Yan Guozhong was in a very good mood, and it was completely obvious from his expression. In more than ten days, the originally stalemate of the battle situation has been revitalized, and after the successful landing in Port Moresby, the battle situation suddenly opened up, and now Yan Guozhong is left with more choices. With the elongation of the battle line, the US military is more passive and has to defend everywhere, that is, it cannot hold everywhere.

"Talking about the general, I don't even know what to say to thank you."

"General Yan, if you want to thank you, you should first thank the officers and soldiers who fought bloodily on the front line, not me." Tan Renhao looked very polite, "The situation on the front line is not bad now, right?" ”

"The battle at the airport has ended, and judging from the latest battle reports received, the US military is no longer able to continue to launch a large-scale counterattack, and the battle for the airport has resulted in more than half of the US casualties, and now they may even have difficulty holding Port Moresby." Yan Guozhong asked Tan Renhao to sit down, and then went to make a cup of coffee. "I have already said hello, there is no need to storm Port Moresby without absolute certainty, our focus will now shift to the Solomon Islands, take advantage of the fleet's mobility, and take advantage of the opportunity that the US military continues to strengthen Port Moresby, quickly take the Solomon Islands, and lay the foundation for the attack on the New Hebrides."

"How's the battle going on Kuah Island?" Tan Renhao asked this meaning from the beginning, but Yan Guozhong misunderstood, so Tan Renhao had to ask more clearly.

"Kuah Island? It shouldn't be too difficult. Yan Guozhong also sat down, "Judging from the current signs, MacArthur has not yet decided to reinforce Kuah Island. If the fleet could have rushed over today, then MacArthur would not have been able to reinforce Kuah. There are only two options left for him, either let the US troops on Kuah Island defend to the end, or withdraw the US troops on Kuah Island as soon as possible. ”

"How to withdraw?" Tan Renhao frowned slightly, it is unlikely that the US military will fight to the end like the Japanese army at the beginning.

"Air, sea, and even submarines, seaplanes. Anyway, all available means of transportation can be used to evacuate American troops. Yan Guozhong shrugged his shoulders, "I have arranged a reconnaissance plane and am closely monitoring the movements of US troops on Kuah Island." Until now, the US military has not prepared for a retreat. MacArthur no longer had a few warships in his hands, and it was unlikely that the U.S. Navy would immediately send a fleet reinforcement to the Southwest Pacific theater. I think that if MacArthur wanted to save the defenders on Kuah Island, he would most likely use airlift. ”

"The U.S. military has no airfield on Kuah Island, how can he fly it?" Tan Renhao was very skeptical of this.

"Open a temporary airfield. It would not be difficult to sort out a flat area on the beach, and the American troops would certainly be transferred to Rennell Island or Makila Island before being sent to the rear. ”

Tan Renhao shook his head slightly. "With our air supremacy, MacArthur couldn't have put too many transport planes on the ground, and the lessons from Port Moresby were deep enough."

"Then you think MacArthur will abandon this group of American troops? That's more than 20,000 officers and soldiers! ”

"It's unlikely that he will give up, maybe he will choose another way." Tan Renhao touched his forehead, and then changed the topic, "When will the three reinforced marine divisions arrive?" ”

"The morning after tomorrow, I have already sent a telegram. Let them rush directly to Kuah Island. Disembark in Honiara and don't have to go to Rabaul. ”

"Are you going to put all three divisions of troops into the Kuah Island battlefield?"

Yan Guozhong nodded, and then stared at Tan Renhao for a while. "Do you have any good plans?"

"I don't think it's necessary. It would be enough to send at most one division of reinforcements to Kuah. Tan Renhao said his thoughts directly, "The terrain of Kuah Island is extremely complex, and the US army is entrenched in the mountains, so large forces cannot be launched at all, and the attacks are carried out in small forces, and even armored vehicles are difficult to use." If the U.S. military wants to resist to the end, then it must be prepared for a long-term operation. I don't think it's necessary to throw three divisions less into Kuah Island, it's a waste of our strength. ”

Yan Guozhong nodded slightly, the Battle of Kuah Island has not ended for several months. One of the most important reasons is that the topography of the island is so complex. Unlike many islands, Kuah is large enough and half of the island is covered by the mountainous area centered on the Popomanahi Mountains, where there are no roads for troops to maneuver, armoured vehicles cannot enter at all, and artillery can only be deployed on flat land outside the mountains. The Marines could only send infantry detachments into the mountains to engage in "white-knuckle combat" with the US military. It is precisely because of this that the powerful firepower of the Marine Corps, as well as the armored force that surpasses the American army, cannot be brought into play at all. The battle was fought between the infantry of both sides, and perhaps the most effective weapons were machine guns and grenades. The U.S. military still had a defensive advantage, so it fought for several months, suffering thousands of casualties, but it still failed to force the U.S. military to surrender.

"Actually, we can solve this group of American troops through the siege, and of course, if MacArthur is ready to withdraw the American troops on Kuah Island, this is also a good option."

"I won't let go of this group of American troops, if the more than 20,000 officers and soldiers are deployed to other islands, we will have to work hard to eliminate them."

"Yes, then we can wipe them out while they retreat, just like we did on Wake Island." Tan Renhao laughed. "General Yan, I think the key now should be to capture Rennell Island, and if there are enough troops, capture Makila Island by the way. Do you have any information on the strength of the U.S. military on these two islands? ”

"Received one before." Yan Guozhong glanced at Tan Renhao, then went to the desk to rummage for a while and found a document. "It's last month's intelligence that the U.S. military has defensive forces on both islands."

Tan Renhao took the document and quickly read it, and after reading it, he laughed.

"It will not be easy to attack Rennell Island and Marquila Island, at least we need to use three divisions......"

When Yan Guozhong said his analysis, Tan Renhao walked to the map hanging on the wall, and then looked at it carefully.

Yan Guozhong also followed. "It's going to take time to prepare, we need ......"

"General Yan, our preparations are actually in place." Tan Renhao turned around. "The strength is ready-made, and those three divisions can immediately participate in the battle, right? The support fleet has rushed over, and Task Force 4 can remain in the Solomon Sea to provide aviation support to the marines. HNA's shore-based forces could be deployed within two days. That is, we do not lack conditions for landing. ”

"But we don't have a plan."

"Yes. Now what we want is a campaign plan. Tan Renhao touched his chin and pondered for a while, "First attack the beach of 'Shipwreck Bay' in the south of Kuah Island and completely cut off the contact between the defenders of Kuah Island and the outside world, how many troops will be needed, and when will it be done?" ”

"This ......" Yan Guozhong hesitated slightly, "If there is fleet support, about two regiments of troops can do it, and the combat time will only take two or three days." ”

"Then let's lay down here first." Tan Renhao was thinking quickly. This would force MacArthur to either abandon the defenders of Kuah or immediately find a way to pick them up. Then the fleet went south, laid siege to Rennell Island, landed with the strength of a division. There are about 8,000 American troops on Rennell Island, but the island is flat and undefendable, and it should not be difficult to attack this island, and with the support of the fleet and aviation, the marines should be able to take this island in ten days. ”

"Three days of artillery preparation, this is very necessary."

"Two days. Same as Port Moresby. The fleet will first destroy the main fortifications on the defensive positions of the American troops, and then the marines will go ashore. ”

Yan Guozhong nodded. "There should be no big problem, the main thing is whether the aviation can keep up. And whether the fleet will be able to provide support in a timely manner. ”

"I'll let Task Force 1 carry out this mission, and then let the fleet rendezvous with the supply fleet, and try to shell Rennell Island starting tomorrow." Tan Renhao turned around and looked at the map, "If the 'Shipwreck Bay' is quickly defeated, then there is no need to deal with the US troops on Kuah Island at all, use the troops on Kuah Island to besiege the US troops, and the other two marine divisions as reserves." When the time comes, we can even knock down the island of Makila. ”

"There are about 12,000 U.S. troops here, and if you put in two divisions, with the support of the fleet and the Marine Corps. The problem shouldn't be very big. ”

"Strive to complete the offensive operation by mid-May, when the U.S. forces will have to retreat to the New Hebrides."

Yan Guozhong smiled and nodded. "If the U.S. forces are dragged down on the Port Moresby side and the U.S. troops on Kuah Island are trapped at the same time, then MacArthur will not have much ability to establish a defensive line in Port Moresby and the New Hebrides at the same time, and he will not be able to take care of it at the end."

"Then we can decide whether to hit Port Moresby or the New Hebrides first, depending on the actual situation." Tan Renhao also thought far, "No matter which side is attacked, the US military will be extremely passive." And the foundation for our attack on the Australian continent has been established. Even if the U.S. Navy returns to combat capability in July, we will acquire several new aircraft carriers in June, and at that time, it will be a big deal to fight the U.S. Navy to decide who controls the Coral Sea! ”

"Okay, then we'll do this, put three divisions of troops into Rennell Island and Makila Island, and solve the American troops on Kuah Island through the siege."

"Then I won't delay any time, and I'll return to the fleet as soon as I contact the supply fleet." Tan Renhao picked up the military hat hanging on the coat rack, "General Yan, HNA and the Marine Corps are going to trouble you." ”

"Don't worry, this time let you command, I'll do the coordination work in the back. To be honest, you don't come from the Marine Corps, but you didn't do badly in command of landing operations. Yan Guozhong sent Tan Renhao to the door, "There is news, I will inform you as soon as possible." By the way, Lei Shaoqing sent a telegram, saying that you have full command of the warships of the Second Task Force, and he has to take care of the two aircraft carriers. ”

Tan Renhao smiled and nodded, he also received a telegram from Lei Shaoqing.

That night, Tan Renhao returned to the fleet, which by this time had already joined up with the supply fleet and was busy replenishing ammunition. Plans to replace the barrels of those cruisers upon their return to Lae were also put on hold. The barrels of the main guns on several cruisers have exceeded the maximum service life, but in the ground shelling, this effect is not very large, and now the US army has no battleships to threaten the first task force, so it is not too late to change the barrels after this battle.

"So, our next target is Rennell Island?"

"Yes, arrange for those ships of Task Force 2 to assist the marines on Kuah Island." Tan Renhao walked quickly into the command cabin, "Redesign the route, strive to reach the sea near Rennell Island tomorrow morning, and then carry out artillery bombardment." Dongjue, do a good job of liaising with the supply fleet. ”

The navigation staff and Hao Dongjue were busy, and the supply of the fleet would have to last for about two hours, so the fleet would not be in a hurry to set sail. Then the artillery bombardment formation of the 2nd Task Force will also rush over, receive ammunition supplies, and then sail to the waters of Kuah Island.

That evening, Task Force IV, which had only rested for a few hours in Lae, also departed. When HNA's shore-based fighter unit could not be immediately transferred to the Solomon Islands, the carrier-based bomber unit of Task Force 4 was the only force that could provide air support.

The 1st Task Force separated from the supply fleet at about ten o'clock in the evening and headed for Rennell Island at a speed of 18 knots. The officers and men of the fleet did not complain about anything because they could not return to port to rest, after all, the commander and the chief of staff were in the same fleet as them, and the battle could not be delayed, and there was no other fleet to replace them, so they could only continue to hold on.

All night, Tan Renhao was thinking about the battle arrangements this time. Rennell Island is a flat island, similar to Tarawa Island, an island made up of coral reefs, the highest elevation of the whole island is only a few tens of meters. The U.S. military has no natural hazards to rely on. Attacking Rennell Island is much less difficult than attacking Kuah Island. The defense of Makira Island is much stronger, it is an island made up of reefs, and more than eighty percent of the island is mountainous, except for the coastal flats on the western part of the island. Therefore, Tan Renhao chose Rennell Island instead of Makila Island.

As long as Rennell Island was taken, the U.S. military lost the right to exist in the Solomon Islands, closing the door to the Solomon Islands for the U.S. military, and at the same time opening the door for the imperial army to the Coral Sea, which became a new focus on the battlefield.