ps: Yesterday's attack waves were written a bit messy, and they have been readjusted and modified. Interested readers can take a look. If you don't read it, it will not affect the results.

Before dawn the next day, Tsukahara sent all his reconnaissance forces to detect the Essex aircraft carrier, but he searched until noon and could not find the seriously damaged enemy ship. In the end, he had to withdraw his troops and reunite with the artillery fleet and the guerrilla fleet, preparing to go to Marshall first, then go to Truke to replenish, and then return to the local area.

The Essex was destined to be unable to find it, because in the evening of yesterday, Nimitz, who had repeatedly asked to save the ship, had slowed the ship's speed and dangerous navigation, which had dragged down the overall retreat speed of the fleet. He refused the begging of others and reluctantly issued an order: all personnel were evacuated, and the destroyer released the torpedo and actively sank it.

As the sun sets, the destroyers Emmons and the Grayson teamed up to release torpedoes. A total of 4 torpedoes hit the Essex almost at the same time. This time, it was finally impossible to stop it. This strong new aircraft carrier made special contributions with its tenacious floating ability. 70% of the officers and soldiers on the ship and the entire Pacific Fleet Command were finally retained.

Seeing it slowly sinking on the sea, everyone's eyes were filled with tears. Many young sailors, who were only in their early 19 years old, couldn't help crying and losing their voices. This battle, they not only suffered setbacks, but also lost many partners who lived with them day and night.

"If all the aircraft carriers are lost, how should we report to the country?" Halsey looked frowning and in great pain. "General Jin repeatedly hinted that we should be cautious, but the result was like this. If he stood in front of him now, he would probably kill me..."

"This is not a question you should consider. Our war with the Japanese devils will continue for a long time. Don't worry too much, let alone the fleet is not without gains." Nimitz explained, "We severely damaged the Shohe, created the Ruihe, and sank two enemy light aircraft carriers. Oh, and also severely damaged an unknown medium-sized aircraft carrier, which may be the Frenchman's Beyan. The enemy's living forces were greatly hit..."

"Obviously we lost more and we also paid for an additional New Mexico."

While talking, Giffin hurried in: "The submarine force reported good news. They sank a wounded King Kong-class battleship early this morning."

"Really?" Halsey was happy, "It must be the King Kong-class that was injured by us."

"Look, the losses of New Mexico have also been even." Nimitz analyzed the situation lightly: "Japan's shipbuilding capabilities are a problem, so we are much better. It is acceptable to change 3 to 2 or even 4 to 2. The USS Victorious aircraft carrier (Essex class) has completed sea trial service two days ago; between October and November, the Hornet, Hornet, and Franklin (all Essex class) will be completed and put into service, and there are two independent class light aircraft ships.

The mother will also join the fleet. Before Christmas, the Atlantic Fleet will have 4 fleet aircraft carriers and 3 light aircraft carriers available. We also hope to get support from the other two fleet aircraft carriers and 2 light aircraft carriers, which are all good ships like the Essex. The Japanese army can only use up to 2 fleet aircraft carriers and 2 light aircraft carriers. As time goes by, our army's new aircraft carriers will be more and more, faster and faster! The Japanese devils will sooner or later be swallowed up by the Essex-class oceans."

Halsey smiled bitterly: "Don't force yourself to comfort me, I see you are also in pain."

"I don't worry about warships. In terms of production, America is unmatched. What I worry about is that there are not enough skilled pilots." Nimitz's question is very targeted. "Don't you think our pilot quality is not good? This time, let alone fleet A, we actually have the lead. If the 180 aircraft that fleet B put into the attack could have the efficiency of the Japanese, Tsukahara's maneuver fleet would have been defeated by us long ago. How could it be his turn to release the second and third attack waves?"

Halsey pointed to agree. Nimitz did not need to shirk responsibility, but the problem was pointed out that Fleet A actually used its own sacrifice to pull the fleet B. It was a good gap. However, the two attack waves and the air strikes of 180 aircraft were not good: Shochi did not sink, Ruihe was not injured, but only sunk the Bolzano, and even the Dragon and Phoenix did not kill the Dragon and Phoenix. If the first wave was destroyed, the situation would not be so ugly. Maybe it was Hori Teki who wanted to consider retreating now.

If the two sides exchanged positions, these 180 aircraft were attacked by the Japanese army. Not to mention Shuanghe, I am afraid that the other light air carriers and auxiliary air carriers will all be killed.

"After returning to Pearl Harbor, I need to increase the intensity of pilot training. At least I have two escort aircraft carriers in my hand, so I need to make full use of them."

"Sir, the battle report has been written, please check it out." Giffin handed the long telegram to Nimitz to report to China. The latter looked carefully for a long time, and took the final part of defending the fleet's decision, and wrote the analysis he had just made with Halsey.

"Tell the country that we do not regret our decision. If we do it again, I will still fight the Japanese. Although it failed tactically, it did not fail strategically. We successfully consumed the Japanese army's strength, at least in the short term, the joint fleet will not interfere with the situation in Europe and will not affect the Battle of Azores." Nimitz thought for a while, and finally added a few more words.

Halsey came over and found that he wrote: "I am willing to continue to lead the fleet to fight the Japanese army to the end, but if I need to be held accountable, I am willing to take all the responsibility and go to the military court. Halsey, Jifen and others worked under my specific command. They worked diligently and completed all their tasks, and proposed revised and improved combat decisions in command many times, without any faults. They are rare and excellent command talents. It is recommended to keep them..."

"Sir!" Halsey and Giffin's eyes were red.

Nimitz patted his shoulders for fear: "It's nothing, we'll fight again. As long as we keep consuming Hori Teiki's hard-earned power, the final victory will definitely belong to us!"

It was late at night when the news came back to Washington. The officer on duty at the Joint Conference did not dare to neglect, so he quickly handed the message to General Jin. General Jin hurriedly read the telegram, was shocked and angry, slapped the table, and scolded Nimitz for being "ignorant". It was a critical moment of the Battle of Azores. The Pacific Fleet was the power he hoped to retain as much as possible. Unexpectedly, this would happen. It was simply...

"I want to see the president!" He said nothing nonsense, and did not intend to let the news stay overnight.

When he saw Roosevelt, General King's mood calmed down a little, and began to think carefully about what Nimitz said in the telegram. He calmed down and imagined that he had to admit that using both sides to advance the battle was the only desirable strategy. Before the military quality was reversed, this was almost the best portrayal of the US team.

Roosevelt was also shocked after seeing it, but he obviously had to be more calm, of course the wheelchair also restricted him from "slapping up the table". He asked in a slightly excited voice: "What do you think of this battle?"

"This... I think the overall result and process should be viewed in two ways." Although General King scolded Nimitz and Halsey in his office, he tried his best to protect the two and safeguard the honor of the Navy in front of Roosevelt.

"I won't repeat the negative side. Anyway, you can see that the Pacific Fleet has lost all the aircraft carriers at present. For the time being, the situation in Australia and New Zealand will not be too good, and the transportation and supply lines will also face difficulties; but on the positive side, I think more: First of all, this is barely considered a tactic of high exchange ratio, at least much stronger than the combat results of the battles of the Indian Ocean, North Atlantic and Caribbean. At least we have killed or severely damaged four enemy aircraft carriers.

The two battleships have achieved more than the previous combat results; secondly, this tragic battle has curbed the ability of the joint fleet to attack wildly, and the Japanese arrogance reached when they raided Australia and New Zealand. Now we have fought back hard and can give decent explanations to the allies; last and most importantly, we can rule out the impact of the joint fleet on European wars in the future. The Battle of Azores is our counterattack against the German and Italian navy, which is undoubtedly beneficial."

Roosevelt nodded, convinced. Of course, he would not be entirely because General Jin said anything, but that he could no longer disclose a defeat to the country, especially when the Battle of Tarawa had just been commended with great fanfare, and he immediately slapped the face. This face was too painful and did not conform to the principle of political correctness at all.

He asked in a deep voice: "What are you going to do next?"

"The Battle of Azore will be launched at the end of next month. I suggest that the warships that will be put into service in October will be transferred to the Pacific Fleet, first give two Essex class and one independent class. In addition, the two battleships currently in Brazil will soon be restored to the configuration of 3 aircraft carriers and 4 battleships. The strength will not decline but will increase. The troops will be added at the beginning of next year, depending on the situation, and strive to give Nimitz the advantage of military strength." General Jin is still confident, "When we take Azores and gain the upper hand again in the Atlantic Ocean, we can press the center of gravity to the Pacific Ocean. At that time, the Japanese devils will not be able to take it."

Although this idea is different from Roosevelt's usual idea of ​​"Europe first and then Asia", Roosevelt did not directly deny it. Instead, he felt that this consideration was correct, because the current Far East battlefield involves India and Australia and New Zealand, which are very important to the US's global strategy.

After thinking for a long time, he said slowly: "You can think about it this way first. When the Overlord Operation is over, we will discuss the overall strategy."

Hearing the president's tone relaxed, General Jin secretly felt relieved.

The next morning, because he had discussed with Roosevelt very late yesterday and went to bed late, General Jin was still resting, and the adjutant called: "Speak in a hurry, sir, there is a sudden military situation. Chief of Staff Marshall proposed to convene an emergency meeting of the Joint Conference." (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!