Chapter 1677： Preparation II

Chapter 1677 Preparation for war (2)

The preparations for battleships and aircraft were carried out in an orderly manner, and the collection of intelligence continued. Just after Major General Rodhart arrived at Port Fao, Earl Su Xiong, who was the commander-in-chief of the operation, held the first combat meeting. , And the content of this meeting is to choose a suitable target for the monsoon action.

"Our main task this time is to test the strike effect of naval aviation. If we only find a few merchant ships, there is no difficulty. However, our future targets are the British battleships and the well-trained officers and soldiers. Therefore, this time, our goal should not be too far away even if it is not a dreadnought ship. A simple light warship or civilian ship cannot detect the combat effectiveness of our air force." After the meeting, Major General Rodhart first proposed. Own requirements.

"There have not been any dreadnought warships or above in the Indian Ocean for at least 5 months," said Earl Su Xiong. "The British are shrinking across the board. It is estimated that it will not take long for the ultra-dreadnought fleet in the Mediterranean to return to their homeland. After the Japanese were hit hard last time, they were more careful with their limited number of dreadnoughts. Even Malacca. The strait has not passed."

"What about the cruiser class?" Rodhart asked.

"There are still some of this. After all, we can always guarantee that there are more than two camouflaged cruisers in the Indian Ocean performing the task of breaking the cross. These auxiliary cruisers have very good firepower and the hull structure is also very good. They are not those auxiliary cruisers can deal with. In the Indian Ocean, you can see the British protective cruisers of the 1990s, and you can also see their last-generation patrols." Raidel said with a smile on the side.

"Why don't you choose a British armored cruiser?" Rodhart thought for a while and wanted to look at the opposite US military representative Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel, who is now the captain of the Constellation.

"We have a better choice. According to the information provided by our intelligence network, there is a Japanese battleship that will accompany a Japanese transport fleet to Europe, and we have already figured out the schedule and route of this fleet. "Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel said proudly.

Compared with Germany, the three armies of the United States of America are far behind, but there is one thing that Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel is very confident, and that is the efficiency of American intelligence agencies. Relying on the intelligence network formed by the Dutch and American businessmen who stayed in the Dutch East Indies, any large-scale fleet movement from the Dutch East Indies could not avoid the eyes of the Americans. Of course, technically Americans also have merits, at least the Japanese radio communication does not have too many secrets for Americans!

"Battleship? It certainly won't be of the Dreadnought class. It should be a former Dreadnought or the armored cruiser we sold to Japan?" Major General Rodhart was also interested.

"It is Katori. It is the third of the Satsuma-class battleships sold by the British to the Japanese. Your Excellency the Count of this ship should be very aware that Satsuma and his fellow ship Aki have achieved your reputation as Earl of Blood. "Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel said with a smile.

"Hehe, yeah, that success was also indispensable with the help of American friends." Earl Su Xiong said with a haha.

"And this time, we will continue to glory!" Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel said with a smile. Then she began to introduce the situation of the fleet.

"This transport fleet transports various raw materials. There are a total of 21 commercial ships of various sizes, large and small, with a gross tonnage of about 100,000 tons, all of which are Japanese ships. Therefore, the Japanese Navy is very concerned about this fleet. In addition to 1 battleship, there is also a light cruiser, which seems to be called the Tianlong. It has a displacement of 5,500 tons and is equipped with 7 5.5-inch guns to enhance air defense capabilities. There are some 40MM cannons, which should be British 2-pounders. The improved version, the armor belt is said to be 3 inches. The maximum speed is 32 knots. In addition, it is accompanied by 2 destroyers."

"The number of destroyers in this Japanese fleet is a bit less." Major General Ryder said.

"That is thanks to you and your colleagues. Last time, in addition to killing two fast battleships, you also cleaned up a lot of Japanese destroyers. After all, Japan is a third-rate country, and it is impossible to guarantee the main force like us. In the case of the fleet, at the same time expand enough auxiliary ships."

"Of course, another problem is that the pressure on submarines in the Indian Ocean is not great. Your country's submarines are mainly active in the North Atlantic and in areas close to the United Kingdom. The number of submarines in the Indian Ocean at the same time does not seem to exceed two digits? So Japan People may think that the anti-submarine pressure is not great, right?" Lieutenant Colonel Kimmel said.

"Hehe, last time our submarine force also left a very profound lesson for the Japanese. Their destroyer fleet performed part-time too badly. They used the destroyers as gunboats and torpedo boats. They fought themselves during the battle. , Without considering that his real task is to ensure the safety of capital ships and transport ships!" Earl Su Xiong made no secret of his contempt for the Japanese naval destroyer forces in his words.

"But, in short, the **** force of this fleet is like this. No matter what the Japanese think, they only have 2 destroyers. After I saw it, this is a very good sample. Katori, as the last pre-dreadnought ship, is completely It can simulate the British ordinary fearless and super fearless anti-strike ability. The Tianlong can simulate the British light cruiser, and if we have enough ammunition those destroyers can also try it." Rod Hart The major general was very satisfied with this set of goals.

"So how is the plan made? Two fast battleships, three camouflage assault ships and an aircraft carrier? What is our battleship mission?" Although Su Xiong is the commander-in-chief this time, it is after all to test the combat effectiveness of the aviation force. Therefore, this mission is definitely not a mere attack on the fleet. It is necessary for the aviation to have time to perform.

"Capital ships and camouflaged assault ships attack and disperse the transport fleet, and then the aircraft carrier launches a separate attack. The first target is the cruiser and destroyer, but the second target is Katori." Major General Rodhart said.

"We must keep this operation as confidential as possible. Therefore, all Japanese warships must be killed if they can be killed. The destroyers and light cruisers are the fastest. The first wave will kill them first, and Katori is an old battleship. When it first entered service, it was only 20 knots. Ten years later, it must not be able to maintain its original speed. The maximum is no more than 18 knots. Even if the aviation power cannot be solved, the two fast battleships are enough to kill. It's gone." The major general added.

The second is more~~~! Please subscribe for a reward~~~!

(End of this chapter)