Chapter 610: Carrier-based aircraft attack
Almighty Cultivation Supreme
To the north of the main fleet of the High Seas Fleet, a small fleet was heading south at a cruising speed of 12 knots. This small flotilla consisted of two aircraft carriers, four light cruisers and six destroyers. In front of the huge main fleet, this small fleet is nothing at all. However, almost the entire High Seas Fleet believed that this small fleet represented the future direction of the development of the Imperial Navy.
In the last naval battle, two aircraft carriers attacked, one carrier after another, and torpedoed and sank the British Navy's battleships, so that the German Navy could have the upper hand in the final duel between the two sides. Before that, the combat effectiveness of the aircraft carrier formation was undoubtedly not recognized. After all, isn't it a joke to use those toy-like carrier-based aircraft to sink a capital ship like a hill?
However, the results of the naval battle shut the mouth of all those who questioned the aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier squadron proved to the world with their brilliant achievements that huge battleships are simply vulnerable to attacks by carrier-based aircraft. Even the battleship could be equipped with anti-aircraft weapons. But let's not forget that carrier-based aircraft on aircraft carriers are still very rudimentary. With the development of technology, shipborne opportunities are becoming more and more powerful. When carrier-based aircraft are capable of carrying heavy aerial bombs and heavy aerial torpedoes, it will become a nightmare for all surface warships.
This time, the High Seas Fleet was fully deployed. Not far behind, the aircraft carriers "Pioneer" and "Victory" joined the operation. Every member of the aircraft carrier group hopes that they will be able to achieve more results in this battle. After all, this time the aircraft carrier carried by the carrier, although the number remains the same, is still 48. However, the performance has improved considerably. The carrier-based aircraft carried before, with the exception of 12 fighters, were torpedo attack aircraft. This time it was different, the number of fighters was still 12. The other 36 were 18 bombers and 18 torpedo attack aircraft. These bombers were capable of carrying aerial bombs weighing up to two hundred and fifty kilograms, making dive drops at an angle. And the torpedo attack aircraft, on the other hand, were capable of carrying 450 mm medium aviation torpedoes. The power is naturally much more powerful than the previous light aviation torpedo.
It is precisely because of this that the officers and men of the aircraft carrier squadron will be full of confidence in this operation. They believe that by the time they attack, they will be able to get more results than the last time.
On the island of the aircraft carrier "Pioneer", Marshal Prince Heinrich was holding a cup of coffee and looking at the carrier-based aircraft parked on the deck. Last night, the ground crew had already filled up each carrier-based aircraft with fuel and loaded bombs and torpedoes. Field Marshal Prince Heinrich believed that today the decisive battle between the German and British navies would begin. So, he asked the ground crews to be ready overnight.
On the other aircraft carrier, the situation is similar. All carrier-based aircraft are ready to take off.
"Marshal, the order of the flagship!" A staff officer reported to Marshal Prince Heinrich. There was irrepressible excitement on his face.
"Looks like good news!" Marshal Prince Heinrich said.
"Yes, Your Excellency. The flagship ordered us to prepare for the take-off of carrier-based aircraft. An hour later, the carrier-based aircraft began to take off. The enemy is in the sea about one hundred and fifty kilometers south of us. There were thirty-six capital ships, not only the British, but also the French and Italians! The staff officer said excitedly.
"Thirty-six? The French and Italians have joined in, more than we expected! But that's our chance! With so many enemy capital ships, it's up to us how much we can eat them. Tell the flagship that we are ready. Marshal Prince Heinrich was also enthusiastic.
Depending on the time required for the attack, the aircraft carrier group can launch up to two rounds of attacks. A total of 96 carrier-based aircraft, excluding fighters, can carry out a total of 144 sorties. If you're lucky, sink about ten enemy capital ships, and you should have no problem. This is already a huge victory for the aircraft carrier group.
If the aircraft carrier formation can continue to attack when the main fleet of the enemy begins to fight a decisive battle, then their results will be further improved.
Little by little, the two aircraft carriers of the German Navy were waiting for the order to attack. Everyone seems to have seen that a lot of exploits are about to be obtained.
On the battleship 'Bavaria', the flagship of the German Navy, Reinhardt? Admiral Scheer and others are also making a final argument on tactics.
"My opinion is that after the aircraft carrier group launched two rounds of attacks, the main fleet will attack and fight a decisive battle with the Allied fleet. With the attack power of the aircraft carrier formation, after two rounds of attacks, the Entente fleet would pay the price of sinking at least five capital ships. In this way, we will have a further advantage. Lieutenant General Hipper said.
"Even after the decisive battle between our main fleet and the Allied fleet begins, the aircraft carrier formation can continue to attack. When they drop bombs and torpedoes, they just need to avoid our battleships. Of course, the premise is that the pilots' bodies can withstand it. Lieutenant General Spee said. After all, flying an airplane to fight is undoubtedly extremely physically demanding and energy-consuming. Two rounds of attacks, it is enough to exhaust the pilots. But if you take a break, it's not impossible to launch a third attack.
Reinhart? Admiral Scheer nodded: "Then so be it, let the aircraft carrier formation launch two rounds of attacks first, and if there is still spare strength, launch a third round of attacks." ”
"Yes, General." Lieutenant General Hipper nodded.
When Marshal Prince Heinrich received the telegram from the flagship, he was very satisfied. Although, launching multiple rounds of attacks in a row will make the pilots very tired. But as long as you pay attention to the rest, it is not impossible. This also means that in this battle, the aircraft carrier formation can launch an attack with free hands. They will once again win the German Navy in this great battle.
At 8 o'clock in the morning, Marshal Prince Heinrich gave the order for the carrier-based aircraft to take off.
On the aircraft carrier "Pioneer" and "Victory", a carrier-based aircraft took off almost at the same time. Other carrier-based aircraft also followed suit and took to the air one after another.