Chapter 1246 Make up your mind
"Yoshida-kun, you mean that we obviously went to the airport on Ponapei Island. But in fact it was to force the German navy to fight us?" Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo asked.
"Yes, Nagumo-kun. There is no doubt that the strength of our capital ship team is far superior to that of the Germans. Whether it is day or night, if we engage in a decisive battle with the German capital ships, the possibility of our victory is very high. Big. If we can severely damage the German capital ship force, this will give us a greater advantage in naval battles." Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo said.
Among the 16 capital ships of the United Fleet, except for the "Fuso-class" battleships and "Ise-class" battleships that served in the early days, the 12 ships in the area are all very powerful advanced capital ships, equipped with powerful 410 mm main gun. In particular, the "Kii-class" battleships and the "Amagi-class" battlecruisers are equipped with five double-mounted 410mm main guns with a caliber of 45 times. This kind of combat power can definitely be regarded as world-class. In contrast, the capital ships of the German Navy are all old warships that have been in service for more than 20 years. The generals of the Combined Fleet have every reason to believe that once the battle of capital ships is fought, the victory must belong to them.
Admiral Yamamoto Fifty-Six nodded, no doubt he also believed that when battleships were engaged in a decisive battle, the combined fleet would definitely win. After all, their advantage in this aspect is too great.
"However, we have to guard against the attack of the German carrier-based aircraft. In the previous battles, we have lost nearly a hundred carrier-based aircraft. Now, we only have more than 400 carrier-based aircraft. In terms of number In that case, I am afraid that there are only about 60% of the carrier-based aircraft of the two German fleets." Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Zhongichi reminded.
The performance of the capital ship of the joint fleet of the island nation's navy is indeed very strong, but if it is besieged by the carrier-based aircraft of the German Navy, the final result may still be very tragic.
"Indeed, this is a very troublesome question. However, if we grasp it well, we may be able to successfully attack the German aircraft carrier team!" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo had a smile on his lips. For these possible problems, Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo has already had his plan.
"Yoshida-kun, do you have any plans? If we can succeed this time, then you will be the hero of the empire." General Yamamoto Fifty-Six said.
"Your Excellency, if our capital ships appear in the northern waters of Pohnpei Island, the Germans will definitely dispatch a fleet to intercept us. They will definitely guess that we intend to repeat our old tricks and attack Pohnpei Island." The airport launched an attack. In order to keep Pohnpei Island, the Germans will definitely dispatch the main fleet to intercept us. In this case, their aircraft carrier will most likely appear in the south of Pohnpei Island in order to ensure safety. At this time, If our second capital ship formation can bypass the southern part of Pohnpei Island, then it is possible to launch a surprise attack on the German aircraft carrier fleet. I believe that with the strength of the four "Amagi-class" battlecruisers, once they approach If you are alone, it is enough to tear all the German aircraft carriers to pieces!" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo said.
There is no doubt that the combined combat effectiveness of an aircraft carrier and carrier-based aircraft has surpassed that of a battleship. However, under certain scenarios, capital ships can still easily kill aircraft carriers. For example, when the capital ship is close, the aircraft carrier will undoubtedly suffer a catastrophe. The main gun of a capital ship can easily damage an aircraft carrier and even sink it easily. The 'Amagi-class' battlecruiser is the most powerful battlecruiser of the island nation's navy, with a speed of almost 30 knots, and equipped with five dual-mounted 410mm main guns, it is undoubtedly the best candidate for sneak attack missions. Once the four "Amagi-class" battlecruisers succeed in sneak attack, even if they cannot destroy all the aircraft carriers of the German Navy, as long as half of them are destroyed, the joint fleet will win the naval battle.
The Fifty-Sixth General Yamamoto began to frown and think. The battle plan proposed by Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo seems to have a great possibility of success. Although, if you want to really realize it, you also need to take risks. But islanders have never been afraid to take risks. As long as you can win, the risk is completely worth it.
"My gentlemen, what do you think?" General Yamamoto Fifty-Six asked.
"It may be very difficult to find the location of the German aircraft carrier. If the German aircraft carrier is not found before dawn, then the second battleship team may have to be besieged by the German carrier-based aircraft." Nagumo Lieutenant General Zhongyi said.
"Yes, but if we plan to attack Pohnpei Island, the German aircraft carrier should appear near the south of Pohnpei Island. Therefore, the chances of finding them are still very high." Yoshida Zengo will say.
"What's more, the Germans will never stand by and watch their airport on Pohnpei Island be destroyed by us. Whether they send capital ships to intercept us, or wait until dawn to dispatch carrier-based aircraft to attack us, their The fleet must be dispatched. In this case, it will undoubtedly give us an excellent chance for a decisive battle." Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo said.
General Yamamoto Fifty-Six nodded: "This is indeed a very good plan, and the chance of success is still very high. If the time is well grasped, we have a high possibility of winning. For example, after nightfall, the capital ship team We arrived in the waters near Ponapei Island. In this case, we will have enough time to fight the German main fleet. The second battleship team also has enough time to search for the position of the German aircraft carrier. Dawn Before, the fleet retreated no matter whether they won the victory or not. At the same time, the aircraft carrier fleet took off carrier-based aircraft to escort the battleship fleet, and at the same time, it could also dispatch carrier-based aircraft to attack the main fleet or aircraft carrier fleet of the Germans. If we cooperate well, we will It is absolutely possible to severely damage the German fleet in one fell swoop and win!"
Although, General Yamamoto Fifty-Six also knows that it is very difficult to implement this complicated combat plan successfully. But if they succeed, they will be able to win the naval battle. Therefore, General Yamamoto Fifty-Six is willing to take this risk. At the same time, he also believed that the god of luck was on their side. The final victory must belong to them.
"Let the combat staff, improve this combat plan immediately! This time, we will defeat the Germans in one fell swoop!" General Yamamoto Fifty-Six ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander!"
