Drastically Modified Combined Fleet

Chapter 31 - Air Strike

The allocation of attacks against the four cruisers deploying to the left and eight destroyers had already been determined by Lieutenant Commander Shimazaki. Among the four cruisers positioned at the rear, the first and second ships were to be attacked by the Shōkaku dive bombers, while the third and fourth ships were to be attacked by the Amakaku torpedo bombers. The eight destroyers in the front were assigned to the Zuikaku dive bombers and the Amakaku dive bombers. The D3A dive bombers were equipped with 250 kg bombs, and the B5N torpedo bombers were equipped with Type 91 aerial torpedoes. Furthermore, instructions were given for the attacks to be carried out by each squadron.

Leading the way, Lieutenant Commander Takahashi, the commander of the Shōkaku dive bombers, initiated a dive towards the first enemy cruiser. Before the battle began, the first dive bomber squadron of the Shōkaku, which had originally consisted of nine planes, had suffered damage, and now, even with the addition of the temporarily accommodated aircraft from the Kamikaku, the squadron had been reduced to just five planes.

The American cruiser targeted by the first dive bomber squadron of the Shōkaku fiercely countered with anti-aircraft fire against the five planes. The second plane, caught by bullets, plummeted into the sea, emitting thick smoke. However, the remaining four planes, showing no hesitation, closed in to an altitude of 500 meters, dropping bombs one after another. While evading enemy anti-aircraft fire, Takahashi noticed that the cruiser he targeted had five turrets, each with triple barrels. It was likely a Brooklyn-class light cruiser or its improved version. Water spouts rose on either side of the cruiser, and two columns of smoke billowed up. Out of the four bombs dropped, two hit their mark. Considering the small number of planes used in the attack, it was a decent result.

Having evaded pursuing bullets and finally escaped from the effective range of the enemy, Takahashi, focusing on the second ship behind the attacked first ship, noticed that the enemy second ship was also emitting smoke, having been hit by the second dive bomber squadron of the Shōkaku.

Meanwhile, of the eight destroyers that had been positioned in front of the cruisers, four, or half of them, had come to a stop, emitting black smoke. These were undoubtedly targets of the combined four squadrons of bombers from the Zuikaku and Amakaku, a total of 21 dive bombers, attacking the fast and maneuverable destroyers, making it difficult for any ship to escape. After confirming the results of the dive bomber squadron's achievements, Takahashi shifted his attention to the third and fourth cruisers of the enemy, each displaying a water splash on its side. Despite being a small squadron with only six planes per torpedo attack, the Amakaku torpedo bomber squadron had successfully hit both target cruisers with torpedoes.

At the same time, the torpedo bombers led by Shimazaki from the Zuikaku and the Shōkaku were also transitioning to attack actions against the enemy battleships, the seventh and eighth ships. All of them were attacking from the port side. Despite being hit by dive bombings from the D3As or torpedo attacks from B5Ns, the cruisers and destroyers emitting thick smoke were left behind as the 13 planes from the Shōkaku torpedo bomber squadron and the 12 planes from the Zuikaku torpedo bomber squadron advanced at ultra-low altitude. The only hindrance in their path was the anti-aircraft fire unleashed by the battleships.

Takahashi, in his heart, cheered for the torpedo bomber squadrons of both the Shōkaku and Zuikaku. Although there may have been planes shot down along the way, most of the B5Ns seemed to have successfully released their torpedoes and were attempting to escape after passing through the front and rear of the targeted battleship. After a short delay, water spouts began to rise on the port side of the seventh and eighth battleships.

Four splashes appeared on the enemy seventh battleship, and three on the eighth battleship. The seventh battleship was certain to be sunk, while the eighth battleship, though uncertain, would find it extremely difficult to return to Hawaii. Indeed, the seventh battleship tilted irreversibly within a short period, and the eighth battleship also came to a complete stop, clearly listing to the port side even from a distance.

Now, among the battleships of the Pacific Fleet, six battleships and four cruisers remained intact, along with twelve destroyers. On the other side, the First Fleet also had six battleships, four cruisers, and twelve destroyers. If the numbers were entirely even, the outcome would be determined by the performance of individual ships, the skill of the sailors, and the capabilities of the commanders.

"At one point, there was a strategy called the diminishing inviting attack that became popular among gunners."

Thinking about such things, Takahashi once again surveyed the entire battlefield, confirming the results of the battle. Reporting battle results is the most important duty of a commander. If this is done incorrectly, the fleet commander may make incorrect judgments afterward, potentially putting friendly units in unnecessary danger.

"One battleship sunk, one heavily damaged. Four cruisers and four destroyers each destroyed."

The concise message sent by Takahashi was immediately transmitted to the headquarters of the First Fleet, along with a similarly sent message from Shimazaki. Simultaneously, each ship of the First Fleet began to accelerate.