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Text Chapter 978 Sea of ??Fire (1)

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    March 22, Hangzhou Bay.

    Forty-three American cargo ships departing from San Francisco and having loaded their cargo left the dock one by one under the leadership of the pilot boat.  After fifteen months of fighting against the Soviet Union and Japan alone, help from the other side of the Pacific finally arrived reluctantly.  Large molding presses, vertical extruders, ultra-thin aviation aluminum plate rolling mills, strings of Dodge trucks, ultra-large generator sets, food and medicine, nickel-molybdenum-manganese ore After months of secret war, facing North Africa and Europe  Due to the unfavorable situation, Roosevelt had to temporarily withdraw his big hand and began to support China.

    The United States is not idle either, and Nimitz and Spruance are not ordinary people. After losing Wake Island, in addition to stationing in Australia, they also actively turned to the Aleutian Islands in the north.  According to monitoring by the Department of the Navy, at least seven U.S. warships and five cargo ships visited the Aleutians within a month.  Their intention is obvious, that is, they hope to get a piece of Japan's pie and lay a solid foundation for the future.

    This competition will obviously last for a long, long time

    But no matter what, Roosevelt gave in temporarily!  This is good news.  Although the level of support is only a drop in the bucket compared to Atlantic Ocean, it is still very important to China.  Because fifteen months after the nationwide mobilization, the domestic manufacturing industry, which has been operating at full capacity since the founding of the People's Republic of China, is actually approaching its peak.  According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, the total value of the country's workers and farmers last year actually reached 340 billion yuan (170 billion U.S. dollars), 1.5 times that of the United States. At the current rate, it will definitely exceed the 400 billion mark by 1943 at the latest.  The total number of workers has soared from 30 million before the war to 40 million, steel production has exceeded 40 million tons, domestic oil has also exceeded 40 million tons (excluding overseas), and the number of various factories has tripled.  On the surface, all data are more than double that of the United States, but minus the fact that the actual population is five times that of the United States, the road to industrialization has actually just begun.  And this round of expansion does not mean a rapid surge in production capacity.  In fact, many industries have reached their limits, and the war has seriously suppressed consumption, so it will take three or four years to fully improve again.

    Among them, automobile manufacturing and precision processing are the most deficient. As mentioned earlier, in order to satisfy the huge aviation and army armor advantages, Yang Qiu invested more than half of the country's automobile factories in aviation and army.  While meeting the monthly manufacturing capacity of 4,000 aircraft of various types and 3,000 tanks/armored vehicles, it also caused automobile production to plummet by 60% compared with pre-war levels!  Precision manufacturing itself is a weak link in the country, so there is not much room for rapid improvement, because precision manufacturing requires more advanced workers.

    After the war between China and Japan.  Australia and Southeast Asia, the main sources of raw materials such as nickel, molybdenum and manganese before the war, have been paralyzed.  More importantly, since the war started, although large areas have been occupied, the industrial capabilities of these areas are actually very weak and unable to supplement the domestic manufacturing industry.  So Kong gets a lot of strategic locations and a lot of raw materials, but in fact very few of them can directly help industry.  And there¡¯s food!  Domestic food is already in short supply. Although Vietnam and the Indian-controlled areas are both major grain-producing areas, all their food will be used for military needs.  With the number of personnel involved in military wars exceeding 10 million, a large number of young workers are not serving the military.  Even though they became workers in the expansion of factories, the pressure on fertilizers and food has not completely eased.

    So the first items of assistance Yang Qiu proposed to Hopkins were food, fertilizers, automobiles, various types of engines, various types of electrical instruments and precious metal raw materials.

    The American ship did not leave immediately after leaving the dock, but headed towards the center of the bay.  Fifty-three Chinese 10,000-ton ships approached with a deep draft.  Surrounding the fleet, there is also a newly delivered escort aircraft carrier, 2 light cruisers, 8 destroyers and 16 territorial sea-class anti-submarine frigates.  It should be said that the fact that the war has been fought to this point and achieved such a huge advantage is all due to Yang Qiu's advance preparations.  Just like the current batch of escort warships.  Most are the product of 1936 naval program appropriations.  If it hadn't been for the comprehensive reserve of supplies and armaments for the war that began in 1936, there would be no way to gain such a huge advantage all at once.

    "Captain, the flagship has sent a signal. We will depart in one hour." In the military port, hundreds of young sailors were saying goodbye to their families.  Laughter, reluctance, and sobs were intertwined.  In the corner outside the crowd, there was a black car parked. Next to the car, a young captain was saying goodbye to his mother.  There were several strong men with wary expressions standing around the two of them.  While everyone was saying goodbye, their eyes glanced here from time to time, secretly wondering which family this officer was.

    The second officer, wearing the Tianmushan destroyer emblem on his chest, ran over quickly and reminded the young officer from a distance through the bodyguards.  "Got it, let the engine room warm up the engine, I'll be here soon." After the tall and thin Yang Tiancheng answered the second officer, he held his military cap in his left hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Lu Bicheng's eyes with his right hand: "Mother, I have to leave  ¡±

    Yang Tiancheng is Yang Qiu¡¯s second son, serving in the Third Fleet.  In addition to receiving new destroyers, this return is also to escort the first fleet to the Indian Ocean.  As we all know, because the Strait of Malacca has not yet been opened to navigation,?The westbound channel is currently closed.  Although the Central Asian Railway reaches Mashhad in northern Iran, Iran has not yet been liberated. The Hormuz Railway is on the plateau and has not been repaired. Therefore, after the materials arrive there, they can only be transported by truck to Hera in Afghanistan.  and Kandahar, transshipped to Peshawar controlled by the Muslim League in India, and then transported to Karachi via the Indian Railway, and then to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.  This line is not a big problem in transporting personnel and light supplies, but heavy supplies are more difficult, which also limits the operations of the Persian Army and the Third Fleet.  Therefore, after opening up Mariana and Wake Island, the Navy considered resuming sea transportation.  The fleet will first go to Hawaii, then from here to Australia, bypassing Australia and heading to the Chagos Islands base that has been activated.

    Of course, this route is only a temporary measure. After all, it is too long. It takes two months to go back and forth.  Therefore, while the Navy is preparing to land on Ryukyu, it has also begun to deploy an operational plan to recapture the Strait of Malacca.

    Hearing that he was about to leave, Lu Bicheng was so nervous that his eyes were sore.  Although she doesn't understand military matters, she also knows that this journey will not be smooth, because Japanese submarines are still active in the Marianas, especially in the Marshall Islands. Yesterday, it was reported that a warship was sunk, not to mention that they have to pass through the South Pacific with severe storms.  Yang Tiancheng knew that his mother was worried about him, so he laughed deliberately and consoled her: "Don't worry, mother, this journey is all under our control. Even the supplies shipped to the UK are not escorted by us, so there is no threat."

    Most of the supplies transported this time were prepared for the attack on Andaman.  But among them are 100 Type 31 tanks, 200 repaired former Soviet T34/76 tanks and the first batch of 72 "Thunder" fighter jets.  It is to be delivered to the Free French Army and the British Army, so after the fleet arrives in Chagos, part of it will continue to Cape Town and be handed over to the British Navy for shipment to Europe and North Africa.

    In order not to worry her son, Lu Bicheng reluctantly smiled.  Then he turned to look at the empty road outside, held his hand and said softly: "Tiancheng, wait a little longer, your father agreed to send you off." When Yang Qiu was mentioned, a trace of disappointment flashed across Yang Tiancheng's face.  In the previous phone call, Yang Qiu, who was on inspection in Shanghai, agreed to come and see him off.  But the fleet is about to set off, and there is still no one there.  But he was used to it. In his eyes, Yang Qiu was a good president, but not a competent father.  Especially when he grew up, he almost never asked about himself or his siblings, not even when he applied for the Naval Academy.  So after serving in the army, he deliberately chose the farthest Third Fleet, just to avoid it and to prove himself.

    So he quickly regained his smile: "The military order is like a mountain. I have to go." As he said that, he put on his hat and pushed the brim of the hat forward to cover his reddish eyes.  He saluted with his legs together: "Mom, wait for my good news! Help me tell my father that sooner or later I will become the commander of the fleet."

    "You kid, why are you so angry with your father?" Lu Bicheng chuckled.  He pinched his collar again before letting go.

    Although he was angry with Yang Qiu, Yang Tiancheng still wanted to see Yang Qiu in his heart.  So I didn't look back until I boarded the destroyer.  His waiting was not in vain. Just as the flagship hoisted the signal flag, the waiting convoy finally appeared on the dock.  Looking at Yang Qiu quickly getting out of the car, running all the way to the edge of the pier, raising his hands to say goodbye, he saluted again.

    "President, do you want the fleet to" Gu Yuwen approached gently.

    "No need." Yang Qiu was very annoyed that he had lost track of time.  But he still shook his head. The Japanese navy's activities were still rampant, and he didn't want to delay the fleet's departure because of himself.

    With a whistle, fifty-three Chinese cargo ships and forty-three American cargo ships loaded with supplies purchased by the United States such as bristle, tung oil, raw silk, natural rubber, and tungsten sand quickly left the port under the protection of escort fleets and aircraft.  .  Their departure not only represented the beginning of the navy's recovery of Malacca, but also meant that the counterattack against Japan was about to be fully launched.

    Yang Qiu felt very guilty for not being able to see him off in time, and he didn¡¯t speak all the way to the airport.  Lu Bicheng knew her husband's thoughts, so she hugged him tightly with her arms crossed.  It wasn't until a shout broke the peaceful atmosphere.  "President" Song Ziqing, Bei Zuyi and others who were waiting at the airport walked up to the convoy as soon as they saw it.

    "I just received this. The German army has captured Belgrade." Song Ziqing did not expect that Lu Bicheng was also there. He smiled awkwardly and handed over the telegram: "The first batch of British troops have arrived in Greece, but Roosevelt refused to send the US military. Instead,  Let Hull visit Turkey. Judging from his intention, he wants to support the Balkan and Greek guerrillas with supplies. But neither we nor the United States and Britain can afford to lose Turkey, so we sent Hull to at least ensure neutrality."

    The fall of Yugoslavia had been expected by everyone, and Yang Qiu was not surprised. He looked at Yan Baohang and Director of the Military Intelligence Bureau Xiao Jinyun: "Where is Spain?" The two were a little embarrassed, because Yang Qiu had originally requested that the Spanish war be completed before March.  Things, but it¡¯s almost the end of March now.  Song Ziqing quickly explained it on his behalf.?: "Spain is too far away and there are many things we cannot control, which is understandable."

    ¡°In fact, Yang Qiu also knew the difficulty, he just couldn¡¯t figure it out.  Seeing British and American transport planes strutting through Spanish airspace every day, Hitler didn't know what was wrong, but he just watched and didn't take action.  "In my opinion, it's probably Vichy France." Bezuy analyzed: "After defeating France, Hitler focused on pro-people policies and deliberately prohibited the army from entering southern France. After Operation Trebuchet, he even wanted to take over the French frigate  , they only moved in briefly and then withdrew.¡±

    "Hurry up and act quickly." Yang Qiu did not blame anyone, but ordered the two of them to hurry up and board the plane.  After getting on the plane, Gu Yuwen quickly spread out the map.  Looking at the map, it can be clearly seen that with the unexpected loss of Malta, the German troops entering the Balkans have broken through the gap.  Under this circumstance, it is only a matter of time before Greece falls, so Crete must not be lost!  If Crete is lost, the German army can attack Turkey eastward. However, if the air force can be stationed in Crete, it can avoid being occupied by the German army. It can also support Turkey at critical times and protect the Dardanelles Strait and the Bosporus.  It can also threaten the security of the Straits and Ploiesti oil fields in Romania.

    Coupled with the fact that Baku is already covered within the radius of the bomber, this is tantamount to choking Sud's biggest lifeline!  Song Ziqing had also seen this early and said: "I have made a request to the British and Greek governments that we must be allowed to enter Crete. Judging from the feedback, the Greek government has agreed to agree, but Churchill insisted on it. Instead,  The reason for persuading the U.S. military to station should be because they are worried about us expanding our power to the Mediterranean."

    "This Churchill can't even shed tears until he sees the coffin!" Bei Zuyi muttered angrily after listening.

    Song Ziqing continued: "Chu Nan and the others are ready to attack Malacca as soon as they complete the Ryukyu landing. Troops and materials are already being deployed, and the first three divisions to reinforce India have set off. Ten infantry divisions provided by Vietnam  The training has also been completed and will be able to use the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway to reinforce India next week. Li Zongren called back and said that as soon as the additional troops arrive, he will immediately attack Chhattisgarh and Orissa, seize the seaports, and establish a frontier for landing in Andaman  Base. Ouyang Nan is also ready. As soon as Andaman starts, he will set off from Vietnam to land in Songkhla and Kota Bharu. Zhang Zizhong also stabilized Borneo and pinned the Japanese army in Sarawak. He also  Some troops will be sent to attack the Lingga Islands and Singapore."

    "According to our estimates, we should be able to recapture Malacca by the end of August at the latest, ensure the navigation of the fleet, and force Siam to surrender from three sides. As long as Siam surrenders, the Japanese troops in Burma, Malaya, the Philippines, and Indonesia will be alone.  In addition, judging from the time, even if the German army occupied Yugoslavia and Greece, if it wanted to continue attacking Turkey, it would have to wait until ** month, just in time to catch up with the opening of shipping."

    "Where is the Soviet Union? The Soviet army is just wandering north of Baghdad. Ziqing won't forget them, right?" Bei Zuyi asked.

    Song Ziqing chuckled: "Roosevelt tricked us, but it also made Stalin's choice more difficult. If the United States declares war, it is really difficult to predict whether the Soviet army will go south, but nowhe wants to make this determination, unless  Turkey joins the war!" If Turkey does not join the war, the Soviet army only needs to defend Iran and the Caucasus.  But if Tš¹rkiye enters the war, allied bombers will be able to cover Ukraine.  Therefore, it would be difficult for Stalin to make the decision to attack the Suez Canal without Roosevelt declaring war.  Because once it attacks Tš¹rkiye, it will completely break up with Britain and the United States.

    "Sun Chuanfang has stabilized the northwest and has also eaten up several Soviet divisions. In the short term"

    ¡°Then let¡¯s get started!¡± Yang Qiu interrupted him and looked back to Ryukyu

    (To be continued)
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