SFS Chapter 631: The Devil's Bait Tactics, White Eagle Aircraft Carrier Suffers
Chapter 631: The Devil's Bait Tactics, White Eagle Aircraft Carrier Suffers
Off the coast of Ryukyu, the First South China Sea Fleet was sailing in a guard formation on the northwest flank of the White Eagle Task Force.
The sea breeze was strong, causing the waves to surge.
Inside the bridge of the 7th Brooklyn light cruiser Pingyuan, which Zhang Chi purchased from the War Thunder System, the radar operator stared at the fluorescent screen.
Nanyang's light cruisers are now equipped with domestically produced radars that are more advanced than the White Eagle's current radars, with better detection range and accuracy.
"Report. Bearing 035, distance 120 kilometers. A large number of low-altitude, fast-moving targets, identified as enemy aircraft!"
The radar operator's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence in the bridge.
The intelligence was quickly passed via encrypted channels to the commander of the neighboring White Eagle 58th Task Force, Vice Admiral Mark Mitchell, who was known for his bravery and violent temper.
Lieutenant General Mitchell frowned after receiving the notification.
After this period of joint operations, he had to admit that the Nanyang people were indeed a bit weird in terms of electronic equipment. Their radar could always detect the target a little bit earlier.
"Orders, Essex, Yorktown, and Wasp, immediately launch combat air patrols to intercept enemy aircraft."
The Japanese launched kamikaze attacks very frequently. Mitchell did not hesitate and decisively ordered his troops to advance and intercept.
Soon, the deck of the White Eagle aircraft carrier became busy, and one F6F "Hellcat" fighter plane after another roared into the air and headed towards the northeast.
They successfully intercepted the first wave of Japanese aircraft - mainly composed of old Type 52 Zero fighters and a few Type 97 carrier-based attack aircraft equipped with torpedoes.
A fierce air battle broke out in the sky north of Ryukyu.
The Hellcat had a clear advantage with its better performance and armor, constantly hitting the agile Zero fighters and bulky torpedo planes, causing them to explode in mid-air or fall into the sea with black smoke.
But the Japanese pilots were extremely tenacious and fought desperately. The sky was filled with flying ballistic missiles and exploding fireballs.
This intense dogfight lasted for over an hour and consumed a huge amount of fuel.
Although the White Eagle pilots had achieved great success, they also reported that they were running out of fuel and had to return and land immediately.
Vice Admiral Mitchell looked at the radar screen which was gradually calming down, breathed a sigh of relief, and ordered the aircraft carrier to prepare to recover the aircraft.
-----
Just as the White Eagle fighters began to return one after another and the deck was bustling with activity, a new light spot suddenly appeared on the radar screen of the Pingyuan.
"Report, the second wave of targets has appeared, direction 040, distance 150 kilometers. The targets... are larger and slower, like large aircraft." The radar soldier's voice became tense again.
The news was immediately reported to Major General You Hongxuan, commander of the First Nanyang Fleet.
You Hongxuan stood in the bridge of the Jingyuan light cruiser with a frown on his face.
Large aircraft? At this distance? He suddenly remembered what Commander-in-Chief Zhang Chi had said to him before the war. He mentioned that the Japanese might have a rocket-powered suicide plane carried by a large bomber and piloted by a man, codenamed "Sakura", which was extremely dangerous.
"Inform General Mitchell immediately. Emergency situation. Suspected Japanese special attack aircraft carriers are approaching.
It is recommended that all returning fighter jets of the White Eagle side postpone landing and give priority to launching new fighter jets for interception.
All our ships are on high alert for air defense."
You Hongxuan spoke very quickly: "Order our escort aircraft carrier. All fighter jets that can take off immediately. All anti-aircraft gun positions are to be equipped with VT proximity fuze shells."
The radio communication channel of the Nanyang Navy suddenly became busy.
On the other side, the Japanese bomber group used the first wave of kamikaze attacks to attract and exhaust the fuel and ammunition of the White Eagle's main fighter planes, accurately seizing the window period when the White Eagle fleet's air defense was most vulnerable.
The Type 1 land attack ships unlocked the padlocks about 20 kilometers away from the core of the White Eagle Fleet.
One by one, the "Sakura" special attack planes separated from the mother plane and began to glide and fall like the cubs born by a flying dragon.
"New targets! A large number of small, high-speed targets! Separated from the large targets! Extremely fast! Accelerating in a dive!"
The radar operators on the ships of the Nanyang Fleet reported in horror.
In the sky, a total of 16 "Sakura" Type 11 special attack aircraft glided briefly to adjust their direction, and then the rocket engines at the rear ignited.
"boom--!!!"
The short and fierce rocket engine burst out with amazing thrust, pushing these people in the loop missile at a terrifying speed of nearly 1000 kilometers per hour (about 270 meters per second), and rushing towards the huge White Eagle main fleet like lightning.
"Open fire, fire with all your might." The air defense commanders of each ship shouted at the top of their lungs.
All the anti-aircraft guns of the South Sea Fleet and the White Eagle Fleet - from 40mm Bofors to 127mm dual-purpose anti-aircraft guns - spewed out flames frantically, and VT fuse shells exploded in the air, creating clouds of deadly black smoke.
Several Pirate fighter planes that had just taken off urgently from the South China Sea escort aircraft carrier also bravely rushed forward and tried to intercept.
Several "Sakura" planes were torn apart by the fighter's firepower before accelerating and exploded in mid-air.
But more "Sakura" broke through the interception fire network in an instant with their amazing acceleration, and the machine gun bullets of the fighter planes could not even catch up with their ghostly speed.
The pilots could only watch as the cigar-shaped rockets, trailing flames and emitting sharp whistles, rushed towards the fleet with a determined attitude.
In the end, four "Sakura" fighter jets still managed to break through.
Their target was unmistakable—the largest and most conspicuous targets in the fleet, several White Eagle Essex-class fleet carriers.
One of the "Sakura" planes flew at an extremely high speed, ignoring the crazy anti-aircraft fire around it, and slammed into the flight deck of the Yorktown with crazy and destructive kinetic energy.
"boom!!!!!!!!!"
A deafening explosion sounded, almost tearing the sea and sky apart.
800 kilograms of high explosives were detonated.
A huge fireball and thick smoke instantly rose from the wide deck of the Yorktown and soared into the sky.
-----
The setting sun dyed the clouds in the sky blood red, and on the sea, the White Eagle Fleet was still extremely busy.
The USS Yorktown was like a huge torch, with thick smoke billowing on the deck and countless rescue ships surrounding it, trying their best to fight for time and life with the god of death.
A little further away, only the mast of a White Eagle destroyer remained stubbornly exposed on the sea, telling the story of another tragedy.
In contrast, the waters where the First South China Sea Fleet is located appear relatively "calm".
With earlier warning, dense and well-organized anti-aircraft fire lines, and a large number of VT proximity fuze shells, they successfully turned the two "Sakura" special attack planes that broke through sporadically into fireballs in the air, and none of their own ships were damaged.
A White Eagle motor barge cut through the sea dyed red by the setting sun and quickly approached the Jingyuan light cruiser, the flagship of the Nanyang Fleet.
Soon, a messenger walked quickly into the bridge and saluted Rear Admiral You Hongxuan, who was standing in front of the nautical chart. "General, Vice Admiral Mitchell's transport boat is approaching, and he requests to board the ship."
You Hongxuan straightened his already straight military uniform and said in a deep voice, "You are welcome."
A moment later, the tall figure of Vice Admiral Mark Mitchell appeared on the bridge.