Chapter 1043 Hawaii (6)

On the evening of October 9th, Washington time, and in the early morning of October 10th, Tokyo time, Horikichi presided over the last operational meeting of the Navy. Tomorrow he will personally lead the support fleet to set off to the Pacific.

Rear Admiral Chiaki Matsuda, Chief of Operations of the Military Command Department, briefed everyone on the current situation. Everyone knows that Matsuda Chiaki is extremely trusted by Horikichi. Not only does he serve as the most prominent chief of operations among the middle-level positions in the Military Command Department, but he also serves as the first staff officer of the Combined Fleet. He is the first to have joint part-time jobs in the core positions of the military command and fleet (if you do not count Horikichi himself as the chief of staff). The words of the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Command and the Commander of the Combined Fleet), the reason is very good - the person who makes the combat plan has no actual fleet combat experience at all, and can only sit in the Military Command and slap his forehead. Will it work?

The disadvantages are of course also obvious. It is this group of people who draft the battle plan and review the plan. It is easy for loopholes to appear inconsistently. In order to solve this problem, Horikichi also tried to introduce the "target management system" and "theater management system" that were relatively successful in Germany. The Military Command Department was only responsible for formulating macro-campaign goals and no longer took the trouble to formulate tactical details - because Tokyo formulated Most of the details on the battlefield are taken from the forehead.

In fact, this reform aims to weaken the decision-making value of the Military Command Department as a staff organ and improve the command value of front-line units. It is currently well received.

As for the Navy Ministry, it has no objection. Originally, the Military Command used its independence of operational command and command power to put pressure on the Navy Ministry from time to time. Now that the Military Command has "lowered itself", the Navy Ministry is naturally willing to do so. However, Yamamoto, Inoue Narumi and Onishi Takijiro would not be so narrow-minded in their view of the problem, and they also understood Horikichi's intention - weakening the Military Command would help prevent further careerists.

Matsuda Chiaki said loudly: "The combat information in the recent period is summarized and condensed as follows:

1. On the African battlefield, the European axis allies are about to launch a devastating attack on the enemy forces in South Africa, and our observation team is in place. It is reported that this battle will test a variety of the latest German equipment, which is very interesting. After the observation, Captain Ito will lead some members to return to China to report their experience of observing the war in Europe. The rest have been assigned to liaison with various German units. members continue to stay;

2. In terms of war support, the jet learning team dispatched to Germany has completed the first phase of learning, with an overall pass rate of 94%. Those who pass the exam will enter the 8-week second phase of learning; a total of 249 pilots have been trained with the help of Germany and Italy. All have graduated, 113 of whom are naval carrier-based aircraft pilots. They are preparing to return to China in the near future. Together with other domestically trained pilots, they plan to join the six-air battle with Aso and Ikoma (Unryu class) as the main force, preparing for next spring. Entering the war; the first Titan-class ship delivered by the British has arrived in the Indian theater and is undergoing sea trials and combat readiness duties. The overall operation is in good condition. The No. 2 ship will be delivered in December this year. The commander has instructed to enter the northern combat readiness patrol (to prepare for Eastern Russia);

3. In terms of war supplies, the oil tankers promised to be delivered by European and Middle Eastern countries are being delivered on schedule, and the delivery of petroleum products is slightly lagging behind. This is mainly due to the German army hoarding a large amount of oil in the South African battlefield. We express our understanding for this; the 320 units we delivered in accordance with the agreement tons of gold, more than 700 tons of silver, 14 tons of mercury, 70,000 tons of rubber and other tropical products have all been delivered. According to the settlement of accounts between the two parties at the end of July, we still owe Germany a huge amount of money. In view of the small gold and silver reserves of the empire, and Stabilizing the economy after the war also requires reserves of heavy metals such as gold and silver, so it is not appropriate to deliver them in large quantities. Currently, an agreement has been reached to use Guinea Island as an offset, and the German army will officially dispatch troops to Guinea after the South African campaign;

4. In terms of the Pacific War, the Second Air War cut off the material supply line in Hawaii. The main force of the combined fleet has now occupied the Galapagos Island and is approaching Lima to prepare supplies..."

"Excuse me, some of the situations here have changed slightly, and they are adjustments I made." Horikichi stood up and added, "After our army occupied Christmas Island, we originally planned to use an attack on the west coast as a bait to lure the US military to attack, so that our army could take advantage of it. However, the situation suddenly changed and the U.S. fleet sneaking from South Africa to Australia entered the harbor and strengthened the defense force of Hawaii. Tsukawara-kun, who failed in his plan, immediately adjusted his strategy and prepared to use the Tsunoda fleet as bait to lure the enemy fleet to attack. , he was preparing to either destroy the enemy fleet or take advantage of the opportunity to attack Hawaii. However, after waiting for three days, the enemy army made no move and only concentrated on resting in Hawaii. At this time, the German side sent a note, and I gave the order to let Tsukahara go. Attack the Galapagos and pretend to attack Panama..."

The note was after Dewey made a request for peace negotiations. Hoffman, through Cole, asked the Japanese combined fleet to put pressure on the Central American front and disrupt the rhythm of U.S. war preparations - the United States cannot always send troops to Recife, but to Panama. The transfer would facilitate the German army's follow-up campaign, and Horikichi agreed after careful consideration.

He explained the reason for this: "The German head of state made a war speech to the United States a few days ago, and the imperial embassy in Brazil listened to it. In addition to false threats and accusations, he actually forced the United States to sue for peace. From the standpoint of the empire, if Japan and the United States could not make peace, so they naturally hoped that Germany and the United States would continue to fight. I should not have helped "force the United States to seek peace," but after careful consideration, I agreed.

First, Germany has repeatedly reiterated that it will not damage the Japan-Germany alliance, and has actually given the empire multiple aids. This time it purchased oil tankers from European countries. Without Germany's pressure and coordination, it would never have been possible to reciprocate the favor so quickly and in sufficient quantities. Angle, this help is indispensable;

Second, in the United States, Truman withdrew from the election, and the election of another presidential candidate, Dewey, seemed certain. If Germany could make peace with more humiliating conditions, why couldn't Japan make peace with more favorable conditions?

Third, the stronger Germany is and the more capital it has, the more humiliating the peace terms it proposes to the United States will be, and the more difficult it will be for the United States to accept them. At the same time, it will become more and more clear how generous and benevolent the imperial peace terms are. It is also possible to side with Germany and jointly exert pressure. It can better reflect the unity of the axis..."

It takes several rounds to understand what Horikichi said, because he did not say it completely: The most important condition for the United States to have an armistice with Germany is to dismantle the Japan-Germany alliance. If Japan ignores Germany's demands now and goes its own way, it will not do so in the future. Blame Germany for kicking Japan away; conversely, if Japan sides with Germany and continues to put pressure on the United States, Germany will definitely be very happy. Not only will there be no risk of Japan and Germany turning against each other in the short term, but their relationship will become more harmonious, making it easier to exert pressure on the United States. maximum pressure.

As for Japan and the United States cooperating against Germany, Horikichi would like to think about it, but he also knows that it is absolutely impossible at the moment. Perhaps the United States, which is isolated and helpless after the war, will want to unite with Japan for warmth.

"From a tactical point of view, this is also beneficial: the main force of the combined fleet attacking south can create a sign that the main force of our army is not around Pearl Harbor, luring the US fleet to engage in the second naval battle, while I myself will lead the supporting fleet to attack Pearl Harbor." Horikichi concluded, "In the new campaign concept, the Tsukahara fleet is a cover-up, the Tsunoda fleet is the real decoy, and my support fleet is the final kill."

After everyone listened to the explanation and looked at the chart carefully, they instantly understood what Horikichi was thinking. Of course, Yamamoto Isoroku still frowned. He felt that Horikichi spread his power too widely and could easily be defeated by others. Inoue Narumi reminded him: "Kakuda has two regular aircraft carriers, Tsukahara-kun has three, and the commander still has There are 4 ships (since 2 are light aircraft carriers, the total number can actually be converted to 3 Yunlong-class ships). When neither side has shore-based aviation support, any two fleets combined cannot easily be dealt with by the US military. They can only Divide it into three branches, otherwise the Americans will not dare to come out. "

"Facts have proved that the chief's decision is correct. The head of state is very satisfied with our army's occupation of the Galapagos Islands. Special Envoy Cole sent a note, hoping to have the opportunity to attack Central America together. We mainly use naval forces to invest, and Germany The army and landing force will be invested, and the campaign concept is currently being planned." Chiaki Matsuda paused and said, "Currently, the main force of the fleet has gone to Lima and replenished fuel; the Tsunoda fleet broke away from contact with Pearl Harbor and concealed its whereabouts. , creating the illusion that the two fleets are jointly attacking Panama."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief: as long as Germany still wants to attack Central America, it means that the other party has a huge appetite, and general conditions cannot satisfy the Germans. This is crucial to Japan's next campaign. Cooperating with Germany in fighting in Central America is welcomed by Japan with both hands. Firstly, it can put endless pressure on the United States, and later it can get a lot of benefits from Germany - there are not many good things that can bring fame, fortune and face. Yamamoto Isoroku is always smiling.

"This time the support fleet is personally led by the commander. In addition to the main forces of the third and fifth aviation battles, it also includes a large number of land forces. Therefore, the transport fleet will go together. According to the commander's opinion, Lieutenant General Kurita Takeo will still lead the first transport fleet to be responsible for maintenance First-line transportation in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the mainland; Lieutenant General Tanaka Yorizo ​​will lead the Second Transport Fleet, and Major General Kimura Masafuku will lead the First Mine Team to follow the support fleet to Hawaii. "

There is a significant difference between Horikichi and Isoroku Yamamoto, and he is even more different from other high-level officials. He is generally ridiculed as a timid Kurita Takeo. He believes that prudence and self-protection can be used to be in charge of transportation. Facts have proved that he looks at people. That's right. After Kurita Takeo took charge of the transportation, although he made a lot of jokes because he was cautious, evaded at the slightest sign of trouble, and went anti-submarine, he reduced a lot of losses compared to others who were careless. Horikichi praised him, "Kurita-kun used his most precious reputation to save ships and supplies for the empire. Is there any more brave act than this?" He also ranked him third in terms of military exploits, which moved Kurita Takeo to tears. Whispering.

For another example, Tanaka Yorizo, who was under pressure from all sides during the Guadalcanal Express and believed that he did not dare to take command and that desperately supplying supplies was meaningless, was also affirmed by Horikichi, "What is the meaning of a commander? It is not to be arrogant. I want to go to hell, but endure the humiliation and bear the burden and survive to complete the mission. Gentlemen, I want generals who can complete the mission, not reckless men who can only die!"

"Gentlemen, I will go on an expedition tomorrow. If I unfortunately die in battle, please ask Yamamoto-kun to concurrently serve as privy envoy, ask Tsukahara-kun to serve as the chief of the military command department, and ask Ozawa to return home and serve as the commander-in-chief of the combined fleet!"

"Sir!" everyone exclaimed!

Horikichi smiled: "Although I'm not very superstitious, I can rest assured after some things have been arranged. Please remember this sentence, the combined fleet is the main city of the empire. As long as the fleet is there, the empire has hope!"