Cash-Loaded Fleet

Chapter 52 - Double Ring Formation

Three battleships and six cruisers surrounded the two aircraft carriers, and a total of sixteen destroyers further encircled them. This is one of the three discovered British fleets called A-2.

'It's a formation because the Home Fleet, the Eastern Fleet, the Mediterranean Fleet, and the Force H have joined forces. The principle of concentration of force applies at sea as well, it seems.'

It was a formidable double-wheel formation surpassing the former Pacific Fleet's. Faced with this, Lieutenant Tomonaga of the 2nd Air Fleet's second attack group, also the leader of the Hiryū attack unit, contemplated his options. Their hand consisted of 90 Type 0 attackers; the first squadron carried torpedoes, and the second squadron carried bombs in their bellies. There wasn't much time for a decision.

"Signal to the bomber units. Hiryū and Sōryū units will attack destroyers by sections, while Unryū, Hakuryū, and Sekiryū units will attack cruisers by squadron. Each unit will target the ships in front of the ring formation."

After a pause, he continued with his orders.

"As for the torpedo bombers, the Sōryū and Unryū units should target the carrier in front, while the Hakuryū and Sekiryū units should target the carrier in the rear. The Sōryū and Hakuryū units will attack from the port side, while the Unryū and Sekiryū units will attack from the starboard side. The Hiryū unit will receive further instructions."

Following Tomonaga's command, 45 aircraft carrying bombs began to descend towards their respective targets. The targeted British fleet also responded with anti-aircraft fire. First, the high-angle guns opened fire, followed by autocannons and regular machine guns. Around the Hiryū and Sōryū units, black clouds started to form, and tracer rounds illuminated the sky.

However, no aircraft were shot down. Unlike American destroyers that were equipped with dual-purpose guns, British destroyers had main guns optimized for surface combat. Moreover, their smaller size compared to American destroyers meant they carried fewer machine guns and autocannons. Additionally, their location on the outer edge of the circular formation made them less capable of receiving support from other ships, resulting in lower firepower density.

The 18 Type 0 attackers released four 250-kilogram bombs each against the six British destroyers. A few moments later, columns of water shot up around the six British destroyers, followed by seven explosions. The hit rate of less than 10% could be considered dismal compared to dive bombing attacks. Nevertheless, the damage inflicted on the enemy was significant. Every damaged destroyer had its speed reduced, and two of the ships that were hit twice produced thick smoke and stopped on the high seas.

The 27 Type 0 attackers of the Unryū, Hakuryū, and Sekiryū units then initiated their descents towards the three cruisers forming the front of the circular formation. At this moment, incendiary shells and tracers rained upon them.

In contrast to the outer ring formation, the ships inside had a higher density, and the anti-aircraft firepower of battleships and cruisers was far superior to that of destroyers. Immediately, the fourth aircraft of the Unryū squadron was engulfed in a near-miss explosion from a high-angle gun shell, spewing flames. Furthermore, the sixth aircraft of the Hakuryū squadron and the seventh aircraft of the Sekiryū squadron were torn apart by direct hits from machine guns or cannon fire. Nonetheless, the surviving Type 0 attackers continued to drop their bombs one by one, accelerating to disengage. During their escape from the circular formation, two more aircraft were ensnared by shells and plunged into the Atlantic Ocean.

However, the sacrifices were not in vain. Each of the three cruisers was showered with 32 bombs, with some taking as few as three hits and others as many as five. Cruisers with horizontal armor strong enough to withstand bombs, which had twice the weight of heavy cruiser shells, were nonexistent in the Royal Navy. Each cruiser that was hit had at least one 250-kilogram hit its engine room, significantly reducing its speed capabilities.

With the destruction of the six destroyers and three cruisers leading the circular formation, the British fleet's formation was significantly disrupted. The seasoned torpedo crew members of the Sōryū, Unryū, Hakuryū, and Sekiryū squadrons did not miss this opportunity. Maintaining ultra-low altitude, they quickly closed in on the target carriers.

To protect the carriers, three battleships and, like the cruisers, three cruisers also mobilized their anti-aircraft weapons to thwart the advance of the Type 0 attackers. Before they reached their firing positions, four aircraft were shot down, and three more were downed by high-angle shells, machine gun fire, and anti-aircraft rounds during their withdrawal after dropping torpedoes.

The torpedo squadrons suffered nearly a 20% loss, but they achieved results as well. Three torpedoes hit the forward aircraft carrier, known as the Illustrious, and five hit the rear one, the Victorious. While a 25% hit rate may not be highly praised, it had undoubtedly rendered the two aircraft carriers powerless.

"Hiryū squadron, target the carrier in front. All planes, forward!"

Tomonaga, who had been overseeing the entire battlefield from beyond the effective range of the enemy's anti-aircraft fire, issued his final order. From what he could see, the rear aircraft carrier's sinking was certain, but the forward one was a bit more uncertain. Honestly, Tomonaga wanted to torpedo the battleships. With the strength of a single squadron, sinking them would be challenging, but crippling them was entirely feasible. However, leaving a potentially surviving aircraft carrier was not an option.

To deliver the finishing blow to the heavily wounded adversary, nine aircraft from the Hiryū torpedo squadron approached from the starboard side of the aircraft carrier. The forward aircraft carrier had sustained two hits on its starboard side and one hit on its port side. Naturally, the side with the most damage was the target.

The anti-aircraft fire from the aircraft carrier continued to be intense. However, it seemed that the ship was slightly listing due to flooding. Some aircraft were hit, but none were shot down.

'Sinking imminent.'

Tomonaga was convinced that, with its decisive loss of maneuverability, the aircraft carrier was going down. However, at that moment, he became aware of an explosion in the rear. One of his wingmen had been shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire.

"Attack!"

With a burst of fierce determination for revenge, they released their torpedoes. The seven remaining planes followed suit. Tomonaga continued to maintain ultra-low altitude and rapidly withdrew, evading the pursuing rockets as best as he could. In the midst of dodging the pursuit, Tomonaga received a jubilant report from his rear seat crew.

"Columns of water around the enemy aircraft carrier! Another one, two more!"

The hit rate of less than 40% against such massive targets, equivalent to stationary objects, might have been unsatisfactory, or perhaps there were torpedoes that hit but failed to detonate. In any case, all the British aircraft carriers designated as A-2 had been sunk. The minimum objectives had been achieved. Tomonaga instructed his rear seat crew to telegraph the results.

Simultaneously, he thought of the 1st Air Fleet in charge of the attack on A-1, and the 3rd Air Fleet responsible for attacking A-3. The attack groups of the 1st and 3rd Air Fleets were each one squadron short compared to those of the 2nd Air Fleet. Nevertheless, with their high-level training, they were unlikely to miss their targets. Tomonaga's judgment was completely accurate.