Empire Conquest

Chapter 521 - 517: Two Worries

Even though a formidable enemy loomed, Bai Zhizhan still returned to his quarters for a nap after dinner and instructed Zhou Yongtao and the other main staff to rest as well.

By the early hours of the next morning, Bai Zhizhan had returned to the Command Bridge to convene a battle meeting.

By this time, the latest intelligence had been received.

The Newland Navy had deployed not just two fleet carriers but also a newly completed small carrier, and all three carriers had left port on the same day.

In addition, it was very likely that the Newland Navy had already acquired new ship-borne fighters, known as "Hellcats," the F6F developed and produced by the Grumman Company.

According to intelligence from the Sixth Bureau, the F6F was, so far, the only fighter that could contend with "Xiaotian."

In fact, this type of ship-borne fighter was initially treated as a backup by the Newland Navy.

Because the F4F’s performance couldn’t match the "Xiaotian," the Newland Navy increased its investment in new fighters after entering the war, focusing on the F4U, which initially competed with the F4F but was deemed unsuitable for deployment on carriers due to its poor takeoff and landing performance.

Unfortunately, this theoretically advanced fighter had always failed to resolve its biggest issue.

Affected by its aerodynamic shape, the F4U’s low-speed maneuverability was very poor, and during landing, pilots could hardly see ahead, making carrier landings exceptionally difficult. Not just novices, but even test pilots frequently tumbled during landings.

With no other choice, the Newland Navy had to ask Grumman Company to expedite the development of a more advanced ship-borne fighter than the F4F.

That was the F6F.

Compared with the F4F, the F6F’s most notable feature was actually its appropriately enlarged airframe to accommodate a 2000 horsepower engine.

This crude and simple approach yielded remarkable results.

Because there was no need for redesigning, using the F4F’s aerodynamic layout, Grumman Company finished the design work and produced a batch of prototypes within a few months.

Overall, the F6F was like an enlarged F4F.

To make a point, by adopting a more powerful engine, the F6F achieved a top flight speed of nearly 600 kilometers per hour, a range exceeding 2000 kilometers, and a maximum bomb load of 1500 kilograms, thereby possessing the capital to contend with the "Xiaotian."

Even the newest batches of "Xiaotian" had just over 600 kilometers per hour as their top flight speed.

The key was that, on the premise of overall performance being quite decent, the F6F had very good operability, and anyone who could fly the F4F would be able to transition seamlessly.

Moreover, it could be directly manufactured on the existing F4F production lines, reducing the difficulty of mass production.

However, the F6F’s initial prototypes likely used an 1800 horsepower engine, as the 2000 horsepower engine was not yet mass-produced.

Of course, the co-operating bombers remained the SBDs and TBFs.

But if we really want to talk about it, what the Newland Navy’s shipborne air force needed to upgrade most urgently was actually the fighters.

As for the dive bombers and torpedo attack aircraft, even if they weren’t considered good, they were at least sufficient.

Precisely because of this, Zheng Jiangming had even sent a telegram to warn Bai Zhizhan not to underestimate the opponent.

With the right opportunity, the Newland Fleet, centered around two fleet carriers, could eliminate four fleet carriers in one fell swoop.

Another critical point was that Commander Spur’s fleet might return to the East Ocean by early August and be strengthened by the addition of a small carrier.

In theory, by that time, the Newland Navy would be able to form two Special Mixed Fleets.

Since it was impossible by any means to capture Transfer Island in early August, Bai Zhizhan might not be able to commit his full strength to a decisive battle with the Newland Fleet by then.

Of course, the situation wasn’t so severe.

After the Marine Corps went ashore, the 2 Special Mixed Fleets were mainly responsible for providing cover and rarely deployed ship-borne aircraft to support the Marine Corps.

The air support missions were undertaken by 4 small carriers in the support fleet.

Because of rockets, and with "Xiaotian" having already entered mass production, and many of them being older models withdrawn from the front lines, the 4 small carriers each carried 2 squadrons of Dive Bombers, with the rest all being Fighters.

To put it bluntly, there was no need for the Special Mixed Fleets to take part in the landing operations.

With over 100 "Xiaotian" fighters, the support fleet was more than capable of providing air cover for the Landing Forces.

In other words, if needed, Bai Zhizhan could take the 2 Special Mixed Fleets at any time to confront the arriving Newland Fleet.

It was with this in mind that Bai Zhizhan made his arrangements on the spot.

Before August 1st, support the Marine Corps’ assault on Transfer Island with all efforts, strive to expand the position to the utmost, and annihilate the enemy on the island!

The meeting ended in the early morning of the 19th.

Because he had slept the night before, Bai Zhizhan was in a relatively good state of mind.

After seeing off several officers from the Twenty-Second Special Mixed Fleet, Bai Zhizhan called Li Mingbo and Zhou Yongtao to go to the dining hall for breakfast.

"Do you know what I’m worried about now?"

Li Mingbo managed a wry smile, while Zhou Yongtao was busy wolfing down his food.

Zhou Yongtao had been the busiest these past few days, as he was in charge of many miscellaneous matters.

Exhaustion was one thing, but the main issue was the complete irregularity of his meals.

Nevertheless, Zhou Yongtao was still very young, and as long as he had his belly filled, he would be brimming with energy.

"What I’m actually worried about are two things," Bai Zhizhan let out a sigh before continuing, "The first is that the Newland Navy keeps the Special Mixed Fleet on the east side of the islands, instead of sending it over to fight us. They could use the Special Mixed Fleet to threaten us and prevent us from going all out. Because there’s a huge risk, the assault on Transfer Island is bound to be affected, and we might even be delayed by several months because of this."

"So, in the end, we’ll be forced to give up the attack on the Howay Islands," Li Mingbo interjected as usual.

Bai Zhizhan nodded and said, "If the siege drags on, we will adjust our strategy, and first and foremost, ensure that Boss Bay is taken on schedule. Considering the situation with the Tiaoman Empire, we’ll definitely need to increase our commitment on the ground as well. A few months from now, the only place we can go is Southwest East Ocean. If it comes to that, the duration of this war will be extended by at least another 3 years."

Li Mingbo shook his head with a wry smile but didn’t respond.

"What’s the other thing?" Zhou Yongtao casually asked, without even looking up, his focus still on his plate.

"Do you really think those 2 Fleet carriers and 1 small carrier are definitely coming to East Ocean?"

Zhou Yongtao paused for a moment, then lifted his head, looking at Bai Zhizhan with eyes filled with disbelief.

Then, Li Mingbo also realized, equally shocked.

"Are you worried about Liu Xiangzhen?"

"If we have two Special Mixed Fleets, we have enough confidence to defeat, even annihilate, the Eleventh Special Mixed Fleet. With the strategic insight of Commander Spur and Nizi, they couldn’t possibly be unaware of the huge significance of destroying the Eleventh Special Mixed Fleet, and they couldn’t possibly be ignorant of the slim chances of winning a decisive battle against us."

"Now send a report..."

Li Mingbo had just begun to speak when he closed his mouth again.

"But it’s no use worrying. Whether the Newland Fleet has gone to Fan Flame Ocean or not, we’ll find out in a few days, and then it’s not too late to make a decision."

After Bai Zhizhan said this, Li Mingbo couldn’t help but let out another sigh.

When choosing persimmons, pick the softest. At this critical juncture, the Newland Navy had no reason to pick a fight they had almost no chance of winning.