"Commander, an urgent telegram from the Capital Ships Formation!" An staff officer rushed into Admiral Nimitz's office, panic written all over his face. He had even forgotten to knock, simply shoving the door open and charging inside.
"What happened?" Admiral Nimitz asked.
"Commander, General Kimmel and the others have failed. The fleet was first ambushed by German high-speed torpedo boats and submarines. Then, the scattered fleets carrying out their missions were encircled by the German main fleet. The losses were severe. Seven battleships were sunk, and all eight remaining battleships were damaged," the staff officer reported.
"What? Such enormous losses?" Admiral Nimitz exclaimed.
Lieutenant General Halsey, standing nearby, was equally incredulous. No matter what, they had previously believed that the American Navy's Capital Ships Formation was exceptionally powerful. Yet now, the outcome of the naval battle had dealt them a resounding slap across the face.
"What were the German losses?" Lieutenant General Halsey hurriedly asked.
"According to the telegram sent back by the Capital Ships Formation, they only sank one German capital ship during the naval battle. They also damaged three German capital ships," the officer reported.
"Damn it, how could this happen?" Lieutenant General Halsey was furious. Not only had the Capital Ships Formation failed to complete its mission, it had also paid a grievous price. This would undoubtedly place the American fleet in an even more disadvantageous position in the battles to come!
"Commander, General Kimmel has ordered the Capital Ships Formation to begin withdrawing. However, he hopes we can dispatch fighter planes to escort them after dawn. The Germans certainly will not let them go. They will launch a large number of aircraft to encircle them," the officer continued.
Admiral Nimitz nodded. Although the crushing defeat of the Capital Ships Formation was undoubtedly terrible news for the