Battle of the Third Reich: The 146th Archangel

The [Archangel] assault landing ship can be said to be the first landing ship in the true sense built by the West so far. Why not say it is worldwide? It is because as early as seven years ago, Japan A special transport ship [Shenzhou Maru] dedicated to landing operations was built.

[Shenzhou Maru] is a special transport ship developed by the Japanese army to bypass the navy. Its design goal is to be an amphibious assault ship used to transport and support army forces landing on the enemy’s coast. According to the army’s own standards, The designer set up a dedicated landing craft deck, a catapult for launching aircraft, and even a special fence for raising military horses.

Because it is a new type of ship independently developed by Japan, there is no precedent in the world to learn from. The Japanese can only explore and develop all the technical equipment and methods of use. Due to the technical limitations of the Japanese army, [Shenzhou Maru] is not a truly modern landing ship, and there are many defects in ship performance and combat use.

When the Battle of Dunkirk ended and Xu Jun ascended to the throne of the Führer, the German navy immediately launched a new amphibious ship research and development program. Although it failed to produce results before the British landing, the navy has not relaxed these ships. Construction work. During this period, the Navy's senior officials continued to feel the tremendous pressure from the head of state's office. It is obvious that the head of state has been paying attention to the progress of these landing ships. Although the specific reasons are not known, the naval command dare not slack in the slightest.

The German new landing ship already has a complete family system. The head of state has produced a bunch of drawings of various types of ships. The objects currently being built are tank landing ships and infantry transport and landing ships as two types of amphibious warfare ships. the Lord.

Only large-scale tank landing ships (the drawing comes from the U.S. Navy’s LST), now Germany has launched five, and at least 20 other landing ships of the same model are being built on the berths of European countries.

The top Nazi leaders all know that this new head of state is more willful, and sometimes he will come up with something beyond the specifications. The "Archangel" is the product of the head of state on a whim. The blueprint for the construction of this large landing ship also came from the drawings of the United States Navy, the famous Asland Class Large Dock Landing Ship (LSD).

In history, the U.S. Navy began to develop these dedicated landing ships at the request of the United Kingdom, because for the U.S. government, the United States did not have the need to develop and equip such ships. The geographical location of the United States keeps him far away from Eurasia. Since the Great Depression, the government has lost interest in overseas territories. Whether it is political or private, the voice of isolationism is high. At this time, only idiots can I want to build a special ship to carry soldiers across half an ocean and launch expeditions to other continents.

The U.S. Navy was inspired by the Japanese Army’s ad hoc landing craft and wanted to develop a landing craft for the Marine Corps. However, it is limited to small-tonnage landing craft and does not require ocean navigation capabilities.

In history, the first country in Europe to develop large-scale tank landing ships was the United Kingdom. In order to achieve Churchill’s goal of "fighting back to Europe", the British Navy specially modified three shallow water tankers and installed them with doors that open at the bow. Except for the tragic speed due to the linearity of the hull itself, from any point of view, this is a qualified ship capable of performing tasks assigned by superiors.

The Royal Navy provided the United States with the technology they had in hand and promoted the development of the U.S. Navy’s landing ships. Eventually, when the Pacific War broke out, the demand for counterattacks on the Japanese-occupied islands led the U.S. military to start a large number of research and development of various types of landing In just two years, a huge family of amphibious assault ships with 25 types of ships and dozens of derivative and improved models has been developed, which laid the foundation for the U.S. Navy to dominate the two oceans after the war. . With a huge landing fleet, the American army can launch transcontinental ocean landing operations to any coastal island country or mainland country in any corner of the world.

Xu Jun’s goal is that even if Germany will not have territorial requirements for other continental countries after the war, the intercontinental projection capability of this large-scale army is still a must, not only for international strategy. Deterrence is also an important guarantee for European security.

At the same time, in the upcoming Eastern Front War, the German landing tactics are also very brave. The northern Soviet Union has a large stretch of tortuous coastline. A large-scale landing operation behind enemy lines may be able to reverse a large-scale battle. Victory or defeat. In addition, the German control of North Africa and the Mediterranean region and the delivery of troops to the Asian colonies required efficient and professional landing ships. According to the calculations of the High Command, the Germans needed to be equipped with at least 80 5,000-ton ships. The main landing ship can barely meet the needs of these tasks.

As mentioned earlier, the [Archangel] is a product out of specification. She is the first ship to be converted into a dock landing ship for the purpose of ocean landing operations. Even the German head of state personally participated in the design of some details, and This battleship has invested a lot of manpower and material resources, whether it is technical equipment and ship performance, this ship has already left the Japanese [Shenzhou Maru] far behind.

This dock landing ship was originally a large ro-ro transport ship customized by the German Hamburg Shipping Company. It is two times larger than the historical American Blue Asland class, and the waterline length has reached one hundred and seventeen. Twelve meters, the deck width is 23.9 meters, the standard displacement is 7,500 tons, and the full load displacement is as high as 12,000 tons. After the modification, the ship’s power was replaced with sixteen British navy oil-fired boilers and four steam turbine units, which can provide the ship with a strong power of 45,000 horsepower, making this behemoth of more than 10,000 tons capable of 2 At a high speed of 12 knots, it can sail continuously for 2,000 nautical miles. If the cruising speed is 10 knots per hour, the endurance of this landing ship can reach 10,000 nautical miles. It can sail directly from the European mainland to any Asian colony without stopping in the middle. Any port.

The huge tonnage makes this ship very self-sufficient. After a supply, the supplies on board are enough to support the living needs of 2,000 soldiers and 600 crew members for a month. At the same time, the special fuel and weapons storage on the ship can also carry enough fuel and ammunition reserves for a standard German armored battalion to fight for a week.

The most eye-catching thing is the powerful firepower of this landing ship. Don’t forget that Randolph used the name "Strike Landing Ship" when he introduced this warship.

[Archangel] This is not the sea matchbox with poor firepower and slow response in the history of World War II. She is the legendary archangel Michael, who is holding a holy sword to defeat the enemy of God.

This battleship has a tall British-style square bridge, and a triple-mounted 150mm main gun is installed on the front deck of the bridge. This main gun directly uses the same CrhLC/25 turret design of the light cruiser Nuremberg. The rotating part and the various servos under the deck add up to a total of 140 tons, but for this ship 10,000 tons For the class assault landing ship, this weight is only a drop in the bucket.

At the same time, two "Favnir" six-barreled rapid-fire guns were installed on both sides of the bridge, and in the twelve antiaircraft gun nests extending out of the sea on both sides of the cargo deck, a Rhine A double-mounted water-cooled 40mm cannon produced by steel.

The Royal Navy and the German Navy have carried out hundreds of experiments on the German improved version of the British MKI twin-mounted water-cooled 40 cannon. The results have satisfied all participating naval experts, including the British Royal Almost all European navies, including the navy, have placed orders with Rheinstein Steel, or require a license to produce in their own country. This kind of high-performance cannon will become the first general-purpose mid- and short-range air defense weapon among European navies. .

[Archangel] has the firepower that can fight regular warships, and also has the ability to suppress enemy beach defenses alone, and can cover the landing craft from forcibly landing ashore during enemy attacks. This is the ship Add the source of confidence to the assault (attack) in the name.

The Red Sea is one of the earliest inland seas where mankind carried out navigation activities. It has been shrouded in various magical legends since the Middle Ages. From ancient times to the present, it is unknown how many voyagers are on this sea that is not red. Driving a merchant ship, transporting goods from the mysterious east to Europe via Egypt.

So this is also the most active area for Arab pirates. They even cut off the ties between Asia and Europe. These Arab bandits who drive the local sloop pirate ship have always been world-renowned for their cruelty. Throughout history until the 19th century, many Western merchant ships sailing in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean were still attacked by Arab pirate groups.

So the Arab pirates were surrendered and were put on the agenda of the Sunless Empire. The British Empire must maintain the maritime connection between the mainland and India, the jewel of the empire’s crown. Especially after the Suez Canal was opened, the Arab pirates became The greatest threat to the Empire’s New Eurasian Trade Road, so under the fierce blow of the Royal Navy of the British Empire, the Arab pirates had to retreat from the stage of history. Those wielding the Arab machete have since been in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Muffled to find traces.

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"Why is this sea area called the Red Sea?" Randolph stood on the bridge of [Archangel] and asked Captain Rudolph next to him.

"It is said that it was the name given by the ancient Greeks who first came here. They may have seen the explosion of red seaweed." Colonel Thomas Rudolph was the first captain of the [Archangel]. , If nothing happens, he will be promoted to major general during his tenure.

"How much time will it take to sail? Mr. Captain." Randolph continued.

"It is 6:20 in the morning, and we will be able to reach the target coast in one hour. At that time, it is just sunrise time. We will face the morning sun and board the Arabian coast." Colonel Rudolf replied.

"What an exciting sight this will be, I want to record the entire landing process with a camera and put it in the report to the head of state." Randolph said excitedly.

"It's still early, Lieutenant Colonel Randolph, why don't you go to the lounge below? Our chef has prepared a rich breakfast for all the officers involved in combat." Colonel Rudolph said with a smile .

"Really? Then I have to taste it." Randolph swallowed.

The [Archangel] is designed as the flagship of landing operations. The huge bridge is equipped with a full command system of the headquarters. In addition to a large number of radio communication equipment, there are also various levels of officer lounges and facilities. Operational Command Center.

"Six heavy armored vehicles in three rows and two rows will be the first to set off as the first landing echelon." Major Wycomb held a baton and pointed on an elaborate sand table.

"This is the only beach suitable for heavy landing craft landed by our military intelligence department. It must be noted that the seabed nearby is full of hard coral reef rocks." Major von Wycomb clicked near the landing area. Coastline.

"There is only this 150-meter-long beach. The seabed is relatively flat, and there is a gravel road behind the beach, connecting the coastal road to Yanbu Port." The battalion commander pointed out the trail. s position.

"From here to the south, the coast is full of cliffs. The next suitable landing site is already near Jeddah Port." Battalion Operations Staff Captain Grumma added with a document.

"According to the information we currently have, the enemy has no knowledge of our landing operations, and they do not have any coastal defense arrangements." Wycomb explained.

At that time, Saudi Arabia had no concept of coastal defense at all. The special topography of the seabed along the Red Sea made it unsuitable for ships to land. This has been repeatedly confirmed in the history of thousands of years. The dense coral reefs along the Red Sea coast Here, the wrecks of ships that hit the rocks hundreds of years ago can often be found. Therefore, the Arabs never worry about the enemy launching an offensive against them from the sea, and their defensive focus is all on those millennium trade routes and oasis.

These are actually old calendars hundreds of years ago. With the support of modern navigation technology, those naval powers have enough ability to survey a safe navigation channel. The British Royal Navy's seabed survey ship has long since found out the hydrological information of this coast, and the seemingly safe Arabian coast has long lost its sense of mystery.

Germany has obtained a precise chart provided by the Royal Navy. It shows all the places where ships can land. Those that can dock on the 10,000-ton giant ship, but those that can only pass twenty-person sampans, the British even have The local tides indicate the speed and direction of the undercurrent on the sea chart. This is the foundation of the world's veteran naval powers, and these Germans have to feel convinced.

The new German Navy is just a fresh graduate in front of the British Royal Fleet. Although it is full of muscles, it lacks connotation and foundation. The British have insisted that the Royal Navy has actually lost to themselves, and the mistakes in tactical command have finally ruined the glory and glory accumulated by the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. However, an admiral of the Royal Navy who did not want to be named once said that if the Royal Navy had a chance to come back, then he would definitely not provoke the apostle of God, the head of Germany.

"This blond boy is so evil, he is like an illegitimate child of God." According to the reporter's memory, the Royal Navy admiral was very excited when he said this, and kept waving the potato peeler in his hand. .

"Sir, there is a call from the bridge, the loading operations of the second row have been completed." A second lieutenant reported.

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In addition to carrying a number of mechanized landing crafts inside, the 【Archangel】 also towed four heavy tank landing crafts on the back. These 220-ton steel motorized barges are installed on the front and rear. The springboard hatch can transport six 30-ton armored vehicles or two 50-ton heavy tanks directly to the beach. At present, these heavy landing craft have been filled with the battalion and headquarters of the third battalion. The heavy truck of the combat supply squad.

During the landing operation at that time, there are generally two ways to transfer armored vehicles. One is to use a crane on the deck to lift the tank vehicle into the cabin of the landing craft, and the other is unique to the dock landing craft, which is direct Enter the landing craft (LCM) carried by the ship from the dock deck. When the landing operation begins, the dock landing ship only needs to open the ballast tank at the bottom of the hull, lower the draught at the tail, and let the seawater pour into the cabin. Then the mechanized landing craft in the dock floats by itself and moves out of the cabin from the tail hatch. . It's just that this method can only be carried out after the ship stops moving, otherwise the wake caused by the propeller of the landing ship can easily overturn these small boats.

The armored vehicles in the second row have entered the mechanized landing craft in the bottom compartment. The two LCMs facing the front of the stern are loaded with the two saber-toothed tigers. Under the bright lights in the cabin, two sand-yellow wheels The type chariot was majestic, and the black-painted muzzle brake shone with cold light.

"Attention! Attention! Prepare for the last twenty minutes! All units enter combat positions! Repeat, all units enter combat positions! Dock deck personnel check their life jackets, and soldiers on combat positions must wear their own helmets!" Two After the sharp whistle, there was a clear female voice in the microphones everywhere in the cabin.

"Quick, quick! Everyone is moving. Don't stand stupid. Where are you going? Fool! The stairs to the transfer deck are over there!" The footsteps in the corridor began to ring and the non-commissioned officers roared loudly. Commanding the soldiers.

"Checking their weapons for the last time, the machine gunner stepped forward."

"The third class, walk on the right side, looking at my hand, this is the right side."

"Do not buckle the helmet belt too tightly, and do not inflate the life jacket in advance."

"Follow your respective monitors after landing. If anyone is left behind, join the unit closest to you."

"Although you have experienced two landing battles, I still want to remind you not to stand stupidly in place after landing, and to assault in depth at the fastest speed." Motorized infantry company on the transfer deck The platoon leaders of squad, begin to give the final reminder to the opponent.

"Guys, let's slaughter those guys who drink camel pee!" Suddenly a sergeant called out loudly.

"Victory!" A SS assaultman beside him raised his submachine gun.

"Long live!" The surrounding soldiers responded excitedly to ~IndoMTL.com~Victory!" The soldier raised his arm again and shouted.

"Hurray!" On the transfer deck, there was a neat and loud cheers.

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