In the real history of World War II, Japan organized a more complex coordinated naval battle, which is also known as the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

In this real naval battle, the Japanese navy was also divided into three fleets, commanded by three generals: Nishimura, Kurita, and Ozawa.

Moreover, the size of this fleet is more complex than the attack plan drawn up by Halsey this time, so it is even more porous when it comes to execution.

The result was also obvious, the Japanese navy was defeated at Leyte Gulf, and finally lost the last bit of strength. Since then, the Combined Fleet has lost the ability to fight again, and it will not be able to do anything until it is defeated.

This time, the American fleet, organized by Halsey, also divided its own fleet into three parts, which also caused chaos.

The fleet of three old battleships left behind in the Solomon Islands was fine, after all, their combat mission was to prevent the Japanese landing and prevent the enemy fleet from approaching.

But the fleet commanded by Spruance was discovered by the Japanese fleet much earlier than estimated by the U.S. military.

Therefore, just as General Halsey was dispatching troops to prepare for an attack on the Japanese fleet, the Japanese attack aircraft group had already flown halfway through.

Spruance himself did not know that his fleet, which was rapidly moving south, was about to encounter a fierce attack from the enemy.

"It's in the danger zone! Attention all personnel, get ready for battle! "Lowering the binoculars, General Spruance stood on the bridge of the battleship North Carolina and gave the order to prepare for battle.

Even if he was not discovered by the Japanese in the first place, sailing here, according to the plan, his fleet should be ready for battle.

Now he commands arguably the youngest battleship fleet in the U.S. military. Of the two battleships under its jurisdiction, one has only been in service for less than 20 days.

The battleship Washington had been launched for service only a month earlier, and after only 10 days of familiarization with the sailors, the battleship was sent to the front and engaged in the battle against Japan.

Although most of the recruits on this ship have served on other ships and have a lot of combat experience, this is a kind of reluctance after all.

"The focus is on air defense operations, and it is impossible for us to get close to the range of the artillery of enemy battleships, so the most important thing is to fight air defense!" He held on to the telescope hanging from his chest and continued to speak.

"Yes, sir!" Hearing his order, an officer beside him hurriedly stood up and saluted, and then went out to give orders from the commander's supreme command.

"All anti-aircraft artillery positions should be arranged with officers to play a leading role!" Afraid that his subordinates would not take it seriously, Spruance continued to emphasize.

He was a technical officer who worked his way up from the grassroots to his current position. He is best at electrical technology, so to speak, as a technocrat.

Such officers generally pay attention to details, so at this time, the details of the US military's combat operations have also begun to be gradually cleaned.

"Let the soldiers not be nervous, and fire after aiming at the enemy aircraft!" His tireless advice caused many officers to be infected, and their morale gradually rose.

"General! Radar found air targets! It's a Japanese plane! At this time, an officer ran into the bridge and reported the latest situation.

His words immediately made the atmosphere of the entire bridge become grim, and Spruance looked at the officer with a frown, and asked, "How many enemy planes are there?" ”

"The radar detection data is inaccurate, and it is estimated that there are more than 20 aircraft!" The officer replied helplessly.

In this day and age, radar is still a new device, and its accuracy is far less accurate than that of modern radar.

For radar operators, the beating electrocardiogram-like fluctuations on the screen in front of them represent things that have to be analyzed by their own experience, which brings too many uncertain factors.

The radar of the United States is also a secret weapon, of course, it will be installed on the North Carolina-class battleships, but the stability can only be considered average.

It was precisely because of the new technology of radar that Halsey dared to let Spruance be used as a decoy to go south in the other direction.

When the Japanese reconnaissance plane discovered their fleet just now, the radar had already spotted the Japanese reconnaissance plane. And after that, Spruance did not immediately call for air support.

He was waiting, waiting for the Japanese naval aviation to completely bite him this bait. Now that the big fish has taken the bait, he can finally continue as planned.

"Break the radio silence! Send a signal to Solomon's side! Spruance gave the order with a resolute voice, and then went on to command: "Sound the battle alarm!" Attention all personnel, enter the first level of air defense combat readiness! ”

"Enter the first level of air defense combat readiness!" In the corridor, the horn shouted the orders of General Spruance, and all the sailors and crew members had already tensed their nerves.

"Quick! Get ready for battle! On the deck of the ship, in the position of a 12.7 mm caliber anti-aircraft machine gun, an officer was shouting loudly.

The sailors responsible for transporting the ammunition placed the ammunition boxes needed for the anti-aircraft machine guns in suitable places under the machine guns, and sandbags were temporarily added to cover these important weapons.

Because they are all new-type warships, the US Navy has fully taken into account the needs of air defense operations when manufacturing them.

Therefore, these warships are equipped with more anti-aircraft artillery, which is dense and makes people desperate at a glance. Even so, numerous single-barreled 12.7 mm machine guns were installed on the open decks in the bow and stern.

It can be said that the new American battleship is not so much the capital ship of the decisive battle as the giant aircraft carrier air defense escort warship.

Because of this, when the news of the approach of the Japanese fighters was heard, the soldiers on the ship were relatively calm.

They reloaded all their anti-aircraft weapons and waited for the moment when enemy aircraft appeared in their field of vision.

Far away in the U.S. Army airfield on the Solomon Islands, a U.S. military officer tore down a piece of paper that had just been recorded.

The officer quickly ran to the Army Aviation Operations Command and Dispatch Center and handed the piece of telegram to a major general: "General! Telegram from the Second Fleet! ”

"They've been discovered!" Pinching the telegram paper, the general of the army aviation had a solemn expression: "According to the plan!" Take off immediately to cover their fighters! Fast! ”

The alarm for an emergency sortie began to ring, and the pilots of the 30 P-40 fighters, who had not been dispatched, rushed to their already prepared fighters amid the alarm.