When Lei Shaoqing received that the First Task Force had successfully bombed Tarawa Island, he was surprised and delighted, and he couldn't believe it.

Liao Hanxiang ordered the First Task Force to bomb Tarawa Island on the 22nd, and Lei Shaoqing felt that this was too high, because the First Task Force was still receiving supplies at the anchorage of Kaping Amalei Atoll at that time, and it was almost impossible to complete the bombing operation in more than a day, even if it did not consider the dangers that might be encountered along the way. And now, Task Force 1 has indeed completed this task, and the contents of that telegram will not be false. Lei Shaoqing naturally couldn't believe it, and at the same time was surprised by Tan Renhao's ability, this is not what an ordinary fleet commander, or even an excellent fleet commander, can do!

What makes Lei Shaoqing happy is that this nail has finally been pulled out, no matter who pulled it out, this is always a good thing. He also secretly admitted that he was indeed a big step behind Renhao. Task Force 2 failed to accomplish this task with two aircraft carriers, while Task Force 1 completed the task with only one aircraft carrier. If you don't consider some accidental factors, then the ability of Lei Shaoqing and Tan Renhao is obvious.

"This is the telegram that just came." Chang Jianxin and Lei Shaoqing had the same feelings, "Ren Hao asked us to contact the theater command and let the 6th team prepare for boarding 6 as soon as possible." ”

"Let's deliver the good news?" Lei Shaoqing hesitated and took the message.

"Yes, Ren Hao said, the First Task Force originally belonged to the command of the Southwest Pacific Theater, and we have been operating in the Pacific Theater, so this telegram should be sent by us." Chang Jianxin shrugged his shoulders, "We all know what he means, and someone has to go out of this telegram." ”

Lei Shaoqing nodded and said, "Then let's go, but, one thing to add." ”

"I know. I have prepared a draft of the telegram. ”

Lei Shaoqing didn't say anything more, he was very grateful to Tan Renhao for his help, in fact, the responsibility for the failure of the Second Task Force in this operation was not on Lei Shaoqing, if the responsibility was to be pursued, it should be Liao Hanxiang's mistake in the battle arrangement. If the First Task Force had not come to put out the fire, according to the current command system, Liao Hanxiang would have to take responsibility. And as long as Tarawa Island is laid, then this responsibility can be overshadowed. The result of the victory is more important than anything else.

When Lei Shaoqing and Chang Jianxin were busy, Tan Renhao had already laid down on the single bed on his ground. There was no combat action at night, and there was no danger from the side of the artillery formation.

He asked Hao Dongjue to go to sleep as well, and arranged the command of the fleet to the staff officer. According to Tan Renhao's estimate, even if the 6th team is already ready to go out of Majuro Atoll, it will take at least three days to rush over, plus other preparations, that is, in these three days. Task Force 1 has to stay here. Continued bombardment and shelling of Tarawa Island.

In fact, after the first round of bombing, Tan Renhao and they did not have many tasks. The next operations were almost all "routine", the bombing and shelling were not difficult, and the staff officers were enough to cope with it. The next day, after confirming that the Second Task Force had been killed and participated in the bombing operation, Tan Renhao took the initiative to reduce the bomber's mission, and at the same time withdrew the artillery formation in the afternoon, so that the officers and men had more time to rest. Maybe he was doing it a little selfishly, but it was also for the sake of the fleet, not for his personal sake. And Tan Renhao also ran to the flight deck of the aircraft carrier in the afternoon. He was given a folding chair and laid on the chair to bask in the sun.

"That's what I received." Hao Dongjue is not as idle as the commander, "The 6th team plans to land on the 6th Tarawa Island on the 25th, and they will go out tonight. The main support tasks are handled by Task Force 2, and we only need to provide auxiliary support. ”

"Looks like we can take it easy." Tan Renhao covered the sun with his hands, "You can also take a rest, we have nothing to do these days, before Yan Guozhong recruits us back." Let everyone take a breather. ”

"It would be best if the 6th Sentai landed on Tarawa Island and the U.S. forces surrendered immediately." Hao Dongjue laughed, at this time a soldier on the battleship brought him a stool, he sat down, and then said, "In this way, we can at least let the officers and soldiers go to the island to recuperate for a few days, even if it is a few hours, after living at sea for so long, I am afraid that many people will not get used to it after getting off the battleship." ”

"Then continue to hope, but I don't have much hope, if the U.S. military wants to surrender, it should surrender now."

Hao Dongjue shook his head. "I'll go up there and take a look, so I won't bother you if it's okay."

"Dongjue", Tan Renhao called his partner, "After the 6th team goes ashore, if possible, we will carry out a few more activities to mobilize the enthusiasm of the officers and soldiers." ”

Hao Dongjue nodded and ran to the ship island. If you want to arouse the enthusiasm of the officers and men again, maybe it will be effective to go to the 6th place to find a few girls to come up!

The 6th Sentai rushed to the beach on Tarawa Island on the 25th, and the US resistance was not fierce, the artillery bombardment formation of the 2nd Task Force was behind the butt of the 6th Sentai Group, and almost all the heavy equipment of the US troops on the island was destroyed. Like Kwajalein Atoll and Majuro Atoll, Tarawa Island is actually a coral island, and it is more difficult to build underground fortifications (not that it cannot be built), and the US military did not expect the Tang Army to come so quickly, so the island's defense is not very strong, and most of the US troops can only resist on the ground positions, and it is impossible to escape the bombing and artillery bombardment of the Tang Army.

By the evening of the 25th, the 6th team had basically consolidated the 6th game and began to advance in the direction of the airport. Han Shaofeng personally commanded the 6th team of a regiment to attack. The U.S. military can only steadily retreat and make a last resort. And on this day, Task Force 1 received a very special telegram.

"Let's go back?"

"Let's go back to Apra Harbor, to be exact." Hao Dongjue corrected Tan Renhao's statement, "It's an order from the Navy Command directly, it seems that Chief of Staff Gan Yongxing is merciful now, and he is willing to let us go back and take a breath." ”

Tan Renhao read the telegram carefully, it was indeed from the Navy Command, and it had Gan Yongxing's signature on it. "Why do you want us to go back?"

"Who knows, it is not written on it again, just let us return to the port of Apra." Hao Dongjue leaned on the handrail next to him, "Be content." Do you want to stay at sea, I'm fed up with it, and I've dreamed of a good night's sleep in a bed that doesn't shake! ”

Tan Renhao laughed. "Okay, then let's go to Apra Harbor and get the news out and make everyone happy. In addition, immediately find a nautical staff officer to determine the route and get ready. The fleet went out immediately. ”

Hao Dongjue immediately beckoned a staff officer over and asked him to go to the navigation staff officer.

"Also, don't forget to say hello to Shaoqing and Lao Chang, let them continue to fight hard, and we will go back to enjoy the blessings!"

At about ten o'clock, the 1st Task Force left the area of engagement and began to return in the direction of Guam. When passing through the sea area where the Second Task Force was active, Tan Renhao also asked the fleet to come over, and then used a light signal to greet the "Hulun Lake" aircraft carrier. Lei Shaoqing also learned the news that the First Task Force would return to Apra Port, and he also came to greet Yu. In addition to thanking Tan Renhao for their support. I also wish the 1st Task Force a smooth return.

"According to the current advancement of Team 6, Lao Lei and they will not stay here for long, and they will be able to go back in a few days." Hao Dongjue glanced at the gray ground aircraft carrier in the distance.

"Do you know that Major General Han Shaofeng?"

Tan Renhao didn't answer, he didn't know much about the situation of the 6th team, he only knew Yan Guozhong, and a few staff officers under him.

"That man fought even harder than Yan Guozhong, and I heard that on the second day of his ascent to Kwajalein Atoll, he ordered the execution of dozens of American prisoners......

"Kill?" Tan Renhao was taken aback, this is not a trivial matter, the emperor ** team has long stipulated that killing and surrendering is an evil ** thing. The officer who gave the order could be sentenced to death at most.

"It's just a rumor, no one confirms it. Hearing that the U.S. resistance was very stubborn at that time, Han Shaofeng ordered dozens of captured U.S. wounded soldiers to be taken to the front line, and then gave the opposing commander an ultimatum that if he did not surrender within half an hour, he would kill all the prisoners. ”

"The result?"

"The result? As a result, of course, the American army did not surrender, and it took eight hours for the 6th team to capture the American fortress, and none of the American troops in it survived, and the 6th team itself sacrificed dozens of officers and soldiers. ”

"Hey!" Tan Renhao sighed. Then he shook his head. This method of killing and surrendering in front of the battle will not only not frighten the enemy when facing an enemy with a stubborn will to resist, but will make the enemy more stubbornly resistant.

"However, having said that, the U.S. troops on Kwajalein Atoll are indeed tenacious enough, and the 6th team has suffered great losses, and Han Shaofeng is probably driven crazy." Hao Dongjue smiled bitterly, "These are all rumors, no matter whether anyone comes out to testify or not, they will definitely not deal with Han Shaofeng now, and it is rare for a general like him to be like this." ”

"It has nothing to do with us." Tan Renhao propped his hand on the fence, "What do you think is the reason why the chief of staff is transferring us back to Guam now?" ”

"I don't know, at least until I get to Puerto Apra, I can't guess, and I don't bother to guess."

"The offensive on the Southwest Pacific should be about to begin, maybe the HNA has seized air supremacy, otherwise we should sail west now, not north." Tan Renhao glanced at his partner, "After taking Tarawa Island, the 6th team will be able to capture the entire Gilbert Islands with the cooperation of the HNA without the support of the fleet." In other words, we should not have any new tasks in the short term. ”

"This is the best, just let everyone take a break, and if possible, we can also give some officers and soldiers family leave, so that they can all go back to have a look, which will be of great help in raising morale."

"Look, when we get to Apra Port, if we are sure that we have no mission in the short term, I will go to General Liao Hanxiang and ask him to arrange some planes so that the officers and soldiers can take turns to go back to rest and recuperate."

Tan Renhao rubbed his hands, "However, our rest time this time should not be very long, if the 'Daihai' aircraft carrier can be repaired quickly, then we may have a new mission." ”

Hao Dongjue shook his head, he felt that this was unlikely. It is very likely that the US Navy will restore the strength of four aircraft carriers in early December, and now it is almost October, and there is only a little more than a month to go. As long as the US Navy regains its combat effectiveness, then the main task of the First Task Force will be to fight a decisive battle with the US Fleet to ensure that the officers and men of the fleet have sufficient energy, and high morale is the key to victory, and allowing the First Task Force to carry out any mission within more than one month will have a negative impact.

The air cooled down, and Tan Renhao and Hao Dongjue stood outside the command cabin for a while and returned to the command cabin. The normal rotation system of personnel in the staff of the fleet has been restored, and only a few staff officers are on duty.

"Contact the Pacific Theater Command tomorrow and arrange maintenance work after arriving at the port." Tan Renhao issued a new order at this time, "In addition, let the Pacific Theater Command try to help the officers and men of the fleet arrange some shore dormitories." When you arrive at the port of Apra, you can rotate the officers and men ashore according to the situation, but you must control the time and tell everyone that military discipline must be observed. ”

Hao Dongjue wrote down these orders, Tan Renhao is not the kind of ruthless commander, under normal circumstances, the fleet is fighting outside, as long as it does not return to the home port, the officers and men on the battleship cannot leave the battleship.

"Okay, I'll come back early tomorrow morning, and you can go to rest early in the evening, and just arrange for the staff officer to be on duty."

After Tan Renhao finished speaking, he left the command cabin. He also felt that it was unlikely that the Naval Command would assign a new task to Task Force 1 in the near future. If there is a task, it should be carried out now, instead of letting the officers and men of the fleet see six places and then run to the sea, which will have a great impact on morale. But Tan Renhao didn't think that this time he went back to let them rest and recuperate, maybe there were still very important things, but they couldn't be explained in the telegram, or they couldn't explain it (the telegram disappeared is not safe)

Yes, he won't know what happened until he returned to Apra Harbor.

Task Force 1 arrived at the port of Apra on 29 September. Liao Hanxiang specially vacated a camp area for the officers and men of the fleet to live ashore, and also prepared the team and equipment to maintain the battleship. In addition, when the fleet arrived, Liao Hanxiang personally went to the port to greet the triumphant return of the troops!