Chapter 1672: Night of the Slaughter (ask for a monthly ticket)
"Bastard, we can't go on like this. In less than half an hour, we lost two infantry divisions and one armored division. We can no longer send reinforcements to Newfoundland until the Air Force gains air supremacy." If that's the case, you're going to die." Minister of War David Magson cursed after learning of the loss of troops.
Air Force Minister Baron Cyril Neville's face suddenly became very ugly.
"The Royal Air Force has done its best. Our fighter planes are not as good as the Germans, and the quality of the pilots is not as good as the Germans. In order to protect the army from landing, we have lost hundreds of fighter jets!" Baron Cyril Neville looked angry . 𝗳𝘳𝒆𝘦𝑤𝐞𝚋𝗻𝚘𝘷𝘦𝙡.𝑐𝐨𝘮
The scale of the British Royal Air Force was originally small, with only a total of more than 2,000 aircraft. Among them, the number of fighter jets is only half, and the rest are search and reconnaissance planes, transport planes, bombers and so on.
Lost 10% of fighter planes and pilots in one air battle, which is already a serious blow to the Royal Air Force.
Lord of the Admiralty Pound Dudley Sir said nothing. With the disastrous defeat in the Atlantic naval battle, Sir Pound Dudley's right to speak has been compressed to a very low level.
Churchill frowned tightly.
"Your Excellency, Baron Neville, if the Air Force attacks with all its strength, is it possible to **** air supremacy from the Germans?" Prime Minister Churchill asked. 𝗳𝘳𝒆𝘦𝑤𝐞𝚋𝗻𝚘𝘷𝘦𝙡.𝑐𝐨𝘮
"Your Excellency, this is impossible. With our strength alone, it is impossible to defeat the Germans. The German fleet is gathering in Newfoundland. Soon, they will have more carrier-based aircraft Into the battle. Our fighter performance and pilot quality are seriously inferior to the Germans. Unless the Americans fully support us, otherwise, it is impossible for us to seize air supremacy." Baron Cyril Neville said.
Churchill knew that the longer the delay, the worse it would be for them. What is currently appearing in Newfoundland is only the home fleet of the German Navy. But soon, the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet will also arrive. At that time, Britain will be even more unfavorable.
"Is there any other way?" Prime Minister Churchill asked.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we may be able to use the night time to transport troops to Newfoundland. Moreover, the route of transporting troops is not only in the Cabot Strait, but also extends to the entire Gulf of St. Lawrence. In this case, our chances of success Much bigger," suggested Sir Bond Dudley.
Prime Minister Churchill thought about it and felt that this was a suggestion worth adopting.
"Gentlemen, what do you think?" Prime Minister Churchill asked.
David Magson and Baron Cyril Neville both nodded, and using the cover of night to send troops to Newfoundland seems to be the best choice.
"Well, the Army will find a way to send more troops to Newfoundland tonight. Tomorrow morning, launch a counterattack. The Air Force will attack with all its strength and compete with the Germans for air supremacy. And send out bombers to bomb the Germans. At that time , Let the U.S. Army Air Corps also come to support us. We must do our best to defeat the Germans in Newfoundland. Otherwise, we will be in big trouble." Prime Minister Churchill said.
"Yes, Your Excellency the Prime Minister." Everyone replied.
Although, they knew very well that Prime Minister Churchill was preparing them to do their best. But everyone knows very well that the situation is urgent now, so they can't help but try their best. Otherwise, the country might not even exist. These people hold great power, but their fate is tied to Britain. If even Britain ceased to exist, they would naturally have no power at all.
On the night of November 23, the British Army planned to send five additional infantry divisions and one armored division to Newfoundland in one go. This is already the largest force that the British Army can send to Newfoundland while ensuring that other defenses do not go wrong.
These troops, aboard merchant ships, under the protection of naval cruisers and destroyers, crossed the Gulf of St. Lawrence and headed for Newfoundland.
However, that night, when it was just dark, the artillery formation dispatched by the German Navy's home fleet entered the Cabot Strait under the cover of night.
Although, the Cabot Strait is no longer the main route for the British Army to Newfoundland. Because this route is relatively more dangerous. However, there is still an infantry division taking this route.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
When the sea search radar on the German naval artillery formation found the target, a night battle began.
The six heavy cruisers, 9 light cruisers and 16 destroyers of the German Navy's artillery formation used powerful firepower to attack the British Army's transport fleet.
Although, the escorting British Royal Navy fleet launched a heroic counterattack. However, they are outnumbered.
In addition, the cutting-edge warships of the Royal Navy have almost lost in naval battles. Most of the warships left now are second-rate warships. This made the British Navy easily defeated in this naval battle.
Warships were sunk one after another, and those merchant ships fled in a hurry. However, the speed of merchant ships was originally much worse than that of warships. This made them have nowhere to escape under the attack of the German Navy's artillery formation.
"Boom! Boom!"
A merchant ship was hit by several light cruiser 150mm artillery shells in succession. The entire merchant ship was riddled with holes and leaks everywhere. Soon, the merchant ship was severely damaged and sank into the sea.
The destroyers of the German Navy took the lead, entered the fleet, and used naval guns to attack these merchant ships.
Although, the destroyer's 105mm naval gun, and other smaller caliber artillery, are not very powerful. But for these merchant ships with little defense, they are still lethal.
Under the attack of these destroyers, the merchant ships conscripted by the British Army were sunk one after another. Countless officers and soldiers of the British Army sank into the sea together with the sunk merchant ship.
When the news of the German fleet breaking into the Gulf of St. Lawrence spread, the fleet of the British Army in the entire bay was even more fried. They desperately wanted to retreat, or to speed up to Newfoundland.
However, this night is destined to be the night of slaughter for the German Navy. The bombardment formation of the German Navy is killing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Countless merchant ships were sunk by them, and even the British Army inevitably suffered heavy losses.