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Text Chapter 936 Guam, the battle flag is flying (3)

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    At two o'clock in the afternoon local time, five hundred nautical miles west of Guam, three aircraft carriers covered with lice, protected by two light cruisers and six destroyers, were receiving supplies from oil tankers.  Thick leather pipes extend from both sides of the tanker equipped with temporary supply locks to the two aircraft carriers. Filtered light heavy oil is injected into the oil tanks at a rate of hundreds of tons per hour.  "Sir, we received a telegram from Agrihan Island, saying that it was attacked by Japanese planes and that an army landed on the island." Inside the Anton aircraft carrier receiving supplies, the communications officer walked into the conference room and handed the two telegrams to the presiding officer at the same time.  Pan Duheng from the pre-war meeting: "This is a telegram from Guam. They said that the field airport can currently only guarantee the minimum required take-offs and landings, mainly due to the lack of air crew and facilities. Also, this is their attack plan, scheduled to start at four o'clock tomorrow morning  , I hope we can send aircraft to support."

    Pan Duheng was originally the captain of the Tibet aircraft carrier of the Third Fleet (Indian Ocean Fleet). Due to his outstanding performance in the Persian Gulf landing campaign, he was promoted to brigadier general and transferred back to serve as the captain of the Anton aircraft carrier. He was appointed to the 211 aircraft carrier battle group four days ago.  commander.  After reading it, he frowned slightly and handed the telegram to the officer for circulation.  Agrihan Island is not a big problem. There is only a temporary seaplane landing field, which is mainly used for return refueling of seaplanes before landing on Guam.  Now that Guam's Apra Port has been secured, the oil tankers have been evacuated, and there are only more than a thousand Marines stationed there, which is of little value anymore.  If you can contain it, contain it. If you can't contain it, it doesn't matter if you lose it.  But the Guam field airport was not repaired, which caused him some problems.

    As we all know, although the Anton is a fleet aircraft carrier that has not even completed its sea trials, it has insufficient training. For it to compete head-on with four Japanese aircraft carriers that have been trained for a long time, it is almost like dying.  Sun Bin and Bai Qi are escort aircraft carriers, although they are modified with large roll-off wheels.  The displacement is larger than that of the Beihai-class aircraft carrier, but the speed is only 22 knots.  To be sad.  Once attacked, even the evasive reaction must be three beats slow.  He felt he had little confidence in leading such a patchwork aircraft carrier battle group.  Therefore, he originally planned to use shore-based aircraft to cooperate with the aircraft carrier, so when he set off, he not only brought along the Fifth Air Group, but also the veteran pilots from the Anton's Twelfth Air Group.  As a result, the Anton, which was rated to carry 94 aircraft, was packed with 112 aircraft (38 Lightning combat aircraft, 42 Yasha dive aircraft, 30 Osprey torpedoes, and 2 liaison/torpedo aircraft), and the escort aircraft carrier, which was rated to carry 60 aircraft, was also equipped with 75 aircraft.  (24 Lightnings, 30 dives, 20 torpedoes, 1 liaison/torpedo plane).  Not only that, there are 16 spare parts Lightning fighter jets in the hangars of the three aircraft carriers, with a total of nearly four aviation groups.  (No one understood it at the time. In fact, the optimal number of aircraft carriers is about 90. Too many aircraft will lead to reduced efficiency).

    ¡°This is a lesson learned from the 23rd Fleet. There are too few fighter jets when facing multiple enemy aircraft. Secondly, it is also preparing to send some fighter jets to Guam to flank the Japanese aircraft carrier.  So before entering the war zone.  He hopes to send 30 planes to the island, but now this road is not feasible and he can only think of other ways.

    So he looked at the tanker through the port window and asked first, "Have you found any Japanese carrier-based aircraft?"

    The staff officer shook his head: "The Marines can't tell the difference between carrier-based aircraft and shore-based aircraft, but according to them, fighter jets are still based on 96-ship battles, with a few 99-ships exploding. But no 97-ships were found.  attack."

    Pan Duheng nodded: "How long will it take for supplies?"

    ¡°About four and a half hours.¡±

    "Tell me immediately when the supplies are ready, and notify the Baiqi to prepare to bomb Guam. In an hour, 12 fighter jets will take off. It's still the same. Activities within a hundred kilometers with the fleet as the center." After the telegram was circulated, Pan Duheng closed it.  He returned it to the staff officer, his eyes resting on the face of Flight Officer Tan Zhen: "It seems that the plan is about to change. What do you think?"

    Tan Zhen turned out to be the captain of the Tibet Aviation Group.  He is also a new generation aviation officer who was promoted after the landing in the Persian Gulf. He is currently the aviation flight officer of the 211th aircraft carrier battle group.  If Pan Duheng is the brain of the aircraft carrier battle group.  Then he is the aviation combat commander of the battle group, controlling the aircraft dispatch and attack arrangements of the entire battle group.  "Without the Ninety-Seven Ship Attack, it should not be a carrier-based group, so the first goal is to find the Japanese aircraft carrier." Seeing the eyes, Tan Zhen immediately walked to the chart: "From the distance, Truk is closer than us, so  I personally think that the Longxiang and Xiangfeng should already be somewhere east of Guam." The 211 aircraft carrier battle group set out from Zhanjiang, more than 4,000 kilometers away from Guam. In addition, the maximum speed of the two escort aircraft carriers is only 22 knots, and there are many obstacles along the way.  To avoid Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and submarines in the Philippines, it is normal to be slower than the two Japanese aircraft carriers that set off later from Truk Base.  "

    "The Akagi and the Kaga set off two days later than us. According to the intelligence that the Japanese Fifth Fleet in Saipan was gathering just now, they should have arrived. Adding all these together, I think the Japanese Navy has set a trap. Once  If our planes support Guam, the Japanese planes may find our position by tracking the fighters!" Tan Zhen moved very quickly, and within a moment three scarlet lines appeared on the chart.  From Saipan, east of Guam and Saipan respectivelyIt extends from the northeast of the island.  Looking at the three attack arrows, Pan Duheng frowned.  In his eyes, Guam is now like a hornet's nest. As long as he rushes in, he will be attacked by Saipan and four aircraft carriers.

    "Originally, our plan was to have the aircraft use the island's airport for nearby support, but now it seems that it is definitely not possible. So my suggestion is to let the Baiqi continue eastward, keep 70 nautical miles with us, and then perform synchronized maneuvers. At the same time, let the 213 heavy patrol  The water reconnaissance aircraft and submarines of the battle group are searching in the northeast and two directions to find the Japanese aircraft carrier as soon as possible." Tan Zhen's pen kept going back and forth on the chart, quickly drawing a schematic diagram of the fighter aircraft's attack: "Generally speaking, the situation is still good for us.  It¡¯s advantageous, because Guam is a place that Japan must save. It doesn¡¯t matter if we haven¡¯t landed ashore. Now that we have landed, the total strength is still higher than that of the Japanese troops stationed on the island, so they must fight! This provides us with a good opportunity to annihilate!  The Japanese Fifth Fleet of this class only has four light cruisers, Nagara, Yura, Tianlong and Ryuda, as well as 13 destroyers and five special cruisers. It is not as powerful as our heavy cruiser formation, so it frequently bombs seaports and harbors.  The field airport they built. Now they are going to Agrihan Island to land. They should want to let the 213th Heavy Patrol Formation split up and at the same time seduce us to take action first. But an insignificant Agrihan Island alone is definitely not enough, so I predict  The Japanese army will carry out the second reinforcement to Guam in the near future. In this case, I suggest that it is better to use the trick. Let the Baiqi go 60 nautical miles east, and then perform synchronized maneuvers. We have done detailed research and the visual distance of high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft is the best  It¡¯s only about 35 nautical miles, so even if the Japanese planes find the Baiqi supporting Guam and attack, they can¡¯t see us and can quickly launch a counterattack.¡±

    "In addition, I do not recommend that the Baiqi support due west of Guam. Because we are currently occupying the North Island, our inertial thinking will definitely think that the support comes from due south and southwest, so it is easy to be discovered by reconnaissance aircraft. It is best to  Maneuver to the north of Agrihan Island. Launch support from the northwest of Guam. This position can not only threaten Agrihan Island and Pagan Island, but also avoid the main search area of ????Japanese reconnaissance aircraft."

    "Agrihan Island is not important, but there is a Japanese military airport on Pagan Island next to it." A staff officer reminded.

    "That's the problem. As long as you are careful, the Baiqi can completely deal with the enemy aircraft on Saipan. So it is best to have a fleet in front of us to set up a posture to relieve Agrihan Island or attack Pagan Island.  In this way, it is definitely not enough to rely on the Japanese Fifth Fleet and Saipan enemy aircraft. We must call for aircraft carriers and main support. As long as the Japanese carrier-based aircraft appear, I will be sure to find out the exact location of the aircraft carrier."

    "It is very difficult to find several aircraft carriers on the vast sea. If he doesn't even have a general direction, Tan Zhen can't do anything.  Therefore, he hoped to use the Baiqi and other fleets to induce the Japanese aircraft carrier to take the initiative to attack, so as to determine its approximate location.  However, there are currently only three heavy cruisers and one light cruiser of the 213th Heavy Cruiser Battle Group near Guam. They must first ensure the safety of Guam.  If a few small warships are sent, I am afraid the Japanese army will not be fooled.

    At this time, the communications staff returned and handed another telegram: "Sir, this is a telegram from Commander Bing. He asked us to move north as soon as possible. Cover the battleships' bombardment of Agrihan Island and Pagan Island."

    Pan Duheng was slightly surprised, picked up the telegram and read it before laughing: "Look, the commander and we are thinking of getting together."

    "This is great! With two battleships and two heavy cruisers, Japan has to spend some money." Several officers exclaimed.  The 211th Combat Group came forward.  The main force of the Japanese navy will definitely not be able to sit still.  So Pan Duheng immediately said: "Do you think this will work? The Baiqi will follow Lieutenant Colonel Tan's suggestion. It will maneuver eastward and be responsible for supporting Guam. At the same time, after the Anton and Sun Bin distanced themselves from it, the Sun Bin will be responsible for the air defense of the 211 battle group.  .¡±

    "Okay, but" Tan Zhen was a little worried: "We are now a pair of chopsticks and two pots of food. No one knows whether the four Japanese aircraft carriers are together. It would be best if they are together. If they are not, An  The Dong and Sun Bin can only launch two waves of attacks on one target. So I make three suggestions. The first is to leave the torpedo planes of the Baiqi and Sun Bin and not participate in the operation to support Guam. The two ships must also  Each left eight fighter jets to ensure that there are enough backup fighter jets. In this way, once an enemy ship is discovered, we can immediately organize two waves of attacks. Second, since Guam said that the field airport can take off and land, we might as well contact Taiwan and ask them to  A batch of aviation armor-piercing bombs and air crew equipment will be shipped in the evening. This will not only allow dive bombers to load bombs directly on the island, shortening the time of the third wave of attacks, but also enable them to launch an attack on another target once the Japanese aircraft carrier is no longer together."¡ª¡ª

    In the Saipan anchorage, two thousand soldiers of the Japanese 55th Division carried heavy luggage and loaded army guns and ammunition onto destroyers and ad hoc cruisers.  Since the transport ship suffered heavy losses when it was targeted by submarines due to its speed during the first reinforcement, the Japanese Navy decided to use fast warships as transport ships.

      Kondo Nobutake led the officers to inspect the preparations, his face solemn.

    Saipan is not Guam. During the European War, Japan took over the Northern Mariana, Micronesia, Rabaul New Guinea and the Marshall Islands outside Guam in the name of dealing with the German Navy's Far East Fleet.  At that time, the main target of the Japanese Navy was the United States, and it formulated the so-called nine-stage battle plan.  Therefore, a large number of troops have been accumulated on Saipan, which is the main defense island chain, and defense fortifications such as shore-based torpedoes and heavy shore defense artillery have been built. Today, the total defense strength here has exceeded 20,000, and it is also the home port of the Fifth Fleet.  Precisely because it believed that Saipan had a strong enough force, the Japanese Navy had not been enthusiastic about strengthening Guam. As a result, the harbor changed hands after the sneak attack, and it also pushed Kondo Nobutake to the edge of the cliff.

    There are now three heavy cruiser teams and a complete marine division in Guam, so he must immediately send the second batch of reinforcements to the island as soon as possible.

    "Report, urgent call from base camp."

    "Read it."

    "Three hours ago, at least forty Chinese transport ships passed through the Bashi Strait. Ten destroyers were found in the fleet and are expected to arrive in five days."

    Forty ships?  !  As soon as the second lieutenant finished speaking, the faces of the officers around him became more solemn.  Kondo Nobutake was also startled and asked quickly: "Nishimura-kun, haven't you found any traces of China's battleships and aircraft carriers yet?"

    The officer named was Nishimura Shoji, Kondo Nobutake's favorite general. Hearing the words, he immediately took two steps forward: "I have asked the reconnaissance plane to expand the search range, and they will definitely be found! General, please rest assured, His Excellency Katagiri Eikichi's Ryujo  He Xiangfeng is already 200 nautical miles east of Guam, and General Ozawa has also arrived northeast of Pagan Island. He has also sent the heavy cruisers Suzuya and Kumano to support us. We can meet up at Rota Island in three hours. As long as  We lure the main force of China out, and they can launch an attack immediately!"

    When Kondo Nobutake heard the deployment, his expression still did not relax: "What about China's three heavy cruisers?"

    "Reconnaissance aircraft have discovered that two of them are sailing rapidly northwest, and have also monitored their radio communications with Agrihan Island."

    "Really?" Kondo Nobutake stared at the beloved general, but he didn't believe his words in his heart.  If the Chinese heavy cruisers were so easy to relocate, they wouldn't be attacked by others.  But he didn't say it because he didn't want to hurt morale.  The most important thing now is to protect Guam and ensure the safety of the North-South Sea Route.  So he raised his head and regained his usual confident expression: "Notify all ships that dinner will be advanced one hour in advance. All rations will be in accordance with Class A. The observers will all rest after eating and start work at ten o'clock. Let the chefs make more midnight snacks and send them to the warships  Come on, it's also Class A, we will be very busy tonight" After saying that, he took the lead in boarding the Nagara light cruiser completed in 1922.
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