Chapter Summaries

President Roosevelt and American military leaders learned that Germany had captured the Bermuda Islands with a rapid helicopter-supported landing. Admiral Nimitz proposed joining the British Navy to attack the German Home Fleet at Greenland first, then strike the other German fleets and retake the islands.

• President Roosevelt learned that German forces had occupied the Bermuda Islands after bombardments and a helicopter-supported landing overwhelmed the undermanned garrison.
• General Marshall warned Roosevelt that the United States needed to prepare for the Germans’ new landing tactics.
• Admiral Stark told Admiral James Richardson and Admiral Nimitz that Roosevelt wanted the Navy to retake the Bermuda Islands and defeat the German Navy.
• Admiral Nimitz proposed joining the British Navy to defeat the German Home Fleet at Greenland before attacking the German Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets.
• Admiral Stark welcomed Nimitz’s plan as a chance to defeat the German fleets separately and regain the advantage in the Atlantic.

Admiral Stark presented Nimitz’s naval plan to President Roosevelt, who approved it despite General Marshall’s warning that the Germans would be prepared. Marshall proposed using Army air power to pin the German Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets near Bermuda while the American and British navies attacked the German Home Fleet.

• Admiral Stark brought the Navy’s completed operational plan to President Roosevelt, who approved its execution.
• General Marshall warned that Germany would likely have countermeasures and that defeating the German Navy would be difficult.
• Marshall proposed pressuring the German fleets near Bermuda to keep them from concentrating against the Allied navies.
• Stark noted that the Navy lacked the means to attack Bermuda, since a Marine landing would be dangerous and its land-based aircraft could not safely return.
• Marshall said the Army Air Corps would use P-51 fighters and B-17 bombers to attack Bermuda, with paratroopers as a possible option.
• Stark thanked Marshall for the Army’s support and pledged that the Navy would strike the German Home Fleet quickly.

President Roosevelt ordered General Arnold to launch an Army Air Corps bombing campaign against the German-held Bermuda Islands. More than three hundred B-17 bombers and five hundred P-51 fighters prepared for the operation, and the bombers began taking off at dawn.

• President Roosevelt told General Arnold to keep the Bermuda Islands under constant bombardment and prevent the Germans from building military facilities there.
• General Arnold explained that heavy bombers would struggle to hit moving warships at sea, but agreed to attack the islands.
• The Army Air Corps gathered over three hundred B-17 bombers and five hundred P-51 fighters at airfields across the eastern United States.
• General Arnold ordered the air groups to take off, and the B-17s departed first at 6:15 in the morning.

The US Army Air Corps sent B-17 bombers and P-51 escorts toward the Bermuda Islands as German forces fortified the archipelago and prepared their carriers for battle. After German radar detected the American formation, General Rolf Kars ordered the carrier-based aircraft to launch, and the first FW-190 took off from Zeus.

• General Henry Arnold watched the B-17 formations depart and prayed for the pilots’ safe return.
• The 1st Marine Division and other German troops expanded airfields and built defenses across the Bermuda Islands.
• General Rolf Kars discussed the islands’ air defenses with Lieutenant General George Fredeberg and planned to leave in two days.
• A German light cruiser detected the approaching American aircraft formation and sent a warning to the flagship.
• General Rolf Kars ordered the carrier-based aircraft to engage, and the first FW-190 took off from Zeus.

German Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleet carrier fighters launched to intercept a massive US Army Air Corps attack on the Bermuda Islands. The German planes met the American formation over the sea, 250 kilometers from the islands, and a large air battle began.

• German carriers launched fighters as the American attack approached, and Lieutenant General George Fredberg reported that nearly a thousand aircraft were coming.
• Admiral Rolf Kars judged that the US Army Air Corps could threaten Bermuda with P-51 fighters and B-17 bombers, but expected German interception to inflict heavy losses.
• The Atlantic Fleet launched 316 FW-190 fighters, while the Mediterranean Fleet sent 136 fighters to join them.
• The combined German force of 452 carrier-based fighters headed out to intercept the larger American formation, which included 500 P-51 escorts.
• The German carrier aircraft intercepted the US Army Air Corps over the sea 250 kilometers from Bermuda, and a large-scale air battle erupted.

German carrier-based FW-190s intercepted a US Army Air Corps formation near Bermuda and inflicted far heavier losses on its P-51 escorts. The dogfight continued with the Americans badly outmatched and their bombers still approaching the islands.

• The German Commander ordered his aircraft to attack the approaching American formation.
• The Americans spotted the German aircraft, and their Commander ordered the P-51s to protect the B-17 bombers.
• German fighters opened fire with 20mm cannons, shooting down dozens of P-51s and triggering a fierce dogfight.
• German FW-190s repeatedly outmaneuvered and shot down American fighters, while some pilots bailed out over the sea.
• A US Army Air Corps Squadron Leader acknowledged that the German aircraft and pilots held the advantage, with five or six P-51s lost for every German FW-190.
• Both sides continued firing as burning aircraft fell toward the sea.

German carrier-based FW-190 fighters overwhelmed the US P-51s and attacked the B-17 bomber formation, inflicting heavy losses as the Americans tried to reach the Bermuda Islands. The bomber Commander ordered the surviving aircraft to speed toward the islands and drop their bombs, while German fighters continued tearing apart the formation.

• German carrier-based FW-190s shot down more than two hundred US P-51s in barely a dozen minutes, and the surviving American fighters fled.
• The German Commander ordered his squadrons to abandon the P-51s and attack the US heavy bombers.
• German fighters swooped on the formation of three hundred B-17s as the US bomber Commander called for P-51 protection.
• The B-17s fired their defensive guns, but German 30-millimeter autocannons tore through the bombers and sent many plunging toward the sea.
• The US bomber Commander ordered the surviving B-17s to hurry to the Bermuda Islands, drop their bombs, and escape as the German fighters continued attacking.

The US Army Air Corps bombed the Bermuda Islands but suffered devastating losses to German carrier-based FW-190 fighters and ground defenses. General Arnold was shaken by the Battle Damage Report, but General Marshall and President Roosevelt ordered the bombing campaign to continue.

• German FW-190 fighters shot down many B-17 bombers, leaving only about half of the original formation by the time it reached Bermuda.
• The US bombers dropped more than twelve hundred tons of bombs, damaging German facilities and inflicting casualties on the island's air defenses and 1st Marine Division.
• German carrier-based aircraft attacked the returning US formations until low fuel forced them to break off, while German seaplanes and light warships rescued their downed pilots.
• The US Army Air Corps returned with only a little over one hundred and sixty P-51 fighters and fewer than one hundred B-17 bombers, while Germany lost a little over eighty FW-190 fighters.
• General Arnold was stunned by the losses, but General Marshall and President Roosevelt ordered the Army Air Corps to keep bombing Bermuda.

The American and British fleets joined forces south of Newfoundland to prepare for a battle against Germany’s Home Fleet. Their commanders agreed to exploit the German fleets’ separation, while General Kimmel outlined the Home Fleet’s carrier and Capital Ship strength.

• The American and British fleets rendezvoused with more than four hundred vessels, and Admiral Ernest King took command of the Combined Fleet with Admiral John Tovey as deputy commander.
• King and Tovey agreed to attack the German Home Fleet while the German Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets were away near Bermuda.
• King warned that defeating Germany’s navy was vital to defending North America and preserving the two nations.
• General Kimmel reported that the German Home Fleet had eight carriers and seven Capital Ships, including powerful Sovereign-class and Constellation-class carriers.
• Tovey recalled that Germany had built its Home Fleet Capital Ships using captured British hulls, and Admiral Andrew Cunningham declared that Britain could sink them.

The US and British Combined Fleet set out to destroy the German Home Fleet, believing the German Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets were tied down near Bermuda. Marshal Lütjens recognized that the Allies had targeted his fleet, and he resolved not to retreat.

• Admiral Ernest King and the Allied officers assessed their numerical advantage but worried about the strength of German carrier aircraft and pilots.
• King ordered the US and British Combined Fleet to sail from Newfoundland toward southeast Greenland and annihilate the German Home Fleet quickly.
• The German Home Fleet began moving south to join forces with the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets.
• Lieutenant General Karl Witzel reported that the Allies had gathered south of Newfoundland instead of reinforcing Bermuda.
• Marshal Lütjens concluded the Allies intended to eliminate the German Home Fleet and resolved to fight rather than retreat.

Marshal Lütjens realized the American attack on Bermuda was meant to keep German fleets apart while the US and British navies moved against his Home Fleet. He chose to head south for a decisive battle in the central Atlantic, hoping the Mediterranean Fleet would join him, and ordered a covert message sent via Iceland.

• A Telegram from Bermuda led Marshal Lütjens and Lieutenant General Karl Witzel to recognize that the American attack was intended to pin down the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets.
• Lütjens rejected retreating east under land-based air cover and chose to fight the US and British navies in the central Atlantic.
• Lütjens planned for the Mediterranean Fleet to reinforce him while the Atlantic Fleet remained near Bermuda.
• Witzel warned that a defeat could jeopardize Germany’s planned landing in North America, but then agreed to support Lütjens’s decision.
• Lütjens ordered the Home Fleet south and directed seaplanes to Iceland to send a Telegram to Bermuda while preserving radio silence.

Admiral Rolf Kars expected the US Army Air Corps’ attacks on the Bermuda Islands to weaken after two days of devastating losses. With air reinforcements and island airfields on the way, the German Mediterranean Fleet departed to join the Home Fleet for a decisive battle against the US and British Navy.

• Admiral Rolf Kars discussed the Home Fleet’s planned operation with Lieutenant General George Fredberg and judged its chances of success high.
• Admiral Rolf Kars explained that aircraft reinforcements and new airfields on the Bermuda Islands would strengthen German defenses.
• The US Army Air Corps attacked the Bermuda Islands with 250 B-17 Bombers and 400 P-51 fighters, losing 150 Bombers and 300 fighters while the German Navy lost 50 carrier-based fighters.
• Admiral Rolf Kars concluded that the Americans’ losses would force their attacks to weaken, allowing the Mediterranean Fleet to head north.
• The German Navy Mediterranean Fleet left the waters near the Bermuda Islands on the night of October 18 to join the Home Fleet in the central Atlantic.

Admiral Ernest King ordered the American and British fleet to search for the German Home Fleet while Marshal Lütjens steered south to join the German Mediterranean Fleet. A British submarine revealed the Home Fleet’s position, and King launched an air strike against it.

• Admiral Ernest King and Admiral Husband Kimmel discussed the heavy losses suffered by the US Army Air Corps and the need to find the German Home Fleet.
• Admiral Ernest King ordered the fleet to increase speed and search for the Germans, while Marshal Lütjens had the Home Fleet sail east before turning south to evade them.
• Lieutenant General Karl Witzell reported that the German fleets had shot down more than a thousand US aircraft and that the Mediterranean Fleet would head north to join the Home Fleet.
• On October 19, a British submarine spotted the German Home Fleet and transmitted its location despite exposing itself.
• Admiral Ernest King ordered nine fleet carriers, four light carriers, and eight medium carriers to launch aircraft and attack the German Home Fleet.

The American and British fleets launched a massive first wave of carrier aircraft toward the German Navy's Home Fleet and prepared a second wave for an hour later. Their commanders believed the numerical advantage gave them a decisive chance to destroy the German fleet, though the battle was still underway.

• The American carriers launched aircraft from nine Essex-class carriers while keeping the Independence-class fighters in reserve for fleet defense.
• The British carriers launched their aircraft, joining the American planes in a first strike of 648 aircraft headed toward the German Home Fleet.
• Admiral Ernest King ordered the fleet to maintain radar vigilance and keep its reserve fighters ready to intercept German aircraft.
• Admiral John Tovey and Admiral Andrew Cunningham acknowledged that the British submarine guiding them was likely doomed, but considered its sacrifice worthwhile.
• Admiral Cunningham predicted that the Allies could cripple the German fleet with successive waves, and Admiral Tovey heard him declare victory within their grasp.

After an enemy submarine exposed the German Home Fleet’s position, Marshal Lütjens ordered the fleet to split up to evade the approaching American and British forces. The Capital Ships Formation continued south as a decoy while the Aircraft Carrier Formation raced east, leaving the outcome uncertain.

• A sonar operator reported that the escorts had sunk the enemy submarine, but the Home Fleet’s officers realized it had already transmitted their position.
• Marshal Lütjens rejected an immediate carrier strike because the enemy fleet’s location was unknown and the attack could weaken their defenses.
• Lieutenant General Görcke proposed sacrificing the Capital Ships Formation as a decoy so the Aircraft Carrier Formation could escape.
• Lieutenant General Karl Weizel supported Görcke’s plan, while Lütjens warned that the enemy might target the carriers instead.
• Marshal Lütjens ordered the Capital Ships Formation south and the Aircraft Carrier Formation east, with fighters ready to intercept the enemy.

The German Home Fleet split its Capital Ships Formation from its Aircraft Carrier Formation, hoping the capital ships would draw the American and British aircraft away from the carriers. After both formations detected the incoming enemy air group, the German carriers launched FW-190 fighters to intercept it and protect the capital ships.

• The German Home Fleet sent its Capital Ships Formation south and its Aircraft Carrier Formation east at high speed.
• On the battleship Kaiser, Lieutenant General Görcke and Major General Rudolf discussed the capital ships’ willingness to sacrifice themselves and their hope of victory.
• The German carriers readied 316 FW-190 fighters for air defense while hundreds of American and British carrier-based aircraft flew toward the fleet.
• A light cruiser’s air-search Radar detected the enemy aircraft 300 kilometers away, and Görcke ordered the Capital Ships Formation to battle stations.
• After its own Radar detected the enemy, Marshal Lütjens ordered Lieutenant General Hans to launch the German carriers’ fighters to protect the Capital Ships Formation.
• The German fighters formed up and flew toward the American and British aircraft, beginning a large-scale air battle.

German carrier-based FW-190 fighters intercepted the US and British Navy's aircraft, inflicting heavy losses as the attackers fought to break through. Half an hour into the battle, an American SBD2 dive bomber spotted the German Home Fleet's seven Capital Ships.

• The German Commander ordered 316 carrier-based fighters to attack the approaching US and British aircraft, shooting down dozens by surprise.
• The US and British Commander sent F4U fighters to hold off the FW-190s while Dive Bombers and Torpedo Bombers tried to break through.
• The German Commander split his fighters between engaging enemy fighters and attacking the bombers, as aircraft from both sides fell in the fierce battle.
• An American SBD2 pilot spotted the German Home Fleet's formation of seven Capital Ships and reported the sighting.

The German Home Fleet’s Capital Ship Formation prepared to defend itself as US and British carrier-based aircraft attacked. German anti-aircraft fire inflicted heavy losses, but the enemy planes reached the fleet and began their assault.

• Lieutenant General Görcke ordered the German fleet to prepare for combat and hoped the enemy aircraft would attack his formation rather than search for the German Aircraft Carrier Formation.
• The US and British air group spotted the German Capital Ship Formation and launched its fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers against it.
• Görcke withdrew German FW-190 fighters to avoid friendly fire, while other FW-190s intercepted the enemy’s second air group.
• German 105mm and 88mm anti-aircraft guns opened fire, shooting down enemy aircraft as they approached the fleet.
• The US and British aircraft reached the skies above the formation, where German 40mm and 20mm guns joined the barrage and the pilots began their attack.

US and British carrier aircraft attacked the German Home Fleet, but dense anti-aircraft fire inflicted heavy losses. One dive-bomber strike damaged Frederick the Great, while the fleet’s capital ships remained protected at the center of the formation.

• German warships opened intense anti-aircraft fire, and the first SBD2 dive-bombers missed Kaiser with their bombs.
• The US and British air-group commander ordered torpedo bombers and dive-bombers to coordinate their attacks.
• Frederick the Great turned to evade four incoming torpedoes, while an American squadron leader led a dive-bomber attack.
• An armor-piercing bomb struck Frederick the Great’s forward deck, pierced its armor, and exploded inside the ship.
• German anti-aircraft fire shot down many attacking aircraft as the protected German capital ships sustained little damage.

US and British carrier aircraft suffered heavy losses while breaking through the German fleet’s anti-aircraft defenses, sinking several escorts and damaging the battlecruiser Wissenburg. The surviving first-wave aircraft withdrew to rearm as the battle continued with the German Home Fleet damaged but still afloat.

• US and British commanders ordered their aircraft to attack the German Capital Ships’ escorting warships first and then exploit the gaps in their anti-aircraft defenses.
• German carrier fighters intercepted the second wave of 612 US and British aircraft, shooting down many bombers despite eventually running low on fuel and ammunition.
• US and British aircraft sank several German destroyers and cruisers, opening gaps in the fleet’s defenses.
• Torpedoes struck Wissenburg amidships and at the stern, flooding compartments and leaving the battlecruiser listing.
• The US and British commander ordered the first wave to return and rearm after its attack, with only a little over 150 of its original 648 aircraft remaining.