Chapter 4: Sunset over the South Sea
One
"A Chinese aircraft carrier strike group has been discovered." With the help of the US Navy-developed CEC (Cooperative Engagement Capability) system, all 12 main warships of the Japanese Joint Fleet's 2nd Escort Flotilla, deployed 150 nautical miles southwest of the Natuna Islands, sounded clear air defense alarms. The flagship of the 2nd Escort Flotilla, the fully loaded 28,000-ton DDH "large aircraft destroyer"
On board the Nagato, Commander-in-Chief of the 2nd Carrier Division of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Nobutake Kondo, had specially changed into his crisp new white uniform to mark this historic moment. "What's coming will come, let those foolish Chinese know what a real naval aviation is like. Today we are the masters of the Western Pacific and forever will be. Hehe, launch the carrier-based aircraft."
As Kondō Nobutaka gazed out at the sea with a confident look, 12 F-35J short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) carrier-based aircraft of the Third Air Wing assigned to the Japanese Joint Fleet's Second Escort Flotilla unfolded their silver wings on the straight-deck flight deck of Ise and took off vertically from the deck, even hovering in mid-air for a moment to show off their super cool maneuverability. The F-35J carrier-borne aircraft equipped by the Japanese Joint Fleet have main performance similar to those of the Royal Navy and Air Force
Similar to STOVL type. Is in F-35
Based on the CTOL type, a lift fan produced in cooperation with Rolls-Royce and Allison of the UK was installed, and an air inlet was opened on the front machine back, making it truly capable of short-range takeoff and vertical landing. Can completely replace AV-8B and F
It became the main carrier-based fighter of a light aircraft carrier fleet. Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force EV-22Js (electronic warfare and carrier-borne early warning variants of the US Navy V-22 Osprey) also took off slowly from the deck of Izumo like helicopters with tiltrotor, then accelerated to join the combat fleet composed of F-35Js.
After the US 7th Fleet withdrew from Japan, both China and Japan accelerated their naval construction. The focus of the media in both countries was on which navy was stronger. On the surface, the Chinese Navy's newly commissioned aircraft carriers had an obvious advantage over Japan in terms of numbers and tonnage. As a result, many young Chinese nationalists proudly mocked the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's 16DDH "large aircraft destroyers" as "floating targets on the ocean". National pride overflowed, and they subjectively believed that the Izumo-class, also known as the "Heisei Four Giants", had combat capabilities comparable to those of China's Type 075 amphibious assault ships, such as the "Hong Kong" and "Macao". However, professionals like Major General Xu Jie and Admiral Koji Fusetani knew that behind Japan's seemingly weak aircraft carriers lay strong military power.
After all, the aircraft carrier is just a platform for naval aviation. Although the tonnage of China's Type 001A light aircraft carrier and Japan's 16DDH are similar, the aircraft they carry are far apart. The J-13H vertical takeoff and landing fighter, which was improved from the Yak-141M developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s, is not comparable to the JSF joint attack aircraft that combines advanced aviation technology from Western countries. Moreover, only six J-13H can be carried on Type 001A, and the Ka-31 electronic warfare helicopter is no match for the EV-22J in terms of electronic warfare.
Due to the losses in the war on terror and the turmoil in South America caused by the changes in Cuba, the United States, which has been shrinking globally, did not forget to constrain China's maritime power when withdrawing from the Western Pacific. It left its largest ally in the Far East, Japan, a rich legacy: CEC (Cooperative Engagement Capability) and advanced carrier-based aircraft, enough to enable Japan to single-handedly counterbalance a powerful China. Therefore, on the high seas where both sides are out of range of their own land-based air forces, the Chinese Navy can only use its giant nuclear-powered aircraft carriers directly under the municipality to have the capital to compete with the Japanese combined fleet.
The first batch of Chinese carrier-based fighters includes 8 J-11H fighter jets, 14 J-10H fighter jets, 2 JH-7E electronic warfare aircraft and 2 E-7N early warning aircraft, almost taking up the entire "Shanghai" carrier's hangar space.
3 strong. A vast fleet of aircraft flying over the vast expanse of the South China Sea, with the nickname "East Sea Arrow", Commander Liu Qingzheng of the 47th Fighter Squadron of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hummed a tune under the night sky before dawn, gazing at the flashing wing lights of distant friendly planes.
"Spare us, Captain!" Just after singing two lines, the pleas for mercy from the wingmen came through the earphones.
Liu Qingzheng smiled and refocused his attention on the two large color LCD displays inside the cabin. "Donghai Zhi Jian"
The 47th Fighter Squadron of the People's Liberation Army Navy is equipped with 12 J-11H fighter jets. This type of fighter jet is, of course, a naval version of the J-11, which was copied from the SU-27 by the Air Force, but the Chinese Navy did not receive much help from the Russian Navy's matured technology on the SU-33. However, it's worth noting that thanks to mastering the steam catapult technology, the J-11H fighter jet does not have to take off with a light load like the SU-33.
"Arrow attention, arrow attention. Enemy aircraft detected 120 kilometers ahead."
Thanks to its excellent stealth capabilities, the detection range of the short-wave radar on the E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft has been greatly reduced.
"Arrow understood! Don't give me face, take down those little devils for me."
Liu Qingzheng excitedly gave the attack order to his squadron.
The F-35J's armament is basically internal, with a standard load of 2 air-to-air missiles and 2 JDAMs. There are also four underwing hardpoints. The total payload is only about 6-7 tons. But the six aircraft flying at the forefront
The F-35J also lavishly fired 12 AIM-54 "Phoenix" missiles.
Liu Qingzheng's squadron was forced to disperse and evade, this is the JSF's technical advantage of "first enemy detection, first enemy attack". Although the JH-7E electronic warfare aircraft immediately implemented electronic interference, two Chinese Navy J-11H fighter jets were still hit by AIM-54 "Phoenix" missiles, trailing long flames as they fell into the waves of the South China Sea.
"Damn it! Let's fight the devils!" On the blue sea surface, only a parachute flower was seen. Liu Qingzheng roared with anger and accelerated towards the enemy army, biting tightly onto 1 aircraft.
F-35J. All Chinese pilots believe that J-11B fighter can easily take down when entering mid-range dogfighting.
F-35, but they were wrong. That plane
The F-35J was locked onto by Liu Qingzheng, who immediately performed a front flip and accelerated into a dive. The clumsy J-11H had just completed a flip when the opponent opened its airbrake below it and completed a high-difficulty small-radius turn. If not for 1 J-10H fighter jet arriving in time, Liu Qingzheng might have been locked onto by the opponent's radar instead.
The J-10H fighter jet re-engaged the opponent, never losing sight of it throughout a series of high-difficulty maneuvers, and finally launched two R-73 close-range combat missiles at a 45-degree angle using the helmet-mounted sight's off-boresight capability.
The F-35J desperately released chaff, climbed and accelerated. However, it was still caught up by an R-73 and exploded in mid-air.
In the melee, 3 J-11H fighter jets and 2 J-10H fighter jets of the Chinese Navy were shot down one after another. The Japanese side also suffered losses: 2 F-2 fighter jets
An F-35J was shot down, and another one was damaged before accelerating to escape the battlefield. Just as Chinese pilots thought victory was in sight, 6 F-35Js suddenly entered the battlefield from ultra-low altitude. The short-wave radar on the E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft had slightly poor look-down performance due to sea clutter interference, and the pilot only realized his danger when the radar alarm sounded, but it was too late, 2 AIM-120 "Amraam"
The F-35J swooped in, heading straight for the E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft. Despite releasing a large amount of jamming immediately, 2 E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft were still hit head-on by AIM-120 and disappeared into the sky over the South China Sea.
Lost the guidance of short-wave radar on E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft
The F-35J's stealth design immediately stood out, and the Chinese fighter jets were barely able to capture each other's signals on radar, causing chaos... "Carrier-based aircraft retreat." Although General Xu Jie immediately ordered the fighters to disengage from the enemy, two J-10H fighter jets unfortunately became
Target of F-35J
"Hold the attack for now!" Looking at his own fighter planes returning, General Xu Jie rejected Captain Ma Lan's suggestion to immediately take off with the second attacking fleet. Although the Japanese side had
The F-35J's onboard weapons have also been depleted, but launching a second strike package at this time would likely make the Japanese fleet an easy target for anti-air fire.
"The entire fleet withdraws 50 nautical miles. Pilots stand by for further orders, waiting for dawn."
Commander Xu Jie ordered. 2 Ka-31 shipborne electronic warfare helicopters took off from the "Shanghai" to undertake air early warning tasks. The air defense radar on the escort ships were also operating at full capacity. 2 Z-9N "Dolphin" helicopters headed towards the airspace where the dogfight had occurred earlier to search and rescue the pilots who had fallen into the water. Before dawn, China and Japan faced off in silence near the Nantō Islands.
2.
The last one
The F-35J carrier-based aircraft completed its preparations and entered the waiting point through the elevator. The pilots of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force dropped their half-drunk beers, grabbed their flight helmets, and rushed to their respective aircraft to prepare for another sortie. "Poor Chinese, the ocean will never favor them." Standing on the huge island-type bridge of the Nagato, Commander Kondo Nobutake, commander of the 2nd Escort Group of the Japanese Combined Fleet, was still full of confidence.
"If we have 1 aircraft carrier"
The A-18E large aircraft carrier, equipped with 'Harpoon' anti-ship missiles. Ha, it seems the Chinese will all have to go feed sharks at the bottom of the sea." Turning around to face his own deputy officers, Kondo Kai Admiral coldly asked: "What position has our submarine fleet reached?"
"Report, sir! Our three new-type submarines have broken through the Chinese warning line between Subi Reef and Fiery Cross Reef." Commander Sanpo, in charge of the underwater forces of the Japanese Combined Fleet, immediately stepped forward to report. The large electronic sea chart on the bridge instantly displayed the specific locations of the three conventional-powered submarines of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
"Using carrier-based aircraft and submarines to launch a joint attack is the best option for attacking an enemy's aircraft carrier fleet since World War II. Order the 'Z' naval flag to be raised, all carrier-based aircraft will take off in 20 minutes. Give the Chinese a fatal blow." Behind his back, Admiral Nito seemed to have already envisioned the scene of the Chinese fleet burning and slowly sinking before his eyes.
"Commander. Please hear me out." Just as Kondo Nobutaka was about to break into a smile, an discordant voice sounded in his ear.
"Is that you! What's up?"
Kondō Nobutake looked at his opponent with disdain, and the one who spoke up was Ozawa Heitarō, a junior lieutenant who had just graduated from the Joint Staff College.
"Commander. What our army needs to do now is not to rush out, but to wait patiently. As long as we can hold back the Chinese fleet for 2 days, our field airport on Morotai Island north of Java will be completed. At that time, our dominance in the South Seas will be as solid as gold..."
Kozue didn't mind Nakatou's disdainful gaze at all and said straightforwardly.
But before he could finish, Kondō Nobutaka bellowed: "Baka! You're still wet behind the ears! Coward! The Navy doesn't need a weakling like you. Get off my bridge!"
The eastern waters have already shown a fish belly white. In the hangar of the Chinese fleet's flagship - "Shanghai" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, dozens of ground crew members are nervously loading ammunition on the J-11H fighter jets of the 47th Fighter Squadron "East Sea Arrow" of the People's Liberation Army Navy. The massive Russian-made Kh-31P high-speed anti-radiation missile is being installed like a sharp claw on the Chinese naval aviation's eagle.
On the other side, squadron leader Liu Qingzheng was walking and discussing with pilots of J-10H fighter jets from a neighboring squadron about new tactics to deal with Japan's F-35J carrier-based aircraft. "In close combat, the F-35 can't gain an advantage over our J-10. Commander Xu's tactic is very effective... Has my plane been serviced?" Just then, he ran into a familiar ground crew member and Liu Qingzheng hastily greeted him.
"My squadron leader, all the planes in your squadron are fine except for yours. A master from Jiangsu has been called over to serve you, and he's just finished serving your baby. That skill... Ha! You can rest assured now!" The ground crew member was a "big brother" from Beijing, and his few sentences in Beijing dialect made Liu Qingzheng laugh loudly. He jumped up onto his own plane, the Hawk, and tried out the operating system again, feeling like it was brand new.
From the cabin, I saw a small figure in a blue overalls covered with oil stains crawling out from under his own fighter jet. Liu Qingzheng quickly jumped off the plane and grabbed the other's shoulder, laughing and saying: "Good kid, you really have two hands!"
"What's going on?! You......" The other party's shrill cry, full of feminine tone, startled Liu Qingzheng. "You... you're a girl?"
When he saw the other person turn around, Liu Qingzheng felt like his chin was about to drop off, as he stared at the face that was also smeared with oil stains but still looked elegant.
"Who let you move my plane?! Ah! The ground crew is gone! Damn it, come and redo it for me!"
Liu Qingzheng's surprise turned into anger in an instant, and he shouted loudly.
"His plane's molecular sieve cold air filtration system had a problem, I've already replaced it for him. You go check his hydraulic pump again! This guy flies like he's playing with his life, even the best planes can't withstand this kind of torture." The petite female ground crew member looked at Liu Qingzheng's bright red face, didn't say anything, just called over two other ground crew members and said a couple of sentences, then took off her gloves and hat, her short straight hair fluttering in front of Liu Qingzheng's eyes as she walked away.
"Captain Liu, Yang Gong's technique is definitely not a problem, do you really want to re-inspect it?" A ground crew member ran to the front of Liu Qingzheng, who looked a bit silly, and asked. Almost at the same time, the red light on the elevator began to flash, the ground crew members quickly took their positions, and the towing vehicles drove in one by one.
"No more time! That's it!"
Liu Qingzheng felt a bit guilty and waved his hand vigorously before jumping back onto the plane. Getting ready to strike.
"The sonar system of the Changzhou destroyer has just detected a suspicious signal in the thermocline 15 nautical miles southeast of our fleet. However, it will take a few more minutes to confirm." Captain Ma Lan on the bridge of Shanghai reported to Major General Xu Jie, who was intently watching the sunrise over the sea.
"No need to confirm. This aircraft carrier-based aviation cooperation with submarines is the ace of the US Navy, and it almost wiped out all of Japan's large aircraft carriers in the late Pacific War. Little Japan wants to copy us. Unfortunately, we are not fools. Order Suzhou and Changzhou to each launch 1 Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopter. Conduct a search and anti-submarine operation in the target sea area, my second wave of attack will take off immediately. Now is not the time to avoid enemy submarines, they want to see our aircraft carrier, and they have to pay a price for it. Our escort submarine team has performed well, now it's time to collect the net. Don't mislead our poor Japanese colleagues anymore. Hiding in temperature anomalies is not necessarily safe!" With Xu Jie's order, Shanghai turned into a headwind position and began to launch its powerful carrier-based aircraft again.
At the same time, the compressed radio wave transmitted through the fleet command center was accurately transmitted to the inconspicuous antenna buoy in the South China Sea. Through the long optical fiber, this radio wave awakened the Chinese nuclear submarine lurking at the bottom of the sea like a giant whale. The 093B-type nuclear-powered attack submarine "Black Panther" rose from 500 meters deep with its proud bow and quickly entered the attacking depth. Within 30 minutes, it clearly detected three Japanese conventional power submarines passing over it in a "品" shape formation at the temperature change layer 200 meters above. Now is the time to scare them.
"Activate the active sonar search positioning." Perhaps when it comes to naval aviation, China does not have as glorious a history as Japan. However, in terms of submarines, China still has an incomparable advantage over Japan. The 093B-type nuclear-powered attack submarine may not have the same powerful anti-ship capabilities as the C-type, but its anti-submarine warfare equipment is complete and comprehensive: 650mm wake-homing torpedoes and 91RE1-type anti-submarine missiles with a range of 50 kilometers. It has the full capability to launch long-range attacks on Japanese submarines, while Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force submarines can only defend against such attacks without being able to counterattack.
As a result of maintaining continuous surveillance on Japanese submarines, as soon as the active sonar was turned on, one Harushio-class and one Oyashio-class submarine of the JMSDF were successively locked onto by "Black Panther".
"42 kilometers away, 256 meters deep, speed 12 knots. Japan Sea from a Shinsen-class submarine. Two anti-submarine missiles fired in salvo." With the sonar operator's command, two white water columns burst into the sky on the calm surface of the South China Sea, and the scorching missile tail flames streaked across the sky. Like a dragon playing with water, after flying tens of kilometers, it re-entered the sea, stirring up two huge waves. The combat section of the missile immediately began to work in self-guided torpedo mode.
The Japanese submarine SS-593 "Tatsumi" would not go down without a fight, and in the sonar battle it fired two self-guided torpedo decoys and released chaff, but while Tatsumi evaded the first salvo, it could not evade the second attack. After the first torpedo hit Tatsumi's hull, the massive explosion was like blood attracting sharks, drawing all the torpedoes back that had been confused by the self-guided torpedo decoys and chaff. The series of intense explosions heard on sonar were Tatsumi's final moments.
(Three)
At the same time that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's conventional-powered submarine "Fuyushio" sank to the bottom of the South China Sea, a Japanese naval aviation aircraft took off from 16DDH "Nagato".
An F-35J squadron has appeared on the short-wave radar of a Chinese E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft that had just taken off.
"Enemy F-35J carrier-based aircraft 12 units detected directly ahead." Hearing the guidance from his own early warning aircraft through the headset, Lieutenant Colonel Liu Qingzheng couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly. According to intelligence from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, the "Nagato", also known as a large-sized air defense destroyer (16DDH), can carry 16 F-35J carrier-based aircraft. In the first round of aerial combat between the two sides, Japan had lost 2 F-35Js shot down and another damaged, which should have been unable to take off. That is to say, this time the Japanese were going all out, deploying all their carrier-based aircraft at once.
"Everyone, stay calm." While boosting the morale of his own pilots, Liu Qingzheng's heart was also worried about his comrades on the J-10H carrier-based fighter jets who were taking the lead.
The second wave of air battles, the Chinese naval aviation mainly used J-10H carrier-based fighter jets. The first echelon consisted of 22 J-10Hs. The second echelon was composed of 8 J-11H fighter jets equipped with Kh-31P high-speed anti-radiation missiles. To avoid repeating the mistakes of the first wave, the last two E-7N carrier-based warning aircraft on Shanghai were configured in a high-low altitude dual-layer formation and formed the third echelon far away from the battlefield with 4 JH-7E carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft.
The astute Japanese would not let go of this cheap opportunity to attack first like in the first round of air battles.
24 "Sidewinder-X" missiles came at the Chinese naval aviation like a giant net dragging a chain of fire. All J-10H carrier-based fighter jets' self-defense jamming pods were activated to full power, and the JH-7E carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft also emitted strong electronic interference. The entire sky was filled with the Chinese naval aviation's jamming signals. However, many J-10H carrier-based fighter jets that were busy evading the incoming missiles had their radar screens covered in snowflakes, and a moment of carelessness would result in being bitten by a "Sidewinder-X" missile and turning into a dazzling fireball in mid-air.
"Enemy electronic warfare aircraft are nearby. Prepare for anti-radiation attack." After analyzing the first aerial battle, the Chinese naval aviation was surprised to find that the Japanese naval aviation, which did not deploy carrier-based early warning aircraft and carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, had not lost electromagnetic dominance at all, but rather seemed to have a slight advantage.
At first, everyone thought that the F-35J's radar and electronic warfare equipment had the advantage. But Colonel Xu Jie easily came to a conclusion - Japan's electronic warfare aircraft and early warning aircraft were hiding in low altitude. Sure enough, on the radar screen of the E-7N-type carrier-based early warning aircraft configured at low altitude, four blurry signals appeared, which were two EV-22J carrier-based early warning aircraft and two carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft hovering 20 meters above the sea surface.
"Lock onto target. Give them a taste of anti-radiation missiles!"
Liu Qingzheng calmly lowered the head of the aircraft, 2 KH-31P high-speed anti-radiation missiles ignited under the wings of the J-11H. After feeling a slight vibration, Liu Qingzheng watched as the missile he launched pierced the sky at high speed and dived towards the low-flying target.
The single-seat J-11H can only launch 2 KH-31P high-speed anti-radiation missiles, while the double-seat version can launch 4 in one go. A total of 24 anti-radiation missiles accelerated rapidly, soon becoming like daytime shooting stars that would destroy the low-flying electronic warfare platform of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in an instant.
Without the cover of electronic warfare aircraft, even the advanced F-35J's firepower was greatly discounted, and it was repeatedly bitten by the J-10H, which had an advantage in numbers, and fell into a close-range dogfight. In such a battle, apart from the performance of the aircraft, the quality and skills of the pilots became more prominent. The fighter jets left behind a crisscrossing trail of white tracks in the blue sky. Fighter jets were constantly being hit, catching fire, exploding, and crashing.
However, with the help of E-7N carrier-based early warning aircraft's short-wave radar, F-35J's stealth performance has lost its advantage, while J-10H is superior in maneuverability and payload. The outcome is clear. After an F-35J finished firing all 4 AIM-120 "Amraam" missiles it carried, a J-10H suddenly appeared behind it, making a tight turn to chase after it, probably wanting to engage in a dogfight with cannons. Unfortunately for the F-35J, the J-10H didn't give it that chance, and with a large angle of attack, two PL-9C missiles simultaneously roared out from under its fuselage, turning the expensive F-35J into a burning fireball and scattered debris in the air.
"Don't just stand there, join the fight" Knowing that if they continued like this, their squadron might not even have enough soup to drink. Liu Qingzheng led his squadron into battle. Liu Qingzheng had long since set his sights on his target, an F-35J with 3 blue stripes on its fuselage, representing the three Chinese naval aviation aircraft he and his wingman had shot down in the previous dogfight.
At this time, it also relied on its excellent technology to use tactics, causing 1 J-10H to fall into the trap of its wingman and be hit and catch fire. Liu Qingzheng discovered that he was pouncing towards it. It didn't panic at all, quickly seizing a favorable position, and with a beautiful aerial hover, Liu Qingzheng quickly turned from hunter to prey.
"My god!"
Liu Qingzheng was secretly unhappy and immediately tried to shake off his opponent with a reversal, but the opponent stuck to him with the same move.
"Then let's have a speed contest!"
Liu Qingzheng flashed a mysterious smile and suddenly accelerated, starting a supersonic sprint at an altitude of 5,000 meters. This was not something that the F-35J could easily keep up with, as this fighter jet takes no more than 41 seconds to accelerate from Mach 0.8 to Mach 1.2. But Liu Qingzheng suddenly made an emergency stop in mid-air, pulling up his aircraft at a large angle of attack and climbing slowly, feeling the low hum of his F-14's vectoring engine. With a signature move of the SU-27, "Cobra Turn", Liu Qingzheng let his opponent take the lead. "Goodbye! Yesterday's ace!"
Liu Qingzheng again pressed the angle of attack from 80 degrees to -10 degrees, firing two R-73s. The F-35J was naturally hit and fell into the vast ocean with a trail of fire.
Fierce dogfighting lasted for a full 60 minutes, with the Japanese side totaling
10 F-35J carrier-based fighter jets and 4 EV-22J carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft were shot down, adding to the losses in the first round of air battles, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yellow Card Unit - The Third Air Squadron was almost completely annihilated. In this first phase of what would later be called the "Natuna Islands Naval Battle", the Chinese naval aviation formally drove the enemy's naval aviation out of the battlefield with their bravery and fearlessness.
Against the morning glow, 2 Chinese Navy Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters were dropping sonobuoys, searching for targets in the sea area. Not far away, the rough outline of two Russian-made "Type 054A" multi-purpose destroyers "Suzhou" and "Changzhou" of the Chinese Navy was gradually approaching. Seeing their own fighter jets flying overhead, the excited Chinese sailors cheered in unison.
"Abnormal signal detected" was almost simultaneously transmitted by the sonar buoy, alerting the Chinese soldiers on the two warships that their guests had arrived. After "Chuantao" was sunk, the remaining two Japanese submarines became more cautious and lay dormant at the bottom of the sea, waiting for a new opportunity.
But the giant net formed by the 093B-type nuclear-powered attack submarines "Black Panther", "Suzhou" and "Changzhou" had already been cast around them and was gradually tightening. The high-power active sonar signals pounded against the hulls of SS-595 "Tide" and SS-582 "Lucky Tide", emitting a sound like an electric wire in the wind that made the Japanese sailors' hair stand on end, telling them that the enemy was closing in step by step. Next time, the dense anti-submarine missiles, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets of the enemy would descend upon their heads, and the submarines were as silent as death.
Under the dim light, one by one, the Japanese people's gaunt faces were filled with despair and helplessness. "Emergency surfacing."
The captain of the SS-582 "Kochi" submarine, Commander Komine Shoji, looked at the sailors beside him and made a decision that would push him personally into the depths of despair. History will forever record this page: On September 13, 2007, at 8:30 am, on board the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's Harushio-class submarine SS-582 "Kochi", including Captain Komine Shoji, a total of 71 people surrendered to the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Within 15 minutes, the Chinese Navy's surface warships and submarines launched a fierce attack on Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force SS-595 "Tatsumi" still lurking at the bottom of the sea. At 9:07, the "Tatsumi" was hit by anti-submarine rockets fired from the multi-purpose destroyer "Suzhou" of the "Fearless 2" class, and was forced to surface with 12 crew members killed, including Captain Mizuno Moritaka who shot himself before being captured. The treatment of the two submarine crews in Japan later had a world of difference.
Now that the threat from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force submarines has been eliminated, the Chinese Navy is preparing to launch a general attack on the Japanese Joint Fleet's 2nd Escort Flotilla. On the deck of the Shanghai, against the strong sea wind, the ground crew of the Chinese Navy are busy loading C-101 anti-ship missiles onto the J-11H fighter jets of the "East Sea Arrow" People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force 47th Fighter Squadron. Standing beside his own aircraft, watching the busy silhouettes of the ground crew, Liu Qingzheng is searching for the figure of that straight-haired girl.
"Squadron leader, OK!" As the ground crew finished their final checks. Liu Qingzheng put on his helmet and began to board the plane. Just as they were about to close the hatch, Liu Qingzheng suddenly called out to a ground crew member: "Thank you! You're Yang Gong. If possible..." Before he could finish speaking, a lieutenant from the 47th Fighter Squadron who had just been pulled out of the sea ran over and said: "Let's have our ground crew and pilots celebrate together after the battle! Of course, our squadron leader will foot the bill!"
Liu Qingzheng glared at the other person with anger, wishing he would be swept away by the waves. He forced a smile and closed the hatch cover. In front of him, the huge catapult was preparing to send more Chinese war eagles into the blue sky.
Article 4
Still the flagship of the 2nd Escort Flotilla of the JMSDF - DDH-16 "Large-sized Guided Missile Destroyer"
The large island-style bridge of Nagato, still wore the crisp white uniform of a Japanese Combined Fleet admiral, Rear Admiral Nobutake Kondo, commander of the 2nd Escort Group. But his mood was now worlds apart from two hours ago.
The three surviving F-35Js of the Japanese 3rd Air Wing sat alone on the straight-deck flight deck of JS Izumo, their wings folded up by JMSDF ground crew to be towed down to the elevator.
Although the main force of the surface fleet is still there, in fact, the Japanese Combined Fleet's 2nd Escort Flotilla has already lost its ability to engage in a decisive sea battle with the Chinese fleet. Now they can only quickly retreat back to within the activity radius of the land-based F-2 fighter jets deployed by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force on Java Island and rely on their protection to operate in the coastal waters of Indonesia, provided that the Chinese Navy gives them this opportunity.
Alone, he walked down the gangway, looking at one by one the physically and mentally exhausted Japanese naval aviators who silently passed by him. He didn't want to or couldn't blame them for anything anymore. Under his feet, Nagato was turning southward, while not far away more ships of the Combined Fleet were also drawing a sad giant "U" on the sea surface with their wakes. In fact, they had already been defeated. Kongō-class destroyers Kongō, Kashima and "Takanami"-class destroyer Takanami
The silhouette of the destroyer Taikai, Hatsuharu, appeared before Kondō's eyes. The "Otto" 127mm main gun on its forecastle still had its muzzle high, and in the past week, it had fired shells that had densely fallen on the western part of the island of Guadalcanal, at the port of Lunga, turning hundreds of tons of supplies for the "South Seas Liberation Army" into nothingness. However, those glorious days were gone forever.
"The Chinese carrier-based aircraft are coming. You'd better get back to the bridge!" A Japanese Combined Fleet ensign walked up to Admiral Fuzuki's side and whispered, Fuzuki was not unfamiliar with him, he was Ozawa Heitaro who had been driven off the bridge by himself due to his stubbornness.
"Kazuya! You're right."
Kondo Kai said with a wry smile. "Commander-in-Chief! Please don't be pessimistic, the Chinese naval aviation also suffered significant losses in the air battle, and it's impossible for them to annihilate the entire 2nd Escort Group just by themselves. Unless the commander of the Chinese fleet is willing to suffer heavy casualties and launch a frontal assault with surface warships."
Koosuke Heitarou said with a relaxed tone, but his words were not unreasonable. The entire Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's 2nd Escort Flotilla had thousands of advanced air defense missiles that could easily counter the Chinese naval aviation's missile raids.
But if the Chinese main fleet comes up, a bloody battle between anti-ship missiles is inevitable, but the Chinese fleet cannot emerge unscathed. However, based on his long-term study of the Chinese naval concept, Ozawa Heitaro determined that the Chinese would not take such a risk, because in the eyes of the Chinese, the fleet has always been an expensive toy and ornament. The Chinese government can afford to collapse and be annihilated by dozens of army divisions, but it cannot tolerate one or two of its famous warships being sunk. Because the army can be rebuilt quickly, but building a navy is a long and arduous process.
At the same time, in the command center of Shanghai No., facing the huge electronic sea chart in front of him, Xu Jie took a long and deep breath. He made up his mind to drive his fleet and soldiers to engage in a life-and-death struggle with the enemy.
"Full fleet ahead, prepare to engage the enemy in a fleet battle." His voice was low and firm, but as soon as he spoke, his forehead also showed sparkling sweat.
"Fleet decisive battle? Xu Jie, have you gone mad?! We've just barely seized air superiority..." The captain of the Ma Lan vessel beside him hastily made a hand gesture to stop his chief of staff from issuing this order immediately.
"Hah! Now our naval aviation's efforts have only given us an opportunity to engage the Japanese fleet in a head-on battle. The Japanese fleet has already begun to turn around. Within 8 hours, they will enter the maximum combat radius of their F-2 land-based fighter jets, and all our efforts and sacrifices will be in vain. If we stop advancing now to preserve the fleet, you and I will become sinners of the Chinese nation. The fleet is not a decoration, it's a force on the sea! The Japanese can sacrifice their main cruisers for a key island position in 'Iron Bottom Sound' against the Americans, why can't we bear some losses for victory?! I am not Li Hongzhang! Full speed ahead for the fleet! Shanghai's carrier-based aircraft, launch a full-scale attack, your mission is to hold back the Japanese fleet!"
Xu Jie let out a bitter laugh and stood up, saying in a firm and resolute tone.
The combat flag of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy slowly rises on the sea, and various anti-ship missiles retreat to protect themselves under the guidance of the sea-scanning radar, ready to give their opponents a fatal blow at any time. With their high-pitched bow cutting through the waves, they declare to the world that a mature Chinese navy has arrived.
In fact, if we ignore other factors, the Chinese Navy is not in a superior position in this race with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. When the 2nd Escort Flotilla of the Japanese Joint Fleet entered the protection circle of F-2 fighter jets within 800 kilometers of Jakarta, it was impossible for the Chinese fleet to catch up with them. However, the brave Chinese naval aviation gave the Chinese Navy an opportunity to wipe out its past shame.
At 12:25 on September 13, 2007, the first attack wave of the Chinese naval aviation, fully loaded with anti-ship missiles, appeared on the radar screen of the Japanese 2nd Escort Group. Despite having flown for over 10 hours and experiencing intense air battles and the pain of losing comrades, they still came, launching their anger and missiles at the enemy warships. The Japanese Combined Fleet was not worried about this attack, as the Kongō-class destroyer Kongō and Kashima, fully loaded with a displacement of 9,485 tons, slowed down and turned 45 degrees to deploy its renowned "Aegis" air defense system, creating a huge protective net for their fleet.
"Such attacks are just harassment, the main force of the Chinese Navy is about to arrive." As he watched the Chinese carrier-based aircraft disappear into the horizon, Ozawa Heitaro realized that everything was going to end. The Chinese Navy may not have the capability to sink the entire 2nd Escort Fleet with carrier-based aircraft, but they can use this method to drag out the Japanese fleet and slow down their speed to a degree that can be caught up. The surface fleet's decisive battle will put an end to this first naval battle between China and Japan in the new century. By this time, all commanders of the Japanese Combined Fleet also realized this point, all warships slowed down their speed, deployed combat formations at 45-degree angles, waiting for the arrival of the Chinese fleet.
The Japanese naval formation was a 45-degree oblique double line, with the first line consisting of its strongest anti-air and anti-ship capabilities, namely the six main warships, including the Kongō-class destroyers Kongō and Kashima, the high-wave class destroyers Takanami and ōnami, and the Asashio-class destroyers Asashio and Michishio.
The first formation consisted of the destroyer Harukaze, the multi-purpose destroyers Samidare and Murasame, as well as the destroyer Hatsuyuki. The second formation was composed of the destroyer Asagiri, the multi-purpose destroyers Asakaze, Yamakaze, and Sawakaze, which protected the vulnerable new DDH Nagato and the comprehensive auxiliary ship Inazuma.
The Chinese fleet's formation was a strange "human" character, due to the presence of Russian-made and Western-style warships in the fleet. This formation is called the "scales array" in classical Western naval terminology. In the center of the "human" formation were the Russian-made "Glorious"-class cruisers Ningxia and Guizhou, the Russian-made "Novik 2"-class multi-purpose destroyers Suzhou and Changzhou, and the "Modern"-class missile destroyers Ningbo and Wenzhou. On the left wing were the "Jianghuai" class destroyer Xiamen and the "Jiangwei" class frigate Jinhua, while on the right wing were the "Jianghuai" class destroyer Quanzhou and the "Jiangwei" class frigate Nantong. The traditional Western-style ship layout allowed them to engage the enemy at a 45-degree angle. If the East Asian sea is not forgetful, it should remember that over a hundred years ago, the Chinese and Japanese fleets also engaged in a decisive battle with the same formation, a place that all Chinese people find hard to forget - the mouth of the Yalu River outside Dandong.
The two fleets truly entered the formation on September 13, 2007 at 2:13 pm, between Badas Islands and Tamelan Islands near the equator in the Eastern Longitude 103 degrees. The main fleet of China and Japan unfolded a decisive battle of surface fleets for the first time since World War II in human history. Will the God of Fate favor who? Is it China, which has experienced hardships and resurgence, humiliation and glory in the past few hundred years, or is it Japan, which has been proud of the ocean and disappointed by the ocean? Perhaps the answer to all this can only be given by the sea itself.
The fleets of both sides slowed down simultaneously at a distance of 250 kilometers, and an invisible deadline was emerging between them. The ship-borne helicopters serving as the relay guidance platform for anti-ship missiles began to take off one after another, and the Chinese naval aviation force, which had mastered the air control over the battlefield, also launched a massive attack. The battle is about to begin.
"Let's begin!" With Xu Jie's order, the pride of the Chinese Navy - two Glory-class cruisers with a full displacement of 11,490 tons slowly came to a stop 200 kilometers away from the Japanese fleet. The tail ends of the eight dual-mounted Russian-made "Basalt" (NATO designation: SS-N-12 "Sandbox") anti-ship missile launchers emitted faint white smoke, and then roared loudly one after another. Almost simultaneously, the Russian-made "Neustrashimy"-class multi-purpose destroyers and "Modern"-class missile destroyers' quadruple-mounted "Whitehead" (NATO designation: SS-N-22 "Sunburn") anti-ship missiles also began to ignite and launch.
A total of 96 high-speed anti-ship missiles have exceeded the Japanese fleet's full interception capability. The "Jiangwei" class destroyers and "Jiangkai" class frigates, independently developed by China and deployed on both wings, joined the battle line, and with the help of the stabilizers, the warships quickly turned around on the sea to launch the 4 quadruple C-802D anti-ship missiles they carried in two batches. The 160 anti-ship missiles can be called a real "super-saturated attack". Of course, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force also launched SSM-1B
"Harpoon" anti-ship missiles have also appeared as a patch of red dots on the air defense radar screens of Chinese warships.
Unlike Russian-made anti-ship missiles, SSM-1B
"Anti-ship missile" is a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile, meaning that once the missile is launched in time, it can achieve the purpose of attacking the target. Due to the electromagnetic suppression by the Chinese Navy's JH-7E carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, some warships in the Japanese fleet even abandoned the SSM-1B
"Whale Catcher" anti-ship missile RBL (range and bearing launch mode), but directly uses BOL (bearing-only launch mode) to launch the missile in the general direction of the target, allowing the missile to scan and search for the target during flight using its onboard sensors at a 45-degree angle, 80 SSM-1B
"Harpoon" anti-ship missiles also came in at subsonic speeds towards the Chinese fleet.
This is a symmetrical strike, where you can destroy the enemy and the enemy can also destroy you. The missiles launched by China and Japan crisscrossed in the air, each accelerating steadily towards their distant targets. Now the real test has arrived, who can intercept more incoming missiles, whose missiles hit more targets, whoever that is will be the winner.
The "Harpoon" anti-ship missile accelerates to 10g and propels the missile to its highest point of 700 meters, at which point the booster burns out and begins to jettison while the main engine ignites. The missile then descends to a cruise altitude of 61 meters and begins skimming the sea. Meanwhile, in the target area, the Chinese fleet's air defense mainstay - two Type 051C destroyers and "Nanchang" multi-purpose destroyer equipped with SA-N-6 "Griffin" vertical launch air defense missile system as well as China's "Jiangwei I" class destroyer equipped with HQ-16 regional air defense missiles begin to work. Within a range of 100 kilometers from the fleet, they collectively target the incoming SSM-1B
"Whale catcher" anti-ship missiles unfolded 2 times of interception, more than 90 SA-N-6 "Sword" and "Red Arrow-11" air defense missiles magnificently took off, with the booster falling off they also turned into low-altitude towards incoming SSM-1B
"Harpoon" anti-ship missiles swarmed in, although the SA-N-6 "Grumble" air defense missile could not accurately hit the incoming anti-ship missiles, its proximity fuse and fragmentation warhead were enough to take out SSM-1B
The journey of "Whale Catcher" anti-ship missile squad has come to an end.
The 2 interceptors destroyed all 54 incoming SSM-1Bs
The "Harpoon" anti-ship missile was shot down. But the fleet's area intercept was over. Next, China's warships could only look at their own luck, and each ship's "point"-style air defense system began to work, with close-range weapons preheating. At the horizon, Chinese sailors could even see their nightmare, a fireball flashing dazzling light. The "Travelling Sea" upgraded destroyer and the "Jiangwei" upgraded frigate's eight-unit "Red Arrow-7" air defense missile launchers rotated rapidly, doing their best to shoot down 7 incoming missiles.
The SA-N-9 short-range air defense missiles on the Russian warship had slightly better results, with 12 SSM-1Bs within their effective range
The "Whale Catcher" anti-ship missile lost its threat. The white blade battle seemed unavoidable, the first SSM-1B anti-ship missile dodged the AK630 6-barrel 30mm CIWS's bullet rain and accurately hit the port side of the Ningbo destroyer with a 30-degree angle, tearing open the thick deck armor of the "Modern" class destroyer and exploding inside the ship, instantly taking the lives of 45 Chinese sailors. The damage control team on Ningbo quickly sprang into action, and when the fire was finally brought under control, Ningbo had already listed 12 degrees, with 129 casualties. But compared to the "Traveling Sea" modified destroyer Quanzhou, he was still lucky, Quanzhou was hit by 3 SSM-1B
The "Harpoon" anti-ship missile was simultaneously targeted, and the 37mm CIWS formed a firewall above the Quanzhou, but only one of them was shot down. The first "Harpoon" anti-ship missile hit the helicopter hangar in the rear of the Quanzhou, which was not fatal, but the second one directly hit the lower part of the bridge where 40 command personnel were working on the bridge and all sacrificed. In the next two hours, the officers and soldiers on board the Quanzhou fought hard to rescue but it was too late.
On the afternoon of September 13, 2007, at 4:07 pm, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's No. 198 destroyer Quanzhou sank about 60 nautical miles south of Danmei Island Reef. Of the 256 crew members on board, 105 were killed. The Jiangwei-class frigate Jinhua and the modern guided-missile destroyer Wenzhou also met with misfortune. In a surprise attack by Japanese warships, three Chinese warships were sunk, one was heavily damaged, and 467 sailors lost their lives. Of course, their losses were even more severe. When the Chinese missiles appeared on the radar screen, most of the Japanese sailors had already given up hope of survival. The "Aegis" air defense system on board the Kongō-class destroyer Myōkō and the Chōkai could only intercept 18 incoming targets at the same time (still a theoretical number), and the maximum range of the "Standard-2" long-range air defense missile was only 74 kilometers, which means they could only make one long-range interception against the incoming Chinese missiles. Moreover, China's anti-ship missiles were varied and numerous, including the high-altitude "玄武岩", the sea-skimming "白蛉", and the C-802D-type anti-ship missile. The Japanese had no other words to describe their mood except despair. The "Standard-2" long-range air defense missile was fired, but only 26 incoming missiles were shot down. Admiral Nobutaka Saki saw the first "玄武岩" missile flying towards him like a high-speed bullet, and it completely destroyed the Kongō-class destroyer Myōkō, which had a full displacement of 9,485 tons. The ship was torn apart, with its tail section slowly sinking into the sea after being hit by another "白蛉" missile. The same tragedy occurred on every Japanese warship in the first line of defense. Within just 20 minutes, except for the Kongō-class destroyer Chōkai, which was burning and floating on the surface, all five other warships were sunk by multiple direct hits from missiles.
The weak anti-aircraft firepower on the new DDH Nagato was unable to withstand the incoming Harpoon missiles, which flew almost at sea level. One of them hit the ship's bow helicopter hangar, and Admiral Kondo Nobutaka only felt a slight jolt before being thrown heavily against the command platform on the bridge by the blast wave. On the port side of Nagato, the multi-purpose destroyer Asagiri was hit by an Exocet missile on its bow, causing the entire warship to be pushed into the water like a giant hand. In an instant, the bow section tilted into the water, followed by a violent explosion in the water. The comprehensive auxiliary ship "Inokoshi" was hit by two C-802D anti-ship missiles, and the ammunition and fuel it carried were detonated, turning the entire warship into a huge fireball in an instant. The Japanese warships on the second line of defense had better luck, and before sunset, Nagato, Kiso, and Yamagumo were still burning on the surface of the sea.
(5)
The Panamanian flag-hoisted, 10,000-tonne container ships "Bana" and "New Continent" were silhouetted against the pale sunset on the horizon as they sailed slowly at a speed of 12 knots on the calm sea surface about 70 nautical miles off the coast of Wodi Island.
On the shortcut to their destination - Busan, South Korea, the fleets of China and Japan have been on high alert. Anyone who values life would not choose to pass through the treacherous Java Sea like Captain Pias of this fleet did at this time, but if one day you wake up like him with a dozen or so Type 95 automatic rifles pointed at your chest, then you will immediately understand what choice to make.
"The Bana Yir" and "New Continent" were secretly requisitioned by the Chinese military at one of the world's most famous free ports - Singapore. As for this action by the Chinese government, Singapore is naturally pretending to be unaware, which is not a matter of being of the same kind and writing, but rather that from President Wu Yue Xuan down to the entire Singaporean government, they are deeply feeling the intimidation from powerful China.
Inside the control room of "Bana Ya", under the dim light, dozens of laptops' LCD screens flickered with young faces. Behind them, 850 elite Chinese special forces were waiting, waiting for nightfall, waiting for a silent and stealthy opportunity to infiltrate.
"Almost done! Captain Li, you don't have much time after landing!" The beautiful face of Lieutenant Colonel Leng Ziyun, dressed in the blue ocean camouflage uniform of the Chinese Navy's special forces, appeared in the cockpit filled with a masculine atmosphere. Before boarding the ship, Li Gang would not believe that he would be executing such a high-risk mission with Leng Ziyun, not because he doubted her ability, but because of her special identity, which would never participate in such an action.
"In fact, the key is still your special forces. Take a look." Opening the latest satellite map of Ieodo Island, Li Gang pointed to the circular marks drawn in red on the remote sensing map of the airport that Japan's Self-Defense Forces were about to complete and said to Leng Ziyun: "So far, the Japanese have deployed 12 PAC-2 'Patriot' systems on Ieodo Island."
"Missile defense systems, 35 sets of 'Hawk' anti-aircraft missiles, plus a considerable number of our own 81-style 'Short Sam' short-range surface-to-air missiles and 87 self-propelled high-altitude guns that we can't fully grasp. Although the air force will take some burden for us. But I still want to say that breaking into Weli Island from the air is simply an insane plan."
After listening to Li Gang's opinion, Leng Ziyin just smiled slightly and said: "This is not something you need to worry about. I called you here to quickly settle those anti-aircraft missiles that we can still use."
Li Gang couldn't help but smile wryly and shake his head, saying: "I'm only in charge of radar, the missile stuff you should still go ask those 'Taiwanese bastards' about! The Patriots are more familiar with them than me." In this operation codenamed "Autumn Subway" led by Colonel Leng Ziyun, there were also 60 missile soldiers from the Taiwan Special Administrative Region, regarding the PAC-2 "Patriot"
Missile defense systems are absolutely professionals.
"Alright! I'll prove it with facts. Get ready to board the plane, Captain Li Gang. By the way, have you bought insurance for yourself?"
Leng Ziyong patted Li Gang's shoulder and said with a smile.
"What's so special about this self-righteous woman that Commander Ren Lingyu has taken a liking to her?" Looking at the refreshing back of Leng Ziyun, Li Gang reluctantly closed his laptop. In fact, until now he still couldn't understand why Commander Ren Lingyu would agree to let his girlfriend command such an operation.
On the decks of "Bana" and "New Continent", 10 Mi-17H transport helicopters and 4 Z-11H light armed helicopters of the Chinese Navy's Marine Corps emerged from the modified container walls, shedding their thick camouflage nets. The Chinese Navy's Marine soldiers, wearing steel helmets and bulletproof vests, quickly boarded the aircraft to prepare for takeoff.
After checking all the helicopters, as soon as he jumped onto his own Z-11H light armed helicopter, a hint of sadness flashed through Leng Ziyun's heart, "Ziyun! Is it worth it?"
Ren Lingyu's gentle words echoed in her ears again, Ah! Is it worth it as a woman? She had also asked herself on countless lonely nights after parting with Ren Lingyu, but in Leng Ziyun's heart, there was also a firm voice that replied: "Worth it. Because I am a soldier, a soldier of the Republic."
The helicopter's rotor gradually accelerated, leaving the simple takeoff platform made up of containers. "Farewell, Ling Yu! Sorry, perhaps this is a mistake, but this mistake was decided when we put on our military uniforms. I love you, forever!" Silently blessing his distant lover in his heart, there should be a meteor shower in the South China Sea tonight, her name is "Injury Separation".
Fifty miles east of the Badass Reef, four warships of the Japanese Combined Fleet were still burning on the surface. The 16DDH "Large-sized Air Defense Destroyer", once a pride of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and one of the "Heisei Four Giants"
The mast of Nagato still fluttered the 'Z' naval flag that had witnessed the glorious history of the Japanese Navy, while Admiral Nobutake Kondo, lying on the flight deck, slowly came to, enduring the intense pain in his back and looking at the hellish scene around him: everywhere was burning steel and charred skin, the groans of the wounded, the dying cries, and the silhouette of the Chinese fleet gradually clearing up at the horizon.
"Commander! Don't worry, the Yamato can still be saved. I won't let it sink." Covered in bloodstains and smoke marks, Nitō Shinpei vaguely recognized that the person was indeed Lieutenant Junior Grade Ozawa Heitarō.
"Thank you! But it's meaningless now, let everyone abandon ship! Then sink the Nagato... They..."
Kondō struggled to raise his arm, pointing in the direction of the approaching Chinese fleet. "They'll tow Nagato back to China for exhibition. Promise me, Ozawa, let Nagato go with dignity!"
If there was still a warship under his command with combat effectiveness, Kondō would have let it ram and sink Nagato even if it meant sinking her because he loved the ship so much. "Japan's own aircraft carrier, from childhood liked Yamamoto Isoroku, Yamaguchi Tamon those naval stories, had spent one night after another in Yokosuka watching American naval aircraft carriers enter and leave the harbor, Kondō Nobutake would never forget that night, the first time he boarded Nagato. Seeing Ozawa Jisaburō nodding with tears in his eyes, Kondō closed his own eyes in relief.
"Quickly go get the rifles!" It's unknown who first came up with this idea, but as they approached the remaining Japanese naval vessels, Chinese sailors almost simultaneously ran to the storage room to retrieve the rarely used light weapons. If the thought of revenge against the Japanese during the capture of Japanese prisoners before the fleet battle was just a personal sentiment, then after seeing their own warships being hit by missiles, catching fire and sinking, all Chinese sailors had made up their minds - that is "kill, kill, kill all Japanese". The MT-1 "Spark" seven-barreled rocket launcher on the Russian-made warship became an object of contention among the crowd. As Xu Jie walked down from the bridge, he saw a sailor coming towards him with red eyes, holding an 87-type automatic rifle, and his heart skipped a beat.
He snatched the rifle from his opponent's hands, slapped him hard on the face and roared in anger: "You are a Chinese soldier, not a comrade of those 'beastly troops'! Are you going to become a mad dog just because you've been bitten by one? Or do you have to bite back at the mad dog? I will never allow such atrocities against prisoners. Remember this - we are human beings, not mad dogs or beasts! Put down your gun!"
He slammed the Type 87 automatic rifle to the ground, and the soldier was stunned for a moment before bending down to pick it up. As he turned to leave, Xu Jie called out to him again, letting out a long sigh and saying: "You may hate me, but I really don't want my soldiers to become mindless beasts when they leave the battlefield. Sorry, I was too heavy-handed earlier."
As the Chinese fleet approached the remaining Japanese warships, there was no incident of shooting down Japanese sailors who fell into the water. After dropping some life-saving equipment, the Chinese warship began to call out to the Japanese sailors in the water through a loudspeaker in Japanese, asking them to move as far away from their warship as possible. Just then, the Japanese sailors, bewildered, swam further and further away.
The Chinese fleet began to bombard the still-floating Japanese warships on the sea with their naval guns. "I didn't expect you, who claim to be rational, to give such an order." As he watched the twin AK130 130mm dual-purpose naval gun on the Guangrong-class cruiser crazily pouring its anger onto those burning "moving targets" on the sea, Ma Lan pushed open the door of Xu Jie's room. "Hehe! I'm also a human being!"
Xu Jie put on the military cap he had just taken off, and with a bitter smile, he saluted the Japanese warship being heavily bombarded by the Chinese fleet in front of him.
"We are soldiers, mutual destruction is our gift. But I respect every opponent of mine. If possible, I hope all my subordinates can stay away from the bloodshed. Human blood will drive people crazy." Looking at Xu Jie's serious expression, Ma Lan could only smile and say: "You're in the wrong line of work. By the way, I've arranged a celebration for us to attend together!"
Xu Jie also smiled and said, "Maybe! Alright, the naval gun practice is almost done, let's use torpedoes to send those scrap irons to the bottom of the sea! Don't delay our soldiers' party."
