Pacific Fleet Battle (6)
“This is their 3rd raid. It looks like Akagi has failed.”
The chief of staff said as if he was gnashing his teeth as he saw the US Navy warplanes filling the sky and rushing at him.
“What the hell did these raiders do? How did two aircraft carriers’ worth of aircraft run without incident?”
“It looks like he didn’t even hit a single shot. Or hit me after sortie.”
“Either way you’re stupid.”
We’ve seen that raiders sortie from Akagi first. According to the report of the accompanying reconnaissance aircraft, it seems that all of them were crushed by the US Navy air defense system.
I told them not to ignore the mid-range air defense, but they wouldn’t listen.
“Our Air Corps will be mentioned in advance. Beware of the 28mm anti-aircraft guns.”
“Isn’t that the report from the intelligence department? They were plastered with anti-aircraft guns like a hedgehog.”
“At least the aircraft carrier is like that. He’s the one most easily exposed to air raids.”
In the photo handed over by the chief of staff, a battlecruiser with black anti-aircraft batteries installed throughout the deck was visible.
If a slow torpedo bomber approaches at low altitude, anti-aircraft guns like that can hit it well enough. Therefore, when catching an aircraft carrier, the deck must be neutralized with a focus on the rapid explosion.
However, according to Japanese naval doctrine, anti-ship missions are carried out with torpedoes. It is said that the ship itself will sink.
And it broke. sick bastards… .
At best, there was no reward in inducing air raids by focusing on reconnaissance.
“Isn’t an aircraft carrier incapacitated by hitting the deck anyway? Why are you carrying heavy torpedoes?”
“Not Nandle. They’re originally like that. Rather, are our combat aircraft ready?”
“Currently receiving a signal and moving. We will begin our descent soon.”
It was a report from the Air Staff.
As soon as those words were finished, a squadron of fighters skimmed down under the clouds and attacked the enemy raiding party from above.
Fly catcher fighters chasing a US aircraft that spreads over Honbibaeksan Mountain. Compared to the US Navy’s F3F or F4B, it is a step behind, but in a situation where it catches up like this, it pays well.
The American fighter, who had already been caught behind, was hit by machine gun fire and fell helplessly.
“bandit! 4 shot down so far! It keeps growing!”
The dive bombers follow, dropping their bombs and turning around. Most of the raids approaching from high above were cleared.
“About 10 enemy torpedo bombers! Keep approaching with this ship!”
All that remains is torpedo bombers flying low. However, the escort fleet’s pom-pom cannons were enough to block them.
“Prepare for anti-air combat!”
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Prepare anti-aircraft gunners for the fleet, and turn all remaining interceptors into high-altitude escorts.
“Somehow, it seems that the first air raid was stopped.”
“I was lucky. I was warned of an air raid ahead of time.”
If you think about it, it’s upsetting. The reason our task force was caught was because of the enemy reconnaissance plane that was tracking the returning Akagi raid.
Anyway, the problem of newbies who are commonly called Tteokbokki and Coal is that they don’t just poop on themselves, but spread their poop on others.
“What about our reconnaissance aircraft?”
“Contact has been lost from the southwest.”
“It will still be there. Guide the living unit 5 there and send an attack party. Don’t send the kids floating in the air right now into air defense.”
Orders were carried out as swiftly as arrows.
Low-flying torpedo bombers are covered in anti-aircraft fire, and the Furious raids fly in formation from high.
“First raid sortie! About 1 hour to reach the destination!”
“Enemy torpedo bombers! 3 shot down so far! Keep approaching!”
“The destroyers are moving! Cruiser Cornwall! Keep shooting down 5 enemy planes!”
Voices from all directions. Everyone is doing their duty.
Against the backdrop of the pom-pom gun fire, I quietly looked up at the sky.
The smoke is thick.
* * *
The US Navy’s 2nd Task Force flagship ‘Lexington’.
Admiral Ernest King kept his arms crossed with a dissatisfied look. The reason was, of course, the result of the raid that went to capture the Z task force.
“The dive bombers shot down 4 out of 10 planes… 8 out of 12 torpedo bombers were shot down.”
Aircraft carriers returning full of bullet marks. Each stumbles and manages to land on the deck of the Lexington.
The admiral gritted his teeth as he saw the squadron engine spouting uneasy fumes from the engines.
“Damn it, we lost a third of our raid already!”
“Admiral, we still have one more attack if we include Saratoga’s raid.”
“I’ve already suffered this much damage, so I’m going to eat it.”
Shaking his head excitedly, Admiral King glanced at the squadron of returning aircraft with sharp eyes.
“If we had two more aircraft carriers, we would have overcome the enemy’s anti-aircraft fire… .”
“Admiral, are the 4th raid heading that way too?”
Aviation chief’s question.
The admiral tilted his head as if thinking hard for a moment, then answered firmly.
“No, with the Furious, we can’t produce the offensive power to hit our carrier. Rather, it’s the battlecruiser that’s the problem.”
Before long, he strode up to the adjutant and unfolded the map in his hand as if to intercept it.
“The 4th raid is sent to 350.”
“yes? But that side is a place away from the enemy task force to the left.”
“I know too. But don’t you know where Jabbs’ aircraft carrier is?”
Looking pathetically at the staff blinking in bewilderment, he continued to think.
‘A small carrier like the Furious can’t organize a raid to hit us anyway. Rather, the threat is a large aircraft carrier with more than 60 mounted aircraft… .’
Namely, Akagi.
He knew very well what an aircraft carrier with real attack power was.
Of course, I’m not ignoring Task Force Z. Two powerful battlecruisers are a burdensome opponent. But that side doesn’t have to respond with an aircraft carrier.
‘They’re Constalation-class prey.’
I want to eat both, but I said that it is not enough. Having set his target, the admiral then reached for the map and began explaining.
“Send the reconnaissance aircraft first, and send the raiding party 30 minutes later. If the scout plane sees a new fleet while the raid is moving to the middle coordinate, it will turn towards it. If you can’t see it, just hit the Raimi guys.”
At least as King expected, the Akigi Task Force would be on the southern tip of Wake Island.
If so, considering the radius of operation of the air strike force, it is likely to be located to the left of his maneuver force standard.
If you think simply and put the raid party on standby in the middle, you can turn around immediately when the reconnaissance aircraft report comes in later.
Either way, one carrier will die.
“Time is life. what one? Prepare the reconnaissance plane!”
Firing a fire command at the staff staring blankly at them, the admiral frowned. Being still for more than 3 seconds has been a luxury since he took office.
“And contact the Battlecruiser Squadron. Approach and engage in an artillery battle. Let’s start the show.”
One by one, a new reconnaissance aircraft flew over his head as he raised the corners of his mouth.
* * *
200 nautical miles southeast of Wake Island.
The flagship of the 1st Air Squadron “Akagi”.
Around the time the bloody battle of giants was taking place in the far south, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto aboard Akagi was also sweating for other reasons.
“bandit! Approaching! 8th class so far!”
“Captain! Prepare for evasive maneuvers! Each ship should do their best to evade air strikes!”
Along with urgent instructions, the top of the deck shakes violently. Akagi’s gigantic body rotates rapidly. The sky above them is dyed pitch-black by anti-aircraft fire.
Until the second raid, Admiral Lewis’s Task Force Z should have been effectively holding it back. Thanks to this, Admiral Yamamoto was able to stick to the principle of attacking first, the standard of aircraft carrier combat.
Because of this, the admiral shouted as he saw the US Navy raiders covering the sky.
“Why did this happen!”
Because I never thought it would stop.
Akagi’s flight commander, who had just returned to the bridge, reported in an urgent voice.
“Admiral! I was overtaken by direct force. And now the 2nd raid is returning!”
“… What about the results?”
“Even though we landed a hit on an enemy aircraft carrier… One torpedo hit. It looks like it will finish repairs and join the ranks soon.”
“You idiots!”
He too looked over his shoulder at Admiral Lewis’ tactics.
Offensive concept of putting a critical ship in the center and knocking out enemy planes with anti-aircraft guns.
However, the Japanese Navy’s doctrine of dealing with air attack was focused solely on evasion. And Yamamoto also thought this method would be quite effective against that slow biplane.
But it wasn’t until the U.S. Navy Task Force in circular formations actually ground his assault force that he realized the effectiveness of anti-aircraft circular formations.
“I should have researched and developed the circular formation right away… !”
The destroyers surrounding Akagi eagerly fired anti-aircraft guns.
However, they were only armed with two 7.7mm machine guns. It can be considered defenseless against dive bombers.
In fact, the enemy bombers descending above him were leisurely dispelling fire.
“bandit! nosedive! coming!”
“Prepare for shock!”
Clutching at the railing, Admiral Yamamoto gritted his teeth.
* * *
80 nautical miles south of the 1st Air Squadron.
Task Force Z, flagship ‘Repulse’.
“Entrance in Akagi! This ship’s medium wave, unable to fight!”
“What did you do to leave already?”
A report from the communications staff heard one hour after the start of the battle.
The content was not very hopeful. I almost let out a sigh, so I bit my lip.
If it hadn’t been for the liaison officer, I’d have gotten paid for swearing.
We’ve blocked air strikes three times, but that one goes out in one go. It’s kind of hard to say this to an ally, but… It’s really pathetic.
As I was shaking my head, the flight attendant approached me and said with a worried face.
“Admiral, now the next target will be us.”
“I guess so. You have to beat the enemy before that.”
Currently, Furious is busy with Akagi’s air cover and reconnaissance for enemy task forces. Moreover, Bago, whose first wave of raids had just been damaged.
The Furious assault force, which consisted of eight Osprey light bombers, scored only two close-range shots.
In return, 4 planes were shot down, so it was practically a loss. With about 30 carrier-based aircraft, it is now possible to provide air cover and reconnaissance for both fleets.
“Now, let’s leave out the air cover on the Akagi side. There is a Ryuzo over there, or a light aircraft carrier, so tell them to take care of it.”
“Then, let’s use that fighter as an escort and form an assault force. But there won’t be many of them.”
“Shouldn’t you grab at least a straw?”
However, the enemy aircraft carriers are the guys who faced off against many times in the Atlantic Ocean last year. I know the tactics of this side, so I won’t be able to take care of it. Rather, this is disadvantageous.
“Check the enemy ships on the horizon!”
As if fanning his worried heart, the report of the watch continued.
“Bearing 010! Distance 40,000! Enemy large ships found!”
Chimney smoke drifting over the horizon. at least two more.
“Is it an enemy task force?”
“… They must be them.”
If it’s an aircraft carrier, there’s no reason to come this close. The enemy fleet wants a head-to-head fight.
“The operation seems to be predictable.”
I don’t know who the opposing commander is, but I can understand his intentions. Separate battlecruisers and carriers through artillery fire.
In the meantime, the enemy’s aircraft carriers will leisurely launch raids to catch our carriers that have fallen alone or support battlecruisers.
But there is a way for this too.
“We are going to the bombardment. Tell the Furious to fall back. and… .”
They’ll know what a big mistake it was to open fire.
“Sing Indipatigable. Let’s show them the spicy taste.”