bookrandom Chapter 389: Results and Losses
Chapter 389: Results and Losses
"The damage was minor?"
Zhang Chi sat in the Yangon Port Naval Joint Operations Command Center, holding an enamel teacup and frowning slightly.
His tone was not harsh, but one could tell that he still had some doubts about the authenticity of the results of the air raid.
He was already accustomed to being cautious. After all, he knew the "base camp battle report" very well. Therefore, even if it was news of victory, he would always weigh its water content.
The damage from the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was also very minor, but Zhang Chi knew that it was a rare opportunity.
Zhang Guangjun stood straight, his expression unable to conceal his pride:
"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, it was quite minor. Only three pilots and 14 aircraft were lost in total, and the last of the Japanese fleet in Lion City Harbor was completely annihilated."
"Nine of them were severely damaged after the forced landing. Instead of repairing them, they simply removed their engines and weapon systems, and the rest was sold to civilian companies as scrap metal."
Historically, it took the Japanese three-barreled Type 96 25mm anti-aircraft gun an average of 3000 rounds of ammunition to shoot down an aircraft. This was already the most reliable ship-borne air defense weapon of the Japanese. As for the anti-aircraft main gun incendiary shotgun shells, it was more like a joke.
Therefore, there was not much exaggeration in Zhang Guangjun's report. The Anmin Army's air raid not only achieved a great victory, but also suffered very little loss.
Zhang Chi did not respond. The limited mechanics were now working in maintenance and production positions, and the Anmin Army had no shortage of aircraft. The order to dismantle the damaged aircraft without repairing it was he who gave the order.
He simply lowered his head and flipped through the battle report. After a moment, he pointed to a statistic and asked, "9 hits out of 34 torpedoes? A 26% hit rate? How is that possible? Is it that high?"
Zhang Chi was a little confused about this data. He remembered that in the early days of the Cold War, the Mosquito-class missile boats developed by the Russian Bear had a hit rate of only about 20% for the SS-N-2 "Styx" anti-ship missiles carried on them. Could their own unguided torpedoes also have this capability?
Zhang Guangjun grinned, as if he had expected him to ask this:
"That number does sound exaggerated, but that's because the targets are in the harbor. These two large ships have just emerged from their berths, they can't pick up speed, and their maneuvering space is limited, making them sitting ducks. We're firing torpedoes in three directions, practically in a crossfire, so it's hard to miss."
"Oh?" Zhang Chi looked up at him, "What about the ones that left the harbor?"
"Those three destroyers were indeed fast and agile. We only got hit by a torpedo, and it was only finally taken out by dive bombers." Zhang Guangjun curled his lips. "But it wasn't a loss. Those bombers were all top-notch personnel selected by our naval aviation team. Now they all have actual combat experience."
After hearing this, Zhang Chi finally nodded with satisfaction.
That's right. If unguided torpedoes were so effective, why would he ask the Sixth Radio Research Institute to develop sonar-guided torpedoes and radar seekers?
"Okay, you fought beautifully this time, and it's an honor for your navy."
There was no way around it. Although the navy had received a large amount of funding before, its military achievements were indeed very limited, and it had always been in a supporting position to the big brother, the army. In addition, Zhang Guangjun, the navy commander, was promoted by Zhang Chi alone, so he naturally received a lot of criticism.
Chief of Staff Tan Zhijie interrupted, "Commander-in-Chief, I suggest that this amphibious landing and air raid be used as a model battle example and distributed to all units of the three armed forces to show them how to conduct coordinated operations."
"Okay," Zhang Chi nodded. "Let the reporters from the South China News Agency write a few reports to encourage the troops and the people on the front lines."
The war room was filled with a relaxed atmosphere. Zhang Chi put down his teacup and said, "Zhang Guangjun, you did a good job this time. I'll give you a great credit. But don't be too happy too soon. It's hard to say whether the Japanese will do something big next. What if he goes crazy and brings the Yamato and Musashi here—"
"Then should we consider borrowing the 'Enterprise' from White Eagle to put pressure on the situation?" Zhang Guangjun joked.
"You're dreaming," Zhang Chi scolded with a smile, "First, you should finish refitting that old destroyer of yours."
-----
Unlike the port of Yangon which was in a state of jubilation, in the command post underground in the Lion City Garrison, a group of Japanese naval generals lowered their heads and fell into an eerie silence, as if their mother had died.
Colonel Hara, who had climbed ashore from the sea, was soaked all over. He stood in the corner of the house, looking up at the concrete ceiling with a numb expression, trying hard to hold back the tears in his eyes.
The battle had ended several hours earlier, but the expression on his face showed that he had not yet recovered from the shock of the shipwreck.
"Captain...Captain, are you okay?" A young naval lieutenant came forward with a trembling voice.
Yuan Weiyi didn't say anything, just closed his eyes and his Adam's apple rolled a few times.
It is said that warships are the brides of the navy, and now his wife, the Yahagi, is gone!
Several young officers couldn't help sobbing in the corner, and some of them were still holding on to their tattered sailor caps and refused to let go.
Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Susumu Kimura covered his right eye with a blood-stained gauze, wondering what he was thinking.
Lieutenant General Kaohsiung Taisan looked at the crowd, suppressed his frustration, and tried to cheer them up: "Although the ship is gone, think on the bright side. The ship sank near the coast, and at least the people were rescued!"
The younger lieutenant colonels wiped their tears and shouted, "Commander, please give us a rifle each! We want to avenge the Beishang! Let us fight the Anmin Army!"
It is naturally not the Russians' monopoly that the navy can go ashore and serve as infantry without their ships. These Japanese soldiers were so excited that they were ready to fight with the Anmin Army.
"This..." Kaohsiung Taisan choked and wiped his sweat with a handkerchief, "Let's... discuss this matter later. I think you should rest first..."
The Japanese still have the ability to build ships. Although they are short of oil, the navy seems to be able to hold on, especially those huge ships carrying cannons are still there. Kaohsiung Taizo is not going to waste the lives of these naval officers and soldiers and let them carry rifles as cannon fodder.
But then again, the Japanese have sunk too many warships since Midway. There are too many sailors and officers left after these ships sink. Even if they are sent back to the mainland, there will probably be no ships for them to sail. This makes Kaohsiung Taizo very conflicted.
The young officers wanted to argue but were interrupted by the staff officer who suddenly appeared.
"Report, the Yukikaze has sent a telegram, estimated to arrive in Lion City within two hours, inquiring whether it will dock."
Kaohsiung Taizo sighed and waved his hand: "Send a telegram to Terauchi-san and tell him that the port facilities at Lion City Port have been completely destroyed. Tell him to head north to Da Nang for docking."
-----
The first day of the campaign passed like this.
The Ansan Army successfully sent two Marine Corps regiments and one mechanized brigade to Kuala Lumpur, and the Japanese naval forces in Singapore were almost completely destroyed.
However, they could not relax yet. Zhang Chi began to pull Chief of Staff Tan Zhijie and Logistics Minister Kang Huojian to stay up late to improve the logistics plan and do their best to ensure the logistical supply of the army in the direction of Siam and Malaysia.
After all, while the first day's victory was enormous, the consumption of supplies and ammunition was also enormous. In particular, the bombs and napalm carried by the planes taking off from the airport in Siam had been transported bit by bit from Pegu, and now they naturally needed to be replenished as quickly as possible.
There is also Qi Quan’s main army on the front battlefield, as well as the troops currently landed in Kuala Lumpur. Their logistics must be fully guaranteed.
At the same time, we must maintain full communication with the White Eagle’s intelligence department, especially the White Eagle Navy.
In Zhang Chi's plan, it is possible that the Japanese went crazy and did not fight the Battle of Leyte Gulf, but instead sent Yamato, Musashi and other ships to Singapore.
Although this possibility is smaller than the chance of winning a 5000 million lottery ticket, it is still something we have to be on guard against.