Age of Rebirth

At sunset, a great battle in the waters of the Solomon Islands ended. The sunset glow splashed on the sea, glowing with golden light, but in the golden light, dark red bloodstains flashed from time to time. The corpses of Japanese soldiers drifted away with the waves. There are still floating masts broken into several pieces, broken ship boards, and oil pollution. The Fourth Fleet of the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet and more than [-] Japanese soldiers no longer exist. ≧,

The independent division fleet cooperated closely with the land-based aviation mixed combat brigade. After more than eight hours of fierce fighting, the Japanese Fourth Fleet and the troop carrier formation were wiped out in the waters of the Solomon Islands. It can be described as an unprecedented victory. The most commendable thing is , This is a head-to-head contest between the independent division fleet and the Japanese Navy's combined fleet.

In this battle, the Fourth Fleet was wiped out and removed from the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy. Nearly [-] officers and soldiers, including Fleet Commander Lieutenant Admiral Inoue Narumi and Chief of Staff Major General Anzai, were all killed. The flagship "Kashima" was sunk , the four aircraft carriers "Ryujō", "Kasuga Maru", "Asao", and "Zuikaze" sank, and more than a hundred battleships, cruisers, destroyers and other large and small warships were all sunk, and none escaped. .

The price paid by the independent division fleet is insignificant compared with the Japanese Fourth Fleet. The land-based aviation mixed combat brigade fleet commanded by Le Yiqin lost 27 fighter jets, and the fleet carrier-based aircraft unit lost [-] fighter jets and [-] bombers were killed. In addition, a total of nine warships were injured, but none of them affected normal operations.

The disparity in the casualty ratio made fleet commanders Tang Qiuquan, Amosiyev and others speechless in shock for a while.They know that the Solomon Islands naval battle has been planned for a long time.A victory for sure, but such a victory.Enough to shock the top fleet commanders.

Silent for a long time, Tang Qiuquan looked at the blood-colored sunset, reflecting the sea like blood flowing, and the salty sea breeze seemed to carry a bloody smell, and said with emotion: "It's almost a one-sided battle , The Fourth Fleet was completely annihilated, and more than [-] Japanese soldiers died, enough to make the little devil go crazy. Brace yourself, and report the results of the battle to the commander immediately!"

The generals of the fleet listened to him quietly. Tang Qiuquan lit a cigarette and took a deep breath. The light blue smoke diffused in front of his eyes, and his eyes condensed into dots.Said: "The Battle of the Solomon Islands has ended successfully, and it's time for us to consider the next move!"

Deputy Commander Amosiyev said: "Commander, the Japanese Fourth Fleet was wiped out. More than [-] Japanese soldiers were wiped out, which is enough to affect the Australian battlefield, but whether the second task assigned by the division commander has been completed. See the main force of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy, attracted to the southwest Pacific waters. It is still uncertain!"

Tang Qiuquan nodded, agreeing with his statement. "That's right, whether Nagumo Chuichi will pounce is still uncertain, so we need to do some research, whether to start the second phase of the campaign plan!"

"If I were Nagumo Chuichi, apart from the purpose of revenge for the Fourth Fleet, I am afraid that finding and destroying our fleet would be a more urgent desire!" Amosiyev analyzed, "As far as Nagumo Chuichi's character is concerned As far as I am concerned, I think it is very possible to come here as the main force of the combined fleet!"

Chief of Staff of the Fleet Ge Zhenzhuang took over the conversation and said: "I agree with the judgment of the deputy commander. Our fleet disappeared after annihilating most of the Japanese First Fleet in the Sulu Sea in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Now, it appears in the Solomon Islands." The sea area also completely wiped out the Fourth Fleet, if I were Nagumo Chuichi, I would come here with all my strength!"

"Nagumo Chuichi just took over the position of the combined fleet commander, and suffered such a big loss. Can he let it go? No matter what the reason is, the Japanese Navy's combined fleet should come to us!"

"The two opinions are to start the second phase of the campaign plan!" Tang Qiuquan said with a serious face.

Both Amosiyev and Ge Zhenzhuang nodded, Tang Qiuquan thought for a while, and said: "Well, order the fleet to move towards the Sulawesi waters at a normal speed, and the speed should not be too fast, let Nagumo Chuichi catch up Let's have some time!"

Both Amosiyev and Ge Zhenzhuang laughed, and Tang Yunfei, who had been silent all this time, also laughed silently. Tang Qiuquan turned his gaze to him and said, "Deputy Chief of Staff Tang Yunfei, the carrier-based aircraft unit under your command will be in the next period of time. The main task is to frequently dispatch reconnaissance planes and fighter jets to conduct intensive reconnaissance of the whereabouts of the Japanese Navy's combined fleet to ensure that the fleet is always at a safe distance!"

"Yes!" Tang Yunfei saluted and replied bluntly.

"Everyone, we are going to play a cat-and-mouse game with Nagumo Tadaichi!" Tang Qiuquan suddenly smiled and said, "Of course, in Nagumo Tadaichi's view, we are mice and his combined fleet is cats. Get your spirits up! Using your body as a bait is full of dangers, and the wealth of the independent division fleet is in your hands!"

Admiral Nagumo Tadashi, who has already dispatched two fleets to reinforce the Fourth Fleet, is at the anchorage in Darwin, concentrating on preparing for the implementation of the battle plan to go west to the East India Sea. In his opinion, there are three main forces with the Fourth Fleet The fleet is more than enough to deal with the fleet of the independent division. As long as Narumi Inoue can persist for about three days, the waters of the Solomon Islands will be the burial place of the independent division fleet!

What made Admiral Nagumo dissatisfied was that Narumi Inoue, the commander of the Fourth Fleet, had no news other than a telegram asking for help at the beginning. Up to now, the situation of the naval battle has not progressed. I don't know!

"Could it be that brash Inoue Narumi, who suffered a loss in the hands of the China Independent Division Fleet, and was embarrassed to send a telegram to report the situation of the naval battle?" Admiral Nagumo Chu murmured in his heart.

To be honest, Admiral Nagumo Tadashi is not interested in Inoue Narumi, the commander of the Fourth Fleet. This guy is very arrogant. While waiting, the fleet chief of staff, Vice Admiral Matsuda, hurried in.

"Commander, there is bad news!" Lieutenant General Matsuda's face was ashen.

"Oh!" General Nan Yun looked at him suspiciously and asked, "What bad news?"

"Commander, it's a telegram from the submarine 'Lu-60' of the 60th Diving Team of the Fourth Fleet about the situation of the naval battle in the Solomon Islands!" Chief of Staff Matsuda said dryly: "When the naval battle broke out, 'Lu-[-]' Submarine No. [-] is staying away from the waters of the Fourth Fleet, performing a security search mission, and returning as scheduled, just in time for the end of the naval battle!"

"This submarine was lucky enough not to be discovered by the anti-submarine ships of the China Fleet. Moreover, 'Lu-60' is the only surviving submarine of the Fourth Fleet. The reported situation is credible!"

"I don't want to hear too much nonsense, tell me quickly, how is the Fourth Fleet?" Admiral Nagumo Tadashi was very dissatisfied with Chief of Staff Matsuda's long-windedness, and shouted with his eyes wide open.

"Commander, it's very unfortunate that the entire Fourth Fleet is broken. Except for the submarine 'Lu-60', including the four aircraft carriers, none of them survived!" Chief of Staff Matsuda said with blood dripping from his heart: "Still Including the troop carrier formations of the two divisions of the Imperial Army escorted by the Fourth Fleet, more than [-] imperial soldiers were all crushed!"

"Hani?" Admiral Nan Yunzhong's eyes began to slacken, and he muttered to himself, "How is this possible? How could the main fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy be destroyed in less than a day?" What? There are more than [-] Imperial Army soldiers?"

"No! Impossible, it must be a wrong report!" General Nanyun murmured to himself dreamily, and suddenly, "Pfft!" He spat out a mouthful of blood. He said it was impossible, but in his heart, he had already This fact cannot be denied. No one dared to joke about such news. For a while, all kinds of complicated emotions were mixed together, and he was so anxious that he vomited blood.

Commander Nan who suddenly vomited blood frightened Chief of Staff Matsuda and several other senior staff into a panic. some.

He stopped the staff officer who was going to call for a military doctor, his face distorted to the point of ferocity, and said: "Chief Matsuda, order all the warships of the United Fleet in several anchorages in northern Australia to immediately sail to the waters of the Solomon Islands at the fastest speed!"

"Specially order the submarine 'Lv-60' to follow the China Fleet without losing its target, and report its course and track to the Joint Fleet Command at any time. At the same time, promote the commander of the 'Lv-60' submarine to the rank of Lieutenant Commander!"

Chief of Staff Matsuda understands that Commander Nagumo is going to use up all the warships of the United Fleet to take revenge on the China Independent Division Fleet. This decision should be correct. There is a surviving submarine from the Fourth Fleet following him, so it is easy to catch up. The enemy, however, compared to revenge for the Fourth Fleet, going west to the East Indian Ocean is more practical and strategically meaningful. Now it is the Australian Front Army, not the Combined Fleet!

"Commander, two fleets have been dispatched to the waters of the Solomon Islands before, which is enough to deal with the fleet of the Shina Independent Division!" Chief of Staff Matsuda said earnestly: "In my humble opinion, the current main task of the United Fleet is to go from west to east." The Indian Ocean is the top priority, please think twice, Commander!"

Chief of Staff Matsuda couldn't help persuading him. Commander Nagumo, who was already stubborn to an unreasonable level, would definitely do things regardless of the overall situation once he lost his mind. And give up the battle plan to go west to the East India Sea.

"Chief of Staff Matsuda, I am the commander of the United Fleet!" Admiral Nagumo Tadashi said coldly with a few strands of blood on the corner of his mouth: "Execute the order, otherwise, I don't mind changing the Chief of Staff for the United Fleet!"

(to be continued) (to be continued...)