Chapter 761: Choice (5)

In the biting cold wind, more than 40 cargo ships and oil tankers, accompanied by 6 Soviet destroyers, are trying their best to move forward. As long as they pass through the Tsugaru Strait, they can unload their cargo at the two major ports in the Russian Far East - the Soviet Port and the Vladivostok Port. . Since they were under surveillance by Japanese aircraft, warships, and fishing boats throughout the entire journey, these ships flew Soviet flags every time they passed here, using the Soviet-Japanese neutrality law to pass harmlessly.

This is the material that the United States sent to the Soviet Union in accordance with the aid bill. Although it criticized the Soviet Union's repeated failures in the war against Germany, the United States continued to send supplies to the Soviet Union based on its alliance relationship, and almost always responded to requests. It gave whatever it needed, and the Soviet Union lacked it. Not only did it transport more than 400,000 tons of grain in one go, it also directly provided field rations to the US military. When the Soviet Union launched a counterattack in the central direction, it focused on sending various weapons and equipment. Not only are the varieties becoming more abundant, but the tonnage is also gradually increasing. After the North Atlantic and Black Sea routes were cut off, the import volume of the Far East route became increasingly abundant, and the mentality of the United States was gradually changed.

The United States originally dismissed the Soviet Union's combat effectiveness and believed that the Red Army's combat effectiveness was too low and could not defeat the enemy several times. However, after fighting the Germans on the ground, especially when it had absolutely superior firepower and air support, it was several times more powerful than the enemy. The fight was also so strenuous that everyone began to re-examine Stalin's combat effectiveness. They believed that although the Red Army failed repeatedly, it was at least still fighting and continuing to consume the Germans. The disadvantage lay in the lack of supplies, especially heavy equipment. If the Russians could If you get more supplies and equipment, you might perform better.

This time the Joint Chiefs of Staff allocated 650,000 tons of supplies: 100,000 tons of high-grade aviation fuel alone, 800 Sherman tanks, and 1,200 aircraft of various types (such as P39\P63 fighter jets, A20 attack machines, etc.), in addition to more than 20,000 tons of armored steel, 30,000 tons of aluminum and copper ingots, more than 3,000 Dodge trucks, more than 1,000 jeeps, and more than 500 90mm anti-aircraft guns that the Soviet Union urgently needed. Although the quantity and quality cannot be compared with aid to Britain - Britain can receive nearly 1.5 million tons of supplies per month, while the Soviet Union averages less than 300,000 tons per month. In fact, the United States paid as much as 3 million tons of supplies for Britain (the rest was losses). Except for shipwrecks on the Far East route, most of them arrived safely. According to Nimitz's suggestion, after the United States shifted to strategic defense as a whole, it tried to provide more supplies to the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom so that they could hold back the Axis forces.

It was precisely because of the generous donations from the United States that the Soviet Union passed the most difficult period after the loss of the Baku oil field and the failure of the Battle of the Castle. The food crisis was also alleviated after taking various measures. In order to express its gratitude, the Soviet Union not only cooperated in military aspects, but also supported the United States in other aspects. The remains of German weapons and equipment and trophies found on the Eastern Front battlefield, including He-218, Ju-188, and No. 4 tanks, were shared with the United States. Even the very rare and rare Tiger has been thoroughly studied by American experts. The experts also obtained first-hand information through live-fire shooting at the shooting range; US military intelligence officials also intervened to investigate some of the captured vehicles. The German officers and pilots were interrogated, taking advantage of their eager desire to escape control and go to the United States (everyone knows that becoming a US military prisoner of war would end much better than being a Red Army prisoner of war), and pulled out a lot of intelligence.

In the words of Stalin: "Let Comrade Roosevelt feel that every dollar he spends is worthwhile."

We have to admire the cunningness of the Russians in this regard. They used a prisoner to collect money twice - the vast majority of ordinary officers and soldiers were handed over to the German side as a guarantee for the German army to delay the attack; the most valuable officers and pilots were handed over to the American side. , in exchange for a lot of benefits. After Nimitz specified the new route, the Joint Chiefs of Staff made a preliminary decision to increase the delivery of strategic materials to the Soviet Union from 300,000 tons/month to more than 500,000 tons/month. However, if you walk too much, you will eventually encounter ghosts, and this time the transportation ran into trouble.

"The fleet ahead stops for inspection!"

"This is the Soviet fleet."

As usual, after this round of dialogue, Japan would send a small boat to guide the Soviet fleet through the strait, and each time the Soviets would give a small favor to pass the customs. But this time the situation was different. What came from the other side was not a small boat, but Mogami and Suzu. The four heavy cruisers Tani, Kumano, and Ashigara were followed by eight destroyers.

"The Second Air Force of the Imperial Japanese Navy is conducting exercises here. Please stop the ship on the spot and we will board for inspection!"

As the Japanese army raised flags and sent out telegrams, the escorting Soviet captain felt vaguely that something was not good, but with the six destroyers in his hands, he was unable to resist, so he had to send an emergency telegram to the fleet, hoping that the people above would find a solution as soon as possible.

"Sir, we have carefully investigated and found that there are a total of 7 oil tankers and 38 cargo ships. Except for 2-3 Soviet ships, the rest are all American Liberty ships or Victory ships. Judging from the draft, they are basically fully loaded. It is initially estimated that the supplies will be insufficient. Less than 600,000 tons.”

Nishimura Shoji nodded with satisfaction: "Good guy, we caught a big fish. That is to say, if Commander Horikichi has such courage, what can he expect from the bunch of cowardly turtles in the Military Command Department who can only hold them back?"

"We are a Soviet ship and are performing normal official duties. You have no right to inspect it."

"We have received definite information and suspect that there are American ships disguised as Soviet ships to confuse them and must be inspected."

"No, we can't let them inspect it." On board the Soviet No. 107 (actually the USS Mississippi), the Soviet Rear Admiral Markov, who was in charge of liaison, looked pale. "Send a telegram to Moscow and ask them to send diplomats as soon as possible. To resolve this matter, the Japanese must not be allowed to board, otherwise there will be too many things.”

"Sir, the other party refuses to allow us to board the ship."

"How long until the plane arrives?"

"2 minutes."

"Very good, the destroyer will stick to it and give the opponent 3 minutes to prepare for a forced landing!"

"Ultimatum, board by force within 3 minutes!" As soon as the flag came out, the expressions of everyone on board the Soviet fleet changed drastically!

"Comrade Commander, the Japanese destroyer is coming. Do you want to fire a warning?"

"No, no..." Markzhov shook his head quickly, "We can't fire, and we can't let them board the ship."

"How can this be done?" The people below muttered, asking the destroyer to move, preparing to block the position where the Japanese warship was rushing.

"Prepare the main turret." Shoji Nishimura gave the order calmly.

Within the second minute, four heavy cruisers lined up, their turrets all rotated, aiming at the fleet in front of them.

"The last minute." Shoji Nishimura looked at his watch, "Fire salvo of naval guns, live ammunition warning fire!"

"Boom!" Amidst the sound, 40 203mm naval guns roared, firing the shells 300 meters away from the front of the Soviet fleet. Markzhov knew that this was not because the opponent failed to hit him, but because the opponent was using his precise shooting skills to warn him, and his face turned pale.

"Has the call back from Moscow not come yet?"

"not yet!"

"Buzz", a neat group of attack aircraft appeared in the sky, all painted with Asahi Maru, all Comet Kai and Zero War Kai. The Japanese officers and soldiers all cheered, and all the Soviet people turned pale.

"Are the Japanese going to declare war on us?" Everyone murmured to themselves as they watched the planes circling overhead. Most of the American sailors operating the cargo ship instinctively ran away with their heads in their hands.

"After 3 minutes, board the ship forcefully."

"Sir, what should we do if the Americans resist?"

"Resistance? Are the naval guns in your hands and the bombers above your heads just decorations?"

"But...Su Ri is neutral."

"I know it's neutral, so neutral means we can't fight? I have the final say if we sink it." Shoji Nishimura waved his hands nonchalantly, "A few destroyers dared to challenge it, believe it or not, they all turned into parts and sank in the next minute! "

"This is a Soviet freighter. Again, this is a Soviet freighter. You have no right to inspect it!"

"Fire!"

The second round of heavy cruiser fire reduced the distance to about 100 meters. The air waves and water jets from the explosion had begun to impact the Soviet fleet. Finally, a nervous Soviet destroyer couldn't help it and began to fire - the intention was to intimidate, but Nishimura Shoji felt like he had found a treasure.

"Has it been filmed?"

"Taken." A photographer near the bridge replied respectfully.

"Very good, the Soviet destroyer took the lead in opening fire on our troops and tried to release torpedoes to attack the flagship. In order to defend itself, I was forced to order a counterattack." After Nishimura Shoji finished posing for the camera, he immediately ordered, "Bombers, attack!"

The Comet roared down, and each Soviet destroyer was assigned 4 aircraft - the US fleet with fierce anti-aircraft firepower could achieve a good hit rate, but now it is almost stationary and has no anti-aircraft firepower. The Soviet destroyers were as easy as target practice. In less than 2 minutes, 6 destroyers were sunk one after another. The worst one was hit by 4 500 kilogram bombs and was directly blown into two pieces and sank.

"Onboard!"

Faced with such a brave attacking group, all the sailors cheered. At this time, the Zero War Kai hovering in the sky volleyed down and aimed at the Soviet officers and soldiers struggling in the sea with continuous machine gun fire and opened fire violently, instantly turning the surrounding area red. A large area of ​​​​sea - in the words of Mizuo Fuchida, the enemy who fell into the water has not surrendered yet. Why can't we fight the enemy who does not surrender? The sight of this battle made the American sailors on the cargo ship twitch their eyelids.

"Stop the ship and inspect it. As long as the ship is in good condition, you will be fine. Otherwise, we will kill you without mercy!"

With murderous words, Japanese officers and soldiers began to board the ship.

"Kneel down, kneel down for me!"

Group after group of crew members were dragged out of the cabin by the Japanese army, and they were all kneeling on the deck with guns pointed at their heads.

"You say you are Soviet, okay, I won't accuse you wrongly and I won't damage Soviet-Japanese relations. You, read this book for me!"

The American sailor held up a Russian book with a picture of a sickle and an axe, and shook his head with a wry smile.

"Can't you read it? This is the serious Russian version of "Lenin's Selected Works" and you can't read it? You must be a spy, take it with you..."

A few minutes later, the navy lieutenant who boarded the ship for inspection waved the "Selected Works of Lenin" in his hand and brazenly expressed his position to the camera: "After boarding the ship for inspection and careful screening, our army found more than 4,000 American spies and hundreds of thousands of tons of prohibited materials. All will be confiscated..."