"This is a big gamble, a big gamble that can determine the fate of two countries and the ownership of the Western Pacific." Shigetaro Yoshimatsu said, looking at the masts that are forested in the distance. Today, the Japanese fleet is unprecedentedly powerful, but in Shigetaro Yoshimatsu, Japan has never been so dangerous to today! Whether it was the Philippine Naval Battle that year or the later Japanese-Russia Naval Battle, Japan never worried about the destruction of its country! Because at that time, the most powerful country in the world, Britain, was the biggest backing of Japan, but today! Everything is different. Japan must rely on its own strength to survive in the cracks! The days that have thighs to hold will never come back.

"Now, I truly realized the shrewdness and strength of Hirofun Ito. Japan was weak at that time, but there was no risk of destruction of the country. Now, Japan is unprecedentedly powerful, but it is like a ship in the wind and waves." Shigetaro Yoshimatsu said to the Chief of Staff Too Shimamura next to him.

"Mr. Commander, now is not the time to express your feelings. The fleet is about to set off. We need to finalize the fleet discipline." Shimamura Soo said.

"This is my problem." Shigetaro Yoshimatsu adjusted his emotions and issued the first order for this battle!

"Command, all fleet communication equipment will immediately enter a silent state! All password machines and communication equipment enable a brand new first frequency band, and all warships use internal fleet contact information, and no long-distance communication signals can be issued!"

"Order, our telegram transfer station located in Rabaul is inspected again. I want Rabaul to be responsible for the transmission of all reconnaissance information before the battle begins. In addition, send a report to the submarine troops of the transit station to step up the reconnaissance of the US fleet!" Yoshimatsu Shigetaro issued a series of orders. Half an hour later, accompanied by heavy rain and surging waves outside the window, the Japanese fleet left the anchorage and embarked on a journey. The route chosen by the Japanese was exactly the same as Su Xiong thought. They did not enter the battlefield from the eastern waters of New Ireland Island where the Americans were at levels, but chose to circle around and enter the battlefield from the western part of New Ireland!

"The storm is coming." At this time, the US and German fleets were also on full alert. All non-essential ships had evacuated the war zone, and the remaining fleets were concentrated in several safe havens near the core area. The huge US Navy still contracted its defense system, turning from an open palm to a clenched fist.

"Where is the current position of the Japanese fleet?" Benson asked routinely during breakfast.

"It's not clear that the entire waters around New Ireland are covered by heavy rain, our planes are unable to reconnaise at all, and submarine reconnaissance is also difficult. The Japanese fleet has changed positions frequently recently, and with such poor visibility, it's difficult for our submarines to find the Japanese fleet. They have shown signs of moving to the outskirts before." said the staff officer on the side.

"How are we deploying the cordon in the east?" Benson frowned, but looking at the heavy rain outside, he no longer continued to entangle this and lose his target.

"There will be no problem. We have blocked the narrow strait between New Ireland and New Britain, and in the east, we have deployed several cordons, with submarines and destroyers working together, and it is almost impossible for a large Japanese fleet to penetrate from the east." The staff officer said.

"What about the West?" Benson asked.

"It's also impossible, Commander." The staff officer said confidently.

"So, our plan is foolproof?" Benson asked. "Little did I know that the plan that seems to have no problems is the most likely problematic one. The storm will not continue for up to one week. Therefore, I asked the main fleet to maintain a second-level alert and the reconnaissance patrol team to maintain a first-level alert."

"What is General Su Xiong busy with?" Benson asked.

"General Su Xiong and the armored cruiser team of General Fletcher are together. They are in the core area and rely on their high speed advantages to take into account all the anchorages in the area. The fleets of the two countries work together to wait for the battle." The staff officer said.

"What is the attitude of the old General Fletcher?" Benson asked.

"He and General Su Xiong were having a very happy time," said the staff officer.

"Very good, then I'll feel relieved." Benson nodded. He was quite satisfied with the current situation. There were some conflicts between Benson and Su Xiong, but in the end it was coordinated. After making some necessary compromises, the two sides formulated the current method. In order to take into account the large core area, Su Xiong's fleet and the old Fletcher's armored cruiser detachment were left in the inner ring. They could attack quickly to support any place that encountered the Japanese main battleship. This is the superiority of high-speed warships. Even considering the poor ship conditions, the German fleet is still about 6 knots higher than the average speed of the American fleet!

It’s not that the German fleet’s speed has not dropped, but because some warships in the US fleet have too bad speeds. For example, the American warships before the New York use a three-expansion steam engine! The fearlessness of using the three-expansion steam engine is the only American in this world!

So this is also for Benson to finally agree with Su Xiong's suggestion, because the speed gap between the two sides' fleets is really too big and they cannot form formation at all. The result of forced formation is that the attack rhythm cannot keep up at all. This is a bit like the problem of dragging speed after Scher put the former dreadnought into the main fleet in history.

The main fleet commanded by Benson is deploying on the periphery. As Betty expected, Benson had the idea of ​​a decisive battle with the Japanese fleet. Because his fleet was slow, he had to make his main fleet closer to his opponent! As for the core area, he was more at ease, because the fleet composed of 4 Bavarian-class battleships and 5 armored cruisers was enough to deal with half of the Japanese combined fleet. In his opinion, it was almost impossible if the Japanese combined fleet wanted to sneak in from under his nose as a whole! So Benson was very at ease!

Benson even hoped that the Japanese could penetrate their defense line and be bitten by Su Xiong. Then, he led the large fleet to fight a decisive battle similar to the Norwegian Sea decisive battle. After all, if the Japanese rushed to the inner circle, then his fleet had an advantage in the route and could consider intercepting the other party’s retreat!

Benson was quite satisfied with the current situation, but Pershing was different, because, just this morning, the front line sent intelligence, that the Japanese were gathering on a large scale in the rainy day! He was preparing to launch a large-scale attack, which naturally made the US military, who were already tired and had some difficulties in supply, felt very uncomfortable. Fighting in such a harsh weather, greatly weakening the US military's firepower advantage!
Chapter completed!