While the Americans were busy dealing with the fires on the flight deck and hangar, the second and third bombs also fell, one 250kg and one 100kg. The second bomb hit the middle of the deck. The central elevator in the operation was blown up, which also caused fires on the hangar and flight deck, but the destructiveness and fire were much smaller. The third 100kg bomb fell on the anti-aircraft gun deck on the side of the battleship, and several 28mm machine guns and the gun crew next to it were solved.

The fourth time the torpedo hit the Constellation was a torpedo aircraft. It was originally a formation of three aircraft, but one of them failed to attack, and the other was destroyed before it could throw out the torpedo. In the end, the torpedo aircraft made the last effective hit in this battle! The torpedo left a clear white mark on the sea surface and hit the left side of the Constellation one minute later!

Constellation is worthy of being one of the most powerful aircraft carriers in the US Navy. The defense system composed of 3.8 meters of underwater protective layer and high elastic steel plates above 60mm was proved to be reliable. The fragments and shock waves broke the first heavy oil tank. Then a large amount of foam poured into the empty tanks of the second floor. These empty tanks accommodate high-temperature and high-pressure bubbles, and used the high-elastic steel plate to absorb and reduce the remaining energy. Most of the debris were unable to penetrate the third floor liquid tank. Some fragments with high kinetic energy were eventually blocked by the last layer of lightning protection steel plates. So much so that Fletcher and Mitchell on the Constellation just felt the warship shaking slightly.

When the remaining Japanese bombers wanted to continue attacking, the fighters that took off from Zeppelin and Assault finally arrived. The well-deserved fighter fleet easily drove out the Japanese bombers and captured several unlucky guys who had no time to escape. No matter what, due to the timely support of the Second Aircraft Carrier Detachment, the Constellation reported. Although his rear deck was blown up, the aircraft carrier could still sail at a speed of more than 25 knots.

"The losses were heavy." Old Fletcher looked at his fleet. Two of the three aircraft carriers sank, and the Constellation almost lost its aircraft landing ability. Although the hull structure of the three battleships was not very damaged, the air defense firepower was seriously damaged. Some fragile equipment, such as optical instruments, also suffered losses. In the next battle, these injured warships were probably performing very badly. At least five destroyers sank, and two were seriously damaged.

"I don't know what the fleet is doing now for General Sims. We need to send them a telegram asking them not to return to the First Aircraft Carrier Detachment after completing the mission, and just go to the Second Aircraft Carrier Detachment to land." Mitchell said.

"Can Zeppelin and the Assaulter accommodate those carrier-based aircraft?" asked Fletcher, the old man.

"It should be able to accommodate most of the carrier-based aircraft on these two aircraft carriers have suffered a lot of losses. Many aircraft have forced landings on the sea due to exhaustion of fuel. Moreover, the fighter jets we sent to General Sims were not without losses, and I don't know what their situation is." Mitchell said.

Well, now the problem is coming. Just when Charles led the fleet to attack the US First Aircraft Carrier Detachment, what is the situation with Sims? In fact, the Sims fleet is also under great pressure because they are closer to the Japanese airport, and the Japanese single-engine aircraft are capable of providing escorts for the bomber fleet! The American fighter jets sent out to escort are not facing the bulky twin-engine fighters, but the Japanese version of the dromedary fighter!

If the air defense firepower of the aircraft carrier and battleship detachment commanded by Fletcher before made the Japanese offensive troops feel extremely stressed, then the air defense firepower of the Sims fleet made it even more difficult for the Japanese to start. Before the Japanese bomber troops arrived at the battlefield, Sims reorganized the fleet. The original single-ranking corps composed of eight battleships was dismantled into two units, and the same was true for frigates.

"The American battleship air defense formation is like this. The four battleships advance in diamond formations. The distance between the warships is always there. Anti-aircraft guns can be used to support each other, and there is also enough maneuver space. On the periphery is a ring array composed of at least 12 destroyers. Between the two ring arrays, there are armored cruiser teams and affiliated destroyers, maintaining the connection between the ring array. In the air, at least 70 fighter jets have opened an air defense network for the fleet. When we see this posture, we know that today's battle will not be easy." A British officer who participated in the air strike of the Sims fleet said.

"Our strength today is destined to be able to perform limited attack missions, so we must attack the most valuable targets." Before launching the final attack, Colonel Peron, the British officer who was in command, arranged the attack target for the last time.

"This time, two new battleships appeared in the US fleet. Their appearance is very similar to the German Bavarian-class battleship, but it is a circle larger in size. It is equipped with four twin-mounted turrets. If you guess correctly, it should be the newly commissioned Colorado-class battleship of the US Navy." The staff officer next to him said.

"Well, it should be so. The Germans' Bavaria is fast and flexible, and the officers and soldiers are experienced and difficult to catch. The Americans' 14-inch battleship has limited combat power, so don't worry too much. Then let's start with the Americans' new ships. Their 16-inch cannons have great power. In the next fleet battle, the threat to the joint fleet's main ships is a bit great." Beron thought for a while and said.

Today's air strike is just the beginning of the Japanese counterattack. The core tactics aim is to weaken the strength of the US fleet. Charles has already attacked the American aircraft carrier team, and Peron's mission is to weaken the strength of the US battleship team. However, from the current situation, it seems very difficult to deal with, so he can only set his target on individual warships. It is not easy to rely on less than 80 bombers to force the defense to tear open such a line of defense and then severely damage the opponent's fleet.

"Assign the mission, then start, let the fighter troops get on first, and then we get on. The giants will stay for the end!" Peron looked at the fighter jets that had only 60 rounds and down in front of the bomber group and said. Time was still a little nervous after all. In less than two days of preparation, it was already the limit to be able to concentrate so much of the Japanese Navy and Army aviation force, but there were two targets, which ensured the attack strength of the US aircraft carrier, so it was difficult to ensure the attack strength of the battleships.
Chapter completed!