- US military reconnaissance aircraft off the coast of Hawaii -
"Eagle Eye to Golden Eagle bridge. Japanese carrier task force spotted. Two Yamato-class carriers are accompanying. No aircraft visible on flight deck. Commence attack immediately."
Upon receiving this report, the American carrier force prepared to mobilize all of its air power to attack the carrier fleet led by Musashi.
The Japanese had also spotted the American aircraft carriers and had sent out their air force early.
Thus, 95 fighters, 120 bombers, and 60 torpedo bombers took off from the Japanese side, while the U.S.
120 fighter planes and 30 torpedo bombers took off.
However, this was not the only attack from the US side. More than 100 high-speed torpedo boats, their engines roaring, were approaching the Japanese fleet from the fleet's transport ships.
-Bridge of the US Golden Eagle-
"Captain! We've got signals on the radar! A total of 260 planes! Coming our way!"
"We're about to encounter the fighter squadron. They're letting their guard down, thinking we're Corsairs."
Vice Admiral Nimitz smiled.
-Japanese Army Depth Charge Mixed Air Corps-
"Commander! Are we about to get picked up by enemy radar?"
"Look ahead, fighter jets coming soon."
"What are you talking about? If you come again, we, the Zero Fighter Squadron, will crush you."
Distance to US air force: 140 km
At that time, more than 100 torpedo boats passed by the air force.
"Hey! Look down! There's a small boat like a fishing boat heading towards the fleet! That's a torpedo boat!"
"What did you say?! Send an emergency message to the fleet immediately! Zero Fighters, sink them!"
At this time, more than half of the Zero fighters providing escort duty descended to low altitude.
-Zero Fighter Squadron-
"There's a target floating right below us! Let's crush it in the sea!"
The Zero fighter squadron begins to dive and attack the enemy forces.
Dada dada!
The enemy ship was hit directly by the Zero fighter's 20mm machine guns and quickly burst into flames and sank.
However, enemy fighter planes were approaching the attack force...
In addition, reports of approaching enemy torpedo boats had been received, and light and heavy cruisers were heading towards the area from the fleet.
-Japanese Depth Charge Mixed Air Corps-
"Hey, is that an enemy plane?"
A black dot began to appear ahead of the formation.
When the pilot looked through his binoculars, he saw not the familiar Corsair, but a new type of fighter jet approaching.
"From the squadron leader to all aircraft! Enemy fighters are approaching! Turn back immediately and await the arrival of the Zero fighter squadron!"
However, the fighter planes loaded with bombs and torpedoes were slow, and the American fighter squadrons were gradually closing in on them.