The Germans' ravage of Washington lasted only four hours, but this efficient looting team had completed most of its tasks within these four hours. When Hindenburg compared the list in his hand, he checked to make sure that nothing was missing.
After that, the order to retreat was immediately issued. As the retreat signal flares rose, the German troops who were still lingering quickly withdrew from the unrecognizable city, then returned to the vehicle assembly area and boarded the truck, taking them with them of course.
The loot, the thousands of kidnapped scientists here are shocking.
Hindenburg immediately ordered the artillery to fire out all the remaining white phosphorus incendiary bombs, and then Washington, who was left in a sea of fire, began his return journey. To their north, thick smoke could also be seen rising in the sky, and there was also burning there.
In Baltimore, this city was originally razed by a fire later in history, but now their tragedy is ten years ahead of schedule.
Of course Hindenburg's return journey would not go smoothly. No matter how slow the Americans react, it would not be possible for them to drive back to New York in five hours smoothly. In fact, Arison had issued an order as president three hours ago, ordering Maryland to
All the National Guard members from the two states of Delaware and Delaware must be mobilized to destroy the German army that destroyed the U.S. capital. At the same time, the two U.S. divisions that had just arrived in New York and had not yet begun their counterattack were divided into two groups and blocked all the way.
The main force of the coalition forces living in New York headed south to participate in the siege of Hindenburg.
Just when Hindenburg led the German army to Baltimore and rendezvoused with his troops who had withdrawn from here, a large sea battle that determined the fate of the United States also began outside the Delaware Bay.
The Atlantic Fleet of the U.S. Navy versus the fleets of the German, Russian, Chinese, and Western Allied Forces.
Four battleships versus seven
One large cruiser versus twelve.
Although the comparison of military strength is still disappointing, the American troops who had just learned about the destruction of Washington and Baltimore were filled with anger. Almost everyone was full of hatred for these brutal invaders. As the saying goes, a sad army will win.
At least this is how Mahan comforted himself. Now he can only use this kind of hindsight military philosophy to anesthetize himself.
Otherwise, he really doesn't have the courage to fight, so what can the master do? When the master goes to the battlefield, his legs will become weak when facing an enemy that is more than twice his size. Compared with the last battle, the Atlantic Fleet has only added five medium-sized cruisers.
, and there were more than a dozen destroyers. Most of the warships that were supposed to join his fleet have now either fallen into the hands of the enemy or been blown up in the dock. That is a tragedy that makes people cry.
Filled with hatred, fifteen US battleships, including twelve medium-sized armored cruisers and protected cruisers, charged head-on towards the enemy on the opposite side. At the same time, more than thirty destroyers accelerated towards the distance. Their mission was not
Looking for an opportunity to attack the enemy's capital ship, when you think about it, you will know that it is impossible. This is just to draw away those deadly destroyers in the coalition and prevent them from interfering with the battle between the main fleets.
Mahan was not stupid. He knew that the two sides really had to fight head-on. He would only end up with his entire army annihilated, so his goal was very simple. He tried to take advantage of his familiarity with the hydrological conditions of the coast and drive close to the shallow water. This way, only the enemy was left.
An attack surface, avoiding the danger of being flanked by them using their numerical advantage, and then relying on the defensive performance of the warships to hold on until they enter New York Bay. Even if one ship enters, it is considered a victory, because then he can use this ship
Warships block the route on the Narrows Waterway, preventing the coalition's supplies from being sent directly to New York Harbor. Then, when the main force of the US military arrives from the south, they can use their numerical advantage to force these invaders out. Otherwise, they only need to have New York Harbor.
supplies, then the U.S. military can never hope to drive them out.
If by chance more warships enter New York Bay, then he will try to blockade the entrance to New York Bay and block this route again. In short, the Atlantic Fleet will not be prepared to go back when it comes out this time. This is
It was a battle of honor and dignity, so in addition to dividing the destroyer fleet against Cervera to deal with the US destroyers, he also divided the main fleet into two teams according to the differences in power systems. The Friedrich III led the diesel fleet south to block his retreat.
The approach was simply scoffed at.
The two fleets started the first round of fighting in a staggered manner. In order to prevent Mahan from turning and escaping into the nearby Delaware Bay before the confrontation, the main coalition fleet was divided into two teams. The steam engine fleet led by Admiral Kamara was alone.
As a group, the diesel fleet led by Cervera and Tirpitz was outside them, so that once the U.S. military turned around, it would move forward at high speed to block it. At the same time, the Kamala fleet continued to move forward into the most advantageous formation for a flanking attack. If Mahan
Instead of doing so, the diesel fleet turned around and used high speed to catch up and hold him down, and then the Kamala fleet completed its turn to catch up.
But in this case, the first round of fighting between the two sides will become the Kamala fleet versus the US military. Although this fleet is still powerful enough compared to the US military, Admiral Cervera really overestimated the protective capabilities of those Russian warships.
Because there is no high-performance armor, the protective performance of these early Russian-produced battleships is generally poor. Battleships can still rely on thickness to cover up this shortcoming, but cruisers cannot, even so-called armored cruisers.
In the first round of battle when the two sides passed by each other, the undead little strong New York, which had been destroyed twice and repaired twice, was shot and the main turret collapsed with one shot.
"These Russians!" Cervera, who was turning, looked at the smoke-filled Azua and shook his head speechlessly.
This scene actually made Tirpitz smile.
"Order the Kamala fleet not to close the distance anymore, and turn directly now. We don't need to fight so hard with the Americans. Since they want to go to New York Bay, we still have enough time." Cervera immediately ordered, and Ma
Even if Han arrived in New York Bay, he would not be able to enter. The mine belt outside is not fun. He doesn't know it yet. It will be too late when he gets there. Besides, there are still a group of warships staying there.
The Kamala fleet, which was continuing to approach, immediately turned around after receiving the order, including the Azuwa, which suffered a heavy loss. This armored cruiser with only fifteen centimeters of waterline armor simply withdrew from the formation because of a fire.
They went to find a place to put out the fire. The victory in the first battle boosted the morale of the Americans, and their cheers could be vaguely heard from a distance.
"Laugh, you won't be able to laugh anymore," Severa said with a sneer.
Indeed, it didn't take long for the Americans to stop laughing. At the same time that the Kamala fleet was turning, the Cervera fleet, which had completed its turn, had already swung diagonally towards the US fleet from the side. Twelve kilometers apart, the five Aspens
The Trias Princess-class fired simultaneously as if in a demonstration. Thirty-six powerful 240-penetration explosive bombs roared across the sky. One of them, fired from the Haihe, actually penetrated into the sky as if by divine help.
It hit the side of an American protected cruiser, and then a ball of fire exploded. Although it did not penetrate the dome armor inside, it still frightened the Americans so much that their cheers suddenly stopped.
In response, the 305 main guns on the USS Illinois, the most advanced battleship in the US military, also began to fire back. Unfortunately, as soon as its four main guns in the front and rear turrets fired a shell, the sea and fifth ships on the opposite side sprayed back instantly.
The sight of a pile of artillery shells makes Americans even more frustrated.
As the distance between the two sides narrowed, the USS Frederick III and USS Wilhelm II also joined the artillery battle. The two battleships aimed at the USS Illinois at the same time. Both sides were opponents on the same level. Eight-gun 280
The rapid-fire main gun versus the four 305 non-rapid-fire main guns, Germany's signature Krupp armor versus America's signature Harvey carburized steel plate, this was a very brutal killing.
While the three cutting-edge battleships were exchanging fire, the fifth ship of the Princess Astorias, which was originally just a casual provocation, also aimed its guns at the remaining three battleships of the US military, the USS Killshark, the USS Kentucky, and the USS Ala.
Bama number.
As usual, after the distance was shortened to ten kilometers, the five armored cruisers no longer approached, but always maintained this distance by virtue of their speed advantage. The main guns of the US military at such a distance could not penetrate the waterline armor of the five ships.
Although their main guns cannot penetrate the opponent's waterline armor, the damage caused by the explosive shells to other positions is still very serious. Once they are beaten into scraps with no combat effectiveness, it is not up to you. In this kind of situation,
Under the thought, the five battleships with thirty-six 240-speed rapid-firing main guns began to pour cannonballs at the three battleships frantically.
As for the New York and the remaining four St. Louis-class armored cruisers and eight protected cruisers, their opponents at this time are all Soryu-class armored cruisers. The number is ten, including four from China and six from Spain. Although the Americans have gained a numerical advantage
, but there is no advantage in terms of quality. The ten Soryu-class ships also extended the distance to ten kilometers. At this distance, their fifty-fold caliber 152 rapid-fire cannons can easily ravage the Americans, but the United States
It is even difficult for people to hit them with cannonballs. The 40-caliber 152 rapid-fire cannon imitating Armstrong can only hit ten kilometers at most. As for those old-fashioned protected cruisers, such a distance is just for fun.
Even a big guy like the New York is helpless against these guys.
As they began to fight each other on the battlefield ahead, the Kamala fleet that had completed its turn also began to accelerate to catch up. At this time, they no longer needed to form a formation, because the fastest speeds of these warships were not the same at all, so they all accelerated to the limit. Who would be first?