Chapter 1705 Strategic Bombing

Britain surrendered to Germany and withdrew from the war, which greatly changed the situation on the North American continent. Now, the United States needs to stand alone against Germany. This also forced the United States to gather most of its troops to the northeast to deal with a possible large-scale attack by the German army.

However, due to the impact of the weather, the German army did not immediately launch an attack on the United States. On the one hand, the German army mobilized a large number of troops to the North American continent to prepare for the subsequent large-scale offensive. On the other hand, the Luftwaffe aggressively expanded or built new airports in Newfoundland, Cape Breton and other places. A large number of fighter planes of the Luftwaffe, including heavy bombers, began to station at these airports in preparation for launching strategic bombing.

After the time entered February 1941, the main force of the German strategic air force had already entered North America. Of the eight aviation groups of the Strategic Air Force, five have been deployed on Newfoundland and Cape Breton. The tactical force of the Luftwaffe also has 5 aviation groups stationed there. This allowed the Luftwaffe to deploy a fairly powerful force in North America, and even if it confronted the U.S. Army Air Force head-on, it would not lose the wind in the slightest.

What's more, the aircraft carriers of the three major fleets of the German Navy are still operating in the western waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are 2,000 combat aircraft on the 21 aircraft carriers of the three major fleets. This would give the Germans overwhelming air power on the North American continent.

Although, the strength of the U.S. Army Air Forces is also very strong. It can also be supplemented by thousands of combat aircraft of various types every month. However, it is still not enough to confront the carrier-based aircraft forces of the Luftwaffe and Navy.

Marshal of the German Air Force, Commander of the Strategic Air Force Marshal Edward Milch, personally sits in Newfoundland and directs a strategic strike against the United States.

On February 8, Field Marshal Edward Milch held a combat conference at the Air Force Base in Newfoundland. The commander of the aviation group of the Luftwaffe, and even the leaders of the fighter wing, attended this meeting. The commanders of the aircraft carrier formations of the Navy's three major fleets also attended this meeting. This time the Luftwaffe did its best to complete the strategic strike against the United States.

"Gentlemen, after two months of preparation, we have completed the construction of the airports on Newfoundland, Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. A large amount of aviation fuel and ammunition have also been transported. We have arrived at various bases. Next, we can launch a strategic strike against the United States according to the scheduled plan." Marshal Edward Milch said.

It is winter now, and the German Army is unable to attack the United States due to weather conditions. However, the impact on the Luftwaffe was very limited. Unless there is a blizzard, otherwise, the Luftwaffe can take off fighter planes to attack the United States.

"There is still more than a month before spring. We hope that within a month or so, all the industrial bases in the Northeast of the United States will be blown into ruins, and we will do our best to severely damage the industrial strength of the United States and weaken it. Their war potential lays the foundation for winning this war.

After launching this operation, we will definitely be blocked by the U.S. Army Air Forces. At the same time, it will also be hit by ground air defense firepower from the US military. The loss must not be so small. However, I hope that everyone can participate in this action with the highest fighting spirit. I believe that the final victory must belong to us! said Marshal Edward Milch.

Subsequently, Major General Günther Korten, Chief of Staff of the Strategic Air Force, announced the strike plan.

The three bombers equipped by the Luftwaffe are the H-11 medium bomber, the H-21 heavy bomber and the H-31 heavy bomber. Now, the German Air Force has discontinued the production of the H-21 heavy bomber, and is fully committed to producing the H-31 heavy bomber with a larger ammunition load, a longer range, and a faster speed. As for the more advanced H-41 heavy bomber, it is also under intensive development. It is expected that it will be mass-produced and equipped with troops soon.

Taking off from the Luftwaffe's base in Newfoundland, the northeastern United States, including the industrial areas near Washington and the Great Lakes, are within the strike radius of the Luftwaffe's heavy bombers. Medium bombers and long-range fighters can depart from Cape Breton Island. As for other fighter jets with a relatively small range, such as the TA-152 fighter jet, they can set off from the Nova Scotia peninsula. In this case, it is almost possible to provide full air cover for the Luftwaffe's strategic bomber force.

After all, although these strategic bombers are very powerful. Not only the body structure is strong, but the self-defense firepower is also very strong. However, once they encounter American fighter jets, they will also be in danger. If there is a fighter escort all the way, the danger will naturally be much smaller. Even, you only need to consider avoiding the anti-aircraft fire on the ground.

The strategic bombing of the Luftwaffe, from north to south, first bombed Maine, then went south to bomb Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware ,Maryland. Then it turned west, bombing Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin in the Great Lakes region.

Most of the heavy industry in the United States is concentrated in these areas. Once the German Strategic Air Force has completed its bombing of these areas. Then, the industrial strength of the United States will be extremely weakened. This will play a very important role in weakening the war potential of the United States and completely defeating the United States.

At that time, without the support of these heavy industries, Americans will no longer be able to produce aircraft, tanks and artillery. Not even guns could be produced. Under such circumstances, even if the U.S. Army has millions or even tens of millions of troops, it will not be able to confront Germany. The German Army can drive straight into the United States and completely defeat the United States.

Therefore, the German military attaches great importance to this bombing operation. Kaiser Qin Tian personally summoned Marshal Edward Milch and asked him to wipe out the American industrial base at any cost. Only in this way can Germany defeat the United States at the least cost.

After all, America is an industrial powerhouse. At the same time, these powerful industries are also enough to make the US military very powerful. If you fight recklessly, even if Germany defeats the United States, it will pay an unimaginable price.