Age of Conquest Reborn

The reconnaissance planes sent to the waters of the Solomon Islands broke their wings one after another and never returned, which made Colonel Tada, the commander of the Japanese Navy's 49th Land-Based Air Force on Honiara Island, very angry.

The bullying was so serious that Colonel Tada wanted to enlist the 49th Air Force and have a serious fight with China's land-based fighter group. He also did this once and personally commanded a group of fighter jets in Honya.

In the airspace more than 50 kilometers east of La, they fought with a squadron of the China Division's land-based aviation force.

But the result of a small-scale air battle made Colonel Tada frustrated and frightened. It was just six land-based fighter jets of the China Air Force. After shooting down seven of his own fighter jets, Shi Shiran escaped unscathed. He was proud and arrogant, but

Colonel Tada did not dare to order a pursuit. He could not judge whether this was a trap set by the cunning commander of the China aircraft group.

However, Osago Tada confirmed that it was indeed the land-based fleet of the China Air Force that was rampant in the waters of the Solomon Islands, and not the aircraft carrier-based aircraft of the China Division fleet hidden in the waters of the Solomon Islands as he had previously suspected.

But the trouble was obviously not over yet. From then on, small groups of Chinese land-based fighter jets came from the direction of Irian Island every day, provoking in the airspace around Honiara Island. Colonel Tada could only hang up his war-free card and stay behind closed doors.

Fortunately, the land-based fighter jets of the China Division Aviation Corps did not dare to go deeper and could only harass the outer reaches of Honiara Island.

However, the ensuing consequence was that the 49th Air Force could no longer send out reconnaissance planes and knew nothing about the situation in the sea area fifty kilometers west of Honiara. Therefore, two hundred kilometers away from itself

The division fleet was hidden in an uninhabited coral island more than a kilometer away on the sea, and Colonel Tada was not aware of it.

But it won’t work today. Colonel Tada must ensure that there are no China Division fleets in the waters from the Solomon Islands to the east coast of Australia, because the commander of the newly formed combined fleet, the former chief of the Imperial Navy’s Military Command, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro, issued an order

Following a strict order, the 49th Air Force in Honiara must provide the latest information on the situation in the waters of the Solomon Islands. A large fleet of troop carriers and escort fleets dispatched by the empire headquarters will pass through the waters tomorrow and head to East Australia.

coastal.

Colonel Tada had no choice but to send troops. He could not bear the responsibility. This time, he planned to go into battle personally and command two fighter groups and a reconnaissance aircraft group to get a clear picture of the situation in the waters of the Solomon Islands.

Sulawesi Island, where the headquarters of the Southern Flying Group is located. Le Yiqin looked through the reports from the Irian Island ground radar station monitoring the situation of the Japanese 39th Air Force in Honiara in recent days.

Le Yiqin thought for a moment and said to Chief of Staff He Zhijun: "Zhijun, ever since the fleet's land-based mixed combat brigade was temporarily placed under our command, it has not had much impact on the 49th Air Force in Honiara.

The fleet has been ambushing the waters of the Solomon Islands for more than a week. I guess it’s time for that big fish to show up!"

"We can't let the little devils in Honiara ruin the fleet's affairs. Please convey my order. The brigade's fighter units, in regiment units, will ensure that within three days, the Japanese 49th Air Force in Honiara will be defeated."

The team’s planes will not go beyond the fifty kilometers range of the island!”

He Zhijun ordered the operations department and after issuing the commander's order, he said with emotion: "Commander, the fleet has been ambushing in the waters of the Solomon Islands for more than a week. The risk of exposing the target has greatly increased. Honiara's

The Japanese 49th Air Force is the biggest threat!"

"I know what you want to say!" Le Yiqin said with a smile: "It is still useful to keep the little devil in Honiara for the time being. Let him report to the little devil's fleet that it is safe and capture Honiara, isn't it?

What a big deal, tell the brigade commanders and regimental commanders of the fleet’s land-based mixed combat brigade that they have a chance to fight!”

Le Yiqin's order came at the right time. Colonel Tada commanded two fighter groups and a reconnaissance aircraft group. Before they even took off, the airport's sirens rang loudly, and the Japanese army had no choice but to fight.

After an air battle, dozens of fighter jets and reconnaissance planes were lost. Colonel Tada depressingly issued an order to cancel the previous plan. He found that the number of land-based fighter jets from the China Division that came to harass today was several times higher than before.

There is a strong tendency to launch an attack on Honiara. In this case, it is obviously not important to go out for reconnaissance. The main thing is to protect the airport.

In the waters of the Solomon Islands, Fleet Commander Lieutenant General Amosiev said to Tang Qiuquan worriedly: "Commander, the fleet has been lying in wait for more than a week, and the Japanese troop carrier formation and escort fleet have not yet appeared.

Worried about exposing the target, in recent days, the Japanese 49th Air Force in Honiara has frequently sent out reconnaissance planes. Are the Japanese aware of it?"

Tang Qiuli was also very anxious in his heart. For such a large fleet, one more day of ambush would increase the risk of exposure. However, he could still keep calm. Seeing that his deputy was a little impatient, he said: "Deputy

Commander, Le Yiqin will definitely be able to properly solve the problems you are worried about. He has this ability, not to mention, he also has a land-based aviation mixed combat brigade at hand, which is a big killer!"

"In order not to expose the target, the fleet has maintained radio silence. I don't know Le Yiqin's situation, but don't worry. Once the fleet exposes the target, it will definitely receive an alert as soon as possible. So far, there has been no alert.

This shows that the fleet’s ambush plan has not been exposed!”

Amosiyev nodded and agreed with Tang Qiuquan's analysis. Tang Qiuquan said to the fleet chief of staff Xin Xiguo: "Xiguo, order all squadrons to be patient enough and continue to hide. I have a hunch that the big fish will soon be there."

It’s about to show up!”

Tang Qiuquan's premonition was very effective. At dawn the next day, when the sun once again shone over the waters of the Solomon Islands, he received a report from Li Yaoxian, commander of the land-based aviation mixed combat brigade: "Headquarters, our brigade's reconnaissance aircraft brigade is in Aaron

In the waters south of the island, a large Japanese troop carrier formation and the escorting Japanese main fleet were discovered. It is expected to arrive in the waters of the Solomon Islands around noon today!"

"Okay!" Tang Qiuquan, who has always been calm, gave the table a rare hard knock. His excitement was palpable. He had been waiting for a long time, and the target finally appeared. "Order that the fleet immediately weigh anchor and rush to Honiara."

In the sea to the west, at the same time, send a telegram to Commander Le Yiqin to report the fleet’s actions, so that we can remove the nail in Honiara!”

The newly appointed commander of the newly formed Japanese Navy Combined Fleet, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro, is a senior officer with no actual command experience. He has been assisting the commander-in-chief in the Naval Command Department and serves as the deputy commander-in-chief.

This job has a great voice within the Japanese Navy, second only to the Big Three. This time, he was appointed as the commander of the newly formed combined fleet. His position was promoted by more than half a rank, and he became one of the Big Three of the Navy.

Therefore, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro was very satisfied. He had never fought on the battlefield, nor had he suffered from Tang Qiuli's losses, so he did not think that he was ordered to go to the Australian battlefield this time to supply supplies to the Australian front army and receive supplies.

How difficult and dangerous was it to get back the retreating army soldiers? As for the previous main force of the combined fleet, which was all shattered in the Banda Sea, he attributed it to the command errors of the incompetent Nagumo Chuichi.

"Hmph! If it were me, I would never make such a stupid mistake!" Lieutenant General Okubo thought arrogantly, "In the waters of the Solomon Islands, close to Honiara, there is Aaron who is closer, and the two places are separate.

There is a naval land-based air force stationed there, which can make up for the lack of fighter jets in the combined fleet if necessary!"

"Moreover, before that, I had given an order to Colonel Tada, the commander of the 49th Air Force in Honiara, to closely monitor the situation in the waters of the Solomon Islands. So far, Tada has not issued an alarm, which means that

Now, there is no China Division fleet in the Solomon Islands waters!"

The newly formed combined fleet and the new commander, Lieutenant General Okubo Jiro, wanted to perform well to consolidate their position in the Imperial Navy. For example, in this operation, this emotion also brought to him

in command style.

Commander Okubo did not hesitate to reject the joint proposal of Lieutenant General Hosaro Goshiro, Commander of the Fifth Fleet of the Combined Fleet, and Lieutenant General Mitsumi Shimizu, Commander of the Sixth Fleet, and sent a small number of warships and a formation full of military supplies ahead of the main force.

The fleet took one day to head to Australia.

The purpose is to detect the maritime navigation route, whether it is safe, and whether there is a China Division fleet ambushing in the nearby waters. This small-scale formation is similar to the role of the vanguard.

The suggestions of Vice Admiral Xixuan and Admiral Shimizu are absolutely correct. Even though the Imperial Navy Combined Fleet is still called the old name, its strength is no longer the same as that of the previous combined fleet. In terms of overall strength, it is not as strong as the previous combined fleet.

The fleet is still far behind, especially the new commander of the combined fleet. Even though he is a lieutenant general, he is definitely a rookie-level figure who has never fought in a war.

After the two people jointly submitted their suggestions, their idea was very simple. This was the best and safest method at present. Commander Okubo did not fail to accept the reason, but he never expected that he would be rejected flatly and even explained to the two people.

There is no chance.

The arrogant adjutant of Commander Okubo, in his reply to the two people, told himself unabashedly, "Your Excellency, Commander, is very dissatisfied with your suggestion. He thinks it is a waste of time, and it lacks a sense of responsibility."

The Imperial Japanese Navy admiral is unstoppable and full of confidence in victory!"

(To be continued)(To be continued...)

...