Chapter 920: Encirclement (12,5700 Votes Plus Additional Content)
Everyone was in a hurry and sent Admiral Jin to the hospital first. The Admiral Jin who fell ill this time did not bounce around and recover as soon as he arrived at the hospital like last time. He barely regained consciousness after emergency rescue. Several bosses said something on the way. Don’t send it, don’t know what to say.
After Admiral Jin recovered, Li Hai, who had finally straightened out all aspects of the relationship, said to him: "Don't worry, the telegrams came twice more. The whole story was explained more clearly. Facing the entire main force of the combined fleet, They persisted until the last moment..."
In the afternoon of that day, Tsunoda took advantage of the fact that the distance between the two sides was only more than 400 kilometers, and once again organized 67 aircraft to launch a second round of attack. The USS Bunker Hill used the repaired aircraft carrier deck to miraculously organize an air defense group of 11 fighter jets. In the end, these 11 aircraft All planes were used up. The Japanese army was psychologically prepared for the suicide strike of the US military this time. Although Tsunoda was anxious, he did not lose his mind. He knew that he had the advantage of carrier-based aircraft and believed that he could not use the tit-for-tat ramming method to die with the Americans - that was not cost-effective. !
"You must understand that you are all the best pilots in the Imperial Navy. You have spent countless money, sweat and even blood over many years. Many of you have even been involved in the battle since the Battle of Pearl Harbor. We must fight bravely, but we cannot go easily. Die, everyone must survive, because there are more and more important enemy warships waiting for you to sink! How dare you sacrifice your life before the empire wins? "
However, the second round of attacks that he had high hopes for did not fully work. The Iowa played a strong backbone role, using its huge and solid body to withstand 5 torpedoes, and even used its own body to cover the Bunker Hill. The dilapidated body withstood 2 torpedoes and 6 bombs. The Bunker Hill was hit again by 1 torpedo and 3 bombs. This time the aircraft carrier deck was finally completely destroyed - the US military had no more aircraft.
Since these two battleships absorbed most of the firepower, except for one light cruiser that was sunk, the rest of the destroyers were no different - the battle report made Tsunoda Kakuharu grit his teeth but there was nothing he could do, and this Another 9 aircraft were lost in the Second Air War!
But soon Masabumi Arima shouted excitedly: "Chief Tsukahara has sent troops. He sent Fuchida to lead 50 of the most elite aircraft to carry out the third round of attacks!"
"Onboard!" The officers and soldiers on all the warships cheered.
At first, many people disagreed, thinking that Commander Hori was making a fuss out of a molehill and committed all the main force of the Combined Fleet to a mere U.S. squadron, even delaying the Battle of Midway. Now it seems that if the entire main force is not deployed and only the Second Air Battle is fought, the situation will be dire. I don’t know what it will become.
The TF44 fleet, which was thought to be able to escape victoriously, ultimately failed to withstand Fuchida's third attack wave - these 50 aircraft were like the last straw that broke the camel's back. The US fleet finally couldn't hold on any longer, and two warships were declared sunk. Or abandon the ship. When the Iowa was finally sunk, it was submerged into the sea with numerous scars from 9 torpedoes and 11 bombs. The Bunker Hill had suffered a total of 4 torpedoes and 9 500-kilogram bombs. For an aircraft carrier of more than 20,000 tons, it really can't be done better.
In the third round of attacks, two bombs hit the bridge. The first bomb killed Chief of Staff Roddick and more than 20 staff officers on the spot. Spruance wanted to sink with the ship, but the second bomb followed. He was seriously injured and fell into a coma. In the end, he was carried into the sea by a young staff officer who grew up on the Mississippi River. He struggled to climb into a lifeboat and escaped. In the end, only one destroyer in the fleet was left to escape the pursuit. Fu was lucky. Spruance was rescued on the destroyer.
Under the cover of night, the captain escaped from the pursuit circle and headed towards Australia, turning south midway. What was even more embarrassing was that due to the long distance, the ship itself had limited fuel and experienced a death escape. In order to prevent the fuel from running out, it floated on the water. , he must ask Australia for rescue.
After learning what happened to the TF44 fleet, Ingram, who was in Pearl Harbor, instructed the heavy bombers of the Australian Navy and Air Force to respond at all costs, and also asked the heavy seaplane Catalina to go out first to rescue the seriously injured-the original intention was of course to rescue Spoo. Loones, but you can’t put it that bluntly.
Whether Spruance survived is still uncertain, but the destruction of TF44 is obviously an indisputable fact, which made the plan to reinforce the Pacific Fleet go bankrupt again. Of course, we can't blame Spruance. It was the damn political factors that made him go to India, a place that was destined to be lost, to send reinforcements and was caught. If he had quietly escaped directly from South Africa, how could it have been so troublesome? Spruance also managed to destroy one of the opponent's aircraft carriers and many elite carrier-based aircraft when the superior enemy forces were encircling him.
"This is a big stupid thing we did. We must never do this again in the future. Otherwise, when the American people ask why they want the fleet to go to India, they will not even have a suitable answer."
In front of Admiral King's bedside, Truman suddenly said this sentence, and everyone here immediately understood it: This was the vice president's indirect statement on the Icelandic rescue war through the TF44 incident-it means nothing, but don't bet your cards, wealth and life on it. . In particular, the fleet in Nimitz's hands is the last aircraft carrier fleet of the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and even the global ocean, and it cannot be lost again.
Arnold, who understood the situation, immediately adjusted the scale of tomorrow's Army Air Force bomber dispatch to 180, and emphasized "voluntary participation"; General Li Hai and General Jin nodded, knowing what they knew; the saddest thing was Marshall - after all, there were three in Iceland Army Division, but he couldn't say anything. War always has a price, but this time it was the Army's turn to bear the price. He lowered his head and returned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff without saying a word. He didn't know what he was thinking. . Eisenhower wanted to comfort him but felt he didn't know where to start.
To be honest, if this kind of thing happened in Newfoundland, the Army Aviation, Army, and Navy would have tried their best to suppress it. However, the distance between Iceland is so far that even the United Kingdom plans to give up if necessary. There is really nothing to say about Iceland. of.
Just as the U.S. military is discussing reducing the number of troops it will send tomorrow, the British side is also in an atmosphere of uncertainty.
Judging from today's results, the British and American air strikes were still very effective. They severely damaged one fleet aircraft carrier that threatened the most, and sank or severely damaged three light aircraft carriers. If today's rhythm can be maintained, they will sink (severely damage) 3 more enemy forces - After 4 aircraft carriers, the German army will lose its most important aviation power.
But the telegram sent back by Marshal Dill gave them a chill: The Americans reported that due to excessive losses and the longer distance tomorrow (more than 2,600 kilometers one way), the U.S. Army Airlines can only dispatch about 200 aircraft tomorrow.
Everyone was mentally prepared for the US military to reduce the number of aircraft. The Royal Air Force also had to reduce the number of aircraft, but the Americans suddenly dropped to only one-third of the original number, which made them uncomfortable. However, Marshal Dill sent back relevant information about TF44. The news about the fleet left London wondering what to say - after all, this fleet was sent by the United States in accordance with London's request. Now that the entire army has been destroyed, it seems that they should not blame the other side.
"Be prepared to send 300 aircraft to attack the German beachhead tomorrow." Portel sighed. "Today, the losses to the airport, pilots and aircraft were too great. We can't afford it. Judging from today's battle situation, the level The bombers' accuracy in attacking warships is very poor. It is only 1-2 out of 100, and when it is interfered by enemy fighter jets, the hit rate becomes even lower. "
"My opinion is still to attack the German fleet." Pound said, "Without the support of the fleet, they can't board..."
"But the Germans have begun to land, and that damn armored ship is shelling the coastal positions." Brooke said, "The enemy has several powerful battleships in the outer sea. If you must attack the enemy fleet, just attack these warships."
Pound shook his head: "Aerial bombs, especially horizontal bombers, are useless against battleships. Torpedoes are necessary."
"Then get on the torpedo plane!" Brooke muttered.
"Forget it, on a journey of more than 1,000 kilometers, torpedo planes are just living targets."
After the introduction, Brooke learned that no matter the domestic swordfish, barracuda, tuna or American TBF, the flight speed is very slow after carrying torpedoes, and only some carrier-based aircraft pilots of the Royal Navy can carry out torpedo attacks, because German heavy warships are very slow. There are few and almost no activities in the North Sea. Land-based torpedo aircraft are not only small in number but also have fewer officers and soldiers to use them.
In desperation, everyone agreed: to send out 400 aircraft in a last-ditch effort, half to attack the German landing troops on the beach, and half to attack the German aircraft carrier formation.
After reading the combat plan they drew up, Churchill expressed dissatisfaction: "Can we only send so few aircraft? Didn't you tell me that the Royal Air Force has tens of thousands of combat aircraft?"
"There are so many combat aircraft, but many of them are short-legged Hurricanes and Spitfires. The F6F and Fulmars, which have a slightly longer range, can't fly that far. Even the P-51\P-47\ The Mosquitoes also lacked sufficient range and could only parachute or make an emergency landing in Iceland. It was optimistically expected that the Blenheim would be able to return normally after adding auxiliary fuel tanks. However, it turned out that some aircraft did not succeed. The aircraft that successfully performed the mission were today We suffered a lot in the battle - both on the ground and in the air, the enemy caused us great losses. In addition to the 4-engine bombers, the main force of tomorrow's air attack will be mainly medium-sized bombers," Porter complained. "And there is not much aviation fuel. If we continue to fight at today's intensity, the fuel depot will be empty enough for rats to escape before the end of next month."
"real?"
"The Navy sent us 20,000 tons of fuel, but do you know how much fuel was lost today?" Porter extended a hand and waved towards Churchill, "A total of 50,000 tons of fuel were reduced to ashes in the air raid. Our pilot company The provision of training oil has been temporarily suspended. Sir, we are actually drinking poison to quench our thirst..."
"At least increase the number to 500?" Churchill sighed and said something after a long time.
"Just 500!" Porter reluctantly agreed, feeling at a loss about the prospect...