Chapter 589: The Aircraft Carrier Caught in an Encirclement (1)

Inside the Singapore command center, Jiang Anguo was sitting in a chair, rubbing his throbbing temples; the days of toil had left him exhausted.

The communications soldier hurried in and loudly reported, "Sir, the reconnaissance plane from the Aircraft Carrier Qihang has relayed that the Japanese Fifth Fleet is located a hundred nautical miles east of Liao nei qundao; the report has already been forwarded to Commander Jiang Zhiyuan and Commander Jiang Qing!"

Jiang Anguo nodded, his tone calm: "Understood. No need to give me details; leave the full command to Jiang Zhiyuan."

His adjutant Wang Fei couldn't help asking, "Sir, aren't you going to make the deployment yourself? This is a major war that affects the Southeast Asian maritime balance."

Jiang Anguo smiled and waved his hand: "I don't understand naval command; just sitting on a ship makes me dizzy, so why would I command blindly? Jiang Zhiyuan is experienced; entrusting it to her puts my mind at ease."

He paused, then added, "Also, inform Song Yunfei: all air forces at Singapore Airport must await Jiang Zhiyuan's orders, with no delays allowed."

"Yes, sir!" adjutant Wang Fei replied and withdrew.

Jiang Anguo felt confident; he dared to lure the Japanese fleet to Liao nei qundao, having already calculated his side's advantage.

Modern naval warfare no longer contests ship tonnage or gun power, but air power—who has more aircraft and greater deterrence.

At this moment, Singapore Airport was already on high alert.

Singapore is Jiang Anguo's third Aircraft Carrier; in coordination, its carrier operations may still lag behind the Japanese.

But in terms of sheer strength, Jiang Anguo remains very confident!

Song Yunfei stood on the control tower, watching the neatly lined fighters on the tarmac, his expression steady.

Not long ago, Jiang Anguo had temporarily recalled him from Yangon Airport to command the air forces at Singapore Airport.

The communications soldier hurried over, saluting, "Commander Song, Commander Jiang orders that all air forces at Singapore Airport must await Jiang Zhiyuan's deployment and cooperate with the fleet's operations!"

Song Yunfei nodded, replying, "Understood! Relay the order: thirty torpedo bombers and fifty fighters, all ready for takeoff, pilots in position, awaiting Jiang Zhiyuan's command!"

The Singapore hangar's combat force includes more torpedo bombers than that number.

Moreover, Singapore has built two runways, and at Xinshan Airport, fighters and bombers have also been deployed; aside from aircraft assigned to defense, the remaining pilots will all be committed to this Liao nei qundao sea battle.

"Yes!" the communications soldier replied and left.

The staff officer beside him asked, "Captain, what is our mission this time?"

Song Yunfei's gaze was firm: "Coordinate with the fleet to strike the Japanese Aircraft Carrier, destroy its carrier‑borne aircraft, and clear obstacles for the fleet!"

"But Captain, the Japanese have two carriers and a sizable number of carrier aircraft; can we gain the advantage?" the staff officer asked, somewhat worried.

Song Yunfei smiled, "Don't worry, we have fifty fighter escorts, thirty torpedo bombers as the main strike, plus the fleet's carrier aircraft; our air power far exceeds the Japanese. With coordinated effort, we'll definitely succeed!"

Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of Jiang Zhiyuan's Nanhua Pacific Fleet, after receiving the reconnaissance plane's report, he immediately summoned his subordinates for an emergency operations meeting.

"Sir, the Japanese fleet is a hundred nautical miles east of Liao nei qundao; its decks are in chaos and carrier aircraft cannot launch for now—perfect timing for a strike!" the staff reported.

Jiang Zhiyuan nodded, speaking low into the communicator: "Immediately send a signal to Jiang Qing, order him to lead the Second Fleet from the Tamiran Islands, loop around to the rear of the Japanese fleet, form a pincer, and do not expose your position!"

A moment later, Jiang Qing's reply came: "Received! My unit will depart immediately, expected to reach the designated point in ten hours, ready to launch an attack at any time!"

Jiang Zhiyuan again used the communicator to contact Song Yunfei: "Captain Song, the Japanese fleet's position is confirmed; request Singapore's air force to take off immediately, head to the target area, and cooperate with our strike on the Japanese Aircraft Carrier, focusing on destroying its carrier aircraft and deck facilities!"

Song Yunfei's voice came clearly, "Commander Jiang, rest assured, the air force is ready; we will take off on schedule in ten minutes and reach the target area in two hours to rendezvous with your unit!"

Singapore is only six hundred kilometers from Liao nei qundao's main island, and fighters can reach the designated target in two hours.

"Good!" Jiang Zhiyuan hung up, ordering his subordinates: "Relay the order—fleet, full speed ahead, stealthily approach the Japanese fleet, carrier aircraft ready for launch; once the air force and Second Fleet are in position, launch a coordinated assault immediately!"

"Yes, sir!" the subordinates answered in unison, and the entire fleet instantly altered course, stealthily racing toward the Japanese Fifth Fleet.

On the Aircraft Carrier Qihang, William, clad in flight suit, was already ready for takeoff; he laughed loudly at the crew, "Brothers, the battle finally begins! This time, let the Little Devils taste our power and we'll sink their carrier!"

William has never yet sunk an enemy carrier in his combat record.

This time he wants to try a different method: using an SBD dive bomber to undertake a daring mission and personally sink the Japanese carrier.

"Alright, Captain! We'll charge with you!" the crew responded in unison, eyes full of fighting spirit.

"Captain, let us give the Little Devils a hard kick in the rear!" a pilot said.

"Ha ha!" the other pilots laughed.

Pilots need the most courage, especially Navy pilots, because they never know which day they'll become heroes, survive, or—!

On the deck of the Japanese Fifth Fleet, the transport aircraft were finally moved to the designated spots, and carrier aircraft began launching one after another; Li Tian Jiannan stood in the command cabin, his expression still grim: "Faster! Even faster! We must get the carrier aircraft airborne before the Chinese warplanes arrive and be ready for defense!"

The staff officer panicked, reporting, "Lieutenant General, the Nanhua reconnaissance plane has already transmitted our position; their fleet and air force will be arriving soon!"

Li Tian Jiannan gritted his teeth, "Damn! Even if they arrive, what of it? We have two carriers and plenty of carrier aircraft; we'll crush them! Issue the order: once the carrier aircraft are airborne, immediately go on alert and intercept any Chinese warplanes!"

On the sea, the two Nanhua carrier fleets are rapidly closing in, and Singapore's air force fighters have also taken off one after another, racing toward the target area.

The Qihang's reconnaissance plane continues to circle at high altitude, closely monitoring the Japanese fleet's movements and relaying intelligence at any moment.

East of Liao nei qundao, the wind howls, waves surge, and the air is thick with the smell of gunpowder; both sides' aircraft and fleets are rapidly closing, and a breathtaking sea battle is on the brink of erupting.