The second explosion on the surface of the sea came so suddenly. It was a surprise at all. Although there is no definite reason for this for a while. However, the same situation occurred twice in a region not far apart. The "accidental explosion theory" has been greatly weakened.

This time. The explosion is still outside the protective net of the "Tirpitz". At the risk of being attacked by lurking. A relatively close German ** boat drove over before *** completely disappeared from the sea. And this adventure also gave them some very valuable information: in addition to the fact that it was a medium-sized submarine that could be seen to explode. They also recovered several bodies. According to its shape, clothing and carry-on items. It is basically possible to confirm their identity as the Soviet Navy!

A series of explosions. In just two minutes, a costly and aggressive Soviet submarine was completely destroyed. On the "Tirpitz" a little farther away. The officers were still puzzled by the scene in front of them: which play was being sung?

In Li Ming's impression. Cases of submarines sinking submarines were not uncommon during the interwar period, and a total of 18 submarines were sunk by French submarines. German submarines sank British and French submarines10; And in the period between this war in which he was and the end of 1941. The German submarine forces had seven proven examples of sinking enemy submarines. But. In the case that the sonar and ** data calculations are not enough. In the cases of these submarines sinking submarines, the sunken boats were all in a surface state. Moreover, 96% were destroyed by the opponent's submarine with **, and only 4% belonged to deck guns and deck guns in surface duels.

In this far north. The constant storm had prevented the air movement. Zhang Hainuo prefers to believe that the two previous wrecked submarines belonged to the Russian Navy. And the elegant underwater hunter. It was commanded by a German ace captain.

Of course. Before the facts really surfaced, everything was just Zhang Hainuo's personal speculation. Midnight 12, approaching. The German Sea Command finally telegraphed. All the officers and men of the "Tirpitz" received a special commendation from Marshal Raeder for their composure and bravery in the previous battle. And the Navy will also go all out to rescue the trapped battleship. As for the operational proposal put forward by Field Marshal von Fenkenstein. The Navy Command's approval, after study and discussion, is now awaiting approval from the Supreme High Command.

For officers and soldiers in distress. This secret message from the Admiralty brought more spiritual encouragement. They didn't know what their commanders were proposing to fight. I don't know how much impact this will have on this battleship and even the entire northern war situation. The cold sea breeze blew all night long. There are more and more ice floes on the surface of the sea. Fortunately, there is a role of the North Atlantic Current. The sea doesn't freeze completely. But. The crews took turns shoveling snow and ice from the deck - before the battleship regained its ability to sail. As soon as hostile ships appeared. It can be used for self-protection. That's all there is to it, these frozen and cold guns!

In order to restore the "Tirtz" to the rear as much as possible. The ship's damage management personnel were not idle. After four plugging leaks with little initial success. They decided to prioritize each and solve the problem one by one. The No. 1 damaged port located in the bow of the battleship became the target of the officers and men's struggle. Divers who don't care about the cold of the sea continue to work. First of all, through the most primitive plugging method - wood plugging method. That is, the wood is used to plug the breach from the inside out. Several units were then pumped from the seawater-filled chambers. Wait until the sea is drained. Then use the way of connecting steel to plug the breach. As for a complete overhaul. It must be done in a dry dock or floating dock.

Just two hours after the call from the Navy Command, Ringer came to Zhang Hainuo's cabin very excitedly and reported:

"Good news marshal: The breach in cabin No. 4 has been opened. At this pace, we can get the most basic sailing ability in 0 hours. After completing the plugging work. As long as it is not affected by the impact of close misses. There should be no problem returning to Germany! ”

Listen to the news. Zhang Hainuo sitting on the sand reading a book covered with a blanket. The face was surprisingly calm. He looked up at Ringer. Among the captains he has worked with. He must be a rather conscientious and intelligent one.

0 hours? Oh. I'd like to spend a little more time here! ”

Listened to this. The excitement on Ringer's face diminished. He thought about it. Somewhat self-contradictory, he said, "Oh. Maybe...... It's time for me to think about the rotation of damage management personnel. But...... What if the Soviets counterattacked? We now have only 45 percent of the standard ammunition reserves. And most of them are ready to be used against enemy ships! ”

Li Ming put down the book in his hand. "The Soviets will never give up Murmansk easily. But it doesn't matter whether they will urgently withdraw troops from the front line or from the side. Our actions will bring positive factors to the entire Russian war situation.

I believe. Admiral Dieter's army of the mountain is now advancing towards the Murmansk attack as planned. As long as they can hold off a few Soviet infantry divisions transferred from Murmansk. The likelihood of our 6th unit being driven back to the beachhead will be greatly reduced! Look at the situation in front of you from the height of the battle. We should probably not think only about how to get the Tirpitz back to Germany safely. northern

It should not be folded. We still have a chance to win this anticipation"

"You mean...... Even if the Tirpitz is repaired. We may also continue to stay here! The expression on Ringer's face was incredulous. Doesn't seem to understand what the boss is thinking.

Li Ming continued to say calmly: "Tell me." General Ringer. Do you loathe the British and their fleet? ”

Ringer didn't reply much: It's not just disgust. My childhood dream. It's to defeat them with your own hands one day! ”

Li Ming made a "please" gesture. He motioned for Ringer to sit down in the chair across from him.

In fact, any German who dreams of sea power is eager to defeat the British navy. But they've always been far stronger than us! Do you know why we were able to inflict heavy losses on the superior British fleet in two naval battles of the Atlantic? ”

Ge thought about it for a while, but finally shook his head humbly.

Li Ming's answer was only one word: "War!" ”

"Under the established strategy. Reasonable tactical arrangements are the key factors in determining a naval battle! Two previous naval battles. We have the incentives to let the British fleet fall into the trap. Possess the determination to fight to the death. Of course. Add to that the luck factor and we win! Zhang Hainuo was talking about this. He does not hide his heroism. But next. He changed his words:

"Yet. As the U.S. government's support for Britain continues to increase. And the situation in the Atlantic, where Germany is mainly focused on the eastern front, has changed greatly from the summer! According to our intelligence. Items that have arrived in the UK from the Americas and Asia in the last three months. There was a big increase in May. The formation of the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the Atlantic attack. There is a lot of pressure because of the American escort ships. Even our submarine forces. Recent losses are also increasing! ”

Slightly ** headed. As the commander of the capital ship of the German Navy. He also had access to this information.

Li Ming continued: "The national navy has reassembled a powerful fleet on the mainland. For months. They have been eyeing our fleet deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, and bombers of the British Air Force have also carried out successive air strikes at Brest and Saint-Nazaire. All of this they do. All of them hope to regain the strategic initiative at sea. Let the suspense of this war continue! History has proven it. Blindly sitting and waiting will only cause us to be passive everywhere, and we cannot escape it. A decisive battle at sea may be the best solution! ”

"You mean...... A decisive battle between the North Fleet and the British Fleet? Ringer just said this. I immediately felt that something was wrong. Bismarck-class battleships are certainly powerful. But the course of the Battle of the European Sea has already taught people that there are invincible warships in this world. If it weren't for the mistakes of the British fleet commander in his tactical choices and some lucky factors. The "Bismarck" may have been lying on the bottom of the sea full of silt, accompanied by fish and shrimp.

A normal "Tirpitz" was not enough to confront a number of British battleships. Not to mention the fact that after eating 5** and the mobility has been sharply reduced, the ammunition is not sufficient.

Li Ming put his hands together and rubbed them. to warm them up in this cold environment, and then said, "I talk about the decisive battle, but it is not the battleship to battleship cannon to cannon as we usually understand it!" The Tirpitz in its current state was not suitable for high-intensity artillery combat. But it's an ideal natural bait! ”

"Natural bait?" Ge looked at Zhang Hainuo for a long time. He asked in surprise: "Could it be that the Strassels, Admiral Hipper and Admiral Scheer are used to form an ambush circle?" Or do you want to make the most of the destroyer's ability to raid at night? ”

"That's what I thought at first!" Zhang Hainuo said unhurriedly. "We can ambush ** boats in hidden locations in the bay. Wait until the British fleet is close to Motowsky Bay to make a surprise attack. But. As long as there is a little bit of a naval battle. will be wary of this shape. And our opponents, apparently, are of very high quality in naval warfare! As for the Strassier. Until the blizzard stops, we probably won't be able to count on it! ”

"So......" Ringer continued with a confused expression.

Li Ming searched the depths of his mind. Said very meaningfully: "There is a saying in the East. It's called "Winning in Danger"! Sometimes. An unconventional thinking can be an unexpected gain. In fact...... Checkmate. Do you think the submarine is enough to be the protagonist of a decisive battle at sea? ”

This question made Ringer take the test for a while. Since the outbreak of war. The German submarine forces had already sunk a number of British boats. The most famous of these are the battlecruiser "Prestige" and two large aircraft carriers - "Royal Fang" "Glory". To a certain extent, these brilliant results have affected the balance of the two countries' struggle for sea power. As a result, no one doubts the threat that submarines can pose to capital ships. However, the submarine is a weapon like the ancient assassins. One could send multiple Assassins for a single target. But he never let hordes of Assassins line up into battle. The same principle seems to apply to submarine warfare.

So when Rommel gave the order to continue eastward, the expeditionary corps complied with Rommel's order, despite all reluctance. Put on your freshly taken battle suit, launch your freshly cooled tank, and prepare to chase the British all the way east.

At this moment, a plane landed on the front line in Tubruk. It was a strange plane with two huge sets of propellers on its back. The propeller rumbled, driving the plane straight up and down in front of the Afrika Army's armored cluster. The large cross on the plane proves that it is a German aircraft.

The third is the next step for the Afrika Korps. Manshuai wanted to exchange views with Rommel. Man Shuai knew that Rommel was bent on drinking the Manile and was in a hurry to attack. But there are a lot of new changes that Rommel has to know. He will learn to think strategically. Only in this way can Rommel progress.

The boss duly organized the Afrika Korps armoured cluster that was about to attack. Together with Rommel came to his command car. Very impatient, extremely reluctant, Rommel obviously did not want anyone to interrupt his attack at this time! His complexion was ugly!

When Man Shuai saw Rommel's appearance, he naturally knew what the reason was. But he deliberately did not say anything, but threw out a question for Rommel to answer.

"Marshal Erwin, I have come this time on behalf of the Führer, and he told me that it is important to prevent you from launching a new attack, do you know why?" Manstein was seducing him.

Although Rommel had repeatedly disobeyed Berlin's orders. But this time, in the face of the man Shuai he admired, he still forbears it and chooses to obey the order. Although in his heart he was angry! Hearing Manstein ask, the anger he had managed to suppress suddenly burned!

"I don't want to know why you're organizing my offense, but I know that if I miss another 10 minutes, I'll miss out on a big win!" Rommel was not dead set and wanted to continue his fight.

Seeing that Rommel was really stubborn, Manshuai was not angry at all. He restored the wise Manstein, and he said: "Well, since we have a disagreement with each other, let's settle it first!" I order you, in my capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Field Marshal Rommel, Commander-in-Chief of the Afrika Korps. Immediately give the order for your troops to cancel the pursuit, set up their defenses, and prepare to rest! ”

Man Shuai spoke unhurriedly, but was full of confidence that could not be disobeyed.

Seeing this, Rommel had no choice but to obey the order. Although his unwillingness is written all over his face!

When the African armored group, two paratrooper units, the 90 lightly armed division, the Italian African Army, all the German and Italian units got the news, the cheers almost boiled over the Mediterranean!

They need a break so badly! Rommel led them from victory to victory, driving the British non-stop, knowing how to conquer Tubruk. Everyone's psychology is satisfied, and everyone feels that they can take a good rest. But what they were waiting for was the order to go on the offensive! Even so, they did not complain, because the order came from their great commander, Rommel. But since the plane arrived, there has been a 180-degree turnaround. Their long-awaited order to recuperate has finally been given! So everyone was partying. The British, who were moving away, were already moving away, and they might be preparing to organize a defense in the treacherous terrain of El Alamein.

After Manshuai forcibly twisted Rommel's order, he began to explain step by step.

"This time I came to Africa, and the head of state gave me a special instruction. We must maintain the current strength of the African Army and strive to turn it into a winning force in the future. In order to increase the combat effectiveness of the Afrika Korps, the Führer decided to first redress the Fei defenders! This refitting is mainly a replacement of tanks, and all the No. 3 tanks now used by the African Army have been replaced by new Leopard 3 tanks. Tanks that are about enough to equip two divisions will arrive within a week after you have decided on a reload. This is only the first batch of reloads, and in the future, new self-propelled guns will gradually replace the current towed guns. Armored vehicles have also been replaced by new armored vehicles, and not only that, but also the soldiers' uniforms have to be replaced. The Empire's technological prowess will gradually open the door to victory! So for now, your task is to hold Tubruk and make good use of this good port. When the British have gathered enough troops, swallow them in one more bite! Maybe then you will only think that there are too few Britons! ”

Manstein threw out a big meatball first, and the tempting Rommel was really drooling.

"It turned out that I was going to replace the equipment for the African Army! You said such a good thing, I don't dare to show you face" Rommel thought about the benefits of the new equipment, and couldn't help but have a burst of beautiful longing.

Not to mention anything else, the combat effectiveness shown by 300 new aircraft alone made Rommel full of hope for the new tank! Before the arrival of the new planes, the air was at best evenly balanced, and the ground operation could be carried out. After the arrival of the new planes, the British were like disappeared flies in the sky, and not a single one could be found! All your military operations with the assistance of aircraft are really twice the result with half the effort! The British, on the other hand, were greatly restricted and hindered in their movements. There were even many times when it was difficult to move forward, and under the blow of the plane, they suffered heavy casualties and lost their fighting spirit. Not to mention winning the battle, thank God for being able to save my life.