Big-Ship Big-Gun Combined Fleet

Chapter 55 - 1st Mobile Fleet

The Battle of Brisbane was the second major clash between the main fleets of Japan and the United States since the beginning of the war. In this naval battle, the Imperial Navy achieved a significant victory by sinking sixteen enemy ships, including three aircraft carriers, Yorktown, Ranger, and Wasp, six large light cruisers of the Brooklyn and Cleveland classes, and sixteen of the state-of-the-art Fletcher-class destroyers. Additionally, they destroyed two new battleships and the aircraft carrier Hornet.

Shortly after this engagement, despite not being the regular rotation period, there was a large-scale personnel reshuffle within the Imperial Navy. Vice Admiral Shirō Takasu, the commander of the First Fleet, and Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondō, the commander of the Second Fleet, were both promoted to full admirals and appointed as military advisors. While the promotion from vice admiral to full admiral might seem like a straightforward advancement in a hierarchical military organization, in reality, it was more of a dismissal. Military advisors could be relegated to inactive roles at the discretion of those in power. Admirals Takasu and Kondō were held responsible for missing the unique opportunity to eliminate Australia from the war during the Battle of Brisbane.

In the attack on Brisbane, despite sinking numerous American vessels, the Imperial Navy failed to achieve its strategic goal of destroying the submarine base. Furthermore, all the Yamato-class battleships sustained severe damage, and every aircraft carrier was also harmed. This situation hindered the Combined Fleet's operational capabilities for an extended period, contributing significantly to the decision to remove the two men from their posts. While the admirals were credited with sinking three enemy carriers and several cruisers and destroyers during the battle, the naval high command recognized that the success was largely due to the efforts of lower-ranking officers and crew members.

However, Takasu remained a national hero due to the decisive victory at the Battle of the Marshall Islands early in the war, and Kondō, who successfully completed the Southern Operation, also enjoyed widespread recognition for his achievements, albeit not to the same extent as Takasu. If they treat these two accomplished admirals carelessly, some may come to realize the irreversible strategic failure behind the Battle of Brisbane, which was being announced as a great victory. Minister of the Navy Shigetarō Shimada had to balance the consequences of the failure at Brisbane and chose a measured approach in handling the two admirals.

The vacant positions of the commanders of the First and Second Fleets were taken respectively by Admiral Yorio Sawamoto and Vice Admiral Ibō Takahashi, both one term below Takasu and Kondō. The new commanders, Sawamoto and Takahashi, were both gunnery-oriented, which is the mainstream of the Imperial Navy. Sawamoto was promoted to full admiral in March, and was also appointed commander of the newly formed 1st Mobile Fleet.

Typically, a fleet commander's rank would be that of a vice admiral, but given the importance of the upcoming decisive battle and the unique structure of the 1st Mobile Fleet, comprising four fleets like a Combined Fleet, this personnel decision was considered an exception due to a battle was about to take place that would determine the fate of the Empire. Sawamoto, having achieved his long-desired promotion to full admiral, was highly motivated, especially with the promise from Minister Shimada that he would become the commander of the Combined Fleet if successful in the next battle.

The 1st Mobile Fleet, led by Sawamoto and supported by Vice Admiral Takahashi for the Second Fleet, aircraft carrier units under Rear Admiral Ozawa for the Third Fleet and Rear Admiral Kuwabara for the Fourth Fleet, represented a combination of traditional surface striking forces and mobile force, consisting of converted seaplane tenders Chitose, Chiyoda, Nisshin, and Mizuho.

Unfortunately, the overall strength of the fleet had already been surpassed by the Pacific Fleet, and a significant gap existed. Nevertheless, during the lull in the war, the ships of the 1st Mobile Fleet underwent extensive training, significantly improving their tactical skills. The performance of detection devices such as radar and sonar, previously lagging behind the Allies but enhanced through German technological assistance, had also improved considerably. Additionally, modifications to the Yamato-class battleships to overcome weaknesses exposed in the Battle of Brisbane, along with the installation of new high-output, small-diameter engines in the Zero fighter planes, showcased significant advancements. The combination of these factors, coupled with the morale-boosting effect of rescuing comrades in dire situations, contributed to the high spirits and morale of the Imperial Navy personnel.

The 1st Mobile Fleet was now deployed in Operation A-Gō, rushing towards the Mariana Islands. With air superiority lost and the landings permitted in that area, the only hope for salvation was placed on the 1st Mobile Fleet.