Age of Conquest Reborn

A battle that was not large in scale, but had a profound impact on the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet and the Division Air Force Southern Flying Group, came to an end in the Sulu Sea. The sky and ocean returned to tranquility, and the afternoon sun still shone.

Looking at the undulating sea surface, not long ago, bullet rain and thick smoke once filled this sea area.

After receiving the report from the commander of the second wave of attack aircraft group, "Okay!" Le Yiqin slammed the table, cheered repeatedly, and said to Chief of Staff He Zhijun: "Zhijun, the first fleet of the little devils in Sulu Sea is completely defeated."

It’s over, now we can concentrate on dealing with the Japs’ second fleet in the Banda Sea, that’s a big piece of fat with a mouth full of oil!”

He Zhijun looked excited and said: "Commander, I received a report from the reconnaissance plane that the Japanese Second Fleet is still heading towards the Sulawesi Sea at full speed!"

"If you are looking for death, then let him do it!" Le Yiqin rubbed his hands excitedly and said: "Order the He Luming fleet that has returned to the sea to divide the troops into two groups and join the southern and northern air combat battlefields in the Sulawesi Sea.

The fleet's carrier-based aircraft are firmly stuck in place, don't delay me from digging out the little devil's lair!"

"Also, after the second wave of attacking aircraft groups return home, immediately refuel and hang up bombs, cover the bomber group, and once again greet the Japanese second fleet in the Banda Sea. No matter how many Japanese warships are sunk, they will be beaten away.

Can!"

"Send a message to Commander Tang of the Fleet. If the fleet's carrier-based aircraft group still has the strength to fight again, can you assist my fighter group in the airspace battlefield in the northern Sulawesi Sea to encircle and destroy some of the carrier-based aircraft of the Japanese Second Fleet?

"

In the Java Sea, in the command cabin of the flagship "Nagato", the main force of the Japanese Navy's combined fleet, there was deathly silence. The commander of the First Fleet, Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro, had lost contact with the fleet headquarters, although the communication with the fleet headquarters

The radio kept calling, but there was never a reply. The officers present were all experienced veterans of naval warfare and knew what this meant!

"Commander, it is very likely that Vice Admiral Takasu's fleet has been destroyed. We should consider the next step of the combined fleet!" Lieutenant General Matsuda, chief of staff of the combined fleet, broke the silence and tactfully addressed Admiral Yamamoto.

said.

One-third of the ships of the First Fleet were lost in the Sulu Sea. For the combined fleet with nearly a thousand ships of various types, it was only a scratch. Strictly speaking, it was not even a scratch, but

For General Yamamoto, the blow was quite heavy.

The reason why Takasu Shiro's fleet was destroyed cannot be accepted by Admiral Yamamoto. The way of naval battle has always been that the fleets of both sides are fighting on the boundless ocean. It is a duel between fleets. But now, with two aircraft carriers, nearly

Some of the thirty warships of various types in the First Fleet were sunk by the land-based aircraft group of China Division Aviation.

In General Yamamoto's impression, the land-based aviation force was an aircraft that was only suitable for coastal patrols and used for air defense operations. The short legs doomed the land-based aviation force to be unable to go to the vast ocean.

Now, these short-legged Chinese land-based aviation groups have sunk more than thirty of their main battleships. Admiral Yamamoto's chest feels like a heavy boulder is pressing down, making him unable to breathe.

"It was my mistake!" General Yamamoto said sadly. It was his neglect of the China Division's land-based aviation fleet that led to the destruction of Takasu Shiro's fleet. He sighed and said: "Matsuda-kun, give the order.

, all the carrier-based aircraft of the Kondo fleet returned, and the second fleet immediately changed its course and returned to the original sea area. There is no point in going to the Sulu Sea again!"

In the Banda Sea, all the warships of the Second Fleet of the Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet are heading towards the Sulawesi Sea at full speed. Although carrier-based aircraft can reach the Sulu Sea in an hour, warships cannot. They must

You have to detour through the Maluku Strait, enter the Sulawesi Sea, and then pass through the Sulu Islands before entering the Sulu Sea. It is a very big circle. Even if the fleet sails at full speed, it will not take more than two or three days to complete the operation.

Unable to reach the Sulu Sea.

Takasu Shiro's First Fleet was besieged by China Air Force's land-based fleet in the Sulu Sea, and his reinforced fleet was blocked in the airspace of the Sulawesi Sea. The commander, Lieutenant General Kondo Nobutake, felt a feeling in his heart.

I have a very bad feeling, and I am very dissatisfied with the order from the Combined Fleet Headquarters ordering the Second Fleet to rush to the Sulu Sea.

Vice Admiral Kondo was worried, and the report from Fleet Chief of Staff Ichikawa Osaka further proved the seriousness of the situation, "Commander, I'm afraid the situation is not good. I have received a report from the commander of the reinforcement carrier aircraft group. It is now impossible to evacuate the air combat battlefield."

, the Chinese pilots are very tight-lipped, and the battle is fierce. It is almost impossible for our fleet to withdraw from the battle now!"

"What?" Lieutenant General Kondo jumped up and cursed through gritted teeth: "Baga! How could this be? Order the commander of the fleet to get out of the battle no matter what method is used!"

Lieutenant General Kondo was upset and a little confused. The China Division's land-based aircraft group had almost the same number of fighter jets as his own carrier-based aircraft group and did not have the advantage of encirclement. However, they persisted and refused to let go.

, you don’t need to think too hard, the China fleet will definitely have follow-up troops to join the battle. Could it be that Takasu Shiro’s first fleet has encountered something unexpected?

Thinking of this possibility, Lieutenant General Kondo suddenly shed cold sweat on his forehead. If the judgment is correct, then all the strength of the China Division's aviation force will be on his own reinforcement fleet. Comparison of the number of fighter jets

, judge the pros and cons, and he knows very well what the consequences will be.

"What to do?" Lieutenant General Kondo was anxiously circling back and forth. At this moment, the communications staff came in and said, "Report to the commander and chief of staff. We have received an order from the Combined Fleet Headquarters and ordered our Second Fleet to immediately change course and return.

All the reinforced carrier-based aircraft have returned to the original sea area!"

"It's too late!" Fortunately, he didn't listen. As soon as he heard the order from the Combined Fleet Headquarters, Vice Admiral Kondo became furious and roared, "Chief of Staff Ichikawa, order the fleet to continue moving forward and enter an air defense readiness state to prepare to receive the returning carriers.

machine!"

The order from the Combined Fleet Headquarters is simply mindless. If the Second Fleet turns around immediately, what will happen to the carrier-based aircraft group that is fighting fiercely? I am afraid that before they can fly back to the aircraft carrier, they will run out of fuel and fall into the sea.

Therefore, not only can the Second Fleet not turn around now, it must continue sailing at full speed toward the Maluku Strait to prepare to meet the carrier-based aircraft group. If necessary, use the fleet's anti-aircraft firepower to attack the China Division's land-based aircraft group that is pursuing it!

Lieutenant General Kondo's order actually disobeyed General Yamamoto's order. Chief of Staff Ichikawa looked at Commander Kondo with red eyes. His lips moved a few times, but in the end he didn't say a word. He knew that he could not persuade him.

Commander, besides, there is nothing wrong with his order.

Nearly a hundred warships from the Second Fleet of the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet were heading towards the Sulawesi Sea at full speed. Lieutenant General Kondo was extremely anxious and wanted to bring back the carrier-based aircraft group no matter what.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" A nervous cry frightened Lieutenant General Kondo, Chief of Staff Ichikawa, and all the officers in the command cabin.

It was a staff officer who had just put down the phone with a pale face. "Baga! What kind of enemy attack?" Lieutenant General Kondo shouted angrily.

The staff officer's lips trembled nervously, "Your Excellency, Commander, the report of the third frigate detachment is that a land-based aviation group of the China Division was found northwest of our fleet and is approaching rapidly. It is expected to be ready in twenty minutes."

Arrive above our fleet!"

Lieutenant General Kondo's head "buzzed!" suddenly boomed, "Damn the Chinese, how many land-based combat aircraft groups do they have?" Attacking Takasu Shiro's first fleet, entangled his own reinforcements carrier-based aircraft group,

Now, attack your own fleet again.

What is even more frightening is that the Second Fleet now does not even have a carrier-based fighter jet, which is equivalent to a moving target. Although it has anti-aircraft firepower to defend itself and counterattack, it is inevitable to be at a disadvantage.

"Chief of Staff Ichikawa, immediately report to Commander Yamamoto the situation that our fleet was attacked by the land-based aircraft group of the China Division Aviation Force!" Lieutenant General Kondo tried to calm down and said: "Order the fleet to enter air defense combat status!"

The shrill sirens echoed on the surface of the Banda Sea. All the warships of the Japanese Second Fleet immediately entered the state of air defense operations. Anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft machine guns raised their barrels and guns towards the sky.

However, a tense and suffocating atmosphere enveloped the entire Second Fleet.

Twenty minutes later, the mixed fleet of the Southern Flying Group appeared in the sight of the Japanese sailors, and the battle broke out immediately. Suddenly, anti-aircraft shells and anti-aircraft machine gun bullets exploded into black smoke in the sky, and aerial bombs screamed.

As it landed, water columns rose up to the sky on the sea surface. Under the water, torpedoes rushed towards the Japanese warships with ripples. There were violent explosions and indistinguishable shooting sounds.

The officers and sailors of the Japanese Second Fleet discovered very painfully that their anti-aircraft fire net had little effect. Those Chinese pilots, driving fighter jets, shuttled through the fire net as nimbly as swallows, seizing the flaws and attacking.

A barrage of bullets swept over and hit the soldiers on the gun emplacement, causing them to stagger and cause heavy casualties.

As for those Chinese bombers, they bullied the smaller ones. A few or even a dozen of them surrounded a Japanese warship and beat it hard. Bombs and torpedoes hit it from the air and the water.

Soon, several Japanese warships were pouring down, smoking and catching fire, and their speed suddenly slowed down, which led to a more ferocious siege. A fleet without carrier-based aircraft was a living target in front of combat aircraft.

!

(To be continued)(To be continued)

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