Age of Rebirth

Vice Admiral Bapezi was not happy to take on this job. His fleet was supposed to be the second batch to escort the troop transport fleet for Japan to reinforce the Australian battlefield. As a result, the fleet had just arrived at the port of San Jose in South America for supplies. Then I got the bad news that the first fleet escorting the Japanese was taken over by the Chinese fleet in the waters of the Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific.

Subsequently, Lieutenant General Bapezi received an order from the Navy Command to cancel the mission and was on standby in San Jose. This standby lasted for more than a month. Then, a few days ago, he received the mission to escort the army of his country.

Lieutenant General Bapezi has a shadow in his heart. The first fleet of the Italian Navy to enter the Pacific Ocean has more than [-] main warships. Its strength is not comparable to that of a small fleet with only twelve warships. If the entire army is wiped out, what if, on the way to Japan, your own fleet is attacked by the Chinese fleet?

Therefore, starting from Central America, Lieutenant General Bapezi was in fear for a few days, and he couldn't even sleep well. At least, the wind is howling all day long, and the voyage on the sea becomes more and more chilling and boring.

"Command the fleet, be vigilant, and keep fighting!" Lieutenant General Bapezi said to the chief of staff of the fleet, "I'm tired, go take a rest, and you will command instead of me!" After finishing speaking, he yawned and left.

None of the dozen or so escort warships in Italy found it. On the sea more than ten kilometers away from them, the periscope of a submarine was slowly withdrawn into the rough sea water.A few minutes later, a telegram was sent.

South of Midway Island.The main force of the Southern Fleet of the Independent Division, and four brigades fully loaded with marines.The formation of troop carriers with more than [-] troops is also galloping in the direction of the Hawaiian Islands, braving the wind and waves.

The current Southern Fleet has been divided into two. Rear Admiral Xin Xiguo, chief of staff of the fleet, commanded one-third of the fleet, including one aircraft carrier, to capture the Ryukyu Islands. Tang Qiuquan commanded the main force of the fleet, including three aircraft carriers, to go He still has a task to capture the Hawaiian Islands.It was in the eastern Pacific Ocean to intercept and kill the Italian army's troop carrier formation.

Colonel Xu Mangen, Director of the Operations Division of the Fleet Command, hurried into the command cabin and reported: "Reporting to the commander, I received a secret message from the No. 36 submarine. In the waters 4 kilometers north of Midway Island, I found an Italian troop carrier formation. , can carry about [-] to [-] people, and is escorted by twelve Italian warships. It is sailing towards Japan!"

"Oh! It's really here!" Tang Qiuli frowned, took the telegram, read it, and said to Xu Mangen: "Order. The first squadron, the second detachment of fast gunboats, and the first detachment of torpedo boats, immediately Break away from the current formation. Turn the direction of the separate formation, and I will personally command it. Intercept and kill the Italian troop carrier formation, the main force of the fleet, and the troop carrier fleet. Continue to the waters of the Hawaiian Islands!"

The First Squadron of the Southern Fleet, including an aircraft carrier, has a total of more than [-] main warships and dozens of small ships, which is enough to deal with the Italians. Divide up the troops, one of them has more than [-] warships in front, and dozens of small ships behind, shooting towards the northwest waters of Midway Island like sharp arrows.

Two days later in the morning, the violent winds and waves in the eastern Pacific Ocean finally subsided, ushering in a rare fine weather, the sky was cloudless, and the sun was shining on the sea. The impact was clear, and his mood became much brighter. He stepped out of the command cabin after staying for a few days, and needed to enjoy the sunshine of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. In about three days, he could set foot on Japan, the land of that ancient eastern country.

However, along with the good weather, there was also a squadron fleet. Lieutenant General Bapezi, who received the report from the communications officer, raised his binoculars with trembling hands, and stood on the sunny distant sea. , Dozens of warships, including an aircraft carrier, rapidly expanded in his field of vision, and the flag hanging on the high mast let him know what happened to his fleet?

Tang Qiuquan's eyes were cold, and after putting down the binoculars, he gave an order, "Attention all, the first squadron separated the Italian escort fleet from the troop carrier formation and formed a siege. The carrier-based aircraft took off immediately, and the second squadron of fast gunboats , the first detachment of torpedo boats, intercept the formation of the Italian troop carrier, order it to stop, and wait for the order to attack!"

The First Squadron of the Southern Fleet of the Independent Division has an aircraft carrier and more than [-] main battleships. After receiving the order, it quickly completed the tactical action of leaving. The muzzle of the black hole was raised and pointed directly at the Italian warship. At the same time, the formation of fast gunboats and torpedo boats had intercepted the Italian troop carrier formation, but Qiu Quan did not give an order to attack.

Qiu Quan was envious of the twelve warships of the Italian army. In the battle in the waters of the Solomon Islands, he tasted the sweetness and captured more than [-] warships of the Italian Navy almost intact, but it was much more cost-effective than buying. Now, he still wants to try, in the face of great strength, will the twelve Italian warships still surrender?

Qiu Quan said to the communication officer: "Send a signal and order the Italian fleet to surrender immediately and unconditionally, and they will enjoy the treatment of prisoners of war. Otherwise, waiting for their fate will be annihilation of the entire army! The time left for them is only 10 minutes, 10 minutes After that, our fleet will immediately start attacking!"

Lieutenant Admiral Bapezi trembled with fear. This was the fear from the heart under the absolute strength gap. His own fleet only had twelve warships, while the surrounding ships were more than 20. There is also an aircraft carrier, and the carrier-based aircraft is hovering above the flagship. In addition, there are dozens of small ships, and the force ratio is not proportional. He absolutely believes that as long as he goes to war, his fleet will be completely destroyed within an hour. The army was wiped out.

Lieutenant Admiral Bapezi was like an ant on a hot pot in the command cabin. Just a few minutes ago, he had reported the situation facing the fleet to the Navy Command and asked for instructions on how to deal with it. The telegrams that went out did not help the situation in front of him in the slightest. In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, which was tens of thousands of kilometers away from the mainland, the fleet could not receive any reinforcements.

The reply from the Navy Command was quick and clear, "According to the order of the Prime Minister, your fleet must fight resolutely. Only by hurting the Chinese will the current situation be changed. Show the heroism of the Italian Royal Navy soldiers, It is the backward Chinese who are fighting with you!"

Lieutenant Admiral Bapezi was so angry that he was cursing his mother. The gentlemen of the Naval Command who are far away in Rome, enjoying the bright sunshine in the Mediterranean, are simply talking in sleep, fight?What to fight with, the twelve warships in your own fleet, against one aircraft carrier of the Chinese, more than twenty warships and dozens of small ships, what are you kidding?

"Your Excellency, Commander, the Chinese have sent a signal ordering us to surrender immediately and unconditionally, and we will be treated as prisoners of war. Otherwise, an attack will be launched in three to ten minutes!" The chief of staff of the fleet walked into the command cabin with a pale face, and reported arrive.

Lieutenant General Bapezi stared straight, and asked the chief of staff, "Surrender is the only way we can go?"

"Your Excellency, the current situation is that we have no power to fight back against the huge Chinese fleet!" The chief of staff's attitude is very clear. Anyway, in the European army, facing an invincible enemy, surrendering to the enemy is also the same. It's not something to be ashamed of, it's a deep-rooted tradition, and it's been carried forward by the Italian Army.

The words of the chief of staff made Lieutenant General Bapezi make up his mind, "Chief of staff, immediately convey my order, all warships immediately hang up the white flag, surrender according to the order of the Chinese, and tell the captains not to make unnecessary resistance. I don't want to see the soldiers shed blood! I don't even want to see the tens of thousands of soldiers in the Army become corpses floating in the Pacific Ocean!"

Lieutenant General Bapezi was also worried that those young and energetic captains would not carry out their orders to surrender to the Chinese fleet, but his worries were obviously superfluous. The other dozen captains of the fleet saw the independent division After the formation of the Southern Fleet, their calves were already cramping, their heads were full of sweat, and they were half-dead in fear. Now, the commander of the fleet has ordered them to surrender, so what are you waiting for? Hurry up and hang the white flag, before it's too late!

"Commander, the Italian fleet hoisted the white flag and surrendered!" A combat staff officer reported excitedly.

A smile appeared on the corner of Tang Qiuquan's mouth, and said: "As expected, send troops to take over the Italian warship immediately, and also, bring their fleet commander to me!"

When the escorting warships hoisted the white flag, the Italian soldiers on the troop carrier did not have any commotion or uneasiness. Many soldiers even stepped onto the deck, leaned against the railings, and pointed at the warships of the Southern Fleet of the Independent Division with faces. There is also an excited look on his face, which seems to be more relaxed than casual.

If you walk among these Italian soldiers, you will hear ironic conversations, "God bless, I have finally been captured, and there is no need to fight!" "It's not bad to go to ancient China if you can't go to Japan!" My God, I'm finally going to meet the mysterious Chinese, I heard that all their men have a long braid behind their heads?" There are many such remarks.

Lieutenant Admiral Bapezi was brought before Tang Qiuquan. Qiuquan took a look at this Italian Navy Vice Admiral with shiny leather shoes, a straight military uniform, a calm demeanor and a gentleman's demeanor. She couldn't help shaking her head, not showing the slightest interest in him.

"Report on the situation of taking over the Italian warship!" Qiuquan picked up the phone and said,

"Report Commander, Italian officers and soldiers on all warships have been collectively detained, and the takeover has been completed!"

"Okay!" Qiu Quan smiled easily, and then issued another order, "Fast gunboat and torpedo boat formation, start attacking immediately!"

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