Tan Renhao stayed in his office all the time, and he had no way to read every battle report in detail, so he could only pick out some important contents to read, in order to form an overall impression of the situation in the Pacific theater. At noon, Chang Jianxin came to him with two boxed lunches.

"I started to meet Xiao Du outside, and he said you didn't go to the restaurant, you're not hungry?"

Tan Renhao smiled and took the lunch box. "I forgot all the time, if you don't remind me, I really don't know if I'm hungry."

"Look at you, you don't care about anything when you're busy, no matter what you say, you still have to eat." Chang recommended the new to give himself a cup of tea, and then sat down opposite Tan Renhao. "Are you reading the war report here in the Pacific Theater?"

"Yes, there is also the intelligence of the US military during this time, you are also busy with this in the morning, right?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask about the situation of the fleet, but the chief of staff had already sent someone to help us arrange it, so we didn't need to worry about it. began to contact Gu Zhenyun, and now that the fleet has arrived in Moroni, it will be able to return to Guangzhou before the fifteenth. "Chang Jianxin opened the lunch box," Zheng Guanhua also sent a telegram, so that you don't have to worry about the affairs of the fleet, he will arrange it. ”

"Worried? I don't have that time to worry about the fleet. Tan Renhao took two mouthfuls of rice and put down his chopsticks, "In two days, Shaoqing, Dongjue, Xiaotian, Yan Guozhong, and Liao Hanxiang will all come back." This time it was the principal who asked them to come back. ”

"Determine the next combat operation?"

Tan Renhao nodded and picked up the teacup, "I talked to the chief of staff in the morning, and the problem is not small now." ”

Chang Jianxin also put down his chopsticks and habitually took out a cigarette.

"The big problem is that now our fleet is not enough to support combat operations in two directions." Tan Renhao leaned back in his chair, he didn't have much appetite, "We discussed it when we were on the other side of the Indian Ocean, and Yan Guozhong is really going to do this." ”

"Abandon Brisbane and land directly near Sydney?" Chang Jiexin furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yes, this is what the chief of staff told me, and Yan Guozhong has already sent back the specific landing operation plan." Tan Renhao sighed, "There is no problem with this plan itself. But it needs the strong support of the fleet. In the absence of shore-based aviation, even heavy bombers could not provide support, the fleet and carrier-based aviation were the main support forces of the Marine Corps. Therefore, we must ensure that there are three aircraft carrier task forces, as well as the third task force and the theater fleet to support the marines in the southwest Pacific. And the only task force that can be sent to the Central Pacific is a task force. ”

Chang Jianxin pondered, when the fleet was resting in Moroni, he had discussed this issue with Tan Renhao. And then received the news that Yan Guozhong had gone out to attack Lord Howe Island and Borspiramid Island by the Marine Corps, and Tan Renhao concluded that Yan Guozhong would bypass Brisbane. Directly near Sydney, to be precise, landing somewhere north of Sydney, in order to avoid the main force of the US army, and directly attack the southeastern region of the Australian mainland. Tan Renhao's judgment is quite accurate. But the problem is also quite obvious. If we do not consider the threat of the US military, then there is no need to deploy a task force in the Central Pacific at all, but if we want to consider the threat of the US military, then it is obviously not enough to deploy a task force in the Central Pacific.

"If a task force is sent over, then the four small aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater should be transferred, right?"

Tan Renhao nodded, "This has been taken into account, but the combat effectiveness of the four small aircraft carriers is quite limited, not even comparable to the two fleet aircraft carriers, in addition, their continuous combat capability and the ability to cooperate with other fleets are all problematic." In addition to these four small aircraft carriers, at least 12 escort aircraft carriers will participate in the landing operation this time, but this is still far from enough. Have you seen Yan Guozhong's landing operation plan? ”

Chang Jianxin shook his head, how could he have time to take care of so many things.

Tan Renhao rummaged on the table for a while, found a copy of Yan Guozhong's landing battle plan, and then gave it to Chang Jianxin. "Judging from Yan Guozhong's plan, in the landing operation and the subsequent combat operation of the attack on Sydney, the Marine Corps and ground forces will need the support of at least 1,500 tactical combat aircraft. Taking into account the issue of the combat efficiency of carrier-based air forces, our three task forces are capable of providing about 1,000 combat aircraft, six small aircraft carriers, and 12 escort aircraft carriers can provide about 400 combat aircraft. I'm sure Yan Guozhong designed this battle plan based on the maximum aviation support capability that the fleet can provide. ”

Chang Jianxin immediately laughed, "This means that there is no room for negotiation?" ”

"I'm not speaking ill of Yan Guozhong, I have roughly calculated it myself, 1,500 is still a conservative number, if possible, try to ensure that 2,000 tactical combat aircraft provide support for the Marine Corps!"

Chang Jianxin sighed, "So, at most, we only have one task force operating in the Central Pacific, and the theater fleet in the Pacific Theater also has to be deployed?" ”

Tan Renhao nodded, and didn't say any more. In the morning, he was thinking about a solution while reading the documents, but after thinking about it, he couldn't find a suitable solution.

"What is the opinion of the Chief of Staff now?" Chang Jianxin's expression also sank, and it was clear that this time there had to be a task force to make sacrifices.

"I talked to the chief of staff, and if I could, let Task Force 1 go to the Central Pacific theater." Tan Renhao looked at Chang Jianxin, "Someone must have to plug the gun hole this time, relatively speaking, the combat effectiveness of the first task force is the strongest, and I am also the fleet commander who knows Spruance best." Even if you can't beat Spruance this time, it's not much of a problem to deal with it. After all, no matter which fleet is sent over, the main task is to maneuver with Spruance and delay the speed of the US counterattack, and as long as the Marine Corps successfully lands in Australia, at most the Marine Corps only needs to capture Sydney Harbor, then we can immediately dispatch at least two aircraft carrier task forces to the Central Pacific Ocean to form a troop advantage over the US military, and at that time, as long as the US forces have not yet hit the Mariana Islands. Spruance would have to retreat, and he would not be able to fight against us below. It would be most appropriate for Task Force 1 to carry out this task. ”

"What do you think is the best fit?"

Tan Renhao nodded, "Is there any other choice?" ”

"I don't think so." Chang Jianxin laughed, "Ren Hao, have you ever thought about it carefully, in my opinion, if this matter is decided by the chief of staff, then it is absolutely impossible for him to send you to the Central Pacific Theater." ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, and he immediately thought of Gan Yongxing's attitude and look at that time.

"First of all, it is precisely because the first task force is the most powerful, so it is impossible to let the first task force make sacrifices, if the first task force has any mistakes, then next, even if two task forces are sent over, it may not be Spruance's opponent. In other words, no matter which fleet is sent, even if it is killed by Spruance, as long as Task Force 1 is still there. When the time comes, you will be in command, and the victory will be relatively large, right? ”

Tan Renhao sighed, and it makes sense to recommend a new analysis.

"Secondly, because you know Spruance well, but at the same time, Spruance knows you well. The two of you have fought so many times on the battlefield that it can almost be said that it is a tie, and neither of you has the absolute upper hand. If Spruance knew that it was Task Force 1 in the Central Pacific, it wouldn't have been. The U.S. military will temporarily change its strategy and set the direction of the counterattack elsewhere, and when the time comes, the first task force will be beyond the reach of the commander, and the battle situation will be even more complicated, and it will even threaten offensive operations in the southwest Pacific. ”

Tan Renhao nodded again, this analysis is also very reasonable.

"There are two things you haven't taken into account in the end." Chang Jianxin paused slightly, "When will Task Force 1 arrive in the Pacific Ocean?" In addition, most of the warships in Task Force 1 have to be maintained, and a third aircraft carrier battle group has to be formed, when will these things be completed? So, when will Task Force 1 be ready to take part in combat operations? I roughly estimated that the 3rd Task Force would not arrive in the Southwest Pacific until early June at the earliest, and the 1st Task Force would only be late, not early, and it might not be until mid-June. In addition, it is the current situation in the southwest and Pacific Ocean, especially the relationship between Lei Shaoqing and Jiang Zhongmin. That's why I said that if the chief of staff had been to arrange the fleet's combat operations this time, he would certainly not have sent Task Force 1 to the Central Pacific. ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, now he completely understood what Chang Jianxin meant by saying this. If the contradiction between Lei Shaoqing and Jiang Zhongmin is taken into account, then Gan Yongxing will definitely let Tan Renhao go to the Southwest Pacific to calm down the field and avoid direct conflict between the two. If Tan Renhao goes to the Central Pacific, I am afraid that even if he asks Chang Jian to pass in the past, he may not be able to solve the problem.

"Ren Hao, you are in the middle of the game, so you can't see it completely." Chang Zhixin sighed, "This can't be helped, as soon as you leave the Pacific Ocean, so many troublesome things happened." You should be very clear about the attitude of the chief of staff towards you, and now that you are back, will the chief of staff keep you out of the matter? ”

"What if the headmaster arranged it?"

"Headmaster?" Chang Jianxin immediately laughed, "Maybe on other issues, the chief of staff doesn't have much say, but commanding naval operations is the first task of the chief of the general staff of the navy, and in this matter, if the chief of staff argues with reason, the principal has to give in!" ”

Tan Renhao also laughed, Chang Jianxin's words still make sense. The purpose of appointing the chief of the navy's general staff is to enable the navy's commander-in-chief to have enough time and energy to deal with the navy's important affairs, and the navy's chief of chief's first duty is to direct the navy's various units to carry out combat operations; after the navy's command system is reformed, the navy's chief of general staff's task is to rationally mobilize and distribute the navy's combat forces in order to achieve the greatest victory on the battlefield. It can be said that the distribution of troops and the mobilization of troops are all matters within the purview of the chief of the general staff of the Navy, and Gan Yongxing has not failed to contradict the principal, and when it comes to issues of principle, Gan Yongxing will definitely fight on the basis of reason. At that time, even if the principal has other arrangements, he will definitely have to consider the opinion of the chief of staff, and even make concessions.

"Actually, you don't need to think about these things." Chang Jianxin's gaze stayed on Tan Renhao for a while. "After the principal returned, the atmosphere in the naval command was a little tense, and something bad must have happened. If there is a lot of pressure on the Navy now, then the principal will not object to letting you fight in the Southwest Pacific, after all, our priority is to win the war, and without this premise, anything else will be in vain. ”

"Well, it looks like I'm thinking too much." Tan Renhao didn't think to tell Chang Jianxin about what he knew, "If you don't let Task Force 1 go to the Central Pacific, then which fleet is most likely to be sent?" ”

"Do you need to ask? It must be the Fourth Task Force, and now Huang Xiaotian is guarding over there, and the Fourth Task Force is the aircraft carrier task force with the strongest combat effectiveness in addition to the First Task Force, with the First Task Force sitting in the southwest Pacific, and the Fourth Task Force guarding the East Gate, this deployment is the most reasonable. Chang Jianxin laughed, "And we are very clear about Huang Xiaotian's ability, he may not be able to beat the more powerful Spruance, but if it drags on for a month or two, it shouldn't be a big problem." When the time comes, it is very likely that the 1st and 2nd task forces will go north. And you and Hao Dongjue used to be partners, and they know each other better, when the time comes, even if there is anything wrong with the Fourth Task Force, as long as you and Hao Dongjue join forces, Spruance may not be your opponent, right? ”

Tan Renhao smiled and shook his head, as an outsider, Chang Zhixin's grasp of the situation was much more accurate than Tan Renhao. This is also the benefit of being an outsider, and Tan Renhao is an insider, and in many ways, he does not see it more thoroughly than Chang Xin.

"I won't bother you much." Chang Jianxin stood up, "In the afternoon, I will go to see the wounded who arrived earlier. ”

"Lao Chang, Shaoqing and Dongjue will come back tomorrow, let's have dinner together in the evening."

Chang Jianxin smiled and nodded, and left Tan Renhao's office. Regarding Tan Renhao's current situation, Chang Jianxin doesn't have much to say. As Tan Renhao's iron buddy, Chang Jianxin will tell Tan Renhao what he thinks, but he knows that Tan Renhao is in the bureau, and it is impossible to take care of everything, which is also Tan Renhao's difficulty!

……