Chapter 94: Your Excellency Yamamoto's Great Ambition
In the vast sea of the North Pacific, the Japanese combined fleet is advancing towards Japan in the wind and waves. Among the huge fleet, the most eye-catching ones are of course the "Yamato" aircraft carrier and the "Wuwei" aircraft carrier. These two ships have two flight decks. The huge aircraft carrier, which can carry more than 100 aircraft, has become famous all over the world after the battle of Pearl Harbor. At this time, on the island of the "Yamato" aircraft carrier, a group of senior Japanese officers were chatting and laughing around Yamamoto Isoroku.
A great victory came to the Philippines. The Fengxiang aircraft carrier fleet annihilated the US mixed fleet in one fell swoop, killing and capturing more than 70,000 US and Philippine officers and soldiers, including former commander of the US military stationed in the Philippines. It's still not as good as it is, but it can still be regarded as an unprecedented victory, and the strategic significance of this is more important than the superficial numbers. This is exactly what Yamamoto, who pays attention to the overall situation, cares most about and is most satisfied with.
At this time, Yamamoto's physical condition and temperament were completely different from when he left Japan. If at the beginning of his journey to attack Pearl Harbor, his mood was still a little depressed, and he had a bit of a gambler's mentality. He is not sure what will happen in the future, and even if he does not have full confidence in himself, he now bursts out with strong self-confidence, completely annihilating the US Pacific Fleet, and also captured several main warships, it is no exaggeration. It can be said that this has changed the balance of power between Japan and the United States in the North Pacific in one fell swoop. It can be expected that Japan has gained at least two years of expansion time as a result, and with the treasure house of Southeast Asia, two years of relatively stable development time , enough for Japan, the war monster, to become stronger and resolve the "China Incident",
After the U.S. Pacific Fleet was completely annihilated, looking at the Pacific, the Combined Fleet, including Japan behind it, can be said to have no opponents. Under this situation, occupying the Philippines, retaking Taiwan, and even destroying the student army, and gradually defeating China, in Yamamoto's view It's a matter of time. Of course, the sooner the Philippines is occupied, the more beneficial it will be for the empire's subsequent military operations. Therefore, in Yamamoto's view, Soma Masabumi defeated the US mixed fleet in one fell swoop and severely damaged the US military stationed in the Philippines. An incredible victory that deserves a special mention,
The total annihilation of the U.S. Pacific Fleet not only gave Yamamoto strong self-confidence, but also brought about earth-shaking changes to other Japanese naval generals who participated in this operation. Compared with the fanatical army generals bent on expansion, a considerable number of Japanese naval generals although They are not against war, but overall they lack passion for war. After experiencing this war, it seems that the war blood in their bodies has been activated, and they have also become fanatical.
In the past, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese combined fleet's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was Chuichi Nagumo, but now, he is just a squadron commander under Yamamoto. At this time, it is this person who is evaluating the strategic significance of the Battle of the Bohol Sea: "It is foreseeable that the Americans will definitely give up the Philippine Islands next. In this way, the mainland and Southeast Asia can be connected, and our transport fleet can pass with confidence and boldness. This will definitely speed up the development of our military industry. In time, , it’s only a matter of time before the empire turns into the world’s number one war machine.”
After Nagumo finished speaking, a major general named Sentaro Omori standing next to him said: "It is not possible to be connected as one. Nagumo-kun, please don't forget that most of Taiwan is now in the hands of the Xuebing Army. , However, with the bridgehead of Manila, it will be very convenient for us to counterattack Taiwan from the south. Well, I think it is time to recover Taiwan." Then he looked at Yamamoto and asked respectfully: "Sir, what do you think?"
Yamamoto smiled and said: "You are right. After capturing the Philippines, it is time to solve the Taiwan issue. We have tolerated the Xuebing Army for too long, and now it is time to settle the general account with them. Akagi, Feilong, Gentlemen, every time I think of these two battleships, I feel uncontrollable pain in my heart."
The sinking of the Akagi aircraft carrier and the Feilong aircraft carrier, and they were sunk by a student army that was far weaker than their own, was a painful blow to the senior officers of the Japanese Navy present, and was even a shame, and the subsequent Hainan strategy , the combined fleet was completely defeated, which made the Japanese navy hate the Xuebing Army to the core. After Yamamoto said this, Nagumo Chuichi said with deep sympathy: "Your Excellency, the Xuebing Army was willing to take risks to launch a sneak attack. The Akagi and Hiryu aircraft carriers were obviously decided by Ouyang Yun, who is a fellow time traveler like Koizumi-kun. He must be aware of the role of aircraft carriers in future wars, and wants to weaken the strength of our combined fleet by sinking one or two of our aircraft carriers. Purpose, however, I think he must be very disappointed now. Although the Akagi and Feilong are gone now, we do have the more powerful Yamato and Wuwei. Gentlemen, you think, when our Yamato and Wuwei When the cruise ship enters the Pearl River Estuary, will Ouyang Yun tremble with fear?"
"Hahaha," all the devils laughed in unison,
Yamamoto smiled slightly, and suddenly said seriously: "Gentlemen, you can despise the Xuebing Army in your heart, but please remember that you must not take it lightly in actual combat. The Xuebing Army's Baiji fighter is worse than our most advanced Zero Type. It should be better. As for its air fortress, we can only suppress it now with the Zero. Moreover, according to the information I have received, the Xuebing Army already has two aircraft carriers."
"The Xuebing Army also has an aircraft carrier." A major general exclaimed,
Because he interrupted himself, Yamamoto glanced over. The major general immediately became silent and did not dare to say anything. Yamamoto continued: "I am not worried about the aircraft carrier of the Xuebing Army. After all, the navy is different from the army, and its technical content is quite high. , continuous accumulation is needed. What I am worried about is the army and aviation forces. Masafumi Soma has done a good job. The Battle of the Bohol Sea not only accelerated the entry of the Philippines Campaign, but also provided opportunities for our existing military system. The Empire wants If we want to completely resolve the 'China Incident', we must first defeat the Xuebing Army. To defeat the Xuebing Army, we must rely on our navy. However, the existing strength of our navy's Marine Corps alone is not enough to completely influence the ground war situation. Therefore, , after returning to Sasebo, I will make a request to the Military Headquarters and His Majesty the Emperor to allow us to absorb some army standing divisions..."
After Yamamoto finished speaking, everyone else couldn't help but be stunned.
The navy and the army have always been at odds with each other. This is a well-known thing in the Japanese military and political circles. In the eyes of Nagumo and others, it is a great change that the navy can now control the military. However, Yamamoto is still not satisfied and still They wanted to annex a certain number of standing army divisions. Although they were from the navy and naturally had to side with Yamamoto, they were still shocked.
Mr. Yamamoto has such great ambitions.
The reaction of his subordinates was as expected by Yamamoto. He continued: "After returning to Sasebo, I will definitely go to Tokyo and may stay there. The matter of counterattacking Taiwan will be left to you young people. I hope you will
Don't let me down."
All the Japs cheered up, immediately put their feet together and lowered their heads and said in unison: "Your Excellency, we promise to live up to your expectations."