At two o'clock in the morning on November 23, Aircraft Carrier Formation of German Home Fleet was less than 200 kilometers away from Newfoundland. However, Aircraft Carrier Formation will not move forward any further. This distance is undoubtedly a relatively safe distance for them.
But the huge amphibious fleet continued to advance. In order to provide sufficient fire cover for Marine Corps's landing, Home Fleet specially mobilized a fleet composed of cruisers and destroyers to accompany them. When Marine Corps lands, they will provide the most direct Naval Gun fire support for Marine Corps. Even after dark, they would break into Gulf of Saint Lawrence to prevent the Britain people from sending reinforcements to Newfoundland at night.
Now British Army doesn't have many troops on Newfoundland. So what is certain is that once Britain learns that German military will attack Newfoundland on a large scale, they will definitely try their best to increase their troops to Newfoundland.
During the day, you can also intercept through Home Fleet and Carrier-based aircraft. But at night, you can only count on the navy's warships.
It's 6 o'clock in the morning and it's still dark. But the formation providing fire support for Marine Corps has already arrived at the offshore Newfoundland. However, the British troops on Newfoundland did not know this clearly. Although, the British army built air search Radar and Sea-search radar on Newfoundland. But the area of Newfoundland is not small, and it is impossible for Britain people to build Sea-search radar everywhere.
This time, the place where German Marine Corps first landed was not St. John's, the largest city on Newfoundland, but Trepassey located in the southern part of the Avalon Peninsula.
Although St. John's has a large port, if German military takes St. John's, it will be easier to land. But similarly, the British army directly deployed a Infantry Division in St. John's. In Trepassey, the British army had only one infantry brigade, with a total strength of only more than 4,000.
Britain Infantry Division There is no regiment organization. Below the division is the brigade, and below the brigade is the battalion.
Trepassey also has a small port. If German military captures it, it can easily disembark from here. Even all kinds of large equipment can be disembarked. If necessary, German Marine Corps can also expand the port of Trepassey so that this port can meet the needs of German military's landing.
In addition, Trepassey is only fifty kilometers away from St. John's. Once German Marine Corps lands at Trepassey, it is easy to hit St. John's along the road and capture it in one fell swoop. By then, St. John's's port will naturally fall into the hands of German military.
"How long does it take for Marine Corps to arrive?" Bombardment Formation Commander Major General Charles asked.
"General, Marine Corps will arrive here in one hour." A staff officer replied.
"Very good, order all ships to start attacking and destroy the Britain people's military facilities near Trepassey!" Major General Charles ordered.
"Yes, General."
After the order was conveyed, Bombardment Formation immediately began preparations. The entire formation consists of 6 heavy cruisers, 9 Light Cruiser and 16 destroyers. Although, Bombardment Formation does not have the large diameter Naval Gun. But the target they wanted to deal with was not a fortress in the first place. Therefore, the 210mm Main Gun and 150mm Main Gun of the cruiser are actually enough. Even the destroyer's 105mm Naval Gun is barely enough.
"Fire!"
Following the gunner's command, Bombardment Formation began the attack.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Orange-red flames flashed at the muzzle, and the shells roared and hit the beach one after another.
Six heavy cruisers began to attack the coast with 210mm Main Gun.
Soon they were joined by the Light Cruiser's 150mm Main Gun and the destroyer's 105mm Naval Gun.
For a moment, the sound of cannons rumbled on the sea, just like thunder.
The entire coast of Trepassey has been plunged into a sea of fire.
The sudden and violent shelling completely blindsided the British troops stationed here. They may not have thought that the shells would fall on their heads.
"God! We are under attack. The Germany people are launching fierce shelling on us, and we need reinforcements!" Panic, the 3rd Infantry Division 2nd Infantry Brigade commander of the British army stationed here, yelled.
The artillery shells falling from the sky were destroying their positions, and even the barracks became the target of German fleet's fierce shelling. Many British soldiers were killed in their sleep.
The surviving British soldiers scattered and fled before they even had time to put on their clothes and trousers. The entire British infantry brigade was in chaos, let alone organizing a powerful counterattack to prevent German military from landing.
Under the firepower of German Navy and Bombardment Formation, the British infantry brigade suffered heavy losses.
Of course, there were quite a few people who were actually killed or injured by the bombing. But within the acceptable range. More people were frightened and fled in all directions. If the British army wants to reorganize resistance, it will be very difficult and may even take a long time.
At 7 o'clock in the morning, Germany 3rd Marine Division was the first to arrive on the battlefield.
Helicopters began to take off from amphibious assault ships and dock landing ships. The first ones to take off were armed helicopters. Dozens of armed helicopters flew to Trepassey and began to use Heavy Machine Gun and rockets to continue attacking the British troops stationed there.
At the same time, Marine Corps dispatched a large number of landing craft and began to rush towards the shore.
On amphibious assault ships and dock landing ships, utility helicopters and transport helicopters also began to take off. They will adopt the method of air landing to cooperate with the landing operation of Marine Corps.
"Boohoo!"
An armed helicopter was firing at a stronghold garrisoned by the British army, and several rockets accurately hit the stronghold. The entire stronghold was blown into a sea of flames.
"God! The firepower of the Germany people is too strong, we simply can't resist their attack!"
"We are under fire from the sea and the air, we need reinforcements!"
The British troops stationed at Trepassey quickly began to collapse.
German Marine Corps's utility helicopters and transport helicopters began to transport Marine Corps members to Trepassey.
At the same time, landing craft also washed up on the beach. A large number of Marine Corps members, under the cover of their own helicopter firepower, launched an attack on Trepassey.
Further away, tank landing ships were also heading towards the coast. Each Amphibious Tank is ready to land.
Under this three-dimensional offensive of German Marine Corps, the British army was simply unable to resist.