Although the enemy was present, Bai Zhizhan still went back to the cabin to sleep after dinner, and asked Zhou Yongtao and other main staff officers to rest.

It was not until the early morning of the next day that Bai Zhizhan returned to the commander's bridge and held an operational meeting.

At this time, the latest information has been received.

The Nuland Navy dispatched not only 2 fleet aircraft carriers, but also 1 small aircraft carrier that had just been built, and these 3 aircraft carriers left the port on the same day.

In addition, it is likely that the Nuland Navy has already acquired a new carrier-based fighter, nicknamed "Hellcat", the F6F, also developed and produced by Grumman.

According to the information provided by the Sixth Bureau, the F6F is the only carrier-based fighter that can confront the "Roaring Sky" so far.

In fact, this kind of carrier-based fighter was originally regarded as a spare tire by the Nuland Navy.

Because the performance of the F4F is not as good as that of the "roaring sky", after participating in the war, the Nuland Navy increased its investment in new fighters, and the focus was to compete with the F4F at the beginning, but because the take-off and landing performance was too bad, it could not be deployed to the aircraft carrier F4U.

It is a pity that this fighter, which is very advanced on paper, has not been able to solve its biggest problem.

Due to its aerodynamic shape, the F4U's low-speed maneuverability was very poor, and during the landing phase, the pilot could barely see ahead, making landing control extremely difficult. Not to mention novices, even test pilots who participated in the tests often somersaulted when landing.

In the absence of any choice, the Nuland Navy can only entrust Grumman to develop a carrier-based fighter that is more advanced than the F4F as soon as possible.

This is F6F.

Compared with the F4F, the biggest feature of the F6F is actually that the fuselage has been properly enlarged in order to install a 2000 horsepower engine.

This method is simple and crude, but the effect is very outstanding.

Because there was no need to redesign and the aerodynamic layout of the F4F was adopted, Grumman completed the design work and produced a prototype in a few months.

In general, the F6F is like an enlarged F4F.

To put it mildly, that is, by using more powerful engines, the F6F has obtained a maximum flight speed of nearly 600 kilometers per hour, a range of more than 2,000 kilometers, and a maximum bomb load of 1,500 kilograms, so as to gain the capital to compete with the "roaring sky".

Even the latest batch of "Roaring Sky" has a maximum flight speed of just over 600 kilometers.

The key is that under the premise that the overall performance is not bad, the operability of the F6F is very good, as long as it can fly the F4F, it is basically seamless.

In addition, F4F's production line can be used directly, reducing the difficulty of mass production.

However, the initial trial production model of the F6F is likely to use a 1,800 horsepower engine, because the 2,000 horsepower engine has not yet been mass-produced.

Of course, in synergy with F6F, it is still SBD and TBF.

However, if you really want to say it, the most important thing that the Nuland Navy's carrier-based aviation needs to be replaced is actually fighter jets.

As for dive bombers and torpedo attack aircraft, if not good, they are enough.

It is precisely because of this that Zheng Jiangming also sent a special telegram to warn Bai to stop the war, and not to underestimate the opponent.

As long as the opportunity is seized, the Nuland fleet, with 2 fleet aircraft carriers as the core, can take out 4 fleet aircraft carriers in one fell swoop.

Crucially, the fleet under Commander Spp may also return to the Guia Ocean in early August and be reinforced by a small aircraft carrier.

Theoretically, the Nuland Navy would be able to form two task forces by then.

Because it was impossible to capture the transit island in early August anyway, by that time, Bai Zhizhan might not be able to fight the Nuland fleet with all his might.

Of course, the situation is not so dire.

After the Marines disembarked, the two task forces were mainly responsible for providing cover, and carrier-based aircraft were rarely dispatched to provide support to the Marines.

The air support mission is carried out by 4 small aircraft carriers in the support fleet.

Because there are rockets, and the "Roaring Sky" has already entered the stage of full-speed production, and there are many older batches that have been withdrawn from the front-line troops, the four small aircraft carriers are all fighters except for two squadrons of dive bombers each.

If anything, there is no need for the task force to participate in the landing operation at all.

Relying on more than 100 "Roaring Sky", the support fleet was enough to provide anti-aircraft cover for the landing force.

In other words, as long as there is a need, Bai Zhizhan can take 2 task forces to meet the arriving Nuland fleet at any time.

It was precisely in this way that Bai Zhizhan immediately made arrangements.

Before August 1st, go all out to support the marines to attack the transit island, do your best to expand your position, and destroy the enemy on the island!

The meeting ended, and it was already early morning on the 19th.

Because he slept yesterday, Bai Zhizhan's mental state is not bad.

After seeing off several officers from the 22nd Task Force, Bai Zhizhan called Li Mingbo and Zhou Yongtao to the dining room for breakfast.

"Do you know what I'm worried about right now?"

Li Mingbo smiled reluctantly, while Zhou Yongtao was gobbling it up by himself.

The hardest thing in the past few days is Zhou Yongtao, because he is responsible for many miscellaneous things.

It's one thing to be tired, it's one thing to have irregular meals.

Anyway, Zhou Yongtao is still very young, as long as his belly is full, then he has spirit.

"There are actually two things that really need to be worried." Bai Zhizhan let out a long breath and continued: "First, the Nuland Navy left the task force on the east side of the islands, instead of sending it to fight us, threatening us with the task force, so that we can't let go. Because of the enormous risks, the attack on the transit island will inevitably be affected, and may even be delayed for several months. ”

"That being said, in the end, let's give up attacking the Khowaii Islands." Li Mingbo habitually answered.

Bai Zhizhan nodded and said, "If we can't attack for a long time, we will make adjustments to our strategy, and first make sure to take Posha Bay on time." Considering the situation on the side of the Empire, it is definitely necessary to increase investment in the ground battlefield. In a few months, all we can go to is the Guia. If it really goes that far, the duration of this great war will be extended by at least 3 years. ”

Li Mingbo smiled bitterly and shook his head, but did not answer.

"What about the other one?" Zhou Yongtao only asked casually, and didn't even look up, his attention was still on the plate.

"Do you think those 2 fleet carriers and 1 small aircraft carrier will definitely come to the Guia?"

Zhou Yongtao was stunned for a moment, then raised his head and looked at Bai Zhizhan in disbelief.

Subsequently, Li Mingbo also reacted, and he was also shocked.

"Are you worried about Liu Xiangzhen?"

"If there are two task forces, there is enough certainty to defeat or even annihilate the 11th task force. With the strategic vision of Spu and Nize, it is impossible not to know how great the significance of annihilating the Eleventh Task Force is, and how slim the odds of victory in a decisive battle with us are. ”

"Send ...... now"

Before the words came out, Li Mingbo closed his mouth.

"It's just that it's useless for us to worry. Whether the Nuland fleet has gone to Fanyanyang or not, we will know in a few days, and it is not too late to make a decision then. ”

After Bai Zhizhan said this, Li Mingbo couldn't help but sigh again.

Eating persimmons has to pick soft ones, and at this juncture, the Nuland Navy has no reason to fight a tough battle with almost no chance of winning.