(Book friends, forgive Xiaoyu. It’s a sin to realize that I forgot to upload two chapters until today!)
Chapter 532: South American Puzzle
"Come on, prepare the carriage, and go to the White House immediately!" Davis ordered loudly. Then start organizing files. The French fleet has left the port, which means that the war is about to begin. However, it has not yet figured out where the opponent's goal is, which seems very passive. If the intelligence department can pass on the information about the departure of the French South Atlantic Fleet as soon as possible, then they will also have more time to prepare.
The carriage of the Admiralty was rushing through the street. Fortunately, the street is deserted after all, and there are no pedestrians, otherwise, it may cause traffic accidents.
It took less than half an hour to rush from the Admiralty to the White House with lightning speed all the way.
Entering the White House, Davis walked directly to Adams' office.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Davis. Your Excellency is discussing matters with Mr. Bryan. Please wait a moment." Adams' secretary Carter stepped up to stop him.
"Get out of the way, Carter. I have an urgent military situation that needs to be reported to His Excellency the President. Maybe the war is about to start!" Davis said loudly.
Carter was taken aback: "War? Is it about to start?" Although it was always said that the war was coming, once it really happened, it would still be very shocking. Carter even forgot to keep blocking Davis.
"Bang!" The door of Adams' office was pushed open by Davis. Inside, Adams and Brian watched all this in shock, this is the White House! Does anyone in the office of the President of the United States dare to be so rude?
Seeing that it was Davis who came in, Adams felt his heart tighten. He leaned back on the sofa and asked, "Dear General Davis, what is it that makes you so panicked?"
"Your Excellency, the war may begin soon." Davis said with a serious face.
"Oh? Why are you so sure?" Adams straightened up, also worried.
"Didn't everyone say that war was coming every day during this time?" Brian was a little disapproving. The war may really come, but no one can accurately grasp the specific time. In his opinion, this may be just another mystery of Davis.
"I'm sorry to tell you, Lord Brian, this time, it may be true." Davis said expressionlessly.
"What's going on?" Adams realized that something was wrong, and asked nervously.
"The intelligence department sent back news that the major French fleets have left the port one after another. Among them, the French South Atlantic Fleet was the first to leave the port. However, the exact time is unknown, and we can only guess that it left the port before the 17th. And now , It’s already the 20th. Those damned intelligence personnel actually sent back the news a full week late. We don’t know where the French South Atlantic Fleet is now. Perhaps, they are heading for Washington.” Dai Weiss said angrily.
"In other words, the French have already fully acted. But at present we don't know where the opponent's target is?" Adams rubbed his forehead and said with some headaches. He just received a complaint from the director of the intelligence agency yesterday that France's counter-espionage work has become more and more rigorous and powerful. During this period of time, the US intelligence agency has lost a large number of excellent spies. The same is true for Canada, so there are big loopholes in intelligence collection.
"Based on the current intelligence, we have no way of knowing the specific targets of the French. I have ordered the major fleets to closely monitor and notified the Canadian side. Now, we can only passively wait for the French to reveal their intentions." Dai Weiss was a little frustrated. This is undoubtedly a lost initiative. If the French fleet gathers superior forces and concentrates on destroying one or two American fleets, the strength of the United States may be greatly damaged.
"In addition, Your Excellency, I ask the government to allocate another sum of money to the Navy to speed up the speed of shipbuilding in various shipyards. To make up for the losses of various fleets after the war broke out." Davis said.
"Your Excellency Davis, the army has not only the navy, but also the army. It is impossible to allocate funds only to the navy. In addition, the government has no extra money." Davis just finished speaking. Brian growled. In the past few years, military expenditures have hit new highs every year, which has made the government miserable and unable to make ends meet. It relies on issuing a large amount of bonds every year to support it. If this continues, the government may soon go bankrupt.
"Your Excellency Brian, I have no choice. If we don't want to be defeated on the battlefield, we can only increase our investment. Up to now, we have no choice." Davis said coldly.
"Well, Your Excellency Davis, we will try our best to meet your request. You report this situation to Your Excellency Zominsk, and discuss with him to make a decision. I only have one request, and the whole country will support you unconditionally, But the army must win as much as possible." Adams stopped the quarrel between the two, and then said. Now is the critical moment, not the time to quarrel.
"Obey! Your Excellency, we will do our best." Davis solemnly promised. Then after paying a military salute to Adams, he left.
After Davis left, Adams said to Brian: "As Davis said, we have no choice now, otherwise, we will wait to be defeated and become subjugated slaves. Perhaps the entire North America will become Europeans again." Colonies. Therefore, we can only support them to the best of our ability." His tone was full of helplessness.
"I see, Your Excellency, I will do my best." Brian also said.
Time passed slowly like this, and the entire US side was extremely nervous by the news of the departure of the French fleet. But because he didn't know the specific goals of the French fleet, he seemed very passive.
The time soon came to October 22, 1833. On this day, the French and South American troops launched a fierce attack on the South American theater of the United States and Canada. Focus the attention of the United States on South America.
"Is the French's attack target really in South America, or is it just a suspicion?" Davis was a little confused, and even Zominsk was also a little confused.
Because the French team is attacking across the board this time, without an obvious target.
On the 22nd, the three legions in the French South American region launched a fierce attack on the American, Canadian and South American theaters. Among them, the 16th Army, divided into three groups, attacked important areas along the Atlantic coast in the northern part of the Amazon River, such as Cayenne, Oiapoki, and Macapa. The US-Canadian coalition forces have deployed a full 100,000 people in the area. If their direct connection with the US-Canada coalition headquarters is cut off, the consequences will be disastrous. Therefore, the commander-in-chief of the South American Theater of the United States and Canada immediately ordered all the troops in the area to immediately gather south to prepare to resist the French attack. At the same time, the 6th Fleet of the US Navy was notified, ready to support them. In addition, it is planned to send 50,000 troops from the Belém area where the headquarters is located to attack Obidos, the headquarters of the French 16th Army, and force the French team to return for assistance.
Almost at the same time, the French 17th Army concentrated its forces and launched a fierce attack on St. Paul. This shocked the South American Command of the United States and Canada. Sao Paulo is an important town in South America. After being captured by the French team last time, they took it back at a high price. Therefore, Cavester, commander of the South American Theater Command of the US-Canada Allied Forces, immediately ordered the 100,000 US-Canadian Allied Forces deployed along the coast near the Rolle Mountains to quickly support Sao Paulo. At the same time, it also requested the assistance of the US 7th Fleet. It must be ensured that Sao Paulo is in the hands of the US-Canadian forces. If the attack of the French cannot be reached, the port must be destroyed to avoid being used by the French.
In addition, St. Louis, which is close to Belém, was also attacked by the main force of the French 18th Army. This caused Cavester to rush reinforcements to St. Louis. St. Louis was near Belém, so only 20,000 men were deployed. So not many troops were deployed. The French army that can attack has exceeded 50,000, and there are heavy artillery. Cavenster hastily transferred two divisions from Belém to the south again. At the same time a division was drawn from Parnaíba to go north.
Subsequently, the US team launched an attack on Fortaleza and Recife again. The entire South America was in full swing almost in an instant. Let the US-Canadian coalition forces in the South American theater have nearly 500,000 troops, but they are exhausted by the French team.
"Damn it, order the defenders everywhere, and you must stand firm. The reinforcements will arrive soon." Cavester had to ask all the places to stand firm. But no reinforcements could be sent. Even Belem has only 5 divisions with more than 70,000 people left. Half the army has been dispatched. If the army is being dispatched, the main target of the death team is Belém, the headquarters of the American, Canadian and South American theaters, and it will be too late for them to return to help.
"Now, it is almost certain that the main target of the French is South America. The information from France has also confirmed that France has sent a huge supply fleet. It seems that they want to supply South America again. We have dispatched reinforcements." Zominsk put down his coffee cup and said. During this period of time, his nerves were highly tense, which made him very tired.
"However, where is the French attacking target? From south to north, the French are attacking several places at the same time. These places all have very good ports. It is really difficult to guess the true intention of the French to identify people." David Si also had some headaches.
Chapter 533: Attack on Fortaleza
The French 18th Army did not attack Fortaleza until the morning of the 23rd. When the news was passed to the US-Canadian Allied Forces South American Theater Command in Belém, it didn't attract everyone's attention at all. In the past two days, a large number of coastal cities have been violently attacked by the French army. Fortaleza is just a not very important city, and it is not a big deal to be attacked by the French army.
It is precisely because of this understanding of the South American Theater Command of the US-Canada Allied Forces that Fortaleza only persisted for two days before falling. When a large number of French ships docked in Fortaleza on the 25th, Carl Cente and other commanders of the South American theater of the US-Canadian coalition realized the seriousness of the matter.
On the morning of the 23rd, the 4th and 6th Divisions of the French 18th Army Corps, with more than 30,000 people in the two divisions, and the artillery regiment directly under the Legion, launched a fierce attack on Fortaleza.
In the entire Fortaleza, the US-Canadian coalition forces only deployed one division, less than 20,000 people. Facing the attack of the superior force of the French army, they could not resist it at all.
In order to quickly conquer Fortaleza, Monty also made careful preparations. In particular, the twelve 155mm heavy howitzers of the entire army were pulled out. And the few 155mm shells that were saved were all taken out. After all, in addition to personnel, the replenishment this time, such as 155mm heavy howitzer shells, is the priority replenishment. For a long time, they don't have to worry about running out of shells.
Before the attack began, the French army shelled for a full hour. More than two hundred cannons, large and small, were assembled, and the entire Fortaleza was engulfed in a sea of flames.
Fortaleza was not very big, with only 70,000 to 80,000 residents, plus the troops stationed there, there were just over 100,000 people. Moreover, the US-Canadian coalition forces did not expect the French army to attack the coastal cities on a large scale, so they were caught off guard. After the war in South America entered a stalemate, the French army rarely launched siege campaigns. After all, without heavy artillery, storming the strong city of the US-Canadian coalition forces will definitely cause heavy losses. The French army, in terms of personnel, is also difficult to get supplemented.
Combining these factors, the US-Canadian coalition forces in Fortaleza are very lax in defense. In the entire city, 1 division of the US military, plus a battalion of Canadian troops, plus dozens of police officers, this is all the armed forces in the entire city of Fortaleza. As for breaking, there are only more than twenty doors.
When the French army launched a full-line attack on the South American theater of the US-Canadian forces, they began to prepare for war. However, there was not much time left for them, and the French army killed them overnight.
Monty came to the front line and directed the battle himself. After all, this is related to France's entire counterattack plan against the US-Canadian coalition forces, and it must not be sloppy.
"Put in a regiment of troops!" Monty put down the binoculars and gave an order. At this time, the shelling had just ended. The positions of the US-Canadian coalition forces are covered with smoke and dust, and it is impossible to see whether the shelling has any effect.
Now that Monty is on the front line, the two division commanders naturally have no command. After Monty gave the order, they hurried to convey the combat order.
A regiment of French troops jumped out of the position, bowed their waists, and rushed towards the position of the American-Canadian coalition forces. They lined up in a skirmish line, and the formation was very scattered. Once they were attacked, they could respond immediately.
At this moment, on the US-Canadian coalition position, a large number of beauties are holding their heads and sticking to the bottom of the trench. The violent shelling by the French army was like the end of the world for them. Especially for the 155mm heavy howitzer, every shell that falls will form a huge crater. Within ten meters in diameter, no matter if you hide in a trench or in a bomb defense hole, as long as you are shrouded in this area, you will not be spared.
The trench was flattened directly, and all the soldiers inside were torn to pieces by the flying shrapnel. If the anti-bunker hole is directly hit, the end will be even more tragic. The anti-bunker hole built by the US-Canadian coalition forces cannot withstand the bombardment of heavy artillery shells at all. Once hit, the entire anti-bunker hole will collapse. All those who hid inside had to be buried alive.
Over time, many soldiers of the U.S.-Canadian Allied Forces would rather hide in trenches than in artillery holes. Unless, the French 155mm heavy howitzer did not participate in the battle.
"Get up, get up for me! The French are starting to attack!" After the shelling of the French army ended, a large number of low-level officers ran out from their hiding places, kicking and beating the soldiers to prepare them for battle. Even some soldiers have been frightened by the shelling of the French army at this moment. At this time, without some violent means, it is impossible to wake them up.
A large number of American soldiers were driven to poke their heads out of the trenches, holding guns, and attacked the French army under the orders of the officers.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" The monotonous sound of the rifle sounded, followed by a series of roars of machine guns.
After experiencing fierce shelling, many American soldiers have not been able to calm down at all. Therefore, their attacks often have no effect at all.
But the French army, the soldiers who rushed to the front, immediately fell to the ground and began to fight back. At the same time, the machine guns of the French army also rang out, and they began to make a crisp sound of "da da da", and the U.S. positions were hit with dust. Those who were completely suppressed did not dare to show their heads.
The French soldiers, under the cover of their own firepower, sometimes pounced, sometimes assaulted, and sometimes covered their comrades, and soon approached the American position. In terms of combat literacy, whether it is an American soldier or a Canadian soldier, it is obvious that they cannot compare with French soldiers.
"Fire, hit me hard!" The American general in charge of stationing Fortaleza was anxious and quickly ordered the artillery to open fire. Although they only have so many cannons. Once they suffer a loss, their next battle will be quite tragic. However, Cavester issued an order requiring the defenders everywhere to stand firm, and whoever lost his position and the city he was stationed in was occupied by the French would be sent to a military court. This made the defenders everywhere have to do their best.
"Boom! Boom!" The sparse shells fell into the French attacking queue. Directly blast people into the air. Shrapnel flew across, and the French army had to stop their attack and lie on the ground to avoid it.
The US bombardment seemed violent, but in fact, it did not cause much casualties to the French army.
"Is the artillery locked on the American artillery positions?" Monty put down his binoculars and smiled. American artillery is a potential threat to the French army and must be eliminated as soon as possible. The Americans and Canadians have been fighting the French army for so long, but they still don’t have a long memory. In almost every war, they lost all their artillery not long before the war started, and they could only be defeated by the French army in the end. The army's fierce cannon fodder raged.
In fact, the U.S.-Canadian coalition forces are not to blame for this. They really have nothing to do. If the artillery is not supported, the infantry alone will not be able to reach the stormy attack of the French army. Moreover, in terms of artillery, whether it is the cannon itself or the shells, the gap between them and France is not even the slightest bit. Therefore, in every artillery battle between the two sides, unless the US-Canadian coalition forces can form a double numerical advantage, otherwise, the US artillery must be suppressed.
In recent years, although the artillery of the United States and Canada has been greatly improved compared to before, it is still not at the same level as France. Most of their domestic resources are occupied by the navy, and the resources that can be allocated to artillery are naturally very scarce. Moreover, in terms of artillery tactics, the gap between them and France is quite large. Napoleon, as the first person to concentrate and use artillery, made France also have many pioneering achievements in artillery tactics. These are not things that the United States and Canada can learn after a short period of imitation.
12 powerful 155mm howitzers, restarted the debugging angle, and set the design elements according to the latest information obtained. They are the real gods of war.
"Boom!" The huge muzzle flashed orange-red flames, and the shells slammed into the American artillery positions.
"Quick, stop the bombardment, and transfer immediately!" The commander of the US military knew that their coordinates had not been detected by the French when the first shell fell. If you stay any longer, you can only wait for death.
But it was only at this time that I realized ~www.mtlnovel.com~ It was obviously over. Twelve 155mm howitzers are enough to carry out a covering attack on the small artillery position of the US military.
The panicked American artillerymen, ignoring the rescue of the cannon, ran away one after another. In the end, only 5 of the more than 20 cannons were left, and the rest were all destroyed by the fierce artillery fire of the French army. The positions were full of scattered limbs and twisted barrels, like **** on earth.
"Come on, send a telegram to the headquarters. We are attacked by at least 50,000 Frenchmen. Their attack is too fierce for us to resist. If there is no reinforcement, Fortaleza will fall soon. "The US military commander directly expanded the scale of the French army's offensive by a generation. Although in fact, he has no idea how many French teams are attacking Fortaleza. The strength of the boasting army, even after he lost Fortaleza, was justified. Outnumbered!
"Attack across the board and enter Fortaleza before dark!" Monty ordered directly. In his view, the fall of Fortaleza at this time has become a foregone conclusion, the only difference is how long it can continue to struggle.
Under Monty's order, the French army directly invested four regiments, divided into two sides, and besieged Fortaleza.