Chapter 755 West Wind 1

"I am not responsible for anything that happened during my interim presidency."

"Haha."

A burst of laughter came from the expanding port of Djibouti dock: "This Vice President of the United States is really a wonderful man. He knows that he can't take this mess at this time."

Zhou Cheng looked at Gu Junhuo, who was holding the telegram, and also felt very funny. Because the general staff would compile domestic and international events every few days and send them to various war zones and headquarters, although they were thousands of miles away from the United States, they could also know clearly what important things happened, so they immediately said: "In my opinion, I was still scared by the emperor's wanted notice! 100,000 people's head, hehe, I'm moved.

"Don't be too timid about Americans." Gu Junhuo gradually put away his smile and said, "General Sun Jiugong sent two armored divisions, two infantry divisions, and 15 infantry divisions. The strength was not weak, but Carl still persisted for so many days. What's more, if it weren't for Arizona not a food-producing area, and the ammunition and arms were seriously depleted during the retreat, I think he should have been able to hold on for a while.

"It's a pity!"

Gu Jun and Huo Gang sip his lips. Zhou Cheng, who has been promoted to the chief of staff of the Seventh Fleet, immediately smiled and said, "Commander, if Luo Feng hears this, I guess he will scold you to death."

"No, we haven't dealt with him for a year or two. Don't you know his temper? If there is a chance, he can't wait to fight a hard battle with the French and German army, which is known as the first. Gu Junhuo said as he walked to the expanding dock.

Since it effortlessly took Djibouti, it has become the main base of the Navy's Red Sea. Because its strategic location here is very important, some people in the empire have even proposed that it should be included in the territory of the empire, but more people think that Arab policy should continue, as long as the base is not a territory. Just sign a longer-term lease agreement.

The latter is what the navy is willing to see, but because Djibouti is currently in a state of no political axe, Xinhua political axe is not very familiar with here, so it is still in the stage of observation in the process of choosing who to be an agent.

However, this can no longer change the ambition of the Imperial Royal Navy to include it in the naval sphere of influence. After seizing it, it brought a large amount of cement and building materials to expand the seaport. In order to alleviate the lack of transportation, it even purchased some from the nearby Ottomans and Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, the French before A good foundation has been laid here, and the expansion work is relatively smooth.

The number of deep-water wharves in the port that have not yet been expanded has increased to three, which can dock five capital ships, but there are not many warships on the wharf at this moment. In addition to a Yangtze River-class light patrol, there are also three Weiqing-class destroyers and two submarines resting here. Looking at a few warships, Gu Junhuo was also a little melancholy.

The Seventh Fleet has been reorganization for some time, and the mission is not without, locking the Indian Grand Fleet to escort ships in the Arabian Sea, etc. However, because the two main Guam-class battleships have not returned to support the United States, the Second Fleet has undertaken most of the main operations, and the Seventh Fleet can only fish. When it comes to some idle work, it is simply a torment for him who is eager to officially engrave the Seventh Fleet on the naval merit card.

Zhou Cheng, who didn't know Gu Junhuo's thoughts, smiled and said, "There is no need to look any more. The aircraft carrier assigned to us at the latest after the Spring Festival should arrive. If you are lucky, you may be able to get a Hawaii-class light cruiser and a new large cruiser, which is noisy enough."

"Ha ha, aren't you in a hurry?"

Gu Junhuo didn't hide his thoughts at all. He smiled and said, "Looking that Europe is about to fight, we are idle here. We are really cautious. I really want to have a good fight with Luo Feng!"

"Ha ha, the commander wants to enter the Mediterranean Sea!" Zhou Cheng laughed.

"Hmm."

Gu Junhuo said, "The battle of Paris is about to begin. This must be an extremely anxious battle. I don't know who will win, but no matter what they can do in the end, at least we must prepare for the worst. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the prohibitions of the Compact. The navies of Italy, France and Spain killed Osman and Austro-Hungarian cards. If we can go in and make a scene, it will inevitably distract the attention of these three countries. If we can threaten the coastline of Italy and Spain, they may not be much better than the United States!

Once there is turmoil in Italy and Spain, it is not impossible to regain the advantage with the strength of the German army!"

"The commander is right, but the mine belt outside the canal is not easy to pass. During this period, we cleared mines during the day. They laid mines at night and quarreled with each other without much effect. Moreover, if you want to enter the Mediterranean Sea, you must first remove the Indian Grand Fleet and completely solve your worries."

"Yes."

Gu Junhu scratched his head and thought of the Indian Grand Fleet, which could not be found in Mumbai, and his eyes suddenly saw a generation of sharp light.

It is true that the navy did not intend to completely solve the Indian Grand Fleet, but the problem is that the Mumbai waterway is also difficult to go. Not to mention a large number of mines, Campbell often ordered the minelayer to adjust the inbound and outgoing channel, and several attempts by the submarine force have failed.

At present, domestic aircraft manufacturing has reached its limit, and because of the need to attack the United States, the manufacturing focus has also changed from giving priority to supplying the navy to manufacturing the air force first. In this way, the speed of the dive bomber equipment of the naval aircraft carrier has begun to slow down. More importantly, because of the need to make every effort to ensure the success of landing in the United States, it has been transferred. Most aircraft carriers make only one heavy aircraft carrier and two light carriers stationed in Perth mobilized in the Indian Ocean.

Perth light motherships are immovable. They need to defend against the new Allied South African fleet, two Avenger-class battleships, two Spanish-class battleships and three old French battleships, which are stronger than the previous British South African fleet.

What's more, although Campbell is a little unmotivated and self-respecting, he is obviously much more experienced than that of the United States. Not only has he deployed a mobile lightning dam, but the Indian Grand Fleet has not suffered much damage before. The ship-borne air defense firepower is obviously stronger than that of the United States, and it is difficult to achieve too much by relying on a mothership and a Longya torpedo bomber alone. The main reason for the stalemate between the two sides until now.

"The problem of clearing mines out of the canal is not big. Commander Xue has said before that the Air Force Sinai Peninsula Base will be initially put into use by next month at the latest. As long as the Air Force can deploy a batch of bombers, it can completely support the minesweepers and destroyer detachments, and their minelayers are not so easy to get close to the canal. Yes.

As for Campbell and his Grand Fleet, hehe, now is his best chance. If he doesn't leave, hum! I really can't leave in my life!"

"The best chance?!" Hearing his words, Zhou Cheng's eyes lit up, and he quickly came to his side and asked, "Commander, what's the news?" Gu Junhuo nodded: "I just received the news that one of our cruisers encountered two British cruisers and three French destroyers in the Mozambique Strait between Madagascar and the African continent."

"Oh? This is the first time!" Zhou Cheng also frowned. After the formation of the new South African fleet, the activity area has been strictly limited to the Scotia Sea between South Africa and the Frank Islands. It has never taken the initiative to enter the Indian Ocean. This time, it suddenly appeared near the island of Madagascar. Is it?

"I suspect this is to prepare for answering Campbell!"

Gu Junhuo said the answer and continued: "Although Campbell did not do anything, judging from the fact that the British Admiralty did not get his command position, it shows that this person must have some ability. The previous battle with the Second Fleet was just unlucky. If he hadn't been fooled at that time, he would have given up Ceylon to attack Arabia directly. Sea, we can't get through the Strait of Hormuz so quickly without paying a price.

In the eyes of outsiders, he had two opportunities to leave. The first was when we were in Australia, and the second was when we landed in the United States, but he didn't leave, not because he was timid, but because he knew that he couldn't leave at that time!"

"Oh, why?"

"In Australia, General Xiao Tianzhi's expedition seemed to be very powerful, but in fact, he only took away two heavy carriers and three light carriers, and there were not many capital ships. If we left at that time, we would have enough ways to stop him! And at that time, the new South African fleet had not been deployed, and there was no one to respond if he wanted to escape!" Gu Junhuo squinted his eyes and continued: "It is the best opportunity for outsiders to land in the United States, but it is actually more dangerous, because there is not much naval power on the west coast of the United States to contain us. If he leaves, as long as we are entangled with the Second Fleet for a few days, the main force of North America can quickly go south along the coastline of the Americas. Bypass the Cape of Good Hope and block it at the gate of the South Atlantic Ocean. Although it seems a little far away, in fact, we had a large number of supply ships in North America at that time, ensuring that there was no problem for a fleet maneuvering and carrying out high-intensity operations!"

"So, he saw through it, so he deliberately didn't leave!" At this point, Zhou Cheng was a little falled.

"I don't know about this, but I think he should have seen through it and deliberately didn't leave. What's more, it was not the time to rush to leave, because we have too little power in the Indian Ocean. As long as he is here for a day, we dare not open the canal and enter the Mediterranean Sea with all our strength."

"I know, so he's leaving now, because California has been beaten down by us. Once the main force of North America comes back, he is bound to beat him!"

"That's good."

"But this is also his best chance." Gu Junhuo smiled and said, "Because he knows that they have fired too many shells this time!"

"There are too many shells!"

Zhou Cheng completely understood and immediately looked at Gu Junhuo with new eyes. Previously, he was a little contemptuous because he was older than the other party, but after these words, he knew that in silence, the general, who was once the youngest battleship captain of the Imperial Royal Navy, had risen to be comparable to Dong Fei and Fang Jin and others. Degree.

There are too many shells. It must be strange for laymen to hear that this has nothing to do with defeating the Indian Grand Fleet, but Zhou Cheng is very clear that this is the biggest problem for the navy and a technically insurmountable logistical problem.

Take the latest 406mm naval gun as an example. The lifespan of armor-piercing shells is only about 150 rounds. Even if high-explosive bombs with less wear are used, it is only about 700 pieces. In order to support the landing and attack on the three major ports in North America, almost all the capital ships there exceed this number.

The navy is the most complex service at present, especially the logistics and maintenance are very complex. At present, the maximum caliber of the barrel that the empire can replace at sea is only 76 mm. The gun barrel replacement of the above caliber needs to be carried out in the base, and the main gun replacement barrel above 305 mm must also be carried out. It can only be docked. That is to say, all the capital ships involved in the offensive landing and providing fire support have reached the limit of docking and replacing the barrel. Even if they are all stuffed into the dock now, it will take at least four to five days to complete.

The main aircraft carrier also needs to rest and maintenance because the pilots have been fighting for nearly a month of continuous high-intensity operations. What's more, the soldiers are not iron. Recently, the increase in flight accidents in this short period of time illustrates the problem, and the last few Western Qin-class motherships will be delivered as early March at the earliest, which leads to the navy in the company. After the continuation of the battle, there was finally an obvious gap!

During this period, the main force that the navy can use is only one heavy carrier and two light carriers, plus four Hebei-class battleships, the rest will be cruisers and destroyers, and some submarines with obvious speed defects that cannot participate in the decisive battle.

In contrast, Campbell also has 10 capital ships, 16 cruisers and as many as 30 destroyers, including 2 American Pennsylvania-class, 2 Northampton-class, plus Queen-class Malaya, a total of 5 381mm heavy gun capital ships, plus 3 Nelson-class and 1 Irish new As long as the Imperial Royal Navy can't take out a large reinforcement fleet, it has enough strength to break through from the pursuit of one mother ship and four Hebei-class ships, not to mention the rescue of seven battleships of the new South African fleet.

"This is our biggest gap since the beginning of the war. If Campbell is really smart, he will never give up this opportunity! And." Gu Junhuo turned his head and smiled, "The intelligence department just got a message in the morning."

"The last two prestige-class battlecruisers with a speed of 26 knots have been delivered and converged with four Carlyden-class light cruisers yesterday evening, and a mothership with an old cruiser with a faster improvement speed and equipped with a camel 2 aircraft leaving Portsmouth is unknown. I suspect that they are likely to go to South Africa! Because the intelligence department said that these four cruisers have particularly strengthened air defense, and each of them has deployed at least 22 quick-fire guns and machine guns!

Moreover, Britain's first armor-enhanced Hood-class battle patrol with a speed of 27 knots will also start sea trials in early March. Gu Junhuo sneered: "This shows that the British navy has passed the most difficult period after Delan, and they have the strength to cover Campbell's breakthrough!"

"If I choose to break through, it must be."

"New Year's Eve." Before Gu Junhuo finished speaking, Zhou Cheng had already gritted his teeth and said, "Reunion night!"

(to be continued)