Chapter 455 Paralysis (Part 2)

In the Panama-Colombia triangle, the mobile fleet is intensively supplying the landing aircraft.

"Sir, we have 17 fighters shot down in total, and 2 are too damaged to be used. The actual loss of 19 aircraft, there are still 6 fighters in stock, all of which have been assembled and replenished..."

"There are still 117 fighters? Where are the pilots?"

"The front reported that 7 have been rescued, and there may be 3-4 survivors. I have sent a sea reconnaissance to pick them up..."

"The sea reconnaissance has made great efforts this time, and it's a pity that we brought so many at the beginning." In response to this offensive, the Axis Fleet also brought out the two seaplane carriers Chitose and Chiyoda. In addition to the sea reconnaissance carried by the battleships and heavy cruisers themselves, the two ships can also carry up to 48 additional seaplanes, assuming multiple support functions such as reconnaissance, search, rescue, and transportation, with extraordinary results-at the beginning, Hori Teikichi resisted the pressure to allow them to transform into light aircraft carriers, and their value was brought into play at the critical moment. Not only did they carry seaplanes that far exceeded the fleet's conventional ones, but they also carried a large amount of aviation fuel and ammunition. What was even more rare was that they had a high speed of 29 knots, which was completely in line with the fleet's pace.

A moment later, Tsukahara issued an order: "Execute the No. 1 supplementary order, disband the water battle formation, and assign personnel to ship battles, and start extraordinary supply."

In the Japanese fleet, in addition to a large number of water reconnaissance aircraft, there were also 6 water battle aircraft. Although these pilots were not as good as the elite ship battle aircraft, they had no problem in performing combat missions - in fact, as long as they mastered the take-off and landing of aircraft carriers, it was relatively easy to become a ship battle pilot, and their technical level was definitely better than that of the rookies of the US military. Although the total number of personnel, including reserve pilots, was sufficient now, the knowledge that the Japanese fleet learned from the German naval aviation was rotation - similar to the pilots who fell into the water who were rescued, they might be required to fight again soon in Japan, but the German naval aviation would definitely rescue first, then conduct an emergency physical examination, confirm that they were all safe, and finally arrange for rest to restore their energy, rather than rushing to fight again. Originally, Germany also used pilots to death, but Hoffman corrected this practice and repeatedly emphasized that now both the Air Force and the Navy attach great importance to the rest and rotation of pilots.

Extraordinary supply is a plan that was racked to come up with for this operation. Although the Commander Tast aircraft carrier obtained by Germany from France cannot perform the take-off and landing missions of new aircraft, this does not prevent the ship from continuing to play its value - the hangar and deck are still available, and it is fully loaded with 32 reserve aircraft. The German Navy named it "Supplementary Mothership", which contrasts with the comprehensive mothership of Europa. There is another kind of supply mothership in the German Navy, which is a large submarine known as a cow, which is dedicated to providing all-round support for combat submarines.

I saw Commander Tast slowly approaching the Shokaku, and the crane lifted one Bf-219 after another onto the deck. At the same time, precious aviation fuel was also drawn from Commander Tast and replenished in Shokaku. Two hours later, the fleet fighter formation was fully revived again - the total force was restored to 128, and the aviation fuel tanks and aviation ammunition of each ship were replenished. If Tsukahara wanted, even the He-218 could be fully replenished, but due to the heavy losses in the night attack, he could not find so many excellent crews who could fly dive bombers - the slightly inferior pilots were still "studying" at the Socotra Island Aviation School.

The Japanese and German officers and soldiers who witnessed the whole process of replenishment burst into cheers! Isn't it just to increase troops? We can do it too!

All the senior officials of the mobile fleet nodded in praise: Although the German naval aviation was established not long ago, it has endless tricks, and the rigid Japanese naval aviation has really learned a lot of tricks. Chitose, Chiyoda and Commander Tast are now super-large replenishment ships. The Japanese Navy envied the German Navy's personnel replenishment ability: the carrier-based pilots had a steady stream of Air Force aces who were transferred to other positions. The German Air Force's long-term and persistent experience in Stuka equipment and use made its dive bombing level unique in the world. Only the reserve of carrier-based attack pilots for torpedoes was slightly smaller and less elite. In contrast, the Japanese Navy did not expect to get pilots from the Army at all. Even if the Army was willing, they could not create dive bomber crews.

At 11:30, Major General Cohen sent the second attack wave to continue the attack. At first, he thought that these newly arrived pilots would be afraid of difficulties after only resting for 2-3 hours before re-entering the battle, so he delayed the launch time of the attack as much as possible, but all pilots were eager to avenge their comrades. In addition, Washington required an attack at noon and another round of strikes in the evening as much as possible, so time could not be delayed any longer.

The fleet was commanded by the newly arrived Colonel Brooke of the Navy. Based on the lessons learned from the previous two times, this time they decided not to play the trick of splitting left and right and layering high and low. They planned to push forward with a large fleet and fight a head-on war with the Japanese and Germans.

Due to the sensitivity of the Navy officer, he required to find the enemy aircraft carrier first to attack - only in this way can they avoid being intercepted by enemy aircraft. However, Major General Cohen told him with embarrassment: "The number of reconnaissance aircraft at the base is limited. Today, B-25 has been used for reconnaissance, but still nothing has been found."

"What is the current search distance?"

"It has been expanded to 800 kilometers." Captain Collins, who was in charge of reconnaissance, reported the details.

After thinking for a while, Brooke said: "There are some misunderstandings in the reconnaissance thinking. We cannot search with Nicaragua as the center of the circle. We should search about 400 kilometers with the canal area as the center of the circle."

"I know, but the planes can only take off from Nicaragua, and the number is seriously insufficient - every extra plane for reconnaissance means one less plane for combat. 800 kilometers is our maximum combat radius. Only the B-25 can reach beyond this distance, and the fact is that the B-25 anti-ship is useless. The Japanese planes are even too lazy to attack us!" Cohen explained distressedly, "The B-25's large bombs against the beachhead are also ineffective. I have asked the country to speed up the delivery of incendiary bombs or small bombs. They promised to deliver them before dark."

"Since the reconnaissance force is insufficient, then continue Continue to increase investment. Anyway, the combat effect of B-25 is average, so just use it all for reconnaissance. In addition, I received news before I came that the Puerto Rico airport will be basically repaired today, and some aircraft will be stationed there. They will be able to assist us in the battle tomorrow. Perhaps the long voyage for us is just right for Puerto Rico. In addition, the fleet is also heading south, and they urgently need to know the exact location of the enemy's aircraft carrier formation. "

"I agree with your point of view. We will launch the attack according to Washington's requirements first... Take care!"

"I will come back alive." Brooke responded with a confident smile.