At the headquarters of the capital, Deng Zixuan looked at the map and was engrossed, his eyes were condensed at a certain point in the South China Sea, and his demeanor was extremely focused. For the first time, the young Chinese Communist Navy fought far from the interior, and if he was not worried about it, it would have been a lie. No matter how well prepared for battle is, there are uncertainties. Especially when fighting on the sea, there are more uncertainties. However, when the Chinese navy goes to the ocean, it must pass the test of blood and fire. Even if the preparation is very complete, it will have to go through the test of brutal naval battles. In particular, ocean-going operations were a touchstone for testing the combat capability of the Imperial Navy.

This capability covers many aspects, including the training results of naval officers and men, the ability of commanders to command on the spot, efficient logistics and supply, and the problem of continuous operations on the sea. After all, the navy is a high-level service, and it is important to accumulate precipitation, but without actual combat, it is at best a fist embroidered leg. "President, the Kaohsiung Military Port is calling, the fleet is on the march!" Chen Jintang hurried in with a telegram in his hand. Deng Zixuan smiled: "Then let's wait for good news!" ”

At the headquarters of the Allied Forces in Tokyo, Chief of the General Staff of the Allied Forces, Bill said: "Your Excellency, the recent unusually calm does not bode well, and I suspect that the enemy is brewing a greater operation. Commander Han Ruowei said: "This is not unexpected, the Chinese always surprise us, we are dead pigs and are not afraid of boiling water." In short, our purpose of exchanging space for time has been achieved. War is like a huge machine, and to make this huge machine run properly, it requires huge manpower, material and financial resources, and all three are indispensable. ”

Han Ruowei continued: "Now our enemies, with the continuous elongation of the battle line, they have encountered a thorny problem. That's a huge logistical supply. This is evidenced by the local attacks launched by the Chinese. I am now very confident that the Chinese will be stuck in a quagmire and that zuihou will drag them down. One day our counteroffensive will be invincible and devastating, so let's wait patiently! Commander Han Ruowei was a little smug.

Bill said gloomily: "There is no need to worry about the Chinese attacking on land. However, they have to defend themselves against launching a counterattack at sea, and I am worried about their idea of attacking the Philippines. Han Ruowei shook his head and said: "Chief of Staff filtered, the Chinese Navy has won several naval battles in the coastal waters, except for stealing chickens and dogs, it is our commander who underestimates the enemy, so losses are inevitable, and we can bear it completely." Ocean-going operations. Do the Chinese have the strength? ”

"Not to mention that the main warships of our Philippine detachment have tripled, and most of them are new warships, even the number of warships has also doubled. Speaking from the bottom of my heart, I wish they had taken the initiative. If we talk about attrition, even if we lose two warships and the enemy loses one, the Chinese cannot afford to lose. Chinese are not fools. Won't touch eggs against stones. Just now your words reminded me. Now that Lanfang is making a lot of trouble, China will definitely find a way to open up the Nanyang transportation line. ”

Han Ruowei walked a few steps on the ground and said, "Chief of Staff, your words once again remind me that the Chinese did not take action after completing the Battle of Ili, which shows that there is another plan, and it is very likely to support Lan Fang in the battle." If the Chinese send the attack torpedo boat to Lan Fang, it will pose a mortal threat to our South Sea transportation line. The commander of the Philippine detachment, General Baker, was ordered to appear in the waters of the South China Sea once the Chinese warship was discovered. Immediately encircle and annihilate them. ”

"The marshal is keen, and it is possible that the Chinese will support Lan Fang in the battle. We must be guarded. Han Ruowei did not expect that his actions would instead bury the Philippine detachment. The commander of the Philippine detachment in Manila, Bell, received an order from the coalition headquarters to immediately begin deployment. Bell had been serving in the British Atlantic Fleet, a young admiral and an iron-blooded man. After receiving the order, Bell's blood immediately boiled, and he could finally show his skills. Subsequently, Bell ordered all the reconnaissance gunboats to be dispatched.

As the commander of the decoy fleet, Deng Shichang led 22 warships about two miles away from Huangyan Island when they were discovered by enemy reconnaissance gunboats. In the command cabin of the Shanghai, a subordinate reported: "Report to the commander, the sonar of the destroyer No. 0012 has discovered that there are enemy ships moving 20 nautical miles in front of the left, and it is obvious that our whereabouts have been exposed." "If the enemy doesn't find out, I don't know what to do, so keep a close eye on the enemy's movements and be ready to fight at any time."

Soon the piercing alarm sounded, and the fleet went into combat readiness. Soon the sonar showed that the signal of the enemy ship disappeared and the combat alarm was lifted. "Commander, apparently we found an enemy reconnaissance ship, and we probably went back to report the news." "Immediately dispatch a fast gunboat to the waters southeast of Hainan Island and report to the commander that the enemy has discovered the decoy fleet." Deng Shichang did not expect that the gunboat reporting the news ran aground in the waters of the Zhongsha Islands due to urgency, and the news could not be delivered to the main fleet.

After discovering the Chinese fleet, enemy reconnaissance gunboats operating in the northern part of the Philippines immediately docked at the nearest wharf in the northern Philippines and quickly delivered the news to Manila through cable telegraphs from the shore. The chief of staff of the detachment said: "Your Excellency, the Chinese fleet has 4 large warships, 10 medium warships, 6 small warships, and two transport ships, which is a big piece of fat. Baker looked at the chart and said, "Obviously, they are heading to Lanfang, and their route must pass through Scarborough Shoal, and we will set up an ambush on Scarborough Shoal." ”

Baker said decisively: "Order, the main fleet is all dispatched, and I will destroy this Chinese fleet near Huangyan Island." Suddenly, the alarm sounded at the Manila military port, and chaos boiled on the sea. Soon, all 10 battleships in the Manila military port were dispatched, and another 40 gunboats were dispatched. At present, the coalition forces do not distinguish between destroyers and frigates, and they still use the traditional custom of collectively referring to gunboats. And almost all the gunboats of the coalition forces are in the range of about 1000 tons, and the main gun is 150 mm. In addition, 10 transport ships and one rescue ship were dispatched.

Deng Shichang's fleet, destroyers and frigates are all new-type warships. Its destroyer has a displacement of 2500 tons, and the front and rear main guns are 250 mm. The displacement of the frigate is 1200 tons, the front and rear main guns are 150 mm. Therefore, the reconnaissance gunboats of the coalition saw the two destroyers as battleships. Bell is ambitious, he wants to fight to make a name for himself and completely reverse the decline of the Allied Navy. However, the defeat of the arrogant Western Navy was not due to their inability to fight or to be armed. The reason is that there is a freak on the land of China, because he knows his opponent too well and makes it impossible for him to guard against it.

Three days later, in the evening, Deng Shichang led the fleet to the northern waters of Huangyan Island. "Report to the commander, drive off the ship's sonar report, about 50 nautical miles ahead, a large number of ships have been detected, and it is estimated that the enemy fleet has set up an ambush in front." A subordinate reported. "The fleet was ordered to halt its advance, and the fleet was to be kept under light control. The gunboats were ordered to advance to a range of 20 nautical miles to reconnoitre, keeping a close eye on the movements of the enemy fleet. Soon, the sound of the motor died down and the sea fell silent.

On the Queen, the flagship of the Philippine fleet, Commander Baker sat leisurely in his chair, holding a goblet of French wine. The chief of staff asked: "Your Excellency, if the Chinese fleet does not take the route from Scarborough Shoal, we will be in vain. Baker shook his head and said: "After I took office, I have studied the South China Sea intensively, and the water route of Scarborough Shoal is the safest route, and it is impossible for any naval commander to take the risk of taking an unsafe route." ”

Baker confidently continued: "The central route of the South China Sea, with many islands and dense reefs, will be in danger of running aground at any time. The Central Route is only suitable for small vessels. The western route of the South China Sea, although in good conditions, had a long range, and in addition to being attacked by French offshore torpedo boats, this route would not be chosen by any experienced commander, so the Chinese fleet could only choose this route when going to the South Sea. ”

"Commander Gao Ming, he is indeed the elite of the Imperial Navy!" The chief of staff slipped his beard and patted the horse. Baker continued: "I didn't send gunboats to investigate, because I was afraid that the Chinese would be alert." Command the fleet to be on high alert, ready to enter combat readiness, we have the possibility of encountering the enemy. In addition, reconnaissance gunboats were placed on both sides of the channel, and once the enemy fleet was discovered, it was necessary to intercept it immediately, so that the enemy fleet could not slip past us. ”

In the eastern waters of Hainan Island, a huge fleet has been cruising here for four days. At this time, on the battleship Beijing, Commander Dai Hui was anxious. According to the planned operation, the decoy fleet will soon be discovered by the other side when it enters the area of activity of the enemy ships, and Deng Shichang will send a fast gunboat to report the news. According to the time reckoning, the gunboat was supposed to arrive in the morning. Even if there is a mistake, it can be delayed for half a day, but it is already dusk and there is still no shadow of the gunboat.

At noon, Dai Hui sent four fast gunboats to the east to search, and the search gunboats came back to report the search the night, but no ships were found. "Commander, is it Deng Shichang, who did not arrive at the predetermined sea area according to the specified place, so he delayed time." A subordinate saw Dai Hui speaking anxiously. "Deng Shichang is an old navy with a lot of experience, and it is impossible for him to make low-level mistakes." The situation is now unclear and requires the commander's impromptu decision.

In naval warfare during this period, communication was particularly crucial. In the case of poor communication, the decisiveness of the commander will determine the success or failure of the naval battle. "Can't wait any longer, order the fleet to set off immediately. The course is southeasterly, and then we detour back to the waters off Manila Bay, and we will have to gamble whether the enemy fleet is out or not. If the enemy fleet did not make a sortie, it would only be regrettable that the Hurricane operation had failed. If the enemy fleet is dispatched, we will cut off his retreat. ”

"If that's the case, Deng Shichang's decoy fleet will be in danger!" The subordinate said worriedly. Dai Hui said: "The task of serving as a decoy fleet itself is very dangerous, and we have been mentally prepared, even if they are very dangerous, and even pay a heavy price, there is no doubt that we will have to bear this price, but I hope the cost is smaller." However, if we sit back and wait for the opportunity and the fighter plane in our hands slips away, the losses suffered by the entire war situation are incomparable. If there are major consequences, I will take responsibility. ”

Dai Hui was keenly aware that if he waited any longer, he would lose the best fighter. At the sound of an order, the huge fleet set off again, and Dai Hui stood in front of the command cabin window, looking at the dark sea and was silent. Shortly after departure, Dai Hui ordered four fast gunboats to continue the search for the decoy fleet in the eastern seas. If the decoy fleet encounters the enemy fleet, it means that the purpose of the decoy fleet has been achieved. If this is the case, you will be able to catch the enemy fleet and deal a devastating blow. (To be continued......)

PS: No matter how thoughtful Jihua is, there are times when there are omissions.