Many people habitually divide the Second Global War into several theaters, but in fact, there is no strict division of battlefields in the Second Global War. Especially in the maritime theater, many people think that the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic Ocean are two independent theaters, but in fact, whether it is the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic theater, the North Atlantic theater, and the Pacific theater, these three ocean theaters are all one overall battlefield. A small operation by the German Navy in the North Sea contained the mighty British fleet, delaying the British Navy's southward movement for several months, and providing a great help to the Reichs' strategic victory in the Pacific. Tan Renhao's major victory in the South Atlantic this time also directly affected the war situation in the Pacific, which directly proves that there is no strict division of battlefields on the ocean, and the battle in any one place will have a huge impact on the entire maritime battlefield and even the entire war.

The rapid rout of the Anglo-French joint expeditionary fleet was something that many people did not expect, Nie Renfeng did not expect, and Nimitz did not expect it. In everyone's opinion, Cunningham defeated the South Atlantic Fleet and the Fifth Task Force of the Tang Empire, and once advanced the battle line to the middle of the Indian Ocean, almost into the Persian Sea, and Cunningham is the commander of the British Navy's number one fleet, even if he is the commander of the number one fleet of the Tang Empire's navy this time, with the geographical advantage of Cape Town and the harsh climate in the South Atlantic, he can hold out for a few months.

Judging from the situation at the time, Nie Renfeng thought that Tan Renhao's ability to defeat Cunningham before the end of May would be considered a major victory. Nimitz's estimate was a little more optimistic, he had several contacts with Cunningham and still knew a little about the British admiral. In Nimitz's view, Cunningham is fully capable of holding out until August, that is, until the weather deteriorates again, when the Tang Imperial fleet will have to withdraw to the Indian Ocean, and Cunningham will have a chance to hold out until 27 years, which will have a huge impact on the entire maritime battlefield. No matter how bad it is, Cunningham will be able to hold out until the weather deteriorates in August, and as long as he can hold out until that time, the US counterattack in the Pacific Ocean will have been won, the situation on the entire ocean battlefield will be completely reversed, the United States will have a precious respite, and there will be enough time to plan a strategic counterattack for 27 years!

Both sides had their own calculations, and the actions of the joint Anglo-French expeditionary fleet had paid off. The Tang Empire originally planned to launch a campaign to land in Australia by the end of March at the latest, but it was delayed until the end of April. In addition to the fact that Yan Guozhong captured Noumea too late and the preparations of the Marine Corps were not fully in place, the main reason for this was that the US counterattack was about to begin, and the First Task Force and the Third Task Force were pinned down in the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic theater, and as a result, the landing time in Australia had to be repeatedly delayed.

Judging from the situation on the battlefield at that time, if Cunningham could hold out until the end of May, perhaps a major turning point would have taken place on this side of the Pacific. Nimitz is planning a counterattack at the end of April, or the beginning of May. If Task Force 1 could not return to the Pacific Theater, and the Tang Imperial Navy continued to insist on carrying out the operational plan of attacking Australia. Then, in the Central Pacific, there is only Huang Xiaotian's Fourth Task Force and the Theater Fleet composed of four small aircraft carriers. Spruance has six newly commissioned fleet aircraft carriers in his hands, and the US military has a partial strength advantage. Whether Huang Xiaotian can stop Spruance or not, no one knows this, but judging from the situation at that time, when the strength was inferior to the opponent, and Huang Xiaotian did not directly fight Spruance, the Tang Imperial Navy would definitely lose more than win in the Central Pacific Theater. If Spruance can seize the opportunity to take out Task Force 4, as well as Liao Hanxiang's theater fleet. Then the situation in the Pacific theater will change completely.

Even if Tan Renhao led the First Task Force to rush back to the Pacific Theater at the end of May, he would at most participate in the battle in early June. At that time, only Task Force 1 will be able to go to the Central Pacific to stop Spruance's attack. And he has to face the Fifth Fleet, which has several fleet aircraft carriers, and Tan Renhao's command ability is between Spruance, whether the First Task Force can win or not, this is almost a matter of luck. That is to say, as long as Cunningham can hold out until the end of May, then the US military will have a local superiority in strength in the Pacific, and if it is a little luckier, then the US military will wipe out the main task force of the Tang Empire one by one, and as long as the first task force and the fourth task force are finished, then the strategic advantage of the Tang Imperial Navy in the Pacific Ocean will be wiped out, the US military will turn from defense to offensive, and the entire Pacific war situation will be turned to favor the United States, and the Tang Empire's combat operation to attack Australia will naturally end halfway.

It is precisely because of this possibility that Nie Renfeng has never made up his mind to launch a campaign to land in Australia. He was thoughtful, and he certainly had a glimmer of hope that Tan would be able to achieve a quick victory in the South Atlantic. Judging from Nie Renfeng's subsequent arrangement of transferring the First Task Force and the Third Task Force back to the Pacific Theater, he did have this idea. And the facts have also proved that Nie Renfeng's reuse and expectations of Tan Renhao are not wrong, Tan Renhao has completed a task that others can hardly complete, and he completed this task quickly and in a timely manner.

When the news of the victory came, the excitement of all was indescribable. And the dark clouds that had pressed on the hearts of Yan Guozhong and Lei Shaoqing before also dissipated immediately. In order to stabilize Lei Shaoqing, and to appease Lei Shaoqing, at the end of April, Yan Guozhong immediately found Lei Shaoqing after receiving the news that Nie Renfeng was preparing to recruit the first task force and the third task force back to the Pacific Ocean.

"I also heard from others about this, the marshal has not yet issued a formal order, and Weng Yiming and they are marching towards Cape Town, and the marshal will only make formal arrangements after confirming that Cape Town has been recovered." Yan Guozhong spoke out the uncertainties first, "However, nine times out of ten, the marshal will definitely recruit the first task force and the third task force back to the Pacific theater this time, if the two task forces leave Cape Town in early May, then they will be able to rush back in mid-May, and the fleet needs time to be maintained, and it will probably be able to go to the battlefield in early June." If this timetable is determined, then we may launch a combat landing operation in Australia at the end of May. ”

"Task Force 3 is coming back?" Lei Shaoqing frowned slightly, he didn't expect that the principal would let the third task force rush back.

"It's not a big problem, from what I've heard now. The marshal is ready to send the four battleships and supporting cruisers and destroyers that are now fighting on our side to the South Atlantic, and hand them over to Weng Yiming's command, while the third task force is responsible for taking the place of the theater fleet. Provide direct fire support to the landing force. Yan Guozhong smiled and nodded, "Xiao Lei." That's good news for you. ”

Lei Shaoqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile, what Yan Guozhong meant by this, he knew very well in his heart.

If the Third Task Force does not come back, then in the command of all fleets in the Southwest Pacific Theater, most of the time is Lei Shaoqing and Jiang Zhongmin competing, when the time comes, Tan Renhao is very likely to lead the First Task Force to the Central Pacific, and solve Spruance with his partner, after stabilizing the defense line in the Central Pacific Theater, Tan Renhao will move to the Southwest Pacific. And before Tan Renhao returns, Lei Shaoqing and Jiang Zhongmin will definitely have a huge conflict over the matter of command. But now, with the return of Task Force 3, the problem practically does not exist.

Chang Jianxin is also a graduate of the orthodox class of the Naval Academy, although he is not a recipient of the Sea Lion Medal, but his performance in recent years is remarkable, and he is one of the president's protégés. In terms of qualifications, he is older than Jiang Zhongmin, and his achievements on the battlefield are much greater than Jiang Zhongmin's, especially in the "Battle of the Coral Sea", the Third Task Force captured two American battleships, and Chang Jianxin became an imperial celebrity, and even received a personal commendation from the prime minister. When the two U.S. battleships toured around the empire, Chang Jianxin's popularity in the empire even surpassed that of Tan Renhao, and he became the number one star used by the imperial navy to publicize it to the outside world. The most important thing is that Chang Zhixin has worked in the First Task Force for more than a year and served as chief of staff in the Second Task Force for more than a year, and he is also very familiar with the operations of the aircraft carrier task force. And the most important thing is that Chang Jianxin is Lei Shaoqing's iron buddy, the two are almost brothers with different surnames, and Chang Jianxin will support Lei Shaoqing unreservedly.

Taking all these factors into account, as long as the Third Task Force arrives in the Southwest Pacific Theater, if according to the old rules, a task force commander is appointed as the commander-in-chief and is responsible for directing the operations of the task force, then a new task force should also be recommended to take on this role. No matter how bad it is, it is often recommended to compete with Jiang Zhongmin. At that time, Lei Shaoqing will be able to stay out of the matter, and the direct result of Chang Jianxin's competition with Jiang Zhongmin is to change the original rules, and the commander of the theater fleet will take over the command of the fleet, and the power of the commander of the task force will be limited. From this point of view, whether it is Chang Jianxin winning in the end, or Chang Jianxin and Jiang Zhongmin competing with Hebang, it will not hurt Lei Shaoqing in the end.

"Exact news, it will come in a few days, and now the main question is when we will be able to regain Cape Town. If Weng Yiming's report is correct, then in just a few days, the Marines will be able to take control of Cape Town, and the marshal will then issue orders to the 1st and 3rd task forces. ”

"What will we do if the U.S. military strikes back early?"

"This problem should not be big, after the Annihilation of the British and French Joint Expeditionary Fleet, the US military will also adjust its counterattack plan. Moreover, Huang Xiaotian must have received a warning, if Spruance wanted to launch a counterattack before the return of Task Force 1, then Huang Xiaotian could only retreat, even if he lost some of the front-line islands, he would have to delay time. Yan Guozhong hesitated slightly, "Perhaps, the marshal will also revise the battle plan for attacking the Australian continent, so we don't have to worry about these things." ”

Lei Shaoqing pondered for a while, then nodded. "Then, we will continue to act according to the previous plan now, and strive to make all preparations before the official landing."

"Yes, that's the most important task before us. And you don't have to worry about those things anymore, the matter about the terms of reference of the commander of the theater fleet will definitely be resolved soon. If the marshal is determined to bring Task Force 3 back to the Pacific, then your worries are completely unfounded. ”

Lei Shaoqing laughed awkwardly, he did feel that his worries were a bit redundant.

"If you have time, you can contact several fleet commanders, especially Hao Dongjue's bastard boy, you must stabilize his emotions. I heard that he was very emotionally unstable in the fleet during this time. If there is any trouble now, it will not do us any good, let alone any good. ”

"I know that in a few days, the second task force will come back for maintenance, and I will talk to him then."

"Just remember, and Li Wenlong's side should also pay attention. Don't tell him about the dismantling of the theater fleet just yet. If the marshal decides to abolish the theater fleet, Li Wenlong will most likely have to return to the First Task Force to serve as the commander of the aircraft carrier battle group, which will demote him in disguise, so we will wait for definite news to talk to him about this matter. ”

Lei Shaoqing nodded, he also happened to think of this matter.

"Then I won't keep you more, remember to wait for Hao Dongjue to come back, and look for him to have a good time."

Lei Shaoqing left the theater headquarters after saying goodbye to Yan Guozhong, and his theater fleet headquarters was not far away, so he didn't go back by car, but asked the adjutant to follow him in the car, and he walked back on foot.

After talking with Yan Guozhong, Lei Shaoqing's enjoyment was much better. In his opinion, luck is improving, if the news Yan Guozhong gets is correct, then the commander of the theater fleet will become a position with real power, and when the time comes, he will not have to worry about being threatened by Jiang Zhongmin. And his competition with Jiang Zhongmin will definitely not end, even if the principal makes concessions this time, there will be no change in the principal's reuse of Jiang Zhongmin.

When the dark clouds in Lei Shaoqing's heart gradually dissipated, several other people did not get the news immediately, and naturally there would not be such a turn as Lei Shaoqing, and this included Hao Dongjue!