"General, the Americans and British carrier-based aircraft have retreated." A trace of relief showed on Major General Rudolf's face.
However, Lieutenant General Görcke's expression remained grave.
"No, don't celebrate too soon. The battle isn't over yet. The Americans and British second wave will be arriving shortly. Have every officer and sailor in the fleet prepare themselves. Only if we hold out through the Americans and British second wave of carrier-based aircraft attacks can we be said to have truly weathered this crisis," Lieutenant General Görcke said.
"Yes, General!" Major General Rudolf replied.
Under the first wave of attacks by the US and British Navy's carrier-based aircraft, the German Home Fleet's Capital Ships formation had suffered considerable losses. More than a dozen destroyers and cruisers had been lost, while two Capital Ships had also been damaged. Though such losses were enormous, they were undoubtedly far smaller than having the entire fleet wiped out. What was more, during the battle, they had shot down many US and British Navy carrier-based aircraft, weakening the US and British Navy's strength and making a tremendous contribution toward steering the coming battle in the German Navy's favor.
A few minutes later, the US and British Navy's second wave of carrier-based aircraft arrived. Breaking through the German Navy's carrier-based fighters' interception, they once again launched an attack on the German Home Fleet's Capital Ships formation.
However, the US and British Navy's second wave of carrier-based aircraft had also suffered heavy losses. More than two hundred carrier-based aircraft had been shot down in battle, while the German Navy's carrier-based fighters had suffered comparatively fewer losses.
The German Navy's carrier-based fighters had already withdrawn. They needed to make a wide circuit before landing on their own aircraft carriers to replenish fuel and ammunition, preparing for the next round of