Task Force 2 arrived at the combat readiness area on 23 July, and then received new information from the theater command that the US Navy's USS Enterprise aircraft carrier battle group had left Pearl Harbor a day earlier and its whereabouts were unknown. The current "Enterprise" aircraft carrier battle group is a submarine lying in ambush outside Pearl Harbor, and this submarine quickly dived after replying to the telegram, lost contact with the base, and did not return to the port of Saipan until half a month later.

"Where will the American fleet go?"

Lei Shaoqing and Chang Jianxin both have a bit of a headache, judging from the time when the US fleet came out, the whereabouts of the second task force have actually been exposed. U.S. Navy submarines have been monitoring Iwo Jima, as well as several important islands in the Mariana Islands. If Task Force 2 had been found after leaving the Iwo Jima anchorage, it would have coincided with the departure of the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier battle group.

"At least, the whereabouts of Task Force 1 haven't been revealed."

Chang Jianxin drew a red line on the Mariana Islands on the chart. "This is our key anti-submarine patrol area, and it is very difficult for American submarines to pass through this blockade line and enter the western seas. There is no news from Task Force 1 either, and it is unlikely that they will be revealed. ”

"In other words, the American side has not yet been able to judge how many aircraft carrier fleets we have operating here?"

Chang Jianxin nodded slightly. "The enemy certainly can't tell exactly how many fleets we've put into attacking Wake Island, and if they believe we're going to attack the Hawaiian Islands, I'm afraid we'll have more than one fleet."

"But our troop movements, especially the movement of so many Deng6 ships, can't be hidden from the Yankees at all."

Both fell silent, and that was the point. The opponent's actions are judged mainly on the opponent's troop movements. Any large-scale battle requires the mobilization of a large number of troops, and these troop movements cannot be completely secret, especially during the war, the warring sides will closely monitor the other side's troop movements, not only submarines, reconnaissance planes and other military reconnaissance equipment, but also mobilize intelligence agencies. Therefore. Large-scale military movements are difficult to conceal, and military movements directly determine military operations. The Tang Empire is sending troops to the southwest Pacific region, and its intentions are already obvious, even if the Yankees will think that the Tang Empire's attack on the southwest Pacific is a feint, they will attach great importance to the situation here, and will not fully believe that the Tang Empire will attack the Hawaiian Islands.

"If the Yankees decide that we will attack mainly the islands in the southwest Pacific, such as New Guinea, how will they deploy?"

Lei Shaoqing broke the silence. Now is not the time to hesitate, and it is necessary to determine the whereabouts of the American fleet as soon as possible.

"If that's the case, they'll judge that we only have one task force at most operating here, and the rest of the fleet will be sent to the southwest Pacific."

Lei Shaoqing nodded slightly, this is the simplest judgment, it is more difficult to fight on the ground in the southwest Pacific direction, and more fleet support is needed.

"In this case, the American side will think that they will use one aircraft carrier to hit two of our aircraft carriers."

Chang Jianxin sneered, "If it's still Spruance who commands the fleet this time." I'm afraid he's going to take a risk! ”

Lei Shaoqing was not in a hurry to speak. He pondered for a moment and said, "I don't think it's likely to be Spruance, judging by the information we've gotten. Now the United States is divided into two theaters in the Pacific direction, Halsey went to the Southwest Pacific theater, and Spruance was promoted to chief of staff of the theater, and should not come to command the fleet. ”

"And who will command the fleet?"

"Most likely Fletcher."

Lei Shaoqing thought for a while, "Nimitz promoted many major generals, but none of these people have the ability to command the fleet to fight. When neither Halsey nor Spruance was able to command the USS Enterprise carrier battle group, the only thing Nimitz could use was Fletcher. ”

Chang Jianxin nodded slightly, and then sighed.

"If it's Fletcher, then we'll have to make a new judgment."

Lei Shaoqing leaned on the chart table, "It is impossible for the US side to completely judge that the First Task Force went to the Southwest Pacific Theater. Task Force 1 could have reached Guam first. Then we will go south through the Caroline Islands, which will also quickly support the operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater, and we can also be reinforced at any time. Therefore, I think, the American side will make such a judgment. Task Force 2 was at the front, supporting the 6th Squadron to board the 6th, while Task Force 1 remained behind, providing cover for Task Force 2 and dealing with the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier battle group. ”

"It's possible. As long as Task Force 1's whereabouts are not revealed, it is likely that Task Force 1 is on standby in the waters off Guam. ”

Chang Jianxin immediately supported Lei Shaoqing's view.

"In that case, we're going to Wake Island with four aircraft carriers, and the United States has only one aircraft carrier."

Lei Shaoqing held up his chin, and then laughed, "One fight four, the chance of winning is almost zero, even if they seize the first opportunity, they don't have the strength to organize a second bombing." You say, in this case, what would Fletcher do if he had commanded the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier battle group? ”

"This ......"

Chang Jian Xinxun thought about it, "He may take advantage of our bombing of Wake Island, draw his strength against us, and then retreat immediately to avoid being bombed by our retaliation, waiting for the next opportunity." ”

"It's their only option!"

Lei Shaoqing slammed his fist on the chart, "Fletcher is a more cautious commander, he doesn't dare, and he won't risk the last aircraft carrier of the US Navy." In order to make sure that he could escape after taking out us, he would certainly place the fleet to the northeast of Wake Island, and as far east as possible. Then, he would ask for a search for our whereabouts with reconnaissance planes on Wake Island, and when we bombed Wake Island, he would immediately send bombers to attack us, and then all of them would withdraw from the battlefield without giving us any chance. ”

Chang Zhixin nodded slightly, if Fletcher commanded the "Enterprise" aircraft carrier battle group, then he would definitely do it. In this way, even if he can't beat it, he can run for his life and keep the last aircraft carrier in the hands of the US Navy.

"Then we should try to push the aircraft carrier forward a little bit!"

Lei Shaoqing pushed the chart representing the Second Task Force to the east of the chart, "and then sent a reconnaissance plane to search the waters northeast of Wake Island in an all-round way, striving to find the whereabouts of the US fleet as soon as possible." Do we have a map of Wake Island's defenses? ”

"There is a copy that was taken back by a long-range reconnaissance aircraft last month. Although it is not very clear, it is enough to judge the defensive deployment of the US military. ”

Chang Jiexin flipped through the chart table for a while, and turned over the aerial photography station ticket that had been magnified several times.

Wake Island is a small atoll consisting of three coral islands, including Wake Island, with a lagoon in the center of the island that is an excellent harbor, and a large flat area in the southeast of the island that can be used to build a large airport. The entire island covers an area of only about nine square kilometers. Before World War I, U.S. forces occupied the island. It was also built into a transit point across the Pacific Ocean, and built a port on the island that could accommodate more than 200 warships of less than 10,000 tons, as well as a large military airport. After the outbreak of the war, the U.S. military once strengthened the defense of Wake Island, and by this time, the number of U.S. troops stationed on Wake Island was close to 4ooo. In addition, the US military has built a large number of permanent fortifications, underground bunkers, ammunition depots, and oil depots. Hangars and much more. Hundreds of shore artillery guns, three anti-aircraft positions, as well as hundreds of anti-aircraft guns were deployed. The airfield on the island accommodates 15o combat aircraft in peacetime. In wartime, it can accommodate at least 3oo combat aircraft. The US military has expanded the parking area north of the airport to accommodate hundreds of fighters, and a large number of water reconnaissance planes can be docked in the lagoon inside the island. After the loss of the Mariana Islands, Wake Island became the new line of defense for the American army in the Pacific theater. A large number of maritime reconnaissance planes stationed in the vicinity have been patrolling the nearby waters and are outposts of the US military's defense line on the Hawaiian Islands.

Lei Shaoqing looked carefully at the photo for a while, and then looked up at his partner. "The main purpose of the first round of bombing was to paralyze the airfields on the island, and we used a lot of time bombs, so how many bombers and fighters would we need to put in at least?"

Chang Jian Xinxuan calculated it and said: "At least one bomber squadron and one fighter squadron need to be invested, and it must be guaranteed to be a surprise attack." The bomber group had to enter at a low altitude, while the escort fighters had to seize air supremacy in advance. Even so, the certainty of paralyzing Wake Island Airport is less than eighty percent. ”

Lei Shaoqing nodded slightly, and then laughed. "Fortunately, we have good pilots and the best bombers, so we should be more sure. You go to Deng Zi to discuss, and leave the bombing of Wake Island to him. ”

"Horizontal bombers?"

Chang Jianxin frowned, in the execution of ground bombing, torpedo bombers are horizontal bombers.

"Yes. We left Zhang Naiding and Yang Shihong behind, and let them take charge of taking out the 'Enterprise' aircraft carrier battle group. ”

Lei Shaoqing gritted his teeth, "Now, we still have one squadron of fighters left, and three squadrons of bombers. If we can show up the 'Enterprise' battle group in advance, then we can immediately dispatch the bomber group, send all three groups out, kill Fletcher in one go, and then use the returning fighters to carry out the fleet air defense mission, hoping to bomb Wake Island fast enough. ”

"But the question is, what if we can't show up for the 'Enterprise' battle group in advance?"

"It depends on our luck and the quality of the enemy's commander."

Lei Shaoqing let out a sigh and straightened his waist, "The range of activity of the fleet extends to the east for 1oo nautical miles, so that our reconnaissance planes can go out to the sea area about 15o nautical miles northeast of Wake Island, and Fletcher will inevitably be in this sea area if he wants to ensure that his bombers can deal with us." If Fletcher is present before the bombing of Wake Island, then we will attack the fleet first. If Fletcher hadn't been there before the bombing of Wake Island, we would have had to make the bombers go around and give the Americans a little illusion. ”

Chang Jianxin nodded slightly. "It's a good plan, but it's a bit risky, so we'll be in range of Wake Island's bombers."

"Then we choose to enter before the early morning, set the time for the bombing of Wake Island at about half past seven, and the bomber group will take off before dawn, if the bomber group returns to the sea, that is, there is no battle of the 'Enterprise' aircraft carrier at about nine o'clock, then we will have to find a way to escape."

At this time, Chang Jianxin also understood what Lei Shaoqing meant, he wanted to bet on the second task force. Judging from the whole plan, Lei Shaoqing is trying his best to imitate Tan Renhao's tactical command style this time, not giving the enemy a chance to fight back, seizing every opportunity to rush to attack, and striving to attack before the enemy organizes a counterattack force to disintegrate the enemy's combat effectiveness. This is also the best way to protect the fleet, as long as the enemy's aviation strike capability is paralyzed, then there is little threat to harm the fleet.

"When will Team 6 arrive?"

Lei Shaoqing said as he took out a cigarette.

"The day after tomorrow, I plan to land on 6 Wake Island in the early morning of the 26th."

Chang Jiexin took the cigarette, "That is to say, we must destroy the airfield on Wake Island before dusk on the 25th, and send an artillery fleet to bombard Wake Island at night to clear the way for the 6th team to board the 6th." If the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier battle group is killed, we will also take out this aircraft carrier fleet so that the 6th Sentai will not be threatened from the air. ”

"Three tasks, but well, we should be able to complete them!"

Lei Shaoqing laughed, "Can the fleet reach this attack sea area before dawn tomorrow?" ”

Chang Jianxin glanced at the area marked by Lei Shaoqing on the chart, and then mentally calculated. "It's not a big problem, we can get there about half past five, and if we're going to bomb Wake Island at half past seven, then we'll have to get the bomber group to take off by six o'clock."

"That's it, before the bombers take off, send out the reconnaissance planes, and the 24 reconnaissance planes will all go all out to search the waters northeast of Wake Island, and there must be no omissions, and the 'Enterprise' aircraft carrier must be found!"

Chang Jianxin nodded, and immediately went to give the battle order. Lei Shaoqing did not interfere in the work of the chief of staff, he bet all his bets this time, and he didn't know what the result was, he only hoped to win once.