Gorshkov's position is the commander of the First Fleet of the Red Navy Special Mixed Fleet Cruiser, who is fully responsible for commanding the four heavy cruisers, Tallinn, Baku, Riga and Vilnius. ≤,

These four heavy cruisers are improved by the 1935 heavy cruiser, all launched between 1938 and 1939. The standard displacement is 12,500 tons, the maximum displacement is 14,500 tons, and it is equipped with 9 203mm main guns and 6 dual-equipped 76mm high-level dual-purpose guns, with a maximum speed of 34 knots, and the side side has 152mm armor.

These four heavy cruisers were also the last heavy cruiser of the Soviet Union and the masterpiece of the Soviet artillery cruiser. Of course, according to Li Xiaofeng's meaning, there is no need for these four heavy cruisers to be born at all. In what era, they still produce the old heavy cruiser. What can they do?

According to Li Xiaofeng's idea, the only thing that the Soviet Union had to put into production at that time was the new air defense cruiser. The 203mm and 152mm artillery cruiser, including the Type 35 heavy cruiser and Type 36 light cruiser, could be discontinued. However, at that time, some senior executives of the Red Navy who were particularly loving for the cannon ships strongly insisted, and a certain immortal could only give them a face.

Of course, this improved 35 heavy cruiser also added a lot of air defense colors, such as the 38 dual-equipped 76mm high-level dual-purpose cannon it was equipped with. This cannon is actually the Soviet version of the mark27 dual-equipped 76 gun equipped by the US imperialist Empire at the end of World War II. Almost except for the gun itself being designed by the Soviet Union, other fire control and automatic machines are all counterfeits. Of course, in this era when the mark27 had not yet appeared, this was not a counterfeit. Instead, it was a major innovation.

At least the Red Navy was very satisfied with this anti-aircraft gun with a maximum rate of fire of about 45 rounds. Yes, it was even more satisfying to some senior leaders of the Red Navy than the ak-630 that a certain immortal strongly demanded. Because they have always felt that the ak-630 is too small in caliber, and the projectile has not had enough lethality and range. Even if its rate of fire is strong, it cannot ensure the safety of precious large and medium-sized warships.

However, the 38-type double 76 is different. At least the caliber looks so reassuring. The maximum range can reach 10 kilometers (air defense). After being equipped with a Soviet-style semi-active radio near-explosion fuse, its lethality is even more good and powerful (at least some fans of the Red Navy's large and medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns think so).

The 35-type improved heavy cruiser is equipped with three dual-mounted 38-type 76 guns on both sides of the hull. It is mainly responsible for long-distance air defense (a long way from the AK-630). Its target indication is mainly the fire control radar on the front and rear bridges (the radar is equipped with four units, two of which are 38-type 76 guns to indicate the target, and the other two are ak-630 targets). Of course, when necessary, optical equipment on the turret can also be used to fight separately (but the effect is very ugly).

Some comrades may wonder why 12 76 guns only have two fire-controlled radars, while the other eight AK-630s enjoy two fire-controlled radars? The reason is very simple. The Red Navy's requirement for these two systems is to attack two aerial targets at the same time, one radar tubes one, and the aerial targets within a range of 5 to 10 kilometers is responsible for the 76 guns. The ak-630 within five kilometers is responsible for the two radars. Each time, the two radars guide two anti-aircraft gun systems to attack two targets. In the current fashionable words, the 35 improved heavy cruiser has four air-to-air firepower channels.

It didn't seem very good. However, it was already awesome in that year. These four fire control radars and corresponding fire control computers accounted for a considerable proportion of the cost of 35 re-camps. At one point, the Navy was determined to cut half of the four radars to save money.

Some comrades may want to say that since the AK-630 is still equipped with the old-fashioned 38-type 76 gun, isn’t this a duplicate construction? Later, small-caliber rapid-fire guns can counter-missiles, and it is not easy to attack aircraft with larger targets.

But I really can't understand it this way. First of all, the ak-630 was equipped with more grenades at that time, and the power of the 30 mm grenade was limited to the truth. It can be seen from the US military amplifying 40 guns at the end of World War II to develop the mark27 double 76 automatic guns that the 40 mm-level grenade was not ideal for aircraft, especially the Japanese suicide planes. A considerable number of suicide planes that were riddled with holes could still struggle to approach the ship, which was undoubtedly quite dangerous.

In particular, we must see that the range of 30mm level ammunition is limited, and the effective killing distance is generally within three kilometers, which is too close. Therefore, in order to shoot down enemy aircraft earlier and faster, it is meaningful to have a faster firing rate and a greater power (can create more fragments) and effectively kill a 76mm level cannon with a longer range.

This is the first reason, and the second reason is that the accuracy of the AK-630 does have certain problems. Even if the external energy solution is adopted, the density of the projectiles cannot be compared with the rapid-fire guns specially designed for anti-missile missiles in later generations. Moreover, the accuracy of the grenade itself is poor. Until 1944, when the Red Army's shell factory finally had the time to produce small-caliber armor-piercing bombs, the problems of accuracy and lethality were better solved.

According to the Red Navy's vision, each aircraft carrier should have two heavy cruisers and two light cruisers for personal escort. It is better to have two air-defense light cruisers to maintain their stewardship. For example, the four light cruisers in this formation are all air-defense light cruisers.

This type of air defense light cruiser has a standard displacement of 7,000 tons, a normal displacement of 8,200 tons, and is equipped with 12 130mm air defense guns, 4 38 double 76s and 6 AK-630s. Its air defense firepower can cover 15 kilometers from the farthest, and is divided into three layers in the farthest middle and near. In particular, it should be noted that it has a total of 6 fire channels (with 6 fire control radars installed). Its air defense efficiency is quite awesome.

Of course, the cost of this type of air defense cruiser is also quite awesome, and it is even more expensive than the improved 35 heavy cruiser, so that the old antiques in the Red Navy dislike this so-called light cruiser.

In a sense, this type of 40 air defense cruiser is a knife-wielding guard tailored for aircraft carriers. According to Li Xiaofeng's requirements, each aircraft carrier must be equipped with two such cruisers. In order to meet the funding needs for the construction of the ship, the Red Navy could only "bear the pain" to cut off the 35-replacement plan to re-camp the continued construction plan.

However, in Gorshkov's opinion, it is right to cut off the 35 and transform the 40 air defense cruiser. Judging from what he has seen and heard in fleet exercises in the past year, the 35 modification really doesn't have much meaning. It is not as good as the 40 type used for air defense. It is used to patrol and destroyers to destroy opponents at sea. One is too small in number and the other is worse than using destroyers and the 36 light cruiser (although the 152 cannon has a small caliber, but the firing rate is faster). In his opinion, the 35 heavy patrol is a product of embarrassing positioning, and it is useless in the Red Sea.

Naturally, Gorshkov was interested in commanding this 35 modified heavy patrol fleet. In fact, since he realized the power and advantages of the aviation force in the last battle to annihilate Tirpitz, he wanted to serve on the aircraft carriers. He wanted to understand the operation of the aviation force at a close distance.

But his identity was too embarrassing. After annihilation of Tirpitz, he was quickly promoted to major general, and the aircraft carrier captain was at most a colonel. The Red Navy could not allow a major general to condescend to do the work of the colonel.

After the aircraft carrier was ineffective, Gorshkov thought naturally: "Then I will seek the position of a commander of a special fleet formation!"

It seems that the major general is almost enough for this position, for example, Spruins and Fletcher were just major generals at this time. The problem is that the situation of the Red Navy is different. Since the annihilation of Tirpitz, anyone can see that the core of the Red Navy is an aircraft carrier in the future, so the commander of the special mixed fleet will become a hot commodity. Moreover, the Red Navy only had five special mixed fleets at that time (this was to disassemble the five aircraft carriers, and in actual combat, a single aircraft carrier would not be allowed to fight alone). There was also a group of veteran naval aviation officers hungry for feeding, and where was the turn of Gorshkov, who became a monk halfway.

However, Gorshkov also has a favorable aspect, that is, the old superior Kuznetsov appreciates him, and Kuznetsov was very comfortable in the navy at this time. Although Kuznetsov could not let Gorshkov command the special fleet, it was not difficult to give him a chance to learn from the close range.

In this operation to reinforce the US Navy, Kuznetsov tried every means to bring Gorshkov, who had not had enough qualifications and achievements. Even if he was just the commander of the First Fleet of the Cruiser, it would be a good opportunity to learn!

Therefore, although Gorshkov was not very interested in commanding heavy cruisers, he also knew that this was a rare opportunity and could not be treated carelessly. He treated every command from his superiors conscientiously and actively thought about whether these commands were reasonable. Sometimes he would think from the perspective of others, what should he do if he was commanding the fleet.

At six o'clock in the morning, when the fleet ordered a full speed to sail north, Gorshkov knew that the meat show was coming. He immediately arranged four heavy patrols around the Kiev and Minsk in accordance with the requirements of air defense surveillance, forming an inner air defense circle. At the same time, the four air defense cruisers of the Second Cruise Fleet also led two destroyers to steadily occupy four corners of the fleet.

Judging from the Red Navy's air defense actions, the 35 heavy cruiser is indeed a bit embarrassing, because it is obviously the 40 air defense cruiser responsible for air defense command. Each 40 air defense cruiser has to command two destroyers to be responsible for air defense in one direction. However, the 35 modified, called the heavy cruiser, can only watch.

There is also a reason for this. From the very beginning, Li Xiaofeng knew that the cost of the Type 40 air defense cruiser was too high, and each aircraft carrier was actually quite thin. Therefore, since the beginning of design, the Type 40 was given the function of an air defense territorial ship, and will command more advanced air defense destroyers to cooperate in combat to fill the gap in insufficient air defense cruisers.

What is more regrettable in this naval battle is that there are still too few destroyers that can cooperate with the Type 40 air defense cruiser. The Red Navy gritted his teeth and collected eight. In fact, a Type 40 should command four air defense destroyers, not the current two.

Of course, in the 1940s, such a configuration was enough. The Type 40 cruiser integrated 12-door 130 and 8-door 76 and 8-door ak-630 on the hull of more than 8,000 tons. A special air defense charge center was also set up, which can be said to be a dojo in a snail shell.

Although Gorshkov envied the commander of the Second Cruise Fleet, he also knew that the safety of the fleet did not completely count on these air defense cruisers and destroyers. The reason is obvious that air defense is nine out of ten air defenses, and defense is always passive, and a slight mistake will be done. Moreover, compared with the air defense interceptor network composed of fighter jets on the aircraft carrier, the effective attack distance of anti-aircraft guns is simply not worth mentioning.

Even if the Jacques-3k is short in legs, it can intercept enemy attacks two hundred kilometers away from the fleet. If equipped, it can be disposable. The interception distance of the Jacques-3k can also extend one hundred kilometers outward. This is also the most annoying problem that makes Gorshkov.

Because of the bureaucratic upper class of the Red Navy, although the restrictions on the use of discardable secondary fuel tanks were lifted under the direct intervention of a fairy, the secondary fuel tanks in domestic warehouses were not transported to Pearl Harbor at the first time. This also caused Jacques-3k to still have short legs now.

The only good news is that with Sukhoi's efforts, the Americans extended a helping hand and urgently built a batch of secondary fuel tanks. However, this batch of secondary fuel tanks cannot be abandoned and belongs to the battle death.

Let me put it this way, after adding this large secondary fuel tank, the combat radius of the Jacques-3k can extend to about 200 nautical miles, but the maximum speed instantly dropped from 650 kilometers to less than 550 kilometers. Climbing, diving, rolling and hovering performance were also affected. Although it is still much better than the zero battles and wildcats in the US and Japan on the battlefield, that overwhelming advantage disappeared.

And what's worse is that even this kind of unabandonable secondary fuel tank is limited in number (after all, it was made urgently), which is only enough to use one-third of the Jacques-3k (thirty aircraft).

So when Gorshkov learned about the wrong information about Strawberry Nine, he was also regretful. Why? He felt that if Jacques-3k was strong enough to cover the ro-2 throughout the whole process, they could give the Japanese a blow first.

Unfortunately, even if the Jacques-3k has a secondary fuel tank, it cannot fly so far, so it can only miss this opportunity to take the lead in attack. At that time, Gorshkov had an idea that the future Red Sea carrier-based fighter range could not be so small. We should break away from the constraints of the Jacques-1 and develop a brand new carrier-based fighter.

Of course, Gorshkov just thought about it, because he didn't count it. And soon Strawberry V sent another completely opposite information. At that moment, Gorshkov's heart was twisted: "Damn, what's the matter? There are Japanese aircraft carriers in the north and south, how is this possible?"

Yes, Gorshkov also believed that one of the two intelligences must be wrong. At that time, based on his own judgment, he believed that the American intelligence might be more accurate. At that time, he believed that the fleet should continue to move northwest and must immediately shorten the distance with the main force of the Japanese army. At the same time, he could send a long-range Ro-2 to an attack.

You should know that this idea was also a minority within the Red Navy's special mixed fleet at that time. More officers, especially Sukhoi and Kuznetsov's staff officers, believed that they should trust their RO-2. After all, both RO-2 and Strawberry Nine confirmed that there were at least three aircraft carriers in the west, and the Strawberry V's information was just an isolated evidence. What if it was wrong?

Therefore, these officers believed that the fleet should move westward rather than northward, and they also opposed sending all RO-2s to play the death assault. There is only one reason for the death assault. Jacques-3k cannot keep up with the RO-2. According to the intelligence positioning of the US military, the Red Navy special-mix fleet is still more than 300 nautical miles away from Nagashima Takaichi. Even if it is equipped with a secondary fuel tank, Jacques-3k cannot fly that far! This means that the final stage of the RO-2 attack has to be left to fate!

However, what made Gorshkov sighed was that Kuznetsov and Sukhoi insisted on attacking the northwest against the opposition. In their words, they should cooperate with American friends to attack. As for the issue of Jacques-3k, on the one hand, they sent those Jacques-3k with sub-fuel tanks to escort the ro-2, even if they could only approach the target, they would be better than not at all!

On the other hand, Sukhoi believes that if the attack can be achieved and if the Japanese can be caught off guard, then even if there is no fighter plane to escort the entire process, the problem will not be particularly big.

"How is this possible? The US water reconnaissance plane cannot be discovered by the Japanese army. Moreover, we have intercepted the Japanese army's telegram before, and they have already noticed our actions. What's the suddenness of this?"

Faced with this opposition, Sukhoi patiently explained: "It is certain that the enemy is prepared for it. It is conceivable that they will send fighter jets to patrol in the key direction. But I think if the enemy is really in the northeast direction, then the focus of their attention should be the fan facing Midway Island. A strong air patrol force will be arranged on this fan, and I am afraid there will be no such attention in other directions!"

Kuznetsov quickly added: "Comrade Sukhoi and I believe that we can use the advantage of the RO-2 attack aircraft to bypass the front of the Japanese army's focus and launch attacks from the side. In addition, in order to avoid being discovered by enemy radar equipment, our attack aircraft formation will approach the enemy at low altitudes!"

Sukhoi's so-called low-altitude flight means reducing the flight altitude to about 100 meters. According to the radar's visual range formula, the detection distance of target radar at this altitude will be greatly reduced. With the level of Japanese detectives at that time, they may only find it if they enter the visual range. At that time, there was little time left for them to air defense arrangements, which could at least avoid harassment by a considerable number of Japanese fighter jets... (To be continued.)

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Chapter completed!