The fleet crossed the Red Sea from the gloomy Mediterranean Sea to the sunny Gulf of Aden, as if it had changed different seasons. The Sheikh Said Mountain stands in between the desolate Straits of Mande, with waves rolling and crowds of islands Flying freely between the clear water, blue sky and white sand.

The huge special mixed fleet consisting of two "North Sea-class" aviation ships of the 12th Air Fleet, six battleships of the Fifth Fleet and four Italian Navy "Veneto" battleships sailed into the Arabian Sea in a mighty manner. The battleship "Tianshan" was sailing in front of the fleet, followed by the "Himalaya" with Fang Minghao's lieutenant general hanging on its mast. "Please search for Piaotianyi, the novel is better and faster! The sea and sea are calm and quiet. , all the battleships were dragging white trails behind, and the scene looked very spectacular.

Fang Minghao stood on the tall bridge of the Himalaya and looked down at the sea. The warm sea breeze blew with a salty and wet smell. This scene made him feel excited. Since entering the Naval School, he has fantasized countless times. With such a scene, from the memories of a teenager and the documentaries I watched when I was studying at the Indianapolis Naval Academy, the fearless fleet arranged in columns sailed on the sea. The scene was spectacular and had an overwhelming momentum.

Although the battleship is no longer in its glory, its majestic appearance is still enviable. It is still the dream of some naval officers to command a battleship.

The Mediterranean was completely in the hands of the Sino-Italian coalition forces. Since the Republicans blocked the Strait of Gibraltar and recently entered the Atlantic on a large scale, the battle fleet stayed in the Mediterranean and used its place. So the Navy General Command decided to put it into practice. The battle fleet was transferred to the South Pacific to strengthen the South Pacific Fleet.

In order to show the power of the Romans, Mussolini ordered the Italian Navy to send the strongest battle fleet to join the Republican army's maritime war against the United States and Australia in the South Pacific, with Admiral Aquino as the supreme commander of the Italian fleet. Before leaving, the Italian "leader" personally rushed to the port of Taranto to see off the Sino-Italy Combined Fleet on the expedition. The powerful fleet of 10 battleships really made the Mussolini who was inspecting it a glorious.

Compared with aviation warships, the majestic battle fleet is more suitable for showing off its military power.

Under the order of Fang Minghao's chief of combat staff, a new banner was issued on the "Himalaya", and the signal flag that had just been raised fluttered in the wind on the mast: the fleet was in a double column of the tongguo Strait.

The ships followed by the flag of response, and the entire fleet changed smoothly and lined up again. Then they sailed through the Strait of Mande.

As a senior naval general, Fang Minghao's naval career was not very satisfactory. In addition to being a destroyer captain, he also commanded a larger ship experience, which was very unfavorable for his promotion. Experience will definitely not be promoted to the rank of admiral. He spent most of his naval careers in strategic research, and also served as staff. The Chief of Staff of the Fleet and the Chief of Staff of the General Staff, and even the Chief of Operations Department. With essential differences, all major combat orders of the Republican Army were issued by the Chief of Staff. However, in fleets or war zones, combat orders were issued by the commander, and the Chief of Staff could only provide some constructive opinions for decision-making. .

Now, such a huge fleet is under his command, but if it does not come to the Nanyang Fleet, he will be like a shime. Although he has experienced many naval battles as the chief of staff, as the commander of the fleet, he needs to be at the critical moment.

Shihou made decisions and needed to show calmness and rationality in danger. In this regard, the top leaders of the Navy were not very relieved about him.

The fleet arrived at Socotra Island to replenish supplies. This archipelago seized from the British now becomes the largest naval base of the Republican army in the Arabian Sea. With the endurance of the Republican Navy's main battleship, the entire main fleet can sail from Malta to Guangzhou.

There is no need for jinháng supplies in the middle, but the Italian main battleship cannot do this. The "Veneto-class" battleship has inherent weakness of "short legs", and its endurance is only more than 4,000 nautical miles, which is the ocean-going relationship between the Republican Navy and the Navy

Destroyers and frigates have similar endurance.

The warships entered the Anxi Port Wharf in turn and cheered. Although they were knowledgeable, the logistics officers and soldiers stationed in Socotra were still amazed at the huge size and displacement of more than 60,000 tons. Fang Minghao

The garrisons on Socotra Island were allowed to board the "Tianshan" Jinháng, and Ziji and Major General Tang Anguo, the commander of the Socotra Island base, accompanied General Yaquino to visit the island. The animals and plants of Socotra Island

Very strange, like a dragon blood tree, strange-shaped desert roses, precious myrrh and ** trees, like a illusion.

After three days of supply in Socotra, on October 12, 1942, the early morning sunlight had just risen, and the entire special-mix fleet left Anxi Port and continued to sail towards Malacca. After entering the Indian Ocean,

Fang Minghao ordered the transformation into an anti-submarine formation. Although the entire Indian Ocean is currently under the control of the Republican Navy, there will still be attacks on the transport fleet from time to time.

The fleet crossed the entire North Indian Ocean and entered the Strait of Malacca with a speed of 16 knots. Méiyou encountered trouble along the way. Even if there were enemy submarines, they would not easily attack a fleet. The first is that it was difficult to get close to.

The second attack was that it was rare to get the chance, but the sunk was the most powerful. When the fleet sailed through Ceylon, it kept raining in the sky, and it seemed that it had been interrupted.

When they were about to arrive in Singapore, the fleet received orders from the country, and the orders from the Navy asked Fang Minghao to lead the fleet back to the country to rest.

This is the prelude to a large maritime battle. After warships are on duty at sea for a long time, many marine creatures will be attached to the hull, which will affect the speed and combat capability of the warship. Before every large-scale naval battle, the main fleet will be the

They will return to the shipyard for routine maintenance.

The fleet stayed in Singapore for two days, while the Italian fleet stayed at the naval shipyard of Changi base for maintenance, while Fang Minghao continued to lead the fleet back to the country.

The South China Sea gives people a kind of kindness. After entering the South China Sea, the officers and soldiers on the ship seemed a little excited. They had been wandering on the sea for nearly two years, and this was their first time returning to their hometown.

Fang Minghao sat in the war room, facing the huge Pacific Ocean map on the table, guessing the next combat plan of the General Staff and Navy Command. Although many people on the Navy were interested in attacking Pearl Harbor,

But the highest decision-maker is the president who has been denying the offensive plan close to the United States in order to avoid arousing hatred among Americans. In addition, the battle for islands in the Aleutian Islands and the South Pacific.

Fang Minghao judged that the Navy would launch a major maritime battle in the South Pacific, which would be the most powerful. Ruguo could cut off the Australian sea supply. The more than 2.3 million US-Australia-Japanese coalition forces in Australia would collapse without attacking.

The battle is the key to combating the entire South Pacific.
Chapter completed!