Iron Cross

The German fleet has disappeared from the Azores air defense circle for three days and 72 hours. No one knows where the German army is moving: the reinforcement fleet drawn back from the Brazilian waters sent out reconnaissance aircraft to search, and the escort aircraft carrier formation near Cape Verde sent out reconnaissance aircraft to search, but all found nothing. At the same time, the aircraft carrier fleet between Cape Verde and Bermuda, the Army Air Force on Bermuda, and the Army Air Force on the East Coast also sent out a large number of reconnaissance aircraft to search, but there was no discovery of any German army either.

Time passed by minute by minute. The staff officers speculated that if the German army planned to attack Bermuda, it would arrive at the early morning of November 28 (Washington time); if the German army planned to attack Cape Verde, it would arrive at night on the 27th (London time). Now the main force of the aircraft carrier formation is between Bermuda and Cape Verde. Before sunset today, a decision must be made on which direction to intercept. Otherwise, the fleet will not be able to catch up when Bermuda is attacked, or when Cape Verde is attacked. In other words, if the attack is wrong, the US military will definitely suffer in one direction.

Regarding the next action plan of the German fleet, Cunningham and Spruance had completely different judgments. The former believed that the German attack direction was Cape Verde: because the British and American fleets there were not strong after a series of setbacks, and the German army could completely win the battle; the latter believed that the German attack direction was the East Coast or Bermuda, because the "Voice of Europe" repeatedly broadcast, warning residents on the East Coast of North America to evacuate as soon as possible. Although the domestic public opinion in the United States tried hard to discredit and slander the "Voice of Europe", at the level of the fleet's top brass, which was really exposed to the war, they could easily know that the "Voice of Europe" basically told the truth.

Spruance did not simply rely on the illusory logic of the Germans "telling the truth" to judge the enemy's movements. His point of view was: if the Germans wanted to save Cape Verde, they could have come to rescue long ago, and there was no need to wait until the Cape Verde airport was destroyed, the air force was completely lost, and the army occupied the landing beach. Therefore, the German attack direction would be the East Coast or Bermuda. The last time the Germans threatened to attack the East Coast, it was simply because the 82nd Airborne Division and the Army Aviation fought bloody battles to defeat the German attempt. If the Germans could not do it again this time, their "deterrent prestige" in the United States would be greatly reduced.

Both of them received the support of some staff officers and it was difficult to convince each other, but the atmosphere between them was very harmonious and they did not quarrel with each other - to be honest, the two also had a deep reflection on each other's views.

Of course, they couldn't find Marshall's fleet now. The Axis Fleet was northeast of Bermuda, nearly 1,400 kilometers away from Bermuda and Newfoundland, and about 1,500 kilometers away from Cunningham's troops, which greatly exceeded the capabilities of the U.S. fleet's reconnaissance aircraft.

But what the U.S. couldn't do, the Germans might not be unable to do. At 7 a.m., according to Crank's arrangement, the Axis Fleet quickly sent 6 Ar352s and 12 Ar372s to conduct reconnaissance, and specifically instructed to go to Bermuda for reconnaissance. For the Ar-352 with an ultra-long range of 5,000 kilometers, this was not particularly difficult.

At 11 a.m., the atmosphere in the British and American aircraft carrier formations was tense and depressing. Reconnaissance aircraft returning from all directions reported that they had found nothing. At this moment, there were only 4 hours left for Cunningham to make a decision. He walked out of the command tower uneasily, refused the good intention of the orderly to push him in a wheelchair, and walked laboriously on the deck of the Unicorn with crutches and limped, leaving behind a group of bewildered staff.

Spruance stood silently in the distance, then turned around and told everyone: "Don't disturb the commander. Wait until he comes back from his walk. I will support whatever decision he makes."

Everyone nodded with a heavy face.

Half an hour later, Cunningham came back and said to Spruance calmly: "I have decided to support Cape Verde... I believe that both the East Coast and Bermuda are fully prepared. The Army Aviation, which is ready to fight, will help us repel the German fleet. If the judgment is wrong, when the support fleet from Brazil arrives, we can turn to support the East Coast again."

Spruance nodded: "Okay, before there is updated intelligence, I agree with your decision. If there is any mistake, I am willing to share the responsibility with you."

"No, you don't need it. This is my personal decision. If there is any mistake, I will take it alone." Cunningham said, "I am old and have broken a leg. It's time to go home and retire. The future belongs to you young people."

Spruance laughed out loud: "I am only 3 years younger than you, and Halsey is older than you..." The staff around him couldn't help but smile.

"Report... Bermuda called..." The telecommunications staff ran over at the speed of a 100-meter run.

The surrounding staff were in a commotion. Did the Germans attack?

Cunningham was very calm and waved his hand, "Read!"

"At about 12 o'clock this morning, two German reconnaissance planes sneaked into the air defense circle of the island. They were discovered and pursued by patrol planes... Unfortunately, the enemy planes fled too fast and could not be shot down. According to the pilot's judgment, it was the enemy's new carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft. Our army has sent heavy reconnaissance aircraft to search..."

"Good!" Everyone cheered. Although the position of the German army is still unclear, at least one thing is clear, the enemy has sent a fleet and reconnaissance aircraft to the east coast - the focus of the attack is not Cape Verde.

"You see, I'm old and my judgment is wrong."

"No." Spruance supported Cunningham, "I believe you will lead us to a crucial victory."

At 13:00 on November 26, the British and American fleets turned towards Bermuda, preparing to intercept the attacking German fleet. Ingersoll and Turner, who had no worries, completely let go and covered the third step of the Army's 5th Division. The corps went ashore and intensified its attack on the enemy in front of them.

The news also reached the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the same time, and everyone's tension was greatly relieved: more than 200 aircraft have been stationed on the island of Bermuda, and they are all the latest P51 and sea attack aircraft. The Army Airlines is closest to Bermuda on the east coast. More than 500 aircraft of various types were mobilized near North Carolina, and the aviation power was very sufficient. At the same time, Taylor led two regiments of the 82nd Airborne Division to fly to Bermuda and stepped up the construction of defenses. In addition to the airborne troops, there were 40 troops on the island. Multiple tanks and two battalions of howitzers. Marshall was worried that there would not be enough heavy weapons, so he sent enough anti-tank firepower for two battalions through transport planes. On the east coast, Ridgway led two regiments of the 101st Airborne Division and also made intense preparations. We plan to provide support if the battle becomes fierce.

All in all, the U.S. military was fully prepared to attack the German fleet. Whether it was land battles, air battles or naval battles, it mobilized considerable forces and planned to give the Axis a head-on attack. Marshall, Admiral King and Arnold jointly commanded, Planning to dedicate a long-lost victory to Roosevelt, who was hospitalized again due to deterioration of his condition, General King also sent a telegram to Turner, who was commanding the front line, asking him to seize Cape Verde as soon as possible and strive for a "double-gun" victory!

"Sir, the reconnaissance plane took a circle over Bermuda as you requested and had substantial contact with the enemy. However, it was very dangerous at the time. The reconnaissance plane failed to penetrate deeply into the sky above Bermuda and was hit by a patrolling US aircraft on the periphery. It took a hard chase to escape..."

Mashar nodded: "Very good, this will be very perfect and realistic."

"Now we just wait for the American reconnaissance plane to come to our door." Krank said with a smile, "I hope they will be quick and find us before dark."

Everyone laughed, and Ozawa ordered the anti-aircraft fighter jets to take off, while continuing to keep their course due west. He looked at the time and said: "There are still 5 hours until dark. If the enemy reacts quickly, I think they will We should be in contact with our army in 3 hours.”

At this time, Bermuda Continental Airlines had scrambled 24 SBDs and 12 reconnaissance planes modified from B-24s to carry out searches. As time passed, all parties reported that no enemy fleet was found - this is obviously the axis. At this time, the Heart Fleet was still more than 1,100 kilometers away from Bermuda, which exceeded the maximum range of the SBD. Naturally, it could only return in frustration. Although the B-24 had an outstanding range, its cruising speed was less than 300 kilometers. These 1,100 kilometers took a full 4 hours.

Not only the Army aviation officers on the island and Major General Taylor, the top commander of the garrison, were anxious, but even the giants of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington were restless. They sent telegrams almost every hour to inquire about the situation, but the news they received was still " No..." As for the reconnaissance planes taking off from the east coast, they also reported "No...".

Just when everyone was on pins and needles, the mighty Axis Fleet was finally caught by a B-24. After witnessing this long steel dragon, the excited pilots immediately climbed up - the sharp-eyed observers not only noticed the There was movement, and German fighter jets were seen coming from a distance.

Machar and others below naturally saw the US military plane. Looking at the time, it was already 16:43. It was basically impossible for the US military to launch another attack. Krank seriously explained through the radio to the pilots who went to intercept: "... ...Be careful when beating him, don't knock him down all at once, let him finish the report calmly..."

"The report found that the main force of the Axis Fleet is located 1,000 kilometers east-northeast of Bermuda. It has 5 regular aircraft carriers, 7 suspected battleships, 6-8 medium-sized warships, and more than 30 light warships of various types..."

"Thud, tug, tug!" Although the B-24 had raised its altitude to 7,000 meters above the sky, the German fighter jets still pounced on them relentlessly, and the rear seat gunners also fired back fiercely with 12.7mm machine gun fire. However, the Germans who came to intercept today The pilot was probably a novice. After fighting for a long time, the cannon shells passed by both sides of the B-24, but none of them hit the plane. In the end, the B-24 successfully escaped...