Theodore. Feng. When General Shipper Airborne entered the command headquarters at the airport in Port Grays, there was no longer a hint of elation on his face. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 info because he was well aware that the Battle of Newfoundland had just begun.

Successful parachute and airborne landings are just the beginning, and the tough battles are yet to come! According to the intelligence available, the Americans (including the British) have more than 250,000 troops on the island of Newfoundland, most likely close to 300,000! And also with a large number of tanks, armored vehicles and large-caliber artillery.

The total strength of Shippur is only 5 air assault battalions and 18 parachute battalions, a total of 23 battalions, and the total strength is only 15,000 or 6,000 people. The killer E-25 tank destroyer and No. 4H tank each have more than 70 units, as well as dozens of 105mm mountain guns, some 105mm recoilless guns and 80mm mortars.

Such troops and equipment are not worth mentioning compared to the two or three hundred thousand Allied troops on the island of Newfoundland.

However, Shipper now had to rely on this airborne force, which numbered less than 16,000, to seize two key ports, Port Grace and Port Cabernier, to create favorable conditions for the smooth landing of the subsequent landing force.

"Guys, I think you all know how critical the situation we face on the island of Newfoundland." Shipper's gaze swept over the improvised operational conference room, where several German commanders on the island of Newfoundland, including the chief of staff of the 1st Air Assault Corps, the commander of the 1st Air Assault Brigade, and the commanders of the 1st Airborne Division and the 7th Airborne Division had arrived. Like Shipper, they had long since thrown out the joy of the successful landing.

"We made it to Newfoundland," Mr. Shipper said, "but we didn't really get on our feet, and we were alone far from the continent." If we can't take Port Grace and Port Cabernier tonight, then we'll lose the battle in front of us! ”

The capture of Port Grace and Port Cabernier on the night after the successful completion of the airborne and airborne landings was provided for in the "Operation Columbus" plan. Both ports are located on the west shore of Concepson Bay, less than 20 kilometres in a straight line, and both are close to the outlet of Concepson Bay, with Port Cabernier being particularly well located about 25 kilometres from the western shore of Concepson Bay and more than 35 kilometres from the Churchill naval fort near St. John's (which is located near the eastern shore of Concepson Bay). Although it is still within the range of the fortress's 406mm cannon, it is far away after all, and it is not easy to hit.

Of course, the artillery in Churchill's fortress was also to be destroyed as soon as possible, but that was not the job of Shipper's airborne troops, but the work of the air force and naval aviation.

"How many troops can you pull out before dark?" Shipper stared at the map spread out on a pile of ammunition boxes and asked his 1 brigade commander and 2 division commanders.

"Admiral, our 1st Air Assault Brigade can draw 3 assault battalions, which can put in 102 E-25 and No. 4 tanks." The brigade commander of the 1st Air Assault Brigade Skorzny replied.

Although only five composite battalions of his brigade reached Newfoundland, they were the main force of the battle, and as many as 18 battalions of paratroopers were the starting troops. However, these five battalions could not all be engaged in offensive operations, because the US troops could not let go of this critical point in time tonight -- the Germans had just landed (airborne) and had not yet gained a firm foothold, which was a good opportunity for counterattack and annihilation, and in addition, the German air superiority at night could not be brought into play. If you don't do it tonight, by tomorrow daytime, not only will the German Fokker planes and Me262 be going to occupy the sky again, but more airborne troops will be airdropped. At that time, the counterattack of the US army will be difficult to fight!

However, for the Germans, there were similarities. Now it is the time for panic when the US troops on the island of Newfoundland have been attacked by surprise. If it drags on until tomorrow, the U.S. military will recover from the chaos and it is also possible to receive reinforcements from the air and sea.

So tonight, for both the attacking and defending sides of Newfoundland, is very precious.

"3 battalions is too little." Shipper vetoed Skorzny's suggestion, "Throw in 4 battalions!" ”

"Admiral, the Americans are bound to launch a massive counterattack tonight, and it is very likely that they will also throw in armored forces. It would be very dangerous if we were to defend with only 1 composite battalion and several paratrooper battalions. "The chief of staff of the 1st Air Assault Corps, Colonel Cork, immediately disagreed.

"Admiral, I also agree with Colonel Cork that we should commit at least 2 assault battalions and 9 paratrooper battalions to make it possible to hold off the Americans near the isthmus." The commander of the 1st Parachute Division, Karl Brown. Lothar. Major General Schultz also supported Colonel Kok's opinion.

He advocated a defence line near the isthmus leading from the Avalon Peninsula to the main body of Newfoundland, which was about 10 kilometers wide and was also a military stronghold on the island of Newfoundland. It would not be possible to occupy it, but it would be possible to block the Americans near there and prevent them from approaching the west shore of Concepson Bay.

"We should be arming between Whiteway on the edge of Trinity Bay and Port Grace Airport near the west shore of Concepson Bay." The commander of the 2nd Parachute Division, Friedrich. August. Freyhull. Feng. Morality. Major General Heidt put forward his own opinion on the issue of arming, "In this way, we only need to defend about 15 kilometers of front, which can save a lot of troops." If the goal is not to hold the line, it is enough to delay the opponent for 24-36 hours, and 1 composite battalion and 5 paratrooper battalions are enough. ”

Shippl held his chin and thought for a while, and finally made up his mind to take a gamble: "You can't seek stability now, you must have enough enterprising spirit." ”

He glanced at Major General Headert: "Friedrich, you are responsible for guarding the front line of Whiteway-Grayshaven Airport for at least 36 hours. I give you the 101st battalion and the 2nd paratrooper battalion belonging to the 5th paratrooper division. Is that enough? ”

"Enough, Admiral, guarantee to complete the mission!" Major General Heidet stood up and saluted, and hurriedly left the headquarters with several of his entourage.

Shipper continued to give orders, and he said to Skorzny: "You take 3 assault battalions plus 6 paratrooper battalions to capture the port of Cabernier, and you must take it before dawn, you know?" ”

"Yes! Admiral! Skorzny replied immediately.

Shipper again said to Major General Schultz: "Karl, you follow me, and we will go with us to seize Grayshaven." ”

"Yes, sir." Schultz asked, "When are we going to attack?" ”

"After dark," replied Shipper, "now go and take the starting position, and wait until it is dark before attacking." ”

The choice to attack after dark was, of course, for a reason, since the German paratroopers who were airdropped on Newfoundland were armed with a large number of infrared night vision devices, not only for car models, but also for machine guns. It is guaranteed to exert maximum combat effectiveness at night!

In addition, before dark, German carrier-based aircraft will launch several air raids, and hundreds of sorties will be deployed by Br.810 carrier-based bombers to attack artillery positions near Port Cabernier and Port Grace with Hs293 remote-controlled gliding bombs, in an effort to destroy the large-caliber coastal defense guns there (203MM and 240MM).

Time passed little by little in the mobilization of troops and preparations for the offensive, as well as in the constant air strikes. Soon around 7 p.m., the high latitude island of Newfoundland will have long days and short nights after the vernal equinox, but by this time, the night still covers the land, and the temperature quickly drops to near freezing.

French Air Force Private Francois Mitterrand was holding an M1 rifle "picked up" from the battlefield and wearing an overcoat taken from the corpse of an American GI, sitting in a freshly dug paratrooper pit while shivering and cursing "Nazi Brandt" in a low voice. As an aircrew soldier in the French Air Force, he could have stayed with the rest of the aircrew (including the crew of the German ZSO523 assault transport aircraft and other German and French aircrews who parachuted) to serve as a garrison at Port Grace airfield. But Brandt used the lack of manpower as an excuse to leave him in his paratrooper platoon as cannon fodder!

But the curse won't solve the problem, Mitterrand thought about it, it's also good to be on the front line, so it's convenient to go to the free world! The American troops surrendered as soon as they fought, and then went after General de Gaulle...... He is the true hero of France!

As Mitterrand made up his mind, Sergeant Major Brandt was smiling...... He's just gotten promoted to the line of fire!

"Great, that's great...... I'm a second lieutenant now. He looked at the letter of appointment and rank sent by the battalion headquarters, and squeezed out a smile on his face.

Appointment in the line of fire means "military school make-up", after completing the military academy training that will graduate no matter how bad his academic performance is, he is likely to be turned into a professional soldier (Wehrmacht officers are also divided into two categories: professional and reserve, reserve officers will retire after the war, but Brandt, as the elite of the Airborne Forces, is very likely to become a professional officer), and then he will have to stay in the Wehrmacht for many years.

"Do it well!" His company commander, a young officer in his twenties, said, "Herbert (Brandt used the original name Herbert in the army. Ernst. Cal. Fram), maybe you and I will become nobles after the war. ”

Aristocracy was Brandt's most hated identity, and he couldn't imagine stuffing a nasty "von" in the middle of his name.

"But until then, we'll have to hold the line." The company commander, who dreamed of becoming an aristocratic lord, went on to tell Brandt the bad news, "We now have to use 121 men to hold a line of defense that is almost 2 kilometers wide and narrow, and we may also be attacked by a large number of American tanks!" I think there will be a tough battle to fight, but we will definitely win! ”