804 Admiral's Decision Five Consecutive Sets

November 12, 1938, at 9 a.m. sharp, off the coast of Laya Beach in northeastern Oahu.

More than a dozen light cruisers and destroyers of the Japanese Combined Fleet had already sailed not far from the beach, and 120mm and 140mm shells exploded on the beach like raindrops, sweeping away the remaining obstacles and suspected American positions. Several of the destroyers that rushed to the front lowered their sampans, and the soldiers of the Japanese marines sat in small sampans with rifles on their backs and rowed hard towards the coast...... At present, the Japanese Empire does not have the kind of tank landing ships of more than 10,000 tons available, nor does it have landing craft of several tens of tons. Therefore, using warships or transports to carry infantry close to the coast and then rowing and landing is probably the only way to land.

However, the Japanese had an overwhelming naval and air superiority in this battle, and the huge artillery bombardment in the previous hours had already knocked the opponent defenseless. Now even these slow-moving, target-like small wooden boats have not been hit. It looks like the U.S. troops on the shore have been wiped out by the Japanese ship's huge artillery, right?

As soon as this beautiful idea came to the mind of Vice Admiral Toshizo Nishio, who was in Japan aboard the battleship Nagato to direct the landing operation, a scorching fireball suddenly rose around the Japanese marines who had just stepped onto the beachhead!

It turned out that it was American artillery in ambush in a forest about 3 kilometers from the coast, shooting at the beach of Raye with 105mm howitzers. In the face of such a sudden artillery attack, the Japanese troops who had just climbed the beachhead were also elite, and in the face of such a sudden artillery attack, they only panicked for a few seconds, and quickly made the most correct response -- each looking for favorable terrain and lying down. However, they were now on a sandy beach, with little shelter, and most of them were just lying motionless, resigned to the fate of the American bombardment. Of course, their wait will not last long, due to the loss of air superiority, the US artillery must move positions in time, each shelling time cannot exceed 3 minutes, otherwise they will inevitably suffer from the bombing of Japanese aircraft and the counterattack of Japanese naval guns.

'Your Excellency Commander, the advance fleet has called and the vanguard has been covered by American artillery fire when it landed on Laye Beach, with more than 300 casualties.

Nishio's eyes did not look at the chief of staff Ishihara who reported to him, but stared at the coastline in the distance, rows of smoke were constantly rising and falling, obviously the Japanese fleet was shelling the American defensive positions.

Nishio Shouzo put down the telescope in his hand, clenched his right hand into a fist, gently tapped the railing on the bridge of the Nagato, and ordered in a deep voice: "Order, land ashore as soon as possible in the order of the 13th Wing, 23rd Wing, 45th Wing, and 47th Wing of the 6th Division!" Consolidate the beachhead before launching an offensive against the American positions. By 12 o'clock tonight, the entire beach of Raye must be captured.' Speaking of this, a look of excitement flashed on the face of His Excellency the commander, and he glanced at Yamamoto beside him, and suddenly shouted loudly: 'Give the whole army an order, within three days, the Hawaiian Front must seize the entire island of Oahu and annihilate all the enemy forces!'

'Your Excellency, Commander!' Ishihara didn't move at this time, but took a few steps forward and walked to Nishio Shouzo's side, looking like he wanted to say something.

Lieutenant General Nishio frowned and asked, "Ishihara-kun, do you have anything to say?" ”

"Hey!" Ishihara nodded his head and said in a low voice: "Your Excellency Commander, Your Excellency Commander Yamamoto, there is indeed a suggestion for the humble position. As he spoke, he glanced at Yamamoto Fifty-six again. He felt that if the Combined Fleet was confident of defeating the U.S. Navy reinforcements, it might as well not destroy the U.S. forces on Oahu for the time being. The Combined Fleet may be able to use Pearl Harbor as bait to annihilate the main force of the US Navy in one fell swoop! ”

Nishio Shouzo's heart moved when he heard this, but his face became gloomy, and he opened his mouth to reprimand: "Eight grids! Ishihara, you are an army and do not understand naval warfare, don't talk nonsense here! Saying that, he bowed slightly to Yamamoto, "Yamamoto-kun, please don't be surprised, Rear Admiral Ishihara is also eager to win, so he will fight hard for many days regardless of the combined fleet, and he is already a tired division, and it is very dangerous to start a decisive battle with the main force of the US Navy in this situation, and it is not ......"

Hearing these words, Yamamoto Fifty-six frowned deeply and felt a little unhappy in his heart, but what the other party said was also the truth. Although the Combined Fleet cannot be said to be the end of the crossbow, it is also a little tired, but why didn't the Americans rush to the battle? Moreover, at present, Japan's aviation technology lags behind that of the United States, and now it may be able to hold down the United States by relying on the excellent skills of its pilots and the rich experience accumulated in the war in the Far East, and if it fights the American aircraft carriers again in a few months, I am afraid that the outcome will be even more unpredictable!

"Nishio-kun." Yamamoto Fifty-six took a deep breath and interrupted Nishio's words. "Although Ishihara-kun is not a navy, the principled things in military science do not distinguish between the navy and the army, and his suggestions are very reasonable." Speaking of this, he turned his head and asked the Chief of Staff of the Combined Fleet, Ugaki, "How long can the supply and fuel of the Combined Fleet be supported at present?" ”

Ugaki frowned slightly, calculated in his heart, and replied: "The fleet's fuel can last for about one month, and the supply can almost last until early December." If the U.S. Navy sends reinforcements to Pearl Harbor, it should arrive in the waters off Hawaii around November 26. ”

Since the ultimate goal of this "sneak attack on Pearl Harbor" was to occupy Hawaii, the supplies carried by the Combined Fleet were naturally very sufficient, and even the reserves of the Japanese Navy had been exhausted! If this battle is lost, this war really doesn't have to be fought! Of course, if Hawaii is taken, the harvest will be extraordinarily rich. Because the Chinese marshal would never have wanted the industrial giant of the United States to rush out of the Americas and into Asia......

……

Knock knock knock...... The sound of heavy and hurried footsteps suddenly broke the silence and leisureliness of the Wehrmacht General Staff, and attracted the expectant eyes of all the staff officers at all levels, who had nothing to do. Everyone in this building knows that the present is only the calm before the storm, because after all, China is fully engaged in a world war that will determine the fortunes of the country for the next thousand years!

It's just that in the past few days after the outbreak of the world war, except for Japan and the United States in Hawaii, the other battlefields were unusually calm! Neither Southeast Asia nor Western Europe, nor even Hong Kong, China, has seen the fierce confrontation that was imagined. Only German submarines occasionally showed up in the Atlantic Ocean and sank a few lone British steamers, but the submarine warfare was much less powerful than it was during the First World War. So now is the time for the big guys to stretch their necks in anticipation of the news of the chaos in the world, how can this kind of hurried footsteps not be noticeable?

And when everyone saw that it was Natalie who was anxious with a telegram and rushed all the way to Luo Yaoguo's office. Major General Lesinskaya couldn't help but secretly say in her heart: "Has the war begun?" ”

The guess was good, Natalie did bring the news of the start of the Great War, and the Germans began to attack Denmark and Norway.

Luo Yaoguo and the Minister of the Navy Chen Sizheng leaned over in front of the map table to study the plan for the southward campaign, and when they heard the news of Natalie's report, they stood up almost at the same time, Luo Yaoguo was surprised: "The Germans have taken Oslo, Natalie, is there any news of Narvik?" ”

Without such information, Commander Long's telegram said that six battleships, five aircraft carriers, and four armored ships of the Sino-German combined fleet, as well as all the heavy cruisers, had been sent to attack Oslo. They were intercepted by a torpedo boat off the coast of Oslo, a German minesweeper was sunk by a torpedo boat, and the Norwegian torpedo boat itself was sunk by a German light cruiser. In addition, our anti-aircraft cruiser Canton captured a Norwegian whaling ship that took part in the operation...... Six battleships of the Zhenyuan class then shelled the batteries in the Oslo Fjord, blasting them into rubble. And King Haakon VII of Norway, after seeing the huge combat power of the Sino-German combined fleet, wisely chose to surrender. Now that Oslo is completely controlled by the German team, it is estimated that the whole of Norway will soon fall into German hands. ”

"Will the British be indifferent?" Luo Yaoguo walked to a map of Europe hanging on the east wall of the office, squinted his eyes for a while, shook his head, and said, "Narvik is an ice-free port, and it is also the choke point for transporting Swedish iron ore to Germany in winter. Why did the German High Command give it to the British to occupy it? ”

Although Swedish iron ore was no longer necessary for Germany in this time and space, and they could buy iron ore from the Russian Empire, the cost was much higher and the quality was not satisfactory. Therefore, Hitler should not have allowed Britain to control Narvik unless he had a bigger plan.

"Commander, it looks like the Germans want to take on the British Navy in the waters off Norway." Chen Si had already taken the telegram from Natalie's hand at this time, read it carefully, and said his conclusion with a frown. "Not only did the Germans not move Narvik, but they did not even take Bergen. It was clear that they wanted to give these two places to the British, and once the British Army captured Bergen and Narvik, their navy would naturally be trapped and would have to leave Scapa Bay to engage the Sino-German combined fleet. And as soon as the British fleet came to the Norwegian coast, their land-based aircraft could not provide air support. The Luftwaffe, however, was able to use airfields on Norwegian territory to take off and provide air cover for the Sino-German combined fleet. In this way, the British home fleet, with its huge numerical superiority, would definitely be defeated by Germany, which had air superiority! Speaking of this, Chen Si seemed full of confidence, and his voice also raised a few points. Auxiliary commander, I think this trap will definitely be able to trap the British, so the British home fleet will definitely suffer heavy losses, should we immediately send troops to attack the South Seas? ”

"Let's stay put! Natalie, send a telegram to Marshal Chiang Chung-cheng that the Chinese expeditionary force should not enter Persia for the time being, pending further instructions. ”

Luo Yaoguo's answer greatly surprised the Minister of the Navy. He glanced at Chen Si, who looked surprised, and said with a faint smile: "Hualong, Britain and France are now dry bones in the grave, and it is only a matter of time before they are defeated." However, if China wants to really occupy enough spoils, we must not only consider the current war, but also focus on the post-war layout. As he spoke, he walked over to the Pacific chart on the table, paused, and gestured to Hawaii, "That's the door that keeps the United States out of Asia!" If the Japanese can take Hawaii, we should find a way to help them hold it...... But it is not enough to keep the Americans out, the German one should also find a chain to lock him in Europe and Africa, so that we can develop with peace of mind! After all, China's national strength is still much weaker than that of the United States and Germany. ”

Chen Siyan was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and asked, "Auxiliary Marshal, do you mean to let Britain act as this chain that binds Germany?" But does Britain have such strength? ”

"Britain doesn't." Luo Yaoguo smiled deeply: "But the United States has such strength!" The Yankees would not abandon the British Isles as a base of advance into Europe unless they had to, and they did not want to see the emergence of a German empire that completely dominated Europe and Africa. Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, and then said: "Therefore, we don't need to rush south now, at least wait until the results of the decisive battle on the sea between Britain and Germany come out, and then make a conclusion." If the British navy is defeated, they will certainly send fleets and land forces from the South Seas and India back to defend their homeland, and we might as well let them go...... In addition, India does not need to rush to seize it, and can let Britain make a final search so that it can buy weapons from the United States to defend its homeland. ”

"But what if Germany loses?" Natalie reminded in a low voice: "The navy of the British Empire has dominated the world for hundreds of years, so it won't be so vulnerable, right?" ”

Luo Yaoguo frowned, will the German Navy be defeated by Britain? Of course, it was defeated in history, but the German navy in this time and space was completely strong, not only with 3 super battleships (6 if you count the Chinese expeditionary fleet), but also with an aircraft carrier combat power of 5 aircraft carriers. In addition, the planes of the Germans were one step ahead of the British! Thinking of this, he shook his head and said with a smile: "You can't lose if you lose, at most it's a lose-lose situation, but that's better...... If the Germans can't seize the sea control of the English Channel, naturally there is no way to conquer Britain, and with Britain and Germany slowly consuming there, and Japan and the United States consuming, then we China will be able to sit back and relax. ”

"Jingle bell...... Jingle bell ......"

At this moment, a rapid phone rang suddenly, waking Luo Yaoguo up from his thoughts. When he looked back at the phone, Natalie had already picked up the receiver first.

"What's the matter?" Natalie said, "Ah! What the! There is such a thing...... Got it, okay, I'll inform the assistant commander right away. ”

Luo Yaoguo frowned, looked at Natalie with a surprised look on her face and asked, "Whose phone is it?" ”

"It was Foreign Minister Wang Zhaoming who called, and he said that at noon today, US Ambassador Jensen suddenly came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and informed US Secretary of State Hull that he wanted to come to China...... And at the same time, it also proposes a very ...... Very attractive proposal. Natalie frowned, "The Americans want to hand over the trusteeship of the Philippines to our country on the condition that it ...... We helped evacuate U.S. troops and U.S. expatriates in the Philippines. ”

"What!?" Luo Yaoguo's eyes widened and he stared at Natalie, "Is that really what Wang Zhaoming said?" Without waiting for Natalie to answer, he muttered to himself, "What the hell is Roosevelt up to in mind?" Is he trying to trade the Philippines for an alliance with us? Saying that, he shook his head again, "No, a few days ago, we and Germany asked the United States to form an alliance, and there were no conditions attached, which was rejected by the United States, and they have no reason to put another Philippine for no reason!" ”

"Fuwen, will Roosevelt want to divide our relations with Japan with the Philippines, which is destined to be undefended?" Natalie reminded in a low voice.

"Japan?!"

Luo Yaoguo nodded heavily, this Roosevelt is really not a fuel-efficient lamp, he actually came up with such a clever plan! At present, the Japanese are rushing to the front to fight the United States for life and death, for nothing more than turf. If the Japanese had worked hard for a long time, and in the end China had gotten the Philippines from the United States for nothing, how would the Japanese feel? Will they be stupid enough to continue to be a cannon for China?

"Auxiliary commander, this is a critical moment in the battle for Hawaii, and we can't take the Philippines." Navy Minister Chen Si suggested in a low voice.

"Does Wang Zhaoming have any suggestions?" Luo Yaoguo ignored Chen Si, but asked about Wang Jingwei's reaction.

Minister Wang did not make specific suggestions, but he was very happy to listen to his tone. Natalie frowned slightly, and replied lightly: "It is estimated that he supports accepting the Philippines." ”

Luo Yaoguo smiled bitterly and nodded, "Yes, there are more than 7,000 islands, 280,000 square kilometers, and there are millions of overseas Chinese...... The geographical location is the east gate of the South Seas, and it is also a springboard for us to go south to Lanyin and Australia! What's even more rare is that such a good site was given to us by the Americans, not only Wang Zhaoming, but my uncle will not refuse, right? ”

"Fuwen, how about a share of Japan's pie after we take over the Philippines? Then the Japanese should be satisfied, right? Natalie thought for a moment and made a suggestion.

"A share for Japan?" Luo Yaoguo shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Then I won't scold people for being a traitor?" Now those people of ours have long regarded China as a first-class power, and they are still a little afraid of the United States and Germany, and Japan ...... Not at all in their eyes. If I am soft on Japan, I am afraid that my prestige will be greatly damaged, and it will only create opportunities for those oppositionists! He let out another long sigh. Let's set up the United States and Germany, and the Americans are also playing tricks on us! ”

……