That Time When I Was Suddenly Reincarnated in a Fleet Battle

Chapter 55 - Thorough Pursuit

"The escort vessels of the British aircraft carrier fleet are reversing course, appearing to obstruct the approaching friendly fleet."

In response to the report from the E13A engaged in the contact mission with the retreating British aircraft carrier fleet, Vice Admiral Ozawa, the commander of the Third Fleet, immediately launched the attack group. Now that the bodyguards are gone, it's a chance to attack the British carriers. The attackers consisted of 51 planes: 12 Zeros and 13 B5Ns from the Jun'yō and 12 Zeros and 14 B5Ns from the Hiyō. The originally 33 torpedo bombers capable of anti-ship attacks had been reduced by nearly twenty percent due to damage and engine malfunctions.

As the planes took off one after another, soaring into the vast sky, Ozawa recalled the report sent from the Second Fleet. Despite being outnumbered four to seven in battleships the previous night, the fight ended with a decisive victory for the Second Fleet. If the report is to be believed, the entire British battleship force lost all battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.

Furthermore, unbelievably, Vice Admiral Nagumo of the Second Fleet had already ordered 5 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, and 22 destroyers to pursue the British aircraft carrier fleet in the early stages of the battle. According to reports from contact aircraft, only three light cruisers believed to be of the Dido-class and nine destroyers are protecting the British aircraft carriers. In the battle with the British battleship fleet, half of the cruisers of the Second Fleet and all of its destroyers have exhausted their torpedoes, but the imbalance in strength remains overwhelming. With no worry about the Second Fleet losing, the targets for the torpedo bombers were naturally decided.

"Jun'yō and Hiyō squadrons are to concentrate their attacks on one aircraft carrier each. The remaining one is to be left behind."

Although Ozawa issued this command, he couldn't help but wish there were a few more torpedo bombers.

. . .

The three British aircraft carriers were dashing to the west, leaving large wakes. All of them bore vivid scorch marks on their aft flight decks. This was likely a remnant of the attack by the divine servant named Jun, causing the torpedoes on the flight deck to detonate. Despite this, there was no apparent loss of speed in the British aircraft carriers, suggesting that armored carriers may be tougher ships than imagined.

"Jun'yō squadron to the left, Hiyō squadron to the right, attack the carriers," ordered Lieutenant Commander Murata, who, seeking to attack both ends, directed 13 torpedo bombers, including his own plane, to the leftmost Illustrious-class carrier.

Murata, who had been relegated to reconnaissance duties during the Second Battle of the Coral Sea, was now entrusted with commanding the torpedo bombers after the Second Battle of Midway.

Anti-aircraft fire from the British aircraft carriers only emerged from the front of the ships. The high-angle guns, autocannons, and machine guns at the rear may have become unusable due to the explosion of the torpedo bombers that occurred last night. With no escort vessels and the reduced anti-aircraft firepower from the British aircraft carriers, the barrage was much thinner compared to the Americans, and no aircraft were shot down.

All planes carried out the attack from the port side. The targeted British carrier desperately maneuvered to minimize its torpedo target area, but Murata, a veteran since the attack on Pearl Harbor, had completely anticipated the enemy's movements. After launching torpedoes, one plane was finally shot down, but the remaining aircraft successfully withdrew beyond the effective range of enemy anti-aircraft fire.

Having reached the safety zone, Murata looked down at the British aircraft carriers. Water jets rose one after another on the side of the British aircraft carrier at the tip of the circular wake created by a rapid turn. In the end, he confirmed four water splashes. With thirteen planes launching torpedoes, the accuracy slightly exceeded thirty percent. Although the performance left something to be desired, a simultaneous torpedo hit on one side, and that being four in total, would be devastating even for a battleship. Moreover, for a top-heavy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier with a heavily armored flight deck, a concentrated hit on one side would be a nightmare. While contemplating this, communication is received from the Hiyō squadron.

"Five torpedoes hit, she's sinking."

The report was succinct but lacked any room for complaint in terms of content.