WWII military commentator? Even a dog could be one.

Chapter 90: The Battle of Cape Matapan – A Casualty Ratio of 2300 to 3

Sean lay on the sofa reading the newspaper; the Greek campaign had entered a new phase.

Italy continues its attacks on the fortified Sura Pass and the Berat Line.

The Mexican man personally went to Albania to oversee the battle.

Inside Greece, the Germans were conquering and seizing territory everywhere.

The internal situation is a complete mess.

The Ionian Islands began to tighten their defenses.

The Italians occupied part of the islands, and the remnants of the 3rd Julia Division, together with the 47th Barry Infantry Division and the navy, were resisting the combined forces of Greece and Britain.

The battle in Thrace, northern Greece, has been occupied by Bulgaria and the situation is at a stalemate.

Hannie prepared black tea and snacks for Sean. "Sir, the plastic explosive formula you requested has been obtained."

"Hmm," Sean replied softly, glancing at the newspaper.

"How should we deal with those engineers?"

deal with?

Those are all talented people; the people who came up with the idea of ​​plastic explosives have excellent imagination and creativity.

The United States was also the largest producer of C4 after World War II.

Now I've found a small gold mine.

They were short of money when they bought Lockheed.

But that wasn't enough. They also had to build Lockheed's most famous facility, the Skunk Works, which would cost them money.

"Agree to their requests, whether they want to immigrate or get a sum of money."

"I'll handle it. The consulate will send the formula over in the next couple of days."

"Um!"

Sean continued reading the newspaper.

"I have already sent someone to Daimler to persuade them to let us obtain the blueprints and data for the prototype HE-178."

The engine is key; the best jet engine, apart from Germany, should be designed by a British nobleman.

But there's no rush.

Sean nodded in satisfaction.

"If those engineers want to immigrate, arrange for them to come to the United States and work for Lockheed."

"yes!"

"Is there anything else you'd like?"

I want so much: infrared night vision technology, rocket technology, and even Wernher von Braun, the presenter of the V2 rocket.

But Sean also understands that he can't go too far now.

take it easy.

"Sean, good news! Good news! Your tactical vest, boots, and belt designs have made a fortune!"

Before even entering the door, you could hear Jason shouting from the hallway.

"Sean, I've landed a huge order worth $1.8 million."

Jason's face was beaming with excitement.

"The National Guard's orders are not large."

"It's German."

"Ah!" Sean turned around in surprise to look at Hanni.

Hanni didn't speak; she simply replied that Mr. Sean had designed tactical vests and belts, and, oh yes, military boots, which were supposedly designed to prevent trench foot.

The German Army High Command did not hesitate to place orders with American companies.

"Yes, my God, the Americans aren't interested, but the Germans are very satisfied."

"Are you serious?" Sean didn't know how to retort.

"Yes, they are very serious. They have already paid the deposit and are planning to pay 50% of the full amount. My goodness, I don't need to pay any upfront."

Jason laughed heartily. "I'll cover the cost of building your villa." Jason returned the favor, knowing it was due to Sean's connections.

Saved money.

"That's great." Sean's words carried a hint of happiness.

"When will Greece be defeated? The Maritime Germans and the Italians seem to be in a predicament."

Jason handed Sean the news that the New York Times had reprinted.

"This is today's newspaper. The British Navy has gained the upper hand in the waters off the Dödernickas Islands."

The British Royal Navy is indeed formidable.

Sean nodded indifferently.

But this time it's different. Germany has boldly launched an airborne attack on Athens, which will cut off its land access to the Aegean Sea.

Seeing that Sean remained silent, Jason grew anxious. Now, his relationship with Sean was no longer that of casual chat buddies, but rather that of allies who would stand together through thick and thin.

Sean looked at the newspaper; the New York Times must be selling like hotcakes today.

News from the British side was published in the newspaper.

Churchill: The Royal Navy has taken action, and the world will once again witness Britain's strength.

Well, with the leader coming out to boost morale, the morale of the British and Greek allied forces has been restored.

Sean shook his head and chuckled, because he knew that history had it all but Greece's inevitable defeat.

"The decision for this battle was not made at sea, but on land. Once the 200,000 Greek troops in Albania surrendered, the outcome was already decided."

Hearing Sean say that, Jason breathed a sigh of relief.

"Italy is indeed no match for the British Royal Navy at sea."

Sean added that as a pseudo-expert, one should at least be objective in their evaluations.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! Sean Wayne comments on naval warfare."

The next morning, the streets of Los Angeles were filled with the sounds of newsboys, and Sean wrote a naval battle commentary, something he hadn't done in a long time.

"Does Sean Wayne think Italy will lose the naval battle?"

"My God, Germany will win on land, but Italy will lose at sea."

"Sean Wayne is indeed a neutral commentator."

Americans are talking about it, and Europeans are watching the show.

London, England.

Churchill put down his newspaper and angrily cursed, "This cancer of war, so fickle! Changing its mind every minute! What's your stance?"

"Prime Minister, Sean Wayne is an American, and he is neutral," Vice Admiral Ramsey, the commander of Dunkirk, advised.

"However, his belief that we will win the naval battle shows that he knows our strength."

Churchill fell silent. Sean believed that the side with the advantage was more likely to win; this was common sense.

Europeans weren't stupid either; though they didn't say it outright, Churchill was still happy.

Is this a case of slapping someone and then giving them a piece of candy?

Damn, why does this candy taste so sweet?

Churchill loosened his tie and neck. "Inform General Cunningham that we must secure the Mediterranean shipping lanes to support Crete and the Dominican Islands; this is our last hope."

"yes!"

"Have the intelligence agencies continue to intercept communications from Germany and Italy."

"clear."

"Deploy the repaired aircraft carriers and the newly built ones to the Mediterranean Sea."

Churchill thought about it and decided to raise the stakes. Although Sean said the Royal Navy would win, opportunity always favors the prepared.

"Yes."

Berlin, Germany.

The news about Sean immediately attracted great attention from the German side.

The Supreme Command was shrouded in gloom.

"His Excellency Sean believes the sea will be lost."

"That's a real shame. Are our allies completely useless?"

Navy officer William Carraris said sadly, though as a fellow naval officer, he still held high hopes for the Italians.

"Yes, it seems we must gain absolute superiority on land to end this foolish war."

Yes, a foolish war. Those Italian idiots ruined our Sea Lion program.

Albania, Mexican official residence.

The Italian leader, upon seeing the news, kept waving his whip around, looking extremely excited.

"That damned bastard humiliated us on land, and he humiliated us at sea. Now the Germans despise us."

The Mexicans are on the verge of exploding.

"Your Excellency, according to intelligence from the German Naval Intelligence Service, Britain currently has only a small number of ships in the Aegean Sea for escorting expeditionary forces."

is it?

This is an opportunity.

Old Mo was a little excited.

"Our air force reconnaissance planes spotted a small number of British warships docked in the port of Alexandria."

good chance.

The embarrassment on Lao Mo's face changed instantly.

"I order the navy to set out. I'm going to defeat the British and make Sean Wayne pay for what he said."

I must make him admit his mistake; he should be regarded as the founder of the new Roman Empire.

Who says Old Mo doesn't care about his reputation? He cares a lot, just like the little painter. He longs for Sean to give him a positive evaluation.

Only words spoken by a legend are legendary.

Sean Wayne, this cancer of war, has once again ignited the Mexicans' competitive spirit.

Italy, their lifelong rival, is planning something big.

December 1940, 7.

With the battleship Vittorio at its core, the Italian Navy set sail from the harbor with six heavy cruisers and 17 destroyers. Their objective was simple: to cripple the British sea lanes and gain control of the Mediterranean.

The fleet commander listened to the intelligence reports sent back by the reconnaissance planes, a smile spreading across his face.

"The time has come to prove the navy's strength." After the blunder by Air Marshal Balbo, the Italian Navy was under immense pressure and ridicule. This time, they were determined to demonstrate their power and silence the world.

"The foolish British are unaware of our plans; we will crush them with overwhelming force."

Yes, we are very powerful. The few ships in the Mediterranean escort fleet are not even enough to fill the gaps in Italy's teeth.

"This time, we'll expedite the operation and strike them with lightning speed."

"Yes!" The Italian fleet was in high spirits.

They have an absolute advantage.

London, England.

"Report: Intercepted communications between Germany and Italy. The Italian fleet has set sail, its target being our escort fleet."

Churchill seemed unable to suppress his joy; Sean Wayne's words seemed to have stirred something in the old Mexican.

"Order the aircraft carrier USS Formidable to secretly rendezvous with the escort fleet."

"yes!"

The intelligence agencies of Italy and Germany were equally incompetent.

December 1940, 7.

The Italian navy, with an irresistible advantage, rushed towards the escort fleet.

British Royal Navy Vice Admiral Cunningham looked at the telegram with a smile on his face.

"Order the escort fleet to continue its advance at night, maintaining its course."

"yes!"

"This time, we will teach the Italians an unforgettable lesson. We will launch a fatal attack on the radar-less Italian fleet in the dark, and order the carrier's torpedo bomber squadrons to be ready for battle at any time."

"yes!"

"Order three battleships to remain stationary in Alexandria to mislead the Italians."

"yes!"

The bag is now complete, just waiting for the bait to be caught.

Lieutenant General Cunningham suddenly remarked, "Sean Wayne's assessment was quite accurate."

At 3 p.m. on July 14, an Italian reconnaissance plane flew close to Alexandria.

The pilot looked at the British warships moored in the harbor and shouted excitedly.

"These British pigs don't know we're here."

The Italian fleet was greatly encouraged upon receiving the news; victory was within reach.

"Gentlemen, pursue the British escort fleet, then destroy Alexander's fleet, and we will achieve a complete victory."

The skies above the Italian fleet were filled with the joy of victory.

Their fleet numbered over twenty ships, an absolute overwhelming force.

Around 4 p.m., the reconnaissance planes from the cruiser Veyle and the Italian plane spotted each other almost simultaneously.

"Formidable, Formidable, this is the Vepellier, we have spotted Italians."

"Vittorio, we've spotted the British."

The two reconnaissance planes stared at each other in mid-air, then crossed paths and dispersed, maintaining their composure.

At 6 p.m., the Italian fleet commander finally spotted the escort fleet and transport ships in the distance and shouted excitedly.

"Sink them."

With its superior tonnage and artillery, the Italian fleet was operating at full capacity.

A group of planes flew in from a distance.

The sky was filled with the roar of engines.

"It's a British plane."

"Conduct air defense."

As the fleet gave the order, the Vittorio's 40mm anti-aircraft guns roared into the sky.

Bang bang bang bang!

Flames shot out from the cannon barrel.

The sky exploded with bursts of air currents.

British planes flew through the skies under Italian artillery fire, dropping torpedoes.

Seeing the enemy flying close to the sea surface, the captain of the Pola almost cursed.

"Didn't they say the British didn't have an aircraft carrier? Damn intelligence."

A British plane crashed, billowing smoke.

Two splashes of water churned on the sea surface, and two shadows rapidly approached from afar.

The captain of the Pola shouted desperately.

"Caution: Proceed with caution!"

With a loud bang, thick smoke billowed from one side of the Bora.

Several sailors on deck were engulfed by the rising flames.

The sailors on the engine room side were propelled into the air by the shockwave the moment the torpedo hit them, crashing heavily into the cabin as flames engulfed the interior.

"We were hit by a torpedo."

The entire fleet instantly descended into chaos. "These British are despicable; they have reinforcements."

As the planes disappeared into the sky, the Vittorio ordered a halt to the pursuit.

This could be a trap set by the British.

Airplanes reappeared in the sky, and the second wave of attacks arrived instantly.

"Withdraw and rendezvous with other ships."

The fleet commander said with distress that their air defense capabilities were insufficient and the fleet was too scattered.

"Follow the Italian fleet," Royal Navy Vice Admiral Cunningham reiterated the order aboard his flagship, HMS Formidable.

9:7 PM on July 14th.

Both fleets joined up with other ships.

"The Italians know their mission to raid the convoy has failed, and they plan to wait until dawn to attack Alexandria." The report states, "Radar has detected the Italian fleet's movement; it's less than four kilometers away."

So close?

Cunningham walked to the map and hesitated for less than two minutes before making his decision.

"Deploy all carrier-based aircraft." This is a golden opportunity, and the Italians have no radar.

A sneak attack from less than four kilometers away was an extremely bold decision.

The darkness provided the best camouflage, and a large number of British planes flew towards the sea.

Hearing the roar from the sky, all the Italians panicked. They had no radar and had no idea which direction the enemy was coming from.

"Quickly, organize a defense!"

The black dot in the sky was not obvious, and a large group of British planes high in the sky were ready, looking at their navigation systems.

With a descent, a large number of planes lowered their altitude and flew close to the sea towards the Italians.

A large number of torpedoes were dropped into the water, creating a magnificent spectacle.

"Damn it, they're the British. They're on our right!"

Countless dark shadows with bubbles appeared beneath the surface of the water. Less than three minutes into the battle, the Italians were completely overwhelmed.

The heavy cruisers Sara and Fiomi caught fire instantly.

The flagship Vittorio was also hit by a torpedo, and two other destroyers suffered damage to their ammunition magazines, causing them to explode.

As the Sara and Fiomi gradually sank, the Italians were instantly terrified.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

Albanian official residence.

Old Mo waited excitedly for news from the sea.

"Report."

"Come in, have we won?" Old Mo stood up, looking at the guards expectantly.

The guard was somewhat embarrassed.

"Flagship Vittorio was damaged, five ships were sunk, including two main heavy cruisers, and the fleet suffered more than 2300 casualties."

"What about the British?" Losses are not terrible. As long as we win and gain control of the sea, we can still build more ships. The Mexicans don't care. Italy is a maritime power.

"We shot down a British bomber."

"Hmm, anything else?" Old Mo listened with satisfaction.

"there is none left."

"That's all? You must have misremembered, right? You must have gotten the wrong battle report. Just one plane? The British only lost three crew members? Is that what you mean? A kill ratio of 2300 to 3?"

The guard lowered his head in embarrassment.

The meaning is obvious; you're right.

"I'm going to shoot you. Shoot you, and then say it again."