Aboard the German Home Fleet's flagship, the aircraft carrier Poseidon, Fleet Commander Marshal Lütjens wore a rather grim expression.
The battle was still underway, but the American Navy's carrier-based aircraft had suffered devastating losses and could no longer pose any real threat to the German Home Fleet. Yet the sunken aircraft carrier Apollo and the aircraft carrier Aphrodite, already ablaze, showed just how great a price the German Home Fleet had paid in the earlier fighting.
Facing several hundred carrier-based aircraft from the American Navy's 2nd Carrier Fleet and 3rd Carrier Fleet in successive waves, the German Home Fleet's air-defense fighters could not completely halt the American fleet's attacks, even as they fought to the death. Although the German Navy's fleet air-defense firepower was exceptionally formidable and inflicted grievous losses on the US carrier-based aircraft, it still could not prevent the Germans from suffering substantial casualties.
Both Apollo and Aphrodite were Sovereign-class aircraft carriers, the most powerful carriers currently in service with the German Navy. Now, with Apollo sunk and Aphrodite severely damaged, the Home Fleet's Aircraft Carrier Formation had lost a quarter of its combat strength. Such losses were undoubtedly considerable for the German Home Fleet.
"Your Excellency, the Americans' remaining carrier-based aircraft can no longer pose much of a threat to us. Our powerful air-defense firepower is more than enough to wipe them all out," Lieutenant General Karl Witzel said.
Marshal Lütjens nodded. "Dispatch ships to rescue the sailors in the water. Also, coordinate the recovery of the aircraft from Apollo and Aphrodite."
With one of the two carriers sunk and the other heavily damaged, their carrier-based aircraft could only land on other aircraft carriers.
"Yes, Your Excellency," Lieutenant General Karl Witzel replied.
"How is the battle going now? How many American aircraft carriers have our carrier-based aircraft