Volume 2: War breaks out Chapter 26: Escape from Death (Part 2)
Just when Tan Renhao was at a loss and didn't know where to start, he received good news.
Lei Shaoqing was still alive and his skin was not even scratched.
When the Southwest Fleet was attacked, he did not move with the fleet, but organized training for the fleet's air force in Lion City.
In accordance with Tan Renhao's request , Liao Hanxiang first transferred Lei Shaoqing back to the Naval General Staff, and then arranged for him to serve as a staff officer in the Fifth Fleet.
"Shao Qing!"
"Renhao!"
The two brothers were naturally very excited to meet each other again, although they had only been apart for a little over a month, but when they met this time, both of them felt like they had escaped death.
Tan Renhao went through a close call with the Fifth Fleet, while Lei Shaoqing was lucky enough to stay safely behind.
"I heard about Uncle San, but I believe he passed away peacefully."
Tan Renhao asked Lei Shaoqing to sit down, "Third Uncle has always taken good care of the two of us. Now, it's time for us to do something to comfort Third Uncle's spirit in heaven."
Lei Shaoqing's expression dimmed for a moment . His third uncle was the chief of staff of the Southwest Fleet. When the fleet was bombed by Japanese fighter planes, the flagship of the Southwest Fleet was the first to be hit. As a result, all senior staff officers and generals including the fleet commander, chief of staff, and combat staff were killed.
When the Southwest Fleet returned to Singapore, the highest-ranking officer was only a lieutenant commander on a cruiser.
"I heard that you were appointed as the operations staff officer of the Fifth Fleet?"
Lei Shaoqing took the teacup handed to him by Tan Renhao.
"Yes, he was appointed just a few days ago and is also the Chief of Staff for Aviation Operations."
Tan Renhao took out a cigarette and lit one for Lei Shaoqing first. "Your promotion order will be issued the day after tomorrow at the latest. According to the arrangement, you will be my main deputy, a major officer. Is that ok?"
"What could be my problem?"
Lei Shaoqing forced a smile and said, "I would be happy to work with you even if I were a second lieutenant. But we can't just do nothing, right?"
"of course not."
Tan Renhao went to give Lei Shaoqing the first draft of a battle plan he had written over the past two days.
"Marshal Sagittin personally issued an order, asking the Fifth Fleet to save face for the Imperial Navy. We will launch a counterattack in the near future.
Now, the Army Aviation bombers were already bombing the Japanese mainland, but the effect was not very good. They encountered fierce resistance from Japanese fighters and ground anti-aircraft artillery, and lost hundreds of bombers in the first two days.
Now, the Army Aviation is deploying more bombers to Jeju Island. I heard that the Army will send a division of troops to strengthen the defense of Jeju Island in the near future, and perhaps it will be expanded to an army in the future.
However, this is not important. Marshal Sagittin’s meaning is very clear. The humiliation suffered by the navy should be resolved by the navy itself, rather than letting the army intervene.
I will submit this report tomorrow, please take a look at it first."
Lei Shaoqing frowned slightly. He didn't expect that he would have to start working as soon as he arrived in Zhoushan.
"This is a special period, so I can't entertain you as a good host. I'll set up a table for you after this operation is over."
"Renhao, why are we two brothers still talking about this?"
Lei Shaoqing laughed, then quickly read through the main contents of the draft of the battle plan.
"Are you planning to do something near Jeju Island?"
Tan Renhao nodded.
"Originally, I wanted to look for fighter planes near the Ryukyu Islands, but now Japan has occupied the Kerama Islands, built several field airports on them, and deployed several Kashiwa fighter planes. I'm afraid that the Fifth Fleet will be discovered before it gets close, and then attacked by the Southwest Combined Fleet and the Home Fleet of Japan. We won't even have a chance to fight back. In addition, the defenders on the Ryukyu Islands may not be able to hold out for ten days. Even if we can open up a sea route to the Ryukyu Islands, we can only rescue more than 20,000 defenders at most. We don't have any ability to defend the Ryukyu Islands."
"However, those more than 20,000 people..."
"The Fifth Fleet is the last fleet of the Imperial Navy. Now the Fourth Fleet and the Independent Fleet are left in the Atlantic to deal with the fleets of the British Empire and the Kingdom of France."
Tan Renhao gritted his teeth and said, "We can't let the Fifth Fleet take risks. This is the only hope for the Navy. Therefore, we must first ensure the safety of the Fifth Fleet before considering counterattacks."
Lei Shaoqing nodded. He felt that abandoning the garrison on Ryukyu Island was a bit cruel. If it had happened in the past, such behavior would definitely not be accepted. However, at this time, it would be too unprofitable to rescue the more than 20,000 officers and soldiers at the cost of sacrificing the Fifth Fleet.
“So, I set my sights on Jeju Island.”
Tan Renhao walked to the wall where a map of the Western Pacific was hung, and then pointed at Jeju Island. "The importance of this island is self-evident. The most important thing is that Japan will definitely capture Ryukyu Island first, and then withdraw troops to attack Jeju Island.
By that time, the two Japanese fleets had been fighting for half a month and needed time to rest, and they also needed time to adjust their troop deployment.
As long as the defenders on Ryukyu Island can hold out for a few days, we will have enough time to complete the battle deployment.
The Fifth Fleet also has enough time to restore its combat effectiveness.
When the time comes, we will use our elite troops to defeat the exhausted army, and there is no reason why we cannot win."
Lei Shaoqing also walked over, looked for a while, and said, "Are you planning to deploy the Fifth Fleet in the Yellow Sea?"
"This was my initial idea. This will ensure that the Fifth Fleet can operate within the coverage of shore-based fighters. However, I now think that this is meaningless. First of all, the coordination between shore-based fighters and the fleet is not in place. Secondly, if the Fifth Fleet wants to attack Jeju Island, it must move forward to the central Yellow Sea. Those fighters can only patrol over the fleet for half an hour at most. How much effect can they have?"
Tan Renhao glanced at Lei Shaoqing and said, "Since we have to fight, we must fight beautifully, and our target should be Japan's Southwest Combined Fleet, not Japan's home fleet.
The main goal is to destroy Japan's aircraft carriers. As long as we destroy the Japanese aircraft carriers, we can organize forces to consolidate the defense of Jeju Island, and at the same time concentrate our forces to recover Ryukyu Province and open up a channel to the Pacific Ocean.
By then, as long as the battle is underway, we will have more opportunities."
Lei Shaoqing nodded. He understood what Tan Renhao meant and knew that Tan Renhao was going to take a gamble. Although it was a bit risky, as long as it succeeded, the results would be very obvious. The Imperial Navy would get rid of the situation of being completely passive and take control of some of the initiative.
