Chapter 1634: preemptive attack
In the central waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, a huge fleet is sailing north. Dozens of huge warships are guarded in the center of the fleet. These warships range from aircraft carriers to battleships. Around these aircraft carriers and battleships, there are also a large number of cruisers and destroyers.
Above the fleet, there are dozens of fighter jets cruising in this airspace. The air search radars of the battleships in the fleet are also constantly running. Once suspicious targets are found, they will immediately guide those air defense fighter jets to attack.
From time to time, seaplanes take off or land from the fleet. These seaplanes were sent by the fleet to scout around and look for traces of the German Navy's home fleet.
The US and British fleets are undoubtedly very powerful, but if you want to defeat the German fleet, you must first find the German fleet. Otherwise, no matter how powerful it is, what can it do? The German fleet could not be found, and they could not launch an attack.
Aboard the aircraft carrier 'Essex', Admiral Ernest King frowned tightly. Standing beside him was General Husband Kimmel. However, the expressions on the faces of both of them were very dignified.
"The strength of the German carrier-based aircraft force is indeed extraordinary. The loss of the Army Air Force is too great. If this continues, even if the Army Air Force has more aircraft, I am afraid it will not last long." Ou Admiral Nestor King said.
"Yes, General. In just two days, the Army Air Corps lost 350 B-17 heavy bombers and 650 P-51 fighters. The losses to the Germans were very large." Small. If this continues, the Army Air Corps' attacks will probably stop soon. At that time, the German Atlantic Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet will no longer stay in the waters near Bermuda. It's a huge threat," Admiral Hasburn Kimmel said.
Ernest? Admiral King nodded. Although the US and British fleets are very powerful, they can only gain an advantage in the battle against the German Navy's home fleet. If the Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet of the German Navy are added, they will not take advantage of the slightest advantage.
Admiral Ernest King knew that he was able to serve as the commander of the fleet this time and direct this naval battle not because of his ability, but because Admiral Nimitz was in the Azores. It was a fiasco, so he had a chance. If he also fails this time, then he won't have any more chances. Even his status in the navy is even worse than that of Admiral Nimitz. Therefore, Admiral Ernest King hoped that he could command the fleet to win this battle.
"We must find the Germans' home fleet as soon as possible, and then attack them! Otherwise, we will have no chance." Admiral Ernest King said.
"Yes, General. However, in the past two days, we have dispatched a large number of seaplanes to search. But we still haven't found the target." Admiral Hasben Kimmel said.
"The Germans must have known about our situation. Therefore, their fleets either retreated eastward, or they went southward, trying to join the two fleets. If the Germans retreated to Europe, that's all, we There is no way to catch them. However, if the Germans are going south, then we must intercept them. Order the fleet to speed up, and we must find the Germans as soon as possible!" Admiral Ernest King ordered.
"Yes, General." Husband Kimmel Admiral replied.
The home fleet of the German Navy is indeed heading south. However, Marshal Lütjens knew that the US and British fleets were powerful, and if they fought recklessly, the local fleet would not have the upper hand. Therefore, before he ordered the fleet to go south, he let the fleet sail east for a day, and then went south again. In this case, it will be even more difficult for the US and British fleets to find the German native fleet in the vast Atlantic Ocean.
"Your Excellency, the Atlantic Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet fought very well in Bermuda. In two days, they have shot down thousands of aircraft of the US Army Air Force. Among them, there are 350 B-17 heavy bombers. The rest are P-51 fighter jets." Lieutenant General Karl Witzel looked excited.
The loss of the U.S. Army Air Forces is so large, which will greatly weaken the U.S. air defense and bombing forces. In the next battle, Germany will have a greater advantage.
"With such a huge loss, the U.S. Army Air Corps won't last long, right?" Marshal Lütjens raised his brows.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander. The Mediterranean Fleet will leave the waters near Bermuda tonight and go north to cooperate with us in combat." Lieutenant General Carl Weitzel said.
Marshal Lütjens nodded, the heart that had been choosing all along was finally put back in his stomach. With the strength of the local fleet, it is somewhat difficult to compete against the US and British fleets alone. However, if the Mediterranean Fleet is added, their chances of winning are much greater.
It's just that everything doesn't go well in this world. Just when Marshal Lütjens thought they had a good chance of winning, an accident happened.
On the morning of October 19, a British submarine spotted the German Navy's home fleet that was heading south rapidly. Although, knowing that sending a telegram at this time will expose one's position and put oneself in danger. However, the British submarine resolutely went up and sent a telegram. It was this telegram that exposed the location of the German Navy's home fleet.
"General, we have found the location of the Germans." A staff officer reported to Admiral Ernest King with a look of surprise.
"Where are they again?" Admiral Ernest King asked immediately.
"A British submarine spotted them, about 450 kilometers southeast of us." The officer reported.
"Very good, immediately order all aircraft carriers, release carrier-based aircraft, and prepare to attack the Germans. We must seize this opportunity and kill the German home fleet!" Admiral Ernest King was excited ordered. At this moment, it seemed to him that even God was on his side.
"Yes, General."
The U.S. and British fleets took action immediately. Nine fleet aircraft carriers, four light aircraft carriers and eight medium-sized aircraft carriers all began to take off carrier-based aircraft. They hope to launch an attack first before the German Navy's home fleet reacts, destroying the German Navy's home fleet in one fell swoop, and establishing the victory of this naval battle.