Chapter 493 Method
The 'Tuileries' and the 'Elysee' easily passed the shelling of the US military and continued to sail towards the coast. When they were still 10 kilometers away from the coast, the 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee' stopped. During the two-kilometer voyage, they encountered more and more intense shelling. If they continue to move forward, I am afraid that the artillery fire of the US military will cause serious damage to them.
Under the orders of their respective captains, the 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee' slammed across their hulls, aiming the starboard sides of the warships at the coast. Among the 18 main firepowers of the 8 210mm naval guns, 6 240mm naval guns, and 4 305mm naval guns on the battleship, except for the 4 210mm naval guns that cannot be fired on the port side, the other 14 The naval guns are all ready to fire.
Two minutes later, under the order of the gunnery commander, the 'Tuileries' started shelling first. 14 shells flew across the sky and smashed **** the US military fortress. A huge explosion resounded across the coast, and clouds of smoke and dust rose from the coast. Immediately afterwards, the "Elysee" also started shooting, and 14 shells also hit the US military fortress.
The smoke dissipated, and the American fortress reappeared. But compared with before the French army opened fire, there was not much change. The forts of the US military are very strong. They are all made of reinforced concrete and reinforced with a lot of gravel on the outside. It can be said that cannons with a caliber of less than 210 mm cannot do anything to these fortresses at all. loss. Even the 305mm naval gun of the French army caused very limited damage to the US fortress.
The bombardment data was quickly transmitted back to the "Poseidon". Kirkbride was very depressed. He knew that St. Paul was a tough nut to crack. It may be very difficult to kill this fortress.
"Order the 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee' to continue shelling, I want to see how strong the American fortress is." Kirkbride said angrily.
Under Kirkbride's order, the 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee' continued their shelling. Large-caliber shells hit the American fortress one after another. The whole scene is very spectacular, giving people a thrilling feeling.
"Damn it. The French are not finished yet, don't they know that their shelling is useless to our fortress?" Yoon complained in the American fortress. Although the shelling of the French army did not cause much damage to the American fortress. But the huge explosion sound and the vibration generated when the shell exploded made people feel very uncomfortable.
"Isn't this bad? I hope to use up all the French's shells. Then we'll see what else they can use to attack us." George said with a smile. Now, he can be said to be full of infinite confidence in defending Sao Paulo. He was very excited when he thought that the mighty French navy had failed in front of his fortress. So much so that he really wanted to find a few women to vent his excitement.
"No, you are all wrong. On the surface, the French army really has nothing to do with our fortress. But in fact, if they keep bombing like this, our fortress can hardly hold on. Large fortresses are okay , Those small fortresses, I am afraid that the vibration of the French shells when they exploded is enough to kill them." McCain said with a sullen face.
After hearing his words, both Eun and George were taken aback. Even George's irresistible desire to find a woman was shocked.
"General, according to what you say, we are still very threatening?" George asked.
McCain nodded. He had a hunch that it would be really difficult for the US military to defend Sao Paulo.
At this time, an officer came in and reported: "General, we checked the 19th, 23rd, and 25th Forts at the forefront during the French artillery bombardment, and found that all the soldiers inside were stunned. There are also a few soldiers. Was directly shocked to death."
"What?" George and Ewan exclaimed. They didn't expect that what McCain said just now became reality immediately.
Although McCain didn't show much expression, his face did become more and more gloomy.
At this moment, exclamations came from the observation post.
"What happened?" George asked quickly.
"What?" George exclaimed. Then quickly rushed to the observation post. Sure enough, he saw that the 19th, 23rd and 25th batteries were all in ruins at this time. But fortunately, all the stunned soldiers inside were carried out, otherwise they would have been buried alive in it by now.
"General, the 19th, 23rd and 25th batteries were destroyed." George ran down from the observation post and came to McCain and said.
"I see," McCain replied. "Hopefully we can last until the reinforcements arrive."
Both George and Eun were silent, and all their previous confidence evaporated. Now, it's hard to say whether they can survive until reinforcements arrive.
"Return the 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee'." Kirkbride ordered. At the corner of his mouth, there was a trace of bitterness. Although after nearly an hour of shelling by the 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee', three US military forts were destroyed. It also confirmed that the US military fortress is not indestructible. However, in Kirkbride's view, this does not mean that they will be able to capture Sao Paulo. The reason is very simple. The three destroyed forts of the US military are the three smallest among the many forts of the US military. It took nearly an hour for the two most powerful warships of the French army. If it was replaced by a larger fortress, it would be even more difficult to say.
"Marshal, you don't seem very satisfied?" asked Vitry.
Kirkbride nodded: "The fortress of the US military is indeed very strong. It seems that it is indeed very difficult for us to conquer Sao Paulo."
"Marshal, what shall we do?" asked Vitry. Indeed, it would be quite difficult to destroy the US military fortress in this way. Even if the goal can be achieved in the end, the French army will definitely suffer considerable losses.
"If we land now, can we use the marines to seize the American fortress?" Kirkbride suddenly had an idea.
"Marshal, I'm afraid this won't work. In Sao Paulo, the U.S. military also has a marine division and an infantry division. Before we destroy the opponent's fortress, it is basically impossible for us to capture the opponent's fortress from the outside. said Vitry.
"How long before the 1st Infantry Division of the 2nd Iberian Army reaches St. Paul?" asked Kirkbride. Since it is not enough to attack on one side, attack from both sides.
"I just contacted Marshal Otis today. The 1st Infantry Division of the 2nd Iberian Army needs 4 days to reach Sao Paulo." Vitry replied.
"Four days! In addition, it will take some time to capture Sao Paulo. In this case, we will not have enough time." Kirkbride said. According to the information received, the US military has sent reinforcements to Sao Paulo. As the first wave of reinforcements, the U.S. Navy sent four full Marine divisions. Coupled with the large fleets of the US Navy that are being assembled, the French Navy must quickly capture Sao Paulo, then leave South America and return to Europe.
"After all, they travel on two legs, so naturally it takes much more time than us," Vitry said.
Kirkbride was actually not dissatisfied, he also knew the situation of the army. It's just that he is now thinking about how to quickly destroy the US military fortress and create favorable conditions for the capture of Sao Paulo.
"Marshal, if you really can't think of a way, I think we will fight. We now have so many battleships, among which battleships, battlecruisers, and heavy cruisers are very powerful against the US military fortress. And the remaining light Cruisers and destroyers ~www.mtlnovel.com~ can quickly divert U.S. firepower. They can also monitor the U.S. 7th Fleet," Vitry said.
"This is a measure of last resort. If we do this, our casualties will be great. In the naval contest with the United States and Canada, our navy is already at a disadvantage. If we lose too much here, Then it will be even more difficult for us to fight against the US and Canadian navies in the future." Kirkbride said helplessly.
Vitry was also silent. He knew that for the sake of the future battle situation, they really couldn't lose too many warships here. Although France's shipbuilding capacity is greater than that of the United States and Canada, due to the large gap between the two sides, it will take a lot of time to make up for the gap between the two sides.
Suddenly, Vitry's eyes lit up, and he realized that in the previous naval battle, the US military's shelling hit rate was very small. The 'Tuileries' and 'Elysee' shelled for nearly an hour at a distance of 10 kilometers from the coast. , but not a single shell. This means that the hit rate of the US military fortress artillery is indeed very low. Even after the French Navy got closer to the coast, the hit rate would increase, but there was a limit. Even the French navy can schedule an attack at night. By that time, although the shelling hit rate of both sides will drop a lot. But in comparison, the hit rate of the US military must have dropped even more. The reason is also very simple. The fortresses of the US military are all fixed, while the warships of the French army can cruise freely on the sea.