The Rise of the Third Reich

"Is this... going straight to Christmas Island?"

On the afternoon of September 25th, Tokyo time (late night on the 24th, Hawaii time), Admiral Koga Mine, who had just led the main force of the combined fleet to set off from the Hashishima anchorage near Kure Port, once again received a report on the whereabouts of the US fleet.

The Americans' previous advance towards the Big Island of Hawaii was indeed a feint. When they advanced to more than 800 nautical miles away from the Big Island of Hawaii, they turned around and turned southwest, heading straight for Christmas Island.

"It should be Christmas Island!" Ugaki crossed his arms and stood in front of the chart table, frowning slightly, "According to the latest seaplane reconnaissance report, the U.S. fleet is still about 900 nautical miles away from Christmas Island, but their speed seems to be a bit slow. , about 10-15 knots.”

"It should speed up." Koga Mineichi said, "They may bring the landing force and supply formation together... It is estimated that they will separate tomorrow, the main formation will speed up, and there may be an air strike in the early morning of the 26th Hawaii time. . There won’t be any problems with Christmas Island’s air defense, right?”

"There is no problem on Christmas Island," Ugaki said with a smile. "There are more than 1,000 aircraft on the island, including as many as 380 Hayate fighter jets and Zero fighter jets... Now we can teach the United States a lesson."

Koga nodded. He was also very confident about Christmas Island's air defense.

"Let's hurry up," Koga Mineichi said. "There are still more than 4,000 nautical miles. If we want to take part of the anti-submarine route, it will be nearly 5,000 nautical miles. It will take 250 hours to go 20 knots."

"It will definitely be in time," Ugaki said. "The Americans cannot take Christmas Island within ten days."

…

"What? Christmas Island hasn't been hit by air raids yet?"

At 4 pm on September 27, Tokyo time (11 am on the 26th, Hawaii time), Commander-in-Chief Koga Mineichi of the Combined Fleet on the battleship Yamato discovered that the situation was unexpected.

The air battle that was supposed to happen early in the morning had no sign of happening until 11 a.m.

"Where is the American fleet?" he then asked.

"We are still 600 nautical miles away from Christmas Island... we have only traveled about 300 nautical miles in more than 30 hours."

"So slow?" Koga was stunned. "The reconnaissance plane discovered the supply formation and the landing formation, right?"

"It's possible," Ugaki said, "but the reconnaissance aircraft did not detect other US ship formations."

"No discovery?" Koga Mineichi shook his head, "Did the Americans just form a large formation and sail slowly to Christmas Island?"

"It's also possible..." Ugaki Matoi smiled, "The way Americans fight is a bit strange."

Strange indeed!

This is not how the Navy fights wars. The Navy must focus on speed! In this era, it is common for aircraft carrier task forces to be able to run at a top speed of more than 30 knots. How can they slowly grind away at 10 knots or 12 knots within the strike range of local shore-based aviation?

"How about we send shore-based aircraft to carry out air strikes?" Ugaki Matoi suggested.

"600 nautical miles is still a bit far," Koga Mineichi looked at the chart, "I suggest the 10th Fleet wait a little longer."

600 nautical miles is equivalent to 1110 kilometers, while Japan's latest Hayate fighter has a rated range of only 1745 kilometers, and its combat radius is almost 700 kilometers and up to 800 kilometers. The Comet dive bomber's bomb-borne range is only more than 1,000 kilometers, and the Meteor torpedo bomber's range is larger, but it is difficult to reach targets 1,110 kilometers away.

Therefore, Koga Hoichi's suggestion was quickly adopted by the 10th Fleet Commander Onishi Takijiro. But contrary to Koga and Onishi's expectations, they had to wait for 24 hours!

The American fleet moved forward slowly, covering only 300 nautical miles in 24 hours. When it was almost noon on September 26, Hawaii time, the fleet was still on the ocean 300 nautical miles northeast of Christmas Island.

What's even more strange is that the Americans never launched an air strike.

"Baga! Did you forget to bring the bomb when you left the port?"

On Christmas Island, Lieutenant General Onishi Takijiro, commander of the 10th Fleet, felt lost in the fog.

300 nautical miles is only 555 kilometers, and American carrier-based bombers can definitely get it!

Therefore, from early in the morning, the Japanese troops on Christmas Island were facing a formidable enemy. All anti-aircraft guns were pointed at the sky, covering the planes taking off, and the remaining fighter pilots were always on standby. Just waiting to beat up the American plane that comes to your door.

But after waiting and waiting, the American plane just didn’t come!

"Commander, maybe the Americans want to bombard Christmas Island, right?" The chief of staff of the 10th Fleet is the Sento Staff Officer Kurojima Kameto. This smelly Japanese rear admiral crossed his arms and looked at the chart for a long time before coming to the conclusion The most unreasonable, but the only possibility.

"But...why didn't they conduct air strikes?" Onishi Takijiro asked, "Now is the age of airplanes. The Americans have very good carrier-based aircraft!"

The Black Island Turtle thought for a moment and said very seriously: "They didn't bring bombs!"

"ah?"

Hei Dao shrugged: "Although it is very unreasonable, it is the only explanation!"

"So...so they're going to bombard Christmas Island?"

The Black Island Turtle nodded and said: "According to the intelligence, the U.S. fleet should have 10 battleships, including 3 super battleships with 406mm main guns. The fortifications on Christmas Island cannot withstand it, and there is no one that can withstand it. The battleships are bombarding the armored batteries, so we cannot let the U.S. fleet advance to a range that can be bombarded, otherwise the airport on the island will be destroyed."

Onishi Takijiro was stunned for a moment, then thought about it carefully and nodded. Although Christmas Island is very important, it is, after all, a very flat and narrow coral island, and its area is not very large. It is impossible to deploy defenses like the Hawaiian Islands. Moreover... Japan does not have that many resources to make Christmas Island as impregnable as Oahu.

Therefore, Christmas Island's defense relies heavily on aviation and fleet support, and the island's airport is the key to the decisive battle. Because Christmas Island is only 2,080 kilometers away from Hawaii, most Japanese shore-based aircraft can transfer directly. Therefore, after Japan occupied Christmas Island, it built a large number of airports, large oil depots, and ammunition depots to transfer shore-based aircraft to Christmas Island immediately after discovering the approach of the US fleet.

"Baga!" Onishi Takijiro, a fleet faction member, couldn't help but cursed, "Are the U.S. Navy all stupid fleet faction factions? They have to use battleships to bombard the good planes instead of using them! This battle can't be fought well. too stupid."

"Commander, send planes to bomb." Black Island Turtle suggested. "Considering that the U.S. fleet's air defense capability is very strong, we should send as many large fleets as possible to overwhelm the enemy with numerical superiority. In addition to covering the airport In addition to the fighter planes, reconnaissance planes and ground attack, let’s all launch an assault!”

"Of course!" Onishi Takijiro's expression suddenly became extremely serious, "Now the order is issued, the 14th Air Fleet (actually a shore-based aviation force, with Onishi Takijiro concurrently serving as the commander), all attack! The Army Air Force also Launch an air attack at the same time! In this battle, more than 10 US aircraft carriers must be sunk!"

"Hai! The Emperor is on board! The Empire of Japan is on board!"

Following an order from Onishi Takijiro, Japan's 14th Air Fleet and Army Air Forces stationed on Christmas Island immediately entered combat mode. At the six large airports on the island, various types of fighter planes that had been prepared for a long time took off one after another.

At 12:15, the first attack wave sent by Christmas Island has been assembled. It consists of 336 aircraft including 55 Hayate fighters, 58 Zero fighters, 86 Comet dive bombers, 67 Tianshan torpedo bombers, and 80 Meteor torpedo bombers (all torpedo planes are equipped with bombs). Several large formations rushed towards the US fleet less than 300 nautical miles away, generally blocking out the sky and the sun.

Subsequently, almost the same number of aircraft formed a second attack wave, which was assembled an hour after the first attack wave set off, and roared towards the US fleet. Onishi Takijiro and Kurojima Kameto left less than 100 fighter jets on Christmas Island to perform air defense missions. In order to expand the results after the first and second attack waves were successful, Onishi ordered the first-class land attack on Christmas Island to be on standby. Prepare to be sent out to "make up for the damage" to injured American ships.

Seeing the huge fleet of aircraft leaving, Onishi Takijiro asked solemnly: "When can the mobile fleet launch an attack?"

Ozawa Jisaburo's mobile fleet had previously been hiding near Palmyra Atoll. After confirming that the US fleet was approaching Christmas Island, it immediately attacked eastward and prepared to launch an air attack.

"Two attack waves can be sent before 3:30 p.m.," Black Island Turtle News reported. "Then the mobile fleet will retreat westward, and the return destination of the aircraft sent from the aircraft carrier is Christmas Island."

"Haha, it's shuttle bombing again, and the timing of departure is also very good." Onishi Takijiro nodded in admiration, "You are indeed Admiral Ozawa!"

Ozawa Jisaburo's deployment is indeed very clever. The attack wave sent before 3:30 will be able to find the US fleet at about 5 o'clock. At this time, it was almost dusk on the battlefield near the equator, and it would be almost dark after the bombing. It was simply impossible for the Americans to launch a counterattack. Moreover, the carrier-based aircraft dispatched by Ozawa were engaged in shuttle bombing, and they immediately retreated after dispatching the aircraft, without giving the Americans the slightest chance.

The carrier-based aircraft that landed on Christmas Island can fly at night after refueling and fly to the aircraft carrier that is far away from the battlefield in order to launch a new attack the next day.

In other words, Ozawa's fleet is always in a very safe position and can be said to be invincible.