6 Chapter 6

Nimitz had several steel Quonset huts erected for use as a headquarters while the construction was ongoing. Nimitz estimated that it would take from 6 months to a year for the basic infrastructure to be built to support a modern war. Until then Nimitz had to do everything in his power to keep his operations hidden from the Nazis. If they discovered what was going on they could be easily smashed by the Germans who had a significant head start building up their own forces.

August 21st, 1861: Richmond, Virginia

President Davis relentlessly paced the floor of his office, waiting for Rommel to arrive. Ever since his intelligence officers had uncovered what they had found up north, he had deliberated on what to do. If not for it's German friends the Confederacy wouldn't be in the position of strength it currently held. But Davis also knew that the price for all of this assistance would eventually be asked to be paid. Davis didn't know what the cost of this assistance would be but he knew that his country either wouldn't be able to afford it, or wouldn't like it.

After Davis had a few quiet moments of private thought, Rommel arrived and was ushered into Davis's office. "good afternoon." Rommel said with a smile, offering his hand to Davis. " What can I do for you today Mr President?" Rommel asked. Davis paused a moment collecting his thoughts. " I'm not sure if you are aware of the new developments up north, sir?" Davis asked him. Rommel shrugged, shaking his head negatively. " I have received information from informants in the federal government that they have received allies with technology similar to your own." Davis said, staring at Rommel for his reaction. Rommel immediately lost the smile on his face which was replaced with a look of genuine concern. " Do we know what kind of assistance exactly, and whom it might be?" Rommel asked. Davis shook his head and spoke. " No we don't know many additional details for sure. All the informant passed on before his death was that the federals had began using similar technology as our German friends and that all of their activity seemed based around an area somewhere in Maine." Davis ended. Rommel seemed to think about this new information for a moment, then looked at Davis. "Then we will need to eliminate this new menace as quickly as we are able to." Rommel said to Davis. Then spoke more after a brief pause. " I propose that we reinforce the army of Northern Virginia with mechanized units of my own. Then we strike north through the lines of the army of the Potomac smashing all opposition in our way. While that is happening I suggest we discover the exact location of this Yankee base. Once we have attacked to within artillery range we destroy this bass with artillery and aircraft." Davis nodded and gave the idea some thought. "Will we be able to strike this and then withdraw without suffering serious losses?" Davis asked. Rommel nodded affirmative. " Mr President, I believe that if we attack in an are with overwhelming force, the federal lines will collapse and their troops will flee the field. I can have the Luftwaffe and artillery blast the federal front with a massive bombardment then lead off with an overwhelming force of our best Panzer units. This combination of air, artillery, and Panzers should overwhelm and eliminate any remaining resistance." Ended Rommel. " Very well Field Marshal. I will send orders to general Lee to coordinate with you. Make preparations for the attack." Davis simply said.

August 23rd, 1861: Just north of Washington DC

Several days later found Rommel sitting in his panzerkampfwagon VI waiting for his watch to strike midnight. As the hands finally reached midnight, he dropped down and nodded to his radio operator who then spoke into his microphone.

From far behind Rommel's massive formation of tiger and panther tanks came the distant rumble of artillery. All along the Yankee front line the federal troops sat nervously behind breastworks and in trenches silently waiting in nervous anticipation. But, unknown to the attacking German and Confederate troops, an entire division of Marines from nimitz's task force had reinforced the federal lines under cover of darkness. These men had been battle hardened fighting the forces of the empire of Japan back in 1944-45. With their modern weapons and tactics they were sure to give the rebels a bloody nose during the attack that had been scheduled for the next day. When the artillery bombardment had begun the Marines knew exactly what would come next. Using their tactical knowledge they comforted and quickly showed the federal troops around them how to take cover from a modern bombardment. Prebuilt dugouts and trenches were used to great effect, protecting many more soldiers than would have normally survived such fire. After what seemed an eternity the artillery slowly slacked off to be replaced by the growl of Panzer engines and the squeaking of tank treads. The noise slowly got louder then the federal troops began to see Panzers, and infantry in what the Marines called half-tracks. The German and Confederate forces, not expecting any serious opposition were greatly suprised when Panzers began to, both blow up and lose tank treads, immobilizing them. Then dozens of bright streams of flame shot from the federal lines into dozens of Panzers. Some just received a loud "clang" as the warheads of the upgraded bazookas ricocheted off of thick armor. But many were not so lucky. One Panzer screamed to a halt, it's turret separating from the body of the Panzer with a large explosion, flipping it high into the air as the ammunition in the panzer "cooked off". Some federal troops could hear screams from other Panzers as their crews burned alive inside their steel machines. Another panzer skewed to a halt, it's turret and driver's hatches blowing open with loud clangs, large fireballs erupting from the openings. Other Panzers lost tank treads as they drove over heavy antivehicle land mines.

Rommel soon began to recieve reports that union troops were using anti panzer weapons, and modern small arms. His unit commanders were also on the radio calling in losses. After advancing only in 15 minutes time he had lost over a dozen Panzers, he was already angry that his Luftwaffe hadnt shown over the federal lines as had been planned. After a few hectic moments with his radio man speaking to the advanced Luftwaffe base his engineers had built outside Washington DC, he learned that there had been difficulties launching the aircraft.

In frustration Rommel tuned his radio to the command frequency to listen ro his commanders on the field. His commanders were slowly beginning to panic and falter under the constant barrage of anti tank weapons. He picked up the microphone and ordered Major General Sepp Dietrich to continue the attack. Dietrich confirmed the order and switched to his command frequency. " 12th and 67th panzer form into a flying V and advance into the union lines. Run them down." He said. But the Panzers were now facing a determined defense by the marine division that they still didn't know was there. As the panzer formations approached the union lines they began to hit heavy anti tank mines. The Marines had placed these before the union line just in case of an attack like this. The Marines, being experienced fighters began to target the command tanks that carried several radio antenna.

Within several minutes this plan began to bear fruit as the various commanders went silent on the radio. Other panzer commanders could be heard screaming on the radio for orders and reinforcements.