It's indeed a dead end.

Wake Island is a "stepping stone" in the Pacific Ocean, 3,700 kilometers away from Hawaii, and is a bridgehead for the United States to enter the Southwest Pacific. The United States knows this, Japan knows, and China also knows this. So after Halsey went to Guam, he has been stationed there, and has deployed fifty or sixty land-based P40 fighters and b17 bombers. But like all islands, Wake Island has no depth. Unless Halsey can win, it will fall into Japan and fall into Japan. China will definitely take the opportunity to dispatch the Guam fleet (xn21 battle group) to snatch it.

Even if the United States takes the initiative to retreat, Japan will still capture it, and China will rack its brains to seize it... the outcome is the second Guam.

So Halsey had to fight!

The problem is that North Africa can't drag for long. Now the Pacific Fleet now has three aircraft carriers, and the Atlantic Fleet is only left with one Hornet, which has just been delivered. If there is an accident like the Sino-Japanese Ryukyu naval battle... it will not only lose Wake Island, but also lead to the United States being unable to interfere in the Southwest Pacific for half a year! It will also cause a significant delay in North Africa's landing!

Can North Africa postpone it?

In the next few days, Marshall cooperated with Eisenhower and others to discuss specific landing plans with the UK, but whether it was Tunisia, Algeria proposed by the UK, Casablanc and Oran proposed by the US, either Vichy France's West Africa Governor refused to open, or it was impossible to obtain the consensus of the two companies. And no one could guarantee that it could block the German and Italian air force from Malta and Sardinia. Seeing the German army continuously increasing troops to Libya, Britain and the United States realized the serious shortage of aircraft carrier-based aircraft, so Roosevelt had to send a telegram to Yang Qiu personally, hoping that Yang Qiu would send three aircraft carriers from the Indian fleet to contain the Malta Luftwaffe from the flank.

But Yang Qiu refused, and only four sentences were said, very simply: "Are you just watching coldly and let us do anything? If you are afraid of sacrifice, then just end this war!" Of course, it is impossible to end. Churchill will jump out and draw his gun, because China can still defend it by the Suez Canal to end. As long as Iran and Japan are defeated, the current interests can be ensured. The United States can also return to North America, but Britain is completely finished.

Along with quarrels and doubts, China and the United States finally reached an agreement. China sent two Anhai-class battleships maintained in Alexandria and two New York-class battleships, together with the United States, to feint the Greece and Sicily, respectively, to restrain the attention of the German and Italian naval and air force. At the same time, Britain and the United States gave up their Tunisian landing plan and landed in Oran and Algier closer to Gibraltar. The first batch of landings had a total of 200,000 troops. It included 10 US divisions, 4 British divisions, 3 Free France divisions, and 1 Poland division. The landings were divided into two batches. 2 British military divisions, 1 Free French division and Polish division, and some US troops would set off from the United Kingdom and land in Algier. Three US military divisions would set off directly from the United States to land in Oran. After capturing the two places, the US military remained.

The remaining five divisions, two British divisions and two French divisions will set out to provide rapid reinforcements from the UK. In order to ensure air cover during landing, the US military immediately dispatched 50 B-17 bombers and 60 P-40 fighters to Gibraltar, and the UK also dispatched 80 H-6 bombers. However, because the Luftwaffe has never stopped bombing the British mainland, the UK cannot provide fighters for the time being. Relying on 60 P40s alone is not enough, so the US military transferred the Enterprise back to the Atlantic and provided air cover for the landing troops with the Hornet, which has just been in service and in training. In order to increase the number of fighters, it also deliberately did not carry TBD Avengers torpedo aircraft. In this way, the two ships can carry 120 F4F Wildcat fighters.

The login time is last selected at the end of February and early March, with the code name "Torch"

As the operation was confirmed, the US Atlantic Fleet was dispatched in full swing to protect the first seven army divisions to the UK. The US military that had been launched after much rushing to make Britain excited. Many people ignored the German planes in the sky and ran to Southampton to welcome the arrival of American soldiers. The new m3 tanks and supply trucks in groups seemed to see the hope of a counterattack on Europe. When they learned that the US military had arrived in Britain, the German General Staff also accelerated the speed of relocating troops to North Africa, and repeatedly suggested to Hitler to seize Spain immediately. But they didn't know if it was a draw, Hitler was just unwilling to attack Spain. Even Guderian cursed: "If you don't control Gibraltar, we will fight a war of attrition with the enemy again."

The death of Wake Island is also very obvious. Both China, the United States and Japan know the importance of Wake Island. For Japan, seizing Wake Island means having a buffer time of half a year and fighting to the death with the Chinese Navy. Otherwise, it would be a joint attack of ten Chinese and American aircraft carriers and eighteen battleships. Even if the Japanese Navy is conceiting, he has no chance of winning against twenty-eight main battleships and dozens of heavy cruisers, so Japan has to fight Wake Island. For Japan, instead of completely failing, it is better to bet on Wake Island. As long as it can capture Wake Island, the Japanese Navy does not know how to worry about being attacked by China and the United States for at least half a year, and can devote itself to the battles of Ryukyu and Malacca.

"I read the newspaper, I read the newspaper, the US military arrived in London, and counterattack the fascism in one fell swoop!"

The streets of Guangzhou are still filled with a strong Chinese New Year atmosphere. "Give me one, thank you." Hakan politely handed a five-cent coin to the newspaper boy, opened the newspaper and read it carefully. He has lived in China for more than ten years and can read and write Chinese. Although it is still a bit awkward, it does not prevent him from understanding Chinese newspapers.

But the news in the newspaper made him unable to be happy.

There were not many tens of thousands of American troops, but the news of landing on the British battlefield seemed to be a fierce war drum urging him and the workers on various German fronts to speed up. "Mr. Hakan." A soft cry came from beside him.

Hakan turned his head and looked at him. A man wearing a coat and a wide-brimmed hat was looking at him vigilantly. If Zhuo Fan was present, he would definitely recognize that the man was the aviation technician he saw in Beihai by train. "I'm very happy to see you here. I'm from Elbe River..." After the man quickly said the code of the joint, Hakan's eyes lit up immediately, and he looked around and stretched out his hands: "I'm also very happy to see you."

The two quickly arrived at the temporary residence of Hakan, an American company in China office. "Mr. Lawn, thank you for your hard work." After sitting down, Hakan immediately greeted the other party. The man named Lawn did not say much, and then took out a bag of thick film negatives and handed them to Hakan carefully: "Mr. Hakan. Here are some confidential drawings and photos we got, which contain detailed information about new Chinese aircraft, tanks and super torpedoes. They need to be sent back to China immediately."

Hakan did not doubt the importance of the negative film. After picking up the two pictures, he looked worried: "The customs inspections of Chinese people are very strict, and it may be difficult to take them out."

"I know, so we need your help."

“What should I do?”

"We know that you are familiar with some Chinese officials, so we hope to take you with them through the Yalu River blockade and then send you back from Japan."

"Japan..." Hakan nodded.

-----

Yokosuka.

In the largest Tokuyama Oil Depot base, the Japanese Navy's supply dispatcher, Akihito Nakasa, worked seriously. Supply dispatching is an important task of the Japanese Navy. Everyone knows that Japan lacks resources, so how to allocate naval materials that are not in stock in China requires them to rely on these dispatching and management officers. The Tokuyama Oil Depot, which stores 70% of Japan's heavy oil, is the top priority! To ensure safety, the main body of the oil depot is built underground, with steel and cement wrapped up several meters thick. Although there are many oil storage tanks on the ground, there are usually reserve oil. Ono's job is to manage the oil depot and distribute every drop of heavy oil according to needs. In the Japanese Navy, people like them are nicknamed "oil houses".

Starting from the decision to infiltrate the Japanese Navy, the Military Intelligence Bureau has placed its target on the oil house. No matter how strict the system of the joint fleet is, there will be loopholes here. Moreover, through data such as the refueling volume, fuel consumption rate, etc. of a ship, the maximum speed, approximate combat distance and combat targets of the warship can be easily inferred.

"Ono-kun..." The voice interrupted Ono who was calculating the heavy oil in stock. Before he could raise his head, a thick stack of fuel reports was placed on his table. "These are ships that need fuel." The consultant Yuji Chusa Yamamoto, the Combined Fleet Operations Division, stood in front of him.

Ono knew him. He was the consultant in charge of logistics planning in the joint fleet. After turning on the information, Ono found that there were dozens of ships to refuel. When he turned on the homepage, it was the Yamato battleship that had just been delivered! His heart trembled violently. As an intelligence officer lurking in Japan, he was too familiar with the Yamato. He sent back a large number of news about the Yamato battleship not long ago, including top-secret information such as the maximum range and speed calculated through the refueling data. Unexpectedly, he actually had to replenish fuel for this super battleship. Looking down, his heartbeat became faster and faster, because the refueling ships also included four King Kong-class battleships, two Nagato-class battleships, four aircraft carriers and twelve heavy patrols...

"What is the mission? It is necessary to dispatch the Yamato battleship? It also needs to pull out the entire joint fleet?!" After his mind flipped it a few times, he picked up the report and read it carefully, and muttered: "Yamamoto, hasn't Yamato added only 1,000 tons of heavy oil?" Although Ono is just Nakasa, there are many officers in the navy who are superior to him, the status of "oil house" is very special. Even if Yamamoto Iroji comes in person, he must explain the situation, otherwise he will not sell face. Therefore, the Japanese Navy loves and hates these guys who "take funnels" to calculate oil.

Yamamoto Yuji Chusa knew these rules, and his eyebrows were flashing with excitement, introducing the situation: "We have a big action! General Yamamoto has decided to capture Wake Island, remove the threat of attack from both sides of the empire, and then turn around and block the Bashi Strait, forcing the Chinese Navy to fight to the decisive battle!"

"Oh? That's great! Finally, I can teach these ghost animals and Chinese people some lessons!" Ono also pretended to be excited. Although the news in Japan was tightly blocked, ordinary people and even grassroots soldiers had no idea how far the war was going. Anyway, every day there was a publicity for victory there, but the intermediate officers were very clear about how bad the situation was now, so it was rumored that Yamamoto Iroku would hold a decisive battle to turn the situation around.

However, supplying back and forth oil to more than 70 ships at a time is equivalent to the total fuel consumption of the pre-war joint fleet in a year. So according to the work process, Ono pretended to be excited to quickly calculate the required quantity while continuing to ask about the specific combat goals and roughly the required voyage. After all the procedures were completed, Yuji Yamamoto remembered another thing and took out a list of refueling the submarines: "I 100 needs to be filled up, and it also needs to be added again at the Linga anchorage. This time they will take a detour to our allies and perform a mission."

Allies? Go to Germany!

Ono's eyes are bright and shiny.

-----

"Report! Commander. The Japanese Joint Fleet is about to be dispatched."

Shortly after Ono wrote down the refueling quantity and stamping on the documents to replenish more than 70 ships, Bingwen, who had just taken office, heard a crisp report in the Navy Office of the General Staff of Beijing.

"Quick, show me."

In the office, Bingwen, Chen Honglie, Bai Yutang and others were studying landing in Ryukyu and opening up Malacca. Even Zhu Binhou and Deng Haogan returned from Karachi. After hearing this news, everyone stood up. "This was transferred by the Military Intelligence Bureau. The news came from the Japanese "oil house". You see, this is the type and name of the refueling ships, and the specific refueling amount of each ship... The intelligence officer said. The news he received was Wake Island and the Bashi Strait we controlled. We have roughly calculated the combat radius of the fleet through the quantity of oil, which is likely to be true. There is also a news! A Japanese submarine not only filled up the fuel, but also applied for renewal at the Linga anchorage. The intelligence officer said that the submarine was going to the allies... We speculated that the destination was likely Germany."

"Alliance? Haha, it seems that it is going to give gifts." Bingwen immediately realized the significance of the submarine's adventure to Germany. Everyone would smile and turn their attention to the target of the Japanese Navy this time. After reading the information, Chen Honglie slowly became shocked: "Huh? Look. The Yamato, which has just served, is also going to be dispatched."

"Good guy, four aircraft carriers, seven battleships and twelve heavy patrols are all filled with fuel..." Zhu Binhou also raised his head and looked vigilant: "Will there be any other thoughts? The United States only has one USS Lexington and two heavy patrols on Wake Island, and only one USS Saratoga is left in Pearl Harbor. There are eight battleships, but the speed is relatively slow. If it can suddenly attack Wake Island, the US military will not have time to support it. Why is such a big battle?"

"It shouldn't be sent out. I guess I'm going to take the initiative to fight us first and lure the US Navy. Let them think that Japan's target is us. Then several main battleships come back quietly, and the remaining attack on Wake Island." After Bai Yutang came to his conclusion, everyone nodded. After all, the Japanese Navy dared to gamble and did not dare to send all the main battleships out, otherwise they would be unable to resist if they sent one or two battleships.

"Commander! This is a good opportunity..." Chen Shiying was more concerned about what else to do here. Wake Island is a good place. It is just a Pacific island managed by Guam, which means whoever gets it. If Japan can take it down, then the xn21 battle group can be a yellow bird and quickly seize it. It can even attack the Japanese fleet and destroy four aircraft carriers and the Yamato battleship in one fell swoop. But Bingwen shook his head: "The yellow bird is not that easy to be. Guangdong and Guangxi have just been in service, and the air brigade above has not fought a war and needs training. Even if we change to some old pilots, Japan has four aircraft carriers. Moreover, Guam was far away in the past. If we were discovered by Japan on the way, Yamamoto's personality might immediately give up the Wake Island plan."

Chen Honglie nodded: "The commander said it well. We should not only not be in a hurry, but we should also immediately let the xn21 battle group fight other places, so that Japan thinks we don't have time to control them. As for Wake Island... it's hard to say whether Japan can win, but it's not good to follow behind the butt. Anyway, if Yamamoto can win, even if it doesn't sink the Lexington, as long as it can cause serious injuries, the United States will only have an aircraft carrier left in the Pacific within half a year, and we have a chance."

Chen Shiying smiled and said, "I was a little anxious. Otherwise, I would transfer the fifth fleet to Guam to Palau, and then ask Panduheng to take Guangdong and Guangxi to Manado, and put on the stance of landing on Sulawesi. There are not many Japanese troops here and there are few aircraft, which can allow two aircraft carriers to train troops. As long as you are careful of submarines and destroyers, it should not be a big threat."

"I think it's OK, and I can also let the Second Fleet cruise to the South China Sea once, and make a move to prepare to attack the Philippines from north to south, so as to give Yamamoto a reassurance."

Bingwen finally made the decision: "That's what I do, I'll go to see the president immediately and tell him the news." After the decision, everyone immediately got up to prepare, but they were about to go out. The staff hurriedly pushed the door in, and almost pretended to be full of them with Zhu Binhou: "Commander, just got the news! Pearl Harbor was mobilized, the USS Saratoga aircraft carrier, the USS Pennsylvania battleship, the USS Arizona battleship, the USS Nevada battleship, the USS Oklahoma battleship, and six heavy patrols, six light patrols and fifteen destroyers left the port, and their whereabouts were unknown."

"So coincidental?" The new information immediately made everyone look forward to it. How could it be such a coincidental? Just as Yamamoto was about to launch a sneak attack on Wake Island, Kimmel sent a support fleet, as if it was arranged.

Everyone looked at Bingwen and was about to ask if he wanted to plan, but his face changed: "No! It must be that the United States has deciphered the Japanese Navy's password!"

.(To be continued...)
Chapter completed!