I can bomb you but you can't hit me is the kingly way (note: hahaha); and the last infrared radiation missiles and night vision equipment also caused great trouble to the United States, which is probably a headache for them.

Moreover, the air raid on London was to cover up the landing in Iceland. If the route to Iceland was temporarily unavailable, then the Amazon Plan would be implemented first - Germany had plenty of time to slowly open up a gap.

On April 16, the time for showdown came. Allied spies lurking in Portugal sent a telegram: a large enemy fleet sailed out of the Strait of Gibraltar, seemingly with 4 light aircraft carriers, more than 40 cargo ships, and a large number of auxiliary ships and torpedo boats accompanying them - presumably a landing force.