kingnovel Chapter 505: I don't know? My huge combined fleet was wiped out in a flash?
Chapter 505: I don't know? My huge combined fleet was wiped out in a flash?
"Vision? It's just seeing the right opportunity. Guangjun, believe it or not, once the Japanese surrender completely and the war ends, those mountains of warships in the homes of White Eagle and John Bull will immediately go from being treasures to hot potatoes.
They can't eat or drink, and it costs money to keep them. They must be worried to the point of having their hair turn gray."
Zhang Guangjun's eyes lit up: "What do you mean...?"
Zhang Chi's mouth curled up in a determined arc:
“By then, as long as we have hard currency—gold, swords, or the bulk supplies they urgently need—let alone a Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier, we can get them.
Whether it's various aircraft carriers, heavy cruisers, or even battleships, as long as we can afford the price, we can buy them."
"Fleet aircraft carrier?! Battleship?!" Zhang Guangjun's breathing became rapid. Which naval general could resist the ultimate temptation of such huge ships and cannons?
He seemed to have seen the spectacular sight of a huge regular aircraft carrier battle group flying the Nanyang Navy flag and cruising in the South China Sea. This was simply the ultimate dream of every naval officer.
"So this Iowa class is...?"
Seeing Zhang Guangjun's face flushed with excitement, Zhang Chi laughed dumbly and poured a basin of cold water on him at the right time, pulling him back from his dream of giant ships and cannons:
"Calm down, Guangjun. The era of giant ships and cannons is over. Aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft are the future.
Even if we do buy those big guns, it's primarily for strategic deterrence and to rapidly build combat power. Don't forget where our true roots lie."
He changed the subject and asked, "By the way, those four shallow-water heavy gunboats equipped with 356mm cannons we ordered are almost finished at White Eagle, right?"
Speaking of this, Zhang Guangjun also calmed down and nodded:
"Yes. All four have been launched and are undergoing final installation and equipment commissioning. The shipyard in White Eagle recently sent a letter demanding the final payment, so it seems they're in a hurry to deliver."
"Well, pay them. I estimate that in a month or two, it will be able to be sailed back to our Yangon Port and put into service."
Zhang Chi calculated the time and warned again seriously:
"Guangjun, you have to remember that we bought these four ships because of their cheap and fierce shore fire support capabilities provided by their twin 356mm heavy guns (pictured).
Their role is to serve as mobile naval batteries, used to bombard enemy beachheads and coastal fortifications, and to support landing troops. They are cheap, powerful, and durable; that is their value."
He stared into Zhang Guangjun's eyes and said in a more serious tone, "Please don't let me get carried away by playing with things and become obsessed with the 'big pipe'!"
"The core mission of our Nanyang Navy at this stage is to prepare for receiving the three Casablanca-class escort aircraft carriers and to form combat capabilities as soon as possible.
You must train me a sufficient number of highly skilled carrier-based pilots and qualified sailors who can skillfully operate aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines.
These are the true backbone of the future Nanyang Navy, do you understand?"
Zhang Guangjun was startled by Zhang Chi's sharp gaze, and his fantasy of cannons and huge ships disappeared in an instant.
He immediately straightened his back, gave a standard military salute, and said in a loud voice:
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. I will keep your instructions in mind and will not be distracted. I will ensure that I devote all my energy to training the aviation and sailors, as well as improving the combat effectiveness of the existing ships!"
The two continued walking, the sea breeze making the hems of their shirts rustle.
In the distance, the outline of the naval port gradually became clear, and the masts of ships moored at the dock were like a forest.
Six second-hand Fletcher-class destroyers purchased cheaply from White Eagle finally arrived in Yangon after traveling half the world and were quietly docked in the military port.
In the sky, the reserve carrier-based aircraft pilots flying the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair are undergoing arduous training.
-----
On the other side, on the island of Sumatra, outside Palembang, inside the underground 25th Army Headquarters.
The soil above his head rustled with the dull sound of explosions, and tiny pieces of soil and dust kept falling from the gaps in the reinforced ceiling.
Lieutenant General Moritake Tanabe, commander of the 25th Army, sat like a clay or wooden sculpture at a table covered with a crude map.
What he held tightly in his hand was a "victory report" from the navy that had just been forwarded from headquarters.
The light from the oil lamp barely illuminated the glaring lines of text on the telegram.
"November 21, Showa 19?"
"Over a month ago, the brave warriors of our naval forces engaged in an unprecedented decisive battle with the brutal US main fleet in the waters east of Luzon Island. Fighting bloody battles, they inflicted a devastating blow upon the enemy."
"Eleven American aircraft carriers sunk? Eight American aircraft carriers severely destroyed? Four American battleships sunk? A total of 45 American cruisers, destroyers, and other types of ships sunk?"
Tanabe Moritake muttered to himself, and the staff officers around him all showed excitement on their faces when they heard this exciting battle result.
"Among them, the pride of the Japanese Navy, the world's most powerful battleships, the Yamato and Musashi, displayed unparalleled firepower.
Their 460mm cannons were invincible, with just two ships confirmed to have sunk two American battleships, three aircraft carriers, and five heavy cruisers. Their illustrious military exploits have shone brightly in the annals of the nation's navy."
"Although the Empire's navy also suffered losses in this battle, they were insignificant compared to the heavy casualties suffered by the Americans. The main force of the American Pacific Fleet has been severely damaged, and control of the sea will surely return to the Empire."
Following the telegram were a bunch of messages expressing loyalty to Tianhuang, and Tanabe Moritake simply stopped reading out these meaningless words.
"Hehe...hehe..." A low, hoarse laugh like a broken bellows came from Moritake Tanabe's throat.
The laughter was particularly harsh amidst the explosions of aerial bombs overhead, filled with endless bitterness and mockery.
Those are the heavy attack aircraft of the Air Force of the National Security Army, oh no, it should be called the Nanyang National Defense Army in the future, still dropping bombs.
"11 aircraft carriers... 4 battleships... 45 ships..." He muttered these astronomical results.
"Yamato, Musashi... 460mm cannon... hehe..."
Another violent explosion sounded very close by, and the entire bunker shook violently as if it had been kicked hard by a giant.
The oil lamp suddenly dimmed and almost went out, and a little lamp oil spilled out.
The staff officers held onto the walls and tables in panic, their faces pale.
Tanabe Moritake sat still, just throwing the "glorious" battle report on the table, letting it get stained by oil.
His cloudy eyes swept over the few remaining staff officers in the command center. Apart from fear and fatigue, their faces showed only a morbid excitement brought about by this huge victory.
"Gentlemen," Tanabe Moritake's voice was unusually calm, terrifyingly calm, "look at this battle report. It's so inspiring."
A young staff officer moved his lips as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head.
"If...if this is true--" Tanabe Moritake slowly stood up, walked to the map hanging on the wall that had long been distorted by the bomb, and pointed his finger to the north.
"The Combined Fleet achieved such an unprecedented victory, sinking almost all of the American battleships... So where are they now?"