At this time, the "Imperial Capital" was also in chaos.

Within five minutes, two investigation reports sent by Zudong Port confused all the staff officers on the "Imperial Capital".

In fact, even Bai Zhizhan was a little confused.

One of the two reconnaissance reports can be confirmed. A main force of the Nai Navy was found in the fifteenth degree east of Zudao, about 400 kilometers away from the sea. The patrol pilots visually identified four former treaty battleships, and there was no possibility of misjudgment.

Another report is not so credible.

This is an indirect reconnaissance report. A patrol aircraft claimed to have discovered the Fifth Air Force, which was intercepted by fighters while trying to approach the reconnaissance. The problem is that the pilot of the patrol aircraft did not see the aircraft carrier, but made inferences through the fighter and a "Ligen"-class heavy cruiser. More importantly, the patrol aircraft did not send a report directly, but told another nearby patrol aircraft through voice radio.

Which investigation report should I believe?

Or do you want to believe that indirect report?

The second main team?

Takano's first main team was not taken seriously by Bai Zhizhan. Will he respect the second main team, just those four former treaty battleships?

So, what is Bai Zhizhan hesitating about?

Needless to say?

Not enough troops!

Two aircraft carriers and more than 160 carrier-based aircraft, even if they do not consider air defense, they can deal with one team, and they cannot deal with two teams at the same time.

In addition, there is a question of time.

Now, it is already 2:30 pm. Because it is winter, it is up to four hours before dark. If you count the attack time, that is, more than one hour it takes to fly over the enemy fleet, even if the attack time is not considered, the attack aircraft group must be dispatched before five o'clock. If the preparation time is included, it must start before four o'clock. It is obvious that even if the aviation service personnel have three heads and six arms, they can only launch two rounds of attacks. The key is that the preparation for the first round of attacks must start before three o'clock, otherwise the second round of attacks cannot be launched in time.

Should I grab the time, or wait?

Bai Zhizhan obviously tends toward the latter because his targets are always Ze San's fifth air team.

More than ten days ago, when he was still in the imperial capital, Bai Zhizhan agreed with Liu Xiangzhen that no matter who went to the prefecture, he would have to keep an eye on the Nai fleet operating in the east, especially the aviation team, and must do his best to ensure that the Nai Navy's aviation combat capabilities were eliminated in one fell swoop after the war began.

Of course, the other one must also do its best to deal with the Nayi fleet entering the Yanhai Sea.

Liu Xiangzhen has completed the task, and the next thing we have to do is to see Bai Zhizhan.

In terms of time, that is, this afternoon.

If you miss this afternoon, the Fifth Air Force will definitely fly high after one night.

The east ocean is not the sea of ​​flames.

There are not many semi-enclosed sea areas like the Yanhai, so it is definitely impossible to replicate the battle examples of special mixed groups chasing mobile fleets.

Another point is that the distance is a little far.

The sea area mentioned in the indirect report is precisely the coordinate point, which is 400 kilometers away from the "Imperial Capital", so the actual distance is definitely farther.

The combat radius of "Flying Fish" and "Waters" when fully loaded is only 400 kilometers!

The extra dozens of kilometers means that the attack aircraft may not be able to return.

Of course, this problem is not impossible to solve. For example, after the attack aircraft fleet is dispatched, the fleet will continue to move forward and shorten the flight distance of the aircraft fleet's return.

"Commander White."

Hearing the hello, Bai Zhizhan raised his head.

It was Zhou Yongtao, who stood opposite the chart table.

"I have a guess, I don't know if I should say it."

"If you say it, it won't be dead. What should I not say?" Bai Zhizhan laughed.

Although Zhou Yongtao was so brave at the beginning, he actually raised questions in front of everyone, but he still lacked confidence in his heart.

Of course, nothing is strange.

Zhou Yongtao is now a newcomer who has just graduated from the Naval Academy, just like Bai Zhizhan 20 years ago.

If you want to say it, Zhou Yongtao is even better. He not only studies aviation consulting, but also is a real carrier-based aircraft pilot.

But in essence, he is not much different from Bai Zhizhan. He also comes from the civilian class and hopes to achieve his ambitions and ideals by joining the army. To put it more selfishly, it is actually changing his destiny, like legends in history who achieve success by serving on the battlefield.

"I think we may have overestimated our opponents."

"Be more specific." Bai Zhizhan said, waved to Li Mingbo, and then pointed to the coffee cup placed on the countertop next to the commander's seat.

Li Mingbo was speechless, but he didn't dare to say much.

At this time, Zhou Yongtao had already come around and began to explain with a chart.

The key point is actually only one thing, whether the Fifth Air Force is in the waters reported by the patrol aircraft.

According to Zhou Yongtao's speculation, there is a greater possibility.

So, how to deal with it?

Zhou Yongtao gave a solution.

Sailing eastward is to be precise, sailing towards the sea where the second main force team was discovered.

In this regard, Zhou Yongtao gave the reason: the second main team will continue to go north, that is, to the Watcher Strait, and will not stay or leave, so there is no need to worry about encountering it; if the Fifth Air Force is in the back, that is, the waters reported by the patrol aircraft, sailing eastward to welcome the return attack aircraft group; even if the patrol aircraft report is incorrect, such as the distance exceeds 400 kilometers, it can launch an attack early tomorrow morning.

This suggestion is extremely bold and even crazy.

To put it bluntly, this is to use the aircraft carrier special mixed fleet as the main fleet, allowing the aircraft carrier to rush straight to the muzzle of the enemy battleship.

The key is, what if the second main team did not go north?

If you encounter the second main force at night, the third aviation special mixed fleet will likely be beaten down by the main guns of four battleships within a few minutes.

However, Zhou Yongtao believed that if even Bai Zhizhan felt too crazy and dared not accept it, then Liu Xiangbin, who was originally commanding the Third Air Special Mixed Fleet, would not dare to do so. Moreover, generals of the Navy such as Zesan and Takano would not have thought that the Third Air Special Mixed Fleet would approach.

This move has another very, very outstanding benefit.

No matter what the outcome of the next battle is, the third air force will be included in the strike range tomorrow, at the latest tomorrow afternoon.

The key is that the commander of the Third Air Force will never guess the direction of the attack!

If you are lucky enough, you may even have the hope of capturing the first main team that escaped from Yanhai tomorrow afternoon and achieving a decisive victory in one fell swoop.

This guy really dares to think about it.

Of course, young people all have a momentum. Twenty years ago, wasn’t it the same?

The key point is that what Zhou Yongtao said was actually what Bai Zhizhan thought, and every sentence was about Bai Zhizhan's heart.

Twenty years ago, Bai Zhizhan was the same, and he was appreciated by He Yongxing.

However, Bai Zhizhan was also clear that Zhou Yongtao was just making suggestions and was not responsible for the suggestions. The one who took the responsibility was the commander who made the decision.

Obviously, this is by no means an easy decision!

At this moment, the telecommunications officer hurried over and sent the telegram he had just received.
Chapter completed!