On the morning of February 18, the German Home Fleet and the German Atlantic Fleet arrived in the waters near the Azores. However, by then the Americans had already made nearly all their preparations. Two US Marine Corps divisions and one British Marine Corps brigade had landed. They had constructed numerous defensive fortifications on the islands of the Azores.
Although those fortifications might not have been particularly sturdy due to the shortage of time, it had to be admitted that without powerful fire support, it would be extremely difficult for the German Marine Corps to storm the Azores and recapture those islands. The enormous casualties might even leave the beaches dyed red with the blood of German Marine Corps officers and soldiers.
To prevent the Azores from coming under attack from the German Navy's main guns, the American fleet was also operating around the Azores, hoping to find a favorable opportunity to deal the German Navy a crushing blow in one stroke and reverse the situation.
"General, the American fleet must be near the Azores, but how are we supposed to lure them out?" Lieutenant General Richter Fiers, chief of staff of the Home Fleet, asked.
"Where is the Carrier Fleet?" Admiral Hipper did not answer at once, instead asking for the Carrier Fleet's position.
"The Carrier Fleet is currently operating 150 kilometers northeast of the Azores. To avoid being discovered by the Americans, they are staying farther away," Lieutenant General Richter Fiers replied.
"Then we can carry out the plan and lure out the American fleet," Admiral Hipper said with a smile.
Admiral Hipper's plan appeared very simple. The Azores stretched several hundred kilometers from east to west. If the German Atlantic Fleet and Home Fleet appeared on opposite sides of the Azores, the fleets would undoubtedly be scattered