Age of Rebirth

The reconnaissance planes sent to the waters of the Solomon Islands broke their wings one after another and never returned, which made the commander of the No. 40 Nine Land-based Air Force of the Japanese Navy on Honiara Island very angry.

The deception is too much, Tada Dazuo really wants to join the No.40 Nine Air Force, and fight with the land-based fighter group in China. He has done this before, personally commanding a brigade of fighter jets in Honia In the airspace more than 50 kilometers east of La, they fought against a squadron of the China Independent Division's land-based aviation force.

But the result of a small-scale air battle made Tada Dazuo frustrated and frightened. It was only six land-based fighter jets of the China Aviation Force. After shooting down seven of his own fighter jets, Shi Shiran retreated completely, proud and rampant, but Colonel Tada didn't dare to order the pursuit. He couldn't judge whether this was a trap set by the cunning commander of the China fleet?

However, Osago Tada confirmed one thing. It is indeed the land-based fleet of the China Aviation Force that is rampant in the waters of the Solomon Islands, rather than what I suspected before. In the waters of the Solomon Islands, the carrier-based aircraft of the China Independent Division Fleet is hidden.

But the trouble is obviously not over yet. Since then, a small group of Chinese land-based fighter jets from the direction of Irian Island have been provoking in the airspace around Honiara Island every day. General Tada can only hang up the waiver card and close the door. Fortunately, the land-based fighter jets of the China Independent Division Aviation did not dare to go further, and could only harass the periphery of Honiara Island.

However, the ensuing consequence was that the No. 40 Ninth Air Force could no longer send reconnaissance planes, and had no knowledge of the situation in the sea area [-] kilometers west of Honiara.Therefore, on the sea more than [-] kilometers away from him.The independent division fleet was hidden in a deserted coral island and reef, and Colonel Tada didn't notice it.

But not today.Colonel Tada must ensure that there is no fleet of the China Independent Division in the waters from the Solomon Islands to the east coast of Australia, because the commander of the newly formed combined fleet, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro, the former chief of the Imperial Navy Command, issued a strict order, The No.40 Nine Air Force of Honiara must provide the latest situation in the waters of the Solomon Islands, and a huge troop carrier formation and escort fleet sent by the Imperial Headquarters.It will pass through the sea tomorrow, heading for the east coast of Australia.

Colonel Tada couldn't think of sending troops. He couldn't take the responsibility. This time, he was going to go into battle in person, commanding two fighter jet battalions and one reconnaissance plane battalion to get a clear picture of the situation in the waters of the Solomon Islands.

Sulawesi Island, the headquarters of the Southern Air Group.Le Yiqin flipped through the report of the Irian Island ground radar station monitoring the situation of the No.30 Ninth Air Force of the Honiara Japanese Army in recent days.

Le Yiqin pondered for a moment, and said to Chief of Staff He Zhijun: "Zhijun. Since the Fleet Land-Based Combat Brigade was temporarily assigned to our command, the No. 40 Nine Air Force, the little devil in Honiara, has not been too big. The fleet has been in the waters of the Solomon Islands. It has been in ambush for more than a week, I guess. The big fish should also show up!"

"You can't let the little devils in Honiara ruin the fleet's major affairs, and convey my order. The brigade's fighter force, with the regiment as the unit, ensures that within three days, the No.40 Nine Air Force of the Japanese Army in Honiara A team of planes, not within [-] kilometers of the island!"

He Zhijun ordered the Operation Department, and after giving the commander's order, he said with emotion: "Commander, the fleet has been in ambush for more than a week in the waters of the Solomon Islands, and the danger of exposing the target has greatly increased. The No.40 Ninth Air Force of the Japanese Army is the greatest threat!"

"I know what you want to say!" Le Yiqin said with a smile: "It is still useful to keep the little devil in Honiara temporarily, let him report the safety of the little devil's fleet and take down Honiara, no What a big deal, tell the brigade and commanders of the land-based mixed combat brigade of the fleet that they have a chance to fight!"

Le Yiqin's order came at the right time. Tada Dazuo commanded two fighter jet brigades and one reconnaissance plane brigade. Before taking off, the airport sirens rang out, and the Japanese army could only fight.

After an air battle, dozens of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes were lost. Depressed, Colonel Tada issued an order to cancel the previous plan. He found that the number of land-based fighter jets of the China Independent Division that came to attack today was several times higher than before. , There is a tendency to launch an attack on Honiara. In this case, it is obviously not important to go out for reconnaissance. Keeping the airport is the real thing.

In the waters of the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant General Amosiyev, the commander of the fleet, said to Tang Qiuquan worriedly: "Commander, the fleet has been in ambush for more than a week, and the Japanese troop carrier formation and escort fleet have not yet shown up. Worried about exposing the target, in the past few days, the No.40 Ninth Air Force of the Japanese Army in Honiara has frequently sent reconnaissance planes, have the Japanese noticed anything?"

Tang Qiuli was also very anxious in his heart. With such a large fleet, one more day of ambush would increase the risk of exposure, but he could still hold his breath. Seeing that the deputy was a little impatient, he said, "Deputy Commander, Le Yiqin will definitely be able to properly solve the problems you are worried about, he has this ability, not to mention, there is a land-based aviation mixed combat brigade in hand, that is a big killer!"

"In order not to expose the target, the fleet has kept the radio silent, and has no knowledge of Le Yiqin's situation, but don't worry, once the fleet exposes the target, it will definitely receive an alert as soon as possible. So far, there has been no alert. This shows that the fleet's ambush plan has not been exposed!"

Amosiyev nodded and agreed with Tang Qiuquan's analysis very much. Tang Qiuquan said to Xin Xiguo, chief of staff of the fleet: "Xiguo, order all squadrons to be patient enough and continue to hide. I have a feeling that the big fish will soon disappear." It's about to show up!"

Tang Qiuquan's premonition was very effective. At dawn the next day, when the sun once again shone in the waters of the Solomon Islands, he received a report from Li Yaoxian, the commander of the Land-based Aviation Mixed Operations Brigade: "The headquarters, the reconnaissance aircraft brigade of our brigade is in Yaren In the waters south of the island, a formation of large Japanese troop carriers and the escorting main Japanese fleet were discovered, and it is estimated that they will arrive in the waters of the Solomon Islands around noon today!"

"Okay!" Tang Qiuquan, who has always been calm, slammed the table fiercely, his excitement was beyond words, he really came out after a thousand calls, and the target finally appeared, "Order, the fleet immediately anchored and rushed to Honiara In the western sea area, at the same time, send a telegram to Commander Le Yiqin to report the fleet's actions, and the nail of Honiara can be pulled out!"

The newly appointed and newly formed commander of the combined fleet of the Japanese Navy, Lieutenant Admiral Okubo Jiro, is a senior officer with no actual experience in commanding operations. His job has a great say in the Japanese Navy, second only to the Big Three. This time, he was appointed as the commander of the newly formed United Fleet. His position can be regarded as promoted by more than half, and he is among the Big Three in the Navy.

Therefore, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro is very complacent. He has never fought on the battlefield, nor has he suffered from Tang Qiuli's losses, so he does not think that this time he was ordered to go to the Australian battlefield to supply supplies to the Australian front. What is the difficulty and danger of the retreating army soldiers? As for the fact that the main force of the United Fleet was smashed in the Banda Sea, he attributed it to the unusable Nagumo Chuichi, who made a command error.

"Hmph! If it were me, I would never make such a low-level mistake!" Lieutenant General Okubo thought conceitedly, "The sea area of ​​the Solomon Islands is close to Honiara, and Aaron is closer. There is a naval land-based air force stationed there, which can make up for the lack of fighter jets in the combined fleet if necessary!"

"Moreover, before that, I had already issued an order to Colonel Tada, the commander of the No.40 Ninth Air Force in Honiara, to closely monitor the situation in the waters of the Solomon Islands. So far, Tada has not issued an alarm, which means that Now, there is no fleet of the China Independent Division in the waters of the Solomon Islands!"

The newly formed combined fleet, the new commander, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro, really wants to do a good job in order to consolidate his position in the imperial navy. For example, this operation, this emotion has also brought him command style.

Commander Okubo rejected without hesitation the joint proposal of Lieutenant Admiral Hoshida Gokoro, Commander of the Fifth Fleet of the Combined Fleet, and Lieutenant Admiral Shimizu Mitsumi, Commander of the Sixth Fleet, and dispatched a small number of warships and a formation full of military supplies, ahead of the main force. The fleet headed to Australia for one day.

The purpose is to scout the sea navigation route, whether it is safe, and whether there is a fleet of the China Independent Division ambushing in the nearby waters. This small formation is similar to the role of the vanguard.

Admiral Xixuan and Admiral Qingshui’s suggestions are absolutely correct. Even though the combined fleet of the Imperial Navy is still called the old name, its strength is no longer comparable to that of the previous combined fleet. In terms of overall strength, it is relatively independent. The division fleet is still far behind, especially the new commander of the United Fleet. Although he may not be a lieutenant general, he is definitely a rookie-level figure who has never fought before.

After the two people jointly submitted the proposal, the idea was very simple. This is the best and safest way at present. Commander Okubo did not refuse to accept the reason, but he never expected that he was rejected outright and explained to the two people There is no chance.

In the reply to the two people, the adjutant of the arrogant Commander Okubo told himself unabashedly, "Your Excellency, Commander, is very dissatisfied with your suggestion, and thinks it is a waste of time. Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy, a performance full of determination and confidence to win!"

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