The Japanese battleships began their bombardment when their distance was around 28.000 yards. Alternatively, the Japanese First Fleet may have set their gunnery range at 25.000 meters.
On the other hand, the battleships of Task Force 11 were taking hits. However, Admiral Ghormley showed no sign of impatience. The sun was rising, and the weather conditions were favorable, making long-range gunnery possible. Nevertheless, even with the use of observation aircraft, it was not easy to spot the enemy accurately at this distance.
"The enemy's flagship is targeting us. The second ship New Mexico, the third ship Mississippi, the fourth ship Idaho, the fifth ship Texas, and the sixth ship New York."
Upon hearing the shouted report from the lookout, Ghormley breathed a sigh of relief. The Japanese battleships were concentrating their attacks on the formidable Colorado and New Mexico-class battleships. Alternatively, they might be directing the majority of their fire at the more vulnerable New York-class, which was Ghormley's least favorite scenario.
However, the Japanese battleships were challenging one-on-one matches with the corresponding enemy ships. In that case, at least the outcome for the third ship and beyond was almost certain. A Kongō-class battleship could not defeat a New Mexico-class. Even against New York-class battleships, it would be difficult to win unless they were extremely lucky punches.
The Japanese battleships that began their bombardment had a good level of skill. Despite the long-range gunfire, their shells rarely missed the target completely. However, there were no reports of direct hits or straddles. Even with the use of observation aircraft, it seemed that long-range shooting was still a challenging task.
As initially planned, when the distance fell below 25.000 yards, Ghormley ordered the bombardment to commence. The main guns of the Colorado fired, launching 16-inch shells toward the enemy flagship. Following that, gunfire resounded one after another. After the Colorado, each battleship from New Mexico and below also began their bombardment.
In the midst of the fierce exchange of fire between Japanese and American battleships, it was the First Fleet that scored the first hit. The First Fleet had the advantage of using observation aircraft, so they had already started their bombardment before TF 11. Nevertheless, 25.000 meters was still a considerable distance, and they had not even achieved a straddle, let alone a direct hit. Nonetheless, they patiently adjusted their shots and brought their shell splashes closer. As the distance closed in, their accuracy also improved.
First, the Fusō demonstrated its unwavering determination and achieved the first hit. They scored a direct hit with a 41 cm shell on the central part of the enemy sixth ship, what the US Navy referred to as the New York. The massive shell, weighing over 1.000 kilograms, pierced through the armor of the New York and entered the engine room, causing the boilers to explode. Unfortunately for the New York, Fusō had secretly replaced its main guns from 36 cm to 41 cm. Conversely, with the traditional 36 cm shells, the New York's armor might have just held up.
The substantial damage to the heart of the ship severely hampered the speed of the New York. On the other hand, the Fusō initially missed her target twice due to misjudging the target's speed. However, she quickly recalculated its firing parameters to account for the enemy ship's reduced speed and started to hit the enemy sixth ship within its dispersion area.
After landing nearly ten hits on the enemy sixth ship, the Fusō shifted its aim to the enemy fifth ship. Supporting her younger sister, Yamashiro, as an older sister should, they double-teamed the enemy fifth ship, what the US Navy referred to as the Texas. The Texas was not faring well, receiving two 41 cm shells for every 36 cm shell she managed to hit the Yamashiro with. The Texas quickly accumulated damage and, in no time, erupted in flames, following the fate of her sister ship, the New York.
Witnessing the successive losses of the New York and the Texas, even the resolute Admiral Ghormley could not hide his concern. True, both the New York and the Texas could be considered the weakest among the US Navy's 36 cm gun-equipped battleships. Nevertheless, they clearly surpassed the Kongō-class battleships in terms of offensive capability. Moreover, 36 cm shells should have had a considerable degree of resistance. If only one ship had been defeated, it might have been attributed to a lucky punch. However, it was inconceivable that two ships would be taken out simultaneously.
Amidst the gloomy atmosphere on the flagship Colorado's bridge, an unprecedented deafening explosion came from the rear.
"A massive explosion on the Idaho! Detailed confirmation is impossible due to thick smoke!"
In response to the lookout's report, Ghormley immediately understood what had happened to the Idaho. Its ammunition magazine had been penetrated. However, the Idaho was a heavily armored battleship with defensive capabilities second only to the Colorado-class and Tennessee-class. A 40 cm shell would have penetrated her thickest ammunition magazines, but it was almost inconceivable that a 36 cm shell would penetrate her thickest ammunition storage armor unless it was at point-blank range. Nevertheless, it was clear that the Idaho had suffered a fatal blow.
Amid the succession of grim reports, Ghormley began to feel as though he might be trapped in a nightmare. However, he quickly snapped back to reality. The Idaho is beyond saving. The Texas and New York will likely sink unless they are extraordinarily lucky. In any case, we cannot afford any more losses.
"Change course to 90 degrees and attempt to rendezvous with Task Force 12."
The battleships Washington and North Carolina of TF 12 had both suffered multiple torpedo hits and were in a severely damaged state. Nevertheless, if they could regain their stability through dewatering, it might still be possible to engage in gunfire. Of course, if gunfire further exacerbates the flooding, then all hope is lost, but the exact situation is unclear. In any case, the situation is dire. Other than rallying the remaining forces and rebuilding, there are no other options left for TF 11.
Having issued a series of orders, Ghormley contemplated the reasons for this defeat. The New York, Texas, and Idaho were all facing off against the Kongō-class battleships. If it were the Nagato or Mutsu with their 40 cm guns, it might be understandable, but a Kongō-class battleship with 36 cm guns should not have been able to disable New York and Texas, let alone sink the Idaho. This was something that should never have happened.
'Are we really fighting against Kongō-class battleships, or could the battleships observed in the southern theater be fake Kongōs?'
Suddenly, a question arose in his mind, but Ghormley immediately dismissed the thought. There were no other Japanese battleships with twin turrets on the bow and one turret each on the center and stern except for the Kongō-class battleships. However, he couldn't help but feel that they might have overlooked some crucial issue. He tried to delve deeper into his thoughts, but that was not to be. A shell fired by the Nagato struck the lower part of the Colorado's bridge, and the shockwave hit him.
YOU ARE READING
Cash-Loaded Fleet
Historical Fiction「As long as you have money, you can strengthen the fleet as much as you want.」 Born with a natural inclination for gambling, or perhaps a true gambler at heart, Binta Satsutaba is drawn by his instincts to immerse himself in the tumultuous world of...
