Standing on the soft mud beach and watching the sea surface gradually returning to its pure liquid state, the two veterans from Germany - 53-year-old Lieutenant General William von Loeb and 68-year-old Admiral Maximilian and 68-year-old Admiral Von Spee, both had thoughtful expressions, but their eyes were flashing with different things.

In the long winter just passed, the Sogo Strait, which separated the Japanese archipelago and Kuye Island, was full of erratic ice. Even the Spe fleet entered and exited the Korsakov Port, was greatly restricted. It was these erratic ice that hindered the Japanese's landing operations. The fierce air battle in January not only did not allow the Japanese to obtain the expected air supremacy, but the losses of a large number of fighter jets and skilled pilots were unbearable. Therefore, in the past two months, the Japanese attacks on Kuye Island were basically carried out by a few special forces through night airborne and small boat landings, but everyone knows how much waves are hidden behind this relatively calm.

After a long time, General Spee said a few words deeply: "The war is imminent! The situation is serious!"

General Loeb nodded slightly. As the commander of the Kuyeshima Defense Command, he was very clear about the current situation. The Japanese Navy had already formed the 3rd Navy Fleet, which was annihilated by the Spe Fleet. Ships that accounted for nearly one-third of the Japanese Navy's current strength were gathered in Ishikari Bay on the west coast of Hokkaido. In addition, reports from reconnaissance aircraft and spy personnel showed that the number of ships, sailboats and other ships that could be used to cross the sea continued to increase, while Hokkaido and Honshu had signs of large-scale military mobilization.

On the other hand, since Kuye Island is actually surrounded by Russia and Japan, transport ships cannot travel to Kuye Island through the Sea of ​​Japan or the Kuril Islands under the double obstacles of man-made and natural conditions. Therefore, in addition to the materials reserved before the war, the German army could only rely on limited supplies airlifted from Qingdao throughout the winter. The German army and navy won victory in the Pacific, but the Hawaiian Islands were not enough to become a fulcrum that directly threatened Japan's mainland and supported Kuye Island.

"This battle is probably more intense and difficult than the Battle of Sea Cucumber! General, I think it's better to take the warships that can travel to the port of Holmsk to avoid it temporarily! Once the Japanese army begins to force the crossing of the Sogoku Strait, Korsakov will become their primary target!"

"I have considered the general's suggestion!" A hint of melancholy appeared on Spena's vicissitudes of face. "These are only the "Shanhorst" and several destroyers that can drive quickly. "Caesar Barbarossa" will be difficult to repair this year. "Thessalonika" and "Georg" will only become prey for the Japanese fleet and submarines, and as far as I know, Terooka Hirago is not a reckless person like Tokujiro Tateno!"

The destruction of Tokujiro Tentino and the main force of the Fleet made Spedi famous, and also shamed the Japanese Navy. It is precisely because of this that the Japanese Navy activated the veteran Teraoka Heigo, who is known for his calmness, to serve as the commander of the newly built 3rd Fleet, and transferred the super battleships "Ozaka" and the battleships "Yan Castle", "Anyi", "Hanoi", battle cruiser "Hire", heavy aircraft carrier "Iyu" and as many as 4 escort aircraft carriers. It can be said that this third fleet is even better than the previous Tentino fleet.

Loeb no longer persuaded Spee. The fleet was not under his jurisdiction. Moreover, the other party's qualifications and achievements were far above his own. However, as Spee was worried, even if the heavy cruiser "Shankhorst" left the port with an intact destroyer fleet, it was very likely to be intercepted by the Japanese superior ships on the way. Besides, the strategic location of the Holmsk Port in the southwest of Kuye Island may not be much better than that of Korsakov. Once the Japanese successfully landed, it would only be a matter of time before it was attacked there.

"It would be great if the ice period was two months longer!" Spey said with a sad expression. Two months, Oceania, the Philippines, Mariana and the Ryukyu Islands. The change of hands of these strategic strongholds will completely lose the initiative of the Japanese.

However, now time can only be won in battle.

Not far away, a small team of silver-gray fighter jets were flying from Kuye Island to the depths of the Sogo Strait. It was these heroic fighter pilots who defeated the Japanese army's attempt to seize air supremacy. This upcoming landing and anti-landing operations were full of variables. If Japanese bombers could continue to bomb Kuye Island for more than two months, the Japanese landing would become easy. However, the Japanese fighter jets deployed in the Hokkaido area can only barely protect their coastal ports. Although there are reports that the Japanese army is preparing to invest 70% of the national aviation force when the Battle of Kuye Island was launched, facing the battle-prone German pilots and more than 400 German fighters with excellent performance, even the Japanese Army Base Camp has always been arrogant and did not dare to boast about Haikou this time.

"Even if there is no flow of ice, our torpedoes and mines can make the Japanese run into blood in this strait! General, isn't it?" Loeb, who had a slightly thin face, narrowed his eyes.

Spey turned his attention to the calm sea ahead, and under the sea, dozens of submarines from both sides were secretly competing. Although the German submarine force still has technical and numerical advantages here, Spey was too familiar with his opponent - a large number of small and medium-sized ships would greatly reduce the efficiency of German submarines. As for mines, the opponent has prepared hundreds of simple wooden minesweepers, and the German army will use submarines and aircraft to replenish mines in time. All of this is destined that the next battle will be an amazing tug-of-war.

At this time, in the Berlin Supreme Command, the Supreme Commander and Marshal General of the German Army also focused their main attention on the Far East. No one dared to underestimate the position of Kuye Island in the Far East strategy. Currently, German bombers visiting the Japanese archipelago have 2,000 to 3,000 flights per week. Eighty percent of them took off from various airports on Kuye Island. Qingdao is also one of the aviation bases that attack Japan's local areas, but the distance is obviously not as good as Kuye Island. On the other hand, if Kuye Island changes hands, the Japanese Navy can shift its main energy from the local area. They either concentrate on attacking Jiaozhou Bay or strengthen the defensive force in the direction of the Philippines. This situation is something that the German commander is very reluctant to see.

"Okay, whether it is from Qingdao air transport troops or sending a fleet to break through the Kuril Islands from the Hawaiian Islands, it is only a solution to the symptoms but not the root cause! If you want to completely solve the problem, first, approach Japan's mainland from the Pacific as soon as possible, and second, solve the Russian pseudo-democratic regime in the Far East!"

Chen Tian's words finally calmed down the generals who had just been arguing. Ludendorf and others proposed to use transport planes to airlift 7,000 to 9,000 soldiers and a large amount of ammunition from Qingdao to Kuye Island to strengthen defense. However, another group of army generals led by Hoffman believed that a significant weakening of the defense of Jiaozhou Bay would allow the Japanese army to find an opportunity in this direction. Although the Chinese government accepted the German request to send three additional infantry divisions to the Shandong Peninsula to Lianyungang, this force was obviously insignificant compared to the long defense zone. In addition, the main forces of the Nanjing government were fighting against Gui, Feng, and Yan warlords in the inland. Once the Japanese army re-enacted the landing operation in 1914 with the cooperation of the 1st Fleet, or the Kwantung Army broke through the Great Wall defense line and headed south. The situation in Jiaozhou Bay was very dangerous.

On the other hand, Raidel and other naval generals also debated whether to reinforce Kuye Island from the sea. Some people believed that a fleet should be organized to escort the transport ships to force the Japanese army's relatively weak defense chain. Fortunately, before the defense war started, Kuye Island was sent to the defenders, while opponents believed that this move was too risky and weakened the power to attack the Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands. They divided their troops while the main force of the Japanese Navy was still alive.

The words of the Fighting Chentian quickly made everyone jump out of the tactical circle and look forward to the big strategic environment. In Russia, after a winter rest, the confrontation of revolutionary and democratic governments were ready to decide the outcome, which gave the Russian pseudo-democratic government in the Far East that defected to Japan a chance to take a breather. It also gave the Japanese Kwantung Army no longer worries. In addition to some troops defending the sea cucumber power, the main forces of the Kwantung Army began to gather on the front line north of the Great Wall again.

Everyone was pondering, and a voice came from the back row:

"If the China-Myanmar transportation line is opened within two weeks and support the Chinese government to completely defeat the southern warlords, our army will be continuously delivered to Kuye Island by air transportation!"

The generals turned their heads one after another and saw that Oli, the youngest non-noble field marshal in German history, walked quickly into the combat hall from outside.

"His Majesty!"

When he walked to Chen Tian, ​​Kahn saluted a military salute, followed by the noble etiquette - not long ago, this outstanding warrior was awarded the hereditary title of the Count of the Empire - as time passed, the generals from East Prussian origins began to reach the peak of their careers.

"Oh! Earl Oli is back! What's the situation in India?"

Although this confidant general was on the front line of India yesterday, Chen Tian was obviously not surprised by his "sudden appearance". New Delhi-Tehran-Istanbul-Berlin is currently only a special military route, but the imperial transportation department has long been planning to establish a civilian Eurasian route - "The power of the empire is constantly expanding. The distance between Berlin and various places is constantly getting closer."

"The strategic air strike has ended, and the aviation troops are cooperating with the ground forces to launch an attack! The 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th armies of the Joint Expeditionary Force have been put into operation, and the 3rd, 5th armies and the Turkish Guards are also moving towards the front line. In the first wave of attack forces, we have invested a total of 3 armored divisions and 12 independent heavy tank battalions! However..." Olid paused, "Although the loss of air superiority, about 160,000 Japanese divisions and 7 Japanese divisions have resisted to death with complex terrain. Fortunately, the Japanese Indian colonial army retreated into Myanmar has no morale. There are often entire companies and battalions of Indian soldiers on the front line surrendering to our army!"

There was a buzzing discussion in the hall.

"In this way, the battle should be able to end in two weeks..." Chen Tian stared at the sand table for a few seconds.

He raised his head, "But in order to resist the Japanese invasion, the Chinese army destroyed a large number of roads near the border in the southwest. It seems not easy to repair them and use them for us!"

"The Chinese government should not refuse to provide these roads, but it does take a lot of precious time to repair them, and Nanjing will definitely use this as an excuse to ask for more military supplies!" Max and Hoffman quickly added.

"That's a group of greedy guys!" Ludendolf also looked angry.

"I said that supplies themselves are not a problem. Once the Japanese army goes south, we also need a Chinese army that can withstand the opponent's attack!" Chen Tian did not continue to say this. The content of the omitted words was very clear about the senior generals present.

"The problem is still time!" Ollie pointed out the key point without hesitation.

"If necessary, we can use Indian prisoners of war to build roads and collect a large amount of local labor!" Chen Tian said while thinking, "Try all our ability to win this time competition!"

At this moment, near Mandalay in central Myanmar, a race against time is in progress.

"General, the vanguard reported that the Japanese army on the east coast of Hirari Town was very fierce, and our army failed in three consecutive forced transits!"

In a temporary command center composed of tents and armored communication vehicles, the communications officer is reporting to a middle-aged army major general.

"Damn Japanese! Damn River!" The burly major general hit the wooden table with a fist, causing the staff around him to stop their work. No wonder the commander was so depressed. According to the scheduled plan, his vanguard should have crossed the small river across the town of Pingri two hours ago. However, the Japanese army not only blew up the only bridge within a radius of ten miles, but also deployed two hidden artillery positions on the other side. When the German vanguard unit blocked and used kayaks to cross the river, these artillery that had escaped the air strikes opened fire one after another. Because the Japanese army used camouflage measures and continuously transferred the artillery positions, the next few air strikes of German fighter jets failed to completely destroy these Japanese artillery.

"Tell Kittle, if he still can't stand across the river in half an hour, then transfer me to the reserve!"

The major general angrily issued a death order to the front line commander, but he knew in his heart that after the failed Indian battle, the Japanese commander began to change his previous head-on strategy. Moreover, after a period of consolidation, the Japanese officers and soldiers were not as afraid of the German dive bomber as before. Coupled with the complex terrain of Myanmar, the German-Turkish joint expeditionary force made a much slower progress in the battle that had just begun.

"Yes!" The communication officer hurriedly turned around and left. When he walked to the door of the tent, several officers happened to come in from outside. When he was not careful, he collided with the young officer in the leading position. However, the military situation was urgent, and he didn't have time to look at the other party and apologized. After saluting, he ran towards the armored communication vehicle not far away.

The young officer in charge was not angry. Looking at the major general inside who was carefully studying the map, he called out in a moderate volume: "General!"

"What's the matter?" asked the major general without raising his head.

"Lieutenant General asked me to come to you to see the situation!" said the young officer calmly.

"Lieutenant General? Which Lieutenant General? I'm not busy now..." At this point, the major general was stunned because he had just seen the face of the visitor clearly, and he was very heroic and a little immature. He was tall but a little thin at the age of 17 and a half, but his rank of lieutenant could not hide his extraordinary temperament.
Chapter completed!