"The U.S. aircraft carriers USS Essex and USS Saratoga have left Yangon Harbor!" In the command center of the battlecruiser Akagi, the flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet, while the staff officers were whispering about the supreme instruction they had just received to "make up their minds and liberate Australia," Tsukahara 243, chief of staff of the Combined Fleet, walked in with a gloomy face.

The USS Essex and Saratoga entered the dockyard of Yangon, China, for overhaul in the port of Yangon, China, and basically every Japanese person knows about it! This is because the Japanese Soviet Government lodged a high-profile protest to the Federal Government of Greater China against this, and also published articles in domestic newspapers and newspapers criticizing the Chinese side for providing port berthing and assistance in the maintenance of US aircraft carriers, which is an act of war that violates neutrality and seriously hurts the feelings of the Japanese people, and the Chinese side is responsible for all the consequences caused by this. In October last year, there were protests against Chinese products in major cities in Japan, such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya.

But now that the Essex and Saratoga had left Yangon Harbor, the faces of all the Japanese officers in the operational command center were as gloomy as Tsukahara's. It seems that no one sees the departure of these two aircraft carriers as a diplomatic victory for Japan.

"Tsukahara-kun, do you know where these two aircraft carriers went?" Vice Takeshi Toyoda, commander of the capital ship detachment of the Combined Fleet, asked with a frown.

"I don't know, the intelligence didn't say it." Tsukahara shook his head: "But most of the time I went to Port Moresby to meet with the battleship force of the US Pacific Fleet." ”

The Japanese naval officers in the command center of the Akagi all nodded, and this guess was very reasonable. Although the United States also declared war on the Soviet Union and India, those two countries basically did not have navies, and American aircraft carriers were of little use. Rather, the 18 American battleships stationed in Moresby did not have aircraft carriers to provide air cover. It's been sunbathing inside the harbor these days.

"Ah, isn't it necessary to go from Burma to Port Moresby through the waters near Sumatra?" The chief staff officer of the Combined Fleet, Kuroshima Kameto, was studying the charts with his head down, and when he heard Tsukahara's words, he suddenly raised his head and shouted: "Will the Americans bomb the Palembang oil field by the way!" "The Palembang oil field is the most important oil extractor in Japan's hands, and the annual oil production is enough to supply the entire Combined Fleet. Everyone was shocked when they heard this, and hurriedly asked Yamamoto: "Comrade commander, please immediately send additional air forces to Palembang." ”

Although Japan attached great importance to the construction of aircraft carriers and air power in this time and space, it was constrained by their backward aviation industry. Japan's air power is not very strong, and the navy and army aviation have less than 2,500 combat aircraft in total, which is less than 40% of China's. Although the number is not small. But the quality is very problematic, not only the performance of the combat aircraft is very poor, but the level of training of the pilots is not good. Moreover, due to the large losses suffered in the sea and air battles in the Hawaiian Islands, the loss rate of pilots is too high, making it difficult for good pilots to grow. Therefore, the Japanese naval aviation is now clearly at a disadvantage in the contest with the US naval aviation. A twofold numerical advantage would have to be necessary to offset the opponent's superiority in aircraft performance and pilot technology. And the two large American aircraft carriers have at least 190 aircraft on board, while the Japanese aircraft in the Palembang base are less than 100, which is obviously not an opponent.

Yamamoto Fifty-six also knew that the Palembang oil field could not be lost, nodded and just wanted to order the transfer of fighter jets from Borneo and the Philippines to Palembang. The communications staff officer of the fleet suddenly shouted loudly: "Comrade commander, the telegram from the I-39 submarine that the American fleet in Port Moresby is leaving!" ”

Hearing the news, the Japanese naval officers in the combat command center were all excited. There are 18 U.S. capital ships in Port Moresby! If they were to join forces near the East Indies with two American aircraft carriers heading south from Burma, it would not be a question of sending two or three hundred additional planes to Palembang. Rather, it is to pull the entire main forces of the combined fleet over. Decisive battle against the US Navy in the East Indies! If the U.S. fleet could be annihilated in one fell swoop in the Battle of the East Indies, there would be no naval force in the entire South Pacific that could stop the Japanese from moving south!

Dozens of eager eyes were cast on Yamamoto at the same time. It seemed to be waiting for him to make up his mind for a decisive battle. But Yamamoto's face did not move, and he said lightly: "We can't go to the East Indies to play hide and seek with the Americans, judging from the situation of the Third Battle of Hawaii and the Fourth Battle of Hawaii, the US Navy commander is quite cunning, and we have been fooled twice...... Now they know that the large fleet of 2 aircraft carriers and 18 capital ships is not enough to confront our 10 aircraft carriers and 6 capital ships, so their real purpose is not to fight us in a decisive battle near the East Indies, but to attract the main force of our combined fleet to the East Indies, so as to delay our pace of moving south to Australia, so that they can mobilize more aircraft carriers from the east coast of the United States to the South Pacific theater. Therefore, we should not go around the waters near the East Indies with them, we should take advantage of the opportunity of the American fleet leaving Port Moresby to quickly go south and open the door to Australia south! ”

Yamamoto Fifty-six's voice was very soft, but the head of the analysis was Tao. He paced to the chart, which was already full of military symbols and markings, and stared for a long time before he said, "Rabaul, the Solomon Islands, and the Coral Sea in New Britain, as well as Lae and Port Moresby on the island of New Guinea...... If you go to fight one by one, I really don't know when I will be able to hit the Australian mainland! He adjusted his tone and said heavily: "Since the American fleet has left Port Moresby, then let's go straight to Huanglong, bypass the island of New Britain and the Solomon Islands, cross the Coral Sea and directly attack Port Moresby, and wipe out the Americans' nest in the South Pacific in one fell swoop!" ”

Judging from the charts, the Bismarck Islands (New Britain Island) and the Solomon Islands are the three lines of defense against the Australian mainland, and the most critical and important stronghold is of course Port Moresby on the island of New Guinea. Once the port fell into Japanese hands, the British and American naval fleets in the South Pacific would have to retreat to Sydney Jackson Port on the Australian mainland. Therefore, taking advantage of the opportunity of the US fleet to threaten the Palembang oil fields in the waters of the East Indies, the main force of the Japanese Combined Fleet escorted the landing ship group to break through the interception of British and American fighters in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Islands. Landing near Port Moresby in one fell swoop is indeed a surprise move, but it is also a great risky move, and the slightest mistake can lead to heavy damage to the entire Combined Fleet.

"Comrade Commander. The risk of doing so is simply too great! "Yamamoto was approached by Takakijiro Onishi, who served as commander of the First Air Fleet, the previous chief of staff of the Combined Fleet and an aviation expert in the Japanese Navy. "The British, having made peace with us in China, took back the base at Rabaul and deployed a large number of combat aircraft and ground troops there as the first line of defence to defend Australia," he said. If La Baul is not settled, the British will be able to attack from there the lines of communication that threaten our backs. ”

"I built two soldiers, one way to attack Labaoer. All the way to Port Moresby. ”

"There are also British airfields and garrisons on the islands of Tulagi, Florida, and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, which must be captured at the beginning of the southward advance."

"Attacking so many places at the same time, there are not enough troops!"

A group of senior officers and staff officers of the Combined Fleet discussed tactics for moving south. Only Yamamoto's most valued immortal counselor, Kuroshima Kameto, frowned and said nothing. Yamamoto coughed lightly, and everyone immediately stopped speaking, Yamamoto looked at Kuroshima and asked, "Kuroshima-kun, what do you think?" ”

The Black Island Turtle Man muttered, "You can't attack so many places at the same time. We don't have that many troops. There was no need for that, so I concentrated my forces on Port Moresby and caught the Yankees off guard. As for the Anglo-American air bases on the islands of Rabaul, Tulagi, Florida, Guadalcanal, it will be enough to bomb them with carrier-based aircraft from aircraft carriers. ”

"What's the use of bombing?" The chief of staff of the Combined Fleet, Tsukahara 243, shook his head and said: "In the Hawaiian Islands, we don't know how many times we bombed Oahu, and the US military airfield above is not still functioning?" The enemy's sappers are very capable, and the airfield will be repaired soon. ”

"It also takes time to repair," Kuroshima waved his hand indifferently, "More than ten hours is enough for the main force of the fleet to break through the British blockade and approach Port Moresby." ”

"Is that okay? Don't think about the back road? It's gambling! ”

The Black Island Turtle Man nodded solemnly. said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we are gambling now!" Japan has been betting since the Kongo incident in 1923! This world revolution is also a big gamble. Since you have gambled all the way to the present, why not gamble more? If we win the bet and take Port Moresby, then the British forces in the Bismarck and Solomon Islands will be cut off and rear, and they will have no choice but to retreat, and the American and British navies in the South Pacific will be forced to retreat to the Australian mainland. The door to the Australian mainland is completely open to us! ”

Tsukahara two-four-three shook his head, and just wanted to continue the debate with Kuroshima, Yamamoto fifty-six suddenly said in a loud voice: "Gentlemen, Kuroshima-kun's words are very reasonable!" Every battle Japan has fought since the beginning of the war has been a big gamble, and to this day, we have nothing to fear, and everyone knows Japan's situation...... Now it's time to fight for the last chance of life! So, let's gamble with the Americans with all the capital of the Combined Fleet! ”

……

"The main force of the U.S. Task Force 18 has left Port Moresby and is heading due west...... Commander, their aim is likely to be to join the Saratoga and Essex in the waters of the Indian Ocean southwest of Sumatra. In the operational command center of the National Defense Navy Headquarters in Tangshan, Nanjing, Vice Admiral Bai Siwen, the newly baked chief of staff of the Navy, put down the telephone receiver in his hand and turned his head to report to Chen Shaokuan.

Chen Shaokuan was holding a thick stack of texts and carefully looking at it -- this was the battle plan against Japan submitted by the Nanyang Fleet Command. He put down the plan in his hand and hummed softly: "The Saratoga and the Essex, as well as the three light cruisers and twelve destroyers guarding them, have been incorporated into the 18th U.S. Task Force. ”

Bai Siwen nodded: "Commander, after they meet in the southwest of Sumatra, they should go to attack the Palembang oil field, right?" It is the largest oil field under Japanese control, and if it is destroyed by the U.S. military, Japan's oil supply is likely to fail. Maybe...... Will the United States and Japan break out a naval Armageddon near Sumatra? ”

Chen Shaokuan thought for a while, shook his head and said, "It's hard to say." At present, the Japanese have three major oil fields, including Palembang Oilfield, Baribaban Oilfield, and Huataidao Oilfield, with an annual output of more than 6.5 million tons of crude oil, which is not much less than ours. And their oil consumption is much lower than ours. Therefore, a lot of stocks should have been saved in the past two years, and before the outbreak of the world war, Lao Maozi also gave them millions of tons of oil, and now the intelligence department estimates that the Japanese should have no less than 8 million tons of oil in stock, which is enough to maintain the combat needs for more than two years. ”

As he spoke, the sound of guards standing up and saluting was heard outside. Then I saw that the door of the operational command center was pushed open, and Chang Ruiqing and Zhao Zhen, chief of the General Staff, walked in side by side. Chen Shaokuan and Bai Siwen hurriedly stood up and saluted, and Chang Ruiqing smiled and waved his hand at them. Then I walked directly to the edge of the electric sand table placed in the middle of the room. Chen Shaokuan, Bai Siwen, and several senior naval staff officers also gathered.

"The battle plan of the Nanyang Fleet has been handed in?" Chang Ruiqing asked in a low voice.

"It's been delivered, and the ministry is studying it." Chen Shaokuan replied: "However, this plan is only a first draft, and many issues are uncertain, especially the outcome of the Japanese Combined Fleet's battle with the British and American fleets in the South Pacific is the biggest uncertain factor. If the Japanese Navy wins a big victory. Then our Nanyang Fleet may be under some pressure. Prime Minister, do you think you want to transfer several aircraft carriers of the Western Fleet back to the South Seas? ”

Chang Ruiqing shook his head: "It's enough to transfer the battle cruiser back, the Japanese can't take advantage of anything in the South Pacific, the American navy is still very professional, and it's not the same thing as that amateur army." ”

As a time-traveler who is familiar with history, Chang Ruiqing certainly knows who Spruance, the current commander of the 18th Task Force of the United States, is. Historically, he commanded the U.S. Task Force 16 to sink four Japanese aircraft carriers in the Battle of Midway, and it was he who brought the Japanese Combined Fleet to a clump! This time, Yamamoto Isoroku will definitely not end well when he meets him in the South Pacific. And the Germans didn't have any good intentions, just now in the intelligence summary that Zhang Guotao sent to the Chancellery. There was news that the British government had asked Germany to send troops to fight for the defense of Australia. The Germans have agreed to send hundreds of Ju.88 bombers deployed on the island of Gershm to Australia, and also expressed their readiness to send ground forces and FW-190 fighters to Australia. Yamamoto's combined fleet was probably going to be buried in the South Pacific. I don't know what will happen to this famous Japanese naval admiral in the end? You won't really take Zhao Shanben's passport and hide in Hong Kong as a public servant, right?

Bai Siwen had personally witnessed the first naval battle of Hawaii and had a more intuitive understanding of the U.S. Navy's appearance. He nodded and said: "What the Prime Minister said is that the US Navy is still quite good, and even surpasses us in terms of officers and men, and in the past three years, they have been restrained by Japan in terms of weapons and equipment, mainly because there are too few aircraft carriers and a lack of high-performance carrier-based aircraft." However, these two weaknesses are no longer there, and there are about 15 Essex-class aircraft carriers in service now, and they have recently acquired a very good carrier-based aircraft, the F4U. This carrier-based fighter is equipped with a 2000 hp high-power air-cooled engine! The performance is comparable to our latest model of J-4E-5 Dragon Eagle carrier-based fighter, with the level of Japan's aviation industry, it will definitely not be able to come up with a fighter that can compete with the F4U, so in a war in the South Pacific, Japan is bound to lose. I am afraid that the main force of the Japanese Combined Fleet will not appear on the battlefield to defend the Japanese mainland. ”

"Even if there is no main force of the Combined Fleet, it will be difficult to fight on the Japanese mainland." Chen Shaokuan's tone was a little solemn, "Prime Minister, the battle plan of the Nanyang Fleet has been sent, I'll have someone copy it and send it to you when I go back." He frowned: "Actually, the Nanyang Fleet didn't take the aircraft carriers and capital ships of the Japanese Combined Fleet too seriously, after all, the Japanese mainland is very close to us, and the fighters taking off from the Korean Peninsula and Vladivostok are enough to cover the entire Japanese mainland." Therefore, the Nanyang Fleet did not use aircraft carriers in the battle to land on Japan, but left the aircraft carriers in the Zhanjiang Military Port, and deployed all the flight teams on the aircraft carriers to the airfields in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula......"

"Houfu, what is the Nanyang Fleet worried about?" Chang Ruiqing saw that Chen Shaokuan had a worried look on his face, and asked in a low voice.

"The South Sea Fleet mentioned suicide planes in the report!" Chen Shaokuan said: "The Americans suffered the loss of suicide planes in Panama and the Persian Gulf. Feng Yizhi of the Nanyang Fleet also had this consideration in keeping the aircraft carrier in Zhanjiang Port. ”

"Suicide planes, yes?" The words "kamikaze special assault team" immediately came to Chang Ruiqing's mind, and the kamikaze planes piloted by Japanese militarist fighters in history caused a lot of losses to the US imperialist fleet. Even the Indian Ah San has risen up under the leadership of GCD, not to mention the Japanese devils who are already a little crazy?

It seems that the war for the unification of East Asia is not as easy as imagined.

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