Shadow Spy

Chapter 293 The possible future of the concession

Hearing the reason he said, Admiral Hart was stunned for a moment. It did make sense when he thought about it, but this matter was as unsafe as walking on a tightrope. It was really a bet that the Japanese needed a healthy functioning Shanghai. , Bet that those Japanese soldiers who often go crazy intermittently can stay sane, this is really a mysterious thing!

In addition, he also noticed the time mentioned in Pan Sen's words, and asked again: "Pan Sen, I want to know, why did you say that the Japanese army will not attack the concession until December next year?"

Of course, Li Junhao cannot say that this is what really happened in his previous life. He can only say: "I analyzed our domestic political situation, the behavior pattern of the Japanese army, the development trend of the European battlefield and other factors, and felt that during that time period, the relationship between the United States and Japan was They will declare war on each other and be in a state of hostility. Then of course the Japanese army will no longer have any scruples and will definitely want to take action against the concession..."

Admiral Hart's face looked a little strange, was it analyzed?He didn't know what to say!But if the other party is talking nonsense, he has no evidence!I can only speak from what Pan Sen himself said before about aircraft and the navy, "If the Japanese army is really crazy and insists on attacking the concession regardless of the consequences of destroying the concession, you also said that it cannot be defended. Yes, it’s not worth spending so many resources for such a glimmer of hope!”

Li Junhao was silent for a moment and said what he had thought of before: "Mr. General, I want to form a special air defense force to deal with enemy aircraft, and focus on military camps and residential areas. As for those industrial and commercial areas, if the Japanese army If you want to blow it up, go ahead! If it really blows up, will they feel distressed?

"As for the navy, the biggest threat to the concession is naval guns. I plan to make two preparations. First, I want to ask Mr. Admiral to move the base of the Asian Fleet to Shanghai. With you here, the Japanese First Fleet will not be able to dispatch China at all. It is impossible to directly attack the concession...

"The second is that I plan to customize several high-speed torpedo boats during this period. After confirming that the Japanese army may attack, I will blow up their fleet in advance!"

Hart looked at him deeply and praised in his heart: It's really good!This young man has thought of all the situations. Should I help him?

This time, Hart took the main ships of the Asian Fleet to visit Hong Kong Island and Shanghai Sea respectively, just because he wanted to change his home port and no longer stay in the same place with the arrogant MacArthur!
He had seen the situation on Hong Kong Island before, and the situation was not bad. The Victoria Military Port there was large enough. Currently, there were only a few old British ships, and there was enough space to accommodate the Asian fleet.

Today he also visited the Wusong Military Port in Shanghai. The conditions are far inferior to those on Hong Kong Island. However, Pan Sen’s request to defend the Shanghai Concession is more in line with the interests of the United States, because Hong Kong Island is unique to the United Kingdom. The United States has no interests in its sphere of influence. If the fleet is located there, once the war starts, they will be serving the interests of the British!
At this time, Hart was thinking, just from the perspective of interests, the Philippines is the only colony of the United States in the Far East, and it is also the reason why the Asian fleet is stationed at the Cavite base in Manila; if he wants to leave there, move his home port to There is still a possibility here in Shanghai. If we go to Hong Kong Island, I guess the country will not agree at all!

Regarding Admiral Hart's suggestion that the conditions of Wusong Military Port were too poor, Li Junhao said that Wusong Port was not suitable for the stationing of the US fleet because the land area there is now a Japanese concession and is unsafe.

He proposed a plan, which was to select one of the wharves on the Huangpu River within the concession to be renovated and then used as the fleet's home port; of course, in order to avoid being blocked by the Japanese army at the river mouth, the fleet had to patrol regularly to deter the Japanese fleet.

After Hart listened and considered it carefully, he found that the plan was very good and very feasible.Later, he and Li Junhao analyzed the current strength of the Asian fleet and the situation of the enemy's Japanese First Fleet dispatched to China.

The current Asian fleet is dominated by Task Force 5, with the flagship Northampton-class heavy cruiser USS Houston, two Omaha-class light cruisers USS Marblehead and USS Concord, and one Brooklyn-class light cruiser Cruiser USS Savannah, 2 Clemson-class destroyers.

另外还有全是老旧型号的潜艇部队（28艘，6艘旧S级、7艘P级、16艘新S级)和海军航空队（31艘飞艇、1艘水上飞机母舰、32架卡塔林娜水上飞机）。

The Japanese First Fleet was led by the flagship "Izumo" cruiser and more than [-] small and medium-sized ships. Although the total tonnage reached nearly [-] tons, these ships were all old ships that had been in service for more than ten years. Model, both power system and weapon configuration are far behind the mainstream of the current era.

The flagship Izumo cruiser has a displacement of 9750 tons, but it is an old-fashioned armored cruiser launched in 1900. It was built by the British Armstrong Shipyard. It participated in the First World War and the Russo-Japanese War, and served as the seat of the Oni Emperor. ship.

The ship is 121.92 meters long, 20.93 meters wide, with a draft of 7.37 meters, a main engine power of 14500 horsepower, a speed of 20.75 knots, and a crew of 672. It is equipped with 203 4 mm guns, 150 14 mm guns, 12 12-pound rapid-fire guns, and 2.5-pound rapid-fire guns. 8 guns and 450 4mm torpedo tubes.

The Izumo participated in the two Songhu Battles with the Japanese main fleet. Its powerful artillery fire caused tragic damage to the Chinese military and civilians. The Kuomintang navy and air force launched multiple attacks on it, but did not sink it. It can be regarded as A miracle.

Li Junhao knew that the "Izumo" ship was relatively famous in its previous life, mainly because of its good "luck". It was only damaged in many attacks but was finally sunk by US military aircraft in the late World War II.

Based on the strength level of these two fleets, although the Asian fleet is also a group of old warships, in terms of combat effectiveness, it can steadily suppress the Japanese army. Of course, this is without reinforcements from the Japanese army.

This is very important. It at least makes it possible to realize his previous vision. Now it depends on Admiral Hart's decision - he believes that since the other party has taken practical actions to conduct inspections, he will definitely be sure to complete the relocation of the home port. the goal of!
Admiral Hart did not reply immediately, saying he would think about it.
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At noon, a group of naval officers and soldiers had lunch with the officers and soldiers of the 327th Regiment in the military camp.

Originally, Acting Consul General Sheehan was going to hold a welcome lunch for General Hart, but Hart clearly refused. He would rather be with his subordinates and the soldiers on the sea and land.

(End of this chapter)