War is full of conspiracies and calculations. In fact, in essence, war is about precise calculations. The war is ultimately won through precise calculations of the enemy's deployment, troop strength, logistics and other aspects.
He who has more plans will win, and he who has fewer plans will lose!
In order to achieve victory, war strategists will even calculate every step. They will lure the enemy into traps little by little, and sometimes, some traps are even open.
Almost at the same time that the South Pacific Squadron was cheering for repelling the joint British and American Pacific Fleet, in London, officials of the British Admiralty realized the danger for the first time.
In the Admiralty Operations Command Room, a naval lieutenant commander looked at the Australian nautical chart on the wall next to him and said to his colleague:
"The South Pacific Squadron has been dispatched. They just repelled our fleet in the Tasman Sea." He pointed to the nautical chart and said:
"Right here, we lost the Centurion. The Barfleur took on thousands of tons of water, but thanks to effective damage control, it was able to return to port. Several other battleships were also severely damaged. It is certain that, at least in the next six months, it will be difficult for the United Pacific Fleet to go out to sea in an organized manner to intercept the Imperial Navy."
"So our intelligence is accurate."
A naval captain said:
"Now, the Empire is planning to extend its reach to Australia."
"And this also means that their Pacific Fleet will soon escort the army to attack Australia..."
The Vice Admiral continued to check the nautical chart.
"In the past year, they have sent a large amount of combat supplies and personnel to New Guinea via merchant ships from neutral countries such as the Tang Dynasty and Mexico. They occupied New Guinea last year and directly threatened Australia. Now..."
After thinking for a while, he flipped through the information about the Imperial Navy's shipbuilding, and then said.
"They are finally strong enough to land in Australia and my judgment is that they will continue to land in the south of Australia rather than in the north."
“Yes, even though it’s very close to New Guinea, it requires crossing the entire continent. Without railways and roads, the long logistical supply will be a nightmare!”
"The purpose of the South Pacific Fleet's attack is most likely to weaken our naval power in Australia and pave the way for the next landing. If they land in South Australia, it means that a large number of warships will be needed for escort, including their aircraft carriers. After all, we have deployed a large number of aircraft in Australia. Well... this means that it will be difficult for the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet to appear on another battlefield!"
Suddenly, the Vice Admiral's eyes lit up and he said.
"This also means that our chance has come!"
“Yes, it does matter.”
"I have to submit this information immediately."
Soon the Vice Admiral found the Admiral in the Operations Room. After listening to the report, the Admiral began to comment while slowly pointing from one point to another on the chart with a pencil:
"It seems that this is the opportunity we have been waiting for. Now, the only question is when the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet will set out. You know, their naval base is completely closed, and Cape Island is a naval island. Outsiders have no way of entering. We have no idea when their fleet will set sail... However, we must pay close attention to their every move. If they send out a transport fleet, they will definitely pass by here - here - here - we can deploy some reconnaissance ships here, and equip fishing boats with radio transmitters. Although we may not be able to defend Australia, if we win this naval battle, then the Imperial Army in Australia will eventually be trapped and starved to death there!"
As long as we can win this naval battle!
In the next few days, intelligence about the Battle of the Tasman Sea was sent to London via telegram, and then from London to Washington. Naval experts from both countries analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the Imperial Navy based on the performance of the South Pacific Fleet in the naval battle. Although they had fought hundreds of naval battles of varying scales before, those naval battles were not worth mentioning. At most, they were collisions between one or two battleships. This was the first decisive battle between fleets.
In the eyes of intelligence officers and technical officers, many data are listed one by one. They accurately evaluate the combat effectiveness of the Imperial Navy. In fact, naval battles have always been a war of technology and calculation. The battle between warships is determined by the calculation of battleship construction technology, artillery construction technology, and the training level of sailors. All aspects determine the outcome of the war.
This is a business that requires exquisite professional skills, where the best people fight a life-and-death battle on the blue table of the ocean, with people's lives at stake.
He who has more plans will win, and he who has fewer plans will lose!
Through their calculations and repeated war game simulations by the naval staff, they finally came up with the results, which would soon be reported to the highest levels of Britain and the United States.
The results of the war games of both countries are consistent - we will win this naval battle and defeat the Imperial Navy.
"We are confident that we can sink six Imperial Navy battleships and severely damage six other Dreadnought-class battleships..."
Twelve... In fact, the Imperial Navy had only seventeen dreadnought-class battleships in total, and three were "Dynasty-class" ships that were hastily built after the outbreak of the war. Although they were powerful, the Combined Fleet had an advantage in numbers.
Soon, senior officials in Washington and London approved the "South Pacific Operation Plan." After the two governments approved the plan and the British and American joint fleet was formally formed, only one last problem remained.
"We must know when the Imperial Navy's Pacific Fleet will escort the landing fleet to Australia!"
Once again, all the pressure was placed on the intelligence department, because all the assumptions were based on one premise - the Imperial Navy only deployed the Atlantic Fleet, not the Zhenyang Fleet - that is, the main forces of the two ocean fleets were combined into one fleet.
Facing four Dynasty-class ships...it's a nightmare just thinking about it!
"...So, they must have intelligence on the Pacific Fleet's accurate attack..."
In an office at Naval Intelligence in London, Sam Michaels ordered Jerry,
"Activate Plum Blossom. Tell her to obtain the relevant intelligence at all costs. This is our only chance to win this war...it may even be our last chance!"
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