"The South Pacific is so vast that even if we could search the U.S. fleet by seaplanes or shore-based aircraft deployed on the islands, or even by submarines. Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info but it's still like looking for a needle in a haystack. If we can't get rid of the American fleet, we can only defend against them all day long. We always have to worry that they will take advantage of us to bite us. In this case, it will hold back a lot of our power. Therefore, it is better to take the initiative to provide a loophole for the Americans to attack us. Then we took advantage of this opportunity to kill them in one fell swoop. Admiral Chen Shaokuan said. There are only a thousand days to be a thief, and there is no thousand days to prevent thieves.

Although the Imperial Navy has already mastered the sea supremacy of the Pacific. However, the Pacific Ocean is too vast. The U.S. Navy could sneak in at any time and inflict heavy damage on the Imperial Navy. So, the Imperial Navy will be truly safe only if the US Navy is eliminated.

"The 11th and 12th Carrier Strike Groups, the 1st and 2nd Battleship Detachments of the Imperial Pacific Fleet, arrived from the Naha base in only twelve days. We can use those twelve days to prepare. When the time comes, a direct attack on Brisbane will lure the American fleet out. As long as we can catch them, then we can sink them. Admiral Chen Shaokuan said confidently.

With the arrival of reinforcements, the Imperial Navy will have eight carrier strike groups and twenty-six battleships in the South Pacific. Seven of these battleships were able to compete with the battleships of the American fleet. Other battleships, although they could not pose a threat to the battleships of the US Navy, provided air defense for the fleet, and that was no problem at all. The US Navy wants to come to the trouble of the Reich with two aircraft carriers and eight battleships, it is simply looking for death. The Imperial Navy can take this opportunity to further solve the problems of the strength that the US Navy has accumulated so hard to accumulate in one fell swoop.

"In that case, let's go according to your plan. The Army's offensive against Brisbane was fully coordinated with the Navy's actions. Admiral Cai Songpo said. In the Eastern Theater of Operations, the role of the Navy is crucial. Ensuring the supremacy of the Imperial Navy at sea is also the most important thing. Therefore, all actions can be carried out around guaranteeing sea supremacy.

"Yes, Commander." Both Admiral Chen Shaokuan and Admiral Chen Shiying replied.

After the meeting, Admiral Chen Shaokuan and Admiral Chen Shiying returned to the fleet by seaplane. They need to draw up a detailed plan to prepare against the American fleet. After all, this time the strength of the American fleet is not strong relative to the Imperial Navy. If you want them to fall into the trap, I'm afraid it won't be so easy. Therefore, the Imperial Navy must have a careful plan this time. If something goes wrong, it can lead to a failure in the plan. If this opportunity is missed, it will be even more difficult to find and destroy the American fleet in the vast ocean.

As time passed, the Imperial Army's plan to raid Brisbane, as well as the Imperial Navy's plan to hunt down the U.S. Navy, were all being prepared in an orderly manner. In order to ensure victory, the Imperial Navy had to wait until reinforcements arrived. That way, the odds are a little bit better. Otherwise, there are too many variables. The Imperial Navy needed to avoid being close to the battleships of the U.S. Navy, especially at night, and taking advantage of the cover of night, the battleships of the U.S. Navy were very likely to get close to the aircraft carrier formations of the Imperial Navy. In that case, it would have disastrous consequences for the Imperial Navy. The strength of aircraft carriers mainly relies on carrier-based aircraft to carry out long-range attacks. Once close, a cruiser can rely on naval guns to damage an aircraft carrier. As long as the flight deck is destroyed, resulting in the inability of fighters to take off and land, the aircraft carrier can only be reduced to a passive target.

On January 3, 3638, a battalion of the 80th Infantry Division of the Imperial Army and an infantry division of the Annam Army landed in the southeast of Carpentaria Bay. After capturing a coastal town called Normanton, the Imperial Army and the Annam Army began to sweep around it. Because the U.S.-Australian coalition forces in northern Australia no longer had much military power, they quickly captured large swathes of territory as if they were no one. Three days later, another battalion of the 80th Infantry Division of the Imperial Army and the 2nd Infantry Division of the Annam Army landed at Wepa and swept around it.

The Imperial Army's adoption of this style of play undoubtedly greatly improved the efficiency of the capture of northern Australia. And, because the U.S.-Australian coalition had withdrawn, the Imperial Army could control a large area with a small number of troops. An infantry battalion and an Annam infantry division can control more than 100,000 square kilometers of land. Their main task was no longer to fight the US-Australian coalition, but to secure imperial control of these territories and suppress possible Australian revolts.

On 8 January, the Imperial Army, under the protection of the Navy, entered the Coral Sea and began an offensive on the eastern coast of Australia east of the Great Dividing Range. In Cairns, the Imperial Army threw in a battalion and two Annam infantry divisions. Garrisoned here was an infantry regiment of the Australian Army. Faced with the attack of more than 30,000 enemy troops, with only one-tenth of the enemy's strength, although they put up a heroic resistance, they were finally outnumbered and annihilated in Cairns by the Imperial Army and the Annam Army. After Keynes fell into the hands of the Imperial Army, the Imperial Army began to sweep the eastern coast of Australia with this as the center.

Compared to the barren lands of northern Australia, the eastern seaboard is much richer and more densely populated. Although most Australians moved south after the outbreak of the war, many were still reluctant to leave their homes. After the Empire conquered these places, they had only two choices, either to submit to the Empire's rule or to rebel against the Empire's rule. Those who dare to rebel against the rule of the empire will naturally not end well. The armies of those vassal states have long been sharpening their knives and preparing to attack them.

The Imperial Army used such tactics to provide speed of advance, while also taking the US-Australian coalition by surprise. Originally, they also tried to use the vast territory of Australia to make the Imperial Army spend a lot of time on the road. But now, the Imperial Army is launching a landing operation directly with the assistance of the Navy, which undoubtedly frustrates this wish of the US-Australian coalition.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, Keynes has fallen into the hands of the Chinese. We fear that the Chinese will continue to attack the eastern seaboard in this way. We have deployed quite a few troops along the eastern coast, but they are obviously unable to confront the Chinese. If they use such tactics, we are afraid that we will be surrounded by the Chinese. Lieutenant General Christie said worriedly.

"Fighting the Chinese in the coastal areas is really too disadvantageous. They can be supported by the Navy and aviation, and we are at a disadvantage. MacArthur said with a frown.

Because the eastern coast is not as good as the north, the US-Australian coalition still has a lot of troops. Coming down south of Cairns, the US-Australian coalition deployed at least ten infantry divisions. Originally, they could resist under the attack of the Chinese army, but they really couldn't retreat. However, the tactics now adopted by the Chinese* army undoubtedly make it possible for these US-Australian forces to fall into the encirclement of the Imperial Army at any time.

"We can't afford to lose our precious forces like that. In the future decisive battle with the Chinese, these forces are valuable forces. Admiral MacArthur said. Obviously, he already had a decision in his heart.

"Your Excellency, what do you mean?" Lieutenant General Christie asked.

"Order the troops stationed on the eastern coast to retreat to the south or west. Since the Chinese want to divide their forces to occupy these territories, then give them back. The more territory they capture, the more troops they will divide up. When the time comes, we will be able to defeat them in one fell swoop. Admiral MacArthur said.

"Your Excellency, Commander, I'm afraid that this will not be very satisfying to the Australians." Lieutenant General Christie said.

"Whoever has a different opinion, let them come to me. Or let them lead troops to fight with the Chinese. If you don't dare, just do what I'm told to do. Admiral MacArthur said.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." Lieutenant General Christie nodded.

You don't have to think about it to know that those who have opinions obviously don't dare to lead troops to fight the Chinese * army. Because that means, nine deaths, one life. The rapid advance of the Chinese* army in Australia has already scared a lot of people.

Anyway, after losing those territories, when the Chinese are defeated, they can be regained.

"Our main forces have also begun to move to the intended battlefield. Central New South Wales, west of the Great Dividing Range, is the best battlefield for our decisive battle with the Chinese. Transfer a few armored divisions and the main infantry team to that area and start preparing for the decisive battle. Admiral MacArthur said.

There, away from the coastline. At the same time, the U.S. Army Air Corps built a large number of airfields. The superiority of the Chinese* army in the sea and air cannot be brought into play, and if a decisive battle is fought here, it will be very beneficial to the combined forces of the United States and Australia.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." Lieutenant General Christie nodded.

"Also, inform the fleet of the Chinese navy of the appearance in the Coral Sea. It's up to them to decide when to attack. We don't interfere with them. However, if they can severely damage the Chinese Navy, or drag down most of the combat strength of the Chinese Navy, it will also be of great benefit to our next decisive battle with the Chinese. Admiral MacArthur said. (To be continued.) )