"Sir, the Germans' anti-aircraft fire is far too fierce. It's extremely difficult to hit those Capital Ships of theirs! Our carrier-based aircraft losses are too great," said a US squadron commander.
"Yes, every one of their warships has dense anti-aircraft fire. To attack their Capital Ships, we have to break through their dense anti-aircraft fire net. That makes our carrier-based aircraft very easy to shoot down," another squadron commander said.
"We must first sink the escorting warships around their Capital Ships, tear open their anti-aircraft fire net, and then launch our attack," a squadron commander suggested.
The commander of the US and British Navy's carrier-based aircraft accepted the suggestion. "All aircraft, attention! Take out the escorting warships around the Germans' Capital Ships first, then concentrate fire on the core Capital Ships!"
But was it already too late to adopt this tactic now?
Although the total number of carrier-based aircraft in the first wave launched by the US and British Navy had reached 648, they had already suffered grievous losses under interception by the German Navy's carrier-based fighters. More than three hundred carrier-based aircraft had been shot down by German Navy carrier-based fighters. Moreover, those losses were mainly Dive Bombers and Torpedo Bombers. This severely weakened the US and British Navy's anti-ship strike capability.
During the attack on the German Home Fleet's Capital Ship formation, large numbers of carrier-based aircraft were again shot down by the fleet's anti-aircraft fire. Their strength was further weakened as a result. Even with the correct tactic now adopted, it would be extremely difficult for it to achieve results.
While the US and British Navy's carrier-based aircraft formation fiercely launched an Encirclement Offensive against the German Home Fleet's Capital Ship formation, the German Navy's carrier-based fighters had already begun intercepting their second wave.
In the earlier