Chapter 908: Blowing Up the Canal

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On October 27, a large fleet sailed from the north into the calm Gulf of Panama. This fleet consisted of four huge battleships like a hill, as well as a number of light cruisers and destroyers. Protected in the middle were more than 30 transport ships, which were loaded with all the officers and men of the 5th Marine Division and their equipment.

The four battleships are the most advanced 'Tang-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy. Using them to assist the Marines in landing in Panama Bay is a bit of a fuss. It's just that when the main fleet of the US Navy has fled back to the Atlantic, they are useless for the time being. Only by seizing the Panama Canal at an early date will these warships be able to go to the Atlantic to fight. At the same time, the Santa Cruz Island Naval Base, which was destroyed by the US military, as well as the Tumaco Naval Base, have begun to be repaired. However, it will take at least one to two years to fully repair. During this period, all warships of the Pacific Fleet and the Turkish Fleet could only use Pearl Harbor as their home port.

Because of the outbreak of the Sino-American war, the once busy Panama Canal has declined. This was mainly due to the fact that the U.S. military blocked the canal after the start of the war, prohibiting ships from any other countries from entering the canal, in order to prevent the squadron from using surprise attacks to capture the canal. Therefore, in the Panama Canal now, except for some ships of the US military that continue to navigate, there are no other merchant ships in sight!

The Panama Canal was guarded by the 3rd Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps, which included three regiments, an artillery battalion, and divisional troops, with a total strength of about 12,000 troops. The division headquarters was located in Gamboa, in the middle of the Panama Canal, and the division commander was Major General Lewis.

On the morning of the 27th. Major General Lewis got up early as usual, and after a brief exercise, began to enjoy breakfast. Panama has a humid climate and harsh conditions. However, as an overseas garrison of the United States, the 3rd Marine Division is treated very well, and a large number of supplies are transported from the United States every week to ensure the consumption of troops. In addition, American GIs can also have fun at will. Since the arrival of the United States Marines in the Panama Canal Zone, there have been many instances of abuse of Panamanian women every year. Incidents of beatings and even shooting of Panamanians. It's just that the weak Panama has no choice but to protest to the United States. However, these American GIs continued to go their own way, ignoring the Panamanian protests. There are only a few hundred thousand people in Panama. The armed forces are only more than 10,000 people, and this was built with the support of the United States. After all, the equipment is poor, and if a conflict breaks out between the two sides, the 3rd Marine Division of the US Marine Corps only needs one regiment to defeat them. More importantly, the Panamanian government, even if it looks like a slave who cannot straighten its waist in front of the US GIs, can only turn a blind eye to the evil deeds of the US GIs in Panama. The Panamanian government is counting on the US military to defend them against the Colombian threat! Panama was part of Colombia. The Americans, in order to seize the Panama Canal, supported the secession of Panama from Colombia. Colombia has always wanted to re-annex Panama to Colombia. Without the support of the United States, Panama, with a population of only a few hundred thousand, would not be a match for Colombia. Not to mention. After Colombia leased Tumaco to China, the rent obtained from China and the weapons and equipment it provided for it increased Colombia's military strength a lot. In such a situation, the Panamanian government can only curry favor with the Americans. In order to protect yourself!

Major General Lewis has not been in a good mood lately, with China and the United States fighting in Mexico. To be exact. It was the U.S. military that took advantage of its huge strength advantage in an attempt to drive the squadron out of Mexico. However, in the end, it was a failure, and the squadron's reinforcements arrived in time to hold Acapulco. A steady stream of Chinese reinforcements is arriving in Mexico by sea, and once the squadron is ready, it will inevitably attack the American forces. And will the U.S. military be able to withstand the squadron's attack? At this point, at least Major General Lewis does not have much confidence!

In addition, Major General Lewis was most worried that the squadron would launch an attack on the Panama Canal. Although, this is already inevitable. However, he still hopes that this day will come later. Although the garrison overseas was hard, the soldiers were able to get more allowances, and he also enjoyed the feeling of being the emperor in Panama. It would be very bad if they were to withdraw to the United States, or even transfer them to fight in Mexico.

After Major General Lewis had breakfast, the Chief of Staff, Colonel Paul, arrived.

"General, the Panamanians have rejected our request, they claim that Panama is a neutral country and will not participate in the war between the United States and China!" The chief of staff, Colonel Paul, said with some annoyance.

"Humph! These Panamanians believe that we must not be opponents of the Chinese. However, they don't want to think that even if we evacuate Panama, the Chinese will definitely not let them go. Sooner or later, they will pay for their actions! Major General Lewis said coldly. He had hoped that after the squadron's attack on the Panama Canal, the Panamanian army would be able to fight alongside the American army. However, the Panamanian government did not expect to refuse his request. If it weren't for the fact that the squadron was about to call, he really wanted to let these Panamanians taste the power of the American army!

"General, there is also bad news, we just learned that a week ago, a Chinese Marine Division in the Hawaiian Islands boarded a ship and set off, the destination is unknown, but it is likely that their target is even us!" Colonel Paul said with some concern.

After hearing this, Major General Lewis's face suddenly became gloomy. A division of the Chinese Marine Corps has more than 18,000 troops, and its strength is 1.5 times that of the US military. If the Chinese Marines are targeting the Panama Canal, then they will not be able to resist it!

"Order all units to be ready for battle, and the engineering units to inspect the explosives we have planted in the locks and dams, as well as in the artificial canals, and to detonate them as soon as the order is given to blow up the canals!" Maj. Gen. Lewis said. He knew very well that with his division to reach a division of the Chinese Marine Corps, Naki had no possibility, and all he could do was to blow up the canal before the squadron seized it, so that he could be considered to have completed the task.

"General, do you want to prepare ships in Cologne, once the battle situation is unfavorable, we can withdraw to the country immediately!" Colonel Paul built yƬ tract.

"Well, order the transports to get ready!" Maj. Gen. Lewis said. It's especially important to have the road ahead of you!

At this time, a low-ranking staff officer hurriedly walked into the headquarters.

"Report to the general, the 1st Regiment sent a telegram that a large number of Chinese warships and ships appeared in the Bay of Panama, among them, four huge battleships suspected to be the 'Tang-class' battleships of the Chinese Navy!" The staff officer reported!

"Damn, how did those Chinese bitches come so fast? And the 'Don-class' battleships were dispatched? Paul, prepare now! In addition, order the 1st regiment to try its best to resist the attacks of the Chinese! Major General Lewis ordered.

"Yes, General!" Colonel Paul quickly left the division headquarters and went to give orders.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the Chinese fleet had already arrived in Panama Bay, just a dozen kilometers from the mouth of the Panama Canal. The thick 381 mm guns of the four 'Don-class' battleships have been aimed at the American-built fortress at the mouth of the canal!

On the battleship 'Tang Gaozu,' Admiral Li Dingxin, commander of the Turkish fleet, was observing the US estuary fortress with a telescope, and next to him were Vice Admiral Hai Zhengsheng, chief of staff of the Turkish fleet, and Rear Admiral Wu Haibin, commander of the Fifth Marine Division.

"Chief of Staff, how long will it take to destroy the fortress of the Americans?" Admiral Li Dingxin asked.

"Commander, with the power of four 'Tang-class' battleships, it will take half an hour at most to deal with those two small fortresses of the Americans!" Lieutenant General Hai Zhengsheng said. At the mouth of the Panama Canal, the U.S. military only built two small forts, each of which had only a dozen or so shore defense guns, and the largest caliber was only 210 millimeters. The main reason is that other countries are opposed to the construction of a fortress by the US military in the Panama Canal, thus threatening the ships of other countries passing through the Panama Canal. These two small fortresses were built by the U.S. military after the relationship between China and the United States deteriorated dramatically!

"Okay, Master Wu, after we destroy the fortress of the Americans, it's up to you! Do your best to capture the Panama Canal completely! General Li Dingxin said.

"Yes, Commander!" Major General Wu Haibin nodded, but he also knew that it was unlikely!

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble! "At 9:10 a.m., four 'Tang-class' battleships launched an artillery bombardment of the American fortress. The shells of the 381-mm naval guns, weighing about a ton, could easily penetrate the fortresses of the American army.

In the face of the attack of the Chinese navy, the US military launched a counterattack. However, in the face of the powerful 'Tang-class' battleships, the counterattack of the US military seemed so fragile. In less than half an hour, two small fortresses built by the US military at the mouth of the canal were blown into rubble.

After that, four 'Tang-class' battleships launched a heavy artillery bombardment of the American positions, and the 5th Marine Division also launched a landing operation. The resistance of the American army quickly collapsed under the terrifying firepower of the 'Tang-class' battleships. The 5th Marine Division was able to land on the line. And the commander of the US army, Major General Lewis, immediately gave the order to blow up the canal after learning that the Chinese marines had landed along the way!