Task Force 1's patrols around the Ogasawara Islands continued until the end of October, and Japan did not send any more convoys to the Ogasawara Islands, and the fleet was not much threatened, except for several small suicide attacks. The battle of the 6 Sentai on Iwo Jim also continued until the end of October.

The 6th Sentai and the Japanese fought for 15 days around Oriba Mountain, and the battle on Oriba Mountain was still going on after the engineers of the 6th Sentai eliminated the time bombs on the two Japanese airfields. The officers and men of the 6th Sentai called those Japanese soldiers who hid in the underground tunnels and stubbornly resisted as "rock rats", and the tenacity of the Japanese army also left an extremely deep "impression" on the officers and men of the 6th Sentai Brigade. It was not until the end of October that General Yan Guozhong transferred a new 6th Division to replace the 6th Division that had climbed the 6th first, and a large number of engineering materials were delivered, and the 6th Army's operation to attack Oriba Mountain made significant progress.

It is impossible to verify who first thought of sealing the tunnel exits of the Japanese with cement, and it turns out that this is the best way to deal with "rock rats". Since the Japanese army likes to hide in caves and fight, it is better that they will never be able to get out. Admiral Yan Guozhong distributed all the first batch of engineering supplies to the attacking 6th Combat Team, and then used tanks and bombers equipped with flamethrowers to open the way for the ground troops. Later, Yan Guozhong even ordered a group of engineers to install bulldozer shovels on a batch of armored vehicles, and directly blocked those holes with rocks.

While the battle on Oribo Mountain was still raging, the engineers of the 6th Sentai of the Tang Empire completed the emergency repair of two Japanese airfields and the construction of new airfields at the end of October. On the 27th, the first batch of 36 fighters of naval aviation was transferred to Iwo Jima. By the 3o, 72 fighters and 144 bombers had been deployed to three airfields on Iwo Jima. A large number of warplanes will be transferred here within 10 days. According to the Naval Command's arrangement, by the end of the year, the three airfields on Iwo Jima would have to accommodate at least two squadrons of fighters and eight squadrons of medium bombers. And at the time of the strategic bombing of Japan. At least four brigades will be stationed here, and more than 3oo heavy bombers will be deployed on Iwo Jima. Therefore, the engineering troops must complete the expansion of the Iwo Jima airfield by the end of the year, and by that time it will become one of the base camps of the heavy bombers of the Tang Imperial Navy.

The flotilla dedicated to transporting ammunition and supplies arrived at Iwo Jima on the night of the 29th, bringing a large amount of ammunition and fuel to the bomber group that had arrived in advance. These ships were docked at the temporary dock built by the 6th Sentai team, and the supply warehouse on the island had not yet been built at that time, so most of the supplies could only be temporarily scattered near the island's airfield.

Tan Renhao received an order from the Navy Command on the 3O. The 1st Task Force immediately returned to Naha Port after its combat operations were completed, while a number of warships that could not be repaired immediately at Naha Port were transferred to Zhoushan and Songjiang ports for repairs. That night, Tan Renhao ordered the fleet to return. Now that the 6th Sentai has mastered the air and ground sea control over the two islands, on the 29th, the first batch of shore-based bombers of the HNA bombed several islands where Japanese troops were stationed on the Ogasawara Islands. At the same time, shore-based reconnaissance planes also replaced the fleet's Satochi seaplanes to patrol the waters north of the Ogasawara Islands.

Standing with Lei Shaoqing by the gangway on the right side of the ship island, looking at the sea outside. Tan Renhao's mood is a little complicated. This combat operation is since the beginning of the war. The 1st Task Force fought the hardest and suffered the heaviest losses. He didn't expect that this would also be the most brilliant battle of the First Task Force. Since the "Battle of the Ryukyu Basin". This battle was a naval battle that decided the outcome of the war in the Western Pacific. In four consecutive battles, the First Task Force was invincible, despite heavy losses. The officers and men of the fleet and the officers and men of the aviation unit worked hard to finally make the first task force wash away the shame after being wronged. For Tan Renhao, this combat operation is also very important, because he has proved with practical results that he is not only an emperor, but also one of the best soldiers in the empire.

"To be honest, this battle was fought very hard!" Tan Renhao crumpled the empty cigarette case. Thrown into the sea" the losses of the fleet were too heavy. I probably took a look at the number of dead and missing officers and soldiers, more than 25oo people, most of whom were experienced veterans. There were also so many wounded. It seems that there will be no new tasks for a while after going back this time. ”

"But we also won a decisive victory." Lei Shaoqing was not as "pessimistic" as Renhao, "The Japanese Navy has collapsed, and they even use suicide planes." What else can be expected? In addition, the fleet has actually been trained, not to mention that the pilots of the Fourth Brigade have all gained actual combat experience, and the officers and men who have just joined the ships have grown up. After this operation, the battleship needed to be maintained, and the officers and men could also take this opportunity to rest and recuperate. But I believe that it won't be long before we will be on the front line again, and then the Western Pacific will be at our disposal! ”

Tan Renhao glanced at his friend and laughed. "I can't see that the chief of staff is still so confident."

"You're laughing at me again, my faith isn't based on your abilities?" Lei Shaoqing also laughed: "But seriously, this time we have a turnaround, and after we go back, the principal may be promoted to rear admiral, and no one will underestimate the First Task Force again!" ”

"It doesn't matter if I am promoted or not, I prefer to command the fleet to fight, do you think I like to stay in the rear?" Tan Renhao shook his head: "Forget it, let's not talk about this, what are you going to arrange after you go back this time?" ”

"Look, if you have time, go home and have a look. What about you? ”

Tan Renhao looked at the sea to the north, but he didn't answer Lei Shaoqing. Because he knew that the headmaster would not let him leave the navy easily. The last time he took home leave, he was actually going to talk about Renhao taking refuge, and now that the limelight has passed, he doesn't need to take refuge, so he can't get the opportunity to take a vacation.

Lei Shaoqing also looked in the direction of the sea, and he also knew that Tan Renhao would not have much "free" time. This time, the First Fleet's outstanding performance is inevitable, and Tan Renhao has to make persistent efforts, don't expect to take a vacation.

The fleet arrived at the port of Naha in the early morning of November 3, and several dockyards were occupied by the ships that had returned earlier, so a number of warships in urgent need of repair and maintenance had to return to Zhoushan. Tan Renhao also went ashore here, and then boarded a transport plane. One step ahead of the return to the Zhoushan Navy Command.

It was no longer a gendarme in a black uniform who came to greet Tan Renhao at the airport, but General Gan Yongxing with a face full of spring.

"Ren Hao, it seems that this time our more than a dozen generals and two marshals jointly signed a guarantee, and your decision is not wrong!" Gan Yongxing still looked excited, and he patted Tan Renhao's shoulder twice: "How to say it, to be honest, I don't know what words to use to praise you now." ”

"Chief of Staff. You're too much of a bonus, in fact, the losses of the fleet this time are huge, and we have made some low-level mistakes that still need to be improved. Tan Renhao smiled shyly, he slept on the plane, and he still hasn't fully woken up.

"Laugh at you, that's too modest!" Gan Yongxing pulled Tan Renhao into the car, "If you change to anyone else, let alone victory, I'm afraid I won't even have a chance to come back." The headmaster has already sent your battle report directly to the Prime Minister. I heard that the prime minister was also very happy. An order has been issued to reward the 1st Task Force. You'd better come up with a list of promotions as soon as possible, so that the officers and men of Task Force 1 can also benefit from it. After this village, there is no such shop! ”

"I'll let Colonel Lei Shaoqing take charge of this, he is the chief of staff of the fleet, and he knows more about the situation of the officers and men of the fleet than I do."

"No problem, I will approve it directly, and the principal will not have an opinion." Gan Yongxing took out a cigarette and the car had already driven out of the airport, "I have heard about Colonel Lei Shaoqing many times before. He's one of your fellow students who has won the 'Sea Lion' medal, right? As Chief of Staff of the Fleet, I think he is a bit overkill. ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly, and immediately heard the sound outside the strings. He took the cigarette handed by Gan Yongxing and lit it.

"The last two 'Pearl River' and 'Yellow River' of the 'Yangtze River' class aircraft carrier will be launched at the end of the year or early at the latest, and will be ready for service around February next year. The Rector is considering whether to set up a second task force and row two 'Emperor' class aircraft carriers over, and the first task force will still maintain the size of four aircraft carriers, however. All are four of the newest aircraft carriers. Now we need a new fleet commander, and the fleet commander is the most important. Gan Yongxing smiled and glanced at Tan Renhao, "If you don't have an opinion, I will fully recommend Colonel Lei Shaoqing to let him serve as the commander of the second task force, and then he will arrange the chief of staff of the fleet." After all, Task Force 1 is the only aircraft carrier fleet we have now, so we draw personnel directly from Task Force 1 to form the core of Task Force 2. ”

"Naturally, I won't hinder Lei Shaoqing's future, but it depends on his opinion," Tan Renhao hesitated, "How to distribute the aviation force?" ”

Gan Yongxing laughed: "I knew you would ask this question." You can rest assured that this will be chosen by the first task force, and you can leave all four experienced air brigades behind, but I suggest that it is better to divide one to the second task force, so that the second task force can quickly form combat effectiveness, right? ”

Tan Renhao nodded, and now he was also relieved. He didn't want to capture all the excellent pilots in his own hands, but he knew very well that the first and second teams were the essence of the first task force, and if these two groups were transferred away with the aircraft carrier, the strength of the first task force would be greatly reduced.

"Actually, you don't need to worry too much at all. By the way, you've been to Shen Fei before, so you're familiar with Shen Fei's situation, right? ”

"Shen Fei? What's wrong? Tan Renhao was slightly startled, and he didn't know why the chief of staff brought the topic here.

"It's okay, I'm just saying don't worry." Gan Yongxing smiled and patted Tan Renhao on the shoulder: "Shen Fei has just finalized the improved model of the 'Vulture', and the new model is 185o horsepower, I heard that the turbocharger has been canceled and replaced with a mechanical supercharger, so that the weight of the fighter has also been reduced by several hundred kilograms, and the performance, especially the fighting performance, has been greatly improved." At present, the Naval Equipment Technology Office is appraising this new fighter, and if it is really as good as Shen Fei said, we are ready to replace it all within two months. ”

"What do you need me to do?" Tan Renhao has worked in the Naval Equipment Technology Office and knows a lot about equipment, especially the equipment of naval aviation.

"I don't need anything, I'm just mentioning this to you, after all, it's directly related to the operation of the fleet, isn't it?" Gan Yongxing lit a cigarette again: "There are also new dive bombers and torpedo bombers that will be finalized and equipped by the 20th of this month, and the test flight work of the troops will be carried out at the same time." I suggest that the fleet also conduct adaptation training for refitting so that the next time it goes out, it can use the new bomber. ”

"This is no problem, I will let Hao Dongjue be directly responsible for this matter." Tan Renhao breathed a sigh of relief and laughed.

"Now that the Empire has entered a state of full-scale war, the change is very soon, and a large number of new weapons and equipment will appear in the near future. For example, the four battleships will be commissioned in the middle of next year, and now the headmaster is having a headache about it. ”

"Headache?" Tan Renhao refused the second cigarette.

"There has been controversy over the naming of new ships, and there has been controversy over how exactly these ships will be distributed, and there are many questions anyway. The principal didn't let me intervene, he was in charge. Gan Yongxing smiled bitterly, "But there is another piece of good news, the first heavy bomber produced by Hafei rolled off the assembly line a few days ago, half a month faster than the previously determined progress." Now the test flight work is underway, and Hafei and Shen Fei are seizing the time to establish a new production line. If nothing else, the first bombers will be able to leave the factory in mid-December, and the test flights will end at this time. We will definitely be able to carry out a large-scale strategic bombing of Japan at the beginning of next year! ”

"This is really good news, and if Team 6 can successfully complete the offensive operation, then we may be able to force Japan to surrender by the middle of next year."

"If Japan doesn't surrender, then we'll bomb those islands back to primitive times!"

Both of them burst out laughing, this was the best news Tan Renhao had heard since he returned.