"Three formations of about 20 planes, all coming toward us from the north at speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour."
Admiral Halsey glanced at the aviation staff when he heard the radar operator's report, tinged with a tone of confusion.
"From the direction, they are undoubtedly Japanese. However, it is not clear whether they belong to the enemy's mobile fleet or if they launched from the Japanese mainland. Still, if they are from the enemy mobile fleet, it seems a bit late to arrive at this time, especially with a cruising speed exceeding 300 miles per hour."
The first wave, consisting of 396 F6F Hellcat fighters launched from eleven Essex-class aircraft carriers, had thoroughly defeated the Zero fighters, shooting down most of them. As a result, the second wave consisting of SB2C Helldiver dive bombers and TBF Avenger torpedo bombers faced no concerns about Zero fighter attacks and could execute an ideal assault on the Japanese mobile fleet for anti-ship attacks. Among them, 132 SB2C attacked eleven destroyers that were escorting the aircraft carriers, sinking six and destroying five of them. Meanwhile, another 132 TBF targeted six aircraft carriers, sinking four and destroying two. The two carriers that were destroyed were heavily damaged by multiple torpedoes, and their sinking was considered only a matter of time.
"Alternatively, if it's fighters without bombs, ignoring fuel consumption, it's possible for them to cruise 300 miles per hour. Also, if they deliberately delayed their sortie time to take advantage of our absence after launching the attack squadrons, it makes sense. And, despite their smaller size, with six carriers, it's entirely possible to deploy around 60 planes for an attack, aside from the direct cover planes."
It was undoubtedly difficult for the aviation staff, even for a professional aviation staff officer, to estimate the enemy based solely on their numbers, course, and speed. Considering this, Halsey made a decision.
"There's no time to debate over the enemy approaching at a speed exceeding 300 miles per hour. Send a squadron from each carrier to intercept. The enemy is likely just a few dozen planes. With 132 Hellcats, we should have more than enough."
Although each of the eleven Essex-class carriers had already launched four reconnaissance planes and an additional 72 planes in two waves for the attack on the enemy mobile fleet, there were still fighter planes, a night combat squadron, and some SB2Cs remaining. Deploying all F6Fs for interception would be more certain, but it was wise to keep a squadron on standby for unforeseen events. The aviation staff accepted Halsey's decision without offering any particular opinions and relayed the orders to the staff. A section in the air, previously chasing Japanese contact planes, abandoned the pursuit and started heading north. Two sections on the flight deck, in a state of immediate readiness, launched their planes and also increased speed and altitude, heading north.
"With planes cruising at 300 miles per hour, and not at their top speed, what plane other than the Zero can achieve that?" Halsey inquired when the aviation staff had a moment.
"There is no accurate data on the Japanese planes' cruising speed, but those that can reach over 300 miles per hour include the Tojo (Ki-44 Shōki), Tony (Ki-61 Hien), Frank (Ki-84 Hayate), and Dinah (Ki-46). Furthermore, there are jets and the Fw 190 provided by Germany, but these have short ranges, so they can be excluded. But the first four are all army planes, and the Japanese Navy has no plane left with speed performance other than the Zero. There's only its recon variant. Also, the only thing I can think of is the rumored Sam (A7M), but I think it's still in the development stage."
"In that case, an unarmed, suicidal Zero makes the most sense. Even without bombs, if a metal mass of over two tons carrying gasoline crashes into the flight deck, the Essex-class aircraft carriers, impressive as they are, won't escape unscathed."
As he spoke, reports akin to screams came in from the pilots engaged in the interception.
"Those are twin-engine planes! They're quick!"