Chapter 1642 The Counterattack Begins

"General, the American and British carrier-based planes have retreated." Major General Rudolph had a relieved expression on his face.

However, the expression on Lieutenant General Gerke's face was still very solemn.

"No, don't get too excited. The battle is not over yet. The second wave of the Americans and the British is about to arrive. Let all the officers and soldiers of the fleet get ready. We must at least survive the Americans and the British." The attack of the second wave of the British carrier-based aircraft group can be regarded as having completely overcome this crisis." Lieutenant General Gerke said.

"Yes, General!" Major General Rudolph replied.

Under the attack of the first wave of carrier-based aircraft groups of the US and British navies, the capital ship formation of the German Navy's home fleet suffered a lot. More than ten destroyers and cruisers were lost, and two capital ships were also damaged. Although such a loss is very large, it is undoubtedly much smaller than the annihilation of the entire fleet. What's more, they were still fighting, shooting down many carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies, weakening the strength of the US and British navies, and making a huge contribution to the development of the next battle in favor of the German navy.

A few minutes later, the second wave of carrier-based aircraft groups of the US and British navies arrived. They broke through the interception of the German Navy's carrier-based fighter jets, and once again launched an attack on the capital ship formation of the German Navy's home fleet.

However, the loss of the second wave of carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies was not small. More than 200 carrier-based aircraft were shot down during the battle. The German Navy's carrier-based fighters suffered relatively small losses.

The carrier-based fighter jets of the German Navy have already evacuated. They need to make a circle and then land on their own aircraft carrier to replenish fuel and ammunition and prepare for the next round of battle.

"Attack, kill these German warships!" The second wave of carrier-based aircraft groups of the US and British Navy launched an attack on the capital ship formation of the German Navy's home fleet.

Countless carrier-based aircraft, facing the fierce anti-aircraft firepower of the capital ship formation of the German Navy's home fleet, began to attack.

"Hey, what's going on here? How come there are only German capital ships and no aircraft carriers?" Some carrier-based aircraft pilots of the US and British navies found something strange.

"Forget it, whether it's the German battleship or the aircraft carrier, just sink them all!"

This also made the two waves of carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies all attack the capital ship formation of the German Navy's home fleet. The capital ship formation used itself as a bait to attract the firepower of the carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies, thereby ensuring the safety of the aircraft carrier formation and preserving its strength for the next counterattack.

"Boom boom boom!"

The anti-aircraft fire on the battlecruiser 'Weissenberg' was firing fiercely. Anti-aircraft artillery shells and anti-aircraft machine gun bullets formed a dense anti-aircraft firepower network in the air. The carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies who tried to break into the air defense firepower network paid a heavy price. A large number of carrier-based aircraft were shot down in the process.

However, because the escort warships also suffered heavy losses, even though the battlecruiser "Weissenberg" had very intensive anti-aircraft firepower, it still failed to withstand the siege of the carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies. The so-called two fists can't beat four hands, that's what it looks like.

"Boom! Boom!"

Violent explosions rang out on the battlecruiser 'Weissenberg', and the armor-piercing shells of the aircraft continuously hit the battlecruiser, causing its hull to be continuously damaged.

At the same time, the torpedo attack planes of the US and British navies also took the opportunity to attack.

In less than ten minutes, the battlecruiser 'Weissenberg' was hit by eight heavy torpedoes. A large number of heavy torpedoes hit the side of the battlecruiser "Weissenberg". Big holes were blown out one after another on its side.

Faced with such damage, the damage control personnel on the battlecruiser 'Weissenberg' were almost desperate. Because the battleship had too much water, the hull of the battleship tilted.

Soon, this huge battlecruiser capsized on the surface of the sea and slowly sank into the sea, becoming the first capital ship lost by the German Navy in this naval battle.

After the battlecruiser "Wessenburg" was sunk, the pilots of the carrier-based aircraft of the US and British navies cheered. Although they lost a lot, they finally saw a huge victory.

"Very good, continue to attack and sink all these warships of the Germans!"

After the battlecruiser 'Weissenberg' was sunk, the battleship 'Frederick the Great' followed suit ten minutes later. This huge battleship suffered more than 20 heavy aviation armor-piercing shells and more than a dozen heavy aviation torpedoes. The huge hull has been severely damaged after suffering these losses.

Soon, the battleship sank into the sea due to too much water. It became the second capital ship lost by the German Navy in this naval battle.

However, the attacks of the carrier-based aircraft groups of the US and British navies continued. The German naval counterattack also continued. Facing the attack of the enemy's carrier-based aircraft, they have been using sharp anti-aircraft firepower to fight back.

"General, the 'Caesar' is no longer safe, please evacuate here immediately!" Major General Rudolph suggested.

At this moment, the battleship 'Caesar' is also under siege. It's just that the battleship seems to have had better luck, and it has only suffered minor injuries so far.

"No need! Although the attacks of the Americans and the British were fierce, they were not fatal to us. On the contrary, they have already lost a lot of carrier-based aircraft. Next, we can easily carry it over I believe that the counterattack from the aircraft carrier formation will start soon. By then, it will be enough for the Americans and the British to have a good drink." Lieutenant General Gerke's face was full of excitement.

Although, the capital ship formation suffered heavy losses under the attack of the carrier-based aircraft forces of the US Navy and the British Navy. But overall, the losses are worth it. They not only attracted the attack of the carrier-based aircraft of the US Navy and the British Navy, protected their own aircraft carrier formation, but also consumed a large amount of carrier-based aircraft of the US and British Navy, thus creating favorable conditions for their own counterattack.

The aircraft carrier formation of the German Navy's home fleet is preparing a counterattack at this moment. On one aircraft carrier after another, the carrier-based aircraft that have completed preparations for take-off are being sent to the deck by elevators.

"Your Excellency, Commander, we have discovered the location of the US and British navies." Lieutenant General Carl Witzel said.

"Very good, take off the carrier-based aircraft immediately. Now, it's time for us to counterattack!" Marshal Lütjens issued an order to counterattack.