"General, do you want to break the radio silence at this time? In that case, our position will be exposed. At that time, the Americans will dispatch a large number of carrier-based planes to attack us." Lieutenant General George Friedberg concerns.
"I know! But, even if we don't break the radio silence, after discovering our carrier-based aircraft, the Americans will take off their carrier-based aircraft to search in this direction. At that time, our position will definitely be discovered. That is only a matter of time. Rather than that, it is better to notify the local fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet now and let them participate in the attack. In this way, we can further strengthen our attack force and severely damage the American aircraft carrier formation in one fell swoop." Admiral Rolf Karls said.
The reason why he made such a choice was also after careful consideration.
"General, this is really too risky. If we don't break the radio silence. After taking off the carrier-based aircraft, then turn around. Even if the Americans want to find our position, it is not easy. And once the radio silence is broken, the United States People will immediately find our position and attack." Lieutenant General George Friedberg said.
"I know, but I have enough confidence in our air defense fighters and fleet air defense firepower. Besides, with the hundreds of carrier-based aircraft we took off, it is undoubtedly very difficult to severely damage the American aircraft carrier formation Not to mention sinking all their aircraft carriers. Only when all the carrier-based aircraft of the three major fleets launch an attack, can it be successful!" Admiral Rolf Karls said.
Although, such a plan is a bit risky. However, if successful, it can also bring them great success.
"Okay, general. But I suggest that let the Azores take off a group of fighter jets to provide us with air defense protection." Lieutenant General George Friedberg suggested.
Although the size of the Atlantic Fleet's air defense fighters is not small, if the spare fighters are included, the total number will exceed 120. However, the strength of the American aircraft carrier is not weak. If they can get the support of shore-based fighter jets in the Azores, their air defense protection will be even stronger. The US Navy's carrier-based aircraft, if they want to pose a threat to them, are also smaller.
Admiral Rolf Karls nodded and accepted the suggestion.
Subsequently, the Atlantic Fleet broke the radio silence and sent telegrams to the Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet, requesting them to dispatch carrier-based aircraft to participate in this attack.
It's just that Admiral Rolf Karls didn't expect that half an hour ago, the position of the aircraft carrier formation of the home fleet had been exposed.
In order to win this war, the U.S. Navy has also made a lot of preparations. One of them is to send a large number of submarines into the eastern Atlantic Ocean to monitor the movements of the German navy before entering the war. Especially the waters near the Azores Islands are the top priority of their surveillance.
Before the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet took off the carrier-based aircraft, a U.S. Navy submarine accidentally discovered the carrier formation of the German Navy's home fleet. They have been ambushing in this sea area, and they did not expect that the German Navy's aircraft carrier formation would pass in front of them.
The captain of this American submarine gave the order to send a telegram to the flagship without saying a word. Although, they knew that doing so would expose them to the siege of German Navy destroyers. However, in order for their own navy to win, these U.S. Navy submariners still chose to expose themselves.
When the radio signal came out, it immediately attracted the attention of the aircraft carrier formation of the German Navy's home fleet. Soon, more than a dozen destroyers rushed towards this sea area aggressively. After sending the telegram, the U.S. Navy submarine immediately sank urgently, trying to escape. However, it is still too late.
The destroyer of the German Navy rushed up and fired depth charges.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Depth charges one after another exploded in the sea, making a dull sound. The huge power stirred the surrounding sea water. The submarine of the U.S. Navy could not escape the attack of these depth charges.
Soon, **** of oil, and broken boards and the like floated to the surface of the sea. All this proves that the underwater submarine has been destroyed.
However, Marshal Lütjens, the commander of the local fleet, didn't have a smile on his face. Because he knew that the telegram had already been sent before the American submarine was sunk. Their location has been exposed. Next, they may have to prepare to resist the attack of the US Navy's carrier-based aircraft.
"Your Excellency, Marshal, should we turn around and leave this sea area." Lieutenant General Karl Witzel suggested.
"It's too late. The American carrier-based aircraft may have already started to take off. Soon, they will arrive in this sea area. Even if we turn around, we can't escape." Marshal Lütjens shook his head.
"Command the fleet, prepare for air defense!" Marshal Lütjens ordered.
"Yes, Your Excellency the Marshal!" Lieutenant General Carl Witzel nodded.
"Your Excellency Marshal, the Atlantic Fleet has sent a telegram. They have discovered the location of the American aircraft carrier formation. They have launched all carrier-based aircraft to launch an attack. They request that we also dispatch carrier-based aircraft to destroy the American aircraft carrier formation in one fell swoop." The staff officer reported.
Marshal Lütjens' face changed immediately: "This is an opportunity for us. Immediately order the carrier-based aircraft to take off. Except for the air defense fighters, the rest of the fighters will take off!"
For the local fleet, they may not be long before they will be attacked by American carrier-based aircraft. If one's own carrier-based aircraft continues to stay on the aircraft carrier, it will be useless at all. Rather than this, it is better to take off to attack the US Navy's aircraft carrier formation.
"Yes, Your Excellency the Marshal." Lieutenant General Carl Witzel replied.
Immediately, the four "Lord-class" aircraft carriers and four "Constellation-class" aircraft carriers of the German Navy's home fleet began to take off carrier-based aircraft. Like the Atlantic Fleet, they will also launch two batches of carrier-based aircraft, each batch includes 96 fighters, 144 dive bombers and 120 torpedo attack aircraft. Except for some air defense fighters left behind, all the rest of the carrier-based aircraft took off.
The Mediterranean Fleet of the German Navy also received a telegram from the Atlantic Fleet, and the commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, Admiral Hermann Boehm, also issued an order for the carrier-based aircraft to take off. However, the four "Deutschland-class" aircraft carriers equipped by the Mediterranean Fleet have limited carrier-based aircraft. Take off all the carrier-based aircraft and divide them into two batches. Each batch has only 48 fighter jets, 56 dive bombers and 56 torpedo attack aircraft.