Chapter 1391 Choice (Third update, please subscribe)
Author: Xiaoyu’s Destiny
Chapter 1391 Choice (Third update, please subscribe)
"Hampton Anchorage, the mighty Great White Fleet, departed from here, returned here, and finally disappeared here. What disappeared was not only the fleet, but also the era of cannons and giant ships..."
"History of the Great White Fleet"
It should be remembered that even in the face of unfamiliar air raids, the U.S. Navy fought bravely and skillfully. During the fierce bombing, they fought back fiercely with backward anti-airship artillery. On those sunken warships, the brave U.S. sailors
Taking advantage of the gaps in the aviation force's fierce attacks, they tried to counterattack the Imperial Aviation Force with rifles and machine guns.
The attack of the first attack wave lasted about an hour. In the fierce artillery fire, the Empire lost as many as six aircraft. Among them, three fighter jets were shot down under the intensive fire of mast machine guns while dropping bombs at low altitude.
The loss cannot be overstated!
When the formation began to return, Lu Deren flew around the Hampton Anchorage again, reconnoitred the results of the battle, and took many aerial photos. At this time, the entire Hampton Anchorage was completely shrouded in thick smoke, and there were flames everywhere.
.However, the result of today's battle can still be determined. Among the eleven US Navy dreadnought battleships in the anchorage, as many as five have definitely been sunk. The Rhode Island was already heavy in the sea due to the explosion of the ammunition depot, and the other five were already in the sea.
There seems to be little repair value. The other five pre-dreadnoughts can also be judged to have suffered heavy damage.
This shows that although the U.S. Navy’s fleet at Hampton Anchorage cannot be said to have ceased to exist, at least it has completely lost its combat effectiveness!
Regarding the results of this battle, Lu Deren made a general judgment in his mind and ordered the pilot to turn around and start returning to the west. The air force needed to fly across the ocean, then find the aircraft carrier on the sea, land, and then based on
The situation determines whether to launch a second wave of attacks.
In order to increase the first wave of strike power as much as possible, the fleet invested 90% of its aircraft after the first wave of attacks.
After the fighter plane completed its attack, it quickly returned home.
In order to collect the fighters that may have strayed, Lu Deren flew to the return assembly point after the reconnaissance. Here, he encountered another fighter plane. In this era, for fighter pilots without positioning navigation, they use dead reckoning to fly long distances.
It is very difficult. Therefore, the return meeting point and return time are stipulated.
Lu Deren's commander-in-chief's plane was the last batch of fighter planes to return home. After Lu Deren returned to the "Jingwei" at 9:53 in the morning, he immediately rushed to the flight command post. In the command post, he listened to the various flight captains
report, and then compare and organize these situations with the results of the battle he witnessed, and prepare a report to the fleet commander.
In order to carry out repeated attacks on Hampton Anchorage to expand the results, on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier, preparations for the second wave of attacks are being made. The aircraft that have been refueled and loaded with bombs or torpedoes are constantly being lifted up by the rear elevator, and again
On the takeoff line.
The pilots, who had just finished a five-hour flight and battle, were eating beef, drinking tea, and were ready to attack at any time.
"Captain, come to the bridge quickly!"
A shout came from the microphone leading from the bridge to the flight control post.
Lu Deren immediately ran to the bridge. After saluting the captain, he prepared to report the combat situation to the head of the headquarters through the captain.
At this time, Wu Anping asked directly:
"Captain Lu, thank you for your hard work. What's the result?"
The result of the battle, yes, is the key to Chang Gong's next decision.
Captain Chen Antao glanced at Lu Deren and asked him to report directly to the fleet commander. Lu Deren turned around and looked at the headquarters staff gathered on the right side of the bridge. He immediately saw that they had already discussed whether Hamp needed to be attacked there.
The issue of repeated attacks on Dun was hotly debated.
Staff officer Qiu Zhen's face clearly showed dissatisfaction. This situation made Lu Deren feel self-conscious.
"What can be confirmed is that when we arrived, there were only eleven battleships in the anchorage, and we sank six of them. Among them, one had a big explosion and three capsized. Although the other two did not capsize, they had sunk.
Into the bottom of the ocean."
Lu Deren replied.
Wu Anping's eyes flashed. Although he seemed very satisfied, his brows furrowed and he said:
"Oh, so five ships are for sure. So, what about the other five ships?"
"Due to the short time, it is difficult to judge accurately. It is estimated that three ships were seriously damaged and the damage was very serious. The other two ships should have suffered superficial damage, but it was not too serious."
Lu Deren continued to report.
"So, we have almost achieved the expected results!"
Lu Deren felt that the commander’s intention might be to stop there. So, he said:
"At present, those battleships are unable to move for a while, but the damage is not complete enough. In addition, there are many pre-dreadnoughts and cruisers and lower ships in the port. Although they have also suffered some losses, I think it is necessary to conduct a second
attack."
At this time, Chief of Staff Sun Renhai interrupted and asked:
"You said there are only eleven ships, so what about the remaining two? Our intelligence shows that in addition to the two ships being repaired in the dock, there should be three more. Are they at sea?"
"on the sea……"
The chief of staff's words made Wu Anping frown, and he immediately turned around and asked.
"Did aerial reconnaissance reveal anything unusual?"
"not yet!"
"Continue reconnaissance."
Later, Wu Anping's brows furrowed, and now he was faced with a choice - whether to carry out a second attack.
In fact, what is the most cruel thing in war?
It’s a choice!
For generals, any choice they make may not only determine the fate of a country, but also the life and death of tens of thousands of people.
Just like now, the choice Wu Anping faces is very difficult.
If the second wave of attacks is not carried out, and the US military only loses six warships, then they still have ten. As a result, the empire needs to retain at least ten warships in the Atlantic to maintain balance.
Ten warships stay in the port all day long...How can the empire afford such waste?
But if a second wave of attacks is carried out and the pilots are very tired, how much results can be achieved?
Moreover, there are still three battleships whose whereabouts are unknown. If they are nearby, or if they return quickly after learning the news, the mobile fleet with a maximum speed of only 13 knots will not be able to outrun them!
The escort ship can return at a speed of more than 20 knots, but what about the aircraft carrier? There are also oil tankers. They are not very fast. What if a US warship catches up?
When the time comes, it will really be difficult to ride a tiger!
Wu Anping frowned, and for a moment, he couldn't make a choice...
The old group has died and a new book club group has been established: 739209015. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of chapter)
This chapter has been completed!