Chapter 983 Nimitz's Counterattack (16)

31 submarines lined up in two cordons under the sea, 8,000-9,000 meters apart, more than 20 kilometers apart, and a total defense width of nearly 150 kilometers.

They quietly floated in the sea water more than 50 meters deep, flowing slowly with the ocean current, without making any noise, blending into the entire ocean background.

The tactics to be used today are very simple: wait! Wait for the enemy's main fleet to enter the ambush circle and then launch torpedoes, and use the fastest speed to shoot out all the torpedoes carried by the submarines. The 31 submarines carried more than 700 torpedoes in total, and they were very expensive spear-modified and tiger sharks.

Before going out to sea, someone calculated that even if these 31 submarines could use up all the torpedoes and return safely, this operation would cost a lot of money. The consumption of torpedoes, fuel and other materials was enough to build two Axis-class aircraft carriers (excluding aircraft) or provide all the heavy equipment of a 1944-type armored division. In other words, only by sinking at least two American aircraft carriers can the capital be guaranteed.

But Krank and Dönitz still went ahead under pressure, for no other reason: the South American battlefield was a key link in determining the trend of the US-German war, and the more than 100 million marks had to be paid! If the US military's will to fight is not destroyed as soon as possible and its resistance potential is not stifled, more and greater costs will be paid in the future. And now that the German main fleet and reinforcements cannot reach Brazil for the time being, it is necessary to strengthen the attack on the enemy in order to delay the US military's advance.

To be honest, Krank was very conflicted when the US military bombarded Victoria Harbor today. He didn't know if this was a sign that the US military was about to land. He and Hintz, with a group of staff, repeatedly simulated the war situation and believed that even if the US military landed, it would not be the right time for the fleet to attack. But as a naval commander, he could not simply ignore the safety of the army, so he sent a telegram to Schocken to ask him what difficulties he had.

Schauken obviously understood his situation and the implication of his words, and gritted his teeth and sent a reply: "Even if the US military lands in Victoria, this group will resist first and repel the enemy one by one, and there is no need for naval support for the time being."

When it was later realized that it was a false alarm, the German side was relieved, but then the worrying problem became another one-the US fleet moved south in a large scale, trying to find the main force of the Crank fleet for a decisive battle. After continuous reconnaissance, it was very clear about Nimitz's military strength-it has 3 Essex-class aircraft carriers and 6-12 escort aircraft carriers (depending on whether the landing fleet acts as a whole, but at least 6).

Although Crank also has 3 aircraft carriers, he clearly knows the quality of these warships in his hands. It is basically impossible to fight hard, and he must use submarines to weaken the opponent in advance-so he puts the main attack target on the main fleet of the US military.

Time passed by minute by minute, and the fleet led by Nimitz had slowly entered the ambush circle of the wolf pack. The radar soldiers of the surrounding destroyers stared at the screen vigilantly, but it was empty and no bright spots were found. Moreover, it was not just one warship that responded in this way, but all the warships responded in this way, which basically meant that there were no German submarines.

In addition to the microwave search radar, the sonar soldiers also reported that there was nothing unusual, but the fleet commander still did not dare to neglect it and still took the "Z" anti-submarine route in an orderly manner-although this evasion method has been proven to be not a good way to deal with the new German submarines, but since there is a speed difference between the main battleship and the transport fleet, it is impossible to reduce the speed of the main battleship to the same level as the freighter. Taking the Z-shaped route can invisibly lengthen the distance traveled by the fleet, and objectively play a role in synchronization.

"Tell all ships to be cautious, pay more attention to adjusting the route, and don't maintain regularity." Nimitz was sleepless in the night, and the staff immediately followed the instructions.

Smith asked with concern: "Do you feel something will happen?"

"I have a hunch, but I have no evidence." Nimitz sighed, "Today, German reconnaissance planes came three times in a row. Although no German attack aircraft came in the end, I always think something will happen. I can only be careful."

Nimitz's hunch fully reflects the feeling of a famous general, but facing technical equipment beyond his circle of competence, he can only grope in the dark.

It's not that there are no German submarines. At this moment, they are quietly suspended in the sea. Since they have basically turned off their motors, the active sonar basically mixes them with the ocean noise and nothing can be detected.

"Sir, the sound on the sea is getting louder and louder. It should be the US fleet passing through as shown in the intelligence."

"Very good!" Major Hasler, the captain of U3233, breathed a sigh of relief, "It's finally here. It's worth our wait. The Americans still take good care of us."

"Brothers, the business is here, so cheer up."

With a whoosh, the submarine officers and soldiers who were half-sitting and half-lying and chatting casually just now immediately took their positions like flying.

"How many ships are there?"

"I don't know... Almost endless, the sound of ship engines and propellers is everywhere." The sonar soldier put down the headset, "You know, this set of equipment can only roughly judge the strength, direction and distance of the sound, and cannot indicate which ship it is."

"Any ship is fine, aim at the loudest one!" Hasler waved his hand fiercely, "Torpedoes are ready! Set the depth deeper."

"Captain, it's ready a long time ago." The torpedo officer reported in a low voice.

At present, the called sonar is still in a relatively primitive state. There is no advanced computer to assist in calculating the enemy's position, and there is no voiceprint data to be used to identify specific enemy ship models. It relies entirely on the sound strength and distance for blurring. judge. However, one thing is very clear. Any sound that is obviously easy to reach the ocean is an enemy ship. The louder the sound should be, the louder it is. The sounds of battleships such as the Wisconsin and the Missouri are absolutely different from the sounds of the Fletcher-class destroyers. will be the same.

The equipment of the detecting party is very crude, and the detected party has almost no countermeasures: technical means such as using small ships to simulate the voiceprint (i.e., sound signature) of large warships, and using torpedoes or other objects to simulate the voiceprint of warships are still unheard of today. Black technology.

"Torpedo tubes! I heard torpedo tubes!" The sonar soldier on a destroyer suddenly shouted!

This sound came from submarine U3233. When the torpedo chief announced that the target was determined and the torpedo was launched, the sound of the torpedo tube opening was like dropping a big stone in the originally calm sound.

"The enemy submarine is at an angle of 105 degrees!"

But this level of warning was completely too late. Six huge torpedoes—three lances and three tiger sharks—had already flew out of the six torpedo tubes on the bow of the ship with murderous intent.

Soon, the submarines on both sides of the U3233 also launched torpedoes one after another, all with a fixed depth of more than 7 meters. It was clear that they were going to catch big fish.

"Sir... Destroyer report..." Before Smith finished speaking, he heard two huge explosions coming from the port side. Even in the dark, he could see clearly - a Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier was attacked by a powerful The impact bracket was higher than the water surface, broke instantly and then fell heavily.

"That's the Petrov Bay!" Smith exclaimed.

This poor escort carrier received two powerful oxygen torpedoes, each containing more than 700 kilograms of high-explosive explosives. It is conceivable that the power is so powerful that even a 10,000-ton treaty cruiser cannot withstand its blow. , how could the Casablanca class, which was only 8,200 tons and built with reference to the capabilities of civilian ships, be able to withstand it? Not only was it blown into two pieces on the spot, but it was also forcibly lifted out of the sea by the impact force that had nowhere to be released, showing off its excess power.

Today's explosion was like the starting gun that fired the entire battle. The German submarines in the distance swooped over like sharks smelling blood, and the tiger shark fired by U3233 did not miss. One hit accurately. One Atlanta-class anti-aircraft cruiser was sunk without exception, and the other one directly found the Missouri - the latter was turning and passed by the tail propeller. Everyone was covered in cold sweat.

The sound of water jets rising to the sky continued, and from time to time, ships were hit by torpedoes. The destroyers hurriedly fired hedgehog bombs, but they could no longer figure out where the enemy was and where the torpedoes were coming out - these killers are like ghosts, waiting for you to see By the time he arrived, he no longer knew where he was.

Nimitz's face changed drastically. When he heard the torpedo sounds one after another, he didn't know that he had broken into the German ambush formation?

"Every ship turns to the southeast, moves forward at top speed, and rushes over! Don't turn on the searchlights."

The staff members woke up from a dream and ran out to issue orders.

After receiving the order, the engine immediately increased its power to the maximum, and the propellers rotated rapidly. A large number of cruisers and destroyers protected two Iowa-class ships and three Essex-class ships and headed southeast at a high speed of 32 knots, trying to break out. A bloody road.

Nimitz didn't know that there was a second group of submarines waiting for him ahead, and he didn't even know that the high-speed rotating propellers stirred up bigger cavitations and sounds, which was like telling the Germans - I am here! I'm here!

After the first round, U3233 had no time to count and confirm its results, so it immediately dived into the deep sea. Hassler nervously issued an order: "Reload, quick! Let's fight another round!"

Nimitz, who issued the high-speed retreat order, also ignored one point: the speed of the Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier was less than 30 knots, and they increased the power to the maximum to only 20 knots. There was no problem at first, but after 20 minutes, it was originally The remaining Casablanca-class ships on the left and right wings of the fleet have quietly fallen behind.

The sea is now in chaos. On one side, the main force of the US military is accelerating its evacuation, and on the other side, a few destroyers are staying to rescue the officers and soldiers who fell into the water. In the violent explosion just now, most of the officers and soldiers were buried in the sea, and only two out of a hundred lucky people survived. three.

Some of the U-boat captains who failed to score a victory in the first round began to secretly surface, preparing to find the remaining targets to attack...