In the waters near the Azores, the German Home Fleet, Atlantic Fleet, and Carrier Fleet had completed their joint assault on the American fleet. Apart from a small number of fish that had slipped through the net, the rest of the American fleet's main force had been wiped out. This battle was undoubtedly a painful one for the American Navy. Aside from some small and medium-sized warships, all of their Capital Ships had been sunk, sending them back to square one once more.
Of course, with America's shipbuilding capacity, rebuilding those warships would not be much of a problem. But the real shortfall lay in experienced sailors! In this battle, the American Navy had also suffered grievous personnel losses. Training a qualified naval serviceman required a long period of time.
It could be said that after this crushing defeat, the American Navy would not be able to recover its strength without ten years. For the next decade, the German Navy could continue to dominate the Atlantic Ocean, with no other opponent capable of challenging it.
After dealing with the American fleet, Germany's next objective in this battle was undoubtedly the US Marine Corps that had landed on the Azores. Having lost naval reinforcements, the US Marine Corps on the islands had become turtles trapped in a jar.
On the Atlantic Fleet's flagship, the Battleship Bavaria, Lieutenant General Alexander Linsingen, commander of the German Marine Corps, was discussing the coming battle with Vice Admiral Burdick, Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, and Vice Admiral Schmidt, the chief of staff.
"General Linsingen, according to the intelligence we have received, the US Marine Corps 1st Marine Division is currently stationed on several islands in the eastern Azores. São Miguel Island has the largest concentration of US Marines, with more than ten thousand men. The