More reconnaissance planes took off from the aircraft carriers of the US-Japanese Combined Fleet and searched in a fan-shaped direction towards Guam. At the same time, under the orders of Ozawa and Li Mei, the fighters on all the aircraft carriers of the Combined Fleet began to conduct pre-war operations. Prepare. All the bombers that were originally intended to attack the big island were re-equipped. The original ground attack bombs were removed and replaced with torpedoes or ship attack bombs that could be used to break armor.
In order to paralyze the Oshima defenders and prevent them from noticing that the combined fleet's plan had changed, Yamaguchi and Jin tacitly adjusted the fleet formation, moving the slower battleships to the front, and at the same time moving the faster battleships to the front. The light cruiser withdrew. After completing this arrangement, they immediately commanded their respective battleships to launch a fierce bombardment at the Oshima garrison position. When the garrison position was blown up into smoke, they commanded their respective aircraft carriers and frigate groups to evacuate backwards. .
In the Combined Fleet, the Americans have a certain contempt for the Chinese Pacific Fleet, perhaps because they easily captured Midway Island, and have always been relatively optimistic. Compared with them, the Japanese naval officers headed by Yamaguchi and Ozawa are more optimistic. He looked like he was facing a formidable enemy and had always maintained a high level of vigilance. He must have noticed that Americans underestimated the enemy. During this conference call, Yamaguchi Wenduo specially reminded Jin not to underestimate him. A Chinese man, he first asked: "General Jin, I feel that you do not attach great importance to the China Navy. Is this intentional on your part or is there some other reason?"
Because he had very different views on many issues, Jin actually looked down on the Japanese, but he maintained a certain fondness for Yamaguchi. On the one hand, compared to other Japanese generals, Yamaguchi was a relatively gentleman; on the other hand, Yamaguchi had never been criticized for the Japanese navy. He repeatedly defeated the Americans and showed contempt for them, which won him the favor of all the Americans he came into contact with. Because of the needs of the war, the United States and Japan formed a joint fleet. They would have set up a corresponding joint command and The ownership of the highest command authority was clarified to coordinate joint operations. However, due to various reasons, although the joint command was established, it was only superficial because no one was willing to give up the highest command authority. From an American perspective He said that although the Japanese repeatedly defeated them, because the Japanese relied on suicide tactics that ignored the dignity of life, they not only failed to win their respect, but also aroused extreme disgust. Therefore, even if they were worried that the Japanese might let the American boy If they want to die, the Americans will definitely not agree to let the Japanese command them. From the Japanese perspective, because they have always been victors in front of the Americans, it is unthinkable for them to condescend to obey the commands of the Americans. Yes, the mere appearance of the joint command has actually affected the combat efficiency of the combined fleet. When the Chinese Pacific Fleet was still in the distant Guam and could not threaten the combined fleet at all, this problem was not very serious. But now, this is It has become the biggest problem for the Combined Fleet. They must have recognized this problem and rushed to solve it. Yamaguchi Bunta and Jin both showed a relatively low profile in this conference call.
Do Americans despise the Chinese Navy? It may not be appropriate to say this, but what is certain is that Americans do not regard the Chinese Navy as an opponent of the same level. Ten out of ten of the Chinese Navy’s battleships, especially aircraft carriers, come from the United States. , a considerable part of them are obsolete products that the Americans do not want. In addition, in terms of history, the Chinese Navy, which has only emerged in recent years, is at best an upstart in the eyes of the US Navy, which has dominated the world for many years. Perhaps this is the main reason why Americans believe that the Chinese navy is not their equal-level opponent.
Jin's question was tactful. How could Jin not know good from evil? He thought about it seriously and responded: "General Yamaguchi, there is no such thing as underestimating the enemy. Maybe it's just that we feel that the combined strength of our two armies should be able to completely defeat China." Navy."
After hearing this answer, Yamaguchi was silent for a while and said: "General Jin, we once had the same idea when facing the China Navy. You know clearly that compared to the China Navy, the combined fleet of the Empire of Japan has a longer history than theirs. About fifty years ago, but as you know what happened later, our combined fleet suffered successive defeats at the hands of the Chinese. At the earliest, the so-called China Navy did not even have an aircraft carrier, but by that time, they were already able to defeat us. , and after the China Navy acquired the aircraft carrier, General Jin, the Chinese people are very smart and they learn things quickly, so we have to go all out."
Jin Yaneng didn't understand Yamaguchi's painstaking efforts to expose his own family. After talking to several of his subordinates, they all felt that Yamaguchi was trustworthy based on their previous dealings with him. Jin Sui He gave Yamaguchi an affirmative reply, saying that he would do his best to cooperate with the Japanese combined fleet in this naval battle, "As long as we can defeat the Chinese, General Yamaguchi, we are willing to temporarily obey your command."
The main force of the US-Japanese combined fleet began to leave the Palau waters and search towards Guam. They had just completed the adjustment of their formation when the second wave of Chinese attack aircraft arrived.
This time, the commander of the Chinese attack fleet was a major named Chang Jinliang. Chang Jinliang flew a Golden Eagle at the front and saw the main island about 30 kilometers away from the main island of Palau. The main force of the U.S.-Japanese combined fleet heading east realized that this was the U.S.-Japanese combined fleet searching for its own fleet, and immediately reported the discovery to the fleet command.
"It seems that the Americans and Japanese were indeed seduced by us." Chen Ce said to Bai Chongxi after reading the telegram.
Bai Chongxi: "Then we will act according to the original plan and hope they will not lose us."
"I'm still a little worried, what if they don't track us but attack Guam directly."
"If this happens, we will let Luo Chunjian bomb Guam, and then outflank their retreat. As long as Huang Tianxun and the others can defeat Ji Wan, for us, this game of chess will be alive, haha, When Yamaguchi Wenduo and Jin suddenly find that their material reserves are only enough to fight one or two large-scale decisive battles, and the route to Palau is blocked by us, hey, their expressions will be very exciting then."
Chen Ce thought for a while, took a deep breath and said: "Okay, let's act according to the plan, pass my order, and everyone will turn to the direction..."
The supply base of the US-Japanese combined fleet is not just Jiwan, but Jiwan has the largest stockpile of supplies. Moreover, Chen Ce and the others have already mastered the supply points in several other directions of the combined fleet. These supply bases point will be their next round of sneak attack targets.