As the capital ship formations of the German Navy's two fleets engaged in a fierce melee with the three Capital Ship Squadrons of the Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet, another Capital Ship Squadron of the Combined Fleet—the 2nd Capital Ship Squadron—was nowhere to be seen.
The German Navy paid no heed to this. They believed the four Amagi-class battlecruisers were with the Island Nation Navy's Carrier Fleet, escorting it. But in truth, the Island Nation Navy's scheme was far greater than the German fleet had imagined.
At that moment, four Amagi-class battlecruisers led by Lieutenant General Takasu Shirō were speeding across the sea. Light Cruisers and destroyers surrounded the four Amagi-class battlecruisers, guarding them at the center. As the newest battlecruisers built by the Island Nation Navy, the Amagi-class battlecruisers were undoubtedly formidable. They not only possessed five twin-mounted 45-caliber 410mm Main Guns, but also a top speed of 31 knots. For massive warships with fully loaded displacements exceeding 48,000 tons to maintain such high speeds was undoubtedly impressive.
In the battle plan drawn up by the Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet, the four Amagi-class battlecruisers of the 2nd Capital Ship Squadron had not been assigned to confront the German Navy's main fleet. They had a more important target: the German Navy's Carrier Fleet.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and the others knew perfectly well that compared with the German Navy's main fleet, its Carrier Fleet was even more formidable and posed an even greater threat to them. That was why Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto hoped to launch a surprise attack on the German Navy's Carrier Fleet in this naval battle, making the German Navy pay a grievous price. If they succeeded, they might be able to turn the tide and win this naval battle.
Aboard the battlecruiser Amagi, Lieutenant General Takasu Shirō