If a war were to break out between the U.S. and Germany in the future, given the range and speed of these "flying bombs," wouldn't America just be on the receiving end? But the price of 500 tons of gold is too outrageous to even think about without feeling a pang.
Moreover, there's no way Congress would agree to such an expenditure.
Once upon a time, a U.S. Speaker of the House boasted, "Without my approval, the President won't spend a cent." Although this was an exaggeration, Congress, which holds the "purse strings," indeed plays a leading role in government spending. The U.S. Constitution stipulates that no money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law. The power of appropriation held by Congress is commonly referred to as the "power of the purse." James Madison, one of the framers of the Constitution, noted that "the power of the purse" is the most complete and effectual weapon with which the Constitution arms the representatives of the people.
"What if Lucas negotiates the price?"
Cordell shook his head. "Salazar won't negotiate the price; otherwise, the British wouldn't be at an impasse now. Salazar said the risk involved in this deal is too high; if Germany finds out, it could bring disaster upon Spain. So, not a single penny will be reduced."
"..." It seemed to be the case.
General Groves spoke up. "Can't we develop it ourselves?"
Marshall shrugged. "I think it should be possible. But how much time and money would it take to produce one? Who knows?" If it would take years and billions or even tens of billions of dollars, it might be better to buy it now. But even if they wanted to develop it themselves, Congress might not approve such a huge sum.
While everyone was sighing in frustration, the landing operation at Calais had begun.
As mentioned before, the White Cliffs of Dover are a natural barrier for Dover and a symbol of England. Formed about a million years ago, these cliffs are made of fine-grained chalk. The highest point of the cliff rises over 150 meters from the beach below, consisting of chalk layers that have accumulated over millions of years.
Unfortunately, nature did not favor them with a complete barrier; this massive, over 30-kilometer-long wall has gaps.
Naturally, the British did not neglect these gaps, constructing countless defenses over the long years - permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, and anti-tank obstacles added in the last decade.
Considering recent threats from enemy air forces, many of the new firing points were embedded into the cliff, making them impervious even to the precision bombing of Stukas.
Moreover, barbed wire and minefields were densely laid out in front of the positions, turning the area into a so-called impregnable fortress.
If the attacking enemy thought they could take this fort with just human bodies, this place would truly become a meat grinder, killing as many as came.
From the British perspective, the best way to break through would be to use large-caliber naval guns to blast a path through the fortress.
Hence, although the Germans tried to block British mine-laying efforts, the British still managed to set up several massive minefields in the English Channel. Due to these mines, the German fleet could not recklessly enter the channel, as it was extremely hazardous.
The British believed they had successfully blocked the German's large ships and cannons, making Dover's defenses foolproof, but Janik had prepared substantial covering forces for the Dover landing troops.
As previously mentioned, Calais is the closest port to France, only 34 kilometers away, where 22 K5 railway guns with a range of 62 kilometers were deployed. These 22 guns fired 283mm, 255 kg shells at a rate of 4 rounds per minute (K5 railway guns are said to have a firing rate of either 8 or 15 rounds per hour; here, we'll settle for 11 rounds per hour) onto the British fortresses. The British pillboxes, being stationary, could only take the beating passively, with no counterattack capability.
Although the British had deployed over 300mm railway and coastal guns on the opposite side, they had already been completely neutralized by German air forces, and even if they were intact, they couldn't reach the K5 due to their range, leaving them no choice but to endure the bombardment.
Effective strategies are not used just once. The Calais landing forces also deployed "fishing" landing craft.
Unaware British defenders responded with fierce firepower against these landing crafts, seemingly to show the Germans just how formidable their defense was, capable of repelling the German attack.
"Ha, these Germans are too scared to get off the boats." Inside one of the pillboxes, a machine gunner swung his gun back and forth, shouting with excitement.
"Then let them keep being cowards; we've got plenty of ammo here." The inspecting company commander picked up the phone in the pillbox to report the situation to the battalion commander. "Sir! The Germans have been beaten back into turtles; they dare not disembark."
These pillbox groups were equipped with numerous Maxim machine guns from World War I, with ammunition in abundance; it would take at least a month to use it all up.
"I see, good job, boys. Don't let a single German set foot on shore; remember, London is right behind you!" Even as he said this, he felt it was somewhat strange. Indeed, London was behind them, but it was being bombarded day and night and was almost in ruins.
At that moment, the machine gunner shouted with joy. "They're retreating, they're retreating!"
"We've won!" Everyone cheered excitedly.
"Wait, what? Sir, the Germans have retreated! We've repelled the German attack!!"
"Boom!! Boom!! Boom!!"
Hearing the joyful report over the phone, the battalion commander was stunned; the Germans had retreated? Was Dover just a feint? But what a poorly executed feint, just circling around the coast and then withdrawing? Were they trying to fool ghosts?!
But then he heard the thunderous sound of explosions. Not just one, but dozens, shaking the ground like an earthquake.
"What's happening? Hello! Hello!" No matter how he shouted, there was no response. He dialed several numbers before finally getting through to one pillbox. "What's happening there? What are these explosions?"
The voice on the other end was full of fear. "Sir, we are under heavy artillery attack from the Germans! At least 300mm caliber, at least 20 guns are firing at us!" He had just seen a pillbox across the way explode. That was a solid bunker made of reinforced concrete, yet it was blown to pieces, debris flying dozens of meters into the air, causing several nearby bunkers to collapse.
The battalion commander quickly reported the situation to the garrison commander, who was equally shocked. "What? Are these German battleships?! Has the German navy brought their ships into the Channel?"
"Report, Commander, no large German warships have been sighted in the Channel! The shells seem to be coming from Calais!!"
"What?!" The garrison commander was shocked. Could it be the German's V3 cannon? No, the range of the V3 was long, but its caliber was only around 150mm. Must be Germany's new railway guns then?
The garrison commander was no stranger to railway guns; after all, the concept originated in the 1850s from Anderson's work "National Defense"; you could say the British were the ancestors of railway guns.
"Quick! Get me London! Inform the Prime Minister that the main German attack is at Dover! I need reinforcements!" With 20 heavy guns, bombarding the immobile pillboxes in this narrow area was a breeze; in less than an hour, the Germans could "wash" out a clear path through the chokepoint!!
Churchill was already in complete disarray. Both Dover and Norwich had sent him urgent telegrams, stating that each was the main target of the German attack, that the Germans were about to break through their defenses, and they urgently needed reinforcements!!
"How is this possible?! How is this possible?!"
"This must be a German ploy; they can't possibly land in three places simultaneously. Even the British Empire doesn't have that capability. Signal Dover, Norwich, not to retreat a single step; holding on is victory. The Germans are just bluffing. If necessary, let them destroy the ports." He was convinced that no matter how strong the German forces seemed in those areas, once they ran out of supplies, they would be pushed back into the sea by British reserve forces.
He was concerned that reducing support for Plymouth would leave them powerless against the German's fierce attack.
In his view, ordinary coastlines could be retaken, but important coastal cities like ports must not be lost!