German Navy Atlantic Fleet, the battle is coming to an end. The first batch of carrier-based aircraft of the U.S. Navy had either been shot down, or they had run out of ammunition and had to return.
Of course, the first batch of carrier-based aircraft launched by the US Navy's 1st and 4th aircraft carrier formations is huge, reaching 96 fighters, 102 dive bombers and 68 torpedo attack aircraft. However, the total number of carrier-based aircraft that fled back was less than forty. The rest of the fighters were shot down. Most of them were shot down by German air defense fighter jets, and the rest were shot down by the fleet air defense firepower of the German aircraft carrier formation.
The German aircraft carrier formation also paid some price. Two destroyers and a light cruiser were sunk during the battle. In addition, the "Hestia" aircraft carrier, which was besieged by US carrier-based aircraft, was also severely damaged. The aircraft carrier, which suffered six aerial bombs and two torpedoes, has lost its combat effectiveness.
But it's much better to be hit hard than to be sunk. The damaged warships can continue to serve and participate in battles as long as they return to the local shipyard for repairs. As for the sunk aircraft carrier, it was completely finished.
The second batch of carrier-based aircraft groups launched by the US Navy's 1st and 4th aircraft carrier formations were intercepted by German air defense fighters and shore-based aircraft. Although, the German air defense fighters thought that the fuel and ammunition were almost exhausted, and they could not cause much damage to the US military fleet. However, the arrival of 108 FW-190 fighter jets from three brigades dealt a heavier blow to the second batch of carrier-based aircraft fleet of the US military.
A large number of U.S. carrier-based aircraft were shot down before launching an attack on the German aircraft carrier, which made it impossible for the U.S. carrier-based aircraft group to pose a fatal threat to the German aircraft carrier formation.
Even if some US carrier-based aircraft fleets successfully penetrated and launched an attack on the carrier formations of the German Atlantic Fleet, the ferocious fleet air defense firepower still caused the US carrier-based aircraft fleets to pay a heavy price. The damage caused by the US carrier-based aircraft fleet to the German aircraft carrier was minimal. Although the "Hestia" aircraft carrier suffered a few more aerial bombs and torpedoes, it was not fatal. Generally speaking, an aircraft carrier's ability to withstand strikes is very powerful, and it is also very difficult to sink an aircraft carrier.
Instead, another aircraft carrier of the German Navy's Atlantic Fleet, and the flight deck of the "Hera" aircraft carrier were blown up, losing the ability to take off and land fighter jets.
However, the threat posed by the U.S. Navy's carrier-based aircraft fleet to the German aircraft carrier has nothing to do with it. The U.S. carrier-based aircraft fleet, which suffered heavy losses, wanted to sink the German aircraft carrier, which was simply delusional.
Moreover, in the second batch of carrier-based aircraft fleet of the US military, there are still less than forty aircraft that have successfully returned. The rest of the carrier-based aircraft were sunk by German anti-aircraft fighters and fleet anti-aircraft fire during the battle.
"General, the 'Hestia' has been severely damaged and needs to be returned to China for repairs immediately. The 'Hera' has also lost the ability to take off and land carrier-based aircraft." Lieutenant General George Friedberg reported .
"Let these two aircraft carriers and their **** warships set off and return to the country immediately. The rest of the aircraft carriers should be ready to receive the carrier-based aircraft of these two aircraft carriers." Admiral Rolf Karls ordered.
During the siege of the US carrier-based aircraft, none of the German Atlantic Fleet was sunk. Although two aircraft carriers were severely damaged, this was within an acceptable range. After all, in such a large-scale naval battle, it is undoubtedly very difficult to defeat a powerful enemy without paying a price. It is very rare to be able to keep the aircraft carrier from being sunk. After all, with Germany's strong shipbuilding capabilities, the severely damaged aircraft carrier will soon be repaired and rejoin the fleet.
"Yes, General." Lieutenant General George Friedberg replied.
"Now, we have survived the American attack. Next, we will see whether the Americans can survive our attack." Admiral Rolf Karls showed a smile on his face.
For the German Navy, the crisis is already over. Now is the time to wait for the results. Admiral Rolf Karls believes that the loss of the US Navy will definitely be much greater than that of the German Navy. This will allow the German Navy to win this naval battle. Of course, he also hopes to inflict as much as possible on the U.S. Navy in this naval battle. In this case, it will be more beneficial for the next battle.
At this time, the huge carrier-based aircraft fleet of the German Navy is reaping the results of their battles. Although, the sailors of the U.S. Navy bravely resisted the attack of the German carrier-based aircraft. However, even if they shot down some German carrier-based aircraft, they could not prevent those German carrier-based aircraft from sinking US warships.
Heavy cruisers, light cruisers and destroyers, these warships escorting the aircraft carrier, were sunk one after another. As a result, the **** combat power of the US aircraft carrier has been continuously weakened. Once the anti-aircraft firepower was suppressed, the German carrier-based aircraft began to swarm in and attack the US aircraft carrier.
Even US aircraft carriers have very strong anti-aircraft firepower. However, under the siege of the German carrier-based aircraft, these aircraft carriers still could not escape the fate of being sunk.
The "Lexington" aircraft carrier, as an aircraft carrier modified from the hull of a battleship, has a displacement of more than 48,000 tons. This makes the aircraft carrier have a very strong defense. It's just that, under the attack of the carrier-based aircraft of the German home fleet, the aircraft carrier has been bombed and injured all over.
After being hit by 32 aerial bombs and 21 aerial torpedoes successively, the aircraft carrier "Lexington" could no longer hold on and sank slowly into the sea.
The aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, another sister ship of the USS Lexington, was also besieged. After the **** warships were sunk one after another, the aircraft carrier was also trembling under the siege of the German carrier-based aircraft.
Less than ten minutes after the USS "Lexington" sank, this aircraft carrier followed in the footsteps of the USS "Lexington". Because of a large number of aerial bombs and torpedoes, it sank into the sea.
After the two aircraft carriers were sunk, the German carrier-based aircraft group killed other US aircraft carriers. Even a light aircraft carrier like the "Independence-class" aircraft carrier cannot escape the fate of being sunk.