From February 20, the Marines began preparations for an attack on Saipan. By the 22nd, the northwestern airfield on Anatahan Island had been completely repaired (as it had been repaired as a regular military airfield), and the next day, the eastern field airfield had been commissioned (repaired according to the field airfield), and by the end of the month, the Marines had built a third airfield in the northern part of the island. This is a large-scale field airfield, except for the fact that it was not possible to build a runway out of cement at that time (it turned out that a front-line field airfield is better to lay a simple runway with honeycomb steel plates, rather than a regular runway with cement), all other facilities were built according to a regular airfield.

That is, by the end of February, there were already three airfields on Anatahan Island, which could accommodate more than 14 squadrons of tactical aircraft. On 23 July, the HNA also transferred the first batch of five squadrons to the Northwest Airfield, including two fighter squadrons and three bomber squadrons. From that day on, Hainan Airlines used the airfields on Anatahan Island to start bombing airfields on Saipan and Tinian Islands.

The most important thing is the preparation of the Marine Corps. Anatahan Island was the most brutal of the three large-scale landings. Three marine divisions were invested, and 30 percent of the officers and men were lost, and the number of casualties alone was greater than the combined number of the first two landing campaigns. Before the war, the Imperial soldiers did not expect the American army to be so tenacious. In the eyes of most people, the United States only deserves to bully small countries like Mexico in the New World, and the US military is vulnerable to a real fight. But in fact, this is not the case, the heroic performance of the US army on the battlefield, as well as its strong combat skills, all made the officers and men of the Tang Imperial Marine Corps both hate and admire. Unlike the crazy Japanese, the U.S. military pays more attention to coordinated operations between multiple arms, fighting in real battles, not just desperately. Computer station.. cN

For the sake of Anatahan Island, which is not yet the most important island in the archipelago, two divisions under Yan Guozhong (and both of them are the most elite Marine Divisions) were crippled and had to be withdrawn to rest. So, what a big price will be paid for the next attack on Guam. How many divisions do you need to use?

Yan Guozhong must write out these problems in his next offensive plan and come up with solutions. Through the first three fierce battles, Yan Guozhong, a general of the Imperial Marine Corps who is known for his bravery, also deeply realized that this kind of high-consumption battle is indeed not a way, if it is really necessary to attack the remaining four islands in turn, tens of thousands of imperial officers and soldiers may be sacrificed, and the Marine Corps troops invested still need at least ten divisions, not five!

After allowing the two Marine divisions, which had suffered the heaviest losses, to withdraw to Ryukyu Island for rest. After pulling up the two reserve divisions that remained on Iwo Jima, Yan Guozhong began to formulate a battle plan for the next round of attacks. The first thing he had to do was to determine how many troops needed to be committed.

Determining the amount of troops to be committed is not only determined by demand, but also by the ability to bear it. Yan Guozhong must determine the number of troops to be invested in these aspects, and the number of troops to be invested will directly affect other aspects of the battle site, such as the number of troops to land in the first wave, the scope of the landing site, and the number of troops to be invested in the in-depth assault after landing, all of which will directly affect the overall campaign arrangement.

Judging by the fighting on Anatahan Island, the attack on Saipan will certainly be more difficult. Saipan's airport is on the south side. It is also a key area for the defense of the U.S. military. In addition, there must have been a hidden gun emplacement of American troops on Mount Tapocho in the middle of the island. The artillery deployed here by the US military can cover the entire island, which is also the focus of the attack. There is also a field airfield on the north side of the island. There are three points that need to be attacked, if they are deployed at the same time. The number of troops that need to be invested is at least five divisions, or even six divisions. This was already beyond the limit of the transportation capacity, and at that time, Yan Guozhong only had three marine divisions in his hands. The first wave sends one division, and then leaves one division as a reserve, and only two divisions can be put into the attack. With this amount of troops, at most choose a key area to attack. The choice of which offensive target will directly determine the landing point. The choice of landing site 1 must also take into account the defensive deployment of the US military.

There were many headaches for Yan Guozhong, and until the end of February, he had not come up with an effective offensive plan. Time is not urgent, and it will take time to consolidate Anatahan Island. It also takes time to bring supplies and troops from the rear, and it also takes time to assemble a landing fleet and a convoy of transport ships. The Navy Command only confirmed that the landing operation would begin before 20 March, and that preparations would not be until at least 15 March. Yan Guozhong had enough time to complete the battle plan.

While the Marines were preparing for the next landing operation, the Navy was intensifying its efforts to bomb Saipan and Tinian Islands. The two islands are close to each other and are heavily defended by U.S. troops. Saipan was the focus of the bombing, and after the HNA deployed tactical bombers to Anatahan, the bombers dropped bombs on the island around the clock. In the daytime bombardment. The Navy focused on attacking U.S. barracks, artillery positions, and coastal defense positions. At night, the HNA went all out to bomb large targets such as airports, forcing US fighters to conceal or evacuate at night, reducing their ability to move during the day and dragging down the energy of US pilots.

Task Force 1 was also tirelessly bombarding Saipan. HNA has completely seized air supremacy on Saipan, and the US military can only use the night to airlift supplies to the island. Task Force 1 took part in the bombardment during the day, and at night arranged for the artillery formation to move south to blockade Saipan and assist the naval aviation in shelling Saipan.

This kind of fighting was like a routine affair, and from late February until mid-March, until Yan Guozhong determined a specific landing plan, the HNA and the 1st Task Force did not stop attacking Saipan. In particular, the first task force also needs to return to the rear to replenish ammunition and fuel. In order to improve the attendance rate of bombers and reduce the fatigue of pilots, Hainan Airlines has expanded the pilot team (in fact, it has also trained more excellent pilots) according to the establishment of one and a half crew members of one bomber, so that all bombers can attack with the highest intensity.

Task Force 1 had to travel north every two days to get supplies at the Aramagan Island anchorage (a front-line anchorage that generally only receives transport ships and landing fleets) before heading to the battlefield.

"It's so boring!"

Hao Dongjue roared towards the sea, and then the whole person froze.

Tan Renhao didn't have any emotion, the mission is the mission, and the execution of ground bombing is also a mission, and the pilots' performance is good. The bomber losses were negligible, and perhaps the fighter pilots were the ones who did their least favorite mission: to bomb and rocket bombs to bomb American targets on the ground.

"Renhao, how long will this day last?"

Hao Dongjue turned around, and then leaned against the railing. The aircraft carrier was slowing down, and the two supply ships behind it were already approaching. Other warships are also looking for their own supply ships.

"I don't know, it depends on Yan Guozhong's progress."

Tan Renhao also leaned against the railing, below. The sailors had already prepared their guns (shooting ropes at the supply boats, and then connecting the two ships with steel cables) and the replenishment work was about to begin. "Two days ago, he came up with a rough plan, and the order of the naval command should be in the next two days. If the Marine Corps' plan is approved on these two days, the landing operation will soon begin. ”

"None of our business?"

Tan Renhao glanced at his partner. "Thinking beautifully, we can't stand aside, there is no other fleet that can take our place now."

"Damn, how long are we going to stay here?"

Hao Dongjue looked a little distraught.

"Look, see how fast the Yankees move."

Tan Renhao also sighed secretly, until now. He has not yet received any news related to the US Pacific Fleet. The four battleships were still parked inside Pearl Harbor. The "Enterprise" should have been repaired, and the other three aircraft carriers must be returning soon, but the problem is. The US Pacific Fleet has not made any moves!

Hao Dongjue also closed his mouth, and he also knew very well that the key now was when the US fleet would return to combat effectiveness. As soon as the US Pacific Fleet again poses a threat, then Task Force 1 has a new mission.

"Shaoqing, have they contacted us?"

Tan Renhao broke the silence, the aircraft carrier had stopped, and the two supply ships approached one on the left and one on the right, just like the two giant cows (the nickname of these supply ships is "sea cows", which is the affectionate name given to them by the officers and men of the fleet), and soon, the steel cable connected the aircraft carrier with the two supply ships. The first thing that was pulled was the oil hose, and then the dry goods in the wooden crates.

"There's no news from them, but now the three aircraft carriers of Task Force 2 should be almost repaired. The least injured 'Yellow River' should have started sea tests. ”

"I hope to hear from them sooner, as well as from the US Pacific Fleet."

Tan Renhao left the railing, "After the supply is completed, let the officers and soldiers hurry up and rest, and after dark, we will return to the battlefield, this drudgery will not last long." ”

Yan Guozhong's battle plan was sent to the naval headquarters on 17 March. According to Yan Guozhong's arrangement. The Marines will first capture Mount Tapocho in the center of the island. Although Tapocho Mountain is only a few hundred meters high, it is located in the middle of the island, and the artillery deployed on it can directly bombard the airfields at both ends of the island, and the shells can easily cover the entire American military camp on the island. This is also the most difficult place to capture, and it is a key area for the US military to defend.

The command of the Navy did not immediately approve the operational plan of the Marine Corps, and here is why. The Marine Corps will invest up to two divisions in the early stage, and the landing ground will definitely be within the coverage of American artillery fire. If the Marines wanted to capture Mount Tapocho, they would have to go ashore in the middle of the island, and if they chose a landing ground in the east or west, they would be directly attacked by the American forces, and the landing field would be difficult to expand. In other words, the Marines will be caught in a fierce battle after they have landed, and in the initial stage of the landing operation, if they are met with fierce resistance from the enemy and a quick counterattack, the landing operation is likely to be completely defeated.

It was not until 21 March, after Yan Guozhong submitted the revised landing plan and decided to disembark on Garapan Beach in the northwest corner of Mount Tapocho, that the Navy Command approved the Marine Corps' operational plan and set the landing date as 23 March. The Marines had to be ready on the 22nd and go ashore in the early morning of the 23rd to expand and consolidate the landing ground with the strong support provided by the Navy and the fleet during the day.

Most of the preparations were already in place on the 20th, that is to say, Yan Guozhong had already arranged the preparations before he officially submitted the battle plan. HNA began to intensify its bombing of Saipan on the 20th (reducing its bombing operations on other islands), and the Strategic Strike Force resumed its bombing operations on several US-controlled islands in the southern part of the archipelago on the 20th.

On this day, Task Force 1 was still replenishing at anchorage.

"Luo Yun rushed back, and he called and asked when we were free."

"That's certainly not now."

Tan Renhao was not too excited, Luo Yunchong returned to Iwo Jima so late, it seems that the Strategic Strike Force is in trouble with the surprise attack on Brisbane, but now is not the time to think about it. "I just received an order to land on Saipan on the 23rd, and we will resume bombing early tomorrow morning."

Hao Dongjue's excitement was immediately gone, that is, the fleet had to set off at night, and it was impossible for him to go ashore to find Luo Yunchong to brag.

"Next time, it's over, there's a chance, isn't it?"

Tan Renhao patted his partner on the shoulder, "How much time will it take to resupply the work?" ”

"At least four hours."

Tan Renhao glanced at the sky. "Looks like we can't get out before dark. Well, go and mobilize the officers and soldiers, cheer them up. ”

Hao Dongjue didn't say anything anymore, in the past 20 days, although the combat intensity of the fleet is not high, but now the fleet has been fighting continuously for nearly three months (counting from leaving Naha Port), and the normal continuous combat time of the fleet in peacetime is forty-five days, that is, one and a half months. Now not only have there been many problems on the battleship, but even the physical strength and spirit of the officers and men are about to reach the limit, and no one knows how long they can hold out.

Tan Renhao is also very aware of this, especially the energy of officers and men. Now that the US Pacific Fleet is about to recover, if the officers and men cannot get rest, they will not be able to deal with the enemy in the best condition.