On board the aircraft carrier Essex, Admiral Nimitz and Lieutenant General Halsey wore grave expressions as they stared into the distant sky. Although the German carrier-based aircraft group had not yet appeared, they knew full well that it was already on its way and would arrive soon. When that time came, they would face a bitter battle. It might even exact an unimaginable price from their fleet.
"Commander, the German aircraft group is still two hundred kilometers away," a staff officer reported.
"Order the air-defense fighters to take off immediately and intercept the German aircraft group. No matter what, they must be stopped!" Admiral Nimitz ordered. Although he knew that, given their strength, intercepting the German carrier-based aircraft group would be exceedingly difficult, they had no other choice at this point.
Upon receiving the order, the aircraft carriers of the American fleet immediately began launching carrier-based aircraft.
The four Essex-class aircraft carriers of the 1st Carrier Fleet had only eighteen F4U fighter planes left. Even including reserve aircraft, they had only thirty. All of these F4U fighter planes were now prepared and took off from the carriers one after another.
The 2nd Carrier Fleet had only twelve F4F fighter planes remaining. As for the other fighters, they had all been dispatched to escort the Dive Bombers and Torpedo Bombers.
The 3rd Carrier Fleet and the 4th Carrier Fleet likewise had no fighter planes left. All of their aircraft had already been sent out.
Only the six Independence-class aircraft carriers of the 5th Carrier Fleet still had twenty-four F4F fighter planes aboard each carrier. After receiving orders to take off and fight, these F4F fighter planes began launching, preparing to intercept the German carrier-based aircraft group.
The entire American fleet now had only thirty F4U fighter planes and one hundred and