Chapter 1244： Ecstasy (ask for a monthly ticket)

In the early morning of February 1st, in the Philippine Sea, multiple battleship teams of the combined fleet of the island nation's navy were sailing north. These fleets have all increased their speed to more than 25 knots. They don't know whether the German Navy has sent carrier-based aircraft to chase them, so they need to stay as far away from this sea area as possible, so that they can ensure their own safety.

The action in the early hours of this morning was undoubtedly a success. The four battleships successfully destroyed the German Navy's airports on Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan. I don't know how many planes were destroyed by their artillery fire on the airport, and I don't know how many pilots and ground crews died in their bombardment. This is undoubtedly a great victory for the Japanese navy. This also made the officers and soldiers of the island nation's combined fleet very excited and proud.

"General, the telegram has been drafted, and it can be sent to the flagship after you sign it." The chief of staff of the United Fleet's 1st Battleship Squadron, Chief of Staff Fukudome Shigeru, had a smile on his face.

Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo took the draft telegram, read it carefully, and then took out a pen to sign his name on it.

"Well, let's send it out like this!" Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo said.

"Yes, General." Colonel Fukudome Shigeru nodded.

"Order the fleet and prepare for air defense. The more we are at this time, the more we cannot relax. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous." Lieutenant General Yoshida Zengo said.

There is no doubt that in this battle, the United Fleet has already gained a certain advantage. As long as they are cautious in the following battles and further hold on to their advantages, and do not give the German navy a chance, they may be able to maintain their advantages until the end, and even win this naval battle.

"Yes, General!" Colonel Shigeru Fukuru immediately went to make arrangements.

At the same time, several other battleship teams were also sending telegrams to the flagship. Everyone is very satisfied with this success. After destroying the German Navy's airport on the Mariana Islands in one fell swoop, their room for maneuver became larger and the threat was further reduced.

On the aircraft carrier 'Ibuki', the carrier-based aircraft groups of the returning island nation's navy are landing in sequence. Some carrier-based aircraft are full of bullet holes, showing how fierce the previous battle was.

Lieutenant General Chuichi Nagumo stood behind General Yamamoto Fifty-Six with a serious face. Although, their attack was successful this time. The airfield on Balbotuap Island was successfully destroyed by them. However, under the counterattack of the shore-based troops of the German Navy, they paid a considerable price, which made Vice Admiral Nagumo Tadaichi feel a little uneasy in addition to his heartache.

"Your Excellency, the battle damage report has been calculated." Rear Admiral Kusanagi Ryunosuke, Chief of Staff of the 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron of the United Fleet, handed over a document to Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi.

Lieutenant General Nanyun Zhongyi looked even worse after seeing it. In this battle, the 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron of the United Fleet was the main force. The carrier-based aircraft dispatched by the four aircraft carriers were divided into two batches, and a total of more than 300 aircraft were dispatched. But they lost more than 50 under the counterattack of the shore-based forces of the German Navy. Among them, most of them are Type 99 carrier-based bombers and Type 97 carrier-based attack aircraft. Such a loss is enough to make Lieutenant General Nanyun Zhongyi feel distressed.

"What's the matter? Nagumo-kun? Did you lose a lot?" General Yamamoto Fifty-Six asked.

"Yes, Your Excellency Commander. We lost more than fifty carrier-based aircraft. However, very few German fighter jets were shot down in the air battle. This was the case when we launched a surprise attack and the Germans rushed back. It's hard to imagine, once they are ready, what kind of result will be in the end." Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi said.

General Yamamoto Fifty-Six could not help but frowned: "The performance of the German fighter jets and the quality of their pilots are higher than ours. Therefore, it is inevitable that our losses are greater than theirs. However, I I believe that in this battle, we will be able to defeat the Germans."

"Hi, Your Excellency Commander." Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi replied.

"Your Excellency, several battleship fleets have sent telegrams, and we have successfully destroyed the German airport on the Mariana Islands." Rear Admiral Takahashi Imo, Chief of Staff of the Joint Fleet, reported.

"Have they all succeeded? Haha, yes, it's really great!" General Yamamoto Fifty-Six was ecstatic.

Although, the loss of carrier-based aircraft of the aircraft carrier team was a bit large, exceeding their expectations. However, several capital ship teams have achieved success, which makes him very satisfied. Compared with the results they obtained, the losses they paid in this battle are undoubtedly insignificant.

Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi also showed a smile on his face. Indeed, the two aircraft carrier teams of the United Fleet lost nearly a hundred carrier-based aircraft in this battle. However, they destroyed at least more than 600 German combat aircraft. Such an exchange ratio still makes them very satisfied. If they can continue like this, they will win this battle, then there will definitely be no problem.

"Send a telegram to the country and tell them the news." General Yamamoto Fifty-Six ordered.

At this moment, the good news of the United Fleet in the island country is eager to see it! In particular, the news that Germany declared war on the island country overnight made the island government tremble with fear. They knew that the Combined Fleet must have launched an attack. Otherwise, Germany would not have declared war on the island nation at this juncture. However, they don't know whether the United Fleet won the victory. This also made the senior officials of the island's cabinet very worried.

When the good news from Admiral Yamamoto Fifty-Six came, the Ministry of the Navy and the Naval Command of the island country were all boiling. Of course, the combined fleet has not yet defeated the German Navy's Pacific Fleet and Indian Ocean Fleet, but they destroyed six airfields of the German Navy and more than 600 combat aircraft in their first battle. Such a battle is undoubtedly a great victory.

When the Minister of the Navy, Admiral Mitsumasa Minai, reported the good news to the cabinet, the cabinet ministers of the island government couldn't help but be overjoyed. They all believe that the United Fleet may really be able to win this time. In that case, they will be able to have a greater initiative in the next war.

Even Emperor Hirohito specially sent a reward telegram to them after learning the news that the United Fleet had won the first battle.