Chapter 1280 Heavy Loss

"Damn it, how should I explain this to Your Excellency the Commander?" Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro wanted to cry but had no tears. Three of the four "Amagi-class" battlecruisers were sunk under two rounds of attacks by the German Navy. The only remaining battlecruiser "Kaohsiung" also suffered a lot of bombs and torpedoes. Although it was not sunk, it was undoubtedly severely damaged.

Coupled with the losses of other light cruisers and destroyers, the island navy's second battleship squadron suffered heavy losses this time. In addition, the 24 Zero fighters that came to provide them with air defense cover were all sunk by the German Navy.

Although the 2nd battleship team sank two aircraft carriers of the German Navy in the previous team, and severely damaged the remaining two ships. However, compared to the losses of both sides, the second battleship team did not take any advantage! After all, four of their heavy cruisers were sunk by heavy cruisers of the German Navy's Indian Ocean Fleet before.

It can be said that the current second battleship fleet has almost reached the point where it exists in name only.

"General, no matter what, we sank two German aircraft carriers and severely damaged two of their aircraft carriers. Such a result is already very good. Otherwise, the carrier-based aircraft on the four German aircraft carriers would have If we launch an attack, we will lose even more," said Maj. Gen. Suzuki Yoshio.

Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro nodded, and could only comfort himself in his heart.

On a light cruiser of the Indian Ocean Fleet of the German Navy, Admiral Alfred Savacht, commander of the Indian Ocean Fleet, and others also learned that the Pacific Fleet dispatched carrier-based aircraft to sink three "Amagi-class" battleships cruiser, and also severely damaged one of the news. This made the senior officials of the Indian Ocean Fleet very happy.

"Good job, the damned islanders finally paid the price, and the Pacific Fleet has avenged us!" said Fleet Chief of Staff Lieutenant General William Marshall.

"That's right! Although they didn't sink all the 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers of the islanders, their losses are very heavy now." Lieutenant General Walter Walser said.

When the aircraft carrier of the Indian Ocean Fleet was sunk, they were under a lot of pressure.

Admiral Alfred Savacht also breathed a sigh of relief: "Arrange the repair work of the 'William II' and 'William III' as soon as possible. We must restore combat effectiveness as soon as possible. This war has just begun, but We can't be a spectator. We also want to go to the battlefield and send those islanders to hell with our own hands!"

"Your Excellency, the arrangements have been made. The aircraft carrier 'William II' and the aircraft carrier 'William III' can go directly to Lion City for repairs. It is expected to be repaired in about half a year." Lieutenant General Walter Walzer said.

Admiral Alfred Savacht nodded. It would be good if the two aircraft carriers could participate in the battle half a year later. This war will definitely not end anytime soon.

Similarly, Admiral Yamamoto Fifty-Six, who was far away on the "Ibuki" aircraft carrier, also received news that the second battleship team had suffered heavy losses. Three battlecruisers were sunk, one was severely damaged, four heavy cruisers were sunk, and many light cruisers and destroyers were also sunk. This made the second capital ship fleet almost exist in name only. Lost combat effectiveness.

"General, the 2nd Battleship Squadron suffered a lot. But we were able to sink two German aircraft carriers and severely damage two of them, which is not a small victory. Otherwise, once the four aircraft carriers dispatched carrier-based aircraft Attacking us will pose a greater threat to us." Major General Takahashi Iwang said.

Admiral Yamamoto Fifty-Six nodded: "We have suffered heavy losses in terms of capital ships. But we still have a great advantage in aircraft carriers. I hope that the carrier-based aircraft can win us greater victories!" "

If the aircraft carrier-based aircraft force of the navy of the island country can further achieve greater results, then the combined fleet of the navy of the island country has a very high chance of winning this naval battle.

However, can the carrier-based aircraft units of the island nation's naval combined fleet achieve greater results for them, as General Yamamoto Fifty-Six expected?

In the waters northwest of Pohnpei Island, the battleships of the German Navy's Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet are rapidly evacuating. The 13 capital ships lined up in an air defense formation and sailed quickly to Ponapei Island.

Heavy cruisers, light cruisers, and destroyers guard these capital ships in the center. Anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft machine guns are also ready for battle. The air defense radar is constantly rotating, searching the surrounding airspace.

On the battleship 'Crown Prince', Lieutenant General Theodor Burchardi, commander of the battleship formation of the Pacific Fleet, and Lieutenant General Otto Schniwendt, commander of the battleship formation of the Indian Ocean Fleet, met.

"The carrier-based planes that took off from our aircraft carrier and the airport on Pohnpei Island should already be on their way. It is estimated that they will arrive in the sky above us in about an hour and provide us with air cover. By then, we will We don’t have to be afraid of the islanders’ carrier-based planes attacking us.” Lieutenant General Theodor Burchardy looked very calm.

Lieutenant General Otto Schneewendt nodded: "The islanders' carrier-based aircraft are no match for our fighter jets. Our fighter jets plus our own anti-aircraft firepower can completely withstand the islanders' attack. "

The two discussed issues such as joint operations. Then Lieutenant General Otto Schneewendt left the battleship 'Crown Prince' and returned to his flagship battleship 'Nassau'.

Subsequently, the two fleets moved separately. To ensure that in the next battle, it will not be taken over by the carrier-based aircraft of the island navy. After all, those battlecruisers are faster and can evacuate first. The "Blücher-class" battlecruisers of the Indian Ocean Fleet have a speed of up to 31 knots, and the "Derfflinger-class" battlecruisers of the Pacific Fleet also have a speed of 26 knots, much faster than battleships.

Under such circumstances, it is far safer to act separately than to act together. After all, the dense formation is also conducive to the attack by the carrier-based aircraft of the navy of the island country. If spread out, the anti-aircraft firepower can also be fully utilized.

Although the battleship formation of the German Navy is not like the aircraft carrier formation, it has dedicated air defense cruisers. However, heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers all have not weak anti-aircraft firepower. It can completely provide powerful anti-aircraft firepower for the fleet.