The capital ship team of the island nation's naval task force is evacuating the team northward. Neither Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro nor Major General Suzuki Yoshio went to rest. This night was destined to be a sleepless night for them.
The capital ship team of the island nation fleet lost two capital ships, two heavy mine cruisers and ten destroyers in the team tonight. This is undoubtedly a big loss for them. Although, they also achieved certain results, sinking four light cruisers and five destroyers of the German fleet. However, compared to their losses, this victory is nothing at all.
Right now, Takasu Shiro and Major General Suzuki Yoshio are still waiting. Waiting for the final news of the Thunderbolt formation. Although both of them knew very well that even if the light cruiser "Kitakami" led two destroyers to launch a lightning strike against the German fleet and succeeded, they would definitely not be able to escape the pursuit of the German fleet. Therefore, in their hearts, they have already subconsciously counted these three warships as battle damage. The only variable is probably whether the lightning strikes of these three warships can be successful and whether they can sink the capital ship of the German fleet.
Whether it is Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro or Major General Suzuki Yoshio, they all hope that their lightning strikes will be successful. In that case, the outcome of this naval battle might be different.
However, they are destined to be disappointed. Although Masao Ueno and the others have already tried their best. However, it was very difficult to sink the capital ship of the German Navy under heavy protection. Although the light cruiser "Kitakami" launched a charge, the final result was still sunk. And after the German fleet is prepared, it is not so easy for their lightning strikes to work again.
"Your Excellency, Commander, this is a telegram from Masao Ueno!" The communications officer walked over with a serious face.
After Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro read the telegram, his expression became very ugly. Because, this telegram is clearly a telegram.
Masao Ueno claimed in the telegram that they were besieged by the fleet of the island nation, and the warships were being hit continuously. However, they are still charging towards the capital ship formation of the German fleet. As for whether it can be successful, it depends on the blessing of God Amaterasu.
"Suzuki-kun, Ueno-kun and the others may have failed. We don't have a battleship capable of sinking the Germans." Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro said.
"Your Excellency, Commander, then we may have to rely on General Nagumo's 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron." Major General Suzuki Yoshio said.
Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro nodded: "Send a telegram to Nagumo-kun and tell him our losses. In addition, I hope that the aircraft carrier team can take off carrier-based aircraft and provide us with air defense cover. Next, we may be attacked by the Germans." attack by carrier-based aircraft.”
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander." Major General Suzuki Yoshio replied.
At this moment, the four aircraft carriers of the 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron of the Japanese Navy are sailing in the sea area more than 100 kilometers north of the capital ship formation of the Japanese Fleet. Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi and Major General Kusakaka Ryunosuke also had no news. They are waiting for the telegram from the capital ship team.
If the capital ship team can complete the task and destroy the defense line of the German 226th Infantry Division in one fell swoop, then they will be done. The fleet can then retreat north and return to Subic Bay. That would undoubtedly be safer.
Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi was somewhat reluctant to join the army team. After all, the South China Sea was too dangerous for them. The fighter planes of the German Air Force and Navy can pose a great threat to them.
"Your Excellency, a telegram from the battleship fleet!" A communications officer walked into the island and reported to Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Chuichi.
Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi took the telegram and read it carefully. However, soon his face became very serious.
"Your Excellency, Commander, has the battleship fleet failed?" Rear Admiral Saika Ryunosuke asked.
Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Chuichi nodded: "Yes, they failed. Not only that, but also suffered heavy losses. The battleships 'Suruga' and 'Omi' were sunk. In addition, 'Kitagami' and 'Oi' The two heavy mine-equipped cruisers HMS were also sunk. In addition, ten destroyers were lost. And the result they achieved was nothing more than the sinking of four German light cruisers and five destroyers."
Major General Kusakaka Ryunosuke also frowned after hearing this. Obviously, this is undoubtedly a big loss for the navy of the island country. The capital ship formation failed to complete the task, on the contrary, it suffered heavy losses, which further weakened the strength of the island nation's navy.
"Your Excellency, the capital ship formation has not been able to complete the task. If this is the case, we may be under great pressure." Rear Admiral Kusakaka Ryunosuke said.
"Yes, I believe that the German aircraft carrier is probably already preparing to launch an attack, and they will never give up a chance to severely damage us." Lieutenant General Nagumo Chuichi has always believed in his intuition.
"Your Excellency, Commander, no matter what, we must ensure our own safety. With the Navy suffering heavy losses, the four aircraft carriers of the 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron are undoubtedly our main force. In the coming naval battle, it may be very difficult for us to defeat the Germans. As long as we can preserve our strength, we will be able to suppress the Germans after the subsequent aircraft carrier enters service," said Major General Kusakaka Ryunosuke.
Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Chuichi nodded, and the German Navy did have many aircraft carriers to serve in the future, even though they were all modified aircraft carriers. But the number of carrier-based aircraft carried is still very impressive. Once in service, this will greatly increase the strength of the island nation's navy, and it will definitely not be difficult to surpass the German navy.
"That's true. However, we can't give up the chance to defeat the Germans because of this! After dawn, release a batch of carrier-based aircraft to search for the location of the German aircraft carrier or capital ship. The rest of the carrier-based aircraft, Be ready to take off at any time. In addition, the fleet pays attention to air defense!" Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Chuichi said.
"Hi, Your Excellency, Commander. However, General Takasu wants us to launch carrier-based aircraft to defend them." Major General Kusakaka Ryunosuke said.
"Let the Army Air Corps be responsible for the air defense of the capital ship team. We don't have many carrier-based fighter jets, so we can't waste any more." Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Chuichi said.
Compared to providing air defense cover for the battleship fleet, Lieutenant Admiral Nagumo Chuichi preferred to find the German Navy's aircraft carrier formation, and then take the initiative to launch an attack and win in one fell swoop.