Free 1945 by William R. Forstchen, Newt Gingrich, Albert S. Hanser Page A
greatest problem in the previous war: protecting our bombers. This time, in all the British Isles there will be no single place of refuge. As for the invasion itself — Hitler paused to look over at Manstein — "I've reviewed your proposals." He fell silent for a moment, then, theatrically, "I approve. I will help you refine them, of course, but in general, I approve of your implementation of my original plan."
Manstein smiled and nodded his thanks.
"Full operational details for the invasion to be on my desk within thirty days. Training schedules in Russia are to be doubled immediately."
Hitler looked back at Göring.
"For the Luftwaffe the task is twofold. First you must gain air superiority both in the Midlands and the North, so that the invasion is not hindered by the RAF and the Royal Navy. Next you must destroy the American fleet. Do not doubt that they will come to you. The Americans will not stand idly by and watch England fall. Harrison made that clear to me at Reykjavik.
"According to our naval planners"—he nodded toward Doenitz—"the Americans will be able to marshal a fleet of at least twenty carriers at several ports along their east coast and perhaps even recall elements from as far as Pearl Harbor. They also have available four active divisions, three in the United States—one infantry, one airborne, and one Marine Corps—plus one Canadian infantry, which we can expect will be loaded aboard transports. This fleet should be ready to sortie to England's relief by day twenty-five and will take ten days more to make the crossing."
"The American fleet will be pounded from the time it leaves port until it reaches English waters," Göring puffed. "I have developed plans for Luftwaffe ground units to seize airstrips in Iceland and Greenland. The Americans will have my planes overhead from the beginning to the end of their voyage. And I do mean the end," he said with a laugh as he leaned forward in his seat to look directly across at Doenitz. "Of course, Admiral, your U-boats will be there to pick off what's left," the Air Marshal added with poisonous condescension.
"Just provide decent reconnaissance this time," the man in charge of the German navy replied icily, "and we will harvest our share."
Hitler slapped the table and the two fell silent.
"We need two years to complete our own bomb. To ensure that we have those two years, England must be eliminated once and for all, so that it can no longer serve as a base for air attacks. Furthermore, our holdings in Africa must be pushed clear into the Congo to secure the uranium mines, and to prevent the Americans from building air bases there. But, above all, their fleet must be destroyed, because without their navy the Americans are simply not a threat. To that end, I expect full cooperation between all branches of service." He scanned the room, pausing thoughtfully on Doenitz and Göring. "Full cooperation. Those who do not cooperate will be replaced."
"My Führer, I believe it is my duty to you to raise some concerns," Doenitz said after a moment's silence. All eyes turned to Doenitz, and then toward Hitler to gauge his reaction.
"Go on then," Hitler finally said, apparently all affability.
"My Führer, this American fleet survived attacks from over six thousand Japanese suicide planes during the 1944 campaign. They lost only fifty-six ships, only two of which were carriers, light carriers. Only one fleet carrier was lost, not in the batde but as it was being towed back to Pearl Harbor. They will not be an easy nut to crack."
"And our own carriers, which you pressed so hard for?"
"In an open engagement against twenty American carriers they would be quickly sunk," Doenitz replied simply. "We must keep them out of that engagement so that they can continue to support the invasion of England, and later, if they survive, help take the islands in the South Atlantic."
Hitler glared at him. "Then why did you press so hard to have them built, if they can do
Manstein smiled and nodded his thanks.
"Full operational details for the invasion to be on my desk within thirty days. Training schedules in Russia are to be doubled immediately."
Hitler looked back at Göring.
"For the Luftwaffe the task is twofold. First you must gain air superiority both in the Midlands and the North, so that the invasion is not hindered by the RAF and the Royal Navy. Next you must destroy the American fleet. Do not doubt that they will come to you. The Americans will not stand idly by and watch England fall. Harrison made that clear to me at Reykjavik.
"According to our naval planners"—he nodded toward Doenitz—"the Americans will be able to marshal a fleet of at least twenty carriers at several ports along their east coast and perhaps even recall elements from as far as Pearl Harbor. They also have available four active divisions, three in the United States—one infantry, one airborne, and one Marine Corps—plus one Canadian infantry, which we can expect will be loaded aboard transports. This fleet should be ready to sortie to England's relief by day twenty-five and will take ten days more to make the crossing."
"The American fleet will be pounded from the time it leaves port until it reaches English waters," Göring puffed. "I have developed plans for Luftwaffe ground units to seize airstrips in Iceland and Greenland. The Americans will have my planes overhead from the beginning to the end of their voyage. And I do mean the end," he said with a laugh as he leaned forward in his seat to look directly across at Doenitz. "Of course, Admiral, your U-boats will be there to pick off what's left," the Air Marshal added with poisonous condescension.
"Just provide decent reconnaissance this time," the man in charge of the German navy replied icily, "and we will harvest our share."
Hitler slapped the table and the two fell silent.
"We need two years to complete our own bomb. To ensure that we have those two years, England must be eliminated once and for all, so that it can no longer serve as a base for air attacks. Furthermore, our holdings in Africa must be pushed clear into the Congo to secure the uranium mines, and to prevent the Americans from building air bases there. But, above all, their fleet must be destroyed, because without their navy the Americans are simply not a threat. To that end, I expect full cooperation between all branches of service." He scanned the room, pausing thoughtfully on Doenitz and Göring. "Full cooperation. Those who do not cooperate will be replaced."
"My Führer, I believe it is my duty to you to raise some concerns," Doenitz said after a moment's silence. All eyes turned to Doenitz, and then toward Hitler to gauge his reaction.
"Go on then," Hitler finally said, apparently all affability.
"My Führer, this American fleet survived attacks from over six thousand Japanese suicide planes during the 1944 campaign. They lost only fifty-six ships, only two of which were carriers, light carriers. Only one fleet carrier was lost, not in the batde but as it was being towed back to Pearl Harbor. They will not be an easy nut to crack."
"And our own carriers, which you pressed so hard for?"
"In an open engagement against twenty American carriers they would be quickly sunk," Doenitz replied simply. "We must keep them out of that engagement so that they can continue to support the invasion of England, and later, if they survive, help take the islands in the South Atlantic."
Hitler glared at him. "Then why did you press so hard to have them built, if they can do
Similar Books
CONVICTION (INTERFERENCE)
Kimberly Schwartzmiller
I am Haunted: Living Life Through the Dead
Zak Bagans, Kelly Crigger
Unfaithful Ties
Nisha Le'Shea
Kiss On The Bridge
Mark Stewart
Moondust
J.L. Weil
Land of Unreason
L. Sprague de Camp, Fletcher Pratt
Damned If You Do
Marie Sexton
