At a high altitude four thousand meters behind the Japanese Navy's Second Fleet, all the fighters of the Second Squadron of the First Air Regiment and four fighters of the Fifth Squadron had separated from the team, adjusted their course and flew towards Xuzhou Airport. The other fighters were still calm and unhurried.
Nailed behind the Japanese fleet, circling back and forth in the sky.
The reconnaissance squadron leader Ye Fei flew over the Japanese fleet, circled around and returned, and suggested to Zhou Yunlai: "01, when we were conducting low-altitude reconnaissance of the Japanese fleet's firepower just now, we found that they have certain weaknesses in defense. If we can do a good job
Using it, you may not be able to kill a few big guys..."
"Oh? Tell me! If it's really possible, I'll do it for you!" Zhou Yunlai asked with interest.
"The Japanese fleet advanced in a T-shaped formation, with seven cruisers distributed at various points in the formation. Among them, the front formation was the most heavily defended, with three heavy cruisers deployed, while the two-nautical-mile-long formation at the tail had only two cruisers.
The heavy cruiser and two light cruisers bear the heavy responsibility of air defense.
.I don’t know what kind of anti-aircraft gun was used for the Japanese ship’s anti-aircraft fire. It seems that only the first salvo has a greater firepower density, while the continuous fire seems much sparse. I guess it may be due to the unreasonable design and gunner configuration.
, resulting in untimely supply of ammunition.”
Ye Fei said: "Therefore, in view of the weakness of the Japanese anti-aircraft artillery fire, we can use the high speed of the S3 reconnaissance aircraft to insert from the side and rear of its formation to attract the attention of the Japanese anti-aircraft artillery fire. At the same time, our bombers are closely
Following the reconnaissance plane, we launched an assault on the Japanese fleet, using a combination of armor-piercing bombs and incendiary bombs to first deal with the light cruiser at the rear of the Japanese fleet. We worked piecemeal and kept as many Japanese ships as we could."
Huang Bangqiang, the leader of the 4th Squadron, praised: "This is a good idea. Let the Japanese taste the power of our incendiary bombs. Just throw a few on the Japanese cruiser and send it a few armor-piercing bombs to prevent the Japanese cruiser from suffering damage."
The Japanese fleet is eager to leave Haizhou Bay and does not dare to entangle with us too much. Let us take our time and kill the enemy's cruisers one by one. The Japanese destroyers behind that have lost the protection of anti-aircraft fire will become our delicious meal."
Zhou Yunlai immediately made a decision: "Okay, hurry up, we are almost at Niucheshan Island. We will try to kill a few more warships before the Japanese fleet enters the Yellow Sea. The stubborn little Japan will actually lurk in our coastal waters to launch a sneak attack. This
If you don’t teach it a lesson, you will be even more unscrupulous in the future!”
"yes!"
...
In Tokyo, the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Navy, Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyoto, who returned to the base camp from the Imperial Palace, got out of the Buick roadmaster bulletproof car and saw Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yoneuchi, Deputy Chief of Military Command Shigetaro Nashida, First Minister Nobutake Kondo and Vice Minister of the Navy
Major General Isoroku Yamamoto stood on the steps with an anxious look and asked with a calm smile: "Why are you all crowding in front of the door? Do you want to let the people in the Army Ministry see that you are acting as doorkeepers here?"
Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonai, dressed in an admiral's uniform, quickly walked down the steps, saluted Prince Fushimi Miyahiro, and then stepped forward and whispered:
"Your Highness, after the Second Fleet completed the implementation of the 'Broken Wings Plan', before it could set sail, it was suddenly attacked by superior fighter jets of the China Air Force. The Kaga sank. The Sixth Destroyer Team of the Fourth Mine Team was struck by thunder, lightning, noise, and fire.
The four ships and the Chuxue ship of the 11th Destroyer Group may be shattered..."
"Baga!"
Prince Fushimi Miyahiro's expression suddenly changed, he reached out and slapped him several times, causing Mitsumasa Yoneuchi to bow and apologize quickly. Shigetarou Yuda, Nobutake Kondo, and Isoroku Yamamoto had also walked down the steps at this time, and saw this
He bent down in panic and dared not stand up for a long time.
Stepping up the steps, Prince Fushimi Miyahiro turned around and waved: "How did you deal with it?"
Mitsumasa Yoneuchi faced the clear palm prints on his face and quickly kept up with Prince Fushimi Miyahiro: "Your Highness, we have urgently ordered the third squadron of the first fleet to go to the rescue. The third squadron is currently setting off for China.
On the way to Qinhuangdao Port in the north, which is only six hours away from the Second Fleet, the Third Squadron has
One battleship, two heavy cruisers, four light cruisers and one aircraft carrier can ensure the absolute safety of air defense. At the same time, Rear Admiral Miki Taichi has urgently ordered the Second Fleet to leave Haizhou Bay and turn towards the Yellow Sea. I think so
With a multi-pronged approach, the China Air Force should not cause any more damage to our Second Fleet."
Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyo suddenly stopped: "Why is Major General Miki Taiichi reporting? Where is Vice Admiral Yoshida Zengo? As the fleet commander, why are you not at your post?"
Mitsumasa Yoneuchi lowered his head: "We don't know the specific situation yet. We will only know what happened when further news comes."
Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyouno nodded and continued to move forward. He quickly walked into his office, sat on the sofa and looked at the row of bent naval officers in front of him, and said sadly:
"The Kaga cost hundreds of millions, the five destroyers are close to 50 million, and the more than 80 carrier-based aircraft are also worth 20 million. Who can tell me what exactly caused this disastrous consequence? Imperial Navy
Always invincible, in the battles against the Qing Dynasty, Russia, Germany and the Soviet Union
We have achieved overwhelming victories in naval battles. Why did such a problem arise when it came to my hands? This matter must be thoroughly investigated, otherwise I will not be able to explain it to His Majesty the Emperor! Go ahead and report back when the results are obtained. I
I don’t want to hear any more bad news, understand?”
"Hi!"
Mitsumasa Yoneuchi, Shitaro Nishida, Nobutake Kondo and Isoroku Yamamoto all bowed their heads in response.
Seeing Mitsumasa Yoneuchi, Shitaro Nishida and Nobutake Kondo walking towards the door, Sanbon Fifty-Six, who was lagging behind, hesitated for a moment and finally forced himself to report:
"Your Highness, I believe that Prime Minister Konoe and Foreign Minister Hirota should be informed immediately, and the government should make stern representations to the military and political authorities of China, forcing Nanjing to order the evacuation of its fighter planes that are following our Second Fleet, and at the same time demand compensation for the damage done to our navy.
Huge losses. We can invite Britain, the United States and other countries to put pressure on the Chinese government!"
Prince Fushimi Gong Hirokyo hesitated for a moment: "We just sent fighter planes to kill a well-known general in the Chinese army. Can they agree to our request?"
Sanbon Fifty-six explained: "So far, the war-minded people in the China government and those friendly to our Japanese Empire are still evenly matched. As long as we make a gesture of not giving up until we resolve this matter, we are eager to restore our country in the Far East.
The peaceful Britain, the United States and other countries will definitely compromise, and I believe that the China government will soon fall apart under strong pressure. This can help to restore the bad impact of our naval defeat!"
"Yoshi!"
Prince Fushimi Miyahiro Kyo nodded, stood up and patted Yamamoto Isoroku's shoulder encouragingly: "Yamamoto, your suggestion is very good, please continue to carry it forward in the future! I will go to Konoe Fumima and Hirota Koki now.
I hope to achieve some results in diplomacy. You have to keep an eye on the Second Fleet, and if anything happens, let me know immediately, do you understand?"
"Hi Yi! Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness!"
Yamamoto Isoroku hurriedly bent down and watched Fushimi Miyahiro Prince Kyoto walk out of the office surrounded by his guards. Then he straightened up and saw Mitsumasa Yoneuchi waiting for him outside the room, and quickly chased after him.
...
In the commander's lounge at a corner of the deck of the "Kaohsiung", Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo looked coldly at Fleet Staff Lieutenant Colonel Toshihei Inoguchi.
Cold sweat rolled down the forehead of Inoguchi Toshihei. Under Zengo Yoshida's sharp eyes like eagle eyes, he finally expressed his position: "Inoguchi understands. When the fleet returns to the station, Inoguchi will know what to do! Thank you, Commander, for your appreciation!"
Zengo Yoshida nodded slightly: "Inoguchi-kun, I am very confident in your ability. After experiencing this, I think you are completely qualified for the position of captain. Our Second Fleet is in great need of outstanding talents like you! Go ahead, please remember
I have taken an overdose of cold medicine and am in a coma. Please cooperate with Chief of Staff Miki and notify me in time if anything happens."
Inoguchi Minpei left in a hurry and almost fell down when he was at the door of the room. Yoshida Zengo stared at Inoguchi Minpei's back with a cold light flashing in his eyes.
In the bridge command room of the "Kaohsiung", Rear Admiral Miki Taishi lowered his head and looked at the navigation chart carefully, secretly calculating the distance between the fleet and Niucheshan Island, Dashan Island and Heping Island, and speculated that the Chinese Air Force would follow the fleet.
When will the evacuation take place? More than a dozen staff officers are busy working nearby, and the war room is busy and orderly. It seems that the calm and composed performance of Rear Admiral Miki Taiichi has restored a lot of confidence among the fleet officers.
At this time, Inoguchi Toshihei walked into the command room and quickly came to Major General Miki Taiichi. Major General Miki Taishi turned his head and glanced at him, and asked casually: "How is the commander?"
Inoguchi Toshihei smiled and said: "The commander drank some water and feels much better now. However, the commander said that in order not to interfere with the chief of staff's command, he would not come to the bridge. General Miki will be solely responsible for today's command.
"
Miki Taishi did not answer, but lowered his head and continued to check the chart. Suddenly, the sound of anti-aircraft artillery that had disappeared for a while suddenly rang out fiercely, extending from the rear of the fleet to the "Kaohsiung" and its two wings.
Miki Taishi raised his head, the look on his face was not too panicked. He was quite confident about the fleet's anti-aircraft firepower. He quickly returned to the huge electronic instrument screen and took the intercom handed over by the telecommunications staff.
, asked loudly: "What happens next?"
The voice of Major General Shigeko Shigero, commander of the 4th Mine Team in charge of the rear, came: "The Chinese fighter jets are approaching our ship, and our anti-aircraft artillery fire is fighting back bravely..."
The conversation suddenly stopped here, and a busy tone came from the intercom.
Miki Taishi was slightly startled, and quickly motioned to the staff on the side to quickly connect. At this time, several violent explosions came from the rear of the fleet, and the sound was extremely shocking. Miki Taishi could no longer hold his balance and ran out of the command room quickly.
Standing in front of the railing of the open-air command room, I picked up the telescope from Toshihei Inoguchi who followed him out, and observed carefully, I couldn't help but be surprised:
I saw that the flagship of the Fourth Mito Team had burned a fire in the cruiser, and the dense explosion sounded that it was constantly coming. The rear of the entire fleet had become a mess.