"It should be so, but the opponent's position has been roughly determined. Aircraft from other directions are allowed to conduct close reconnaissance on the area responsible for reconnaissance No. 4." Sims said.

"This is just an incomplete telegram, so how did you determine the position of the imaginary enemy?" Su Xiong expressed doubts about the Americans' judgment.

"Although this telegram is incomplete, it has told us a lot of information. After the fleet sets off, the telegram will be sent back every 15 minutes. If the telegram is sent within 15 minutes, there are only two possibilities. One is to discover the target, and the other is to be attacked. In the telegram, C indicates that the carrier aircraft discovered the target, and A indicates that it was attacked. Although the reconnaissance aircraft No. 4 did not inform us of the exact location of the other party, we knew what the plane encountered when we saw the letters of CA." Sims said with a smile.

"However, let the rest be left to other reconnaissance aircraft to confirm. We can also set the target position based on the preset route of the reconnaissance aircraft. You are very clear that the speed of a reconnaissance aircraft is generally about 90 kilometers per hour, and we can quickly determine a lot of information based on time." said a US officer next to him.

In any case, the Americans did a good job in reconnaissance and guidance. Half an hour later, two other reconnaissance aircraft determined the location of the German fleet and sent it to the Independent aircraft carrier by telegram, which also means that the exercise has entered the second stage, and the Independent air defense exercise kicked off!

Before the enemy planes arrived, the USS Independent aircraft carrier made final defense preparations, and more than a dozen fighters were lifted from the hangar to the deck and were positioned and discharged. The Americans released another 8 fighters, and formed a defense belt with the original 12 aircraft in the sky. This time, the Americans fully considered the differences in the attack routes of bombers and torpedoes, so they deliberately strengthened the low-altitude defense. The 12 aircraft were at high altitude and the other 8 were in hollow so that they could intercept torpedoes entering the battlefield at any time.

"Repeat, your first target is a torpedo! The second target is a bomber! Follow me closely and don't get separated!" Before setting off, the squadron leader repeated the interception mission to his subordinates again!

"What if the enemy's plane bites our butt?" asked a pilot.

"Then kill an enemy bomber before you are shot down, that's it!" The squadron leader replied very simply.

While the US carrier-based fighter jets were launched to perform an interception mission, a group of American troops also marked something on the huge drawing board on the island. They placed blue models representing their own fighter jets around the aircraft carrier, marking the height and status. Then, the collected enemy intelligence was also marked on the drawing board to make it easier for the commander to understand the situation.

"The idea is very good, but it is a bit out of reality." Earl Spee said in a low voice to Lieutenant General Su Xiong next to him. When this fighter is rarely equipped with radio, it is almost impossible to transmit data in real time. There is serious lag in command and coordination. Therefore, the effect of air interception basically depends on the pilot's own quality and luck. By the way, there is also the number of aircraft!

However, in fact, the performance of the US Air Force is worse than what the Earl thought. It is not only that the US Air Force pilots lack practical combat and are at a disadvantage in the fight, but more importantly, the tactical lack, or that the Germans fought too cunningly.

The German fighter troops actually entered the field about half an hour earlier than the attacking machine. At long distances, it is difficult to distinguish between fighter jets and attack aircraft with the naked eye, so the American fighter fleet can only go up and fight! As long as the two sides meet, regardless of whether the Americans can fight, it is inherently a disadvantage! Because, according to combat training, the ammunition and fuel of the intercepting aircraft are left to the bomber! Because of the early engagement, the unused secondary fuel tank must be abandoned first. This has caused insufficient time to stagnate.

However, the skills of the American pilots who can come to participate in the war are quite good. Although they lack some experience, they can still fight back and forth. Although they were fooled and some loopholes appeared in the defense line, they still blocked the opponent! Then, the second wave of foolings ushered in by the Americans!

"Did I find them? At 10 o'clock, on the sea!" Lieutenant Short said loudly to his colleagues beside him, and rushed down first. He could see very clearly that the plane was a German torpedo plane, and entered the battlefield from the direction of the sunlight. If it weren't for his sharp eyes, he might have missed it. Lieutenant Short, who had been on standby in the hollow, would naturally not miss this opportunity. So, four fighter planes roared down and attacked the three torpedo planes on the sea.

However, what the Americans could not imagine was that this torpedo attack aircraft was indeed real, but it was just a bait. While the Germans attacked the torpedo aircraft, the German fighter jets hidden in the clouds also roared down. Unlike the German Air Force fighter jets that attacked from all sides during the feint attack, this time, the Germans concentrated their strength to attack a little, directly breaking through the defense of the USS Independent aircraft carrier!

"Too cunning!" In the end, eight torpedo planes broke through the defense of the US Navy Air Force, and two torpedoes hit the side of the ship. According to the exercise, the Independence had lost its combat effectiveness. Looking at the destroyer that was salvaging the torpedo on the side, General Sims said helplessly and somewhat dissatisfied.

(Yes, you read that right, just salvage the torpedo after being launched. How can you throw such a valuable thing? The torpedo used in the exercise will generally be recycled after use.)

"Are our requirements a little higher?" Su Xiong next to him was also a little embarrassed and said to Earl Spey in a low voice. "After all, the British only have four aircraft carriers, and the capacity is relatively small, so their attack power is relatively limited."

"I feel that the British land-based aviation power may still remain. Maybe they have not been able to deal with the high seas fleet, but it should not be a big problem to deal with us. We should pay more attention." Earl Spee said seriously. Although the incident of losing a country by a horseshoe in Europe is a bit exaggerated, at the critical moment of the war, serious consequences are still very likely due to carelessness in some aspects. The so-called lenient enemy means this!

"But it's already difficult for us to strengthen our air defense." Su Xiong said with some depression.

"Every battleship should bring more disposable aircraft. Also ask Sims if they accept German pilots or air combat commanders." Earl Spee said.
Chapter completed!