Age of Conquest Reborn

General Ito was convinced by his chief of staff's clear and detailed analysis, but he didn't quite understand the opportunity he mentioned.

Chief of Staff Kawashima also saw the doubts in General Ito's eyes, but did not give a direct answer. Instead, he continued to analyze: "Since the Navy is determined to win and has obtained the imperial approval of His Majesty the Emperor, we cannot change the facts.

In the interests of the empire, after MacArthur's troops evacuated Luzon Island, it would be more conducive to achieve the greatest annihilation effect at sea at the lowest cost without escorting warships."

"If MacArthur's US-Philippine army and Haruta-kun's troops are completely annihilated, it will also pay a considerable price. Instead of doing this, we might as well hand over this credit to the navy. The navy will annihilate the US-Philippine army, and our army will occupy Manila.

If you get what you need, it’s not a loss.”

General Ito nodded repeatedly, having been completely attracted by the analysis of his chief of staff. However, Rear Admiral Kawashima changed the subject and said with a sneer: "General, the Navy's wishful thinking is good. The fully armed fleet,

Dealing with an unarmed troop carrier is like a strong man fighting a child. There is no suspense about the outcome, but I'm afraid the navy's plan will come to nothing!"

General Ito couldn't help but straighten up and asked doubtfully: "Kawashima-kun, I don't understand why you have such a judgment. Does MacArthur have any trump cards?"

Rear Admiral Kawashima smiled reservedly, shook his head and said: "General, you have misunderstood me. In the Southwest Pacific War, to this day, MacArthur is already at the end of his rope. He has no trump cards that can be used. Please analyze it. The naval fleet is being annihilated.

After the British and Australian troops, the U.S. and Philippine troops on Luzon Island have not yet begun to evacuate. After learning this news, will MacArthur be so stupid as to follow in the footsteps of 100,000 British and Australian troops who perished at the bottom of the sea?"

Speaking of what he was proud of, Major General Kawashima was a little carried away with these words, and unconsciously took on the tone of lecturing his juniors. Fortunately, General Ito was completely attracted by his words and did not notice this detail.

Instead, he listened with full attention to him solving the mystery.

Chief of Staff Kawashima continued: "MacArthur is not a stupid person. Since evacuating to Australia without a convoy is going to die, then he will choose to defend the front line in Manila. Maybe there will be a chance of survival. If so,

, annihilate

The task of the U.S.-Philippine military does not fall on Haruta-kun’s Fourteenth Army. We can also seize the handle of the Navy, which ignores the actual situation on the battlefield and desperately grabs credit, thus delaying the fighter plane, and uses it in the future.

Wouldn't it be better to use the bargaining chip?"

General Ito applauded and laughed. He was completely convinced. He, the chief of staff, is such a genius. He could analyze so many benefits from the things that he was unwilling, suffocated and angry about.

, I felt that the anger that was stuck in my chest disappeared, and I felt so relieved!

General Ito, who was in a good mood, loudly called the guards and ordered: "Tell the cooks to prepare a table of authentic local dishes. I want to talk with Chief of Staff Kawashima over wine!" General Ito, who was in high spirits, took out a table of authentic local dishes.

Of course Major General Kawashima would be happy to accompany him as he talked all night long.

At three o'clock in the morning on August 25, Major General Le Yiqin, commander of the Southern Flying Group of the ** Division Aviation Force, dressed in military uniform, walked into the office of division commander Tang Qiuli. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted: "Report to division commander,

Le Yiqin leads all the forward air control personnel of the flight group and has arrived in Singapore. Please give instructions to the commander!"

Tang Qiuli looked at his beloved general with a smile on his face and asked: "Le Yiqin, are all your troops here? Well, the Chief of Staff has already arranged a room for you to command operations in the Military Control Commission office building.

, Don’t worry, I’ll give you the entire floor for safekeeping!”

Le Yiqin said happily: "Thank you very much, sir. I'm just here to report. I'll rush to the airport right away. The first echelon of fighter jets is already preparing to take off!"

Tang Qiuli frowned and said, "Why, you still lead the team yourself?"

Le Yiqin said embarrassedly: "Sir, you know my old habit. If I don't personally participate in such a big scene, and let me sit on the command tower and point fingers, wouldn't that be as uncomfortable as killing me?

!”

Tang Qiuli sighed slightly. He knew that at this time, it would not be appropriate for Le Yiqin to sit in the headquarters and direct the air battle. However, he was a little worried. With real fire, Le Yiqin went up and fought desperately.

He couldn't imagine how big a blow it would be to him if something unexpected happened to Le Yiqin?

So, Tang Qiuli said solemnly: "You can command from the air, control the overall situation, and direct operations, but I will never allow you to participate in the battle in person. Le Yiqin, please remember this. This is an order. In addition, I will not allow you to participate in the battle in person.

The escort fleet must not be less than one squadron. Once I know that you violate the order, you know the consequences!"

Le Yiqin grinned and replied cheerfully: "Yes, Commander! I will resolutely carry out your orders!"

I thought to myself: "When the plane is in the sky, it is not up to you, Commander. The air combat battlefield is changing rapidly. By then, thousands of planes will be mixed together, and I will worry that I will not have the opportunity to enjoy it!"

There was a sound of footsteps in the corridor, and Major General Zhao Yuhe, Chief of Staff, Colonel Chen Feng, Director of Communications Division, and Colonel He Zhijun, Director of Operations Department of Southern Flying Group, walked in together.

Zhao Yuhe said: "Commander, all frontline aerial command personnel are in place!"

Chen Feng reported: "Division commander, we have communicated with all the participating units and everything is normal! Fleet Commander Tang called and said that the fleet has entered the South China Sea and is waiting for orders from the division headquarters at any time!"

He Zhijun reported: "The division commander, commander, and communications department have established sea and air contact with the Indian escort fleet and troop carrier formation. The British army reported that the troop carrier formation is expected to arrive in the Coral Sea around 7 a.m. this morning.

, the British task force also arrived at the same sea area at the same time!"

Zhao Yuhe and Chen Feng were used to frequenting the division commander Tang Qiuli's office, but He Zhijun himself reported the situation to the boss of the entire division alone for the first time. It would be nonsense to say that he was not nervous, so

, the tone of his speech was trembling, and he seemed nervous and excited.

Tang Qiuli also noticed it and said jokingly: "Director He Zhijun of the Southern Flying Group Operations Department, I heard that Commander Le often mentioned you as a talented person. How about it? Have you ever thought about going to the division headquarters?

Be the deputy director of the General Staff Office!"

He Zhijun's brain went blank because of the teacher's words. It was too sudden and he had no mental preparation at all. Before he could react, Le Yiqin on the side stopped and said anxiously: "Sir

, If you don’t do this, isn’t this poaching in front of me? It’s impossible!”

"Our aviation group cannot do without him. He is my right-hand man. If you plan to reuse Zhijun, will you promote him to be the chief of staff of our aviation group? Since Chief of Staff Liao was transferred, I have never had a chief of staff!"

Tang Qiuli laughed and said: "Okay, since it was recommended by Commander Le personally, if I don't reuse him, I will bury the talent. After this battle is over, the division headquarters will issue a formal order!"

Le Yiqin winked at He Zhijun and whispered: "How's it going, Mr. He? I've been promoted. After the battle is over, you want to treat me!"

He Zhijun nodded subconsciously. All this was like a dream. In the blink of an eye, he became the chief of staff of the Southern Flying Group.

Everyone sat down casually in Tang Qiuli's office to discuss some details. During this period, staff officers came in from time to time, reported various situations, and sent telegrams one after another. By 4:30 in the morning on August 25th,

About ten minutes later, Le Yiqin stood up and said, "Sir, I'm going to the airport!"

Tang Qiuli sent Le Yiqin to the door of the office, looked at him with complex eyes, and warned: "Yiqin, pay attention to safety and take care of yourself!"

Le Yiqin felt hot in his heart. He was not used to such farewell occasions. He used a carefree expression to cover up his excited heart, "Sir, don't you trust me? I've been fighting with those little devils for several years. That time

They took advantage, it’s okay, just wait for the good news!”

At 5:30 a.m. on August 25, more than a hundred fighter jets took off from the Singapore Field Airport and flew over the rising sun toward the Coral Sea.

At the same time, the carrier-based aircraft formation taking off from the fleet aircraft carrier divided into two routes and flew towards Sumatra Island and Kalimantan Island respectively.

One of the carrier-based aircraft groups of the ** Division Fleet was discovered by the air patrol aircraft group of the Japanese Araki Air Force when it approached the airspace of Kalimantan. The Japanese patrol aircraft group was a squadron in size. The squadron leader, Captain Hao Ye, led five

A fighter jet had just emerged from a cloud. Facing the rising dawn, a dense group of fighter jets suddenly appeared in the endless blue sky.

Captain Hirano's scalp was numb, and his hands that were holding the control stick were trembling slightly. If there is an air force that cannot be messed with in the Southwest Pacific airspace, the pilots of the three air forces of Japan's Southwest Pacific Expedition Force,

They will definitely answer in unison: "Southern Flying Group of the ** Division Aviation Force!"

That was the unit of Le Yiqin, who was nicknamed the "Aerial Butcher". Although they had never fought against Chinese pilots, several veteran aviation fleets in the empire had fallen into their hands. This was by no means groundless. In addition,

Commanders at all levels have repeatedly warned not to have any friction with the ** Division Air Force, and this has become even more confirmed.

Captain Hirano didn't even have the thought of showing the Imperial Japanese Air Warriors' courage to fight to the death in the face of a powerful enemy. He turned the plane around and fled. At the same time, he reported this astonishing information to the Air Force Headquarters.

(To be continued)