Chapter 1037： target norfolk

The Norfolk Naval Base is the largest naval base in the United States. Especially in the United States, in order to strengthen its naval strength so that it can compete with Germany for sea dominance in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. Navy has further expanded the Norfolk Naval Base. It has become the home port of the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet. Almost all the capital ships of the US Navy were moored here.

It's just that there are no longer those large battleships on the pier of the Norfolk Naval Base. During the naval battle of the Yare Islands, all the capital ships of the US Navy were sunk. Even small and medium warships lost a lot. Therefore, the current Norfolk Naval Base looks very empty.

However, even so, the Norfolk Naval Base still has a very large attack value. In this naval base, there are docks, oil depots, ammunition depots, and other supporting facilities for life. In order to build this naval base, the US government has spent huge sums of money. If it is destroyed here, the Americans will have to invest a lot of money to rebuild this naval base again.

After all, it is easier to destroy than to build. At the same time, it costs much less.

After destroying Boston, New York, and Baltimore one after another, the German Navy's combined fleet focused on the Norfolk Naval Base.

In the Norfolk Naval Base, the base commander, Rear Admiral Pratt, is inspecting the defense of the base. A large number of air defense troops are stationed at the base. Baltimore was destroyed by the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft, which sounded the alarm for the United States. As the largest naval base in the United States, senior U.S. Navy officials believe that this place is also very likely to become the target of the Germans. Therefore, Secretary Daniels and Admiral William Benson specially seconded an air defense force from the Army to keep the base from being attacked by German carrier-based aircraft.

A series of anti-aircraft guns and a series of anti-aircraft machine guns are being deployed.

After a round of inspections, Admiral Pratt was very satisfied with the performance of these air defense troops. Although, he is not sure whether these air defense forces can withstand the attack of the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft. However, at least it can provide some guarantee for their safety. It would not be completely in a state of being beaten passively, without any power to fight back.

At this moment, in the Atlantic Ocean, the combined fleet of the German Navy is rapidly heading towards the Chesapeake Bay. The Americans thought that the German navy would repeat the old trick and use carrier-based aircraft to attack the Norfolk naval base. However, they did not expect that this time the main force of the United Fleet would appear in person.

Although, entering the Chesapeake Bay will put the combined fleet of the German Navy in danger. However, Admiral Hipper and others believe that if they can make a good deployment, they should be able to achieve their strategic goals. They have already carried out special deployments against the countermeasures that the US Navy may use.

On the battleship 'Caesar', Admiral Hipper is finally reviewing the battle plan this time.

"General Phils, you said that we forcibly entered the Chesapeake Bay and attacked the Norfolk naval base. Is this a bit too risky?" Admiral Hipper couldn't help asking.

"Your Excellency, you must take risks. However, I think the possibility of our success will be very high. And if we succeed, it will be of great benefit to us. In this case, we can naturally take a little risk. More What's more, we have already made various plans, and we should be able to face various crises." Lieutenant General Richter Fels said.

Admiral Hipper nodded: "After entering the Chesapeake Bay, our biggest threat comes from the small and medium-sized American warships and submarines. Therefore, these two aspects must be foolproof!"

As for the coastal defense artillery deployed by the U.S. Navy at the Norfolk Naval Base, it was not taken seriously by Admiral Hipper. Most of those coastal defense guns were deployed many years ago. They are old and have little power. For the capital ships of the German Navy's combined fleet, there is no threat at all. On the contrary, the main guns of the capital ships of the German Navy can easily destroy these coastal fortifications.

"How long are we from the Chesapeake Bay?" Admiral Hipper asked.

"Your Excellency, Commander, we are expected to arrive at the Chesapeake Bay in two hours."

"What about the aircraft carrier fleet?"

"The aircraft carrier fleet is fifty nautical miles behind us."

Admiral Hipper nodded. According to the plan, the German Navy Combined Fleet will be responsible for bombarding the Norfolk Naval Base with naval guns. The aircraft carrier fleet is responsible for subsequent attacks. Admiral Hipper believed that after the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft destroyed Baltimore's port and shipyard, the Americans would not fail to take precautions in this regard.

Therefore, it is inevitable to avoid greater damage to the carrier-based aircraft of the aircraft carrier. This time the capital ship of the fleet is the main force. The carrier-based aircraft of the aircraft carrier fleet are nothing more than auxiliary forces.

When the German Navy combined fleet was about forty nautical miles away from the Norfolk Naval Base, a U.S. Navy seaplane flew over the combined fleet.

The current U.S. Navy is no longer the same as it was before, and it has no defense at all. Seaplanes with simple structure, long range, and the ability to take off and land at sea have been widely used in the search for the German fleet.

"General, an American seaplane found us." Lieutenant General Richter Fels reported.

The expression on Admiral Hipper's face also became serious.

"It seems that this time our attack on the Norfolk Naval Base will not be too smooth. It is very likely that we will encounter stubborn resistance from the Americans." Admiral Hipper said.

"General, no matter whether the Americans are prepared or not, we can use our strength to crush their resistance." Lieutenant General Richter Fels is still full of confidence.

"Order the fleet and prepare for the lightning strikes of the Americans. Anti-submarine destroyers must not lose the chain this time." Admiral Hipper said.

He knows that this time the Americans will do their best to resist their attack. If the plan is abandoned, the loss of the fleet may be avoided. However, that would have a great impact on the morale of the fleet. For a long time, the German Navy has developed the habit of not having any tasks that cannot be completed. This is the pride of the German Navy.

At the same time, Admiral Hipper also believed that when the German navy has an absolute advantage in strength, the stubborn resistance of the Americans is nothing more than a desperate fight.