Toronto, British Prime Minister's Office. British Foreign Secretary Edward? Sir Grey was reporting to Churchill on the American proposal.

"Your Excellency, the United States can already conclude that the military coup in Portugal was caused by the Germans. It is expected that the Portuguese government will soon sell the Azores to the Germans. Once the Germans occupy the Azores, this will probably not be a good thing for both of our countries. When the time comes, the naval forces of the Germans can use the Azores as a base and pose a direct threat to us. "Edward? Sir Grey said with a serious face.

Churchill's face was also very serious, as the British Prime Minister and former Admiralty, he certainly knew the strategic location of the Azores in the Atlantic. At the beginning, when the British Empire dominated the world, the strategic location of the Azores was not high. At that time, the Royal Navy of the British Empire had no country to contend with. But that's no longer the case. The British mainland fell, and the British government could only retreat in Canada. Although the US Navy is already vigorously developing its navy, its naval strength is still much worse than that of the German Navy. If Germany builds the Azores into a naval base, the navies of Britain and the United States will probably be compressed in the western Atlantic. At that time, not to mention the counterattack on the European continent, it will be very difficult to even enter the Eastern Atlantic.

"If you think about it on your toes, you can imagine that the military coup d'état in Portugal was carried out by the Germans. But even if we knew, what could we do? We take the Germans, there is no way at all! Churchill looked a little helpless. The current British Empire is already in decline. If Germany does not cross the sea to attack them, then God forbid.

"Your Excellency, the Americans, propose, to preemptively capture the Azores. Before the Germans reacted, a fait accompli was formed. In this case, we will be able to occupy the Azores. "Edward? Sir Grey said.

"Will the Germans let us occupy the Azores? It's almost unlikely! Churchill's brows furrowed together.

"If the Germans don't want to go to war with the United States, they're going to suffer this dumb loss. But if the Germans do not hesitate to fight the United States, then we may not be able to hold the Azores. However, the United States believes that even if the Germans attack, they will be able to control the fighting around the Azores. In this case, even if the plan fails, the damage caused is not large. "Edward? Sir Grey said.

Churchill nodded: "There is indeed a possibility of success, but the possibility is very small." And, the stakes are high. ”

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister. Still, the Americans plan to give it a try! After all, if successful, the benefits are staggering. ”

"So, what do the Americans want us to do?" Churchill asked.

"The Americans want us to send a part of the Marines to assist them in landing in the Azores."

Churchill knew that it was the Americans who wanted to pull them into the water. Still, they couldn't refuse. Otherwise, it will definitely damage the current relations between the two countries.

"Well, tell the Americans that we can send some small and medium-sized warships to join the attack on the Azores. In addition, we can also send a brigade of marines to participate in the landing operation. Churchill said.

The current British Empire is not as good as it was at the beginning. Sending these warships and a brigade of marines is already their maximum capacity.

"Yes, Your Excellency Prime Minister." Edward? Sir Gray nodded.

"But, Your Excellency Prime Minister, do you think the Americans' plan will succeed this time?" Edward? Sir Grey asked.

"Very difficult! The Germans took so much effort to get the Azores, how could they lose it so easily? The Americans want to pull out their teeth this time! I guess the attitude of the Germans will be very tough. When the time comes, the Germans and Americans will start a fierce battle around the Azores. In the end, the Americans will definitely lose. However, the Germans would not attack the American mainland either. After all, with Germany's current strength, it is still very difficult to cross the Atlantic to attack the American mainland. Churchill analyzed.

Edward? Sir Grey nodded, agreeing with Churchill.

"This time, we only had to put in very little effort. For the rest, let the Americans and Germans go and break their heads! Churchill said. Although Britain and the United States have now secretly formed an alliance, there are no permanent friends between countries, only eternal interests.

The response of the British side has satisfied the US government. Although some people think that the British have invested too little force, the British government has lost its native British government, and the strength is already very weak, and being able to invest these forces has already shown their attitude.

Woodrow? President Wilson, issued an order to the Admiralty and the War Department, to launch an operation to seize the Azores.

On February 9, 1919, the day after the military coup in Portugal, the American fleet secretly left the military port. At the same time, the 1st Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps, all members of the ship, under the escort of the fleet, went to the Azores.

Subsequently, the US government confirmed that the German government had signed an agreement with the Portuguese government to purchase the Azores, which strengthened the Americans' determination to send troops to occupy the Azores by force.

Although Germany bought the Azores from Portugal, it did not send troops to the islands immediately. The Admiralty is inviting tenders for the construction of a naval base and airfield on the Azores. When the time comes, the Atlantic Fleet will escort ships full of mechanical equipment and workers to the Azores. As for the design plan, it has been there for a long time, just waiting for implementation.

I have to admit that it was precisely because of this negligence on the part of the German side that the Americans easily occupied the Azores.

On the morning of February 15, the U.S. fleet escorted the 1st Marine Division to the Azores. There was no Portuguese garrison on the island, only police.

When the U.S. Marines began to land, the Portuguese policemen sent telegrams home. As soon as the U.S. Marines came ashore, they raised their hands and surrendered to the U.S. Marines. The Americans, without bloodshed, occupied the entire Azores.