At 7:58, Halsey received information that the two Japanese fleets had completely merged (Kakuda Fleet and Yano Fleet), about 960 kilometers away from this fleet. Due to the range of intercepted Japanese fighters, they did not show a further five-way battle.

In his and McCain's expectations, just as the two were discussing to turn to shorten the attack distance, 8:o9, the shocked news came:

A submarine reported that a Japanese fleet had passed by at dawn. The specific model was unclear. Under its guidance, Ingram and Doolittle sent four reconnaissance aircraft in a targeted manner, and finally achieved some results. A Japanese fleet appeared about 18 o kilometers northeast of Hawaii Island. A large group of battleships surrounded the north about 8 o kilometers later, including two majestic class battleships.

Converting to the location of the Halsey fleet, there is a Japanese fleet 88o kilometers southeast of its southeast, heading north, and has 3 fleet aircraft carriers.

"This is the enemy's main fleet!" McCain screamed.

Halsey was anxious, and this information suddenly caused the t5o fleet to fall into the dilemma of Japanese attacks on both sides of the Japanese army. The Hori Teki and Kakuda fleets in the northwest and the Tsukahara fleet in the southeast, each fleet is not weak.

broken!

The battle situation suddenly turned very ugly, and everyone was stunned: if you want to deal with the enhanced Japanese army on the Western Front, you must pull out most of your strength to fight, but in this way, before this group of attack groups came back, the enemy army on the southern front would come over, and vice versa.

It is not advisable to divide the troops. Dividing the troops on both sides means that they cannot win either end and they can only die in vain. Although the reconnaissance aircraft did not report in detail the fleet aircraft carrier model owned by Tsukahara, based on the data obtained in the early stage, it is easy to know that the opponent has 2 Shochi-class aircraft carriers and 1 newly built fleet aircraft carrier, which seems to be a larger fleet aircraft carrier, is said to be an armored aircraft carrier.

The staff immediately believed that the fleet had 24o-25o aircraft.

"William, facing the attack of the superior enemy, we can only retreat."

"Back? Where to go?"

"Retreat east...retreat back to the west coast, relying on 6 bases of protection."

"No, I can't retreat. The fleet turns to the southeast and moves forward all!"

McCain was anxious: "William, now is not the time to act irritating, you must calm down."

"I'm very calm." Halsey's face was very calm. "We don't have the chance to retreat to the west coast. If the escort carrier cannot run fast, they will be caught up soon! Can I leave them behind and run back alone?"

McCain was speechless and threw away 12 escort aircraft carriers and kept him from running away. Not to mention that Halsey couldn't do it, he wouldn't be able to do it. He would be scolded for the rest of his life! How can he meet people when he goes out in the future?

"When we meet on a narrow road, the brave will win. We must first rush over and shorten the distance with the Japanese main fleet, and then release the attack group to defeat the southern fleet, and then turn to defend the northwest fleet. Their distance is still a little far, so that we can have a way out!" Halsey issued an order quickly, "You immediately look for a route that can quickly shorten the distance from the southern enemy, and not allow the enemy on the other side to quickly narrow the distance between them; telegram to General Ingram and the Joint Conference, hoping that they will coordinate with Air Six to help us attack this fleet, and at least tell us the enemy's dynamics; 2 Essex class and 2 South Dakota class form a fast column, and make a moderate breakthrough -4o kilometers!"

"Sir, the latest information... the enemy fleet suddenly turned around and rushed towards the 16o-degree route."

Hori Teiki looked at the chart and nodded slightly: "It was still timely reaction, but his degree caused him to be embarrassed. He had lost the opportunity to eat Tsukahara first and then eat us."

"I order!" Horitiji paused and said without hesitation, "Rise the z-flag! Illegalize the US Pacific Fleet, today! All the soldiers of the army are moving forward and fighting bravely!"

Everyone stood up straight.

"The Second Air War, all the warships that can keep up with the Five Air War formed an assault column, followed the commander to advance, and charge the entire army with 29 ranks!"

“Onboard!”

"The chief has raised the Z-shaped flag on Katsurachi!" Kusato Ryunosuke told Tsukahara to prepare for the final battle."

Tsukahara nodded and asked again: "Is the enemy's route now coming to us?"

"Yes, sir, the whole army is pressing over?" said the staff enthusiastically.

"No! Change the course, take 8o degrees, slow down to 18 knots, and wait for the battleship formation to come up!"

"Sir!" Everyone thought they had heard it wrong, and everyone screamed.

"Execute the order, the sir will understand!"

When he heard that Halsey was attacked by two enemy troops, the Joint Conference was in chaos and everything was in chaos. After hearing that Halsey rushed to the south, the command center was even more messy.

Spruenz was anxious: "I suggest retreating one after another, and then depending on the situation. Even if William can severely damage the enemy fleet in the south, the situation is not optimistic..."

Nimitz waved his hand and said in a hoarse voice: "Please General Ingram and General Doolittle coordinate the attack on Air Six."

"Pearl Harbor said that there are only 87 aircraft that can perform missions, and the enemy fleet is 18oo kilometers away and cannot catch up after 5 hours of flight!" The bad news came in 5 minutes. Nimitz slapped the table hard, but there was no way. In the past two days, he only used transport planes to transport some fuel and fighter jets. The heavy bombers did not transport a few lack of oil and crew. Pearl Harbor now lacks anything.

"How is the situation now?" Truman walked in with a dark face. Obviously, he received news that the situation was extremely unfavorable. It was the general election next week. He did not want another big news before the vote.

"Now that all the Japanese troops have appeared, they have completely overwhelmed the T5O fleet." Under Spruins' explanation, Truman almost fainted in a hurry. Now it is the entire joint fleet vs. the Pacific fleet, or simply to put it simply, Japan vs. Halsey.

Combat aircraft: Expected 6vs55o (actual 6o7:55o)

Fleet aircraft carrier: 8vs2, Japan is leading significantly;

Other aircraft carriers: 7vs12, the US military has certain advantages (in fact, based on combat effectiveness, the comparison between Japan and the United States is nearly 3:12)

Battleships: 6vs2. The Japanese army has 3 Yamato-level battleships, and the South Dakota-level possessed by Halsey cannot be chewed at all against Yamato. Even if they fight Nagato 1vs1, they dare not say that they will win;

Heavy cruiser: 9vso, the Japanese army's absolute advantage;

Light cruiser: 17vs8;

Destroyer: 61vs32

"In addition to escorting the aircraft carrier, our army has barely some advantages, the rest are completely at a disadvantage, and considering the differences in combat effectiveness of the pilots, it is even more difficult to compete."

Everyone's face was pale. Even MacArthur, Clark and other 6th generals knew that the situation was serious. Japan now has an overwhelming advantage. What's more troublesome is that the enemy and us are still very transparent, and it's still a whole day before dark. Besides, listening to Spruins' tone just now, it's not safe even if it's dark.

"What should I do?" Truman glanced at everyone and said to several admirals, "You must find a way to preserve this fleet. Even if it cannot be preserved, at least we must keep the backbone forces behind. America cannot lose the Pacific Fleet, let alone the Pacific!"

9:39, the reconnaissance aircraft sent by Halsey swept across the sea and was surprised to find that the Tsukahara Fleet aircraft carrier group had been changed to travel eastward, and the distance from the battleship fleet behind it was much smaller.

"Bastard! Bastard! This old turtle! Old turtle!" After reading the telegram from the reconnaissance plane, Halsey was so angry that he tore up and cursed.

Of course he had reason to be angry: the distance between Tsukahara and himself was 88o kilometers just now, and after driving in opposite directions, the height of 48 knots can be synthesized, which means that the gap of nearly 9o kilometers per hour can be narrowed. After 3 hours, he can put the Tsukahara fleet into the 6o kilometers strike circle and make a wave of killing. But now, the distance between Tsukahara is shortened to only about 25 kilometers per hour, and the attack on Tsukahara fleet will take place within 10 hours, and it has been dark at this time.

Hori Teiki of Tsubata's transformation was of course praised. In fact, although the two fleets formed a clamping force, they did not form a joint force. There was a time difference between the two fleets. Tsubata's heading adjustment suddenly closed the time window. Another advantage of driving eastward is to distance the distance from Hawaii Island. Even if the US Imperial Air 6 wants to play Death Assault, it will greatly increase the difficulty.

"Okay! Beautiful job!" Hori Teki praised Tsukahara sincerely. Now the distance between Hori Teki's fast column and Halsey is shortened by 25 kilometers per hour, and it is expected to be attacked in the evening.

Hori Teiki did not think the situation was as optimistic as Matsuda Chiaki and others saw it. He believed that the situation was still developing dynamically. Overall, the absolute advantage did not represent the actual victory. In fact, if Halsey really tried his best, he would be sure to fight against Tsukahara to lose both sides... He did not want to see Halsey's desperate scene, as this would be too hurtful.

1o:o4, the Halsey fleet adjusted its course to 1 degree, and he asked the staff a little depressedly: "Now, how long will it take to enter the 6oo-kilometer air defense circle?"

"There is still 1832 kilometers, which is about...about...about...37 hours."

McCain had no hope at all: both enemy fleets can compete at the fastest, with a flight difference of 11 kilometres. Even if they run away with all their might, they can shorten 2o kilometers per hour. After 1o-15 hours, they will be confident enough to shorten the distance within 6o kilometers.

Halsey's mood also fell to the bottom, but he barely supported himself and did not let himself collapse. "Keep the course, the flight remains unchanged, first see if there is a turning point in the situation, and then you can think of a better way to retreat."

While he was thinking about the way to retreat, Spruins had asked someone to invite Turner to the Joint Conference, and in the name of President Truman, he gave Turner the title of "Deputy Director of the Office of the Adviser for the Navy of Retired Generals" (the director was left to General Kim). Then, after a few days of retirement, Turner returned to the sand table of the Joint Conference...

ps: I went out with my family tonight, so it was a little late. Sorry, I would like to ask for a ticket next month... I guarantee to start a bid tomorrow!
Chapter completed!