The Azores are located in the eastern middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, 1,450 kilometers from Portugal, more than 1,600 kilometers from Europe, and more than 3,200 kilometers from North America, covering more than 2,300 square kilometers.

The geographical location of the Azores is very good. If the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet had used this as its main base, it would have been able to control almost the entire central North Atlantic. If the U.S. Navy wanted to make further advances into the eastern North Atlantic, it would have to choose a detour near the Arctic Circle via Newfoundland and Iceland. On that part of the route, the weather was cold and the icebergs were dense, and there was a high probability of an accident. In comparison, it is naturally safer to cross the Atlantic directly.

If the German Navy can occupy the Azores, it will be equivalent to an additional transit point when it launches an attack on the US mainland in the future. In this way, it will be less difficult for Germany to attack the United States in the future.

It's just that the Azores are now Portuguese territory. It became Portuguese territory since 1427, when the Portuguese sailed here. Moreover, Portugal has always been friendly with the United Kingdom. During the last world war, Portugal remained neutral, but it had close ties with the British, and even secretly provided a lot of help to the British. It was not until Germany completely established the victory that Portugal severed ties with Britain and began to turn to Germany.

It can be seen that the Portuguese are simply the grass on the wall. Whoever is the number one power in the world, they take the initiative to befriend whomever they want. However, it will be very difficult to take the Azores from the Portuguese. The Portuguese are not fools and naturally know how important the Azores are to them. With archipelago in hand, they can move left and right. Once the archipelago is lost, the importance of Portugal will be greatly reduced. Therefore, if Germany wants to take the Azores from Portugal, it will have to plan carefully.

However, Qin Tian had already made up his mind. Portugal was a strategic location, and the German Empire had to get it in its hands. What is at stake is Germany's strategic security in the Atlantic, as well as Germany's strategic plans for the future. Portugal is nothing more than a small country with a population of six million. There are many ways for Germany to make the country come into its own. Of course, sending troops to invade is undoubtedly the most unavoidable method. Germany will not do so unless it is forced to do so.

What is now Portugal is a republic. In 1910, they overthrew the royal family. However, there are still many people who are dissatisfied with the current republic, including members of the former royal family and the military. Qin Tian believed that as long as Germany was willing to intervene, there would be no problem at all in overthrowing the current Portuguese government. When the time comes, the new government will be able to thank Germany with the Azores. In this way, Germany will be able to justifiably get its hands on the Azores and then militarize them.

Of course, that's all for later. The most important thing now is still the confrontation between the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet and the American Fleet in the waters of the eastern North Atlantic.

Nearly 200 warships, large and small, from both sides gathered in this sea area, so that the commanders of both sides had to brace their spirits. Otherwise, because of their mistakes, there is a risk that the gun will misfire. In that case, I am afraid that war will break out between the two countries. Once a war breaks out, the consequences will be very serious.

On the battleship "Colorado", the flagship of the US Navy, the commander of the Atlantic Fleet, Henry? Admiral Mayo, smoking a cigar, looked into the distance. Because it is more than thirty kilometers apart, Henry? Admiral Mayo practically did not see the lead ship of the Atlantic Fleet of the German Navy. Only the occasional small and medium-sized warships could be seen. But, Henry? Admiral Mayo was convinced that the Germans were not far away. As long as the American fleet did not retreat for a day, the Germans would stay there and keep a firm eye on them.

"Hell, we've been here for half a month, and those guys in the country, what the hell are going to make us retreat? Or rather, agree that we will attack and eat the German Atlantic fleet in one fell swoop! "Henry? Admiral Mayo complained.

In Henry? Admiral Mayo seems that with their current strength, there is no problem at all in eating the Atlantic Fleet of the German Navy. In this case, the German Navy will be able to be severely damaged in one fell swoop. At the very least, it would be possible for the US Navy to no longer be suppressed by the German Navy in the Atlantic. The Atlantic Fleet alone may not make it difficult for the US Navy. However, the German Navy had a much more powerful home fleet in the Atlantic. If the two fleets join forces, then the US Navy will have to retreat. Unless, the next batch of capital ships of the US Navy will enter service one after another. In this way, they will have the capital to compete with the German Navy in the Atlantic.

However, three other fleets of the German Navy, although not deployed in the Atlantic. But once something happens in the Atlantic, you can imagine it with your toes, and the German Navy will definitely send a fleet back to the Atlantic as soon as possible. When the time comes, the US Navy will not want to occupy the slightest advantage.

So, Henry? Admiral Mayo believes that now is undoubtedly the best opportunity for them. As long as the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet is eaten, the US Navy will be able to close the gap with the German Navy. Even if it were to go to war because of this, to lose the Atlantic for a short time, it would be worth it. When the subsequent capital ships are commissioned, they are fully capable of slowly fighting with Germany for control of the Atlantic.

It's a pity, Henry? Admiral Mayo sent several telegrams to the country, but did not receive a clear reply.

Less than thirty kilometers from the American fleet, the main forces of the Atlantic Fleet of the German Navy were concentrated here. On the flagship battleship "Bavaria", the commander of the fleet, Vice Admiral Berdick, and the chief of staff, Vice Admiral Schmidt, were also complaining.

"The Americans are still here, and it would be great if the country could agree to let the aircraft carrier fleet cooperate with us in launching an attack! We will definitely be able to eat the Germans in one fell swoop! Lieutenant General Berdick looked a little urgent.

"If the aircraft carrier fleet really makes a move, those guys will probably eat all the Americans. When the time comes, nothing will be left for us! Lieutenant General Schmidt said with a smile.

Lieutenant General Berdick was stunned, but nodded. He believed that those guys in the aircraft carrier fleet could really do such a thing. They are equally eager to engage in actual combat, rather than foolishly launching an attack on a target ship.