Empire Conquest
Chapter 347 - 343 Assumptions Mistake

Chapter 347: Chapter 343 Assumptions Mistake

After the first "Flying Fish" took off, Bai Zhizhan finally heaved a sigh of relief. He gave Zhou Yongtao a few more instructions before he returned to the Command Bridge.

It was 8:40 AM.

Soon after, other "Flying Fish" aircraft took off in succession.

Like the 21st Special Mixed Fleet, the 41st Special Mixed Fleet also faced the problem of the long distance to the target, and the insufficient range of the torpedo bombers and bombers.

However, the methods to solve this issue were completely different between the two fleets.

To extend the operational radius, the "Flying Fish" deployed by the 41st Special Mixed Fleet did not carry rear machine gunners; instead, they removed the twin rear machine guns and inserted two black-painted wooden sticks to simulate machine guns. In addition, a flexible fuel tank was placed in the gunner’s position, allowing for an additional 150 liters of fuel. This allowed the "Flying Fish" to fly approximately 200 kilometers further, albeit at the cost of self-defense capabilities.

The leader’s plane removed the machine gunner position entirely; a navigator sat in the back, and the spot in the middle was equipped with a large speech radio and a flexible fuel tank.

Practical combat had long proven that, once targeted by a fighter plane, the presence of a rear machine gunner made little difference.

When the staff brought breakfast, the aviation service personnel had already begun launching the "Wasps."

Since they were up against carriers, dive bombers were the main force. Equipped with 250 kg bombs, the range issue was not pronounced for the "Wasps."

Each carrier launched two squadrons of "Wasps."

As fighters were needed to escort the forward 41.2 Subsquad, only four "Xiaotians" were deployed from the "Imperial Capital," while twelve were launched from the "Peijing."

Initially, when Bai Zhizhan went to instruct Zhou Yongtao, it was to organize the air defense fighters to take off quickly, without too much delay.

The 41.2 Subsquad had broken radio silence, and might already have been discovered.

If Spur was right ahead, they might already be launching their ship-borne aircraft.

The key point was, the downed aircraft was a seaplane, thus making it reasonable for the 41.2 Subsquad’s heavy cruisers to send out a telegram. After intercepting a telegram from the "Wuzhou" and precisely locating it, Spur could assume the position of the 41st Special Mixed Fleet was where the "Wuzhou" had revealed itself.

Furthermore, given the relationship between the Newland Federation and the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, they likely had already obtained intelligence related to the "Wuzhou."

The "Wuzhou" had a well-known reputation.

On the eastern side of Two-Car Strait, it was the "Wuzhou," leading four heavy cruisers, that had terrified Takano, who was overseeing the Main Battle Corps.

By comparing the distinctive features of radio signals, they could determine that it was indeed the "Wuzhou."

Moreover, as long as Newland’s intelligence agencies were not too incompetent, they should know that the "Wuzhou" along with four other heavy cruisers had been incorporated into the 41st Special Mixed Fleet.

Tactically, finding the "Wuzhou" was almost equivalent to locating the 41st Special Mixed Fleet.

Yet, the main issue was that the attack might not necessarily come from the east.

For the 41.2 Subsquad, the real threat was actually the carrier mixed fleet to the north.

When they received the second report, Bai Zhizhan abruptly realized that including himself, everyone had made an assumptive error.

Prior to this, everyone had thought that the Newland Navy had organized five carriers into two special mixed fleets!

This was understandable.

In all the pre-war drills, without exception, it had been proven that the combat power of a single carrier was actually limited, and many operations required two carriers. The key was the operational efficiency of the ship-borne aircraft, a problem that could not be solved by increasing the carrier’s displacement or expanding the deck area.

Consequently, except for the battle against Commander Lanyun’s Permanent Fleet, the Imperial Navy had always paired two carriers in a special mixed fleet.

This characteristic even influenced the number of carriers being built.

It meant that even the number of main battleships serving the carriers was based on even numbers.

Clearly, this was not the case for the Newland Navy.

The seaplanes sent out by the 41.2 Subsquad first discovered a "Lek"-class, and then less than fifty kilometers away, discovered a "York"-class; given that the seaplanes’ positioning certainly had some deviation, the actual distance between the two areas might not even have been fifty kilometers.

Even if it was fifty kilometers, it was definitely not two special mixed fleets.

In summary, that was a special mixed fleet of two carriers.

A "Lek" class and a "York" class together?

Then, the other two "York" class vessels likely formed another special mixed fleet, while the remaining "Lek" class operated independently.

Around 7:30 AM, the 42.2 Subsquad’s seaplane discovered the independently operating "Lek" class.

That leaves two "York" class vessels still unaccounted for.

Actually, this also clarifies Bai Zhizhan’s confusion.

The positions of the two discovered Newland carrier mixed fleets were too forward, and the distance between them was too great, almost negating the possibility of mutual protection. If these two fleets were indeed operating separately, then the one operating in the south would be confident and unafraid.

As expected, another special mixed fleet composed of two "York" class vessels was not far behind.

From the position, it was to the east of 41 Special Mixed Fleet.

Not too close, maybe over 500 kilometers, but definitely not too far from 42.2 Subsquad.

According to Bai Zhizhan’s judgment, it was approximately 200 kilometers to the east or northeast of 42.2 Subsquad.

If the commander was bold enough, it would be no more than 150 kilometers away from 42.2 Subsquad.

Only then could they protect the two carriers in front.

As for the two discovered carriers, they might be heading towards the 21st Special Mixed Fleet.

If that was indeed the case, Newland’s reconnaissance aircraft had already spotted the 21st Special Mixed Fleet; Liu Xiangzhen just hadn’t realized it yet.

After the last few escort fighters took off, Zhou Yongtao returned to the Command Bridge.

On the flight deck, the aviation crew was preparing the air defense fighters.

Because "full deck launch" was used earlier, the attack aircraft occupied all spots, not allowing air defense fighters to be prepared in advance.

However, loading the fighters mainly involved fuel, which wouldn’t take much time.

"I’ve already arranged for the second wave of aircraft to be ready on deck immediately after the air defense fighters are airborne, preparing for the next attack round."

"First, send out all the fighters."

Zhou Yongtao nodded and said, "This time, let the fighters take off first, and the ones that depart before dawn won’t return until noon."

Bai Zhizhan didn’t say much, as these things never required his attention.

"The issue is, if we launch the second wave of attacks immediately, by noon, when the second wave of aircraft is returning, we might still be retrieving the first wave."

"Provided we seize the opportunity, losing some aircraft is acceptable; just make sure the pilots are safe."

Retrieving aircraft is slower than deploying them, an issue that currently seems unsolvable.

"That’s true."

"What I’m thinking now is whether I need to warn Liu Xiangzhen," Bai Zhizhan exhaled, unsure what to say.

"The telegram sent by the seaplane surely got intercepted by the 21st Special Mixed Fleet. Knowing the direction to the southeast..."

"This is exactly what I’m worried about."

"You mean..."

"Those two carriers are too far from us, and from the current situation, if not commanded by Spur, Liu Xiangzhen might think we are not going to attack."

"How is that possible, this..."

Halfway through his response and noticing Bai Zhizhan’s expression, Zhou Yongtao shut his mouth.

The compliments uttered by Bai Zhizhan wouldn’t be misunderstood by Liu Xiangzhen; it was about claiming credit!