The news of the defeat of the Wasser fleet spread to France, which shocked Xiao Jie, the French government and the French Navy Department. The main forces of the two major fleets of the French Navy were wiped out by the U.S. military. In addition to the Mediterranean Fleet that was annihilated by the U.S. military before, it can be said that the French Navy has basically lost everything. This is something that Xiao Jie, the French government and the top military officials never thought of. Is this a sign of France's transition from victory to decline? No! Xiao Jie didn't believe it. Because, even if the navy is wiped out, the United States and Canada cannot completely defeat France. After all, France has the most powerful army in the world. Besides, the refitting of the French navy is also in progress. As long as time permits, the French navy will definitely be able to regain its supremacy at sea.

In order to prevent the public from panicking, Xiao Jie ordered the news of the defeat to be blocked. Of course, there is no impenetrable wall in the world, and this news will be known to the public sooner or later. However, now Xiao Jie can't take care of so much anymore, it can be a day if it can be delayed. Anyway, the longer the delay, the more the strength of the French navy will increase. It is best to delay until the day when the strength of the French navy is fully restored. In addition, the defeat of the navy directly caused the west coast of France and the Iberian region to be threatened by the enemy's navy. Therefore, Xiao Jie ordered that a large number of coastal defense artillery be deployed in important areas along the west coast of France and the Iberian coast to protect these areas from enemy naval attacks. At the same time, it also ordered the major shipyards to step up the construction of warships. The Mediterranean Fleet is now 50% complete. If the Mediterranean Fleet can quickly form and form combat effectiveness, then the French Navy will still have the power to fight. Finally, for the French fleet that fled to the Azores, Xiao Jie asked them to rely on a favorable position to resist the attack of the navies of the United States and Canada, destroy the enemy to the maximum extent, and protect the Azores. As an important base of the French Navy in the Atlantic Ocean, if the Azores is occupied by the United States and Canada, it will definitely be a very big trouble for France. Although Vassell suffered a defeat, Xiao Jie did not pursue his responsibility now, and appointed him as the supreme commander of the Azores. All the sea, land and air forces of the Azores were under his command. Of course, this does not mean that Xiao Jie pardoned Vassell. Vassell attacked blindly and caused heavy losses to the French navy. This mistake must be dealt with, but only after the war is over. Otherwise, the punishment of a senior naval general would be a great harm to the French navy whose morale was not high.

The Azores are a volcanic archipelago located in the east-central North Atlantic Ocean. The specific location is 36°55′～39°43′ north latitude, 25°01′～31°07′ west longitude. It used to be the territory of Portugal. After Iberia became part of France, it also became the French Atlantic Fleet. main base. The archipelago stretches for more than 640 kilometers and consists of nine volcanic islands. The Azores are about 1,450 kilometers from the coast of Portugal, more than 1,600 kilometers from Europe, and more than 3,200 kilometers from North America. It is 770 kilometers away from Madeira Islands in the southeast and about 1200 kilometers away from Cape Roca in Portugal in the east. It is a relay station on sea routes between Europe, the United States and Africa, and its strategic and traffic location is extremely important. It consists of 3 groups of volcanic islands extending from northwest to southeast. There are 10 main islands with an area of ​​2344 square kilometers. The southeastern island group consists of the islands of San Miguel, Santa Maria, and Formigas; the central island group consists of the islands of Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira, and Graciosa; The island group consists of Flores and Corvo Islands. The base of the French Atlantic Fleet was built on Terceira Island.

"General, we are about to reach the Azores." Paret, commander of the US 1st Fleet, reported to Davis.

Davis nodded, and then said: "What do you think about this battle?" Davis and Paret have a very good personal relationship, and he is a bit older, so subconsciously, Paret has been trained as his successor.

Paret also understood what Davis meant, so he came under the chart and said: "The Azores is a vast archipelago, with 10 main islands and countless other small islands. Since this is the French Atlantic Fleet's The main base, therefore, the French Navy has deployed heavy troops here. Especially Terceira Island, which is the home port of the French Atlantic Fleet, has been carefully built. Moreover, the strength of the Marine Corps of two regiments is stationed on the island all year round. .Across the Azores, the French deployed a total of 6 regiments of marines, with a total of 15,000 people. Therefore, if we want to completely occupy the Azores, we must invest more than 20,000 people Of course, if the target is only the French navy, it will be much simpler. We can directly attack Terceira Island from the east of the archipelago, regardless of other islands. According to the information we have collected in advance, The French Navy built a total of 21 coastal defense forts on Terceira Island, equipped with a total of 326 coastal defense guns of various calibers. It can be said that the entire Terceira Island is completely a sea fortress. The strength of the nearly 50 French warships returned there is still very large."

"Then how should we win the Azores at the least cost?" Davis continued to ask.

"It would be much easier if we could find a way to engage in a decisive battle with the French fleet at sea. However, under the current circumstances, the French certainly would not take such risks. Therefore, I think we have no other options." The only way is to storm Terceira Island. However, if the time is not so urgent, we can gradually erode the Azores and force the French fleet to fight us." Paret said after thinking for a while.

"Now the main force of the French navy has been wiped out by us, and most of the remaining warships are huddled on Terceira Island. Time can be delayed. Then we will adopt the second plan. Order the fleets to go to Terceira Island, blocked the French fleet in the port. In addition, contact His Excellency the President immediately, then we will report to him and ask him to send the Marine Corps to occupy the Azores." Davis said.

Davis' request was quickly relayed back to Washington. After learning that Davis led the US and Canadian navies to victory in the naval battle, the entire White House became a sea of ​​joy. Adams is already thinking about how to announce the news to the government and lawmakers. He knew that this battle had basically established the hegemony of the United States in the Atlantic Ocean. As the President of the United States, his achievements are indelible. He believes that he will be able to become a great president like Washington. At this time, a request from Davis was received. Without saying a word, Adams immediately approved. And directly sent 20,000 marines to the Azores, and pulled Canada into the chariot, and Canada also sent 5,000 marines. In this way, the number of troops sent to the Azores reached 25,000, a full 10,000 more than Davis had requested. In Davis' plan, only 15,000 Marines were originally requested. Because the French Marine Corps is indeed stronger than the US Marine Corps, but, except for Terceira Island, in the entire Azores, the remaining French Marine Corps is only 10,000 people. With the fire support of the U.S. and Canadian navies, Davis believes that 15,000 people can definitely take the Azores. However, he did not expect Adams to be so generous this time. Of course, he wouldn't think there were too many soldiers. With 10,000 more people, the war can end sooner, which is exactly what he wishes for.

The U.S. Navy has achieved such great results, which immediately improved the status of the Navy a lot. Adams even proposed that next year's budget will be tilted towards the Navy so that the Navy can complete the refit as soon as possible. This made the U.S. Army very dissatisfied with the Navy, because the finances are tilted towards the Navy, which will definitely harm the interests of the Army. Therefore, General Henry, the head of the US Army, was unwilling to be lonely. He found Adams and proposed his new plan, hoping to improve the status of the U.S. Army~lightnovelpub.net~Your Excellency, this is my new plan, please have a look. "Henry handed the thick proposal to Adams respectfully.

After only reading a few pages, Adams understood Henry's plan. He also understood Henry's actions very well. Frankly speaking, the plan proposed by Henry is also very good. If it can be implemented successfully, it can also greatly enhance the influence of the United States. However, because of the national conditions, he felt a little powerless.

"General Henry, your plan is very good. However, you should also consider our national conditions. At present, the navy occupies a large part of resources, and the army in South America has not made progress. Therefore, I suggest your plan It will be implemented after a while," Adams said, putting down his glasses.

"Your Excellency, the fighter plane is fleeting! As for national power, I have a new idea. We can contact Canada and ask them to form an expeditionary force with us. I think they will be very interested in this ’” Henry said with a smile. Before he came, he had expected that Adams would reject his plan due to national conditions, so he had already thought of countermeasures.

Adams' eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "That's a good idea. Alright, I'll send someone to contact Canada immediately."