Chapter 1485 The situation is unfavorable

Gibraltar Naval Base, Admiral Hermann Boehm, commander of the German Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, boarded the fleet flagship "Deutschland" aircraft carrier. Although compared with the local fleet and the Atlantic Fleet, the strength of the Mediterranean Fleet is much weaker. Four battleships, three battlecruisers, plus four 'Deutschland-class' aircraft carriers.

It can be said that the German Navy's Mediterranean Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet are the two weakest of the five largest fleets of the German Navy. But even so, the strength of the Mediterranean Fleet should not be underestimated.

The four battleships and three battlecruisers were all rebuilt from the hulls of the battleships and battlecruisers that captured the British in the previous war. And before the outbreak of this world war, it had been modernized and refitted, making these battleships regain extremely powerful combat effectiveness. Perhaps in terms of comprehensive combat power, it is not comparable to those cutting-edge battleships of the US Navy. However, the gap will not be too large.

Although the performance of the four "Deutschland-class" aircraft carriers is not as good as that of the "Constellation-class" aircraft carriers and the subsequent mass-produced aircraft carriers. However, the overall strength of an aircraft carrier capable of carrying 80 combat aircraft is not much weaker.

"Command the fleet, let's go! This time, since the Americans want to fight us decisively, then we will do our best to defeat them! Let them know that the Imperial Navy is the most powerful navy in the world!" Herman Boehm The general gave the order.

Soon, the seven capital ships and four aircraft carriers of the German Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, escorted by a large number of cruisers and destroyers, sailed out of the naval port, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar, and entered the Atlantic Ocean.

This time, in order to meet the challenge of the US Navy, the German Navy has done its best. The three major fleets deployed in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were dispatched.

There are as many as 23 capital ships and as many as 20 aircraft carriers dispatched. If cruisers and destroyers are counted, the total number of ships dispatched by the three major fleets is as high as hundreds. With such strength, no navy in the world can compete with it. Even if the U.S. Navy is fully dispatched, it is still close.

Of course, the three major fleets have to cooperate to fight this time, and they cannot go their own way. Otherwise, the U.S. Navy will only seize the opportunity and destroy them one by one. In order to coordinate the operations of the three major fleets, Marshal Lütjens, the commander of the Imperial Navy's local fleet, served as the commander of this operation and was responsible for fully commanding this naval battle.

The United States also pays special attention to the three major fleets of the German Navy. U.S. intelligence agencies have intelligence officers in Germany, the Azores, and Gibraltar. After these intelligence personnel discovered that the three major fleets of the German Navy had left the port, they immediately sent a telegram to the country. Although, many intelligence personnel were exposed because of this and were arrested by German counterintelligence agencies. However, this also allowed the United States to obtain the most valuable information.

After the U.S. Naval Operations Department learned that the three major fleets of the German Navy were all out to sea, they also fell into tension.

"Damn it, why did the Germans even dispatch the Mediterranean Fleet? Are they planning to fight us?" Admiral Harold Stark, the US Chief of Naval Operations, had a very ugly expression on his face. In their prediction, the German Navy's Mediterranean Fleet, as a strategic reserve, will not be dispatched easily, and even if it is dispatched, it will wait for the outcome of the naval battle in the Atlantic Ocean. If the German Navy's Mediterranean Fleet is not dispatched, then the U.S. Navy only needs to deal with the German Navy's Home Fleet and Atlantic Fleet. In that case, their advantage will be greater. But now, the German Navy has dispatched the Mediterranean Fleet, which will make the U.S. Navy have no advantage at all in the Atlantic Ocean, but will be at a disadvantage.

"Minister, the situation is not good for us! Our overall strength is still unable to compete with the three major fleets of the German Navy." Admiral James Richardson also looked worried.

You know, this time the U.S. Navy is desperate and has invested all its main forces. If the battle is defeated, the efforts of the U.S. Navy over the years will be in vain. Even, it will put the United States in a more disadvantageous position in this war. Although those shipyards in the United States are already working overtime to build warships. But no matter how to speed up, it will take time. The Navy's warships, especially capital ships and aircraft carriers, are inherently very expensive. The construction period of a battleship is also very long. Therefore, if the loss is too large, it will take time to replenish it.

"Minister, it is obvious that the Germans are ready now. If the fleet led by General Nimitz wants to launch another surprise attack, it may not be easy to succeed. Under such circumstances, it is very likely that the Germans will attack It will fail. How about letting General Nimitz and the others go back and look for another chance!" Admiral Ernest King suggested.

Admiral Harold Stark frowned. If he ordered the fleet to return now, it would mean that the attack plan this time would be abandoned. In this case, the safety of the fleet can of course be ensured. However, it is very difficult to defeat the German Navy. After all, the Germans must have a lot of intelligence personnel in the United States. It is basically impossible for the US Navy fleet to leave the military port silently and without being discovered by the Germans. In this case, the American fleet would never have the opportunity to raid the German fleet.

The current situation is inherently unfavorable to the United States. The longer the delay, the worse it will be for the United States. Therefore, it was under such circumstances that President Roosevelt would force the US Navy to go to sea to fight.

"I will ask His Excellency the President for instructions!" Admiral Harold Stark said.

Subsequently, Admiral Harold Stark rushed to the White House to ask President Roosevelt for instructions.

Although President Roosevelt had served as an assistant secretary of the navy, he knew nothing about naval warfare. He just asked Admiral Harold Stark, if he gave up this time, would he find better opportunities in the future?

Admiral Harold Stark fell silent immediately, and he also knew that it was almost impossible to find a better opportunity. Therefore, in the end, Admiral Harold Stark decided to continue with this battle plan.

However, Admiral Harold Stark also ordered the information to be sent to Admiral Nimitz, who will be in charge of this operation with full authority.