Chapter 83, Under the Summer of the Equatorial Ocean Before World War II, the United States had two major island bases in the North and South in the Pacific, which served as the forward base for the United States to advance into the ocean.
Among them, the Hawaiian Islands located in the North Pacific Ocean have been world-famous since early times.
As for the Samoa Islands in the South Pacific, little is known about them.
But in fact, in terms of controlling the strategic position of the Pacific, the importance of Hawaii and Samoa is actually comparable.
The former is the home port of the U.S.
Pacific Fleet and the core of controlling the North Pacific, while the latter is a wedge for the United States of America to penetrate into the South Pacific and deter New Zealand and Australia.
The Samoa Islands are located in the middle of the Polynesian Islands in the South Pacific, so they have always had a "Polynesian heart." reputation.
There are 12 islands, large and small, with a total area of 3,144 square kilometers.
Its strategic position in the South Pacific is comparable to Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean.
Among the secondary archipelagos under the Polynesian Islands, the Samoa Islands are the second largest island group after the Hawaiian Islands.
Like Hawaii, the Samoa Islands are also volcanic islands, with undulating mountains on each island.
The highest peak is on Savai'i Island, with an altitude of 1,858 meters.
Therefore, there are many natural harbors, and the coastal areas are narrow and fertile plains.
The area and properties are enough to support the survival of hundreds of thousands of people, and can ensure sufficient food and fresh water supply for the fleet at the island's port.
In the late nineteenth century, Germany, Britain and the United States had a fierce confrontation over the Samoa Islands.
However, with their strong strength and geographical advantage of being close to the water, the Americans had the last laugh in this battle.
The reason why the Hawaiian Islands will become famous and well-known around the world in the future, while the Samoa Islands are not well-known and unknown, and their popularity is even lower than that of Guam and Saipan.
First of all, it is because the South Pacific is not as important as the North Pacific.
Samoa The scenery is not as good as Hawaii.
Secondly, the United States "peacefully took over" the British forces in Oceania after the war.
There was no fierce military conflict, so naturally it could not attract the attention of the world.
Finally, in the "world over there", the Japanese army's South Pacific strategy was not strong enough.
They pushed it as far as Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and could no longer push it.
Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands further back were spared the ravages of war, but they also lost the opportunity to go down in history.
However, in this time and space when the Japanese army was cheated by golden fingers, the Samoa Islands finally became the forefront of the battle between the American and Japanese armies.
Various naval battles, air battles, engagement battles and landing battles broke out countless times in the vast sea area from Samoa to Fiji.
Both sides tried their best and invested all their capital.
In the end, as the U.S.
Navy and Army forces were trapped in the Japanese archipelago, and Halsey's fleet was destroyed in the typhoon, this battle decided the fate of the South Pacific.
The decisive battle for the future has finally come to decide the winner.
In fact, the Americans have essentially given up on Samoa, but this does not prevent them from leaving behind a bunch of scapegoats when they retreat.
South Pacific, Samoa Islands, Savai'i Island Although the hands of the alarm clock have just slipped to the afternoon, the sky has already darkened heavily, because many dark clouds gradually drifted into the sky at some point.
Small shining silver arcs jumped in the distant clouds, piercing the gloom from time to time. sky, venting their long-simmering violent power.
Rumble Accompanied by a series of deafening thunders, thick light gray and purple-gray clouds quickly gathered over the Samoa Islands and rolled violently.
The sea breeze that was soothing and refreshing a moment ago also became violent and violent in an instant. , seeing a heavy rain coming quietly again.
However, even the lightning and thunder on the eve of the heavy rain could not conceal the rumbling sound of artillery from the sea: under the overwhelming Japanese army's joint sea, land and air offensive, the South Pacific territory of the United States of America was already in danger.
Just as the Japanese Army launched At the same time as the Battle of Melbourne, the Japanese navy, which had returned to the Southeast Asia, also launched a large-scale eastward expedition, and its troops directly attacked Samoa, the base camp of the US Navy in the South Pacific.
Unfortunately, Admiral Halsey and the main force of the U.S.
Pacific Fleet under his command suffered devastating damage in a typhoon, sinking 1.8 million tons of ships in one fell swoop.
Currently, the remaining main ships of the U.S.
Navy were forced to After retreating to Hawaii, Samoa had to resort to the empty city strategy. , only a small number of destroyers, light cruisers and escort aircraft carriers converted from freighters were left behind symbolically.
Therefore, the Japanese naval combined fleet with all its forces easily crushed the weak resistance of this weak fleet, and then smoothly rushed into the warehouse.
The vast sea area from the Kraft Islands to the Samoa Islands.
Next, the two largest main islands of the Samoa Islands, Savai'i and Ubulu, became the inevitable prey of the Japanese navy.
First, the Japanese naval air force, which covered the sky and the sun, was dispatched.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
Tens of thousands of aircraft were dispatched, and several major oil depots, airports, docks, docks, and radar stations in the Samoa Islands were all blown up. .
After several days of repeated bombing, there was not even a single usable runway left for the Allies on the entire Samoa Islands.
Even several higher-level roads were bombed with holes in them to ensure that Samoa could be paralyzed.
The Allied air power prevented Allied engineers from using the air strikes to repair the runway.
Japanese Navy aircraft even dropped a large number of Nazi bombs on various airports in the Samoa Islands.
The "butterfly bomb" developed by Germany is a cluster bomb equipped with a delay fuse.
Every time a bomb is dropped, it can spread countless small time bombs like spraying pesticide, or air-dropped small landmines.
The Allied airport turned into a huge minefield, making it impossible for engineers to repair the runway until the mines were cleared, and naturally the fighter planes hidden in the air defense bunkers were unable to take off.
After the land-based aviation in the Samoa Islands was completely suppressed and the battlefield air superiority was completely controlled by the Japanese army, a huge strike fleet including four Yamato-class battleships, eight heavy cruisers and more than 30 other ships, It also approached Savai'i and Ubulu Islands aggressively.
As a prelude to the landing of ground troops, it unscrupulously poured steel and gunpowder into the two twin islands that were almost close to each other.
However, what surprised the Japanese Navy was that although according to the assessment of the staff, even if the U.S.
Pacific Fleet had retreated to Hawaii, and even if Japanese bombers repeatedly carried out staggering carpet air strikes on the Samoa Islands, as the U.S.
Navy in the South Pacific The most important relay supply station and fleet forward base, on the Samoa Islands, which has long been fully fortified, there should be a considerable number of fortress shore batteries built in the mountains that are still intact, and will not be affected by the previous Japanese bombing.
Of How much damage have been suffered during the war?
Those open-air and semi-open-air open shore guns are of course as fragile as eggs under repeated bombings from aircraft.
But the problem is that according to the intelligence reported by spies, some shore guns have also been constructed on various Samoa islands. sturdy steel Reinforced concrete forts, or even tunnels buried thirty meters below the rocky ground, with cannon muzzles cut out of the cliffs near the sea to fire.
With the aviation technology of this era, no bomber can destroy this mole-like and A difficult target like a tortoise.
Therefore, when the Japanese navy's artillery fleet gradually approached Savai'i and Ubulu islands, it was truly prepared for a head-on artillery battle.
However, what is very strange is that in actual combat, the shore defense counterattack firepower displayed by the allied forces stationed in the Samoa Islands was surprisingly weak.
To be precise, the firepower of Savai'i and Ublu Islands The shore artillery almost never fired a single shot from beginning to end.
On the entire battlefield in Samoa, Japanese warships were basically pouring bullets on one side, while the Allied forces on the shore kept firing their guns and remained silent.
This strange silence made everyone at the Combined Fleet Headquarters very confused.
Some arrogant staff officers claimed that the American and British devils must have lost their courage and had no courage to fire guns to defend the enemy.
But more people firmly believe that this should be some conspiracy by the Allied forces defending the island.
After so many years of bloody battles, those angry young men with middle school disease who are full of empty talk and full of "spiritual power first" are no longer in the navy.
Much more.
The Japanese army knew very well that their opponents were not only as brave as tigers and wolves, but also as cunning as foxes.
Therefore, after some discussion, just in case, the suspicious Combined Fleet Commander Narumi Inoue decided to postpone the landing date on Savai'i and Ubulu Islands, extend the time for the shelling of the opposite shore, and at the same time dispatch a small reconnaissance force Land on other surrounding islands to test the reaction of the Allied Forces in Samoa.
However, the final result was even more confusing.
Except for the two main islands of Savai'i and Ubulu, the Japanese army did not find defenders on any other islands, but honeycomb-like fortifications could be seen everywhere.
What on earth do the Americans want to do?
They have spent so much manpower and material resources and built so many fortifications and tunnels, only to throw them all away when the war is about to begin.
In this regard, Admiral Narumi Inoue felt increasingly confused and could not figure out what the enemy wanted to do.
In fact, if Inoue Narumi could know who the troops currently stationed in the Samoa Islands are, then He probably wouldn't be so confused.
"Oh my god, this is where the battleships of those Eastern dwarfs, these stupid yellow people, stole the technology from."
On the north shore of Savai'i Island, on a high mountain facing the vast sea, in a torrential rain with lightning and thunder, Second Lieutenant Isaac huddled in a well-camouflaged lookout post, muttering quietly, While using high-powered telescopes to detect the latest movements of the Japanese fleet.
Although due to constant rain, mist lingered on the sea all day long, and visibility was very poor.
However, because the Japanese naval artillery fleet was already very close, Lieutenant Isaac was still able to clearly identify the hazy figure of the enemy through the high-power telescope in his hand, relying on the vantage point of observation.
The steel behemoths were shadowy, pouring fire and steel towards the island: the leader was a row of four mighty and domineering huge battleships, with a bow decorated with a golden chrysanthemum pattern on the front, and a rising sun flag fluttering on the stern.
The low and thick triple-mounted giant turret, as well as the superstructure that is ten stories high, lined with secondary guns on both sides, and the front looks full of momentum, are all extremely shocking to people.
Behind them, these overlords of the sea, were followed by more smaller ships, cruising around Savai'i Island and Ubulu Island.
Suddenly, the four Yamato-class battleships shook slightly, and the three turrets fired alternately.
The eighteen-inch cannon roared, spitting orange-red flames toward the island, and the roaring sound of the cannon rumbled on the sea.
Next, after the artillery calibration machine gave the correct correction value, the cannons of other ships also joined in this devastating chorus one after another, spitting out rows of huge fireballs, roaring like an express train, piercing the clouds The dense yellow sky.
Countless steel projectiles crossed the sea and landed on the lush volcanic island with dense vegetation, emitting scarlet fire and smoke.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
In order to distinguish their impact points, each ship used colorful tracer bullets.
The chaotic colored lines were intertwined, one end connected to the fleet on the sea, the other end connected to Savai'i Island, like countless cars with colorful lights, running wildly along a night road.
On the highway, the scene is spectacular.
Although due to the limitation of the muzzle elevation, no matter how fervently these Japanese warships fought, they could not hit Ensign Isaac squatting on the mountain.
However, listening to the loud rumblings from the sea and feeling the slight vibrations under his feet, as an Argentine soldier who had not seen war for about seventy years, Second Lieutenant Isaac, who belonged to the Allied South American Legion, still felt I vaguely felt waves of inner fear and hesitation.
Wait, what, what, Argentinian soldiers of the South American Legion?
That's right, Second Lieutenant Isaac was an Argentine officer who had just graduated from the academy.
He had been transferred to the Pacific Theater less than three months ago.
Generally speaking, the attitude of South American countries towards World War II is roughly the same as the attitude of the Chinese towards World War I.
After the Pearl Harbor incident, the speech of the leader of the National Party of Uruguay at that time is said to be the most representative of the aspirations of the people of South America at that time.
He said: "This war should be resolved by the golden-haired people and the yellow people themselves.
Anyway, this is a matter of lions and lions."
The fight for prey.”
In other words, since South American countries cannot become lions anyway, and it is good if they are not eaten like steaks, then why bother meddling in their own business?
Therefore, almost all the people of South America have such an attitude that it has nothing to do with themselves, and indifferently look at this "other people's war" that has swept almost all other continents.
South America during World War II also seems to have become a A paradise without smoke.
However, in the first half of the twentieth century, the earth had already been closely connected by ships, railways and radios.
Even South America could not truly watch the fire from across the shore, and it was also involved in the vortex of World War II to a certain extent.
First, at that time All South American countries are export-oriented economies.
In fact, this is still the case until the 21st century.
Consumers in Europe and North America are Their food, clothing, and parents had to consider their relationship with each other.
Secondly, most of the American countries at that time were under the control of military dictatorships.
They were very fond of Nazi-fascist ideology and generally had a close relationship with Nazi Germany before the war. , if it was purely based on their true intentions, they would probably be more willing to join the Axis camp.
But the problem is that even on the eve of World War II, the United States' control over South America was far from what it was in the 19th century.
At the very least, it had basically reached the point where everyone listened to everything it said, and it could easily subvert a country's regime with a little effort. .
In this situation where life and death are controlled by the American emperor, it is too risky for South American countries to join the Axis Powers.
They have no choice but to imitate Spain's General Franco and play neutrality.
After France fell and the German army entered Paris, the American ruling class finally realized the seriousness of the problem and discovered that the American and British camps really had the possibility of losing the war.
So they quickly implemented the golden bullet tactic and threw a large amount of dollars to South America in exchange for their support for the Allies. support.
There is obviously no suspense about who has more money, Roosevelt or Hitler, and even if Germany wanted to arm South America, its national strength and geographical conditions would not allow it.
As a result, with the bribe of US dollars, Brazil, the largest country in South America with a population of 45 million, completely turned to the United States.
Not only did it mobilize the entire country of Brazil to actively participate in the Second World War, it even sent volunteers to participate.
Battle of Italy.
The Brazilian Navy has also made a lot of efforts in escorting ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
Countries such as Uruguay, Peru, Venezuela, and Chile are basically outsiders who have been defeated by the wind.
Some of their verbal support for the Nazis are often just a means of defrauding and extorting U.S. aid, and should not be taken too seriously.
In short, among the South American countries during World War II, Brazil was the most loyal lackey of the United States.
As for other South American countries, they swayed repeatedly between the Axis and Allied camps, or to be precise, between Germany and the United States.
There was no symbolic declaration of war against the Axis powers until the very end.
Among them, Argentina was the most pro-Nazi South American country.
After the Pearl Harbor incident, it even refused to sever diplomatic relations with the Axis powers.
The United States used both soft and hard tactics, but it was basically useless.
In fact, it was precisely because the Brazilians turned to the United States that it intensified Argentina's hostility towards the Allies.
At that time, in order to compete for hegemony in South America, the bad relationship between Brazil and Argentina was probably similar to that of Saudi Arabia and Iran in later generations.
Basically, Almost developed into Brazilians When eating, Argentines must eat shit.
Free novels bring you joy and joy ---> storyskyline.net
Of course, no matter how arrogant the Argentines are, their arms will never be able to twist their thighs in this world.
In the month when Nazi Germany was destroyed, Argentina still declared war on the Axis Powers.
At least I got to be the last train to the victorious country.
However, this does not affect the post-war Argentine Republic, which has become the most ideal place of escape for the remnants of the German Nazis.
In another time and space, by the time Argentina symbolically declared war on the Axis Powers, World War II was basically over.
The Italian fascists have gone to heaven, Nazi Germany is already lying in the grave waiting to be filled with soil, and Japan only has half a life left, so there is no need for South American countries to do anything more.
But in this time and space, although the German Nazis and Italian fascists have been wiped out, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom are still fighting in Europe.
After being hit by two atomic bombs, the Japanese jumped more energetically and bit the Americans who were eager to pick up the fruits of victory into the meat grinder.
In less than a year, more than three million Allied troops were killed on the battlefield.
As a result, the South American countries that had originally planned to take the last train to declare war on the Axis Powers suddenly became frustrated.
Then, under the pressure of the United States, they were unwilling to give up.
Reluctantly jumped into the fire pit of war.
After experiencing countless devastating defeats, the dawn of victory has not yet appeared, but the human resources of the United States have been used to the verge of overdraft.
In order to prevent the American boys from bleeding a little less and retain some vitality for the United States, the Pentagon has It forced the Brazilian government to conscript three million soldiers to serve as cannon fodder to join the war, and other Spanish-speaking South American countries could not escape the fate of being drafted oshow7: