Iron Cross

Witnessing the loss of the mobile fleet, the excitement of sinking the Langley and severely damaging the Saratoga disappeared without a trace. Jiang Kuo led everyone to land on the still intact Zuikaku and Ryuho unhappily.

The combat system of the Japanese aircraft carrier formation was somewhat rigid in the past. Due to poor radio communication, on-the-spot command could not be exerted too much. The air force was attached to the aircraft carrier and landed on the ship from which it departed. If there was a problem, the entire force was simply adjusted - for example, the pilots of the Fifth Air Force who participated in the Coral Sea did not participate in the Battle of Midway.

During the European operations, due to the excellent aircraft radio provided by Germany, Tsukahara resolutely changed the traditional command system, which was more convenient for command: the carrier-based aircraft were used together, requiring pilots to have the ability to land on any aircraft carrier, and at the same time, the captains and ground staff of each ship were required to respond quickly to ensure that they had the ability to report the carrier-based aircraft, the maximum capacity and the take-off scheduling ability like a conditioned reflex.

Although the above-mentioned ability training is not very impressive, it played an extraordinary effect in such a severe situation today, greatly avoiding chaos.

Because the Shokaku was seriously injured, under the strong persuasion of Kusaka Ryunosuke, the Shokaku was the first to withdraw from the battlefield under the protection of cruisers and destroyers, and the mobile fleet command was transferred to the Zuikaku.

Jiang Kushige reported the entire battle process and said: "The enemy still has a complete Essex and two battleships, as well as many cruisers and destroyers."

Tsukahara nodded: "Put aside the other warships first, and this aircraft carrier must be destroyed."

Kusa Ka Renji shouted on the deck: "Replenish oil and ammunition as soon as possible, and launch a fourth round of attacks today."

"Has the third wave set off?"

"The team led by Fuchida Mitsuo took off from the guerrilla fleet." Genda Minoru patted his shoulder, "You should have a good rest, and let Murata-kun lead the fourth wave."

Egusa Kushige then saw Murata Shigeharu next to him and asked curiously: "Why don't you go with Fuchida?"

The latter smiled bitterly and said: "The situation was urgent at the time. My plane was pushed into the sea, and the backup plane had just been adjusted..." Then he described the crisis just now and the scene of Tsukahara's calm command. Jiang Kushige also patted his forehead and felt fortunate.

"How many planes did you bring back?"

"87 in total when we went, about 66 returned, and some may be damaged and can no longer be used." Jiang Kuangshige said, "But I'm fine, I can go with you later."

"The commander asked you to stay and prepare to replace Fuchida to lead the fifth wave. Don't fight continuously, and keep your strength." Genda Minoru pointed to the destroyer next to him, "Many ship bombers fell into the water, you pick them up and reorganize them, we must have enough reserve pilots."

Just as the Japanese army was busy replenishing oil and ammunition for the returning attack waves and anti-aircraft fighters, the US ground crew on the Essex also used all their strength to make emergency replenishment.

"The situation is not good..." Giffen reported to Halsey, "35 aircraft returned from the first attack wave, 41 returned from the second attack wave, plus the fleet's remaining 11 anti-aircraft fighters, we still have 87 combat aircraft. After emergency call-ups of backup aircraft, Essex has deployed 9 aircraft and Saratoga has deployed 6 aircraft, a total of 104 aircraft are available."

"Can Tarawa Airport be used?"

"No, the Japanese army has officially landed, and the naval guns of various warships are continuously bombarding the airport. Not to mention taking off, they dare not even show their heads."

"Can the Marines hold on until dark?"

"I'm afraid it will be difficult, but I personally remain optimistic."

"Leave 24 anti-aircraft fighters, and the remaining 80 are ready to launch an attack." Halsey looked at the clock, "It's 13:47 now. I hope to be able to launch the attack aircraft group around 14:10."

"Sir, don't you consider retreating?" Giffen suggested again, "The enemy still has 4 aircraft carriers and at least 200 aircraft, and we only have 100 aircraft and 1 aircraft carrier. The difference in strength is too great."

Nimitz shook his head: "We didn't go to rescue Australia and New Zealand, and basically gave up Tarawa. If we retreat directly, I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to all parties. Don't look at the Japanese army having 4 aircraft carriers, the key is the Zuikaku. As long as this regular aircraft carrier is destroyed, the enemy will have no fleet aircraft carriers available in the short term, even if the Essex sinks. "

Giffen could only accept such an unwavering determination.

On the other side, Kusaka Renji was also persuading Hori Teikichi whether to let the mobile fleet avoid the limelight, even if the decisive battle will be tomorrow.

"There will be no decisive battle tomorrow, we will finish it today! I have made up my mind, even if I have to sacrifice 1-2 light aircraft carriers, or 1 Shokaku, I will destroy the main carrier force of the Pacific Fleet." Hori Teikichi's eyes were very firm, "Germany and Italy are about to launch an attack in the Atlantic to contain the US Navy. If we fight off the main force of the Pacific Fleet, the Imperial Navy can gain a relatively favorable advantage in the Pacific in the next 6-8 months, which can ensure that we achieve decisive results in the Indian direction. Once India is lost, Britain will have no choice but to withdraw from the war, and the United States will be in a dilemma. If the Empire shows a high profile and a desire for peace at this time, peace between Japan and the United States is possible."

"High profile?"

"For example, return the Philippines to the United States, guarantee the independence of Australia and New Zealand and agree to their control by the United States, implement an open door policy in India, and return some islands near Australia and New Zealand to the United States..."

Kusaka Renji was dumbfounded: "Sir... Sir, such a big concession, can all walks of life agree?"

"Why not agree? We have India." Hori Teikichi stressed earnestly, "India is an eternal legacy for Japan! Britain relied on India to become the world hegemon, and is it not satisfied with this? What else do you want? If you tell the whole country that India is available before the war, will you still foolishly fight with the United States?"

"Of course not, but..." Kusaka Renji started with difficulty, "Human desires are endless. Will those big guys in Tokyo be willing to spit out the fat meat in their mouths?"

At this point, Hori Teikichi fell silent, and did not say anything for a long time. Finally, he sighed: "Don't worry about so much, let's take down Tarawa first."

Giffen predicted very accurately. At 14:08, the Essex began to launch attack aircraft. Because there was only one aircraft carrier to carry out the launch operation, the speed was slow. By 14:28, a total of 18 SBDs and 9 TBFs were launched - this is a rare high efficiency.

Halsey shook his head and said, "We can't go on like this. We should just form a formation of about 40 planes to attack first. Otherwise, when the 80 planes are ready, the fuel of the first attack planes to take off will be a problem."

Giffen agreed and immediately ordered an attack in 5 minutes. But less than 5 minutes later, the alarming voice of an officer in the radar room suddenly came from the radio: "Report, there are enemy planes attacking, direction 85 degrees, speed 215 knots, number between 60-70."

"Why can the enemy launch a second attack so quickly?" Nimitz and Halsey were puzzled. Giffen quickly ordered the fighters to take off as soon as possible, and at the same time ordered the 38 attack planes on standby over the fleet to attack south immediately.

In a split second, Nimitz suddenly reacted and asked, "The enemy is coming from the west?"

The radar room reported honestly, "Yes."

"Did they come from the west last time?"

"The last approach was at an angle of 100 degrees, almost to the west."

Nimitz and Halsey now understood everything: the enemy must have hidden an aircraft carrier formation in the Western Hemisphere. The number was small, with the specifications of a fleet aircraft carrier or two light aircraft carriers, but it was this ignored enemy that fired a hidden and fatal arrow.

"We've been fooled! The old devil Hori Teikichi has tricked us." Halsey said angrily, "His bombardment fleet and mobile fleet are the bait to lure us into the trap."

But it's too late to understand now, and everyone in the bridge sighed. The US fleet can only bite the bullet and take on the challenge. Fortunately, the size of the Japanese fleet this time is a little smaller than last time - it can be seen that the enemy has suffered a lot of losses. Now it was Halsey's turn to experience what Tsukahara felt just now. On the one hand, he ordered the fighters to take off as much as possible, and on the other hand, he pushed all the attack planes, ammunition, and fuel that did not take off in time into the sea - each of them could become an accomplice of the enemy.

Seeing that the US military guarded the Essex in the center and spit out fierce anti-aircraft fire, Fuchida Mitsuo was very experienced in slowing down the rhythm first, letting the fighters move forward to lure the US fighters to pounce. Although the American pilots knew that the Japanese army's actions were not well-intentioned, they could only pounce. At least entangled with the Japanese army and could win a glimmer of life below - one more minute, the aircraft carrier could eject one more plane.

Nearly 50 Japanese and American fighters quickly wrestled into a ball. Fuchida Mitsuo watched coldly with the attack planes on the side. When the two sides were almost entangled, he swooped down like a vulture with a whistle.

In this round of attack, he decisively adopted the "peeling onion" tactic. He did not pursue a direct attack on the heavily protected Essex aircraft carrier in the center of the formation, but first attacked the outer escort warships, just like peeling an onion, peeling off the outer skin layer by layer.

The first victim was the Australian Navy's flagship heavy cruiser Australia (Kent class), which was hit by a 500-kilogram bomb on the front and rear decks and collapsed on the water, dying; the second unlucky guy was the New Zealand Navy's main Leander (Leander class). This 7,000-ton light cruiser struggled and sank after being hit by two 500-kilogram heavy bombs.

Mitsuo Fuchida used only 4 groups of aircraft, 12 Comet-kai, to wipe out half of the elite forces of the Australian and New Zealand Navy. As the gap on the right wing of the enemy fleet opened up, the Tenzan-kai swooped down and released 6 torpedoes, which went straight towards the Essex. The ship dodged 4 of them and was hit by 1, and the other hit the Helena (Brooklyn class) solidly. This light cruiser that escaped the misfortune of the first South Pacific naval battle obviously failed to escape the second time, and struggled slowly into the sea.