Due to the need for secrecy, there were only a few bureaus of bombing the New Orleans River Dam, and those pilots only knew their specific mission a few hours before departure. In addition, Luo Yunchong didn't even tell Han Shaofeng about this operation, but just asked Han Shaofeng to provide him with the necessary help. Naturally, this operation was not reported to Lei Shaoqing and Tan Renhao. At that time, he didn't even tell Lei Shaoqing about Luo Yunchong's arrival in the American battlefield, and Tan Renhao was kept in the dark. It was not until the morning of the 18th that Tan Renhao left the fleet by plane, preparing to go to Cologne to meet with Lei Shaoqing, and then to discuss the next stage of combat operations with Han Shaofeng, that the telegram was sent. As a result, after Tan Renhao arrived in Cologne, he learned that New Orleans had been flooded.

After hearing the news from Lei Shaoqing, Tan Renhao didn't say how surprised he was. The reconnaissance plane that determined the results of the battle only departed about an hour later than the bomber group where Wu Linfang was located. The reconnaissance mission was carried out by a "Wolf Dove" bomber with four aerial cameras installed. The reconnaissance plane arrived over New Orleans at about half past seven, and the first thing the pilot saw was the dam that had burst. Immediately, the pilot reported the results of his visual judgment, and after using up several hundred negatives, the bomber quickly returned home. Because the dam had completely burst the embankment, the visual judgment was convincing enough, so before the reconnaissance plane returned to the base, Luo Yunchong sent a signal of successful bombing, and Gu Xunlei immediately forwarded it to Han Shaofeng and Lei Shaoqing after receiving the news. And when Tan Renhao arrived in Cologne, it was almost noon. At that time, Lei Shaoqing was anxious about not being able to contact Tan Renhao.

In order to maintain secrecy, or to ensure safety, Tan Renhao did not contact Lei Shaoqing before arriving in Cologne, but only got in touch with the navigation station on the ground when the plane he was taking was less than 50 nautical miles away from Cologne. By this time. Lei Shaoqing knew that Tan Renhao had rushed back. By the time Lei Shaoqing arrived at the airport, Tan Renhao was already waiting there. The first person to tell the news to Tan Renhao was actually not Lei Shaoqing, but an officer at the airport who was in charge of receiving and receiving telegrams.

"The bombing campaign was quite successful." Lei Shaoqing looked a little excited, "Only two bombers were lost, and one of them was forced to land on the airport because of mechanical failure." In addition, one was badly damaged, only to fly back in the end. Everything else is no big problem. Judging from the results of preliminary reconnaissance, the dam had already burst, and by the time the reconnaissance plane returned to its destination, the river had already submerged about half of the urban area, and the scope of the flood was still expanding. If nothing else, the Port of New Orleans will be out of service today. The United States will lose its second-largest port. and the most important port in the Gulf of Mexico. ”

"The operation was planned by Luo Yunchong?"

"Yes, you also know that Luo Yun is coming? That's what I knew. This kid is really unkind, he hid for several days, and he didn't show up until the operation was successful, and he didn't owe me any money, what are you hiding from me? ”

"Maybe it's for secrecy, after all, this operation is quite critical. In addition, I only learned from the officer at the base, and I heard that he had come here as a colonel and staff officer. Tan Renhao walked towards the jeep, "Luo Yunchong was bold and careful. And it's the kind of person who dares to do it, and this time he must have offered to bomb the river dam in New Orleans. ”

"It should be so, I heard that Gu Xunlei complained to the army command, saying that the U.S. military is constantly sending reinforcements to Mexico to deliver war materials, and he is far less fast than the U.S. army, and this war can't go on. At that time, the army headquarters had no way to send him more reinforcements, so Luo Yunchong offered to help Gu Xunlei on the American battlefield, and he only brought twelve bombers over. As a result, no one expected that he would come up with such an ingenious solution. It can be said that the happiest place now is Gu Xunlei. ”

"I don't think blowing up New Orleans not only helped Gu Xunlei, but actually helped us." Tan Renhao jumped into the car first, "Shaoqing, you come to drive, go to your headquarters as soon as possible, besides, where are Han Shaofeng now?" ”

"Han Shaofeng is in Panama City, I heard that Luo Yunchong is coming over at night, and his mission has been completed, so he is probably going to go back." Lei Shaoqing sat in the driver's seat, and then started the jeep. "You say this operation will also help us a lot?"

"For sure, if you think about it, the port of New Orleans is not only the main assembly and departure point for the U.S. military to send reinforcements to Mexico, but it is also the only place where the U.S. Atlantic Fleet can anchor in the Gulf of Mexico." Tan Renhao leaned back in his chair, "Wait a minute, arrange for us to go to Panama City, I want to talk to Han Shaofeng in detail, this is the main purpose of my return this time." If Luo Yunchong is here, then we can talk to him. I haven't seen him in a long time, and I don't know what this kid looks like now. ”

"What else can it look like, anyway, the appearance won't change much. He is not a yellow flower girl, and it is impossible for him to 'eighteen changes'. ”

Both of them laughed, and soon they returned to Lei Shaoqing's headquarters. At that time, there was a road controlled by the Marine Corps from the port of Colon to Panama City, and Lei Shaoqing, after taking his guards, followed Tan Renhao to Panama City. The two arrived at around four o'clock in the afternoon, just as Luo Yunchong also rushed over. Luo Yunchong had completed his special mission in the Americas and was about to leave the Americas and return to the empire, and he came here to discuss with Han Shaofeng about transporting the bombers that could not fly back on their own by ship, of course, he also wanted to thank Han Shaofeng in person for his help. And Gu Xunlei was preparing to use this bombing to launch a new round of attacks, and was planning combat operations on the front line, so he was not able to rush over.

When a few old friends meet, it is natural to have a greeting. Luo Yunchong is much calmer than everyone else, perhaps in his opinion, the bombing of the New Orleans River Dam is nothing, he was originally the pioneer of the bomber force, and has always attached great importance to the special bombing operation, bringing the most elite troops of the army aviation, and being able to win, which is within the scope of Luo Yunchong's expectations. And the impact of blowing up the river dam in New Orleans is not something Luo Yunchong needs to consider, what he knows is that it is no longer possible for the US military to send reinforcements to Mexico through the port of New Orleans, and it will be necessary in the future

Either the lines of communication would be sent from farther and more modest ports, which would inevitably have a negative impact on the U.S. military's combat operations on the Mexican battlefield, allowing Gu Xunlei to seize this precious opportunity to win the second battle. Perhaps, Luo Yunchong never thought that after the Port of New Orleans was paralyzed, it would also provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Tan Renhao and them.

"I'm not going to eat dinner." Luo Yunchong said as he looked at his watch. "I have to rush back as soon as possible, and I will fly back to China in the evening, and I will invite you to dinner when I have a chance in the future!"

"Where is it, who invites it is different." Han Shaofeng smiled and patted Luo Yunchong's shoulder, "Since that's the case, then after the war is over, let's have a few more drinks!" ”

"Then I'll send General Luo out of the airport!" Tan Renhao glanced at Lei Shaoqing, "Shaoqing, you talk to Lao Han first, and I'll be back soon." ”

Han Shaofeng and Lei Shaoqing did not follow, they all knew that the relationship between Tan Renhao and Luo Yunchong was the closest, when Luo Yunchong came to the navy, he first cooperated with Tan Renhao, and the two joined forces to launch a strategic bombing of Japan, although the final credit was recorded on Luo Yunchong's head, but those who knew the inside story knew that Tan Renhao's credit was not under Luo Yunchong, but Tan Renhao was born in the aviation, so many people did not remember him. Now, it is rare for the two to meet, so they naturally have to take the time to chat a few more words.

"I didn't expect you to make a special trip for such a thing." Tan Renhao personally drove Luo Yun to the airport in the north of the city. Luo Yunchong was going to San Pedro Sula Airport first, and then took a long-distance transport plane to Oahu. "But, since you're here yourself, I really don't believe it if you don't make any big noise. How did you come up with the idea to blow up the dam in New Orleans? ”

"The British did it first. You should know about the RAF's operation to blow up the Ruhr dam, right? ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, he didn't participate in the war in Europe, he only heard someone mention it a few years ago.

"Now that we have mastered the technology and tactics of the relevant aspects, and there are a number of British people who participated in that operation who are willing to cooperate with us, I have formed this secret force." Luo Yunchong said as he took out a cigarette. "This time it was Gu Xunlei who asked for it, and there was no other way at that time, so I offered to come over and try it to see if I could help him. At least, I can go back now with peace of mind, what to do next. That's a matter of Gu Xunlei, and now I can only help him so much. ”

"Let's be honest. You've helped us a lot. ”

Luo Yunchong glanced at Tan Renhao in surprise, and then laughed.

"I'm complimenting you, and in the long run, I'm helping yourself." Tan Renhao slowed down, "After paralyzing the port of New Orleans, the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet's space for maneuver has shrunk a lot and has become more passive, which has created an opportunity for us to annihilate the Atlantic Fleet, which is a short-term benefit." In the long run. As long as we annihilate the Atlantic Fleet, we will be able to successfully conquer the Greater Andrés Islands and the Bahamas, and establish a forward base for attacking the east coast of the United States. ”

Luo Yunchong nodded slightly, he knew that Tan Renhao was talking about strategic bombing, and this was what he was best at, and it was also what he wanted to do the most.

"That's what I knew, and to be honest, I hadn't thought about it before. So I haven't figured out how to deal with the Atlantic Fleet yet. Tan Renhao glanced at Luo Yunchong, "But well." Now that the situation has opened up, and the turning point has appeared, maybe it won't be long before we can take out the Atlantic Fleet, and when the time comes, you will also be ready to come here to establish a front-line command, and maybe even stay here for a long time. ”

"You're saying that we will start with a massive strategic bombing of the United States?"

"At least from the point of view of the Navy, this is our main choice right now, and the Navy will never rush to land on the American mainland. A lot of details, you must be clear. If we want to carry out a large-scale strategic bombing campaign against the United States, the naval and ground strategic strike forces will only be a secondary force, and the real main force will definitely be the army aviation strategic bomber force under your command. After we go back, we should hurry up our preparations and make preparations, because if there are no troops sent in before the time comes, then our efforts will not be of much significance. ”

"It seems that I have to go back as soon as possible and adjust the procurement plan for the second half of the year." Luo Yunchong nodded slightly, "However, you can rest assured that the strength of the Army's strategic bomber force is rapidly expanding, and in a few months, it will surpass the Navy's strategic strike force, and when the time comes, we will meet here again." ”

"I hope so." Tan Renhao stopped the car, "The airport has arrived, I have other things to deal with quickly, so I won't send more, you take care all the way, and when you go back, say hello to the chief of staff and the marshal on our behalf." ”

"No problem, I'll help you bring the message!" Luo Yunchong smiled and nodded, in fact, he is now a general of the army, and Tan Renhao asked him to go to the chief of staff of the Navy and say hello to the marshal.

After watching Luo Yunchong's plane take off, Tan Renhao drove back to Panama City. Until this time, he was still a little confused, mainly because he suddenly knew that Luo Yunchong's bomber had blown up New Orleans, and it was impossible for Tan Renhao to consider how strategic this tactical operation would be for a while, and it was impossible to consider all the possible effects, especially how much impact the decisive battle between them and Spruance would have. All of these need time for Tan Renhao to think carefully, and now, what he lacks most is time.

When he returned to Panama City, it was already evening, and Han Shaofeng sent someone to cook a few exquisite side dishes and a few bottles of sake that were not too high. He and Lei Shaoqing were both waiting for Tan Renhao to come back. When he came to the wine table, Tan Renhao remembered that he came back this time to discuss with Han Shaofeng about revising the battle plan, instead of going to celebrate Luo Yunchong's achievements, he also immediately adjusted his thinking, and it seemed that he could only talk to Han Shaofeng about business at the wine table.