The next day, in the darkness of the night, the U.S. fleet stopped in the waters southeast of Beato Island.

It was so quiet that in the darkness there was only the "whirring" of the sea breeze and the crash of the waves crashing against the reef...... By this time, the U.S. Navy had temporarily stopped bombing Bito Island because they intended to give the Navy and Marine boys a good night's sleep before the attack.

The commander of the southern landing formation, Major General Hill, who was in charge of operations in the Tarawa direction, meant: "Let them recuperate, and then go and take Tarawa!" ”

While most of the American GIs were resting, Major General Hill was still busy.

Of course, he was not busy making a battle plan or doing a final check of the plan, he was holding a press conference on the flagship battleship "Maryland...... In the brightly lit hall, the flashing lights of the military reporters flickered like stars.

Rear Admiral Hill was obviously very confident in the firepower of the ship's guns and carrier-based aircraft, and he said into the microphone with great pride: "Gentlemen and ladies, we do not intend to destroy this island, nor do we want to destroy it, but we want to let the enemy know, and then take it for possession, and turn it into an advance base for attacking the Marshall Islands!" ”

The implication is that the resistance of the landing force will be weak, and the landing will be as easy as a holiday tourist strolling along the beach.

Major General Smith, the commander of the 2nd Marine Division, who was standing on the sidelines, was a little unhappy, he thought that this battle would not be as simple as Major General Hill and most people imagined, so he interjected: "Remember, when the Marines are in close contact with the enemy, the only armor is the Kajib uniform on their bodies!" ”

Major General Hill couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this, and then replied humorously: "You're right, but under our bombing, the Japanese may not even have the firepower to penetrate the Kajib uniform!" ”

The reporters let out a hearty laugh.

"General Hill!" A female reporter squeezed to the front with difficulty, and asked Major General Hill with a microphone on her face full of anticipation: "I heard that the Chinese troops also participated in this battle, do you think they will have the same remarkable results in this battle as before?" ”

"Ma'am, I need to correct it!" Major General Hill replied: "The results of the Chinese army...... It was all achieved with the support of a powerful navy, which would explain why they were invincible here after repeated defeats on the battlefields of China. Secondly, the Chinese army was reluctant to participate in this campaign, so they were used as reserve troops...... As you know, we U.S. Marines can't get hold of that island before we need them! ”

The reporters burst into laughter again.

The female reporter retorted unhappily: "No, what you said is not the truth, I have seen these Chinese soldiers in Myanmar with my own eyes." It is clear that they are better than the British, American soldiers......"

But the voice of the female reporter was quickly drowned out by the questions and laughter of the other reporters.

The female reporter indignantly withdrew from the crowd, shook her head and said to herself: "You will regret it!" ”

One of the reasons why she came here was that she knew that the Chinese Expeditionary Force had also participated in the battle, and she wanted to see the Chinese company commander who had saved her again.

But she knew it wasn't a big deal...... You must know that this is more than 100,000 troops, and they are distributed on different warships and transport ships, not to mention that she doesn't even know whether the Chinese company commander is alive or dead, who can say for sure about the war?!

At 3 a.m., the soldiers of the 2nd Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps were called up by their commander, including two battalions of Wu Shimin's new 28th Division.

Breakfast was steak and eggs...... This is the tradition of the Austrian army, at this time the Austrian is not rich, but their soldiers before the battlefield, the commander will try his best to get a "steak and egg" breakfast for these soldiers who are going to go to the war, since the United States and the 1st Marine Division stationed in Australia has also followed this tradition, the American soldiers have imaged this breakfast as "expedition breakfast".

The breakfast of Wu Shimin and others was no exception, which made the soldiers of the new 28th Division shout excitedly:

"It's different from fighting the Yankees, you still have beef and eggs to eat on the battlefield!"

"You're making a fuss about this, I heard that there will be rewards after meritorious service!"

……

Zhang Chi just flipped through the steak and eggs in front of him and didn't say anything.

Although this "breakfast on the march" is said to be a kind of feast, it is obviously not suitable for soldiers who are going to go to war...... The reason is simple, beef and eggs are not easy to digest, and strenuous exercise such as crawling and rolling on the battlefield immediately after eating these will obviously cause a considerable part of the soldiers to have an upset stomach.

Indeed, since the advent of this tradition of "breakfast on the march", naval doctors have been confronted with many stomach problems at the end of each day's battle.

But this seemed like nothing to the American GIs, because they could always withdraw from the battlefield and go to the doctor if they had an upset stomach, but the Chinese soldiers ...... If you go out of the line of fire just because of stomach pain, you will be considered by your comrades as "running away".

So Zhang Chi ordered Wu Shimin and others: "All of them, only half of them!" ”

Hearing this, Wu Shimin and the others couldn't help but be stunned.

"I'll eat the rest when I come back!" Zhang Chi sighed, patted Wu Shimin's shoulder, and then said: "Brothers, although that place has been bombed back and forth by the Yankees several times, everyone knows the combat effectiveness of the little devils, they are like cockroaches that can't be killed, so don't be careless to underestimate the enemy." If there is danger, don't rush forward, we will do what the Yankees do, understand?! ”

"Don't worry, Master!" Wu Shimin said with some emotion: "We will be back soon!" ”

"Don't worry, Master!" The other soldiers responded.

Zhang Chi couldn't help but sigh again...... After all, these are soldiers of their own country, although they can be said to deserve it, although they are actually just doing what soldiers should do...... On the battlefield, although Zhang Chi is also unavoidable, Zhang Chi will be a little unbearable.

Because he was worried that he would change his mind temporarily, Zhang Chi only hurriedly said "take care" to Wu Shimin and others, and walked to the door with Staff Officer Liang and others.

At this time, Zhang Chi saw Liu Ting standing outside the door, looking at Zhang Chi with a request in her eyes.

But Zhang Chi gritted his teeth, ignored her, turned around and left. (To be continued.) )