Chapter 564: The Singapore Campaign (2)

William, that's a good question: where are these Singapore gun emplacements located?

Singapore really isn't large; it's about the size of a county, and a county‑sized area makes the gun emplacements even harder to locate.

Of course, the emplacements certainly won't be in the middle of the city.

To avoid bombing Singapore's Chinese residents, this raid can't be the unrestricted bombing like the attacks on Mandalay and Yangon.

Therefore, we need precise coordinates of Singapore's emplacements to determine the bombing targets.

"How about interrogating a few Japanese POWs? Zhu Nei Kuan should know," Song Yunfei suggested.

Jiang Anguo nodded, "Good idea, just ask Zhu Nei Kuan."

However, perhaps due to the different operational area, Zhu Nei Kuan doesn't know the approximate location; he only knows that a few guns are in the Johor area.

Helpless, Jiang Anguo waved his hand, ordering Zhu Nei Kuan to be taken down; he believes the old fellow isn't lying, because he has no reason to deceive Jiang Anguo.

If Jiang Anguo discovers the intelligence is false, he will certainly take harsh action against him.

Now Zhu Nei Kuan is in prison, living in constant terror each day.

"What do we do now?" William asked.

The conference room fell silent instantly.

Jiang Anguo closed his eyes, pondering who could know the exact locations of Singapore's emplacements, and finally thought of one person.

"Chen Jiageng, go find Chen Jiageng; he must know," Jiang Anguo said loudly.

Song Yunfei repeated, "Chen Jiageng!"

"Yes, he's been in Singapore for forty‑to‑fifty years and knows it like the back of his hand; ask him, he will certainly know," Jiang Anguo affirmed.

Song Yunfei, clad in flight suit, looked resolute; William followed closely. The two hurried without pause and boarded a military transport aircraft already ready for departure.

Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was heavy; the two stared at the rapidly passing clouds outside, both aware that the trip to Mandalay carried a crucial mission.

To ascertain the positions of Singapore's coastal defense guns.

And to destroy Singapore's coastal defense guns, clearing obstacles for subsequent operations.

After the transport aircraft arrived at Mandalay Airport, the two left the temporary presidential palace, where Mr. Chen Jiageng and a group of patriotic Chinese expatriates evacuated from Singapore had already gathered.

Originally we could have asked the British directly, but there are no British here; only Smith, who's been restless. The point is, Smith is a Liaison in Myanmar and is unfamiliar with Singapore.

"Captain Song, Mr. William, you've arrived," Mr. Chen Jiageng rose to greet them, holding a stack of schematics marked with dense symbols.

Chen Jiageng had already received the information, so before Song Yunfei and William arrived, he had already drawn the Singapore coastal defense gun intelligence onto schematics.

"These are the preliminary locations of Singapore's coastal defense guns that we compiled from expatriate clues and leftover British intelligence; they still need further verification."

Song Yunfei and William gathered around, their eyes fixed on the schematics.

"The key is the three 15‑inch coastal guns at the Johor batteries," a Singapore expatriate said, pointing at the markings, his tone heavy. "These three giant guns were built by the British, extremely powerful; a single shell can pierce a heavy battleship's armor, and even our Nankai Fleet's Zhenyuan may not withstand a direct hit."

William furrowed his brow, his fingertips sliding lightly over the schematics: "These emplacements are highly concealed; some are built into mountain shelters, others covered by camouflage nets. Achieving precise bombing won't be easy."

Song Yunfei nodded, his tone firm: "No matter how hard, the mission must be completed. If these three giant guns aren't eliminated, the fleet can't approach Singapore, and the battle can't be fought."

Everyone gathered around the schematics for an intense discussion; the expatriates, familiar with Singapore's terrain, added details about the surroundings of the emplacements.

After several hours of repeated cross‑checking and simulation, William and Song Yunfei finally locked down the precise locations of all Singapore coastal defense guns; each gun's coordinates and defensive range were clearly marked on the new schematics.

Mission deployment commenced immediately.

While Song Yunfei and William were heading to Mandalay to consult Chen Jiageng about Singapore's coastal defense guns.

Jiang Anguo didn't pause; he directly purchased two fuel tankers in the WarSystem, loaded 18,000 tons of fuel and aviation fuel, and sent them to the Andaman Islands.

The Andaman Islands had just been secured; the islands have few resources, and the Japanese focus isn't here.

Thus a large amount of logistical supplies is needed.

Only after transporting aviation fuel to the Andaman Islands can William's landing aircraft refuel fully and fly back to Yangon.

Otherwise these P-38 fighter aircraft would be cramped on the Andaman Islands' short runway, with nowhere to park.

Logically, Jiang Anguo's staff is already at full strength, with no spare Navy to exchange.

The previously torpedoed coastal‑class destroyer is under repair in Yangon's shipyard, leaving over three hundred Navy crew members idle.

Besides the crews operating three Whale‑class transport ships, many sailors remain ashore.

They can just as well carry out this transport mission.

Yangon Airport.

Song Yunfei personally led sixteen B-29 bombers; each bomber was loaded with heavy bombs, and every pilot clutched a schematic marking the detailed location of the Johor batteries, rehearsing it repeatedly, daring not a single mistake.

"Brothers, the mission is clear. Completely destroy all Singapore coastal defense guns, especially the three 15‑inch giant guns at the Johor batteries," Song Yunfei said in front of the bomber formation, delivering a pre‑battle rally.

"Remember, precise bomb drops, no blind spots; once we complete the mission, the fleet can strike smoothly and capture Singapore!"

"Understood!" all bomber pilots answered in unison, their voices loud, echoing over the airport sky.

Nearby, William led twenty‑four P-38 fighter aircraft, making final take‑off preparations. He walked to Song Yunfei's side, patted his shoulder and said, "Song, don't worry; my fighters will escort the whole way and won't let any Japanese aircraft get within a half step of you."

"Thanks, William."

Song Yunfei nodded, his gaze on the P-38 aircraft, "This time you'll need auxiliary fuel tanks; during combat watch your range, and if special circumstances arise, you can head straight to the Andaman Islands."

William smiled, nodded and said, "Don't worry, Sir; my Ghost Battalion will ensure the safety of your bomber fleet."

Because of range limits, the P-38 fighters must carry auxiliary tanks to escort fully, leaving no extra space for air‑to‑ground missiles.

After completing the escort mission, William's Ghost Battalion will fly directly to the temporary airfield on the Andaman Islands to rest and stand by for subsequent operations.

As the control tower issued orders, engine roars filled the sky; twenty‑four P-38 fighters rose first, their wings cutting the heavens, forming a tight escort formation, circling aloft awaiting orders.

Then, sixteen B-29 bombers took off in sequence, climbing slowly, merging with the escort fighters, and sped full‑ahead toward Singapore.