Chapter 978 Nimitz's Counterattack (11,2400 Votes Plus Additional Content)

"Has the Army Air Force dispatched a bomber group?"

"It has been dispatched, but the effect may not be very good." The aviation staff sighed, "The front line is more than 800 kilometers away from the Salvador Airport, and the P-47 has insufficient range. Usually the P-51 covers the bomber group for air strikes, and occasionally the P- 51 also performs ground attack missions alone. Although our army has a large number of aircraft, the German fighters are difficult to deal with. Their combat effectiveness is not weak, and the distance is only more than 400 kilometers, which is half closer than ours. The -190s were deployed further forward, and air strikes were carried out at least three times a day. During this period, the Army Air Forces had lost more than 100 aircraft. "

Smith sighed: "This is nothing. The most irritating time was when the Germans used P-51 to shoot down four A-26s in one go."

"Germans? P-51?" Nimitz asked in surprise, "What's going on?"

"After the German army occupied Rio, they seized more than 50 Chinese aircraft that could not fly away, including P-47\P-51\B-25 and other models. After an air raid, two German P-51s were in formation. At the end of the day, the aircraft fleet was covered and returned..." The aviation staff officer said with a wry smile, "The cunning Germans kept our military paint intact, killed them in mid-air, shot down four of our A-26s in one go, and then escaped."

"Is there such a thing?"

"Anyway, everything went wrong for our army after the Germans landed in Rio. First they took away the South American Army Headquarters, and then they defeated a division. The Army Aircraft stationed in Rio were either blown up or captured by the Germans. , only a few fled in an emergency. The 442th Regiment, which had just made great achievements and guarded the front line of defense, was defeated again. General Clark lost half of the battle before it was fought. "Smith said, "The morale of the army has been very low recently. No wonder they don't. We are willing to use surprise attacks or landings behind enemy lines, and we are only willing to use the stupidest and stupidest method of successive advancement to fight a war of attrition with the enemy.”

"But George's troops haven't arrived yet, the German attack has already begun, and I'm afraid they will ask for our assistance soon."

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, someone sent a telegram: "Victoria, the capital of Espírito Santo State, has been occupied by the German army! General Clark urgently asked for help, hoping that we can send warships quickly south and use naval guns to assist the army to defend the second line of defense and prevent The Germans continued to advance north."

This was almost expected. Victoria was only more than 40 kilometers away from the defense line guarded by the 442nd Regiment and was connected by a road. In the absence of follow-up echelon defense, the German army took advantage of the situation and seized the territory. Shaoken did not let the troops continue to advance, but called Montero's Brazilian army to station in the city, and he led the main force to move to the deep hilly area - who knew whether the Yankees' naval guns would suddenly sweep over them like crazy.

Nimitz looked at the map. Victoria was a port city, and shelling could be done. But when he thought of the Luftwaffe's land-based attack aircraft, he couldn't go there with great fanfare. If he wanted to shell, he could only do it at night.

"Is there still a reliable line of defense for our army ahead?"

"The army has deployed a second line of defense along the Dosi River and the city of Linaris, with two regiments of troops. Plus the troops who retreated from the first line of defense, there may be 7,000-8,000 troops, but this line of defense is smaller than The first line of defense is much wider, and the possibility of defending is even lower. If the Germans still maintain this offensive momentum, they may not be able to defend it," Smith said, "Let the fleet go south. We are going south anyway. Looking for the German fleet, if the bombardment of the German army is successful, maybe we can draw the German fleet out. "

Nimitz shook his head: "The naval guns only have an effective range of 20 kilometers at best, and they cannot seal the main line of defense. As long as the enemy troops hide in depth, they will be fine. I hope the Germans will attack the second line of defense."

Smith, who had been staring at the map just now, raised his head in shock after hearing this: "Do you want to land in Victoria or Rio City and copy the German army's retreat?"

"No, I want to land in Santos!" Nimitz looked at the map again. "Let the New Jersey lead 2 cruisers, 2 escort aircraft carriers, and 8 destroyers to cooperate with the transport fleet to cover, and then perform artillery cover missions. I agree. Marshall, let George stay on the New Jersey and not let him take risks. The New Jersey was withdrawn from the main fleet and changed to the flagship of the transport fleet, and Hewitt's command was transferred to it. "

"But, I heard that the two of them..."

"With the enemy now, we have no time to care about these things. George and Hewitt must learn to cooperate!" Nimitz emphasized, "If the army and navy are not united, the entire United States will be destroyed, let alone Brazil."

"Understood."

"As for us, we will first go south to look for the enemy's main fleet. I hope our luck will be better."

That night, George Patton, who had been basking in the sun in Venezuela for more than half a year, finally arrived at the frontline theater and set up his capable Fifth Army headquarters on the USS New Jersey. Brigadier General Roosevelt Jr., who accompanied him on board the ship, was very nervous. Afraid that he and Hewitt would get into trouble.

But when they actually met, he was greatly relieved. Button behaved very friendly, and first rushed over and gave Hewitt a big bear hug - it didn't look a bit solemn, but the atmosphere was very warm.

"It feels so good to see an old friend. The two of us are really destined." Patton listed the relationship with Hewitt in detail, "We have been together since the preparation of 'Operation Torch'. We were together when we were defeated and fled in embarrassment, and then we were together again when we fought with the Germans in Kenya, and we were still together when we finally couldn't resist and fled back to China..."

Hearing him reveal a series of failures, although they were all facts, Hewitt couldn't help but twitch his face - can't this guy pick up some nice words?

"But this time is different. This time we will beat the Germans hard and avenge our dead brothers." Patton touched his head and said embarrassedly, "I won't mess with you this time. We will fight as you say. As long as the navy can safely send us ashore, it's up to us next!"

This sentence was very pretentious, especially from Patton's mouth, which was not very modest. Of course, Hewitt couldn't remain indifferent and quickly stated: "George, I will work with you. We are all for America and victory!"

"Great! Patton asked quickly, "When will we set out to beat the Germans? I can't wait to see the big scene of the 406mm naval gun firing."

"Wait?" Hewitt was shocked, "Your troops just flew to El Salvador today. Can they be put into battle immediately? Even if they can, they must at least board the ship, right? It would be great if we could set off the day after tomorrow morning."

"No, no, no, they are all fine, they can rest on the boat, these guys have been basking in the sun in Venezuela for more than half a year, and they are all craving for energy." Patton winked at Hewitt, "You know, the girls in Venezuela are all fascinated by the vigor of the boys in the 1st Red Division and the 1st Cavalry Division... Look at General Roosevelt, he is having a second spring! "

Venezuela is the most beautiful country in South America, and the country that has produced the most Miss Universe and Miss World in later generations. How could they let go of the rich and romantic American soldiers? Everyone knows about this romantic affair. Patton led his troops in another way. He would fight to the death when training, but he didn't care about these things when relaxing - anyway, he just didn't mess around.

Sure enough, a dog can't spit out ivory! Hewitt thought angrily, and then looked at the ridiculed Commodore Roosevelt, whose face had already turned red - who knows whether Patton's words are true or not, but even if it is true, Roosevelt can't say anything about such an unreasonable boss.

Embarrassed as he was, Roosevelt didn't get angry, but explained: "The commander means that the transport fleet can wait until the morning of the day after tomorrow to set off. Can we take a few powerful warships to support the front line first? He is afraid that the troops will not be able to hold on for a long time!"

This is also a reason. Hewitt nodded: "Then I will send 2 cruisers, 2 escort aircraft carriers and 4 destroyers to carry out ground cover first. We still have to wait for the army to board the ship before setting off - it is still difficult for four regiments to complete the boarding and matching of supplies and equipment in one day and one night. "

"Can you please stay here to assist Brigadier General Roosevelt in commanding the troops to board the ship? I will go to support on the cruiser?"

"No!" Hewitt shook his head like a rattle, "General Marshall, Admiral King and Nimitz sent a telegram, clearly stipulating that you must stay with me and cannot leave the New Jersey!"

If it were other army generals, Hewitt might have agreed, but he would never dare to let Patton go. What if the latter forced the captain to do this and that on the cruiser and something went wrong?

Patton was disappointed and could only give up in disappointment. In the end, he found a way out for himself: "Then send my confidential staff officer. I'll still be with you, inseparable. Just treat me as your adjutant." "

The first half of the sentence was fine, but the second half almost pissed Hewitt off: Everyone knows that Patton was Pershing's aide-de-camp, a great man that even Marshall had to look up to. How could Hewitt dare to let Patton be his aide-de-camp? How could the relationship between the army and the navy be good if it got out? But he couldn't get angry directly, otherwise Patton would definitely find an excuse to go to the front line again, so he suddenly had an idea: "Look, we are about to organize a landing behind enemy lines, and you are not familiar with the hydrological conditions of various ports in Brazil, right? I have a complete set of information on major Brazilian ports. You can study it carefully in the headquarters and consider how to land to reduce casualties. I have to go check the loading and unloading of materials on each ship, so I won't accompany you for now..."

"You are busy, you are busy..."

Watching Hewitt get off the ship, Patton behind him turned around and made a face to everyone, and pointed at Hewitt's back, which made a bunch of army and navy staff in the command tower want to laugh but dare not, so they had to hold it back.

Roosevelt was used to his funny performance and could only shake his head helplessly.