Iron Cross

Ps: Yesterday was actually Chapter 23, so today I will start directly from Chapter 24.

In the darkness, the American TF64 formation, which was heading northeast at a speed of 22 knots, and the Japanese artillery fleet, which was heading southwest at a speed of 20 knots, were facing each other. The distance between them was getting closer and closer, like two people holding heavy swords. The swordsman didn't know that the enemy was approaching but still moved forward.

The hour hand slowly passed 4 o'clock. About 200 nautical miles due west-south of the TF64 formation, the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Wasp were busy. The ground crews were busy lifting aircraft filled with fuel bombs to the deck. On the ground, the pilots were nervously checking the aircraft and equipment and making final preparations for departure. Kincaid observed the movement on the deck through the gap in the porthole of the ship island, and his clenched fists showed that he was extremely nervous.

On the Washington, Major General Li listened to the tragic bombardment reported by the 1st Marine Division of Guadalcanal. Veins popped up on his forehead. He whispered to the chief of staff of the formation behind him: "In another 25 minutes, let the seaplanes go to detect the enemy fleet. , we must find the aircraft carrier to point the way for Major General Kincaid.”

At 4:25, there were still 5 minutes before dawn. The distance between the two fleets had shrunk to 54 nautical miles, but both sides still did not notice each other's existence (the sea radar search distance of the US ships was only 35 kilometers, while Japan had none). The enemy first discovered that the commanders of the two fleets ejected several water reconnaissance aircraft at the same time.

"Sir, reconnaissance aircraft No. 3 reported that it had discovered a target at sea." Only 7 minutes after the ejection of the aircraft, the command tower of the USS Washington, the flagship of the TF64 formation, was suddenly interrupted by a sudden report. Major General Li was surprised and delighted, "Quickly Notification.”

"The enemy fleet is about 50 nautical miles away from our fleet...speed 20 knots, course 215 degrees...about 3 large targets, 3 battleships...9 medium targets, 9 heavy cruisers...more than 20 small targets, including light cruisers and Destroyers...no enemy carriers found. Repeat, no enemy carriers found."

The chief of staff of the formation pondered for a moment: "This is probably the Japanese fleet that bombarded Guadalcanal. The number is basically consistent with what was reported by the 1st Marine Division - one of the heavy cruisers may have been misjudged as a battleship by Guadalcanal."

Major General Li nodded in approval and asked, "When are we expected to engage the enemy?"

"The opposite speed is about 42 knots... If the current speed remains unchanged, if nothing happens, it can enter the visual observation area in 25 minutes and enter the combat area in 30 minutes."

"Very good." He raised his wrist and looked at his watch. "It is now 4:38. The attack fleet of TF16\\17 should be ready. Keep the fleet's current course and speed unchanged, and report the enemy to Major General Kincaid. The current position of the fleet is to request an air strike from the enemy. Our fleet will launch a diversionary attack as soon as possible, and our reconnaissance aircraft will further expand the search range in depth to ensure that the enemy aircraft carrier is found."

"Sir, don't you reconsider? The enemy has three battleships, we only have one, and there are not as many heavy cruisers as they do."

Major General Li hesitated for a moment, but finally said firmly: "Fight when we see the enemy. We have no reason to retreat. We want to avenge the 1st Marine Division."

"yes."

Almost at the same time, the Japanese artillery fleet also received relevant news.

"Sir, the Zero Water Reconnaissance sent a report that the US fleet was sighted in the west-southwest direction. The detection results are large warship 1, suspected to be a battleship; medium warship 3, suspected to be a heavy cruiser; small targets are difficult to distinguish, and there are estimated to be 6-8 destroyers. ...The current relative distance is about 50 nautical miles, and it is estimated to be the enemy's aircraft carrier vanguard fleet."

"It came quite quickly..." Horikichi looked at the sky that had just dimmed, and then at the wall clock hanging on the wall. After pondering for a moment, he said, "The route remains unchanged, the fleet accelerates, and the overall speed is increased to 25 knots... "

"yes."

After hearing this order, Kondo Nobutake understood why Horikichi had just asked Fuso and Yamashiro to break away from the formation to cover the 8th Fleet - these two old ships could only reach a maximum speed of 22 knots, covering the 8th Fleet. Of course, slow transport ships are not a problem, but following the main formation south at this speed seems too slow and can only act as a hindrance.

"If the current speed and heading remain unchanged, how far will it be from the nearest land airport to our army in 20 minutes?" Horikichi turned around and asked Soshika Renichi.

Several staff officers immediately started working on the charts and came up with the results after a while: "Report, the Munda Island Air Force is closest to the place, and the estimated distance is 150 nautical miles."

"Can the US aircraft carrier attack fleet take off now?"

"Can."

"Can my land fleet take off?"

"It will light up at 4:30 at sea, and 15 minutes later on land. We can take off in about 7 minutes."

"Assuming that the enemy aircraft carrier formation is 100 nautical miles away from me at this moment, how long will it take from releasing the attack aircraft group to flying to our position to attack?"

Caolu Renyi calculated that it would take 15-20 minutes for the US aircraft carrier to release the aircraft group, and it would take at least 25-30 minutes to fly 100 nautical miles after releasing the attack group. He immediately replied loudly: "Sir, the enemy planes will arrive on the battlefield at 5:15 at the earliest."

Horikichi quickly calculated and then smiled: "Very good, the time is basically enough."

Without waiting for anyone to ask, follow-up combat instructions were issued immediately: "First, the enemy aircraft carrier formation is estimated to be hanging behind the enemy battleship formation. The reconnaissance aircraft will search 180 degrees south and west, with a search range of 250 nautical miles. Try to gain the first time. The enemy aircraft carrier formation was discovered; secondly, 150 nautical miles is almost the speed of a zero-fighter flight for half an hour. The Munda Island Air Force was required to provide the first wave of air cover at dawn according to the predetermined instructions. The zero-fighter group was the first to arrive at the expected position of the fleet and attack the ship. The attack fleet awaits further instructions."

Kusaka Renyi thought about it in his mind: the Munda Island fighter group took off at 4:45. Even if they flew faster than the American attack group, it would take at least 35 minutes to fly 150 nautical miles. He shouted anxiously: "Sir, In this way, we will not have aircraft cover until at least 5:20. The difference is 5 minutes, and it may be more. "

Horikichi said lightly: "Five minutes...don't worry, it's enough."

Kusaka Renyi thought that Midway was only 5 minutes short, but as a result, four aircraft carriers were bombed and sunk. Why was it 5 minutes short this time? The words of advice were already on his lips, but after thinking about them, he thought it was unlucky and swallowed them back.

"Why, are you afraid of suffering the same fate for five minutes?" Horikichi burst out laughing. "You are overthinking it. I considered the worst case scenario. The enemy aircraft carrier formation is definitely further away than you think."

"Why?" Not only Caolu Renyi was curious, but even one of the combat staff thought this conclusion was strange - why did the officer infer it?

"Our reconnaissance plane has discovered the enemy's vanguard fleet. Do you think the enemy will also discover us? Maybe a little earlier than us? This news has probably been sent back to the enemy fleet..."

There is no doubt about this, and the Americans are naturally looking for ways to conduct reconnaissance, and everyone nods in recognition of this hypothesis.

"If the enemy aircraft carrier formation is really so close to us, the enemy's vanguard has already slowed down or turned around and retreated. Is there any need to send battleships to fight us closely? The only explanation is that the distance is far. He needs time and is afraid that we will slip away before making a decision. Let the battleship formation entangle us first - but he never expected that we were heading for the enemy's vanguard fleet. "

Everyone was doubtful after hearing this, but the officer said so confidently that everyone could only remain silent.

"What if, I mean what if, the enemy aircraft carrier formation is really so close to us, wouldn't it be better? The reconnaissance aircraft can find the target in 10 minutes at most, and the fleet can quickly indicate the attack direction for the mobile fleet."

"But this would be too dangerous for our fleet. We would be directly exposed to the first round of attacks by the enemy aircraft." Nobutake Kondo was extremely anxious.

"It doesn't matter, we are just bait... How can the Americans who don't smell good be willing to bite us? If they attack us, their attack fleet will no longer be able to attack the mobile fleet. Kondo-kun, please command the fleet to fight, please Let the Americans see your artillery skills..." Horikichi said, "I'm old and I don't have much energy after staying up late, so I need to take a nap first."

Kondo Nobutake didn't expect Horikichi to ask for a rest at this time. He was stunned for a moment, and then he was overjoyed: From the beginning of the war at Pearl Harbor to now, the aircraft carrier formations have been showing off their power, and the battleships have not shown their faces in battles - shelling cannot Fighting back on the island is not his ability. Fighting face to face with the enemy battleship is his wish.

"Yes!" He answered loudly, as confidently as he had just been admitted to the Etajima Naval Academy decades ago.

Time passed by, and the atmosphere in the Yamato's command tower became depressing, as if it was about to freeze. Although Horikichi seemed very comfortable sitting in his position with his eyes closed, everyone else was so nervous that their faces turned pale. I really couldn't stand this invisible oppression, so I simply rushed into the telegraph room to read the latest situation report.

Kincaid received a more specific reconnaissance telegram from the Washington at 4:38: 3 battleships, 11 cruisers, 32 destroyers were found, and no aircraft carrier was found. The center of the enemy fleet was located at 10 degrees 11 minutes south latitude and east longitude. 159 degrees 05 minutes, heading southwest, speed 20 knots.

The question is where are the enemy's aircraft carriers? Faced with Major General Li's request for air strikes, he began to have difficulties.

Now he has two choices: first, immediately dispatch all carrier-based aircraft to attack the Japanese battleship formation; second, stand still and attack the Japanese aircraft carrier formation first after it is clear. Of course, there is also a compromise third option, which is to take into account both, that is, dispatch some forces to attack the enemy battleship formation, and reserve some forces to prepare to deal with the Japanese aircraft carrier formation. At 4:30, the aircraft carrier-based aircraft were fully ready, but as time passed by, the aviation commanders on the two aircraft carriers still did not receive clear combat instructions, and all pilots were anxiously waiting for the order to attack.