Anti-Japanese War: The whole world is a base vehicle

"Commander, the German army has swept across Europe. Compared with them, how much benefit have we gained?" Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke looked at Nagumo Chuichi in front of him with an anxious face and persuaded him earnestly.

He felt very unbalanced. The German army was advancing like a hot knife through butter on the European battlefield. They swept across the country and took everything they went into their pockets. The profits they gained were so huge that it made people jealous.

But look at their Japanese Navy. In comparison, the benefits they gained were pitifully small.

The implicit meaning of his words was that the German army had now become a true world hegemon, plundering Europe and reaping rich rewards, while the Japanese navy did not gain much benefit.

"Those idiots in the army have occupied most of China, but what about our navy? They have only gained pitiful benefits. Now the army is also building warships itself, and the amount of steel and oil we can get will become even less in the future." Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke became more and more excited as he spoke, his words full of dissatisfaction with the status quo.

The army has occupied such a large territory on the Chinese battlefield, but the navy has not received corresponding benefits. Moreover, the army is now building warships, which will inevitably further divide up the already scarce steel and oil resources. The resources that the navy can get in the future will be even more stretched.

The situations he described were all real and right before his eyes, making it impossible for Nanyun Chuichi to refute them, because what the other party said was indeed true.

"Do you know the strength of Michu?" After hearing what Kusaka Ryunosuke said, Nanyun Chuichi couldn't help but take a deep breath and asked with a serious expression.

He knew in his heart that the strength of the U.S. military was no joke. Although the Japanese army also had a certain combat capability, it would not be an easy task to really go to war with the U.S. military. He had to consider it carefully.

"I know, but Commander, our strength is not weak either." Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke said, shaking his head firmly.

He had full confidence in the strength of the Japanese Combined Fleet. After years of development and construction, the Japanese Combined Fleet had become a world-class large fleet with large-scale comprehensive combat capabilities.

In terms of fleet size, that's quite impressive.

The number of ships it owns accounts for more than 90% of Japan's total large and medium-sized combat ships, which is enough to prove its core position in the Japanese Navy.

The organization of the Combined Fleet is also very complete with clear division of labor.

It is under the jurisdiction of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets, the 1st and 11th Air Fleets, and the Southern Expeditionary Fleet.

Among them, the First Fleet is a battleship force, and those majestic battleships are an important force in naval battles; the Second Fleet is a heavy cruiser force, and the firepower output and combat capability of heavy cruisers in naval battles should not be underestimated; the Third Fleet is responsible for blockade and transportation, and plays a key role in the allocation of strategic materials and the blockade of the enemy; the Fourth Fleet is responsible for related matters in the occupied areas and ensures the military presence and control in the occupied areas; the Fifth Fleet is the northern force, responsible for combat missions in the northern region; the Sixth Fleet is a submarine force, and submarines can often launch unexpected attacks in naval battles, posing a huge threat to the enemy; the First Air Fleet is an aircraft carrier force, and aircraft carriers are the core force of modern naval warfare, with powerful carrier-based aircraft combat capabilities; the Eleventh Air Fleet is a shore-based aviation force, and aircraft taking off from land bases can also play an important role in naval battles.

Moreover, the Combined Fleet has more than 230 major combat ships above submarines and more than 1000 aircraft.

Specifically, there are 10 aircraft carriers, which are sea giants that can carry a large number of carrier-based aircraft and control the air in naval battles; 10 battleships, whose heavy armor and powerful artillery are amazingly powerful; 38 cruisers, which are flexible and have strong firepower in naval battles; 112 destroyers, which can perform a variety of combat missions such as anti-submarine and air defense; 65 submarines, which can launch attacks underwater in a mysterious way.

In the opinion of Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke, such powerful strength can be used to occupy larger territories and gain more benefits.

But now, they can only hide in fear, and this situation naturally makes many middle and lower-level officers feel dissatisfied.

After all, everyone is holding back their energy, wanting to show off their abilities with the strength of the fleet.

"We have a huge fleet, but the share of oil and steel is getting smaller and smaller. We must find other ways to get more oil." Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke frowned slightly and persuaded again earnestly.

He knew very well that oil was vital to the operation of the fleet and combat operations. Without sufficient oil, the fleet could not be deployed normally, and those warships and aircraft would only become decorations.

Therefore, we must find ways to explore new ways to obtain oil and cannot just sit there and watch the oil share decrease day by day.

"What do you think?" Nanyun Chuichi was silent for a long time, then asked again with a serious expression.

He knew that in the current situation of tight resources and the desire to gain more benefits, he had to hear whether Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke had any feasible plans.

"Just using carrier-based aircraft will be enough." Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke said without hesitation. There was confidence in his eyes, as if he had considered this idea for a long time and was confident about it.

Nanyun Chuichi asked first: "Kusa-kun, do you think this operation can be completed with just planes?"

He frowned slightly, feeling somewhat skeptical about the proposal. After all, previous naval battles had involved a variety of tactics, and relying solely on carrier-based aircraft seemed too risky.

"Yes, I think, as long as the American fleet stays where it is, using planes will be enough." Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke replied firmly.

In his opinion, carrier-based aircraft have powerful attack capabilities. If they can seize the opportunity when the enemy fleet is stationary and launch a surprise attack, they can cause heavy damage to the enemy and achieve their combat objectives.

"How many troops are needed?" Chuichi Nanyun asked. He wanted to know Colonel Ryunosuke Kusaka's specific troop deployment plan in order to further evaluate the feasibility of this plan.

"All the carrier-based aircraft of the First Air Fleet." Colonel Ryunosuke Kusaka responded crisply. He felt that concentrating the carrier-based aircraft of all the aircraft carriers of the First Air Fleet would be enough to form a powerful air strike force and deal a heavy blow to the enemy.

"Where are the alert forces?" Nanyun Chuichi continued to ask. He understood that during the combat process, the arrangement of alert forces was crucial and related to the safety and success of the entire operation.

"In order to avoid encounters with enemy surface ships, we need to send two battleships and two cruisers during the air raid, and several destroyers are also needed for alert." Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke said in an orderly manner. He considered that when carrier-based aircraft launched an air raid, they had to prevent interference and counterattacks from enemy surface ships, so he arranged these warships as alert forces to ensure that the air raid could proceed smoothly.

"What if the enemy discovers our intention and comes out to intercept us?" This is the key to whether this surprise attack will be successful.

The voyage from the Japanese mainland to Pearl Harbor is more than 3000 nautical miles, which is a long distance. Once the main fleet of the United States encounters it at sea, the consequences will be disastrous. The two sides will inevitably engage in a fierce naval battle, which may very likely lead to the complete failure of the surprise attack plan.

At this time, everyone in the headquarters focused their attention on Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke, and everyone wanted to hear his response to this key issue.

"Then we have no choice but to fight to the death at sea. We have an overwhelming advantage in aviation force, so we don't have to worry about encountering the enemy at sea. On the contrary, it is what we want."

"I think the problem is that the enemy has a great advantage in shore-based aviation forces. When we launch a strong attack on the enemy's air base, we must be prepared to suffer considerable casualties. Therefore, I think we must launch a surprise attack, and the best time to attack is at dawn."

"But when the situation is at an emergency moment and is about to break out, will the American fleet stay in Pearl Harbor?" Colonel Ryunosuke Kusaka said confidently.

He felt that even if they encountered enemy interception, they could deal with it with their powerful air force, and he was more worried about the threat of the enemy's shore-based air force, so he emphasized the importance of surprise attack and choosing the dawn as the time. However, he was not sure whether the US fleet would stay in Pearl Harbor as expected.

Nanyun Chuichi then asked: "In addition, the patrol planes of the US military bases on the Pacific islands are probably already on high alert. How can we ensure that we can pass through the enemy's cordon without being noticed by the enemy?"

He knew very well that the patrol and defense systems of the US military bases on the Pacific islands were relatively complete, and it was not easy to break through their security lines quietly.

"As long as we are discovered by an enemy plane or a submarine, our actions will inevitably be affected and the combat operations will most likely be thwarted. This will not only affect the operations on the southern front, but will also lead to the bankruptcy of the entire war situation in the future." Nagumo Chuichi asked the key question again.

He knew clearly that this operation would have a far-reaching impact on the entire situation. If the operation failed due to being discovered, it would have a very adverse impact on the entire operation on the southern front and even the entire subsequent war situation.

Nanyun Chuichi said this and glanced at Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke: "I think this battle plan contains too many risky factors."

Although he understood Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke's idea of ​​gaining benefits through a surprise attack and solving the current predicament, from the perspective of practical operation and risk assessment, this plan was too risky and could lead to a complete failure if one was not careful.

Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke did not answer, but was thinking about how to answer. Only by dispelling Nagumo Chuichi's doubts could he convince the Japanese army to attack Pearl Harbor.

He knew that the risks that Chuichi Nagumo mentioned did exist, but he still felt that this plan was feasible. However, at this moment he was also thinking about how to better respond to Chuichi Nagumo's doubts and further improve this combat plan.

"Commander, do you have a better idea?" Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke looked at Nagumo Chuichi with a puzzled look and asked with a questioning look in his eyes.

He originally thought that his proposal of using carrier-based aircraft to launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was risky but feasible to change the current predicament and gain more benefits. However, he did not expect that Nagumo Chuichi raised many questions, so he really wanted to know whether Nagumo Chuichi had a more appropriate response plan.

Hearing this, Nanyun Chuichi smiled and said slowly: "Concentrate the troops on the southern front. If the aircraft carrier disperses the troops, and Hawaii and the southern front fight at the same time, I am afraid that the troops in both places will be strained."

He knew very well that the Japanese army's current military resources were limited. If the aircraft carrier's forces were dispersed to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and the southern front, it would inevitably lead to insufficient forces in each direction, making it difficult to form a strong enough combat capability, and it would be very likely that they would fall into a passive situation when facing the enemy.

"In short, the Pearl Harbor operation was a huge adventure." Nagumo Chuichi frowned and continued with a serious expression.

He knew very well that Pearl Harbor was an extremely important naval base of the US military in the Pacific region, and its defenses must be strict. If an attack was launched there, the risks would be considerable.

"If we fail, the entire operation will be wasted and our First Air Fleet's strength will be reduced by half. This is too dangerous." There was a hint of worry in Nagumo Chuichi's tone.

He understood that if the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor failed, the consequences would be disastrous. Not only would all the efforts of this operation be wasted, but the First Air Fleet, as the main force, would likely suffer heavy losses, which would have an extremely adverse impact on the Japanese army's subsequent combat operations.

"If we concentrate all our forces on the southern front, we don't have to worry about the US Pacific Fleet. To be honest, I am against the Pearl Harbor operation." After saying this, Chuichi Nagumo looked at Colonel Ryunosuke Kusaka.

He felt that considering the overall strategic layout and troop strength of the Japanese army, concentrating troops on the southern front was a safer option that would be more conducive to gaining actual benefits. The Pearl Harbor operation was too risky and should not be attempted lightly.

After hearing what Nagumo Chuichi said, Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke's face suddenly turned unhappy.

He knew in his heart that what Nagumo Chuichi said made sense. From the perspective of the Japanese army's own troop deployment and combat risks, fighting on the southern front was indeed more advantageous for the Japanese army.

However, this is not in Lu Yuhua's interest.

Lu Yuhua was hoping that the Japanese army could launch an attack on Pearl Harbor, thereby forcing the US military to join the war and disrupt the current war situation.

Therefore, Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke was very conflicted at the moment. He had to find a way to solve this problem. He had to maximize the interests of the Japanese army while also satisfying the interests of Lu Yuhua. But how easy was this?

Colonel Kusaka Ryunosuke fell into deep thought, trying to find a solution that would satisfy both parties. (End of this chapter)