After German Navy E Army Corps's two armies went to South Seas, they strengthened German military's troops in Indochina and Australia. The arrival of 8th Air Group greatly increased German military's air force in South Seas. Although Island Nation's Army has completely occupied Dutch East Indies, whether it wants to attack Indochina or Australia, it has encountered great difficulties.
Before Island Nation Navy recovered its strength, defeated German Navy in one fell swoop, and won control of the waters near South Seas, Australia, Island Nation's Army simply could not cross the strait and land on Indochina or Australia.
However, the strength of German Navy Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet is also recovering. Indian Ocean Fleet The two severely damaged aircraft carriers are being repaired intensively and will soon be repaired and their combat effectiveness restored. The matching Carrier-based aircraft flew to Lion City first. When the aircraft carrier is repaired, it can be boarded and become combat effective.
In addition, at the request of the Emperor Qin Tian of the Empire, Imperial Navy Ministry intends to allocate two of the four 'Sovereign-class' Battleship ships in this batch to Indian Ocean Fleet. The other two ships were supplemented by one for Home Fleet, which lost an aircraft carrier among Battle of the Azores. The last ship is assigned to Mediterranean Fleet to strengthen Mediterranean Fleet's strength.
Once Indian Ocean Fleet obtains two 'Sovereign-class' aircraft carriers, this will greatly increase the strength of Indian Ocean Fleet. It would be even more difficult for Island Nation Navy to defeat German Navy Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet.
For a time, Island Nation and Germany were in a stalemate over South Seas. And this also created favorable conditions for Germany to eliminate United States and Britain first.
In late August 1940, Emperor Qin Tian of the Empire left Berlin and went to Wilhelmshaven, Kiel Harbor and other places to inspect the landing fleet of Imperial Navy. The next time North America launches an attack, it is when these landing fleets are needed. Oscar hopes that these landing ships built by Germany can shine in the next battle.
"Your Majesty, this is a tank landing ship we built. This landing ship is specially designed to transport tanks. It is 104 meters long, 16 meters wide, has a draft of 4.5 meters, a full load displacement of 4,200 tons, a maximum speed of 11 knots, and is equipped with two twin-seat 40mm Anti-aircraft Gun, six-seater single-mounted 40mm Anti-aircraft Gun. It can transport 18 heavy tanks and two hundred soldiers," Marshal Raeder introduced to Oscar.
Oscar nodded, although such a tank landing ship looked a bit crude and its loading capacity was not strong. However, the structure is relatively simple and the cost is very low.
Moreover, this tank landing ship abandoned the traditional bow springboard and adopted a slender ship shape, with the bow line below the waterline being tapered to facilitate increased speed. It is fully extended above the waterline, and a bow springboard and its supporting portal bracket are installed on the upper deck. The bow springboard is made of aluminum and has an integral structure. Anti-slip strips are equidistantly distributed on the surface of the entire springboard to prevent tanks and vehicles from slipping on it. The springboard is usually placed on the upper deck of the bow. When landing, it is extended forward and lowered to the shore or pontoon. At this time, the tank or vehicle in the tank compartment moves to the upper deck through the inclined springboard, and then disembarks from the upper deck via the bow springboard and lands.
"How many of these tank landing ships have we built now?" Oscar asked.
"Your Majesty, one hundred and twenty ships have been built so far. There are still many more under construction. It is expected that when we launch the attack on North America, we will be able to have one hundred and eighty tank landing ships." Marshal Raeder said.
One hundred and eighty ships, each capable of carrying 18 tanks. If all these tank landing ships are dispatched, 3,240 tanks can be invested in North America at one time. This is already almost ten Armored Division.
Of course, these tank landing ships cannot all be used to transport tanks, they must also be used to transport armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery, Truck, etc. In this case, one hundred and eighty tank landing ships can transport up to three Armored Division to North America at one time.
"After building one hundred and eighty ships, let's build another one hundred and twenty ships!" Oscar said.
Oscar remembers that in another time and space, United States built more than a thousand tank landing ships. It's just that in this time and space, United States has spent all its resources on the construction of warships, and naturally has no energy to build these auxiliary warships.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Marshal Raeder nodded.
The group of people left this pier and headed to another pier. Parked there is another type of landing ship.
"Your Majesty, this is the dock landing ship we built. There is a helicopter deck at the stern of the ship. The warship can carry tanks, armored vehicles, landing craft and personnel." Marshal Raeder said.
This dock landing ship, Oscar, also participated in the design, with a full load displacement of 18,000 tons. The maximum speed reached 21 knots, with two four-seat 40mm Anti-aircraft Gun, six single-seat 40mm Anti-aircraft Gun, and eight 12.7mm machine guns. It can carry up to six helicopters. The battleship can carry 9 Amphibious Tank and a Marine Corps battalion.
"How many of these dock landing ships have we built?" Oscar asked.
"Your Majesty, we have built 20 of this dock landing ship. Before launching the operation against North America, we can still serve 20 more." Marshal Raeder replied.
These dock landing ships are mainly used by Marine Corps. If all forty dock landing ships are put into operation, it will be enough to transport two full Marine Division to the battlefield. Moreover, these landing troops can also receive fire support from helicopters.
Oscar nodded, satisfied with this. Of course, in terms of the number of dock landing ships, he requested the construction of 20 more.
The last landing ship is a larger amphibious assault ship. This battleship has a displacement of up to 25,000 tons, which is no smaller than an ordinary aircraft carrier. With a direct access to the deck, a helicopter can be tied to the deck. Including the helicopters parked in the hangar, the ship can carry up to 40 helicopters. In addition, the battleship can also carry two Marine Corps battalions and their equipment.
German Navy's plan is to build 24 such amphibious assault ships. However, only six have been completed. The remaining six ships will be completed gradually within a few months and delivered to German Marine Corps for use. The remaining 12 ships need to continue to be built.
After all, the construction of such large ships is very cumbersome, occupying a large number of slipways, and even affects the construction of the German Navy aircraft carrier to a certain extent.