'Wilhelm the Great-class' aircraft carrier is the second-class aircraft carrier built by the German Navy, and it was only in service at the end of the last world war. The full-load displacement is only more than 25,000 tons. After optimizing the hull and flight deck, it can carry 64 carrier-based aircraft. This kind of performance is far behind the German Navy's follow-up "Deutschland-class" aircraft carrier, "Constellation-class" aircraft carrier and "Lord God-class" aircraft carrier. However, in the world, this is still a first-class aircraft carrier.
In addition to the United States, aircraft carriers in other countries are rarely comparable. More importantly, in the Far East Pacific Ocean, this is one of the most important combat forces of the German Navy. If these aircraft carriers are lost, the German Navy's strength in the Far East Pacific Ocean will suffer a great loss. It is also very unfavorable for the next battle.
Because they never expected that the island fleet would rush towards the German Navy's aircraft carrier, they were also unprepared and were caught off guard. Otherwise, the aircraft carrier formation of the Indian Ocean Fleet would not be in such a crisis.
Admiral Konrad Abbrecht has made up his mind. After dawn, he must take off carrier-based aircraft to deal with these "Amagi-class" battlecruisers of the island navy.
With the strength of the aircraft carrier formation of the Pacific Fleet, only two "Constellation-class" battleships are needed to launch an attack, which is enough to send the four "Amagi-class" battlecruisers of the island navy to the bottom of the sea. The other two ships can attack the aircraft carrier fleet of the navy of the island country, or provide air defense protection for the main fleet of one's own side. The main fleet of the island nation's fleet suffered a disastrous defeat, and they will definitely not let it go. What is certain is that after dawn, the aircraft carrier formation of the island nation's fleet will definitely release carrier-based aircraft to attack the battleship formation of the German fleet. If the aircraft is not dispatched to provide them with air defense protection, there will definitely be losses.
The four aircraft carrier battle groups of the Indian Ocean Fleet are all speeding up their withdrawal. The aircraft carrier "Wilhelm the Great" is still sailing eastward at full speed. The other three aircraft carriers have already turned, hoping to escape. In other words, as long as they can persist until dawn, they can fight back. The launch of any carrier-based aircraft on an aircraft carrier is enough to make the four "Amagi-class" battlecruisers of the island navy unable to eat.
"General, the islanders have sped up again." A staff officer reported.
"These islanders are determined to sink us!" Lieutenant General Walter Walser's face was livid. The warships of the island navy have accelerated, which means that they are less likely to escape.
"General, we may be able to intercept them with heavy cruisers. In this case, maybe we can buy more time." A staff officer suggested.
The aircraft carrier battle group of the German Navy is equipped with two heavy cruisers. These heavy cruisers have a displacement of nearly 20,000 tons, or even more than 20,000 tons. Equipped with three triple mounts of 50 times the caliber of 210mm main guns, it is responsible for the fleet's sea strike missions. At the same time, these heavy cruisers also have not weak air defense capabilities. However, although the combat effectiveness of these heavy cruisers is not weak, they are obviously not strong enough to fight the battlecruisers of the island navy. The 410mm main gun of the "Amagi-class" battlecruiser can severely damage the heavy cruiser of the German Navy with one shot.
"We don't need heavy cruisers for the time being. Let's wait until the islanders catch up!" Lieutenant General Walter Walser said.
On the battlecruiser "Amagi", the flagship of the 2nd Battleship Squadron of the Combined Fleet of the Island Nation, Lieutenant Admiral Shiro Takasu had a smile on his lips. He had a feeling that the prey was close at hand. Soon, they were able to capture the German Navy's aircraft carrier. In the case of heavy losses of the battleship team, if he can lead the second battleship team to sink the German Navy's aircraft carrier, then he will undoubtedly become a hero who turned the tide. His future will also be bright because of this.
"General, the Germans are definitely fleeing desperately at this moment. Although our 'Amagi-class' battlecruisers are not slow, we can dispatch heavy cruisers and light cruisers to intercept them. In this case, perhaps the Germans can be dispatched faster. The aircraft carrier intercepted it. After all, the longer the time drags on, the more likely there will be variables!" Major General Suzuki Yoshio suggested.
Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro nodded, and adopted the suggestion of Major General Suzuki Yoshio.
"Let our 'Superior Class' heavy cruiser attack at full speed!" Lieutenant General Takasu Shiro ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency Commander." Major General Suzuki Yoshio replied.
The 'Superior Class' heavy cruiser is a heavy cruiser with a displacement of more than 12,000 tons. Of course, this is the Japanese navy's own division criteria. Many light cruisers in the German Navy have more displacement than this. When the "Most Superior" heavy cruiser first entered service, it was classified as a light cruiser and equipped with five triple-mounted 155mm main guns. But later it was refitted, and the five triple-mounted 155mm main guns were replaced with five double-mounted 203mm main guns, and it was also classified as a heavy cruiser.
After receiving the order from Lieutenant Admiral Takasu Shiro, the four "superior class" heavy cruisers immediately accelerated further and quickly chased after the German navy. The maximum speed of the 'Superior Class' heavy cruiser has reached 36.5 knots. If the boiler is further forced to ventilate, the speed can be further increased to more than 39 knots. This is undoubtedly a very terrifying speed.
By searching the radar for the sea, the actions of the four 'Superior Class' heavy cruisers could not be hidden from the German Navy at all.
After Lieutenant General Walter Walser learned of this situation, he had to order the heavy cruiser formation to counterattack. The heavy cruisers 'ZX23' and 'ZX24' of the aircraft carrier battle group 'William the Great' immediately turned their bows and rushed to the battlefield. At the same time, Lieutenant General Walter Walzecha also ordered the heavy cruiser "ZX25" of the "Friedrich III" aircraft carrier battle group and the "ZX27" heavy cruiser of the "William II" aircraft carrier battle group to participate in the battle. The German Navy is not afraid of four heavy cruisers against the four heavy cruisers of the island navy, and even has a good chance of winning. However, the threat of the four "Amagi-class" battlecruisers of the Japanese Navy is undoubtedly greater.
"The islanders have caught up, and we have to fight them desperately! Let the ships pay attention, even if we lose the aircraft carrier, the islanders must pay the price!" Lieutenant General Walter Walser ordered.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A fierce battle ensued, and the heavy cruisers of both sides fought together.
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