Chapter 1488 Desperation

Since the German Navy acquired the Azores from the Kingdom of Portugal, it has been transforming the Azores for more than two decades. On the islands of the Azores, a large number of airports, anti-aircraft firepower, air search radars, oil depots, ammunition depots and other living facilities have been built.

Even though, there is no way to build large airports on many islands in the Azores, such as São Jorge and Corvo Island. However, the German Navy built small airports on them, and deployed combat aircraft on these islands as much as possible. Coupled with the construction of large-caliber fortress guns, etc., it can be regarded as turning the entire Azores into an unsinkable aircraft carrier.

Although the outside world does not know how many combat aircraft the German Navy has deployed on the Azores, the only thing that is certain is that the number is very large. These combat aircraft are all part of the shore-based aviation of the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet. A total of five fighter wings, three dive bomber wings and two torpedo attack wings were included. If reconnaissance planes and transport planes are included, the number of planes in the entire Azores exceeds 1,500.

Even, in order to avoid being raided by enemy capital ships under the cover of night like those airports in the Pacific Ocean, the German Navy Atlantic Fleet deployed a large number of underground hangars in addition to deploying fortress guns on the Azores. Or hollow out the mountain to build a cavern. More than half of the combat aircraft are deployed in underground hangars or caves. There are special runways connected to these underground hangars and caverns. These planes of the German Navy can even fill up fuel in the underground hangars and caverns, install bombs, slide out of the underground hangars and caverns directly along the runway, and then take off. Thereby avoiding greater losses under the bombardment of local warships.

Although, this series of projects cost a lot of money. However, the German Admiralty still gritted its teeth and started these projects. The geographical location of the Azores is really important. Germany hopes to control the entire Atlantic Ocean through its control here.

Although the U.S. fleet knows that the Azores is a key base for the German Navy, it does not know the specifics of the base. However, in order to defeat the German navy in a naval battle, the U.S. fleet still hopes to destroy the bases on the Azores before the decisive battle with the German navy. In this case, their disadvantage will be relatively small.

"The base of the German Navy in the Azores will indeed pose a great threat to us. We have only two choices, either avoid it or destroy it. However, if we avoid that piece of sea, we will There are not many seas that can only fight the Germans in the Atlantic Ocean. They have bases in the United Kingdom, Norway, and Iceland. Even the main fleet of the German Navy can stay under the protection of shore-based aircraft. Continue to deal with us. In that case, the time will be delayed longer and longer. Once the Germans defeat the Russians, they will attack us with all their strength. At that time, will we be able to resist them?" Nimi Admiral Zi said.

Suddenly, all the generals felt a little anxious. The current situation is indeed too favorable for the Germans. Relying on the Germans to operate in the Atlantic Ocean in the early stage gave them an advantage.

"Even, the Germans can continue to procrastinate. After they defeat the Russians, they can send their navy to the Pacific Ocean first, cooperate with their fleet in the Pacific Ocean, and defeat the navy of the island country in one fell swoop. At that time, what we have to face I'm afraid it's not just the three major fleets of the German Navy, but the five major fleets. In that case, we will have no advantage!" Admiral Nimitz continued.

"The Germans cannot be allowed to defeat the islanders first! Otherwise, if the main forces of the German Navy's Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet enter the Atlantic Ocean, then we will lose!" Admiral Hasben Kimmel said.

"So, we have no choice. We must take the initiative to launch an attack and destroy the German base on the Azores first. Then, we will fight the Germans in this sea area!" Admiral Nimitz said.

All the generals nodded heavily, there was no other way.

"General Kimmel, to deal with the German navy's bases in the Azores, we can only rely on the capital ship formation. At that time, we will deploy capital ships and cruisers to attack the German airport in the Azores. Attack. Try to attract the main force of the German Navy and attack it. If you can seize the opportunity, you may be able to hit the German Navy in one fell swoop! As for defeating the German Navy, you have to get more opportunities." Admiral Nimitz said .

"Your Excellency, Commander, I will do my best!" Admiral Hasben Kimmel said with a serious face.

Admiral Hasben Kimmel knew very well that it would undoubtedly be very difficult for them to copy this tactic and still succeed when the island navy had already applied such a tactic once. The Germans are not fools, how could they not be prepared?

However, Admiral Hasben Kimmel still has confidence in his fleet. Because, the fleet he led was the most powerful battleship fleet in history. The 15 capital ships are all battleships with 410mm main guns. In particular, the six "Iowa-class" battleships and five "Montana-class" battleships are equipped with 410mm main guns with 50 times the caliber. As for the 23 capital ships of the German Navy, except for the four "Kaiser-class" battleships and four "Brandenburg-class" battlecruisers equipped with 410mm main guns with 50 times the caliber, the other battleships and battleships Cruisers are equipped with 380mm main guns with 50 times the caliber.

Although, the 380mm main gun with 50 times the caliber of the German Navy is also amazingly powerful. However, the battleships of the U.S. Navy all have thick armor, strong defense capabilities, and the survivability of the battleships is also very strong. It is not so easy for the German Navy to sink a battleship of the US Navy.

In addition, among the capital ships of the German Navy, there are 11 battlecruisers. Even the defense of the battlecruisers of the German Navy is very strong, but compared with the battleships, there is always a little gap. These are the advantages of the U.S. Navy's capital ship fleet.

"Everyone, in order to win, we have no choice but to fight the Germans with all our strength! I believe that God will bless us!" Admiral Nimitz said.

"God bless us!" A group of generals shouted one after another, as if God was really on their side.