Cash-Loaded Fleet

Chapter 62 - First Timers Die in the Sky

The forces defending the sky over Oahu consisted of 108 P-38 Lightnings and 144 P-47 Thunderbolts from the Army, along with 108 F4U Corsairs from the Marine Corps, making a total of 360 aircraft. Additionally, there were 48 PV-1s, repurposed patrol bombers for nighttime combat, unable to engage in aerial battles with other fighters. Separately, the P-38s, P-47s, and F4Us were divided into three squadrons. One squadron was on high-altitude patrol, while one of the remaining two squadrons was on immediate standby, and the other focused on maintenance and resupply in a rotation. Suddenly, a report of enemy aircraft approaching reached them.

"Enemy formation detected! Approximately 300 to 350 planes!"

Anticipating the Japanese attack, skilled operators who were pre-positioned relayed information about the current positions, headings, and speeds of the Japanese aircraft.

"Aircraft on immediate standby, launch immediately, join forces with the airborne patrol, and intercept the enemy formation! Also, among the maintenance and resupply rotation aircraft, those ready to take off quickly, join them immediately!"

Without hesitation, the air unit commander ordered all fighter squadrons to intercept. The approaching enemy Combined Fleet was estimated to have 20 aircraft carriers. Even if all the incoming aircraft were fighters, it wouldn't be surprising. Of course, going all out against the first wave would leave them vulnerable to the enemy's second wave. However, dealing with the first strike was the top priority.

The reason the air unit commander ordered the integration of the airborne patrol and immediate standby units was due to their understanding of the nature or purpose of the enemy formation. The Japanese mobile forces often sent in fighter sweeps first to diminish the opponent's counterattack capabilities before deploying the main bomber and fighter force. The US Navy, as well as the British Royal Navy, had experienced the consequences of not learning from these tactics.

The integration of the airborne patrol and immediate standby units strengthened their forces, but the delayed interception allowed the enemy to approach. Still, it was a necessary compromise. Compared to the risk of being individually picked off by the enemy with insufficient forces, this approach was much better.

Under the command of the air unit commander, 120 fighters in immediate standby status launched one after another, rapidly gaining altitude to join the airborne patrol of another 120 fighters. Meanwhile, in the parking area, aircraft from the maintenance and resupply units, ready for takeoff, began taxiing towards the runway. The slight excitement in the radar operator's voice, barely audible yet clear, echoed in the command center.

"Fighter squad, approaching contact with the Japanese formation soon!"

The tension in the room escalated as the series of battles over Oahu had finally begun.

. . .

"The enemy is around 250 planes. They should be in sight shortly. As soon as the enemy formation enters range, commence the attack with rockets. Regarding the timing of the launch, leave it to the squadron leaders. After firing the projectiles, proceed forward and raid the airfield on Oahu."

Shortly after receiving the orders from the attack squadron commander aboard the Type 3 reconnaissance plane, the 336 Zero fighter pilots observed numerous specks emerging in the front of the sky. Since the altitudes were almost the same, there was no need for climb or descent. Perhaps due to the unusually high relative speed, the specks quickly transformed into the shapes of airplanes.

"Fire!"

In response to the spirited command from the squadron leaders, abnormal shapes were released from under the wings of the 336 Zero fighters.

Type I Mk. 1B rocket.

Initially developed by the Naval Technical Research Institute and later taken over by the Air Technical Arsenal, these air-to-air rocket projectiles boasted long range and high power, surpassing the weight of conventional rocket projectiles with a substantial 120 kilograms. A total of 1.344 heavy rocket projectiles, four each under the wings of the Zeros, surged into the midst of the American formation without missing their mark.

On the other hand, for the pilots of the P-38s, P-47s, and F4Us, the saturation attack with these rockets was akin to a bolt from the blue. They had the belief of always launching preemptive attacks with the excellent Browning machine guns. In addition, there was the presence of an unfamiliar weapon trailing white smoke, heading towards them. In the fleeting moments of aerial combat where every fraction of a second counted, even a slight lapse in attention and hesitation towards a new weapon could be fatal. Within the approaching relative speed of nearly 1.000 kilometers per hour, the reaction time given to the American pilots was but a mere instant.

The proximity fuse of the rockets detected P-38s, P-47s, and F4Us one after another. Simultaneously, the warheads detonated, swallowing the American fighter planes within their perilous radius.

By the time the attack with rockets concluded, the initial 240 American fighter aircraft had been reduced to just over 80. Two-thirds of the vanished planes were either shot down or attempting to withdraw from the battlefield due to severe damage rendering them incapable of continuing the fight. The remaining one-third were fortunate enough to evade the targeted attacks of the rockets or had managed to escape through instantaneous rapid descents.

The Zeros, having scattered P-38s, P-47s, and F4Us, increased their speed and successfully entered Oahu. Each squadron initiated the predetermined attack on their respective airfields.

Initially, the Zeros targeted the P-38s, P-47s, and F4Us in emergency takeoff. Showering them with 20 mm bullets from behind as the aircraft seemed about to leap from the runway, the Zeros set them ablaze. Even those already airborne were easy targets, as their altitude and speed had not yet reached a sufficient level.

After eliminating the interfering fighters, the Zeros directed their focus to the parked bombers and those on the taxiways. Due to the prioritization of launching fighter planes, most of the bombers were left on the ground. Despite the excellent control capabilities of Oahu's airfield, trying to scramble the fighter planes on immediate standby and even those in the maintenance and resupply rotation left little capacity to deal with the bombers.

Meanwhile, the Zeros paid no heed to the circumstances of their opponents and unmercifully fired 20 mm bullets without hesitation. The results were dramatic, as each bomber was fully loaded with bombs, ammunition, and fuel in preparation for a decisive battle. With every flash of the Zero's wings, explosions cascaded in a fascinating chain reaction.

The attack on the airfield by the Zeros lasted only a short time. With just a few shots, the opponents seemed to spontaneously self-destruct or trigger explosions, sparing the Zeros the need for much effort.

With their wings fluttering, the Zeros transitioned to combat mode, ascending to higher altitudes. The surviving remnants of the initially attacked enemies were now pursuing them, but their numbers were not significant. Meanwhile, the Zeros still numbered over 300. It was safe to say that the outcome of the aerial battle over Oahu had already been decisively determined.