In the waters north of the Bismarck Islands, the German Navy Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet had already joined forces. After the two fleets merged, they formed a massive force with fifteen Capital Ships and eight aircraft carriers. This fleet was undoubtedly formidable enough to dominate the entire Pacific Ocean.
Aboard the Pacific Fleet flagship, the aircraft carrier Aries, Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Konrad Albrecht and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Oskar Kummetz were discussing the current situation with Indian Ocean Fleet Commander Admiral Alfred Saalwächter and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Hans Georg von Friedeburg. Their expressions were all exceedingly grim. Clearly, none of them was optimistic about the current war situation. The Island Nation's previous attack had simply inflicted losses that were too severe.
"Every base across the Mariana Islands has been destroyed. We have lost a great many aircraft. Quite a few pilots and ground crew have also been killed in battle. In addition, the radars on the islands were destroyed by the Island Nation during the fighting. That is equivalent to wiping out our strength in those waters and turning them into a blank zone. Our defensive network has therefore developed a massive hole. The coming battle will likely be extremely difficult!" Admiral Konrad Albrecht said.
Admiral Alfred Saalwächter nodded. "Indeed, the Island Nation's attack hurt us badly. We had never imagined that they would dare launch such an offensive. We were caught off guard, which was why our losses were so great. Fortunately, while this loss was considerable, it has not yet reached the point of breaking our bones and tearing our sinews. At the very least, our two fleets remain intact. If we handle the coming battle well, defeating the Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet is not merely a pipe dream."
"Yes. But