Chapter 201 Target Enterprise
Japanese Combined Fleet, First Air Fleet, flagship Akagi, command room.
"Nagumo-dono, news of the successful surprise attack has been reported before. The first wave of attacking troops has returned now. Please don't worry too much." Chief of Staff Major General Kusaka Ryunosuke looked at the side with some uneasiness. Ning's fleet captain Nanyun Zhongyi persuaded him from the side.
“Don’t worry, Kusaka-kun, our operation is betting on the future of the combined fleet, and even the future of the empire. You and I are the ones with special responsibilities. We must be even more cautious at this time. "Nanyun Zhong put down the telescope in his hand again and again and shook his head.
Kusagawa Ryunosuke knew the pressure in his commander's heart, so he stepped back and asked for the next best thing, "You didn't eat breakfast. Do you want to take a rest and eat something? I asked the kitchen to leave some eels."
"No need, I can't eat anything if I can't see the returning plane."
"Back! They're back!!!"
"Onboard! Onboard! !”
As soon as he finished speaking, cheers came from the deck, and carrier-based aircraft painted in the sun appeared on the horizon. After adjusting their attitude, they began to land on the surrounding aircraft carriers in batches.
Squeak~ The arresting rope caught the hook below the aircraft. The Type 97 torpedo aircraft stopped on the deck of Akagi. The ground crew quickly ran up and opened the cockpit cover of the aircraft.
"Sir Fuchida! Thank you for your hard work!" Seeing the pilot coming out, the staff on the deck bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"I'm just a junior officer, and you are overstepping your bounds by calling me that." Lieutenant Colonel Mizuo Fuchida, the flight captain of the first wave of attack teams, looked at his colleagues beside him and said with an unchanging expression.
“Your attack was a complete success this time and you killed the beautiful beast! The reputation of Tiger Tiger has spread throughout the fleet. I believe that promotion is inevitable, so I would like to congratulate you in advance. . "The guy in front of me is very eye-catching, and his compliments are perfect.
However, the communications officer on the side did not seem so cool. He jogged up and said, "Commander, Commander, please come over immediately! He wants to understand the current battle situation."
Mitsuo Fuchida After hearing this, he quickly took off his flying hat and walked towards Cambridge.
Before leaving, he nodded slightly to the ground crew member.
A few minutes later.
“Your Excellency, Commander, the first wave of attacks went well. We sank at least five American warships, blew up hundreds of aircraft, and also caused great damage to their roadbed airport. It's just..."
"It's just what?" Hearing his subordinate hesitate to speak, Nanyun Zhongyi felt his temples jump, and the bad feeling that started in the morning came to his mind again.
"It's just that Major Yamaguchi has already pledged his loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor..." Fuchida Mizuo stood at attention and lowered his head to report.
Huh~ It turns out that only the deputy captain was killed. Although pilots are very precious resources, losing a lot of people in such a big operation is nothing. Nagumo Chuichi controlled his expression, "That's really a pity. "Where are the other members of Yamaguchi-kun's team?"
"Well..." Fuchida Mizuo hesitated before saying, "Yamaguchi-kun's Nine-Nine Style Team is all here."
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Hearing this news, Nanyun Zhongyi was stunned. They launched the attack suddenly. Although losses were inevitable, it was unusual for an entire team to be shot down.
“What happened? Were you ambushed?”
"Your Excellency, I say it's not very good." Mizuo Fuchida considered his words and said in a cautious tone. "When we launched the attack, the U.S. military did not seem to be prepared. The anti-aircraft weapons were unmanned and the warships were not activated. The boilers and the entire military port seemed very relaxed, and sailors could even be seen fishing on the deck. At first, we achieved great results. "
"But..." Mitsuo Fuchida had a look of memory on his face.
“However, we soon discovered that something was not normal. A considerable number of US soldiers were concentrated in the square of the military port. When they were attacked, they immediately entered the air defense bunker. Therefore, I caused There were not many casualties. ”
"We began to attack their warships and hangars, and the opponent was also missing and seemed very confused. The only weak resistance was easily suppressed by Major Takagi's Zero Squadron, until that guy appeared..."
" That guy?”
"Yes, Your Excellency, that is a very special aircraft. Both wings are red. Its flexibility is not inferior to our Zero, and its speed is even better." Mizuo Fuchida mentioned the aircraft that impressed him deeply. fighter.
"He probably killed seven or eight of our planes by himself, including the most advanced Zero. Yamaguchi-kun's plane was also destroyed by him."
"What's even weirder is Yes, the U.S. military’s operations since he appeared It started to become more orderly. Although we still had the upper hand, the losses began to increase..."
"Report! Sir, there is news from the second attack brigade!" At this time, the voice of the ordering soldier at the door called. The conversation between two people was interrupted.
“Come in.” Nan Yunzhong shouted towards the door.
"Hey!" The messenger quickly approached and held a translated message. "The Second Attack Group has expanded its results. The US military at Pearl Harbor was severely damaged. The battleships currently confirmed to be destroyed include the USS Arizona, USS California, and USS Oklahoma." Horse..."
"Isn't there an aircraft carrier?" Nan Yunzhong asked with a solemn expression.
"Yes, Your Excellency, there are no aircraft carriers. The three aircraft carriers are not in the port. Moreover, there is news from the Second Attack Group that the strength of the US military's resistance is increasing. Captain Shimogawa Manbei, Lieutenant Commander, was shot down. Currently, Major Katagiri is in Take command on his behalf and ask for further instructions."
"Shimokawa was also shot down? Who did it?" Mizuo Fuchida interjected a little impolitely.
“It’s not clear yet, but the pilots kept repeating this word on the communication channel.”
"What word?"
"Red Wing!"
"Sou Ga~ It turns out to be like this~" After listening to the report, Lieutenant General Nayun began to get entangled.
As the commander of the First Fleet, his ideas are not completely consistent with those of Yamamoto Isoroku. In his opinion, it is impossible for such a large fleet to completely conceal information. It should be a big deal for the US military to find clues. Probabilistic events. (This is actually the case, except that the letter from Washington reminding the troops stationed at Pearl Harbor was not sent out on the military letter sorting table that morning because it did not say "urgent".)
Hide in at first The soldiers in the bunker, the aircraft carrier that all disappeared, and the "Red Wing" that seemed to fall from the sky
Is this all a coincidence?
Could it be a huge trap?
Will the third wave of attack teams attack again?
These questions kept lingering in Lieutenant General Nayun's mind.
At this time, another messenger broke in.
"Sir! One hundred and fifty nautical miles to the southeast, we have made a major discovery!"
"What happened? Is it an ambush unit of the US military?" Nanyun Zhongyi, who was full of doubts, walked over immediately. "Your Excellency, Commander, the two Type 99 bombers of our first air force deviated from their course on the return trip and accidentally discovered the American aircraft carrier. After appearance identification, it was determined to be the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise."
"Where are the other aircraft carriers? Where is the Lexington? Where is the Saratoga?" Lieutenant General Nagumo immediately asked.
"No other aircraft carriers have been found, only the Enterprise, Your Excellency."
"Sigh...Is there only one ship..." Nan Yunzhong rubbed his lips. He didn't have the iconic Rendanhu, but he still had this habit when thinking.
The three aircraft carriers of the US military were the first targets of this sneak attack, but they were not in the military port. After they launched two attacks, the Enterprise appeared in a very sensitive position more than 100 nautical miles away. At the same time, the other two aircraft carriers disappeared.
No matter how you look at it, it looks like a bait for your First Air Force.
The smell of conspiracy is too strong.
But this bait is tempting enough. I have 6 aircraft carriers and complete naval aviation carrier-based aircraft, as well as two battleships Hiei and Kirishima, two cruisers, and four destroyer escorts, that is Even if all three Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers are deployed, they will be able to fight.
Should we kill the Enterprise in one fell swoop and bear the corresponding risks? Or should we just give it up and lead the First Air Force back?
After weighing the balance, Nagumo Chuichi issued an order that he thought could take both aspects into account
"Let the carrier-based aircraft on the Kaga closest to the target conduct a tentative attack. Zuikaku The Zero on board takes off for escort, and other aircraft carriers are on standby. Kirishima, Nagara, Hamakaze, and Qiuyun are on guard all around! "
"Hey!"
——
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One hundred and fifty nautical miles away, a piercing battle alarm sounded on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier.
"All personnel return to their posts! All personnel return to their posts!"
"This is not a drill! Repeat, this is not a drill!"
U.S. Navy sailors Constantly running on the deck, F4F Wildcat fighter jets were brought to the deck from the hangar by elevators, and ground crews injected fuel and loaded weapons into them.
There were waves of whistles on the sea. It was the heavy cruiser Northampton and the heavy cruiser Salt Lake City in charge of the guard adjusting their combat postures.
Two hours ago, they received the news that Pearl Harbor had been attacked, and the newly installed radar system an hour ago did a great job, discovering two Japanese aircraft in advance, allowing their own carrier-based aircraft to take off in advance to intercept them.
But unfortunately, the Wildcat fighter jet that took off only shot down one, and the other one turned around and ran away.
The captain, Colonel George Murray, knew that the position of his fleet had been exposed at this time, and was urgently deploying the fleet's air defense mission.
"Sir! According to the Pacific Fleet headquarters, the land-based airport near Pearl Harbor was seriously damaged and a large number of aircraft were destroyed. They said that they can only send a small number of aircraft to cover us within 48 hours." His first mate brought Got some bad news.
"Better than nothing, how many can they come? Is there a squadron?"
"Uh, sir, they said the only P40s they have are low on fuel and can't land on our deck, so there's only one so far..."
"FUCK! Shit! These damn bureaucrats !" Knowing that there was no hope of land-based aircraft reinforcements, the commander simply put the matter behind him.
Ang! ! hold head high! ! ! ! hold head high! ! ! ! ! !
The shrill air defense siren sounded again, and a dense fleet of aircraft appeared on the horizon.
The Japanese plane is coming!
18 Type 97 torpedo attack aircraft, covered by 15 Zero fighters, quickly approached the USS Enterprise's aircraft carrier formation.
Thud, tug, tug, tug! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Bang bang bang! ! Bang bang bang! ! !
The five-inch anti-aircraft guns and 40mm anti-aircraft guns of the two heavy cruisers began to fire non-stop, and formed an anti-aircraft fire net with the other four destroyers in front of the Enterprise, while the 20 A Wildcat fighter jet has already taken off in advance and pounced towards the opponent's torpedo plane.
15 Japanese Zeros came up.
Boom! Boom! Boom! boom! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
A Type 97 torpedo plane that lowered its altitude in the face of the rain of bullets tried to forcefully approach the attack range, but was hit by ferocious anti-aircraft fire and disintegrated in mid-air.
But this did not deter the Japanese torpedo planes behind them. These guys kept the altitude at a low altitude of less than 30 meters. For the stability of the torpedoes, they also reduced the speed of the aircraft to 200 kilometers per hour. Relatively low speed, and approaching the U.S. warship within 2 kilometers in this attitude, some crazy guys even tried to launch torpedoes at the U.S. military within 1 kilometer in order to ensure a hit.
Someone of them succeeded!
Boom! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
The stern of the heavy cruiser Salt Lake City was hit by a Type 91 torpedo with a speed of 42 knots. Its maneuverability was greatly reduced, and a gap appeared in the air defense network of the entire fleet. Three Type 97s spotted this Opportunity hits the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier.
Bang bang bang! ! ! !
Bang bang bang! ! ! !
There is currently only one destroyer on this side, the USS Russell. Although it intercepted an enemy plane, its sparse firepower was no longer enough to stop the remaining two Japanese planes.
Two kilometers! Reaching bombing distance! The Enterprise is right in front of us!
The two Type 97s have begun to adjust their angles, and the gleaming torpedoes are aimed at the fragile side of the Enterprise. The leading captain has begun to shout "Onboard!!!"
Puff puff puff puff puff puff puff puff! ! ! ! ! ! !
There were firelights penetrating vertically from the thick clouds, dense bullets enveloped the two torpedo planes like a heavy rain, and two huge splashes of water appeared on the sea!
Boom! ! ! !
The water mist splashed by the explosion formed a short rainbow in the daylight, and a red figure fell from the sky. It almost pulled up the fuselage and took off again when it was almost close to the sea!
So fast! This was the thought of everyone present at the moment.
"Who is this guy?" George Murray put down his telescope and asked in surprise.
"Sir, we think he should be our reinforcement." said the first mate on the side.
The red pirate fighter plane flew into the clouds, and soon another Zero fell from the sky.
The formation of Japanese aircraft began to be chaotic, and someone on the communication channel shouted, "Red Wing! It's Red Wing!!"
The last Type 97's hastily thrown torpedo narrowly missed it. After passing the bow of the Northampton, it was announced that the Japanese attack was over, and the remaining Japanese aircraft turned around and returned.
At this time, a strange voice came from the Enterprise's communication channel, "Can you let me land first? My plane is almost out of fuel."
(End of this chapter)
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