The 75mm cannons on the M3 and M4 were basically unable to hit those federal tanks with big iron pots on their heads. The few federal tanks that were bombed were hit at close range because their tracks were interrupted and they were unable to maneuver.
The rear part caught fire and exploded.
General Patton on the hillside was already preparing to retreat with the armored vehicles of the division headquarters. When three signal flares indicating retreat rose into the sky, the remaining rearguard units of the Second Armored Division began to drive back towards the original road. As for the US tanks on the front line,
They can only rely on themselves. Without the support of artillery, General Patton can no longer provide any help to the front.
Two hours later, the U.S. Second Armored Division regrouped its troops. As a result, out of more than 19,000 people, only more than 7,000 were left. More than 200 tanks escaped with less than 50. One 105th artillery battalion was completely wiped out, and a 155th artillery battalion was returned.
The artillery battery also disappeared. At this time, all the generals and staff at the division command post gave thumbs up to General Patton's wise decision. If the general had not issued an order in advance, it is estimated that these people would have to pay half more.
At this time, the results of the southern and southeastern fronts, and the tens of thousands of American and Canadian coalition forces on the northeastern front were the first to be defeated. This force neither had enough aircraft cover nor large-scale armored forces. It was a group of pure
The infantry and their artillery still used pack horses.
After they launched an attack on the Hope and Harrison Lake defense lines, it took Federal Air Force attack aircraft 2 hours to eliminate their long-range artillery. So under the attack of Federal reconnaissance aircraft and dozens of self-propelled artillery,
This U.S.-Canadian coalition force was quickly defeated without even launching a charge. They fled more than 30 kilometers and basically returned to their starting point of Merritt City.
One day, 300,000 troops were besieged on three sides. They only lasted less than a day, and only one of the three sieges was struggling to survive. That night, all the U.S. military generals who participated in the siege gathered in the town of North Bend on the outskirts of Seattle.
This is MacArthur's temporary headquarters and the general headquarters of this operation.
"Generals, let's talk about how we should fight this battle. Although the losses we suffered on the first day were a bit heavy, it doesn't matter. These losses will be made up for quickly. And there will be more. If we can use these sacrifices and
The loss is exchanged for something useful to us. Then the sacrifice is not in vain." Commander MacArthur held his pipe made of corncobs in his mouth, and with a short opening statement, the depressing atmosphere in the room was relieved a lot.
"There was no air support. My boys couldn't rush across the river. They didn't even see the enemy clearly and were blown down by their shells." General Bradley, who was frustrated in his attack, was very angry.
The 5th Army was almost constantly bombarded by federal aircraft and lost all its heavy equipment.
"Our aircraft cannot compete with federal aircraft. Their aircraft are fast, flexible, and strong. Many pilots reported that they had hit the enemy's aircraft, but the enemy aircraft did not even react and turned around and continued to attack.
Our planes shoot, and our planes basically only need to receive one of their shells to be damaged or damaged.
Shot down. What’s even weirder is that as soon as our planes approach the Skagit River, radio communication is no longer possible. They can only express themselves to each other with hand gestures and flying postures. I heard that this situation occurs in the Army.
Does it exist?" Lieutenant General Arnold, who is in charge of the U.S. Army Aviation in the Western Theater, expressed the difficulties of the Army Air Forces.
"We have encountered problems with the air force, but what I want to say is that we do not understand this opponent at all, just like the French do not understand the German army. We have to thank the Pacific Ocean for separating the two countries, otherwise
We are no better than the French." General Patton came over from the assembly point of his Second Armored Division. To say who suffered the most losses on the first day of the offensive, it was him. So what he said
with a strong tone of complaint.
"George, tell me about the situation on your side. We started a little late, but it's still too late for us to catch up now, right? Today is not the end of the world." MacArthur blew out a puff of smoke and corrected the excessive pessimism in Patton's words.
mood.
"My division has more than 200 tanks. I met 100 of their tanks at Baker Lake. They were obviously waiting for me somewhere. At first, I wondered why they didn't lay mines or find a place with complicated terrain to ambush my tanks.
Troops, but as soon as the war started, I understood that they did not intend to use sneak attacks to fight me, at least not this time." General Patton himself lit a cigar, took a puff and continued.
"Their tanks are slightly larger than our tanks, but they are not as tall or thin as our tanks. Instead, they are flat and wide. The main gun is over 85 mm. That tank is really outstanding. Not only does it have superior attack power, it also has a main gun of more than 85 mm.
Their defense is stronger, they can destroy our M3 and M4 from the front with one shot, and we can only choose to hit their tracks."
"This looks a bit like a German tank. I heard a British general who was visiting with Prime Minister Churchill say that German tanks are also flat and wide, making them very difficult to fight." Major General Lucas interjected from the side.
In one sentence, it partially confirmed what General Patton said.
"As far as I know, the German tank technology was also provided by the South China Sea Federation. On the European battlefield, the British once captured a German tank that fell into a mud pit. They said that the tank's engine was engraved with Chinese characters.
!But the excellent performance of tanks is only one aspect. The armored troops I saw today are of very high quality. They were able to take turns during the charge.
Stop-and-shoot shooting not only has good shooting accuracy, but also does not affect the progress of the overall formation. I have never seen a German armored unit. If it is like this federal armored unit, then our British counterparts and the Soviets can
There will be trouble." When he talked about his profession, General Patton's mood improved obviously, and he did not forget to make fun of the British and Soviet armies.
"Well, planes, tanks, troop quality, radio interference, are there any other problems? I will fly back to Washington tomorrow. I always have a list in my hand so that I can explain to General Marshall the reasons for the failure of this battle and let the future generations know.
Let him deal with these problems." General MacArthur re-pressed a small ball of tobacco into his pipe.
"Their radar is very advanced. Our aircraft are suddenly attacked every time. They always know where we come from, how many there are, and whether they are fighters or bombers. This makes our pilots very passive." General Arnold added.
a little.
"Well, I heard people from the Navy say this. According to their judgment, the federal military's radar detection range is at least 120 miles. Mitchell suffered this loss. Not only did he not attack Pearl Harbor, but he almost couldn't come back.
." Major General Lucas on the side was not commanding on the front line that day. He had no idea about the situation of the federal army. When he mentioned the U.S. Navy, he immediately remembered what one of his friends told him.
"So how should we deal with this situation tomorrow? Should we continue to invest aircraft and tanks to launch a larger-scale attack? Or should we first figure out a way to deal with those damn federal troops before launching an attack?" General MacArthur looked very calm at this time, but
His heart was even more irritable. He came out again and planned the first large-scale operation to achieve such a result. This cannot be said to be a failure, but a complete defeat. But for the generals under his command to bear a heavier burden.
, he had to pretend not to care and go to enlighten them.
"My personal suggestion is to suspend the attack. I feel that the other side has not used all its capabilities. As General Bradley said, their army has not even seen a human being. We have encountered a very skilled commander.
, most of his tactics are different from what we have learned, heard, and experienced in books, schools, and in World War I. Attacking hastily will only increase our casualties." This time it is.
General Patton spoke first. He did not feel it was a shame to praise the enemy.
"I agree that the number of our fighter jets is somewhat insufficient. On the other hand, our fighter pilots have also suffered heavy casualties. This time we not only have to ask General Marshall for planes and tanks, but also have to supplement more pilots. If the war continues like this, I'm afraid
We need to add a few more aviation schools." General Arnold agreed with Patton's opinion. (To be continued..)
