Iron Germany

On May 2, 1940, the U.S. Department of Naval Operations held a military conference. Not only the main generals of the US Navy gathered here, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox also attended this meeting.

"Gentlemen, at yesterday's meeting, Your Excellency the President has made it very clear. That is, one month later, we will launch an attack on the Germans. And the US Navy will become the primary force to launch an attack on Germany!

What this war means to the United States of America. Presumably everyone is also very clear. If it fails, America will lose the war. Even the United States will be destroyed. Therefore, we must do our best to win this war.

The specific battles are left to the generals. What the Admiralty can do is to provide you with all kinds of support as much as possible. Your Excellency the President has issued an order for the country to enter a wartime regime. I will ask the major shipyards to speed up the construction of warships. The construction speed of our capital ships, aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers will be greatly accelerated.

Although the German navy is strong, our strength is not weak. The Admiralty will continuously provide you with various warships. Hope you can bring a victory to the United States of America! "

Minister Frank Knox said to the admirals with a serious face.

"Yes, Your Excellency!" The generals of the US Navy replied.

After Minister Frank Knox finished speaking, he handed over the leadership of the meeting to Admiral Harold Stark. Admiral Harold Stark, the chief of naval operations, is the supreme commander of the US fleet.

"Gentlemen, after one month, we will have to go to war against the Germans. It is obviously unrealistic to get more capital ships or aircraft carriers within this month. Therefore, we need to rely on what we have , Defeat the Germans in one fell swoop! I know, this is a very difficult task. However, we have no choice now. From now on, draw up a battle plan. Within a week, I hope to get a feasible battle plan!" Hello Admiral de Stark said.

"Yes, General!" the U.S. Navy's generals replied.

Next, the U.S. Department of Naval Operations began the formulation of the combat plan. The senior generals of the U.S. Navy also took the initiative to participate. They are also very clear that this is a battle that must go all out. If it fails, everyone will be screwed. So, you have to do your best.

Although the sneak attack plan proposed by Admiral Nimitz is somewhat shameless. However, this is undoubtedly the only way for the U.S. Navy to regain its disadvantage. Therefore, the U.S. Navy mainly draws up combat plans around this point.

Because operations in the Pacific Ocean have been completely handed over to the navies of island countries, the main forces of the US Navy are concentrated in the Atlantic Ocean. In the military ports in the eastern United States, the capital ships and aircraft carriers of the US Navy are parked everywhere.

The 15 capital ships of the US Navy are divided into three capital ship formations. The first capital ship formation, including five "Montana-class" battleships. The second capital ship formation, including six "Iowa-class" battleships. The third capital ship formation, including four "South Dakota class" battleships. The 24 aircraft carriers were divided into multiple aircraft carrier formations. The first aircraft carrier formation and the second aircraft carrier formation both include four "Essex-class" aircraft carriers. The third aircraft carrier formation includes three "Yorktown-class" aircraft carriers and the "Hornet" aircraft carrier. The 4th aircraft carrier formation includes two "Lexington class" aircraft carriers, the "Raider" aircraft carrier and three "Independence class" aircraft carriers. The fifth aircraft carrier formation includes six "Independence-class" aircraft carriers.

It's just that the US aircraft carrier formation has four or more aircraft carriers under its jurisdiction. Generally speaking, it is more appropriate for a general to command two aircraft carriers at the same time. If there are more than two ships, there will be chaos. Therefore, under the US Navy's US aircraft carrier formation, it is divided into two or three detachments.

In addition to these capital ships and aircraft carriers, the U.S. Navy also has a large number of heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers. These cruisers and destroyers were also regrouped. Make sure that after the naval battle starts, these formations can be put into battle immediately without confusion.

"General, the home port of the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet is located in the Azores. This is undoubtedly an opportunity for us. If we can concentrate our naval power and launch an attack on the Azores, we may be able to hit the Azores in one fell swoop. Annihilate the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet. In this way, our navy will be able to gain an advantage in the Atlantic Ocean." Admiral Nimitz suggested.

Admiral Harold Stark nodded: "But don't forget, in addition to four battleships and eight aircraft carriers, the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet has also deployed many According to preliminary estimates, the number of German aircraft on the Azores is more than 500. Therefore, it is very difficult to severely damage the German Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Let alone wipe them out.”

"General, if we mobilize the main force of the navy, it is not impossible to defeat the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet. What's more, the navy of the island country has done very well in the Pacific before. The way they deal with the airports of the German Navy in the Pacific, We can use it too," said Admiral Ernest King, commander of the Atlantic Fleet.

"Use battleships to bombard the German airfields in the Azores? But the Azores stretches for more than 600 kilometers. I'm afraid we don't have enough battleships to destroy so many German airfields at the same time. Once the sun rises, our It may be difficult for the capital ship to escape the attack of the shore-based aircraft of the German Navy." Admiral Harold Stark was a little worried.

"General, if our aircraft carrier formation can appear in time, it can provide air defense protection for the capital ship formation. Our F4F fighter jets may not be the opponents of the German carrier-based fighter jets. However, against the German dive bombers and torpedo attack aircraft , there is still no problem. What's more, there is still a month to go, and we can get more F4U fighter jets. This will make our carrier-based fighter jets closer to the German Navy." Halsey Zhong will say.

Under the strong support of a group of admirals, the U.S. Navy drew up a combat plan for a surprise attack on the Azores within a week.