The Rise of the Third Reich

"The 30th Task Force reported that the first attack wave they sent is on its way back. The current confirmed results are that it sank 1 German light fleet aircraft carrier, sunk 1 light cruiser, and severely damaged 3 German large fleet aircraft carriers... "

"The Bermuda Princess long-range reconnaissance aircraft reported that a German fleet was sighted 600 nautical miles due east of the Bermuda Islands. It numbered more than 50 and had large surface ships. It is currently heading westward at a speed of more than 20 knots."

After listening to the staff report, General Halsey looked at Major General Callahan, the chief of staff, with surprise on his face. He found that his chief of staff had the same expression as he had won the jackpot.

God bless America!

I really caught a big fish this time!

"Sir, the newly discovered German fleet must be going to rescue the German aircraft carrier formation that we just defeated." Rear Admiral Callahan immediately made a judgment, "And the size of this fleet is not particularly large. It is estimated that there will be 6-8 A battleship or battlecruiser, plus a few Kesselring-class aircraft carriers...are definitely no match for us!"

Rear Admiral Callahan's analysis is certainly reasonable. Now the U.S. 30th Task Force and the 31st Task Force have concentrated 9 of the most powerful battleships and 9 large fleet aircraft carriers. This is almost the strongest lineup that the US Navy can currently dispatch!

If it cannot defeat several German aircraft carriers that have been severely damaged and several battleships whose firepower and defense are inferior to the Iowa class, then the United States of America may really have to pay 500 billion European marks in compensation to buy peace.

"How much time do we have until we can meet up?" Halsey asked.

"Seven hours at most," Callahan replied. "We can rendezvous with Task Force 30 tonight, and then we can pursue it at a speed of about 25 knots. We can shorten the distance by up to 15 nautical miles in an hour. If we're lucky, We'll catch up in 24 hours."

"How many more rounds of air strikes can be launched before dark?" Halsey was obviously still a little worried about the fleet artillery battle. If it could be solved by air strikes, that would obviously be the most ideal result.

"Task Force 30 can still launch at least two attack waves, of which the second attack wave has already set off," Callahan said. "However, the airport in Bermuda has been seriously damaged and it is difficult to support the F7F taking off with full fuel and bombs."

The airport in Bermuda was bombed early this morning by more than 100 Fw190s penetrating at low altitude. It was hit by almost 200 250-kilogram aerial bombs. The runway was bombed into bumps, although after some emergency repairs it was barely enough for the F7F to land. ——The F7F was developed as a carrier-based aircraft after all, and does not have high requirements for the length of the runway. But when this twin-engine heavy fighter is filled with fuel and bombs, if there is no catapult available, it still needs a certain length of runway. of. Currently, the airport in Bermuda can only allow F7Fs carrying a small amount of fuel to take off.

Therefore, the more than 150 F7Fs that arrived in Bermuda had to fly back to Norfolk first, and then be refilled with fuel and bombs before they could go out. However, this process is quite time-consuming, and it is hard to say whether we can play another round before dark.

"Have the final losses of the 30th Task Force's first attack wave been calculated?" Halsey then asked about the losses of the 30th Task Force's carrier-based aircraft.

"Not yet." When Major General Callahan answered, his brows had gradually knitted together.

The nine aircraft carriers of the 30th Task Force are still recovering the aircraft of the first attack wave, so the final statistics have not yet been released.

However, preliminary statistical results are already available, and the losses are quite shocking. Including SBD dive bombers, TBF torpedo bombers, F4U fighters and F6F fighters, no less than 100 aircraft were lost in the battle! And the final loss statistics will definitely increase!

"Sir, the destroyer USS Conway's radar detected an unidentified aircraft approximately 80 nautical miles away from the USS Iowa."

The staff officer's report made Callahan's already depressed mood sink a lot. It was not that they were worried about being attacked by German carrier-based aircraft, but that they were worried that the huge 31st Task Force would frighten the Germans who had just lost the battle.

"Sir, it should be a large German seaplane."

"Will it find us?" Halsey asked.

"It's possible... the Germans have very good airborne radar." Callahan said, "I don't know if it will scare the Germans who are escaping. If they abandon the severely damaged aircraft carrier and escape, it will be difficult for us to catch them. their."

…

"Sir, Hawkeye 10 has discovered the U.S. fleet, which numbers more than 100 ships. It is located in the B4 waters, about 360-400 nautical miles away from us."

On the "Zeppelin" aircraft carrier, aviation staff officer Hersman Jr. loudly reported the report of the reconnaissance plane that had just been received.

"Sir, it is possible to engage in battle in 24 hours." Rear Admiral Christiansen, chief of staff of the 21st Task Force, did a mental calculation. "But we will rendezvous with the 20th Task Force in 18 hours... If everything goes well, tomorrow We’ll take care of them this afternoon.”

"How many more rounds of air strikes can the enemy probably launch?" Lieutenant General Erich Bey asked.

"2-3 attack waves." Little Hersman replied with a frown, "One of the attack waves may be launched by a new twin-engine fighter."

F7F is the only unexpected factor that worries people!

Those fighter jets taking off from US aircraft carriers are no match for the Fokker 636 and Fw190. In particular, the Fokker 636 performed particularly well. Even if a very strong SBD is bitten by them, it can be knocked down by a 20mm shell.

But the F7F is difficult to deal with. This large aircraft has powerful firepower, surpassing the Fokker 636. The Fokker 636 has no advantage when facing the nose of the aircraft. And it's so fast that it dives even faster. Although the Fokker 636 can still catch up with it, it is difficult for the Fokker 636's cannon to hit the target during a high-speed dive of more than 700 kilometers or even 800 kilometers.

"Don't worry," Erich Bey shook his head and said, "As long as we destroy two waves of attacks from American aircraft carriers, we will have completed the mission. Even if... we lose the Prussian-class or Zeppelin-class aircraft carriers, it doesn't matter."

Having said this, Erich Bey couldn't help but glance at the damaged bow of the "Zeppelin" aircraft carrier. That was destroyed by a 500-pound bomb during the second round of air attacks encountered by Task Force 21.

Those fighter jets that took off from American aircraft carriers may only carry 500-pound aerial bombs because of the distance, which was ineffective against the Zeppelin-class armored deck. However, the Zeppelin-class bow and stern are not covered with thick armored steel plates, so this large fleet aircraft carrier still suffered some damage, and its ability to take off and land aircraft was also reduced.

In addition, the two large aircraft carriers Prussia and Bohemia are now damaged to varying degrees, and part of the flight deck has lost its function.

As for the two Seidlitz-class aircraft carriers, they have been riddled with holes. They have not sunk yet. It can only be said that the quality of the German shipbuilding industry is top-notch, and the damage control on the aircraft carriers is very good.

However, the personnel of the 21st Task Force Headquarters on the Zeppelin aircraft carrier actually already knew that the two light aircraft carriers could not be saved.

Just 30 minutes ago, Erich Bay ordered the non-damage control personnel on the two Seidlitz-class aircraft carriers to evacuate, and all the aircraft, ammunition, and aviation fuel on the aircraft carriers were disposed of (thrown into the sea).

In fact, these two light aircraft carriers have now become "target ships." The reason why they have not been disposed of yet is to use them to attract the attention of the Americans and reduce the possible blows to the other three large aircraft carriers.

However, in the view of Hersman, who is sitting in the General Staff of Zosen, even if all five aircraft carriers of the 21st Task Force are lost, as long as most of the personnel on the aircraft carrier, especially the carrier-based aircraft pilots, can survive, and the United States can be If the fleet is drawn out, the loss will be worth it.

Even if 5 aircraft carriers are used to replace 4 "Iowa" class battleships and 1 "North Carolina" class battleship, this transaction will not be a loss. Because aircraft carriers can make do, if there is no Zeppelin class, use Kesselring class, but battleships cannot cut corners, otherwise they will be target ships on the battlefield!

"Marshal Reich, the Zeppelin reported that it once again repelled the American air raid group and shot down more than 60 enemy aircraft. We lost 12 Fw190 fighters and 4 Fokker 636 fighters. Prussia and Bohemia each scored one 500 pound bombs, and one torpedo each on Zeppelin, Seydlitz, and Sekt.”

"Is there nothing serious about the Zeppelin?" Hessman asked calmly.

"No problem." Chief of Naval Staff Messer replied, "It's just an aviation torpedo. It only opened a hole in the port stern. The power compartment and rudder are intact."

"Rudder?" Hessman suddenly thought of something, "How about letting Task Force 21 sail southeast?"

"Sail southeast?" asked Raeder. "To where?"

"Not going anywhere," Hessman shook his head, "just pretending that the rudder is damaged and can't turn. It's like..."

Just like the unlucky Bismarck - certainly not the Bismarck battleship in this time and space.

"I think it's okay." Reidel smiled. "This way the Americans will be even more reluctant to give up the big fish in their mouths, and they can also avoid American air attacks by changing the course."

Hersman nodded, "The engagement time must be carefully calculated, and we strive to start the engagement before dark tomorrow, so that the two missile ships Gneisenau and Wilhelm II can launch a missile attack at dusk. !" He paused, "We must sink the four most powerful Iowa battleships in the Atlantic Ocean no matter what!"