Reborn South Africa as a police officer

Chapter 2195 They Are Shameless
At five o'clock in the morning, the huge fleet arrived in the waters near Pachino, Sicily at the scheduled time.

Pachino is the southernmost port city in Italy. Most of the German Air Force and Italian Air Force air raids on Malta were launched from Pachino.

What made Mike Tolan angry was that when the fleet arrived in the waters near Pachino, not only fighter jets from the Atlantic Theater were watching in the air, but the Mediterranean Fleet also lined up a destroyer to watch the fun.

Mike Tolan gave the order to attack at 5:15.

Groups of "Goshawks" and "Sea Eagles" quickly took off and attacked Pachino Airport. Even the "Goshawks" carried two aerial bombs.

The big fleet traveled a long distance, and the Italians should have known the news, so while the naval aviation was operating, the naval guns of the Cyprus Squadron also bombarded Pachino.

Speaking of naval guns is a bit embarrassing. The Cyprus squadron has a powerful aircraft carrier, but it doesn't even have a battleship. The largest caliber naval guns are the 203mm main guns on the two heavy cruisers.

For a battleship with heavy armor, the 203mm main gun is just tickling.

For port buildings, the 203mm main gun is still very powerful.

The "Richmond" is equipped with three triple-mounted 203mm main guns.

The scene of the main gun salvo is still very spectacular. This is usually the most exciting moment, which makes people feel excited. This is why many people worship the battleship.

It should be said that the salvo of the Cyprus squadron was also spectacular. After all, dozens of warships opened fire at the same time, which is a rare scene in the Mediterranean theater.

On board the destroyer "Gavus Bay", Major Mike had mixed emotions.

The British are proud of their Royal Navy for good reason.

"Century Navy" is not entirely empty talk.

There is a set of very professional and complicated procedures for large fleet operations.

The artillery tactics of battleships are strictly regulated and standardized. Usually, each turret shoots alternately with a single barrel, which is corrected under the command of the artillery commander, until the near miss forms a straddle or hits, and then switches to rapid fire. If deviations begin to occur during this rapid shooting or salvo, go back to the turret and shoot alternately with a single tube until there is a near miss.

In the 1940s, long-distance shooting generally had a calibration aircraft to report the impact point. Each ship would have different colored paintballs to distinguish them. At the same time, the rangefinder on the ship would measure the distance. , to attack through the director.

After the appearance of optical measurement instruments, the flagship of the fleet generally test-fires a few rounds on the target or a prominent target (usually the flagship of the opponent) in the target area to measure the shooting parameters, and then compare the position, speed and course of the ship with the target. The leaders of the fleet notified the entire fleet, and then the commander of the fleet issued an order to fire.

Cyprus squadron operations are not so complicated.

In other words, from the professional perspective of Colonel Mike, the operations of the Cyprus Squadron are even a bit amateurish.

There were no test shots.

No paintball.

Not even a calibration plane.

The scene of thousands of guns firing is indeed spectacular, but without a unified command, it is like a reenactment of the Battle of the Somme.

In the face of dense machine gun positions, no amount of infantry involved in a group charge would just die.

"Wow, this is how the southern African navy fights?" On the bridge of the Gaforth Bay destroyer, General Dill, the foreign minister who had just arrived in the Mediterranean, was also surprised.

In view of the complicated situation in the Mediterranean region and the coordination and connection between the various theaters, Winston sent General Dill to the Mediterranean, which fully demonstrated the importance Winston attached to the Mediterranean.

General Dill was also from the navy and was no stranger to naval warfare.

Obviously, in the eyes of General Deal, the operations of the Cyprus Squadron are also a bit amateurish.

"That's why I want to say that there is definitely a reason why southern Africa focuses on aircraft carriers." Colonel Mike's words were full of contempt and ridicule.

Regardless of how much the British Empire needs southern Africa, there are still many people in the Royal Navy who don't like southern Africa.

There are so many reasons.

For example, southern Africa has "stolen" too many military bases from the Royal Navy over the years.

Another example is the vast number of aircraft carriers equipped by the Southern African Navy, which is too enviable.

Another example is the outstanding performance of the Southern African Navy in previous joint exercises, which is simply enviable!

With so many reasons combined, it is really hard to have a good impression.

"You're right. Southern Africans will never catch up with us in the traditional field, so they found another way." General Dill's expression gradually became serious.

Although the fleet's bombardment looked a bit messy, the effect was surprisingly good.

This is due to the excellent performance of the naval aviation of the Cyprus Squadron.

The strength of the Southern African Air Force is obvious to all.

Even the Royal Navy has to admit that in terms of air power, southern Africa is far ahead of the United Kingdom.

Just a week ago, the "Glorious" aircraft carrier, which had just entered service, was frantically attacked by the German Air Force while performing missions in the Mediterranean.

In just two hours, the "Glory" was hit by three air strikes, and at least six bombs hit the "Glory", killing 83 people and seriously injuring 60.

Thanks to the "Glory" drawing on the experience of southern Africa and installing an armored deck when it was built, the "Glory" was able to struggle to drive into Tunisia.

German planes followed, determined to sink the "Glory".

The Southern African Air Force stationed in Tunisia helped the "Glory" and shot down 19 German fighter planes in a fierce battle with the German Air Force, so that the "Glory" survived.

The naval aviation of the Cyprus Squadron performed equally well.

When the "Goshawk" and "Sea Eagle" attacked, they were already ready for air combat.

But for some unknown reason, the Germans and Italians were unprepared. When the faster "Goshawk" flew over Pachino, the German planes didn't even take off, and they were neatly lined up on both sides of the airport runway. .

The "Goshawks" will definitely not let go of such an opportunity.

Dive, drop bombs, and shoot a set of triple shots, most of the German aircraft were destroyed before they could take off.

The "Sea Eagle" that arrived immediately afterwards caused more serious damage to the airport.

In terms of bombing, the "Sea Eagle" is a professional.

Unlike the "Goshawk" which only carried two bombs, the pylons under the wings of the "Sea Eagle" are filled with 500 and [-] kg aerial bombs, and there is a [-] kg bomb in the belly position. Prepared for relatively solid ground targets.

For this air strike, the Cyprus squadron made preparations for as long as two months. The reconnaissance plane had already determined the location of the oil depot, so shortly after the air strike began, the oil depot at the airport was hit.

The flames caused by the violent explosion were [-] meters high. Afterwards, the glass within a radius of one kilometer was destroyed, and the houses were also damaged to varying degrees. There was a company of Italians stationed near the oil warehouse. All of this company died in the explosion. .

There were still sporadic German fighters struggling to take off, but unfortunately they were too few in number to deal with the overwhelming attacks and were shot down in just a few minutes.

The air raids were a complete success, with over 200 German and Italian aircraft destroyed and the Germans and Italians briefly losing their ability to attack Malta through Pachino.

This result was difficult for General Deal and Colonel Mike to accept.

The Cyprus squadron, which performed poorly, has such an excellent naval aviation force, which is simply a great mockery for the Royal Navy.

"We need to strengthen the strength of the aircraft carrier." General Dill, as the foreign secretary and chief of staff, has a certain right to speak.

"The aircraft carrier's own defense is too weak. Once it is approached by battleships, there is almost no possibility of escape." Colonel Mike contradicted himself. He was still praising the outstanding performance of the naval aviation just now.

"Then you have to have the opportunity to get close to the aircraft carrier." General Dill was a little depressed. There were too many conservative officers in the Royal Navy.

While Dill and Mike were discussing, the Cyprus squadron was already moving towards the next target.

The Grand Fleet finally dispatched once, and it couldn't just attack Pachino and end it hastily. It had to teach the Italians more lessons.

Italy is also an island country, and there are many targets that can be attacked along the Mediterranean coast.

According to Mike Tolan, the Cyprus Squadron will sweep all the Italian port cities along the Mediterranean Sea and completely wipe out the Italian Navy, so that the safety of Cyprus can be guaranteed.

Unfortunately, this goal cannot be achieved in a short time.

There are too many port cities along the coast of Italy. After the Cyprus squadron attacked Pachino, it continued to attack Avola, Kasibi, Syracuse, and Augusta all the way north. On the way back to Cyprus, there were hardly any threatening attacks along the way.

There are still attacks.

When attacking Kasibi, a patrol ship of the Italian Navy bravely attacked the fleet.

A patrol ship with a displacement of less than 20 tons may attack a large fleet with a total displacement of more than [-] ships and a displacement of more than [-] tons.

When the Cyprus Squadron attacked Pachino, the Saar Conference came to an end.

According to de Gaulle's meaning, the Allied forces should, like the Axis powers, divide their respective combat areas to lay the foundation for the distribution of benefits after the war.

This request was clearly ignored.

France has already surrendered, and the Free France has not yet accomplished an inch, and has no qualifications to make demands at all.

If according to de Gaulle's way, the Atlantic Ocean belongs to Britain, the Indian Ocean and Asia belong to southern Africa, and France can monopolize the Mediterranean.

Don't doubt, that's what de Gaulle planned. With the current strength of Free France, de Gaulle may really have a chance of success.

After all, the combat effectiveness shown so far by the Italian North African Legion is really not an opponent of the Free French Army who has received formal training in southern Africa.

But how is this possible? While France regards the Mediterranean as its core interests, Britain and southern Africa also regard the Mediterranean as their core interests, and they will definitely not let go.

The Indian Ocean is also something that Britain cannot give up. Winston proposed earlier that it should share the interests of the Indian Ocean with southern Africa, rather than de Gaulle's transfer of power to French Indochina.

Southern Africa has huge interests in the Mediterranean and even in the Atlantic.

What's more, the United States, which has not yet entered the war, is watching.

Therefore, De Gaulle's proposal has no possibility of implementation.

Given the actual situation of the Allied Forces, Roque proposed that the distribution of benefits for each country after the war should be determined based on the contributions made by each country in the World War.

The "countries" here only include the current allies and do not include countries that have not yet joined.

Winston agrees to Rock's proposal.

Roosevelt disagreed.

The United States has not officially entered the war yet.

"Countries that have not officially joined the war have no right to speak!"

The attitude is so tough, so clear-cut, and so sharp——

Not Rock, not Winston, not de Gaulle, but Australian Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies.

Australia has been a traditional ally in Southern Africa.

Nearly half of the population in Australia is Chinese.

Menzies was born in 1894. When World War I broke out, Menzies met the requirements to join the army, but he did not join the army because he had to finish his studies. This became the biggest stain on Menzies in the future.

Menzies was called to the bar in 1918 and began practicing in the High Court of Australia in 1920.

On September 9 of the same year, Menzies married Patti Leckie, whose father was a federal MP.

On April 1939, 4, Menzies was elected as the leader of the United Party, and then officially became the Prime Minister of Australia. After Britain declared war on Germany, Menzies became the wartime prime minister. Sis's main reason.

The reason why Menzies was so active was that during his participation in the Thrall Conference, someone in Australia was trying to force Menzies to resign. Menzies needed Rock's support to help him stabilize the situation in the country.

"Although the United States did not participate in the war, no one can deny the role of the United States in its allies." Roosevelt said with threats.

This means that if the allies cannot guarantee the interests of the United States, then the United States may consider joining the Axis powers.

In the four-nation meeting that Russia participated in, whether it was Germany, Italy, or Japan, there was a tacit understanding that the Americas and southern Africa were not involved.

Obviously, the Americas and southern Africa are reserved for the United States and southern Africa.

"Mr. President, to guarantee the interests of the United States, the United States must first make a statement, such as cutting off trade with Japan—" Rock has conditions, and the trade between the United States and Japan is the biggest thorn in Rock's heart.

"After Japan entered the war, the U.S. government has cut off trade with the Japanese government." Roosevelt boasted.

"So, all the trade activities between the United States and Japan are the commercial activities of American companies, and the US government has no right to interfere, right?" Roque blocked Roosevelt with words.

"Yes, that's it—" Roosevelt said with a frank face. Isn't southern Africa doing business with the Germans through the United States?

(End of this chapter)