2157 Southern Africa and the UK are not easy to get money
The last time the German Navy cruiser "Graf Spee" broke into the Atlantic Ocean, it caused huge trouble for the Royal Navy.
"Bismarck" is more powerful than "Graf Spee" and poses a greater threat to the Royal Navy. If "Bismarck" is allowed to escape, the Royal Navy will have to pay several times or even dozens of dollars compared to encircling and suppressing "Graf Spee".
You can get what you want by paying twice the price.
Now the "Bismarck" has sunk the "Hood".
How many more battleships will the Royal Navy have to sink before it can send the "Bismarck" to the bottom of the sea?
So John Tovey would never let the "Bismarck" enter a Spanish port.
Spain has not yet entered the war. As a neutral country, the "Bismarck" can stay in Spanish ports for no more than 24 hours.
However, considering the relationship between the Spaniards and the Germans, anything could happen, and John Tovey did not want to cause trouble.
The crux of the problem is that the battleship John Tovey "King George V" is still hundreds of kilometers away from the "Bismarck".
The "Victory", which could send torpedo planes to sink the "Bismarck", was unable to take off due to weather conditions, which made John Tovey very angry.
As early as two years ago, during the joint exercise between the British Home Fleet and the Southern African Atlantic Fleet, the Southern African Air Force had completed the takeoff and landing of carrier-based aircraft in severe weather conditions.
Even night takeoff and landing is not a problem for the Southern African Navy.
"Why can't the Royal Navy do what the soldiers of Southern Africa can do?" John Tovey was very angry, but no one could answer this question.
I can only say that each has its own strengths.
The Southern African Navy is good at aviation, and the Royal Navy is good at battleships.
If you let the battleships perform sea shooting, the Royal Navy can throw the Southern African Navy out of the Mediterranean Sea.
But when it comes to the use of naval aviation, the Southern African Navy can throw the Royal Navy out of the Pacific Ocean.
"The attitude of the southern Africans is obvious. They want to force the Spaniards to make a choice." John Tovey's chief of staff, Vice Admiral Defoe Walkley, did not want to take risks and might be held responsible.
After the "Hood" was sunk, the British government and the British War Department reviewed the battle process. Some people proposed that John Ridge, the captain of the "Prince of Wales", be held accountable because John Ridge was involved in the "Hood"
After the USS was sunk, it was decided to withdraw from the battle.
This is actually not John Rich's reason.
At the beginning of the battle, one of the main guns of the "Prince of Wales" could not rotate due to malfunction. Shortly after the battle broke out, two more guns malfunctioned.
While the "Bismarck" was damaged, the "Prince of Wales" was also hit by the "Bismarck". The No. 2 turret was seriously damaged. Only two artillery pieces were still operational at that time. If the battle continued, the "Prince of Wales" might not be able to do well.
Will follow in the footsteps of the Hood.
Winston and First Sea Lord Dudley Pound did not care about this. Since John Ridge ordered the "Prince of Wales" to withdraw from the battle, he must bear the responsibility.
John Tovey disapproved of the accusations made by Winston and Dudley Pounder, simply saying that John Leitch's orders were OK, and claimed that John Tovey would accompany John Leitch if he was tried.
Appear in court together.
"Then they are not afraid of self-defeating and forcing the Spaniards to the opposite side?" John Tovey did not approve of southern Africa's approach.
Although the Falangists performed poorly in the Spanish Civil War, Spain is, after all, an old European colonial country and its influence still exists, especially in South America.
In Europe, Spain is also one of the few countries that has not yet expressed its stance. Once Spain officially expresses its stance, it will have a huge impact on the current situation in Europe and the Mediterranean, and even the situation around the Atlantic Ocean.
If Spain chooses the Axis powers, then all Spanish ports can be used by the German Navy. The German Navy's supply range will extend 1,200 kilometers south from the French coast, and the Strait of Gibraltar will also be under great threat.
If Spain chooses the Allied forces, then the Allies can threaten Vichy France through Spain. The Normandy landings in another time and space, which are highly publicized by the Allies, may not happen at all in this time and space.
"Southern Africa has gathered heavy troops around the Mediterranean. The Third Army in French North Africa has nearly 200,000 men. If Spain joins the Axis powers, the Third Army can cross the Strait of Gibraltar at any time." Defoe Walkley smiled bitterly. If Spain joins,
The Axis Powers may be what southern Africa wants to see the most.
The Third Army was originally prepared for Italian North Africa.
However, due to the firm opposition of the British, the Third Army could only stay in Algiers for fishing every day, and went to Malta to see the excitement but was disliked by the Mediterranean theater.
An airborne division in southern Africa is stationed in Gibraltar. If Spain joins the Axis powers, the Third Army can launch an attack on the Spanish mainland at any time.
This is also something the UK does not want to see.
Britain also regards the Mediterranean as its core interest.
Now that Southern Africa has controlled Cyprus and the Twelve Islands, if Southern Africa extends its influence to the western Mediterranean, the interests of not only the United Kingdom, but France and Italy will also be seriously affected.
"Then let the southern Africans fight the Spanish. This will also reduce our pressure." John Tovey wished that southern Africa would go all out.
Locke and Winston's troubles were diverted to the north, which was also controversial in Britain.
Although the United Kingdom has retreated to the British Isles, southern Africa is far from exerting force. If southern Africa counterattacks the European continent, the war will end within two years.
This is still a more cautious estimate.
If southern Africa goes all out, then optimistically, the war will be over within a year.
If the disaster is diverted to the north, the casualties of the southern African army can indeed be greatly reduced, but the war will be delayed for several years before it can end.
Anyway, those who died were all southern Africans, so what does it have to do with Britain?
"So why should we stop the Southern Africans?" Defoe Walkley smiled, and John Tovey was speechless.
This is also what the British want to see.
When Defoe Walkley persuaded John Tovey, the "Bismarck" slowly sailed into the port of Vigo on the Atlantic coast of northwest Spain.
VIGO is located on the southern shore of Vigo Bay, opposite the Moranzo Peninsula. The mouth of the bay is blocked by the Chess Islands. It is a natural harbor and the largest fishing port in Spain and even Europe.
The Spanish government has not sent a reply to the Atlantic Fleet until now. According to international practice, the "Bismarck" can stay in the Port of Vigo for a maximum of 24 hours. The Port of Vigo cannot provide material assistance to the "Bismarck", let alone help with repairs, within 24 hours.
The "Bismarck" must leave port.
Patton was very happy to learn about this situation and ordered the "Madagascar" and "Basutoland" to park outside the port of Vigo. As soon as the "Bismarck" left the port, he would immediately sink the "Bismarck".
The response from the Spanish government was belated until then.
There was nothing new in the reply. While reaffirming Spain's neutral position, it stated that the "Bismarck" was severely damaged and could no longer leave the port of Vigo by its own capabilities.
The reply from the Atlantic Fleet and the Royal Navy was simple: Since the "Bismarck" cannot leave the port on its own power, then use tugboats to drag the "Bismarck" out.
Drag it out and let you sink it?
Even if Mustache didn't speak, Franco would not dare to do so.
"Bismarck" is definitely more important to the German Navy than "HMS Hood" is to the Royal Navy.
It was already late at night on the 2nd, and all parties were competing around the "Bismarck".
Southern Africa and the United Kingdom were resolute and demanded that Spain hand over "Bismarck" immediately, no matter how it was done.
The German government has a more resolute attitude, hoping that while the Spanish government will do everything possible to delay time, it also hopes that the Spanish government will do its best to help "Bismarck", including but not limited to providing necessary repairs and supplies.
The Spanish government was in a dilemma. Franco did not want to fall out with the allies, let alone offend the Germans. The "Bismarck" in the port was in urgent need of repairs. Dozens of Allied warships were watching outside the port. It was rumored that the Third Army stationed in Southern Africa and North Africa had already
Received an order to prepare reinforcements for the Strait of Gibraltar, which aroused Franco's strong indignation.
Southern Africa is sending more troops to Gibraltar. The goal is self-evident.
On the night of the 2nd, a British reconnaissance plane went to Vigo Port for reconnaissance and was illuminated by searchlights on the ground in Vigo Port.
The anti-aircraft machine guns on the "Bismarck" followed the guidance of the ground searchlights and damaged the reconnaissance aircraft. The British reconnaissance aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on the "Madagascar".
It may be because the aircraft was damaged and difficult to control, or it may be that the investigators' skills are not up to par.
In short, when the reconnaissance plane landed, although "Madagascar" turned on all searchlights and signal lights, the reconnaissance plane still lost control and crashed into the fleet of aircraft parked on the deck of "Madagascar", causing damage to two "Goshawk" carrier-based fighter jets.
Damage, one of which was seriously damaged.
This made Li Ao very helpless.
The carrier-based aircraft was not damaged by the Germans, but by friendly forces, or in such a weird way. Li Ao didn't know how to write a report.
But the nature of this matter is very serious.
Strictly speaking, this was the cooperation between the "Bismarck" and the Vigo Port Guards, which damaged the British reconnaissance plane. Therefore, John Tovey boarded the "Madagascar" overnight, hoping that the Atlantic Fleet and the Royal Navy would join forces, even if the Spanish
If the "Bismarck" is not handed over, the "Bismarck" will be sunk in the Spanish port.
"This is not appropriate." Li Ao was surprised. He was not used to the British way of dealing with things.
"What's inappropriate? Should we wait for the Spanish to repair the Bismarck, replenish the Bismarck with sufficient fuel and ammunition, and then sink the Bismarck at the expense of several battleships and a certain number of cruisers?
"John Tovey's standard colonial mentality, big fists make sense.
"The Spaniards did not repair the 'Bismarck', but only transferred the wounded on the 'Bismarck' to the shore. As for replenishing fuel and ammunition, I can guarantee that the 'Bismarck' will never return to Brest." Li Ao is confident that even if
"Bismarck" has returned to its peak condition, and "Madagascar" is also confident of sinking "Bismarck".
"Isn't your purpose to force the Spaniards to express their stance? This will be more effective." John Tovey did not beat around the bush, and the soldiers did not make too many twists and turns.
"But this will be self-defeating. Our goal is to let Spain join the camp of justice against evil without damaging the Spanish people's self-esteem." Li Ao said seriously.
John Tovey had a complicated expression.
Damn, I talk about justice versus evil, and I change sides at every turn. These are all my lines.
"24 hours, we only give the Spaniards 24 hours, which is enough for the Spaniards to make a decision." Li Ao smiled, no matter what the Spaniards did, they would plant a thorn in the side between the Spaniards and the Germans.
Repeated horizontal jumps also depend on whether you have the ability to repeat horizontal jumps.
Aid from southern Africa and the British Empire is not so easy to obtain.
In the early morning of the 3rd, the "Bismarck" was still docked in the Port of Vigo, without any sign of starting a fire or weighing anchor.
Li Ao was not in a hurry and also sent a reconnaissance plane to Vigo Port for reconnaissance.
It was already dark at this time, the Spanish troops in Vigo Port did not use searchlights, and the "Bismarck" did not fire on the reconnaissance aircraft in southern Africa. This difference in treatment was obvious.
I guess the Germans also wanted to drive a wedge between southern Africans and the British.
But there is no need for this. There is not much harmony between the Atlantic Fleet and the Royal Navy.
At ten o'clock in the morning, Admiral Gunther Lütjens, commander of the German High Seas Fleet, sent people out of the port to proactively contact the Allies.
Lütjens hoped that the Allies would allow the crew of the "Bismarck" to return to France in a peaceful manner, and that the "Bismarck" could be disarmed and sunk in the port of Vigo.
Sit down?
Return to France in a peaceful way?
dream!
Li Ao's reply was firm: all crew members of the "Bismarck" were required to surrender to the Allies unconditionally, and the "Bismarck" must be dismantled at a port controlled by the Allies in accordance with the Allied forces' requirements.
John Tovey's attitude was even more intense.
No warships in southern Africa were sunk by the Bismarck.
So "Bismarck" must die.
Even if it sank, it would have to be by the Royal Navy.
The negotiations were fruitless, and Lütjens then sent a message to Mustache saying that "Bismarck" would fight until the last moment.
Mustache then called Lütjens back: I hope "Bismarck" will show resolute courage and do his best.
The crew of the "Bismarck" really tried their best. Except for a few wounded who came ashore in Vigo Port for treatment, most of the 2,200 crew members returned to the warship.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, the "Bismarck", which was only seriously flooded and the hull was tilted severely, slowly sailed out of Vigo Port.
The Royal Navy didn't even have the patience to wait for the "Bismarck" to sail into the high seas.
As soon as the "Bismarck" left port, the battleships "King George V" and "Rodney" used their 16-inch and 14-inch main guns to fire at the "Bismarck" at close range.
Fifteen minutes later, the "Bismarck" sank, and only 116 of the nearly 2,000 crew members on the ship were rescued.
