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March 22, Hangzhou Bay.

Forty-three American freighters, which had departed from San Francisco and had already been loaded with cargo, left the dock one by one under the leadership of the pilot ship. Fifteen months after fighting Su Rì alone, aid from across the Pacific finally arrived reluctantly. After months of dark warfare, Roosevelt had to temporarily retract his big hand and begin to support China in the face of the unfavorable situation in North Africa and Europe.

He was not idle in the United States, and Nimitz and Spruance were not ordinary people, and after the loss of Wake Island, in addition to being stationed in Australia, he also actively turned to the Aleutian Islands in the north. According to the Admiralty's monitoring, at least seven U.S. ships and five cargo ships visited Aleutian within a month. Their intentions are obvious, which is to get a piece of the pie and lay the foundation for the future.

Obviously, this competition will continue for a long, long time.

But one way or another, Roosevelt gave in for the time being! That's the good news. Although the level of support is only a drop in the bucket compared to the Atlantic, it is still important for China. This is because fifteen months after the nationwide mobilization, the domestic manufacturing industry, which has been operating at full capacity since the founding of the People's Republic of China, is actually approaching its peak. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Finance, the total value of workers and peasants in the country actually reached 340 billion yuan ($170 billion) last year, 1.5 times that of the United States, and at the current rate, it will definitely exceed the 400 billion mark by 1943 at the latest. The total number of workers has soared from 30 million before the war to 40 million, steel production has exceeded 40 million tons, domestic oil production has exceeded 40 million tons (excluding overseas), and the number of factories has tripled. On the surface, all figures are more than double that of the United States, but minus the fact that the actual population is five times that of the United States, the road to industrialization has only just begun. Moreover, this round of expansion does not mean that production capacity can surge rapidly, in fact, many industries have reached the limit, and the war has severely suppressed consumption, so it will take three or four years to improve again.

Among them, automobile manufacturing and jīng dense processing are the most insufficient, as mentioned earlier, Yang Qiu put more than half of the country's automobile factories into the aviation and army in order to meet the huge aviation and army armor advantages. While meeting the monthly production capacity of 4,000 aircraft of various types and 3,000 tanks/armored vehicles, the production of automobiles has plummeted by 60% compared to the pre-war period! The Jīng secret manufacturing industry itself is a weak part of the country, so if you want to improve quickly, there is not much room for it, because the jīng secret manufacturing industry needs more advanced workers.

After the start of the war, Australia and Nanyang, which were the main sources of raw materials such as nickel, molybdenum, and manganese before the war, were paralyzed. What's more, even though the war has been fought so far, although large areas have been occupied, the industrial capacity of these areas is in fact weak and cannot supplement the domestic manufacturing industry. As a result, a large number of strategic locations and large quantities of raw materials have been obtained, but in fact very few of them can directly help industry. And then there's food! Domestic food is already scarce, and although Vietnam and Indian-controlled areas are both large grain-producing areas, all their grain will be used for military needs. With more than 10 million people involved in military warfare, and a large number of young laborers either serving the military or becoming workers in the expansion of factories, the pressure on fertilizer and food has not been completely eased.

Therefore, the first few items of Yang Qiu's assistance to Hopkins were grain, fertilizer, automobiles, various engines, various instruments and instruments, and precious metal raw materials.

The American ships did not leave immediately after leaving the dock, but approached the bay with a deep draft of fifty-three Chinese 10,000-ton ships. Around the fleet, there are 1 escort aircraft carrier, 2 light cruisers, 8 destroyers and 16 territorial water-class anti-submarine frigates. It should be said that the war has been fought until now and achieved such a big advantage, all thanks to Yang Qiu's advance preparations. Just like the current batch of escort warships, most of them are the product of the appropriation of the 1936 naval program. If it weren't for the fact that in 1936 we had started to fully reserve materials for the war and reorganize armaments, we would not have been able to gain such a big advantage at once.

"Captain, the flagship has sent a signal, and we will depart in an hour." Inside the port, hundreds of young sailors are saying goodbye to their families. Laughter, reluctance, and sobs are intertwined. In the corner outside the crowd, a black sè sedan was parked, and next to the sedan a young captain was saying goodbye to his mother. Beside the two, there are also several strong men scattered with gods. When everyone was pouring out their farewells, their eyes also glanced here from time to time, secretly wondering if this officer was the son-in-law of that family.

The second officer, who wore the emblem of the destroyer Tianmu Mountain on his chest, ran briskly, and reminded the young officer from a distance through the bodyguard. "Got it, let the engine room warm up the engine, I'll be right there." After Yang Tiancheng, who was tall and thin, answered the second officer, he pinched the military hat with his left hand, and gently wiped the tears from the corners of Lu Bicheng's eyes with his right hand: "Mother, I'm leaving." ”

Yang Tiancheng was Yang Qiu's second son and served in the Third Fleet. In addition to receiving new destroyers, this return is also to escort the first fleet to the Indian Ocean. As we all know, the channel to the west is currently closed because the Strait of Malacca is not yet navigable. Although the Central Asian Railway leads to Mashhad in northern Iran, Iran has not yet been liberated, and the Hormuz Railway is on the plateau and has not been repaired, so at present, after the supplies arrive there, they can only be transported by truck through Herat and Kandahar in Afghanistan, transferred to Peshawar controlled by the Indian Muslim League, and then transported to Karachi by Indian Railway, and then from here to the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. This line was not a big problem for transporting personnel and light supplies, but it was more difficult to transport heavy supplies, which also limited the operations of the Persian Army Group and the Third Fleet. So after opening up Mariana and Wake Island, the Navy considered resuming sea transportation. The fleet would first go to Hawaii and from there head to Australia, bypassing Australia to the already operational Chagos Archipelago base.

Of course, this route is only a temporary measure, after all, it is too long, and it takes two months to go back and forth. Therefore, while preparing for the landing in the Ryukyus, the navy has also begun to deploy a battle plan to recapture the Strait of Malacca.

Hearing that he was about to leave, Lu Bicheng was so nervous that his eyes were sore. Although she does not understand military affairs, she also knows that the road is not smooth, because the submarine is still very active in the Marianas, especially in the Marshalles, and yesterday it was reported that a warship was sunk, not to mention passing through the stormy South Pacific. Yang Tiancheng knew that his mother was worried about him, so he deliberately laughed and comforted: "Mother rest assured, this way is under our control." Even the supplies to the UK were not escorted by us, so there was no threat. ”

Most of the supplies transported this time were prepared for the attack on the Andaman army. However, 100 Type 31 tanks, 200 repaired Soviet T34/76 tanks and the first batch of 72 "Thunderbolt" fighters were to be delivered to the French and British armies, so after the fleet arrived in Chagos, some of them had to continue to Cape Town and be handed over to the British Navy for transportation to Europe and North Africa.

In order not to worry his son, Lu Bicheng reluctantly showed a smile. Then he turned his head to look at the empty road outside, took his hand and said softly: "Tiancheng, wait a little longer, your father said he would come to see you off." Speaking of Yang Qiu, a trace of disappointment flew across Yang Tiancheng's face. In the previous phone call, Yang Qiu, who was inspecting Shanghai, said that he would come to see him off, but the fleet was about to depart, and there was still no one. But he is also used to it, in his eyes Yang Qiu is a good president, but not a competent father. Especially when he grew up, he almost never asked himself and his siblings, not even about applying for the Naval Academy. So after serving, he deliberately chose the farthest Third Fleet, just to avoid it and prove himself.

So he quickly regained his smile: "The military order is like a mountain, I must go." As he spoke, he put on his hat, buttoned the brim a little forward, covered his reddish eyes, and saluted his legs together: "Mom, wait for my good news!" Help me tell my father that sooner or later I will become the commander of the fleet. ”

"You kid, do you have to be angry with your father." Lu Bicheng chuckled, pinched his collar for him again, and then let go.

Although he was angry with Yang Qiu, Yang Tiancheng still wanted to see Yang Qiu in his heart, so he didn't take his eyes back until he boarded the destroyer. His wait was not in vain, and just as the flagship hoisted the signal flag for departure, the long-awaited convoy finally appeared on the dock. Looking at Yang Qiu's figure of getting out of the car quickly, trotting all the way to the edge of the dock, and raising his hand to say goodbye, he saluted again.

"President, do you want to let the fleet go." Gu Yuwen approached gently.

"No need." Yang Qiu was annoyed that he had forgotten the time. But he still shook his head, the activities of the navy were still rampant, and he didn't want to delay the departure time of the fleet because of himself.

With a whistle, 53 Chinese freighters, and 43 U.S. freighters on the return trip, laden with supplies purchased by the United States, such as bristles, tung oil, raw silk, natural rubber, and tungsten sand, quickly departed under the protection of the escort fleet and aircraft. Their departure not only represents the beginning of the Navy's reconquest of Malacca, but also means that the counterattack against Rì is about to be fully rolled out.

Failing to catch up with the send-off made Yang Qiu feel very guilty, and he didn't speak all the way to the airport. Lu Bicheng knew her husband's thoughts, so she hugged her arms and held him tightly. It wasn't until a shout that the quiet atmosphere was broken. "President." Song Ziqing, Pei Zuyi and others, who were waiting at the airport, immediately walked up as soon as they saw the convoy.

"This is just received, the Germans have already captured Belgrade." Song Ziqing didn't expect Lu Bicheng to be there, smiled awkwardly, and handed over the telegram: "The first batch of British troops has arrived in Greece, but Roosevelt refused to send American troops, and instead asked Hull to visit Turkey." Judging by his meaning, he wanted to support the Balkan and Greek partisans with supplies. But Turkey, neither we nor Britain and the United States can afford to lose, so they sent Hull, at least to ensure neutrality. ”

The fall of Yugoslavia, as early as everyone expected, Yang Qiu would not be surprised, and looked at Yan Baohang and Xiao Jinyun, director of the Military Intelligence Bureau: "What about Spain?" The two were a little embarrassed, because Yang Qiu originally asked to do things in Spain before March, but now it is almost the end of March. Song Ziqing hurriedly explained: "Spain is too far away, and we can't control many things, which is understandable." ”

In fact, Yang Qiu also knew the difficulties, he just couldn't figure it out. Seeing that British and American transport planes swaggered through Spanish airspace every day, Hitler didn't know what was wrong, and he didn't make a move. "In my opinion, I'm afraid it's still Vichy France." "After defeating France, Hitler was bent on a pro-people policy and deliberately forbade troops from entering the south of France. After the catapult operation, even if it wanted to take over the French ** ship, it was only withdrawn after a short period of stationing. ”

"Let's get started." Yang Qiu didn't blame anyone, and ordered the two to hurry up and board the plane. After getting on the plane, Gu Yuwen quickly spread out the map. Looking at the map, it is clear that the German troops entering the Balkans have broken the gap in the event of the accidental loss of Malta. In this case, it was only a matter of time before Greece fell, so Crete must not be lost! Losing Crete would allow the Germans to attack Turkey eastward, but if the air force could be stationed in Crete, it would not only avoid German occupation, but also support Turkey at a critical time, protect the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, and threaten Romania's Proyesti oil fields.

Plus Baku, which is already covered within the radius of the bomber, is equivalent to choking the biggest hit of the Soviet-German side! Song Ziqing also saw this early and said: "I have already made a request to the British and the Greek zhèngfǔ that we must be allowed to enter Crete. Judging from the feedback, Greece has agreed to agree, but Churchill has bitten the bullet and persuaded the US troops to station, probably because they are worried that we will expand our influence into the Mediterranean. ”

"This Churchill just doesn't shed tears when he sees the coffin!" After listening to it beside him, Bei Zuyi muttered indignantly.

Song Ziqing continued: "Chunan, they are ready, as long as the landing on Ryukyu is completed, they will immediately attack Malacca. The first three divisions to reinforce India have already set off, and the 10 infantry divisions provided by Vietnam have also completed their training, and they will be able to reinforce India by the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway next week. Li Zongren replied that as soon as the reinforcements arrived, he would immediately attack Chhattisgarh and Odisha, seize the seaports, and establish a forward base for landing in Andaman. Ouyang Nan is also ready, as soon as the Andaman starts, he will set off from Vietnam to land in Songkhla and Kota Bharu. Zhang Zizhong's side also stabilized Borneo and pressed the Rì army in the Sarawak area, and he would also send some troops to attack the Linga Islands and Singapore. ”

"According to our projections, by the end of August at the latest, we should be able to retake Malacca, ensure the navigation of the fleet, and force Siam to surrender from three sides. As soon as Siam surrendered, the Rì armies of Burma, Malaya, the Philippines and Indonesia were left alone. In addition, from the perspective of time, even if the German army occupies Yugoslavia and Greece, if it wants to continue to attack Turkey, it will have to wait until the first month, just in time for navigation. ”

"What about the USSR? The Soviets are wandering north of Baghdad, Ziqing won't forget them, right? Bei Zuyi asked.

Song Ziqing smiled: "Roosevelt cheated us, but it did make it more difficult for Stalin to choose." If the United States declares war, it is really difficult to predict whether the Soviet army will go south, but now he wants to make this decision, unless Turkey enters the war! "Turkey will not enter the war, the Soviets will only have to hold Iran and the Caucasus. But if Turkey enters the war, then allied bombers will be able to cover Ukraine. So it was difficult for Stalin to make the decision to attack the Suez Canal without Roosevelt declaring war. Because once Turkey is attacked, it will be a complete tear with Britain and the United States.

"Sun Chuanfang has stabilized the northwest, and he has also eaten several divisions of the Soviet army, in the short term."

"Let's get started!" Yang Qiu interrupted him and returned his gaze to the Ryukyus...... (To be continued.) )