The Japanese Navy is adjusting its formation, and the US Navy is trying to narrow the distance between warships on both sides.

After all, after saving several US military airports on the Solomon Islands, Halsey's combat goal was to decide the victory and defeat with the Japanese Navy.

Now he has a great advantage in his hand, and he can completely find trouble for the Japanese navy. So standing on the bridge of the USS Sangamon aircraft carrier, Halsey also issued his own combat order: "Continue to search northwest! Find a way to find the Japanese aircraft carrier fleet!"

"Yes! Sir!" The US Navy officer who received the order stood attentively and saluted, then left the bridge command with the order.

General Spruins, who led the bait fleet south, was trying his best to narrow the distance between himself and the Japanese fleet.

His fleet has a high speed and is basically new warships, so he quickly entered the battle circle that could threaten the Japanese landing forces.

The Japanese army has not found a chance to land, so the Japanese fleet is very fragile at this time and is most afraid of the attacks of American warships.

As soon as the US fleet appeared, it showed an aggressive attitude, which made Yamamoto Iroku, the commander of the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet, feel very uncomfortable.

At this moment, the Japanese army had two fleets that needed protection, one was a landing fleet full of landing infantry, and the other was the first aviation fleet that was still relocating its position.

In a short period of time, landing troops were unable to cut into the Solomon Islands landing site: before the aircraft attacking the airport was driven away by US land-based fighters, at least two US battleships were found in the inner circle of the archipelago.

These warships threaten the landing operations of the Japanese Navy. If they approach it rashly, the artillery of more than 300 mm caliber on these battleships is not vegetarian.

Without air supremacy, it is not a safe thing to rashly let the Japanese army's own battleships enter the battle circle and fight the US battleship artillery.

Although Japanese warships have superior firepower and Japanese sailors have superb artillery skills, the American planes above their heads have always been a problem that cannot be solved.

"Do they have a large number of attack aircraft? Are there any?" Yamamoto Izuru, who had no idea in his heart, frowned and kept speculating in his heart.

At this time, the problems with the protection of existing Japanese battleships emerged: Japanese warships emphasized that speed and firepower were also emphasized, so they did not pay much attention to protection.

This is completely related to the belief of the Japanese nation: they advocate sacrifice and are good at attacking. Under this belief, weapon design also highlights certain traits.

Comparing similar weapons from other countries, Japan's Zero fighter jets, battleships, and tanks are all fragile - the only Yamato-class battleship is a special case...

"If I had known that the US military really dared to fight us here, I would have brought out the 2nd team of the 1st Fleet!" Yamamoto Iroku's heart was full of regret, and he stood at the window and remained silent.

The four battleships of the second team, Fusang, Hinata, Ise, and Yama Castle, did not participate in this battle due to their speed, which put the Japanese Navy at a disadvantage in terms of military strength.

But even if the Japanese Navy, which had an absolute advantage in terms of military strength, did not dare to risk being sunk in battleships and attack the US military positions of the Solomon Islands protected by battleships.

Compared to the hasty battle against the Battle of Midway, which was inexperienced, the US Navy is obviously stronger and more mature than before.

The depressed Yamamoto did not dare to act rashly at this moment, after all, air supremacy is not in his own hands yet.

Without air supremacy, the Solomon Islands cannot be investigated. I don’t know what kind of “welcoming ceremony” the US military has arranged in it.

If hundreds of attack aircraft of the US military are in full swing, even if they cannot sink Japanese warships, it will definitely be enough to make the Japanese Navy Combined Fleet retreat.

The even more terrifying question is, is the only fleet in the United States that is near Solomon? What should we do if there is a second American fleet?

"Order the landing fleet to return first! Retreat to Rabaul and stand by!" Seeing that he could not gain any advantage, Yamamoto Iroku felt that the battle situation had lost his control.

"The intelligence provided by the Germans is still accurate. The United States does have a fleet..." In his heart, he praised the German intelligence accuracy. Yamamoto Iroku regarded the Second Fleet of the US military in the Solomon Islands as the main force of the US fleet.

Until now, the Japanese army still did not find the bait of the US Third Fleet, which was moving south in a fierce manner, which made Yamamoto Izuru make this incorrect judgment.

But even though he only discovered the American battleship fleet in front of him, Yamamoto Iroku retreated a little: he was unwilling to consume his troops here and give the United States a chance to breathe.

In his opinion, if the American fleet is in Australia, then his fleet can travel to San Francisco or Los Angeles, and a single air strike will bring greater defensive pressure to the US mainland - this option seems to be more secure.

You should know that the Japanese Zero fighter has an extremely long range, which can completely ensure that the Japanese aircraft carrier launches a surprise attack beyond the combat radius of the US fighter jets based on the shore!

"Are you retreating or destroying the US fleet here?" Standing in front of the bridge window, Iroku Yamamoto was still swaying.

And at the same time when he was swaying, the Japanese Navy reconnaissance plane sent north was flying slowly in the sky.

The pilot sat in his position and was checking his route. However, the pilot sitting in front of him saw the long white tracks rolling on the sea through the clouds under his feet.

"Kucunjun!Kucunjun! American Fleet! American Fleet!" Flying his own seaplane, the Japanese pilot shouted loudly at the navigator behind him.

When the navigator saw two huge American battleships, he quickly used the radio in front of him to send out the most important information.

"American fleet! Discover the American fleet! Two battleships!" On the flagship of the Japanese Joint Fleet, a communications officer pulled off a note paper, pinched it in his hand and ran out of the telegraph room and shouted: "The fleet discovered a new American fleet in the northeast!"

"Nani?" After hearing this news, Iroku Yamamoto was also shocked. Although there was no news of the US Navy aircraft carrier in the information, there were 4 battleships in the fleet that had been discovered!

This made Yamamoto very depressed and angry - he worked hard to sank four American battleships at Pearl Harbor, but in a flash, the United States had four more battleships...

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Chapter completed!