This confrontational exercise was not only a turning point in the fate of the Fifth Fleet, but even a turning point in the development of the Imperial Navy. At that time, the entire exercise was strictly secret, and the results of the exercise were directly classified as the top secret of the Imperial Navy. It was only after the end of the Second Global War that the Imperial Navy announced the results of this exercise.

In terms of the evaluation of later generations, this exercise completely made the Imperial Navy realize the new type of aircraft carrier and the supremacy of naval aviation in future naval warfare. Facts speak louder than words, and although there were certain elements of unfairness in the exercise, the result was certain, with the most underappreciated Fifth Fleet having lost its most powerful First Fleet in less than an hour. Later, the Imperial Navy completely reorganized its fleet, stopped building all non-aircraft carrier main warships, put the "Shanhe" class aircraft carriers on the development schedule, made every effort to develop new combat aircraft, and began to train more naval pilots. Without exception, these actions are directly related to the results of the exercise. This gave the Imperial Navy the last chance, and two years before the outbreak of the Second Global War, the Imperial Navy was finally on a path that would lead to a final victory.

When Tan Renhao followed Colonel Ji Xiaobin into General Liao Hanxiang's room, Liao Hanxiang and Wu Xianyu were talking and laughing loudly.

"You've come just in time, sit down, don't salute, sit down!" Liao Hanxiang looked very excited, "Xiaobin, do you know what Pei Yuming looked like when he walked out of the headquarters of the 'Dignity'?" The bomb had landed so accurately that the paint had stained him, but it was fortunate that Marshal Saditing was on the bridge below, otherwise it would have ......"

Ji Xiaobin also laughed, Tan Renhao just smiled faintly, and sat down on the sofa next to Colonel Ji Xiaobin.

"To be honest, I've never been happier in more than a year!" Liao Hanxiang slowly calmed down, "When I went to Marshal Sajiting yesterday, Pei Yuming had a blue face, and he dared to underestimate us in the future. ”

Three days have passed since the exercise, and Tan Renhao has already submitted the exercise report. The Fifth Fleet did not take part in the subsequent exercises, and the First Fleet left Zhoushan yesterday and returned to the port of Qingdao. Many of the exercises have been cancelled, and it is now the two local fleets that are holding up the scene outside. However, it is certain that Marshal Saditin's cancellation of the later arrangements for the exercises must have a lot to do with the performance of the Fifth Fleet.

"Marshal Saitin has agreed to our request, and the funding for our activities this year will be increased to 45 million, and in addition, the Fifth Fleet will soon have a new flagship." Although Chief of Staff Wu Xianyu was not as excited as Liao Hanxiang, he was also very happy. "The salaries of our officers and soldiers will be upgraded by one level. Next month, we will be responsible for submitting plans for future developments, which will be directly related to the development of the Imperial Navy for the next ten years, perhaps twenty years. ”

"Saditin has not removed General Pei Yuming, but I heard that the marshal is ready to comprehensively reorganize the establishment of the navy." After Liao Hanxiang calmed down, he looked very calm. "Although no information has been announced yet, I suspect that the marshal will certainly adopt the results of this exercise. As expected, we will launch a number of research projects related to aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft within this year, including improving the air defense capabilities of surface warships, enhancing the combat effectiveness of carrier-based aircraft, and developing larger fast fleet carriers. These will bring us more opportunities. If the new 'provincial capital' class aircraft carrier can be successfully launched, then it will be the first thing to consider providing to us. However, according to Marshal Satietin's intentions, I am afraid that in the future, the other four fleets will also be completely reorganized, abandoning battleships as the core, and at least raising the importance of aircraft carriers to the level of battleships. Therefore, the size of the Fifth Fleet will not necessarily increase. ”

Tan Renhao frowned slightly. Liao Hanxiang's meaning is very clear, if the Fifth Fleet needs to acquire new aircraft carriers, then the current three aircraft carriers will definitely have to be handed over to other fleets.

"We'll have more escort ships, though." Wu Xianyu took over Liao Hanxiang's words, "This exercise not only proved the powerful striking power of the aviation force, but also proved another point, that is, the anti-aircraft fire of warships is extremely important. If those capital ships had suitable, sufficient anti-aircraft artillery, they would not only be able to provide the fleet with the last anti-aircraft cover, but also be able to pose a great threat to the attack aircraft group. Therefore, Marshal Satitin has decided to transfer a number of warships from the First and Second Fleets, first refit them, install more anti-aircraft guns, and then hand them over to us for use as escort warships for aircraft carriers. ”

Tan Renhao also realized this a few days ago. In the two rounds of "bombing" of the First Fleet, the Fifth Air Wing lost a total of 36 combat aircraft, all but 4 of which were "lost" in air battles, and the rest were "shot down" by the anti-aircraft artillery of the First Fleet. Obviously, as long as there is enough anti-aircraft fire on the battleship, even if it cannot completely resist the bombing, it can have a very good air defense effect.

"Marshal Saditin has made up his mind that this change is not just a small fight." Wu Xianyu told his two subordinates about the changes in the shortest possible words, "The navy will undergo very major changes in the next two or three years, from the establishment, the focus of development, to weapons and ammunition, personnel training, and tactical thinking. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is a revolution. However, there are still a number of generals in the navy who oppose the priority development of aircraft carriers, and Marshal Saditin has encountered great resistance, and he needs more support from us. Therefore, we will hold a number of exercises with several other fleets in the first half of the year, so that Marshal Saditin can 'convince' those generals. ”

"The Chief of Staff's words are not wrong, Xiaobin, you have to hurry up on this matter." Liao Hanxiang's expression became serious, "In the second half of this year, the relationship between the fleet and the aviation unit will undergo major changes, and the Fifth Aviation Company will become part of the fleet at that time, so you must make relevant preparations in advance." ”

Ji Xiaobin nodded. "I'll be ready, half a year is enough."

At this time, Liao Hanxiang's gaze shifted to Tan Renhao, and Wu Xianyu called Ji Xiaobin and left the room first, obviously Liao Hanxiang wanted to talk to Tan Renhao about something alone.

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