Chapter 217: Inevitable
"What we are facing is not a rabbit, nor a wolf, but a tiger!" Dewey wrote in his diary. This news spread quickly across the fleet. When it was heard that the Japanese had 4 Japanese armored cruisers, almost all of them showed a dark color with a hint of worry.
"I suggest that the fleet retreat immediately. If there is a decisive battle, I hope we can be in Morro Bay instead of Manila Bay." After hearing the news, Essen suggested that Dewey retreat immediately in a very tactful tone. Fighting on the opponent's home court is too much trouble for the supply and post-war maintenance of the US fleet.
At this time, when the US and Russian military officers gathered to discuss countermeasures, the sky had gradually brightened. When the sun shines again on the world, American talents have the opportunity to appreciate their achievements last night! In this one-way massacre, the entire Japanese landing site was destroyed. Thousands of tons of various materials and nearly a hundred ships of various kinds were burned. Even though the landing site was still far away, the Americans could still clearly see a scorched ground. And the smell of burnt items from the shop.
"Last night, we killed at least 3,000 Japanese. They will go crazy." Shelly pointed to the landing field outside the window and said.
"To some extent, this was an accident, but from another aspect, it is inevitable. The Japanese want to occupy the Philippines, which is absolutely not allowed by the United States! So sooner or later we have to fight the Japanese, but Fortunately, we hit the other side's landing force heavily without the other side's defense. You don't need to worry about the moral and legal issues. Before that, we have made formal negotiations with the Japanese about the Philippines. Occupying the Philippines is equivalent to declaring war! The Japanese have declared war on the United States with facts!" Dewey said.
"I think everyone knows the specific enemy situation. With the help of the British, Japan won 4 instead of 2 armored cruisers. Our situation has become a little passive. So I want to know what everyone thinks." Dewey followed. Scan the entire venue.
"We consumed some ammunition in the battle, and the coal and supplies were not so sufficient. I support Colonel Essen's opinion to withdraw the fleet first, and then wait for domestic assistance before competing with the Japanese. If possible, I hope Russia can put in more troops. After all, the strength of the Japanese fleet now exceeds that of your Far East fleet. Only when we join forces can we have a chance!" Shelly said to Essen.
Everyone has reached a consensus on the issue of temporarily avoiding the edge. Just as Dewey was about to adjourn the meeting, Ma Jifen, who was at the back, suddenly put forward his own opinion, and this opinion sounds a bit alarmist to outsiders!
"I suggest that the marines that have landed immediately evacuate inland and avoid the opponent's fleet. The naval fleet immediately returns to Samoa and retreats to Hawaii after being supplied to wait for the arrival of reinforcements!" First attributed to Shelley and Essen's comments , Ma Jifen's opinion is more conservative, in Dewey's view, there is even a tendency to escape! And in this way, for a long time, the US troops that have boarded the Philippines will be isolated and helpless.
"This is impossible!" Dewey flatly refused.
"I know the risks involved, but the Japanese will definitely come to avenge. If we lose the war, the United States of America will not be able to organize such a powerful fleet! We can only have a chance when the battle fleet arrives. Before that, we Strength must be preserved." Ma Jifen is not optimistic about the US military's combat effectiveness. At least in his opinion, the Japanese Navy’s artillery performance in the Qing-Japanese War was much higher than that of the US Navy. With the opponent's hardware strength already dominant, he is very optimistic about the outcome of this battle!
"Mr. Ma Jifen, your thoughts are very dangerous, but I and everyone here can treat it as if I didn't hear it. Don't let me hear something like that again. Okay, now the meeting is over." Dewey frowned, although from the bottom of his heart Some agreed with Ma Jifen’s suggestion, knowing that the latter’s method was more secure, but for political and various reasons, it was difficult for him to make this determination, so he decided to shelve this suggestion for the time being. When it was 7 o’clock the next day, the United States The fleet began to withdraw to the south, and all warships sailed at a speed of 15 knots, which was already the maximum speed that the battleship Iowa could reach.
And just 4 hours after the departure of the US fleet, the Japanese fleet finally arrived at the troubled sea area! Although the Japanese were suddenly attacked, a telegram was sent out! When Shiki Kawayama heard that the Manila landing field was attacked, he was scared to pee! My first task was to guard the landing field, but the field was broken! Thousands of casualties and the loss of thousands of tons of materials can't be compensated for even if you take the entire upper-level abdominal cut! Because of coveting a battleship, the landing army suffered heavy losses...
"Everyone, we have no retreat. If we cannot completely destroy the American fleet, the consequences will be unimaginable. Our lives are not enough, but the great cause of the empire will be devastated! We can only fight to the end." Shiki Kayama paused, took a deep breath and said: "The rise and fall of the empire is in this battle! His Majesty the Emperor and the empire hope that every naval officer and soldier will do their best!"
"The despicable Americans brazenly launched an offensive against the empire without declaring war~www.wuxiaspot.com~ This is a provocation and a behavior that tramples on the bottom line of human morality. Therefore, in future battles, we Regardless of the so-called international law and international practice, our task is only one, and that is to kill all Americans!" In the venue, Shiji Huashan made no secret of the anger and murder in his heart! Japan is the ancestor of undeclared war! I have suffered such a big loss today, but I can’t just forget it! Even if the British representatives present suggested that the Japanese should calmly deal with this issue, it still did not help. The order was issued soon, and a decisive battle between the US and Japan fleet is inevitable!
A few minutes later, the mast of the flagship of the Japanese combined fleet raised the Z-flag! The Japanese fleet did not enter Manila Bay at all to investigate the details. After firing cannons to apologize to the dead comrades, all the Japanese fleet headed south at a speed of 19 knots! The idea of the Japanese is very simple. Either destroy the American fleet or attack the Americans on the landing!
A speed of 19 knots and a speed of 15 knots are theoretically only 4 hours away. The distance between the two parties is about 60 nautical miles. That is to say, if it is a simple pursuit problem, it will meet within 15 hours at most. It was not a straight pursuit, so this time was a little longer. At noon on the third day of the Battle of Manila, the Japanese fleet could finally see the plumes of smoke emitted by the American fleet! A big battle is about to unfold!
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