Age of Rebirth

Nagumo Tadaichi's words are too utter and relentless. Lieutenant General Matsuda is also an old man of the United Fleet when he said this. The second person, even when Yamamoto 56 was in power, he respected him a lot. , This also shows the fundamental difference between Nagumo Chuichi and Yamamoto 56.

Chief of Staff Matsuda's complexion suddenly turned pale, and his heart was full of resentment. Nagumo Tadaichi's actions were completely paranoid regardless of the overall situation. It is enough to deal with the fleet of the independent division, so why should the combined fleet come out in full force? Is this a typical case of disregarding the overall situation and fighting the small with the big?

Moreover, as far as the situation in the entire Australian battlefield is concerned, the Imperial Australian Army is already at a disadvantage. Even if the independent division fleet is successfully wiped out, how much help will it be to the Australian battle situation, and it will not change the current passive situation of the Australian Army. It may be too late to implement the westward and eastern Indian Ocean combat plan. Also, the main force of the combined fleet is heading to the waters of the Solomon Islands. Who will carry out the air defense missions in the Timor Sea and the Arafura Sea?

"If Admiral Yamamoto was still around, he would never have made such an absurd decision!" Chief of Staff Matsuda thought painfully that although Commander Yamamoto was also arbitrary, all the decisions he made would convince the officers of the United Fleet. It was based on listening to opinions from all sides and taking everything into account. How could it be like Commander Nagumo Chuichi who insisted on going his own way?

Chief of Staff Matsuda's resentment was not unreasonable. The United Fleet did not need to use all its main force, but gave up the air defense mission in the airspace of the Timor Sea and the Arafura Sea.And westward to the East Indian Ocean, to cut off the Australian battlefield troops of the Independent Division.The mission of the maritime logistics supply line.

It can be seen from this that the strategic vision of General Nagumo Chuka.Compared with Yamamoto 56, there is a big difference. The reason why Yamamoto [-] was able to become a famous general of the Japanese navy, crossing the Pacific Ocean, and almost wiped out the U.S. Navy is not without reason.

Despite the pain in his heart, his heart was hurt by the stone-like words of General Nagumo Tadashi, Chief of Staff Matsuda decided to dissuade him.He said very sincerely: "Your Excellency, Commander, as the chief of staff of the United Fleet, I would like to say to you again that all the main fleets of the United Fleet will go to the waters of the Solomon Islands to find and destroy the fleet of the China Independent Division. Not a wise move!"

"Moreover, after the main force of the United Fleet is launched. Who will complete the air defense missions in the airspace of the Timor Sea and Arafura Sea? If Admiral Ito asks about this, how should we respond? Annihilate the China Independent Division Fleet. It is a big matter to avenge the Fourth Fleet , but it is not the most urgent, the implementation of the westward and eastern Indian Ocean combat plan is the most important thing, I hope your Excellency, Commander, think twice!"

Nagumo Chuda was almost furious.Chief of Staff Matsuda has his own ideas, why doesn't he have his own?As soon as he took over the joint fleet, a big event happened to the fourth fleet. How to explain to the Ministry of the Navy and the Navy Command, or how to explain to His Excellency Nagano Xiushan?

If it is just a matter of the navy, there is still room for perfection and change. However, the two main divisions of the Imperial Army and more than [-] soldiers were buried in the waters of the Solomon Islands at the same time, and the fourth fleet was escorting them. The commander of the United Fleet can't get rid of the responsibility. If the army is involved, this matter will break the sky. If he doesn't give the army faction a satisfactory explanation, no one can protect himself!

From Admiral Nan Yunchu's point of view, only by completely annihilating the culprit, the China Independent Division Fleet, can he give a satisfactory explanation to the top and bottom. The deep meaning, this kind of deep meaning, including the chattering Matsuda, is not very clear.

Narumi Inoue's Fourth Fleet is one of the main fleets of the United Fleet. All of them were broken, which led to the destruction of more than [-] soldiers from the two divisions of the Army. There is a causal relationship. , Then, the big bosses of the army will definitely not let go of themselves, and they will ask questions, why not send one or two more fleets to jointly undertake the task of escorting the army?

The spearhead will soon gather on himself. It is because of his improper deployment of troops or his underestimation of the enemy that caused this result. Although the deployment of the army escort was decided by the former General Yamamoto, but now the commander of the joint fleet is himself, the army's Brothers, you will not go to Yamamoto 56 who is recuperating, but will hold on to yourself!

Therefore, I decided to use the main force of the United Fleet to find and annihilate the China Independent Division Fleet, just to explain a problem. Compared with the United Fleet, the strength of the China Independent Division Fleet is not much different. I can understand that it's not that the battle is ineffective, but that the enemy's strength is very strong. As for the more than [-] soldiers of the Imperial Army who were smashed into pieces, there is also a reasonable reason for the army's bosses.

Therefore, what Matsuda said about the westward battle plan in the eastern Indian Ocean is the top priority, it is pure fart, and I, Nagumo Tadaichi, have passed this level first. As for the air defense missions in the airspace of the Timor Sea and the Arafura Sea Just leave it to the Army Aviation Command of the Australian Front Army. That bastard Ito has recently received a lot of additional combat aircraft from the base camp, won't it be stretched?

With these words, General Nan Yunzhong couldn't communicate with Chief of Staff Matsuda at all, so he was so angry that he blocked him horizontally and vertically, with a fierce look in his eyes, and said in a cold tone: "Matsuda Jin Yan, I have one last chance with you, take back all the words you just said, and immediately execute my order, otherwise, you can resign!"

"At the same time, inform the commander of the Australian Front, Yanzaburo Ito, that because the combined fleet has received the latest combat mission from the Navy Command, from now on, the air defense missions in the Timor Sea and the Arafura Sea airspace cannot continue!" He was annoyed, Simply call Matsuda by his name, and his attitude is also very clear, if you don't follow my order, you will get out immediately!

Seeing that the matter was irreparable, Chief of Staff Matsuda couldn't say anything about Commander Nagumo Tadaichi, who was so stubborn to the point of heinousness, and he couldn't let go of him. That would be sorry for General Yamamoto, who died for the country. He sighed in his heart and said, "Please!" Your Excellency, Commander, forgive me, the department has made a false statement, take back what you just said, and execute your order immediately!"

"Hmm! Very good!" Admiral Nagumo Chugao showed a triumphant smile on his face, and said, "Chief of Staff Matsuda, perform your duties immediately!"

At this time, a communications staff officer hurried in and saw that the atmosphere in the command cabin was a bit strange, so he didn't know who to hand the telegram to. The previous practice was to hand it over to Chief of Staff Matsuda first, but now it seems that ,I'm afraid not.

"What's the matter?" General Nagumo asked without waiting for Chief of Staff Matsuda to speak.

"Oh, Commander, I received information from the 'Lv-60' submarine!" The communication staff quickly said: "The submarine is tracking the fleet of the China Independent Division, reporting that the enemy has left the waters of the Solomon Islands and is turning northwest. Its speed is normal!"

"Oh?" Admiral Nanyun took the telegram, read it quickly, then walked to the large chart in a few steps, and began to examine it. After a while, he turned around suddenly, and said with piercing eyes: "Chief of Staff Matsuda, cancel the order just now. The latest order is as follows. The First Fleet and Third Fleet that have already dispatched to the waters of the Solomon Islands will continue to perform the original mission!"

"The main force of the United Fleet is going north into the Banda Sea, passing through the west of Irian Island, out of the Maluku Strait, and intercepting the China Independent Division Fleet in the waters between the Songsorol Islands and the Palau Islands. I want to run, hum! Not so easy!"

Admiral Nan Yunzhong judged that after the independent division fleet took advantage of the waters of the Solomon Islands, it turned to the northwest, and it must be returning to the port of Luzon Island or Mindanao, the old nest in the South China Sea, to rest and track its whereabouts. The submarine No. 60 has confirmed this point, otherwise, it would be surrounded by the United Fleet. The Chinese people are not stupid, and they will not stay in the waters of the Solomon Islands.

Therefore, before it reaches the resting port, it is the best way to intercept and kill it halfway, encircle it at sea, and wipe it out in one fell swoop. From the perspective of voyage, taking the route from the Banda Sea to the Maluku Strait can completely seize the independence of China In front of the division fleet, an ambush was set up in the waters between the Sonsorol Islands and the Palau Islands.

General Nagumo Tadashi was very excited about his conception of the campaign. As long as the Fleet of the China Independent Division was completely wiped out in World War I, it could be said that all diseases would be cured, and all mouths would be blocked. Not too late, no worries yet!

Seeing Admiral Nagumo Tadashi dispersing the Combined Fleet, and the main fleet had to go to the inland sea between the islands in the Southwest Pacific—the Banda Sea, he couldn’t help but think of Admiral Yamamoto’s words before his death, “Matsuda-kun, you must remember that the Combined Fleet is not allowed to enter the Southwest Pacific To fight in the inland sea between islands is to use one's own weaknesses against the enemy's strengths!"

He was about to tell Commander Nagumo Chuichi what General Yamamoto said, but when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back violently. He had already offended Commander Nagumo's prestige many times, and he was paranoid and determined to say these words again. , The commander who is still arbitrary, not only won't listen to it, he will definitely feel disgusted. As the chief of staff of the United Fleet, he really has come to an end!

Lieutenant Admiral Matsuda was not greedy for the position of chief of staff, but could not bear to destroy the United Fleet in the hands of Chuichi Nagumo. At the most critical moment, even if he risked his life, he would prevent him from making low-level mistakes, but Now is not the time!

That night, the main force of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy left the northern port of Australia and headed toward the Banda Sea. With different thoughts, the battle is imminent, and the generals have different opinions. Does it herald the future fate of the United Fleet?

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