On the aircraft carrier 'Essex', Admiral Nimitz and Lieutenant General Halsey looked serious and stared at the sky in the distance. Although German carrier-based aircraft group has not yet appeared, they know very well that German carrier-based aircraft group is already on the way and will arrive soon. When the time comes, they will face an uphill battle. In fact, this will most likely cost their fleet an unimaginable price.
"Your Excellency Commander, German aircraft group is still two hundred kilometers away from us." A staff officer reported.
"Order the air defense fighters to take off immediately and intercept German aircraft group. No matter what, they must be intercepted!" Admiral Nimitz ordered. Although, Admiral Nimitz knew that with their strength, it would undoubtedly be very difficult to intercept German carrier-based aircraft group. However, at this time, they had no other option.
After receiving the order, the aircraft carriers American fleet immediately began to take off Carrier-based aircraft.
Of the four 'Essex-class' aircraft carriers 1st Carrier Fleet, there are only 18 F4U fighter planes left. Even with the backup aircraft, there are only thirty aircraft. Now these F4U fighter plane are all ready to take off from the aircraft carrier one after another.
2nd Carrier Fleet There are only 12 F4F fighter plane left. As for the other fighter jets, they have all been dispatched to escort Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber.
3rd Carrier Fleet and No. 4 also have no fighters anymore. All their fighter planes have been dispatched.
On the contrary, each of 5th Carrier Fleet's six 'Independence-class' aircraft carriers has 24 F4F fighter plane. After receiving the order to take off for combat, these F4F fighter plane began to take off, preparing to intercept German carrier-based aircraft group.
Of the entire American fleet, there are now only 30 F4U fighter plane and 156 F4F fighter plane left. Of course, this is already an extremely large fleet. However, the strength of the more than twenty aircraft carriers that have to protect American Navy is undoubtedly a bit weak. In addition, in addition to F4U fighter plane, the large number of F4F fighter plane has poor performance and is simply vulnerable to the advanced carrier-based fighter jets of German Navy. Of course, no matter how bad the performance of F4F fighter plane is, it will still have no problem dealing with German Navy, Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber. The Bomber, which carries heavy bombs and Torpedo, is no match for the flexible fighter. Even a fighter with relatively poor performance like F4F fighter plane cannot be dealt with by Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber.
"Order the fleet to enter air defense combat mode!" Admiral Nimitz issued the order.
After all the escort fighters took off, all they could rely on was the anti-aircraft firepower on the battleships. The aircraft carrier began to accelerate while moving as far apart as possible. Escorting warships guard the surrounding areas to provide air defense protection for these aircraft carriers. However, no matter how tight the anti-aircraft firepower is, it will undoubtedly be very difficult to withstand attacks from the air.
"Your Excellency Commander, our air defense fighter can definitely intercept German aircraft group!" Lieutenant General Halsey said from the side.
Admiral Nimitz shook his head. "German aircraft group is very large, with more than three hundred fighters. There must be many escort fighters among them. What's more, our number of F4U fighter plane is still too small. If all aircraft carriers are equipped with F4U fighter plane, they may still be able to compete with the Germany people."
Admiral Nimitz looked a little helpless when he said this. The fleet that previously provided air defense protection for the Capital Ships formation has proven that there is still a clear gap between their F4U fighter planes when facing the FW-190 fighter jets. Not to mention those F4F fighter plane. Facing the battle-hardened German Navy pilots, those F4F fighter planes were probably only likely to be massacred.
"Your Excellency Commander, even if German aircraft group can cause huge losses to us. However, haven't we also sent a huge number of Carrier-based aircraft groups? I believe that our Carrier-based aircraft groups can also cause unbearable losses to Germany people!" Lieutenant General Halsey said.
"I hope so!" Admiral Nimitz said. Speaking of this, his confidence was obviously lacking. He could only pray to God, praying that the Carrier-based aircraft group they sent could recreate German Navy's Aircraft Carrier Formation in one fell swoop.
As time passed bit by bit, the fleets from both sides were rapidly approaching. More than a hundred carrier-based fighter jets from American Navy are about to encounter German carrier-based aircraft group.
The first group to attack American fleet was German Atlantic Fleet's first Carrier-based aircraft group. 48 carrier-based FW-190 fighter jets and 48 carrier-based BF-109 fighter jets protect 144 Dive Bomber and 120 Torpedo Bomber.
About a hundred kilometers away from American fleet and Aircraft Carrier Formation, the huge fleets of both sides finally encountered each other.
"Good guy, Americans actually took off so many fighter jets!" When the pilot of German military saw the dense group of air defense fighters ahead, he couldn't help but feel a little numb.
Although their Carrier-based aircraft group is larger, most of them are Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber. The number of fighters is not many, only 96. Americans's anti-aircraft fighters are already twice as many as theirs.
"Attention all squadrons! Hold down Americans's air defense fighters and cover Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber's breakout!" Commander of the Germany Carrier-based aircraft group ordered.
"Yes, sir!" the pilots of each fighter squadron replied.
"Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber, break out on their own. We will try our best to intercept Americans's fighter jets for you. However, I'm afraid we have to rely on you to attack Americans's aircraft carrier. We will not be able to provide you with fire support in the future."
"Leave it to us. Without the fire support of fighter jets, we can destroy Americans's aircraft carrier in one fell swoop!" said the officers in charge of Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber.
"German aircraft group has been discovered, prepare to fight. Prioritize shooting down Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber of Germany!" Commander of American Navy's air defense fighter also issued a combat order.
For these air defense fighters of American Navy, Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber of German Navy are undoubtedly the greatest threat. If you want to ensure the safety of your own aircraft carrier, you must first get rid of these Dive Bomber and Torpedo Bomber.
"Attack!" Commander from both sides issued the order almost at the same time, and a large-scale air battle began in this sea area.