Chapter 985 Confrontation at Sea

The Azores are located in the east-central part of the North Atlantic Ocean, 1,450 kilometers away from Portugal, more than 1,600 kilometers away from Europe, and more than 3,200 kilometers away from North America, covering an area of ​​more than 2,300 square kilometers.

The geographical location of the Azores is very good. If the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet uses this as its main base, it can almost control the entire central North Atlantic. If the U.S. Navy wants to further advance to the eastern North Atlantic Ocean, it can only choose a route that bypasses Newfoundland and Iceland, which is close to the Arctic Circle. On that route, the weather was cold and icebergs were densely covered, so there was a high probability of accidents. In comparison, it is naturally safer to cross the Atlantic Ocean directly.

If the German Navy can occupy the Azores, it will be equivalent to an additional transit point when launching an attack on the United States in the future. In this case, it will be less difficult for Germany to attack the United States in the future.

However, the Azores are now part of Portugal. Since the Portuguese sailed here in 1427, it has become the territory of Portugal. Moreover, Portugal has always been friendly with the United Kingdom. In the last world war, although Portugal remained neutral, it had a close relationship with Britain, and even secretly provided a lot of help to Britain. It was not until Germany completely established the victory that Portugal severed its ties with Britain and began to fall to Germany.

It can be seen that the Portuguese are simply fools. Whoever is the most powerful country in the world, they will take the initiative to make friends with whoever. However, if you want to take the Azores from the Portuguese, it may be very difficult. The Portuguese are not fools, so they naturally know the importance of the Azores to them. With the archipelago in hand, they can have both. Once the islands are lost, the importance of Portugal will be greatly reduced. Therefore, if Germany wants to take the Azores from Portugal, it has to make a good plan.

However, Qin Tian had already made up his mind. For a strategically important place like Portugal, the German Empire must have it in its hands. This is related to Germany's strategic security in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Germany's future strategic plan. Portugal is just a small country with a population of six million. Germany has many ways to bring the country into submission. Of course, sending troops to invade is undoubtedly the most last resort. Germany will not adopt such a method unless it is forced to.

Portugal is now a republic. In 1910, they overthrew the royal family. However, there are still many people who are dissatisfied with the current republic, including members of the former royal family and the military. Qin Tian believed that as long as Germany was willing to take action, there would be no problem at all in overthrowing the current Portuguese government. At that time, the new government can use the Azores to thank Germany. In this way, Germany can justifiably acquire the Azores and then carry out militarization.

Of course, these are things for later. The most important thing now is still the confrontation between the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet and the US Fleet in the eastern waters of the North Atlantic.

Nearly 200 warships, large and small, from both sides gathered in this sea area, so that the commanders of both sides had to work hard. Otherwise, because of their mistakes, it may lead to misfires. In that case, the two countries may break out in war. Once war breaks out, the consequences will be very serious.

Admiral Henry Mayo, commander of the Atlantic Fleet, was smoking a cigar and looking into the distance on the battleship USS Colorado, the flagship of the US Navy. Because the distance was more than 30 kilometers, Admiral Henry Mayo actually couldn't see the capital ship of the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet. You can only see the small and medium-sized warships that occasionally pass by. However, Admiral Henry Mayo believed that the Germans were not far away. As long as the U.S. fleet does not retreat for a day, the Germans will stay there and watch them firmly.

"Damn it, we've been here for half a month. Those guys in the country, what are we going to do to make us retreat? Or, agree with us to launch an attack and eat up the German Atlantic Fleet in one fell swoop!" Admiral Henry Mayo complained.

In Admiral Henry Mayo's view, with their current strength, there is no problem at all in eating up the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet. In this case, the German Navy can be hit hard in one fell swoop. At least, the U.S. Navy can no longer be suppressed by the German Navy in the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Fleet alone may not make it difficult for the US Navy to catch up. However, the German Navy has a more powerful home fleet in the Atlantic Ocean. If the two fleets join forces, the U.S. Navy will have to retreat. Unless, the next batch of capital ships of the U.S. Navy will be in service one after another. In this way, they will have the capital to compete with the German Navy in the Atlantic Ocean.

However, although the other three fleets of the German Navy were not deployed in the Atlantic Ocean. But once something happens in the Atlantic Ocean, you can imagine it with your toes, and the German Navy will definitely deploy the fleet to return to the Atlantic Ocean as soon as possible. At that time, the U.S. Navy will not even think about occupying the slightest advantage.

Therefore, Admiral Henry Mayo believes that now is undoubtedly the best opportunity for them. As long as the Atlantic Fleet of the German Navy is eaten, the U.S. Navy will be able to narrow the gap with the German Navy. Even if a war is started because of this, and the Atlantic Ocean is lost for a short time, it is worth it. When the follow-up capital ships enter service, they are fully capable of slowly competing with Germany for control of the Atlantic Ocean.

It is a pity that General Henry Mayo sent several telegrams to the country, but he did not get a clear reply.

Less than 30 kilometers away from the US fleet, the main force of the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet is gathered here. On the flagship battleship "Bavaria", the fleet commander Lieutenant General Burdick and chief of staff Lieutenant General Schmidt are also complaining.

"The Americans will continue to stay here. If the country can agree to let the aircraft carrier fleet cooperate with us to launch an attack, that would be great! We will definitely be able to eat the Germans in one fell swoop!" Lieutenant General Burdick seemed a little urgent.

"If the aircraft carrier fleet really makes a move, those guys will probably eat up all the Americans. At that time, nothing will be left for us!" Lieutenant General Schmidt said with a smile.

Lieutenant General Burdick was taken aback for a moment, but still nodded. He believes that those guys in the aircraft carrier fleet can really do such a thing. They are also eager to engage in actual combat, rather than attacking the target ship stupidly.