Empire Conquest

Chapter 464 - 460: Dive Bombing

The air-raid alarm rang out just as the enemy planes entered into view.

Yes, they were flying in at ultra-low altitude!

Although the enemy planes were already detected by the radar on the "Flame Sea" when they were about 20 kilometers out, that distance was far too close.

Even more dire, the radar operator on the "Flame Sea" did not make an accurate judgment in time.

The enemy planes were entering from the north, where dozens of both sides’ fighters also were, some of which were within radar detection range.

After a delay of about two minutes, the "Flame Sea’s" radar operator finally determined these were enemy planes breaking through at ultra-low altitude.

Only, these enemy planes weren’t headed for the "Peijing"; instead, they flew straight toward the "Longjiang".

Actually, the "Peijing" and the "Longjiang" were both directly in front of the enemy planes, at roughly the same distance. Perhaps the superstructure of the "Longjiang" was more prominent and conspicuous, which led it to be identified first by the enemy pilots, and thus targeted and given special attention.

However, it was also possible that Spur mistook their target.

Originally the "Longjiang" was Bai Zhizhan’s flagship, while the "Peijing" had always accompanied the "Imperial Capital", never having served as a fleet flagship.

One must admit, Newland Navy’s learning ability was extremely strong.

In the Northwest East Ocean Battle, the Imperial Navy’s ship-borne aircraft had first attempted the ultra-low altitude breakthrough tactic, and they achieved quite impressive results.

Now, the Newland shipborne air force was doing the same.

The first to arrive was a squadron of six SBDs, to be precise.

As they swooped toward the "Longjiang", the six SBDs split into two groups of three, climbing while simultaneously flanking both sides of the "Longjiang".

Although there were only six SBDs, they were enough to draw away the four "Xiaotian" fighters directly covering the "Longjiang".

It was already proven in the Northwest East Ocean Battle that even with the improvements made to the "Longjiang" class, like the addition of armored decks, they couldn’t withstand the 1000-pound bombs dropped by the SBDs.

Critically, behind the SBD squadron, there was another squadron of eight TBFs.

These torpedo bombers did not climb but continued to fly low, also heading straight for the "Longjiang".

Even after the torpedo bombers had been spotted, the "Xu Sea" which directly covered the "Longjiang" immediately adjusted its gun barrels, aiming dozens of high-altitude guns at the torpedo bombers, but in the rush, the interception efficiency was very poor, even using both 130mm and 80mm high-altitude guns simultaneously.

The key issue was the proximity; too little time was left for the anti-air warships.

When the TBF squadron made its turn, they were only about 10 kilometers from the "Longjiang", and the "Xu Sea" had been desperately intercepting the approaching SBDs just prior.

Frankly, this inadvertently proved that the cover provided by a single anti-air warship was very flimsy against a coordinated enemy assault; it was nearly powerless.

The "Xu Sea" was to the left and in front of the "Longjiang", so even with all guns firing, it was difficult to cover the "Longjiang’s" left rear.

The TBF squadron circled around from the left rear of the "Longjiang" and prepared to launch their attack from that side.

Around 8:58 AM, five TBFs that broke through the anti-aircraft net dropped air torpedoes in succession, approximately 1500 meters from the left rear of the "Longjiang".

At this time, the "Longjiang" was still desperately intercepting dive bombers overhead.

To be precise, they forced the last SBD to drop its bomb early.

However, that SBD did not turn away to flee.

At that moment, the commander of the six high-altitude gun batteries on the "Longjiang’s" port side saw that the approaching SBD had already dropped its payload.

Indeed, it was for this reason that the high-altitude gun battery commander issued the cease-fire command and began to search for a new target.

Because the "Longjiang" was already turning full rudder, the starboard high-altitude gun commanders were also adjusting so that after the turn, they could fire at the torpedo bombers.

Even if the torpedo bombers had already turned to fly away, they could fire at torpedoes on the water’s surface.

Using "High-altitude Guns" to intercept torpedoes, even if it was entirely a matter of luck, hoping for a miracle, was still better than sitting duck.

In the Northwest East Ocean Battle, the "Imperial Capital" and "Longjiang" used 40mm "High-altitude Guns" to intercept enemy aircraft-dropped "Air torpedoes."

As a result, not one of the 12 "Commanders" of the 12 "High-altitude Gun" groups was watching that SBD.

Before 9 o’clock, the "Longjiang" was hit by the SBD while evading torpedoes, the point of impact being in the middle of the flight deck, to the left rear of the island structure.

A violent explosion followed.

Although the SBD had dropped its bombs, it still had a large amount of aviation fuel left, and there was a good chance it still carried two 100-pound bombs.

The attack came very suddenly.

Fortunately, "Longjiang" had adjusted its course before the SBD strike and, luckily, successfully evaded five torpedoes.

About ten minutes later, the large fire on "Longjiang" was extinguished.

However, the middle part of the flight deck was blown open, creating a large hole, and the scorched area approached one-third of the deck, temporarily losing aerial combat capabilities.

Even if it could be repaired, it would take several dozen hours.

The severe damage to "Longjiang" served as a reminder to "Peijing" and "Flame Sea," as well as an alarm to the fighters patrolling the skies.

Indeed, after 9 o’clock, eight "Anti-Air Fighters" timely spotted the second wave of enemy aircraft.

The fierce fight continued until about 9:15, by which time the last SBD was shot down by "High-altitude Guns" about 5 kilometers from "Peijing."

As for the TBFs, all were shot down by fighters more than 20 kilometers away.

It is clear that the focus of air defense operations is still on perimeter interception.

As long as the "Anti-Air Fighters" could be deployed in place to timely intercept incoming enemy aircraft, the air defense pressure could be greatly reduced, lowering the enemy aircraft’s penetration efficiency.

Fortuitously, the attack of the "Shen Pu" in the 11th "Special Mixed Fleet" yielded results.

Around 9:10, "Shen Pu" sent back a report that it had heavily damaged "Fenjin," with visual confirmation of at least three direct hits.

Although "Shen Pu" did not witness "Fenjin" sink, he was certain the carrier was done for.

In fact, even if "Shen Pu" hadn’t said so, "Bai Zhizhan" would have ordered a retreat.

Before 9 o’clock, a "Seaplane" dispatched by "Flame Sea" sent a message that "Bulan Fleet’s" two "battlecruisers" and four "cruisers," along with several other medium and small "Battleships," were heading north at a speed of over 25 knots toward the 11th "Special Mixed Fleet."

Additionally, the "Seaplane" didn’t mention the two "Radiant"-class carriers in its report.

It seemed that after two carriers were sunk, "Bulan Fleet" was ready to come over in desperation.

If it were just a "Gun Battle," there would be nothing to worry about—Bai Zhizhan had two "Fast Battleships" at his disposal, which could easily crush two "battlecruisers."

Based on the performance of the "Xu Sea" class in the past few "Gun Battles," annihilating two "Reputation" class ships was a sure thing.

But the problem was, it was very possible "Bulan Fleet" would arrive at night.

That would be more than just a "Gun Battle."

Without "cruisers" providing close protection, the 11th "Special Mixed Fleet" was very vulnerable to torpedo attacks at night.

For "Bulan’s" "Destroyers," both carriers and two "Battleships" were excellent attack targets.

What truly compelled "Bai Zhizhan" to decide to retreat was a report from an "escort destroyer."

At around 9:20, "Lu," which had been active on the east side of the "Fleet," reported spotting an enemy submarine.

Facing a submarine threat, the 11th "Special Mixed Fleet" was even less prepared.

As a result, before 9:30, "Bai Zhizhan" gave the order to turn and retreat.