Volume 1: The Empire Awakens Chapter 59: Turning Point of Destiny (Part 1)
This confrontational exercise was not only a turning point in the fate of the Fifth Fleet, but could even be said to be a turning point in the development of the Imperial Navy.
At that time, the entire exercise was kept strictly confidential, and the results of the exercise were directly listed as the top secret of the Imperial Navy. All participants had to sign a confidentiality letter and receive several special confidentiality education sessions.
The Imperial Navy did not publish the results of the exercise until after the end of the Second Global War.
According to later evaluations, this exercise made the Imperial Navy thoroughly aware of the new type of ship, the aircraft carrier, and the dominant position of naval aviation in future naval battles.
Facts speak louder than words. Although there were certain unfair elements in the exercise, the result was certain. The least valued Fifth Fleet destroyed the most powerful First Fleet in less than an hour.
Later, the Imperial Navy comprehensively reorganized its fleet, stopped building all non-aircraft carrier main battleships, put the "Shanhe" class aircraft carrier on the development schedule, fully developed new combat aircraft, and began to train more naval pilots.
Without exception, these actions are directly related to the results of the exercise.
This gave the Imperial Navy a last chance, and two years before the outbreak of the Second Global War, the Imperial Navy finally embarked on a path that would win the final victory.
When Tan Renhao followed Colonel Ji Xiaobin into General Liao Hanxiang's room, Liao Hanxiang was talking and laughing loudly with Wu Xianyu.
"You've arrived just in time. Come and take a seat. No need to salute. Just sit down!"
Liao Hanxiang seemed very excited. "Xiaobin, do you know what Bei Yuming looked like when he walked out of the headquarters of the Dignity? The bomb landed so accurately that the paint stained him all over. Fortunately, Marshal Sagittin was on the bridge below, otherwise..."
Ji Xiaobin also laughed. Tan Renhao just smiled faintly and sat on the sofa next to Colonel Ji Xiaobin.
"To be honest, I've never been so happy in the past year!"
Liao Hanxiang slowly calmed down. "When I went to Marshal Sajidin's place yesterday, Bei Yuming's face was livid. Let's see if he dares to look down on us again in the future."
The exercise had been going on for three days and Tan Renhao had already submitted the exercise report.
The Fifth Fleet did not participate in the subsequent exercises, and the First Fleet also left Zhoushan yesterday and returned to Qingdao Port.
Many exercise arrangements have been cancelled, and now there are two local fleets holding up the show.
However, it is certain that Marshal Sagittin canceled the subsequent exercise arrangements, which must have a lot to do with the performance of the Fifth Fleet.
"Marshal Sagittin has agreed to our request. Our operating budget this year will be increased to 45 million. In addition, the Fifth Fleet will soon have a new flagship."
Although Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu was not as excited as Liao Hanxiang, he was also very happy.
"The treatment of our officers and men will all be upgraded by one level. Next month, we will be responsible for submitting future development plans, which will be directly related to the development of the Imperial Navy in the next ten or perhaps twenty years."
"Sagittin did not remove General Pei Yuming, but I heard that the marshal is preparing to completely reorganize the navy."
Liao Hanxiang seemed very calm after he calmed down.
“Although the news has not been announced yet, I guess the Marshal will definitely adopt the results of this exercise.
If all goes as expected, we will launch a number of research projects related to aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft this year, including improving the air defense capabilities of surface warships, enhancing the combat effectiveness of carrier-based aircraft, and developing larger and faster fleet carriers.
These will bring us more opportunities.
If the newly built "provincial capital" class aircraft carrier can be successfully launched, it will be provided to us first.
However, according to Marshal Sagittin's intention, I am afraid that the other four fleets will also be comprehensively reorganized in the future, abandoning the battleship as the core, and at least raising the importance of aircraft carriers to the level of battleships.
So the size of the Fifth Fleet will not necessarily increase.”
Tan Renhao frowned slightly.
Liao Hanxiang’s meaning was very clear. If the Fifth Fleet needed to obtain new aircraft carriers, then the current three aircraft carriers would definitely have to be transferred to other fleets.
"But we will have more escort warships."
Wu Xianyu took over Liao Hanxiang's words: "This exercise not only proved the powerful strike force of the aviation force, but also proved another point, that the anti-aircraft firepower of the warship is extremely important.
If those battleships had suitable and sufficient anti-aircraft guns, they would not only be able to provide the final air defense cover for the fleet, but also pose a great threat to the attack aircraft groups.
Therefore, Marshal Sagittin has decided to extract a number of warships from the First and Second Fleets, modify them first, install more anti-aircraft guns, and then hand them over to us to be used as escort warships for aircraft carriers. "
Tan Renhao also realized this a few days ago.
In the two rounds of "bombing" of the First Fleet, the Fifth Air Wing lost a total of 36 combat aircraft. Except for the four "lost" in the air battle, the rest were all "shot down" by the First Fleet's anti-aircraft artillery.
Obviously, as long as the warship has strong enough anti-aircraft firepower, even if it cannot completely resist bombing, it can still have a very good air defense effect.
"Marshal Sagittin has made up his mind. This change is not just a small one."
Wu Xianyu told his two subordinates the changes that had taken place in as few words as possible , "The Navy will undergo very significant changes in the next two to three years, from its organization and development priorities to weapons and ammunition, talent training, and tactical thinking.
It is no exaggeration to say that this is a revolution.
However, there are still a group of generals in the navy who oppose the focus on developing aircraft carriers. Marshal Sagittin encounters great resistance and he needs more support from us.
Therefore, we will hold several exercises with several other fleets in the first half of the year so that Marshal Sagittin can " convince" those generals. "
"The Chief of Staff is right, Xiaobin, you need to hurry up on this matter."
Liao Hanxiang's expression became serious. "The relationship between the fleet and the aviation force will undergo major changes in the second half of this year. By then, the Fifth Aviation Company will become part of the fleet, so you must make relevant preparations in advance."
Ji Xiaobin nodded.
"I will be ready. Half a year is enough."
At this time, Liao Hanxiang's attention shifted to Tan Renhao, and Wu Xianyu called Ji Xiaobin and left the room first. It was obvious that Liao Hanxiang wanted to talk to Tan Renhao alone.
