Chapter 606 We need that kind of aircraft

January 1, 1916.

The bells of the New Year are ringing in the sky with gunfire and miserable howls. The laughter is drowned by the roaring heavy artillery, and the joy is swallowed up by the flames. The desire for peace is full of horsepower with the warring countries. There is no hope. At least no one can escape from this big quagmire this year.

Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas, war has shrouded the five continents, and the world is quietly changing in the sound of cannons. Whether it is the allied countries that have previously dominated, or the allies that claim to be "a piece of sunshine and need fairness", no one can get out again at this moment, no matter who must You have to grit your teeth and stick to it until you win or lose and establish a new international order.

The once prosperous Apple City has been surrounded by wind and snow and cold. It was once thought that there would never be a war. However, since the Statue of Liberty collapsed under the roar of naval guns two months ago, New York has been like a singer with a bad voice, and has lived in depression and dullness since then.

After two months, the stock exchange still shows no sign of opening. The once busy Manhattan seems to have fallen into a dead silence, and the charred island of freedom in the distance has become a sad place for the whole United States.

The victory of the Battle of the Colon Islands once made the United States cheer for a while, but the ensuing trouble was that the American political axe fell into embarrassment. The Ecuadorian political axe has asked the United States to withdraw from the Cologne Islands. The Peruvian political axe rejected the U.S. initiative to join the Allies to jointly ensure peace in South America, and the Chilean political axe even said no hope. Looking at the war entering the South American continent, the dark tide surged in South America, which was once submissive to the United States.

The crazy recession of the economy is in sharp contrast to the busyness in the shipyard. On the one hand, the workers have to work night, build more warships and weapons to the army to defeat the enemy, and on the other hand, there is a disproportionate meager income.

"How long will it take for this damn day?!"

Sampayo sat on the deck smoking silently, with an electric welding gun at his feet. Under his buttocks, he had entered the trimming, and even the Pennsylvania-class No. 4, Alabama battleship, which had been equipped with four double 15-inch cannons, was approaching. After completion, I suddenly received an order to reinstall more anti-aircraft guns and install at least 20 replica Lewis machine guns from the United Kingdom.

What's the use of these little guys?

Sampayo didn't understand, but the welding gun that he had just started to use under his feet greatly improved the efficiency of shipbuilding. Unfortunately, it could not weld thick armor, otherwise it would be faster.

In the dock in the distance, the figures are exciting and let the United States see the hope of victory. But for the Mexican Sampaio, he is more concerned about the corresponding remuneration after labor, rather than the President Wilson's words "the United States needs to do its best" and let him and his partners pay a Cut.

After extinguishing the cigarette butt, Sampaio picked up the welding gun again. He had to complete the welding of the four double machine gun fixing frames today, but before the welding gun was brought out of Mars, his shoulder was patted.

"Hi, Sampaio, you know? Is there any big news?

"Big news?" Sampaio looked at his Mexican partner, took off his mask and asked, "What's the news?"

"Xinhua's army occupied Singapore."

Sampaio shook his head. He didn't even know where Singapore was, so he didn't touch the news. Seeing him at a loss, his partner immediately took out today's newspaper and gave it to him.

In the newspaper, it was the news that the Xinhua Army had captured the Singapore Fortress. Lieutenant General Phillips, the commander of the British Far East Fleet and the commander-in-chief of the Singapore Garrison, surrendered to Xinhua an hour after more than 19,000 surviving British troops and the New Year's bell rang.

The whole battle began in the early morning of the 25th. In just five days, the Xinhua army took down the Singapore fortress, which Britain thought could hold on for at least two years. This terrible and powerful fighting ability made everyone feel a chill in their hearts.

But what interested Sampaio was that the newspaper said that Xinhua had dispatched hundreds of new aircraft, and the British Far East Fleet was destroyed in the harbor without even firing a single shot. Then he suddenly realized why he had to temporarily install so many machine guns and then rapid-fire guns, because the United States was afraid!

"Look at the back." The partner seemed to be particularly excited. He rushed to turn to the second page and pointed to the news of the beginning of the Battle of Saint-Miere: "The British began to counterattack. They have dispatched nearly two million troops, and Germany will soon be defeated!"

"Real way." This news made Sampaio excited involuntarily. If Germany could be defeated and gather the strength of the whole Ally to attack Xinhua, the war would end early. Maybe it would not have to be so busy but the salary would be scarce.

The two of them sat in front of the machine gun rack and chatted without saying a word, as if they saw the dawn of victory, but suddenly a short conversation from under the deck made them involuntarily tighten their hearts.

"Have you heard about it? General Pershing led the army into Mexico yesterday.

"Why? Isn't it a war with the alliance? What are you doing in Mexico?

"Because everyone is worried that Mexico will fall to the Allies, we must deal with them first and stabilize the security of our continent before we can concentrate on attacking the Allies."

"Oh, so that's it."

"Ha ha, those Mexican fools will soon know that although we in the United States have been injured, it is not something they can challenge! They should learn how to treat the United States.

"Mexican fool!" The anger flashed in the eyes of Sampayo and his partners, and they rushed to the side of the ship. Unfortunately, the figure below was already empty. Damn white bastard!" Sampaio scolded fiercely from the bottom of his heart, hoping to find the two guys and then sew their mouths with welding guns.

The partner next to him tore up the newspaper and threw it down from the high deck.

The cold wind blew newspaper fragments everywhere. Several pieces even flew to Manhattan Island under the strong wind. When the paper flew for several kilometers with the roaring north wind and one end was loaded with the thick floor-to-ceiling windows of the naval base building, Wilson turned his head: "William, has the British fleet set off? "?"

Lieutenant General William Benson nodded: "Hew. Major General Rodman has led four battleships and four cruisers of the Atlantic Fleet and set off three days ago. They will turn on the British Grand Fleet in five days to deal with the German high seas fleet.

"With our assistance, the German high seas fleet will not be able to break through the North Sea defense line for at least half a year, and Britain and we can free our hands to concentrate on defending the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean." Lieutenant General Charles, the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Navy, also said immediately.

Wilson nodded and looked at the quiet New York outside the window. He sighed in his heart. He couldn't remember how many times he had come here, but he couldn't see any signs of recovery every time, which made him very worried. New York is the weather vane of the American economy and a region with heavy industry. If it can't recover as soon as possible. That's extremely unfavorable to the United States.

Thinking of this, he continued to ask, "William, what do you think about the Xinhua plane?"

"It's very strong. We can't compete at present!"

William Benson frowned and thought of the news of the Singapore war report he had received before. He shook his head and said, "I don't know what will happen if our fleet faces that kind of attack, but I think if we are not prepared, it will be difficult for Major General Andrew's Pacific Fleet to resist this air attack. .

Yesterday, four Nevada-class battleships have left for San Diego Base. With eight capital ships, we can basically ensure the safety of the west coast. Now Li Mo's strategic focus is on the southwest and the Indian Ocean. Even if he can quickly take Singapore, it will take at least half a year to free up his hands to return to the Pacific. Pingyang, so we must take advantage of this time!"

William Benson looked at his partner Charles with a solemn face and continued: "Charles went to Colt with the people from the Army Department a few days ago to see the demonstration of Mr. Browning's new machine gun. The machine gun was very perfect. The army has promised to purchase at least 50,000. In addition, Mr. Browning listened to our air defense. After the need, he said that he could complete the improvement of the heavy machine gun within half a year, so that the machine gun can be used for air defense. In addition, we bought a replica light Lewis machine gun from the United Kingdom, which basically meets the needs of close-range air defense.

What our navy currently lacks is medium-range anti-aircraft rapid-fire guns. According to our research and observation, almost every warship of the Xinhua Navy is equipped with a large number of double-link, even four-link 37mm machine guns for air defense. Recently, there have been two small-caliber rapid-fire guns, so I think we should also learn to imitate.

"According to the British sailors who survived the Battle of Colombo, Xinhua planes will fly to about 1,800 meters and then drop torpedoes every time they attack. In the past few days, we have done experiments. This distance happens to be the range of machine guns, and the two aircraft shot down by the Agamemnon are also in this range, so if a large number of them can be Installing an anti-aircraft machine gun can still have some effect. Of course, we prefer planes with Xinhua's capabilities and motherships that can carry planes, because we can't always defend. Charles also immediately made a suggestion.

In the face of the burning eyes of the two top commanders of the U.S. Navy, Wilson smiled bitterly. The problem of the mothership was not big. The five motherships modified with fast freighters have begun construction, and they are also prepared to be modified into Xinhua's full deck appearance according to intelligence. It is expected to be delivered one after another within half a year, but the aircraft is a Big trouble.

American industry is not a problem. Only two months after obtaining all the manufacturing technology of the Camel F1 fighter from the United Kingdom, the United States has manufactured 2,500 and equipped it with two M1914 Lewis 7.7mm double-linked air machine guns, half of which have been shipped to Australia, but Singapore The war has confirmed that the camel F1 fighters are useless in front of Xinhua's metal aircraft, so a large number of American imitation camel fighters may also face slaughter, and the camels can't drive Xinhua's torpedo at all. Even the enhanced twin-engine fighters currently being tested can only carry 340 milliliters after improvement. A small torpedo with a range of only 1,000 meters, because its engine power is seriously insufficient.

The backwardness of technology and engine has led to difficulties for the U.S. Navy. Even if it takes the Cologne Islands and temporarily open the route to Australia, it may face a counterattack within a few months. How to overcome this difficulty?

"Mr. President, I have a solution."

"Oh? What's the way?" Hearing William Benson's words, Wilson hurriedly asked.

"Xinhua has an air wing stationed in Kuwait!" William Benson took a breath: "Britain should also see the disadvantage of aviation. If we can get one or two intact planes at all costs, then half a year at most!"

"I see!"

Wilson pinched his eyebrows. Although the words are simple, how easy is it to get it?

(to be continued)