MTL - Napoleon II Reborn-Chapter 549 The main battlefield
The Lesser Antilles, also known as the Caribbean Islands. Located at the junction of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, it is an extension of the northern branch of the Andes Mountains.
Guadeloupe is the northernmost island in the Lesser Antilles. Basse-Terre is an important seaport city in the south of Guadeloupe. On October 26, a huge fleet was docking here for resupply, adding coal and fresh water.
After the French Navy was driven out of the western Atlantic region, the entire Caribbean region has become the back garden of the US Navy. They have built countless military facilities on these large and small islands, and they have built supply bases in every good port so that the US Navy can be well replenished in these areas. [bsp;This huge fleet docked at Basseterre was assembled from the United States under the order of Davis, and is heading south quickly, preparing to support the US fleet in South America.
The flagship of the 3rd Fleet, the USS "Philadelphia", is currently undergoing intense supply operations together with other warships of the 3rd Fleet. In addition to the 'Philadelphia', the 3rd Fleet also owns the 'Boston', 'Chicago' and 'Baltimore'. On the bridge of the "Philadelphia", Aldridge, the commander of the 3rd Fleet, was anxiously watching the battleship receiving supplies.
"How long will it take to complete the resupply?" Aldrich asked. In the distance, the 4th, 8th, 10th and 12th Fleets are already waiting for the 3rd Fleet. The port of Basseterre is relatively small, so it can accommodate at most two fleets for replenishment. The 3rd Fleet came last.
"General, according to the current speed, it will take at most an hour before all the warships will be replenished." A staff officer reported to Aldrich. After leaving the Lesser Antilles, they will no longer receive any supplies, and they must prepare for a battle with the French fleet. Therefore, this is likely to be the last supply and must be fully prepared.
"Try to speed up!" Aldrich couldn't help urging even though the supply speed was already very fast. The battle in the south is raging. The strength of several southern fleets accounts for a third of the U.S. Navy. If they lose, the strength of the U.S. Navy will be greatly reduced. Judging from the information obtained so far, it is obvious that the French have set up a trap in South America, waiting for them to get into it.
"General, urgent call from the Admiralty!" Suddenly, an officer rushed into the bridge anxiously.
"What's going on? Are you so flustered?" Aldridge was rightly upset.
"General, an order from Lord Davis. We are asked to go south quickly and prepare to meet the combined fleet composed of the 6th, 5th, 9th and 11th fleets. In addition, the 7th fleet has suffered heavy damage and has completely lost its combat effectiveness." The officer immediately answer.
"What? How is this possible?" Aldrich was shocked. Didn't it mean that the French South Atlantic Fleet was besieged by the 6th Fleet and the 7th Fleet? Why did the 7th Fleet suffer heavy losses in a blink of an eye, and completely lost its combat effectiveness.
Aldridge snatched the telegram and read it carefully.
"Damn McCain, cunning Frenchman!" After reading the telegram, Aldrich cursed bitterly. "Notify General Tricker, General Abbott, General Archibald, and General Bartley to come to the 'Philadelphia' immediately and hold an emergency meeting." Aldrich ordered.
"Follow orders! General!" An officer sent a telegram immediately.
Soon, several fleet commanders appeared on the bridge of the 'Philadelphia'. Several people were a little surprised, not understanding what had happened to Aldridge in such a hurry to ask them to rush over.
Among them, Aldridge is an admiral, and the others are only vice admirals. Therefore, Aldrich was able to become the commander of this huge fleet.
"Just received a telegram from General Davis. Just this afternoon, the French South Atlantic Fleet launched an attack on the 7th Fleet. Up to now, the battle is over. The 7th Fleet has suffered heavy losses and has lost its combat effectiveness. The loss of the Atlantic Fleet is slight. At present, the combined fleet composed of the 6th Fleet, 5th, 9th, and 11th Fleet has begun to return. We need to go south quickly to meet them. It is foreseeable that the French must have sent a fleet to hide in the We're on our way down south. So, everyone has to be vigilant," Aldridge said.
Everyone was very surprised, although there were some doubts. But the battle situation has developed into this way, and they have to try their best to make up for it.
"If there is no problem, the fleet will set off in half an hour. The 12th Fleet is in front, and the 4th Fleet is behind. The 3rd, 8th, and 10th Fleets are in the center, and more reconnaissance ships will be dispatched to prevent being ambushed by the French." Derich said.
Several fleet commanders quickly returned to their respective fleets and began to make preparations before sailing.
Half an hour later, the supply work of the 3rd Fleet was finally completed, and the huge fleet composed of five fleets began to drive southward quickly. Similarly, a large number of 'Franklin' class destroyers were dispatched and spread out far away to investigate for any abnormalities.
About 2,000 kilometers south of Guadeloupe and 1,000 kilometers east of Trinidad, there is also a huge fleet moored on the sea. It can be seen from the painting and flag of the warship that they are the Atlantic Fleet of the French Navy. According to the order of the French Ministry of the Navy, they are lurking in this sea area at the moment, waiting for the US fleet to go south. In order to prevent the US southward fleet from slipping away, more than 50 "Bayonet" and "Dolphin" class destroyers were all dispatched and sprinkled across the entire sea area.
In addition, two hundred kilometers southeast of the French Atlantic Fleet, another fleet of the French Navy, the Mediterranean Fleet, also stays here. Originally, their task was to go south to attack the combined fleet of the United States, but due to the outstanding performance of the South Atlantic Fleet, they were liberated and could be engaged in the battle against the southward movement of the United States, increasing the chance of winning.
On the bridge of the French Atlantic Fleet flagship "Azores", dim lights are shining. Admiral Kirkbride was watching the telegram from the Admiralty by the dim light. He was very happy when he learned that the South Atlantic Fleet had defeated the U.S. 7th Fleet and completely disabled it. This means that the Mediterranean Fleet can join the battle against the US mainland fleet going south.
Originally, with the strength of the Atlantic Fleet, it was very difficult to stop the southward fleet consisting of 5 fleets. As far as capital ships are concerned, the Americans have a total of 20 ships, while the Atlantic Fleet only has 6 ships, and 3 of them are "Tiger Shark" class warships that have not been fought. After joining the Mediterranean Fleet, the number of capital ships can be increased to 10. Coupled with other warships and ferocious torpedo attacks, Kirkbride is confident that he will fight the US fleet.
According to the distance and direction of the two sides, as well as the speed of the ship. The two sides will meet on the morning of the 28th. This sea area will also become a decisive battle between the navies of the two countries. The fierce naval battle that broke out in South America will not be comparable to the upcoming decisive battle, no matter in terms of scale or intensity. Both the United States and France have invested more than half of their naval power here.
On the afternoon of the 27th, the US Continental South Fleet had arrived in the area south of St. Lucia and north of Barbados. At this time, the care of the United States United Fleet and the French Channel Fleet was also passed on to the "Philadelphia".
Aldrich's face was stern. He knew that the next battle would determine the fate of the navies of both sides and who would become the master of the Atlantic Ocean. After learning that Davis dispatched the 1st and 2nd Fleets to go south, Aldrich was relieved. The addition of these two fleets made the US fleet even stronger. Moreover, there are two Canadian fleets that are also heading south quickly. Even if they can't beat the French navy, it is still possible to retreat safely.
However, the situation of the United Fleet is a bit dangerous. Especially after Harold sent a telegram announcing that the French South Atlantic Fleet had also arrived on the battlefield, the situation of the United Fleet became even more dangerous. They would face a siege from two American fleets. Similarly, the capital ship advantage possessed by the U.S. Combined Fleet will also disappear. After the French Channel Fleet and the South Atlantic Fleet are united, they can easily suppress them, and then those swift destroyers like wolves will use their torpedoes to tear up all the capital ships of the combined fleet. At this time, Harold's fleet can only be counted on to continue to go north, and support it until the mainland's southward fleet arrives.
Almost at the same time ~www.novelbuddy.com~ Kirkbride also got the news. He knew that in order to save the United States Fleet, several fleets heading south from the mainland of the United States would speed up their journey southward. They will have a fierce collision tomorrow.
The sea breeze in the Caribbean Sea is very gentle. Kirkbride walked out of the bridge, faced the sea breeze, and looked at the place where the sea and the sky meet in the south, where a tragic battle was taking place. Tomorrow, there will also be a big battle here, which will be more intense than the one in the south.
France has been preparing for this for too long. In this battle, France must win.
And Kirkbride and his fleet were the warriors who won this victory for France. In the distance, the sailors were wiping the naval guns. The thick barrel of the 305mm naval gun looks so mighty and majestic.
When the "Tiger Shark" and "Giant Whale" class warships were most roughly finalized, the largest caliber naval gun was 240mm. But after France developed the 305mm naval gun, it was quickly replaced with this more powerful naval gun. Although the United States has also imitated naval guns of the same caliber. But regardless of the power or range of naval guns, American technology cannot be compared with France.
Victory will eventually belong to France. Everything will be revealed tomorrow.
