Age of Rebirth

General Ito was convinced by his chief of staff's clear and detailed analysis, but he didn't quite understand the opportunity he mentioned.

Chief of Staff Kawashima also saw the doubts in Admiral Ito's eyes, but did not give a direct answer, but continued to analyze: "Since the navy is determined to win and has obtained the imperial approval of His Majesty the Emperor, we can't change the facts. Starting from the interests of the empire, after MacArthur's troops withdrew from Luzon Island, there were no escorting warships, which was more conducive to achieving the greatest effect of annihilating the enemy at the smallest cost at sea."

"If MacArthur's U.S.-Philippines army is wiped out, Mr. Chuntian's troops will also pay a considerable price. Instead, we might as well give this credit to the navy. The navy wiped out the U.S.-Philippines army. Our army occupied Manila. It’s not a disadvantage to get what you need.”

Admiral Ito nodded again and again, and was completely attracted by the analysis of his chief of staff. However, Rear Admiral Kawashima changed the subject and said with a sneer: "General, the navy's wishful thinking is well done. The fully armed fleet, Dealing with an unarmed troop carrier is like a strong man beating a child, there is no suspense about the outcome, but I am afraid that the navy's plan will come to nothing!"

General Ito couldn't help but straightened up, and asked suspiciously: "Kawashima-kun, I don't understand why you have such a judgment. Could it be that MacArthur still has any cards?" [

Rear Admiral Kawashima smiled reservedly, shook his head and said: "General, you misunderstood what I meant. In the Southwest Pacific War, MacArthur is already at the end of his rope. There is no trump card that can be used. Analyze it. The naval fleet is annihilating After the British and Australian troops, the U.S. and Philippine troops on Luzon Island have not yet started to evacuate. After hearing this news, will MacArthur be so stupid that he will follow the footsteps of [-] British and Australian soldiers and die under the sea?"

Speaking of pride, these words of Major General Kawashima.Somewhat carried away, he subconsciously sounded like he was lecturing his juniors. Fortunately, General Ito was completely attracted by his words. He didn't pay attention to this detail, but focused on listening to him solve the mystery.

Chief of Staff Kawashima continued: "MacArthur is not a stupid person. Since he is withdrawing to Australia, without an escort fleet, he is going to die. Then he will choose to stay on the front line of Manila. Maybe there will be a chance of life. If so , the task of annihilating the U.S.-Philippines army does not fall to Mr. Chuntian’s No.14 Army. We can also use the navy’s handle, regardless of the actual situation of the battlefield, to grab the credit and delay the fighter. Wouldn't it be better to use it as a bargaining chip in the future!"

General Ito applauded and laughed. He was completely convinced. As the chief of staff, he was a goddamn genius, and he was able to obey his reluctance.In the matter of suffocation and resentment, after analyzing so many benefits, I can feel the qi stuck in my chest.The smoke disappeared, and my heart was so comfortable!

General Ito, who was in a good mood, called out to the guards and ordered: "Tell the cooking soldiers to prepare a table of authentic local dishes. I want to have a drink with Chief of Staff Kawashima!" Major General Kawashima was of course happy to accompany the posture of talking all night long.

At 25:[-] a.m. on August [-], Major General Le Yiqin, the commander of the Southern Aviation Group of the Independent Division Air Force, walked into the office of the division commander Tang Qiuli in military uniform. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted: "Report to the division commander, Le Yiqin Leading the flight group's front air finger crew, they have arrived in Singapore, please give instructions!"

Tang Qiuli looked at his favorite general with a smile on his face, and asked, "Le Yiqin, have all your troops arrived? Well, the chief of staff has already arranged a room for you to command operations in the office building of the Military Control Commission." , don't worry, the whole floor will be given to you, enough for safekeeping!"

Le Yiqin said happily: "Thank you so much, sir. I'm here to report a report, and I'll rush to the airport immediately. The first echelon fighter formation is ready to take off!"

Tang Qiuli frowned and said, "Why, you still lead the team yourself?"

Le Yiqin said embarrassingly: "Teacher, you know me well. It's an old habit. I don't personally participate in such a big scene. Let me sit at the command tower and point fingers. Isn't that as uncomfortable as killing me?" !"

Tang Qiuli sighed slightly. He knew that at this moment, it would not be appropriate for Le Yiqin to sit in the headquarters and direct the air battle, but he was a little worried. He couldn't imagine how much it would hurt him if something happened to Le Yiqin?

Therefore, Tang Qiuli said solemnly: "You command in the air, you can grasp the overall situation, and you can command the battle, but I will never allow you to participate in the battle in person. Please remember me, Le Yiqin, this is an order. The escort fleet must not be less than one squadron, once I know that you have violated the order, you will know the consequences!"

Le Yiqin grinned and replied cheerfully: "Yes, teacher! Resolutely carry out your order!"

I thought to myself: "When the plane is in the sky, I can't help you, the commander. The air combat battlefield is changing rapidly. At that time, thousands of planes will be mixed together. I worry that I won't have a chance to enjoy it!"

In the corridor, there was a sound of footsteps. Chief of Staff Zhao Yu, Major General, Colonel Chen Feng, Director of the Communications Department, and Colonel He Zhijun, Chief of the Operations Department of the Southern Aviation Group, walked in together.

Zhao Yuhe said: "Teacher, all the personnel on the front line of Air Command are already in place!"

Chen Feng reported: "Division Commander, we have communicated with all participating troops, and everything is normal! Fleet Commander Tang called, the fleet has entered the South China Sea, and is waiting for orders from the division headquarters at any time!"

He Zhijun reported: "The division commander, the commander, and the communications department have established sea and air contact with the Indian escort fleet and troop carrier formation. The British army reported that the troop carrier formation is expected to arrive in the Coral Sea at around [-]:[-] this morning. , the British task force also arrived at the same sea area at the same time!"

Zhao Yuhe and Chen Feng were used to frequenting the division commander Tang Qiuli's office, but He Zhijun himself was the first to report the situation to the leader of the fully independent division alone. It would be nonsense to say that he was not nervous. His tone of voice was a little trembling, showing both nervousness and excitement. [

Tang Qiuli also noticed it, and said jokingly: "Minister He Zhijun of the Operation Department of the Southern Aviation Group, I heard that you, Commander Le, often mentioned you. You are a talent. How about it? Have you ever thought about it? Be a deputy director of the staff office!"

He Zhijun's brain became blank because of the teacher's words. It was so sudden that he was not prepared for it. Before he could react, Le Yiqin quit and said anxiously: "Mr. , without such a thing, isn’t this poaching in front of me, it’s not going to work!”

"Our aviation group cannot do without him. He is my right-hand man. If you plan to reuse Zhijun, you can promote him as the chief of staff of our aviation group! Ever since Chief of Staff Liao was transferred, I have never had a chief of staff!"

Tang Qiuli laughed and said, "Okay, since it's yours, Commander Le, personally, if I don't reuse it, I'll bury the talent. After this battle is over, the division headquarters will issue a formal order!"

Le Yiqin winked at He Zhijun, and said in a low voice, "What's the matter, old He, you've been promoted. After the battle is over, you have to treat me!"

He Zhijun nodded subconsciously. All of this was like a dream. In the blink of an eye, he became the chief of staff of the Southern Aviation Group.

Everyone sat down casually in Tang Qiuli's office and discussed some details. During this period, staff officers came in from time to time, reported various situations, and sent telegrams. By 25:[-] am on August [-]th Left and right, Le Yiqin stood up and said, "Teacher, I'm going to the airport!"

Tang Qiuli sent Le Yiqin to the door of the office, looked at him with complicated eyes, and said: "Yiqin, pay attention to safety, take care!"

Le Yiqin's heart warmed up, he was not used to such farewell occasions, so he used a carefree expression to hide his excitement, "Mr., don't you trust me? I've been fighting with the little devils and other bastards for several years. That time They have taken advantage of it, it’s okay, you just wait for the good news!”

At 25:[-] a.m. on August [-], more than a hundred fighter jets took off from the Singapore field airport, skimmed the rising sun and headed towards the Coral Sea.

At the same time, the formation of carrier-based aircraft that took off from the fleet aircraft carrier was divided into two routes and flew towards Sumatra and Kalimantan respectively.

One of the fleets of the independent division fleet was spotted by the air patrol fleet of the Japanese Araki Air Force when it was approaching the airspace of Kalimantan Island. The Japanese patrol fleet was a squadron size. The fighter jets just got out of a cloud layer, facing the rising dawn, in the vast blue sky, a dense group of independent divisions suddenly appeared.

Captain Haoye's scalp was numb, and his hands clenched tightly on the joystick were trembling slightly. If there is an air team that cannot be messed with in the Southwest Pacific airspace, the pilots of the three air teams belonging to the Southwest Pacific Expeditionary Force of Japan, They will definitely answer with one voice: "Independent Division Aviation Southern Flying Group!"

That is the unit of Le Yiqin, who has the nickname of "Sky Butcher". Although he has never fought against Chinese pilots, several old aviation teams of the empire are in their hands. It is definitely not groundless. All commanders at all levels have repeatedly warned not to have any friction with the independent division air force, and this matter has been confirmed.

Captain Hao Ye didn't even have the idea of ​​showing the courage of the air warriors of the Imperial Japanese Empire to face a strong enemy and fight to the death. He turned the nose of the plane and fled. At the same time, he reported this amazing information to the air force headquarters.

(To be continued) (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point to vote, monthly pass, your support is my biggest motivation.)