At the German Navy airfield on Flores Island, the runway that had originally been destroyed by the American Navy's Capital Ships had been repaired through the efforts of the ground crews. Though it looked crude, it no longer affected aircraft takeoffs and landings. Aircraft of this era were not nearly as delicate as those of later generations; even harsher runway conditions would not prevent them from taking off.
One aircraft after another rolled out of the underground hangars and cavern hangars onto the surface. Seeing the bombed-out airfield, a scene of utter devastation, the German Navy pilots trembled with rage. To the pilots, the airfield was their second home. They worked and lived here. But now, the Americans had destroyed even their home.
"Damn Americans! I'll send every last one of you to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish!" a Bomber pilot snarled furiously.
"Last night was their home ground. But now, this is ours. This time, we'll wipe them all out."
"All Fighter Groups, Dive Bomber Groups, and Torpedo Bomber Groups, begin takeoff in five minutes! The target is in waters 260 kilometers west of us and is fleeing westward. This time, we absolutely cannot let them get away!" The Commander's voice rang from the airfield loudspeakers. After the American fleet withdrew, the German Navy had dispatched Light Cruisers and destroyers to track it, ensuring that once dawn broke, they could pinpoint the American fleet's position and guide their aircraft to strike.
"Yes, sir!" all the pilots answered.
The aircraft at the airfield then began taking off in sequence. The first to depart were the Torpedo Bombers carrying heavy aerial torpedoes. The 533mm Heavy Torpedo beneath each fuselage gave off a cold gleam beneath the rising sun.
After the Torpedo Bombers came the Dive Bombers, followed