On the afternoon of January 30, Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet began to change its route. They turned to sail southwest, preparing to enter the western waters of the Philippine Sea. Here only Philippines and United States have sea and air bases in Philippines, which can provide them with intelligence support. If German aircraft or a ship is discovered, you can notify them in advance to avoid it.
On the afternoon of the 31st, Island Nation Navy entered the central waters of Philippines. This is only a few hundred kilometers away from Mariana Islands occupied by Germany. At the same time, they obtained the information that German Navy Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet were still in the Bismarck sea in the south.
For safety reasons, German Navy Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet plan to merge before Kitakami. In this case, their strength will be stronger. If the two fleets Kitakami alone, once they encounter Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet, they may have no chance of winning. Although German Navy is powerful, currently the only ones that can be used to deal with Island Nation Navy are Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet. Therefore, their power is also very precious, and it is undoubtedly the best if it is not wasted.
It was precisely because of German Navy's conservative tactics that gave Island Nation Navy the opportunity to sneak attack Mariana Islands.
Of course, this is also because German Navy never expected that Island Nation would be so shameless and Audacious once again used the tactic of undeclared war to launch a sneak attack on Germany. Let German Navy pay a heavy price in the early stages of the war.
At two o'clock in the afternoon on the 31st, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto issued the order to attack.
"Gentlemen, lead your fleet and set off! Launch an attack at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Destroy the Germany people's airport in one fell swoop and eliminate them completely!" Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander!" The Commander members of Combined Fleet's team replied one after another.
Subsequently, each battle team separated from the main fleet and moved towards their respective goals.
The eight aircraft carriers in the two aircraft carrier battle groups can launch attacks from long distances. They don't need to get too close to the target, they just need to take off Carrier-based aircraft in advance.
Island Nation Navy's carrier-based aircraft, although it is impossible to attack at night. But after years of experimentation, they can also take off at night. However, the risk factor is relatively higher. If you are not careful at all, it may destroy the machine and kill people.
However, for the fanatical Island Nation Navy's carrier-based aircraft pilots, this danger is nothing at all. As long as they can win and let them sacrifice their lives, no one will refuse. Under the poison of Bushido spirit, these Island Nation Navy's carrier-based aircraft pilots have become the people who are least afraid of death.
Of course, this also has a lot to do with the pilot selection of Island Nation. In Island Nation, whether it is land-based aviation or Naval Aviation, they are all selected from the elite. They receive the most rigorous training and also enjoy the best treatment. Even when Island Nation's economic situation was tight, the treatment they enjoyed was very good. This makes them willing to fight for the country and regard this as their own glory. Even if they die in battle because of this, they will not care.
Island Nation Navy Four Capital Ship Squadron, all set off. The 12 powerful Battleship and four Battlecruiser represent the most powerful Capital Ships currently in Island Nation Navy. At least until the more powerful 'Yamato-class' Battleship enters service, these Battleship will be the most powerful Capital Ships in the world. Currently, only United States and German Navy are equipped with the equally powerful Battleship.
'Kii' number Battleship was originally the flagship of Combined Fleet. But now 1st Capital Ship Squadron wants to attack Guam, so Combined Fleet's flagship is temporarily changed to the aircraft carrier 'Ibuki'.
"From now on, the fleet will maintain radio silence to prevent the Germany people from discovering us! In addition, seaplanes are dispatched. Once the German Navy ship is discovered, evade it immediately!" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo ordered.
There are still a few hours until dark, and this period is undoubtedly more dangerous. Once discovered by German Navy, German Navy will be prepared in advance. Even if the fleet of German Navy is still far away from the war zone, at least the aircraft on Mariana Islands can evacuate in advance. In this case, even if Island Nation Navy destroys those airports, the damage caused to German Navy will not be too great. It just takes a while to repair those airports. After all, the plane and the pilot are the most precious.
I have to admit that Island Nation Navy's luck is relatively good. Several Capital Ship Squadron were not exposed when they were in action. It wasn't until night fell that Island Nation Navy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Order the fleet to maintain the current speed!" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo ordered.
At the current speed of 20 knots, they can arrive at Guam around five o'clock in the morning, and then make a little preparation before launching an attack. Calculating the time, it's almost just right.
Several other Capital Ships units were able to arrive at the predetermined target at almost the same time and then launch an attack.
In fact, for Island Nation Navy, as long as they are not exposed before dark on the 31st, their plan is much more likely to succeed. German Navy Even if something is discovered, it is difficult to react.
At 3 a. m. on the morning of February 1st, Philippine Sea central waters.
On the sea, Island Nation Navy's fleet was brightly lit. The flight decks of the eight aircraft carriers of the two aircraft carrier battle groups were all illuminated by searchlights, which were extremely bright.
One after another, with the help of ground crews, the planes were filled with fuel, loaded with ammunition, and were ready to take off.
The pilots were listening to combat briefings.
At 3:30 in the morning, the first Zero Carrier Fighter took off from the aircraft carrier No. Ibuki.
Subsequently, other Carrier-based aircraft also took off.
Because there is only one pass-through deck for the flight deck, there is no Angled Deck. Therefore, the take-off efficiency of Carrier-based aircraft is limited, so that these Island Nation Navy aircraft carriers can only take off half of the Carrier-based aircraft at a time. After these Carrier-based aircrafts take off, those Carrier-based aircrafts parked in the hangar can be lifted to the deck using elevators and then take off again.
But even if it is divided into two waves, the upper management of Island Nation Navy's Combined Fleet is still very confident in this. They believed that German Navy would not be prepared in the event of a surprise attack. This time, they will definitely win.