"This is a gamble, a gamble that can determine the fate of the two countries and the ownership of the Western Pacific." Shigeru Taro Yoshimatsu said while looking at the forest-like mast in the distance. Today, the Japanese fleet is unprecedentedly strong, but in the eyes of Shigeru Yoshimatsu, Japan has never been so dangerous as it is today! Whether it was the Philippine naval battle or the subsequent Japanese-Russian naval battle, Japan has never worried about subjugation! Because, at that time, the most powerful country in the world-Britain was Japan's biggest backing, but today! Everything is different, Japan must rely on its own strength to survive in the cracks! Gone are the days of having thighs to hold.

"Now, I really realize the shrewdness and toughness of Ito Hirobumi's predecessors. At that time, Japan was weak, but there was no risk of subjugation. Now, Japan is unprecedentedly strong, but it is like a ship in the wind and waves." Said Hayao Shimamura, chief of staff nearby.

"Mr. Commander, now is not the time to express feelings. The fleet is about to set off. We need to finalize the discipline of the fleet." Shimamura said.

"This is my problem." After adjusting his emotions, Yoshimatsu Shigeru Taro issued the first order of this battle!

"Command, all fleet communications equipment immediately enter the silent state! All ciphers and communications equipment enable a brand-new initial frequency band, and all warships use the internal fleet communication method, and no long-distance communication signals can be sent!"

"Order, our telegraph relay station in Rabaul will conduct another inspection. I want the Rabaul relay station to be responsible for the transmission of all reconnaissance information before the start of the battle. In addition, I will send a report to the submarine force at the relay station to have them step up to the US fleet. Reconnaissance of trends!" Shigetaro Yoshimatsu issued a series of orders, and half an hour later, accompanied by heavy rain and turbulent waves outside the window, the Japanese fleet left the anchorage and embarked on a journey. The Japanese chose exactly the same route as Su Xiong thought. They did not enter the battlefield from the eastern seas of New Ireland, which is the level of Americans, but chose to make a circle and enter the battlefield from the west of New Ireland!

"The storm is coming." At this time, the Virtue fleet is also on full alert. All non-essential ships have been evacuated from the war zone, and the remaining fleet is moored in several safe havens close to the core area. The huge U.S. Navy still shrinks its defense system, from an open palm to a clenched fist.

"What is the position of the Japanese fleet now?" Benson asked routinely during breakfast.

"It is not clear. The entire waters around New Ireland Island are covered by heavy rain. Our aircraft cannot detect at all, and submarine reconnaissance is also very difficult. The Japanese fleet has recently changed positions frequently, and under such poor visibility, our submarines It is very difficult to find the Japanese fleet. They have previously shown signs of moving toward the sea." said the staff officer on the side.

"How are we deploying the cordon in the east?" Benson frowned, but looking at the rainy sea outside, there was no longer a problem of losing the target.

"There won’t be any problems. We have blocked the narrow strait between New Ireland and New Britain. In the east, we have deployed several cordon lines. Submarines and destroyers work together. The large Japanese fleet wants to move from the east. Concealed penetration is almost impossible," the staff officer said.

"What about the West?" Benson asked.

"It's also impossible, your commander," the staff officer said confidently.

"So, our plan is foolproof?" Benson asked. "As everyone knows, the seemingly problem-free plan is the one that is most likely to have problems. The storm will not last for a week. Therefore, I require the main fleet to maintain a second-level alert state, and the reconnaissance and patrol team maintain a first-level alert state. "

"What is General Su Xiong up to?" Benson asked.

"General Su Xiong and General Fletcher's armored cruiser detachment are together. They are in the core area and rely on the high speed advantage to take care of all the anchorages in the area. The two fleets work together to stay together," the staff officer said.

"What's the attitude of General Fletcher?" Benson asked.

"He and General Su Xiong are very happy to get along," the staff officer said.

"Very well, then I can rest assured." Benson nodded. He is fairly satisfied with the current situation. There were some contradictions between Benson and Su Xiong, but in the end they were coordinated. After making some necessary compromises, the two sides formulated the current method to take into account the vast core area, Su Xiong Fleet and Old Frye Toru’s armored cruiser squadron was left in the inner ring. They could attack quickly to support any place where Japanese battleships were encountered. This is the superiority of high-speed warships. Even considering the bad ship conditions, the German fleet is still better than The average speed of the US fleet is about 6 knots higher!

It's not that the speed of the German fleet has not dropped, but that some warships in the US fleet have too bad speeds. For example, the US warships before New York used three-expansion steam engines! The super fearless using the three-expansion steam engine is the only American in this world!

So this is also because Benson finally agreed to Su Xiong’s suggestion, because the speed difference between the two fleets is really too big, and there is no way to form. The result of forced formation is that the attack rhythm cannot keep up. This is a bit Like in history, after Schell incorporated the former dreadnoughts into the main fleet, there were some drag speed problems.

The main fleet under Benson’s command is deployed on the periphery~lightnovelpub.net~ As Betty expected, Benson has the idea of ​​a decisive battle with the Japanese fleet, because his fleet is slow, so he must let himself The main fleet is closer to the opponent! As for the core area, he is more at ease, because the fleet composed of 4 Bavarian-class battleships and 5 armored cruisers is enough to deal with half of the Japanese combined fleet, and in his opinion, if the Japanese combined fleet wants to be completely out of their eyes It's almost impossible to sneak in underneath! So Benson is very relieved!

Even Benson hoped that the Japanese would penetrate his defenses and be bitten by Su Xiong. Subsequently, he led the large fleet to fight a decisive battle similar to the Great Norwegian Sea. After all, if the Japanese rushed to the inner circle, then their own fleet has an advantage on the route, and can consider intercepting the opponent's retreat!

Benson is quite satisfied with the current situation, but Pershing is different, because just this morning, the front line sent information that the Japanese are gathering on a large scale in the rain! It made preparations to launch a large-scale offensive, and this naturally made the US military who had been exhausted and had some difficulties in replenishment feel very uncomfortable. Fighting in such bad weather greatly weakened the US military's firepower advantage!

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