On November 30, German military first launched an attack on Cape Breton Island.
At 6 o'clock in the morning, before dawn, the 15 Capital Ships ships of German Atlantic Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet were divided into three formations and launched a fierce bombardment at the scheduled landing site.
These three landing sites were carefully selected by German Marine Corps. They are New Waterford and Port Morien in the north of Cape Breton Island, and Louisburg in the east of Cape Breton Island.
In this landing operation, German Marine Corps will dispatch three Marine Division at one time to land at these three landing sites. If everything goes well, add the army's 1st Army Corps and 4th Army Corps troops. If things don't go well, Marine Corps's other two divisions will also be involved in the landing operations.
Of course, in the opinion of General Marine Corps Commander Ernst von Busch. Britain people should not be able to withstand German Marine Corps's attack. Not only can they get fire support from Naval Gun on the sea, but they can also get air support from Carrier-based Aircraft Unit. And the strength of Marine Corps's own amphibious fleet is not weak either. In addition, the Air Force also deployed a Ground Attack Wing on Newfoundland. This will allow them to obtain more fire support during the attack on Cape Breton Island.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
On the sea, German Navy's Capital Ships was pouring artillery shells towards the landing site. Although, Home Fleet's Capital Ships formation was completely lost. Atlantic Fleet and Capital Ships of Mediterranean Fleet are both Capital Ships equipped with 380mm Main Gun. In terms of power, for example, Home Fleet's equipment 410mm Main Gun's Capital Ships is weaker. However, this is still not something that the British troops stationed at Cape Breton Island can withstand.
Large-caliber Naval Gun shells exploded on the beach one after another, causing an earth-shattering earthquake, as if the entire island was shaking. Each shell exploded, leaving a large crater on the beach. And British Army's defensive position became fragmented under the fierce bombardment of these Capital Ships.
German Navy's heavy cruiser, Light Cruiser and destroyers also joined in. began to bombard the British positions on the coast with fierce artillery fire. They all hope to use powerful artillery fire to clear the way for Marine Corps to land.
In the southern sea area of Newfoundland, Aircraft Carrier Formation of three German Navy fleets is also active in this sea area. The deck was full of Carrier-based aircraft. Once the frontline air search Radar finds Britain people or Americans fighters, they will immediately take off for combat.
The headquarters of the British defense force on Cape Breton Island is located in Sydney, which has the same name as Sydney on Australia.
When the German military fleet began to violently bombard the British positions, the British troops on the front line called the headquarters one after another.
Admiral Wavell, the commander of the British Cape Breton Island defense, was immediately awakened. In fact, Sydney is only ten kilometers from New Waterford. Battleship The sound of the main gun can be faintly heard even from such a distance.
"General, the Germany people's attack has begun. Our troops in New Waterford, Port Morien and Louisburg have all been violently bombarded by the Germany people's large-caliber Naval Gun. Now, the troops are suffering heavy casualties. The built fortifications are also being damaged. The troops on the front line need reinforcements." A major general reported to Admiral Wavell.
Admiral Wavell nodded. "Order the troops on the front line to be prepared to resist the landing of the Germany people. Especially the 3rd Armored Division. Once the order is issued, they must attack immediately. In addition, send Telegram to Toronto and tell them that we have been attacked by the Germany people and we need more support!"
"Yes, general." The general immediately went to make arrangements.
British Army has deployed heavy troops on Cape Breton Island. In addition to the 10 Infantry Division, there is also a Armored Division. The total strength is as high as 150,000. You know, the entire Cape Breton Island is only 10,000 square kilometers. The deployment of so many troops is already quite intensive.
However, Admiral Wavell knew that once German military launched a fierce attack, these troops alone would obviously not be enough. Therefore, when German military just started to attack, he began to ask for reinforcements.
When the news that German military began a large-scale attack on Cape Breton Island was reported to Toronto, Minister of War David Magson immediately ordered the British troops on the front line to prepare for battle. Especially the British troops on Prince Edward island must be especially wary of German offensive. At the same time, David Magson also ordered the British troops on Nova Scotia peninsula to be ready to reinforce Cape Breton Island.
With US 1st Army Corps rushing to Nova Scotia peninsula, this greatly alleviated British Army's dilemma of insufficient troops. They now have enough troops to reinforce Cape Breton Island.
At the same time, Royal Air Force also received orders from Prime Minister Churchill and made every effort to compete with the Germany people for air supremacy. British Navy The remaining shore-based aircraft will also participate in the battle for air supremacy. Also, wait for an opportunity to use Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber to attack the battleship German military on the sea. As long as German Navy can be severely damaged, the fire support received by the German Army during the landing operation will be greatly reduced. This is very helpful in resisting German offensive.
The shelling of German Navy's Capital Ships formation lasted for a full hour.
The British defensive positions at New Waterford, Port Morien and Louisburg were almost plowed through by German Navy with artillery fire. The fortifications that the British army had painstakingly built were all blown to bits during the fierce shelling. The British troops stationed in these places suffered heavy losses under the fierce bombardment of German military.
Just after 7 o'clock in the morning, General German Marine Corps Commander Ernst von Busch issued the order to attack.
At one time, German Marine Corps 5th Division, the 6th Division and 7th Division began landing at New Waterford, Port Morion and Louisburg respectively. 3rd Marine Division and the 4th Division are on standby on the sea, ready to reinforce the front line at any time.
German Army 1st Army Corps and 4th Army Corps have also been uploaded. As long as Marine Corps can gain a foothold on Cape Breton Island, they will set off immediately, land on Cape Breton Island, and become the main force fighting the British army on the island.
Facing German offensive, the British troops on the island will naturally fight back. For them, they must try their best to resist German offensive. Otherwise, once German military captures Cape Breton Island, Britain will be even more dangerous.