"As a soldier, you have to fight to the death no matter what the situation you face. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 infoBecause we are guarding our home. On the bridge of the Red Sea aircraft carrier, Tong Haifeng, who was flashing with flames in his eyes, looked at the staff officers in front of him, and said in a steady tone, "Although we only have one aircraft carrier left now, we still have to step on the battlefield bravely!" ”

At 9:25 p.m. on November 7, the First Air Fleet, which had been urgently repaired and replenished, quietly set off again from Pearl Harbor, which was still shrouded in gunsmoke, and sailed into the vast sea. The officers and men of the navy near the port looked at the fleet slowly sailing out of the port and raised their hands in salute.

Even if the disparity in strength between the two sides was so great that everyone felt hopeless, it was not a reason for the soldiers to refuse to go to war.

"I have left a suicide note, and now I want to devote myself to the battlefield." Tong Haifeng narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "No one is not afraid of death, but as soldiers, we must face it bravely." No matter how strong our opponents are. ”

Halsey has nine aircraft carriers in his hands, while Tong Haifeng only has one in his hands at the moment. The huge disparity in strength means that once the two sides start a fierce battle, there is no hope of survival. To be found is to be destroyed.

Tong Haifeng only took the Red Sea aircraft carrier, two large air defense cruisers, and six destroyers on the voyage this time. It doesn't make sense to bring more ships in the face of an overwhelming swarm of attack aircraft. What he needs more now is a high degree of maneuverability.

The Daming Navy burst out with powerful energy in the face of a crisis, and it only took a few hours to replenish the Red Sea aircraft carrier. The brand-new fighter planes were hoisted onto the battleship, and the pilots stepped onto the battlefield without hesitation.

"How are we going to fight?" The chief of staff of the fleet stepped forward to ask.

"I don't believe that the Americans, crazy, would put out their last powerful fleet to do such a thing." Tong Haifeng came to the navigation table, looked at the huge nautical chart in front of him, pursed the corners of his mouth, and said in a deep voice: "They won't do such meaningless things. Although they have suffered heavy losses on shore-based aviation forces, they themselves have suffered considerable losses. The Americans did not have an forward base in the Pacific to supply their fleet, and they would not waste their combat time for no reason. ”

"And what do you mean?" The chief of staff looked at Tong Haifeng with a puzzled expression. He really couldn't figure out why the Americans would do this. He was also very confused in his heart, and he couldn't figure out what the Americans' strategic intentions were.

"I think the Americans are trying to land in Hawaii." Tong Haifeng's words suddenly caused a storm in the bridge, and everyone looked at him dumbfounded. This speculation, which is not supported by any intelligence, is simply astonishing.

"Have you noticed?" Tong Haifeng explained: "At the beginning, the intelligence said that there was a large landing convoy departing from the west coast of the United States. Intelligence speculated that it was the landing force of the Americans. But we haven't received any information about this fleet since. After so many days, it was as if the fleet had suddenly disappeared. ”

The officers in the bridge of the "......" all looked at each other, and if you think about it, this is really the case. Since the start of the war, this fleet, which was supposed to be a very conspicuous target, has not been seen.

All the officers and men of the Ming Navy were concerned about the three large task forces. But no one wondered where the convoy had gone. At this moment, when they heard Tong Haifeng mention it, they suddenly realized that there was still a US fleet that had been hidden in a dark corner.

"I think that fleet, full of supplies and landing forces, has been wandering in the deep sea, waiting for an opportunity to pounce on Pearl Harbor." A glint of light burst out in Tong Haifeng's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "It's impossible for Halsey to come over and attack the Hawaiian Islands for no reason. You know, he's taking a huge risk. If it had not been for the great success of this afternoon's raid, this strategic offensive of the Americans would have been declared a failure! ”

Tong Haifeng was not wrong. If it weren't for Halsey's sudden surprise attack on the airfield on the Hawaiian Islands, destroying the shore-based forces of Daming Navy. In addition, the fleet of the Ming Navy in Pearl Harbor was almost powerless to fight back. If the fight starts according to the normal model, Halsey will inevitably suffer huge losses. And this loss is beyond his reach.

The Americans had no way to provide front-line support for their fleet, and the nearest large supply bases were far away on the west coast. The fleet in Halsey's hands is one less if it hits one, and the loss of one fighter cannot be replenished.

When the attrition reaches a certain level, the fleet that has lost its combat effectiveness can only leave in disgrace. After all, even with ocean-going supply ships, it is impossible to maintain the fleet for a long time overseas operations.

"If I'm not wrong in my guess, the landing fleet, which was originally covered by Fletcher's fleet, is now approaching the Hawaiian Islands, and will launch an attack on Hawaii tomorrow at the latest." Tong Haifeng's words made everyone nervous.

Pearl Harbor in Hawaii has been the core territory of the Ming Navy for many years, and the powerful fleet and the prestige of the Ming Empire have made it a place where all enemies are afraid of it. But now there is an army ready to land directly for operations!

"But." The chief of staff on the side asked softly in disbelief, "It's impossible for them to take Hawaii, right?" Although most of the shore-based forces have been destroyed, the main force of our fleet is still there, and it will be able to fight back in a few days. What will those Americans do then? Besides, we have deployed strong garrisons on various islands, and it is absolutely impossible for them to be captured in a short period of time. If they did land, it would be to send the soldiers to their deaths, and there was no point in doing so. ”

"Who says it doesn't make sense?" Tong Haifeng, as the commander of the fleet, was the only one who could smoke in the bridge. At this moment, Tong Haifeng, who was a little agitated, couldn't care about anything else, took out a cigarette and lit it, and Meimei took a puff, "From a tactical point of view alone, it is extremely risky to do this, and it looks like it is indeed a waste of death." But if you look at it from another angle, it's different. ”

After a pause, Tong Haifeng then spoke: "From a strategic point of view, Hawaii, which is considered to be the core area of the Ming Navy, has been landed by the Americans. Not to mention whether or not we can occupy it in the end, the landing alone will have a huge impact on all the participating countries, and it will also be a huge blow to our prestige. ”

"I see." The chief of staff had a sudden look on his face, and he played a very good role in cheering people.

Tong Haifeng, who gradually became excited, continued: "As long as they set foot in Hawaii, it will be a victory. Thus drawing the Empire's attention from other battlefields. That's what they're all about. Moreover, they will not necessarily lose. ”

"Do they still have a chance to win?" The chief of staff looked at Tong Haifeng in disbelief and said, "Our strength is so strong, more than 100,000 elite marines are stationed and the big fleet is in hand, how can they win?" ”

"More than 100,000 elite marines are true, but they are all scattered on the islands. And the main force is still on Oahu. As long as the Americans can grasp the supremacy of the sea, they will be isolated islands one after another, and they will not be able to provide effective combat support at all, and it is not impossible for them to be broken by each one in the end. Tong Haifeng's words are very true, because this is indeed the case.

"But how can they seize sea supremacy?" The chief of staff couldn't help but speak, "The main force of our fleet is still there." ”

"It's still there, but how many days from now?" Tong Haifeng sneered and said, "The shore-based forces were defeated by a surprise attack, and as long as Halsey continued to strengthen the attack, he could completely destroy all the shore-based aviation forces within a day or two." And Lin Luo and Han Dongwen hurried back, what if they were ambushed by Halsey on the way? Spruance said that he was hit hard by our counterattack, but that doesn't mean he has no strength at all. Spruance, who still has a few aircraft carriers in his hands, may also be able to become a decisive force. ”

In addition to the misjudgment of the whereabouts of Fletcher's fleet, Tong Haifeng had almost completely deduced the US Navy's operational thinking. And that's in the absence of definite intelligence. Compared with Yunmo, who gradually turned conservative, perhaps Tong Haifeng is more suitable to be the commander of the Pacific Fleet.

"But all this is just speculation, not supported by any intelligence." After a moment of silence, the chief of staff spoke softly.

"It doesn't conflict with our mission." Tong Haifeng took a deep breath of his cigarette and said, "Our mission is to contain Halsey's fleet and buy time for Lin Luo and them to rush back. We don't have to be stupid enough to rush over and fight with Halsey, we're looking for death. No matter how brave the officers and men are, it is impossible for us to use one aircraft carrier against the entire Halsey fleet. ”

After a pause, Tong Haifeng turned his gaze to the dark sea outside the ship, and said with a somewhat cold expression: "It is far more effective to protect ourselves now than to fight hard." Tomorrow during the day we will hide and wait for the appearance of that landing fleet of the Americans. If you don't show up, play a game of hide and seek with Halsey. No matter what, we have to drag it out until Lin Luo and they come back! ”

Tong's speculation was confirmed hours later.

The next day, November 8th, at seven o'clock in the morning. Because the base is set in a strait northwest of Maui, which is relatively remote and remote, and is not an important target for attack itself, the seaplane base has sent its own seaplanes to carry out battlefield coverage reconnaissance in all directions.

Shortly after takeoff, a Ming Navy long-range seaplane spotted an unusually large fleet in the sea about 110 nautical miles northwest of the island of Hawaii.

The U.S. landing fleet, which had not appeared all along, finally came to the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands! (To be continued.) )