Even the die-hard militarists who are extremely optimistic about the prospects of the imperial country and believe that the so-called imperial army is absolutely invincible have to admit that the Flying Dragon, which is widely heard by Yamaguchi, and the Ruifeng by Nobutake Kondo are no match for the two large aircraft carriers of the United States.

It must be said here that the intelligence work of the Japanese was really quite chaotic, and Kondo Nobutake never realized that the targets of his attack and the target of Nagumo Tadaichi were two completely different targets. Nobutake Kondo thought that he was flanking the enemy with Tadaichi Nagumo, so he thought that the two aircraft carriers he attacked were the USS Hornet and USS Enterprise.

On the other side, Nagumo Tadaichi abandoned ship and left command because the Akagi was destroyed, and he did not realize Kondo Nobutake's mistake. As for Yamaguchi Duowen, what this old brother ******** is revenge, that is, he is determined to fight back, and he has no time to pay attention to other things, and naturally he doesn't care about Kondo Nobutake's.

So when the messy intelligence was fed back to the Yamato, Staff Officer Yamamoto 56 misjudged the situation on the battlefield, thinking that there were only three American aircraft carriers on the battlefield, and one of them had been heavily damaged, and did not realize that the Allies actually had four large aircraft carriers that were still capable of fighting a war.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, although Yamamoto Isoroku is reluctant to admit it, he must also accept the reality that around Midway, the Imperial Army is too weak to be an opponent of the United States. If you want to turn the tables, you must increase investment.

How to increase investment? Kuroshima Kameto, a staff officer of Yamamoto Isoroku, immediately suggested that the feint force going north to the Aleutian Islands be transferred to Midway Island, and that the submarines that had originally arrived close to the Pearl Harbor line should also be sent to the Midway line. Anyway, now the American fleet has left Pearl Harbor. There is no point in keeping the submarine near Pearl Harbor anymore. According to the assumption of the Black Island Turtle People. Nagumo's mobile force will join up with Hososumi Goshiro's Fifth Fleet, concentrate four aircraft carriers, and then fight to the death with the American fleet!

It should be said that this assumption is still reasonable, if Hososuki Goshiro's fleet can quickly move south, and if Nagumo Tadaichi can join up with Kondo Nobutake, it seems that the Japanese still have the possibility of turning the tables. Even the optimistic Kuroshima Kameto described the following scenario: after the annihilation of the U.S. Fleet, the battleships towed the battered Soryu, Kaga, and Akagi, as well as the Urosir's Yorktown, back to the mainland for repairs, so that the losses were almost none. Earning an aircraft carrier for nothing is definitely a "sensational" victory.

The devil can really think of good things, but neither the Kuroshima Kameto nor the Yamamoto fifty or sixty who agreed to this suggestion actually realized one thing - today's battle is not over yet! Whether it is the Wyvern or the Ruifeng, they are not out of danger, they are still within the strike range of the Allied carrier-based aircraft, once these two aircraft carriers are finished, even if only one is lost, the turnaround plan of the Black Island will go bankrupt.

Why? The reason is very simple, there is still a big gap between the aircraft carriers of the Dragon and Hayabusa of the Fifth Fleet of the Fifth Fleet of Hosoxuan and the real fleet aircraft carriers. The Longxiang is better, at least it is still a serious aircraft carrier. The Hayabusa, on the other hand, is a half-way monk aircraft carrier that has been transformed from a fast mail ship, and its combat effectiveness will be reduced. For example, the maximum speed of the Hayabusa is only about 25 knots. It is still a lot worse than a real fleet aircraft carrier, and if you want to act in formation together, you have to accommodate it.

Moreover, the number of carrier-based aircraft on the aircraft carriers Longxiang and Hayabusa is relatively small, for example, the Longxiang has about 30 carrier-based aircraft, and the Hayabusa Eagle is only at the level of 50, and these two aircraft carriers together have only 80 carrier-based aircraft, while Kaga and Akagi are both large aircraft carriers with 90 carrier-based aircraft, and one can withstand the two of them.

In this way, the number of Flying Dragons and Kondo Nobutake's Zuiho carrier-based aircraft that can still fight at this time is pitiful, and with the loss of Akagi and Kaga, most of the fighters were destroyed along with the ship, and only a few flew to the Flying Dragon. And with Yamaguchi Tawen ordering two sorties, these remaining carrier-based aircraft were also consumed in the attack wave. As for Kondo Nobutake's Zuiho, it was even worse, a wave of outflows to attack the Red Navy turned out to be completely meat buns and dogs, and almost not a single plane escaped back.

Let's put it this way, at this time, the Flying Dragon and the Ruifeng are actually empty shells, with only aircraft carriers and no aircraft. There may be comrades who want to ask, since there are only aircraft carriers and no planes, this is still a yarn, the devil should take the morning to wash and sleep, and retreat quickly, maybe he can keep the two aircraft carriers. I'm afraid to stay and continue to fight, it's a meat bun beating a dog!

However, the Black Island Turtle Man didn't think so, he thought that he could fight a battle. His idea was that Kakura Kakuta's 2nd Mobile Force would hurry south, while Nagumo Tadaichi's 1st Mobile Force and Kondo Nobutake's aircraft carrier would temporarily head north, and when the distance between the two sides was shortened to within the range of carrier-based aircraft, the Hayabusa and Ryusho would take off and fly south with all their carrier-based aircraft, which would be just right to land on the decks of the Wyvern and Mizukaze. The task of the Flying Dragon and the Ruifeng is to refuel these planes and hang bombs, and then carry out "unexpected" strikes on the US military.

Let's put it this way, the tactics of the Black Island Turtle are very similar to the cross-bombing tactics used by the devils in the Mariana Turkey Hunt later. At this time, the use of this tactic can shorten the time for the second mobile unit to move south, and allow the first mobile unit to recover its combat effectiveness as soon as possible. With the more than 80 carrier-based planes on the Falcon Eagle and the Dragon Horse, plus the "inventory" on the Flying Dragon, there are about 100 planes, and since the front Yamaguchi Duowen can use the dozen or so planes cobbled together to deal heavy damage to York City, why can't a hundred planes deal with the enemy's remaining two aircraft carriers this time?

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the Yamato issued Operational Order No. 155 to the commanders and the headquarters of the stations, in which Yamamoto first informed them of the location of the main fleet, and then said: "Second, the Midway Raiders will send some ships to escort the transport ships, and at the same time temporarily retreat to the northwest. Thirdly, the 2nd Mobile Force will join up with the 1st Mobile Force as soon as possible and complete the ...... attack, and fourthly, the submarine positions will be changed ......"

Just after Yamaguchi Tawen released the second wave of attack planes, Nagumo Tadaichi followed Yamamoto's orders. It is instructed to immediately retreat northward at full speed. It is required to get out of the strike range of American aircraft as soon as possible.

For Yamaguchi Tashi. Somewhat reluctant to carry out this order, why? Because in his opinion, the aircraft carrier could not outrun the planes, even if the Wyvern went at full speed, it would run 60 kilometers in an hour, and the slowest American torpedo plane could run 200 kilometers in an hour, and it was naïve to expect to use the high speed to escape from the enemy's strike range at this time.

What's more, Yamaguchi didn't want to retreat at all, even if it was temporary, he was reluctant, in his opinion, the enemy was far from being as strong as he imagined. It is true that the enemy destroyed the Akagi, Kaga and Soryu. But the losses of the enemy's carrier-based aircraft are also staggering, according to the reports of pilots and gunners, more than three hundred enemy aircraft have been shot down cumulatively (a lot of water), and the enemy's three aircraft carriers have only a total of only how many carrier-based aircraft?

Yamaguchi Tarumi thinks that the Americans don't have many carrier-based aircraft left, and apart from a considerable number of fighters and Midway bombers, how many can be used to attack the Wyvern? In other words, in his opinion, the strength of the two sides is actually half a catty, and if he fights, the Wyvern will not have the possibility of riding the savior alone.

Therefore, at that time, Yamaguchi Tawen ordered to collect as many attack aircraft as possible. Trying to piece together the strength is to prepare for a third wave of attack to fight it out. Natural. At this time, Nagumo Tadaichi ordered him to retreat, and he was definitely not very happy.

However, this order was given by Yamamoto fifty-six, and even if Yamaguchi smelled a lot of opinions, he had to carry it out (he had a good personal relationship with Yamamoto). Of course, we know that Yamaguchi's estimate was wrong, and he undercounted the two aircraft carriers of the Red Navy's task force, excluding the water in the 300 enemy planes shot down, as well as the Red Navy's Ro-2 and Midway's TBD and SBD, in fact, the relatively large losses on the American aircraft carriers were torpedo planes, while the dive bombers could completely fight a battle.

In other words, staying where Yamaguchi Tawen is a dead end, this time Yamamoto Fifty-six and Nagumo Tadaichi are right, he takes it for granted. In fact, it was still to come, and when the Wyvern retreated north at high speed, Hashimoto reported to him after completing his second blow to Yorktown: "Destroy one enemy aircraft carrier!" ”

Both Toonaga, who had already crashed into Yorktown, and Hashimoto, who was still alive, made a mistake by mistaking the Yorktown for its sister ship, thinking that it was attacking a brand new American aircraft carrier. Of course, this is mainly due to the excellent repair ability of the officers and men of the Yorktown, who would have thought that this is an aircraft carrier that was badly damaged just a few hours ago?

When the news reached Yamaguchi's ears, the impatient rear admiral was remorseful, he thought that he had missed a great opportunity to turn the tables, according to his calculations, at this time the strength of the enemy and the enemy in Midway Island was one to one, and the Wyvern could create a miracle!

Yamaguchi was impatient to pass on the good news to Nagumo Tadaichi, and once again asked to change the rudder and return to fight the Americans to the death. So what was Nagumo Tadaichi's reaction? Nagumo was naturally happy that he could destroy the second American aircraft carrier, which somewhat saved his face. But he had concerns about turning the rudder back and continuing the fight:

"There are not many carrier-based aircraft left in our fleet, how can we fight? In the event of any further loss of the Wyvern, how will you explain it to His Majesty the Emperor? ”

Therefore, Nagumo Tadaichi flatly rejected Yamaguchi's request and ordered this subordinate, who was somewhat more and more restless and arrogant, to carry out the orders of the commander of the Combined Fleet. This made Yamaguchi feel angry enough, to tell the truth, Yamaguchi at this time was indeed a little cocked, he thought that he had saved the defeat, if he hadn't decisively ordered a counterattack, at this time the first mobile force might have been wiped out, where is it Nagumo Zhongyi's turn to continue to hold chicken feathers as an arrow.

So Yamaguchi Tawen did something a little out of the ordinary, that is, he crossed the rank and reported to Yamamoto Fifty-six Small, hoping that this close friend would agree to his request to continue fighting.

One can imagine how wonderful Yamamoto's expression would be when he received this telegram, on the one hand, he was very happy that the spirit of the Wyvern in daring to fight at a critical juncture was able to destroy two enemy aircraft carriers under extremely difficult circumstances. It was not easy, and it kept the fleet's hopes of a turnaround. However, Yamaguchi's behavior of overstepping the level and making a small report is quite reckless and intolerable in the Japanese Navy, which is highly subordinate and hierarchical, and even if Yamaguchi is dedicated to the country, such behavior is not advisable. Even Yamamoto Fifty-six doesn't like this kind of behavior either.

Finally, and most crucially, Yamamoto Fifty-six also disagrees with Yamaguchi's risky actions. If the Wyvern continues to stay on the battlefield. Then there is a high probability that it will be attacked by the Americans at once. It's really hard to say whether you can survive or not, rather than risk being a lone hero, it is better to wait for Kondo Nobutake to converge, and then use the carrier-based aircraft on the Ryusho and Hayabusa to counterattack, so that the certainty is greater and the risk is less.

Therefore, Yamamoto Isoroku categorically rejected Yamaguchi's suggestion and ordered him to "unswervingly" carry out the established policy. One can imagine how disappointed Yamaguchi Tawen would be when he received this telegram. But his arms couldn't twist his thighs, and he had nothing to do but carry out orders.

Compared to history. At this point, the situation became different, Yamaguchi Tawen retreated at high speed, narrowly avoiding the second blow of the Enterprise and the Bumblebee, and saved a small life for the time being, but the battle was not over, and on this night and the next morning, the final round of the battle would decide everything.

Both sides are gathering strength and waiting for the final showdown. For the Japanese, this will be their last chance to turn the tables. As the commander of the 1st Mobile Force, Nagumo Tadaichi's state is particularly important.

The blow during the day was really fatal for Nagumo Tadaichi. However, when he stepped onto the deck of a cruiser he knew and loved (he was a mine veteran), and received orders from Yamamoto Isoroku. He was like a grass that was about to die, and suddenly ushered in Ganlin, and suddenly regained his vitality.

In order to meet the final decisive battle, Nagumo Tadaichi sent out all the reconnaissance planes that he could send out, so that throughout the afternoon and evening, reports from various reconnaissance planes poured into his headquarters like snowflakes. These reconnaissance reports are not necessarily accurate, and a considerable part of them are full of errors, omissions, and confusion.

However, in the midst of this terrible mess, Nagumo still obtained a few key pieces of information, and if he had paid attention to these pieces of information, then he and Yamamoto would not have fallen into a mess later, let alone be indignant and angry after the fiasco.

The first report was on the U.S. fleet, mentioning the composition of the U.S. fleet obtained through captured U.S. overboard pilots, and the core was to clarify that there were three aircraft carriers, namely the Yorktown, the Enterprise, and the Hornet.

It may seem like a prosaic report, but it is quite meaningful, because it tells Nagumo about the composition of the American fleet.

The second report is even more interesting, as it comes from the pilots of the Wyvern, who participated in the two waves of attacks as they recalled the aircraft carriers they attacked:

"The enemy ship appears to have been attacked, and there is damage to the deck and chimney."

This piece of information actually directly pointed out that the Wyvern attacked the same target twice, but this key piece of information was denied, and both Yamaguchi Tarumi and Nagumo Tadaichi wishfully believed that they destroyed two American aircraft carriers.

The third piece of information was sent back by Nobutake's Type 95 Hydro Reconnaissance, a brave reconnaissance plane that approached the Red Navy task force at dusk and observed two enemy aircraft carriers sailing north side by side at high speed.

This piece of information is still ignored, because the Japanese believe that the pilot must have been mistaken, first of all, there could be no American aircraft carrier in that sea area, let alone two, and it is estimated that the pilot mistook the cargo ship for an aircraft carrier.

In fact, the latter two pieces of information are very crucial, if Nagumo Tadaichi and Yamamoto Fifty-six attract attention and seriously go to reconnoiter again, I am afraid it will not be difficult to find that their previous judgment is outrageously wrong. The Allies also had four large fleet carriers, and they simply could not win the naval battle the next day.

But it all doesn't matter, because the Japanese chose to look for death. Under Yamamoto's orders, the various units of the Combined Fleet, while communicating with each other, broke through the black fog and drove towards the battlefield at full speed.

Wrapped around the bridge of the Yamato, Ugaki kept in touch with Yamamoto and other operational staff officers in the command room, while directing the fleet to sail. However, the dense fog caused a lot of trouble for the Japanese main fleet, and the Nagato, which was sailing at the tail of the formation, received orders only an hour later, and could only pursue the main force of the fleet with all its might. This made Ugaki and Yamamoto fifty-six quite dissatisfied, but to be honest, in the weather conditions at the time, even the traffic lights could not be seen, and it was understandable that there was a mistake.

Compared to the main force of the fleet, Nagumo Tadaichi's mobile troops were also shrouded in an artificially created fog above their heads. The Haruna's reconnaissance plane reported to Nagumo Tadaichi: "The enemy's position is 80 degrees, and the distance is 90 nautical miles. Consists of five large cruisers and an aircraft carrier that is burning violently. This information was generally accurate except that the five cruisers were rather nonsense, but only ten minutes later, the Haruna's reconnaissance plane reported: "The enemy is at a position of 90 degrees, consisting of five large cruisers and five aircraft carriers, and the enemy aircraft carrier is burning." ”

This simply made Nagumo Tadaichi crazy. Nima, the kung fu enemy aircraft carrier with a cup of tea has changed from one to five, you think this is a trick! It was precisely because the reconnaissance report was full of errors, omissions and inexplicability that Nagumo Tadaichi selectively filtered out all these "nonsense", and he honestly prepared to meet the carrier-based aircraft of the Ryuchampa and Hayabusa according to Yamamoto's requirements...... (To be continued.) )

PS: Bow and thank zmcyhh, old schoolboys, nirvana, ghoul kiss ink, lost remnant maple, glorious charter, mending knife king, southern rangers and juventus comrades!