Beginning in mid-April 1829, the U.S. and Canadian navies began frequent secret transfers. First, the Canadian Navy sent a powerful fleet to the Mid-Atlantic area. After their arrival, the US 4th and 5th Fleets left the area and returned to the United States. Secondly, after replenishing supplies in Miami, the US 4th and 5th Fleets headed to the Caribbean Sea to join the US 3rd Fleet. Finally, the three American fleets made their last replenishment at Port-au-Prince before continuing south.
Of course, this move by the United States was also known to the French intelligence agencies, but because the United States kept this plan strictly confidential, it was impossible for France to know the specific intentions of the United States. However, there are various indications that the U.S. government is definitely planning a large-scale military operation. At a time when the situation is very delicate, this move by the United States has attracted the attention of Xiao Jie and others.
"Tell me, what the **** are the Americans doing? And the Canadians, according to the latest information, the number of Canadian warships moored in the Dartmouth Naval Port has decreased by more than half." Xiao Jie said with a frown. From this weird atmosphere, he seemed to have caught a hint of danger. Are the United States and Canada preparing some plan that can seriously damage our country? Xiao Jie asked himself. But unfortunately, due to the inability of the intelligence department to obtain accurate information, he was unable to make an accurate judgment.
"It seems that the Americans and Canadians have come together completely. It is estimated that they want to send a fleet to join forces with the US Navy to fight against us." Eck said with some concern. Because he knows that although the strength of the Canadian Navy is not as strong as that of the US Navy, it is definitely not weak. The combination of the two will only make the situation facing the French Navy more difficult.
"The United States and Canada are united. Isn't that obvious? You must know that the other party has already sent two infantry divisions to join the battle. Maybe the two countries have signed some secret treaty." Dougal said . In fact, the last sentence was simply his random guess, but what he never expected was that his guess was completely correct. It is true that a secret treaty has been signed between the United States and Canada long ago, but these outsiders do not know it.
"What's the matter? Isn't it just that there is an enemy with a little strength? Can't France beat two countries that have only developed for a few decades?" Xiao Jie said firmly. This is not only to cheer himself up, but also to cheering up other people. Strengthen their determination to support France in continuing the war.
"According to the current situation, the United States can play tricks from two aspects. The entry of the Canadian Navy into the Mid-Atlantic region can give the U.S. and Canadian navies an absolute advantage in the Mid-Atlantic region. The main force of the Atlantic Fleet and the Channel Fleet in the mid-Atlantic will lose their advantage and turn into a disadvantage. There is also a possibility that the United States will transfer troops from the Central Atlantic region to other theaters, so the Canadian Navy is required to fill the gap left by them. As for Where is the United States going to transfer its troops? If you think about it, the result is not difficult to come to. The U.S. Army was blocked by Marshal Davout on the Isthmus of Panama and could not move forward. Then, they will definitely think of other ways. Capture the South Control of the Atlantic region, and then carry out landing behind Marshal Davout, in this case, Marshal Davout will be in a dangerous situation under the attack from both sides." Eck thought for a while and said. Due to the lack of information, he can only make such guesses and cannot make a determination.
"That being said, isn't the situation of the Mediterranean Fleet very dangerous? Why don't we send reinforcements to support the Mediterranean Fleet immediately?" Dugor asked anxiously. He knew that if the Mediterranean Fleet was finished, the French 1st Army would be in danger, and the entire South American region would be difficult to keep.
"But we don't have any extra troops now. With the Canadian Navy joining the war, we are already at a disadvantage in the Central Atlantic region. Before we are sure whether the United States will withdraw troops from the Central Atlantic region, we cannot take the risk of deploying troops to support the Mediterranean Fleet. , lest the Atlantic Fleet and Channel Fleet deployed in the Central Atlantic region suffer heavy damage." Eck reminded. If it was an American plan to divert the tiger away from the mountain, France would just fall into the trap of the United States by deploying troops from the Central Atlantic region to the Southern Atlantic region. In that case, if the Atlantic Fleet and the Channel Fleet are severely damaged, the door of France will be wide open, and the U.S. Navy will be able to drive straight in and kill it all the way to France.
"Yes, if this is an American conspiracy, then we will lose a lot. Besides, the British Isles are now in endless wars. If the strength of the United States is involved at this time, the situation will be even more unpredictable." Xiao Jie said with a sigh. The British Isles have become the gateway of France in the Atlantic region. If the United States controls here, then they can use the British Isles as a base to directly threaten the mainland of France.
Du Geer's face darkened. He is not a person who does not know the importance, but he is still a little unwilling: "If the target of the Americans is the Mediterranean Fleet, what should we do? Should we let them face the powerful enemy alone? Fend for itself?"
"Of course not. If the target of the Americans is the Mediterranean Fleet, of course we will try our best to ask for help." Xiao Jie said with a smile, "If that's the case, it seems that they want to fight us to the death at sea. In this case, we Of course I had to go on.”
"I think we should remind Marshal Burt to keep the three major fleets in close contact. Once a crisis occurs in one party, the other two parties can provide immediate support." Eck suggested.
Xiao Jie nodded in agreement, and then in the name of the three of them, he sent a telegram to Boult and others at the Le Havre Naval Base, asking them to be more careful during this time to prevent the Americans from secretly playing tricks.
Martinique is located in the middle of the Lesser Antilles, guarding the St. Lucia Strait, the channel of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Since the Latin American region was controlled by France, the French navy has attached great importance to Martinique. Not only did it build a fortress named Fort de France on it, but it also built a military port that can park large warships. To increase the influence of the US Navy on the Caribbean Sea.
However, since the French Army retreated steadily in Mexico, the U.S. Navy has also entered the Caribbean. The many Caribbean islands now, except for Martinique and a few small islands to the south, have all been occupied by the US Navy. Therefore, now Martinique has become the gateway for the French Navy to resist the US Navy going south. Therefore, the French Navy deployed a regiment of troops on the island. Cooperating with the fortress, they have repelled the attack of the US Navy many times.
"Which positions have the 4th and 5th Fleets arrived at?" Davis stood on the flagship of the 3rd Fleet, the "Philadelphia", and asked the commander of the 3rd Fleet, Lieutenant General Aldrich. Due to the high stakes of this plan, Davis decided not to stay in the headquarters, but chose to follow the fleet. The "Philadelphia" battleship is the third ship built by the "New York" class warships. The six major fleets of the United States each have two "New York" class warships. Another "New York" class ship of the 3rd Fleet is the "Boston", which is the ninth ship of the "New York" class warship that has started construction.
"General, the 4th and 5th Fleets have just sent a telegram. The 4th Fleet has arrived at Basseterre Island, and the 5th Fleet is 30 nautical miles east of Martinique, and they have both arrived at the designated positions." Aldridge replied.
Davis nodded, then asked, "So where are we now?"
"We are now 15 nautical miles west of Dominica Island." Aldrich pointed to the chart and said.
"Send a message to the 5th Fleet ~www.mtlnovel.com~ to let them start operations in 1 hour. The 4th Fleet and the 3rd Fleet are on standby, pay attention to concealment and vigilance." Davis looked at the navigation table Said. It is already two o'clock in the afternoon on April 21st, that is to say, the 5th Fleet will launch an attack on Martinique at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on April 21st, in order to reveal the relationship between the US and Canadian navies and the French navy. The prelude to the decisive battle.
Time passed slowly, but 1 hour passed quickly. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the US Navy's 5th Fleet appeared off the coast of Martinique. The appearance of the US fleet made the sirens on Martinique loudly, and the soldiers took up their weapons and entered the position. The gunner's door also tore off the gun cover of the fortress gun, moved the shells out of the ammunition depot, and placed them neatly next to the cannon. They have experienced this kind of scene many times, so they are well-trained. Although they are flustered, they are not chaotic. Everyone is doing their own thing.
As soon as 3:00 p.m. arrived, the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet immediately launched an attack on Martinique. Its flagship "Chicago" launched the shelling of Martinique first. Under her leadership, the entire 5th Fleet began a fierce shelling. A large number of shells of various calibers hit the island of Martinique, causing clusters of flames.
Subsequently, the Fort-de-France fortress on Martinique also launched a fierce counterattack. Moreover, the news of the US fleet's attack was immediately reported to the French Mediterranean Fleet and Naval Headquarters.