The battle in the German Atlantic Fleet was nearing its end. The first wave of American Navy carrier-based aircraft had either been shot down or expended their ammunition and had no choice but to return.
Of course, the first wave launched by the American Navy's 1st Carrier Fleet and 4th Carrier Fleet had been massive, consisting of 96 fighters, 102 Dive Bombers, and 68 Torpedo Bombers. Yet fewer than forty carrier-based aircraft escaped back. All the rest had been shot down. Most had fallen to German military air-defense fighters, while the remainder had been brought down by the fleet's anti-aircraft fire from the German military Aircraft Carrier Formation.
The German military Aircraft Carrier Formation had paid a price as well. Two destroyers and one Light Cruiser had been sunk in the battle. Furthermore, the aircraft carrier Hestia, which had suffered an Encirclement Offensive by American carrier-based aircraft, had also been heavily damaged. Struck by six Aerial Bombs and two Torpedoes, the carrier had lost its combat capability.
But suffering heavy damage was far better than being sunk. As long as damaged warships returned to domestic shipyards for repairs, they could continue serving and fighting. A sunken aircraft carrier, on the other hand, was finished for good.
The second German carrier-based aircraft group launched by the American Navy's 1st Carrier Fleet and 4th Carrier Fleet encountered interception from German military air-defense fighters and land-based aircraft. Although the German military air-defense fighters had nearly exhausted their fuel and ammunition and could not inflict much damage on the American aircraft group, the arrival of 108 FW-190 fighters from three squadrons dealt the American second wave an even heavier blow.
Large numbers of American carrier-based aircraft were shot down before they could attack the German military aircraft carriers, leaving the American aircraft group utterly