Iron Cross

At nightfall, facing the empty pilot dormitory, all the American pilots and ground crew burst into tears. Doolittle fainted on the ground after hearing the bad news. Ingram was overwhelmed with emotions but still had to force himself to write a battle report:

In the third counterattack, all the remaining attack groups of our army were fully engaged in a desperate fight against the Japanese fleet. The overall results were brilliant, and 6-7 aircraft carriers were sunk, including 2-3 fleet aircraft carriers. Currently, the Japanese army still has 10-11 aircraft carriers remaining, including 3-4 fleet aircraft carriers (actually all counted are exactly 10, 3 fleet aircraft carriers);

3 light and heavy cruisers were sunk, 1-2 were damaged, and currently there are 5-6 cruisers left (actually 5);

10-12 destroyers of various types were sunk, and the damage is unknown. It is estimated that there are 20-22 destroyers left (actually 23);

6-8 frigates and auxiliary warships were sunk, and the remaining estimated is about 32 (actually the US military sank 4, and the remaining 28).

In addition, more than 250 Japanese aircraft were shot down and destroyed, and it is estimated that there are about 180-200 enemy aircraft left.

Ingram knew that Halsey would contact the Japanese fleet the next day or the day after tomorrow, so in the third battle report, he tried every means to make the results look more exciting, and on the other hand, he racked his brains to tell Halsey a relatively correct comparison of the force estimate-any misleading caused by exaggeration or reduction would eventually destroy TF50.

The summary of the third battle report was still high, but the intelligence estimate and force analysis were relatively objective. Ingram was not God after all. He could not tell the difference between the escort aircraft carrier and the escort aircraft carrier based on the photos. To be able to estimate this, the identification experts, the reconnaissance pilots who desperately took photos, and the staff who worked hard to calculate were very hard-the current estimated accuracy rate is over 80%.

At 19:45, with countless people eagerly waiting, the latest battle report that was repeatedly brewed was finally sent to Washington and Halsey. Seeing the statistics of the results and the analysis of the remaining strength of the Japanese army, everyone was greatly relieved and believed that Pearl Harbor was finally saved. Although the Japanese army caused great damage and caused heavy losses to our side, it also paid a high price. Truman concluded in his heart: This was a tragic victory, but Hawaii was finally defended! Although the fire has not been extinguished, it is at least effectively controlled, which is also good news!

The Joint Chiefs of Staff changed the atmosphere of impending disaster in the morning and turned optimistic. Truman even had a smile on his face, thinking that if Halsey's fleet could make another attack, the situation would be better! While eating hot dogs or sandwiches in the conference room, the senior officials watched with great interest as the staff deployed the TF50 fleet and the enemy situation analysis compiled by Ingram. After some deductions, they believed that Halsey's fleet had a full advantage over Hori Teikichi's fleet: the Japanese had only 10-11 aircraft carriers, while Halsey had 14; the Japanese had no battleships, while Halsey had 2; the Japanese had only about 200 aircraft, while Halsey had 550; the Japanese pilots were exhausted and wounded after a day of fierce fighting, while Halsey's fleet was at least recuperating.

Nimitz was afraid that the mood of the meeting would be one-sided, so he quickly emphasized the possible threat posed by another Japanese fleet (Tsunoda Fleet). Truman and Dewey expressed their understanding, but from the map, even with the Tsunoda Fleet, Halsey's fleet still had an advantage, or at least was evenly matched. Figures and intelligence proved this point: the main forces of the two Japanese fleets after the merger were only 12-13 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships and 350-400 aircraft. Maybe the Japanese cruisers would have a few more, and the super battleship would be a bit troublesome, but this was not the decisive factor - TF50 had more aircraft!

Regardless of whether they understood the navy or not, everyone agreed that Halsey had taken a considerable initiative - the two Japanese fleets were still in a state of division, and he could completely separate and defeat the enemy before the enemy joined!

Dewey scolded the Army Air Force for being lazy and derelict in duty in the morning, but now he praised the Army Air Force and Arnold at the meeting, saying that they "did a good job, tried their best, and dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army with fearless self-sacrifice. Next, it depends on whether the Navy can annihilate the Japanese army. As long as we eat up this fleet, the losses suffered by Pearl Harbor and Seattle are nothing, and we can explain to the people..."

Others congratulated Arnold, but the latter burst into tears, crying about the heavy losses of the Army Air Force. He even fainted while crying. Everyone hurriedly called an ambulance to send him to the hospital. Truman and Dewey personally sent him there. After an examination, the doctor said that there were many problems: arrhythmia, neurasthenia, intestinal dysfunction... It is recommended to leave the job for recuperation. Marshall, who was also in the hospital, also rushed over after hearing the news. Everyone comforted Arnold while telling him to rest in the hospital and recuperate. Anyway, the next battle was the Navy's, so let him rest in the hospital for a while.

Arnold said that he could no longer be the commander-in-chief of the Army Air Force in terms of physical strength, energy or ability, and wanted to resign. Dewey disagreed and held his hand to encourage him: "You should have a good rest. Let General Spaatz take over your work for a few days. I am looking forward to you becoming the first commander-in-chief of the independent air force!" Everyone went to visit Arnold, but Spruance stayed in the command room to weigh the pros and cons. He had encouraged Halsey to fight back in the morning, but now he frowned and thought that the next battle would be difficult to fight: Before Ingram's battle report arrived, Halsey sent a telegram saying that our reconnaissance plane did not find the enemy fleet, but an enemy reconnaissance plane found our fleet. He judged that the reconnaissance plane was sent by another Japanese fleet. Although the Japanese attack plane did not attack after the sun set, it at least showed that the two sides were not far away and very dangerous.

This aroused great vigilance from Spruance. He is also the commander of the aircraft carrier force. He knows that numerical advantage is critical in aircraft carrier operations, but having numerical advantage does not mean that he can crush his opponent. It is often more important to detect the enemy in advance—— What's the worst when your plane is still at a loss and the enemy is coming? In the Battle of Midway, our aircraft carriers and aircraft did not have an advantage in numbers, so in the end, didn't they win simply and neatly? So he was very pessimistic about the situation and thought Halsey was in danger.

Now the situation has been completely reversed. In the morning, everyone was very pessimistic about the situation, but Spruance insisted on fighting, which made him a minority. It was only because of political considerations that they reluctantly accepted his proposal; now everyone is optimistic about the situation. He had very optimistic visions. Instead, he believed that the Halsey fleet should be recovered and took the opportunity to escort the transport fleet to Pearl Harbor. This was opposed by many people, and the reaction from the Army and Aviation was even stronger - you asked me to weaken the Japanese fleet this morning. I tried my best to create opportunities for the Navy. Now you tell me that the Navy is not going to go, but to escort the transport fleet. What do you think of the Army Aviation? Or do you not believe in the results of Army Aviation?

It is impossible to believe it. The results and analysis were reported by Ingram. If even Ingram wants to trick Halsey, what chance does the Navy have to survive? Spruance believed that Ingram's intelligence was probably good and believed that the actual strength of the Horikichi fleet was weaker than estimated in the intelligence. However, he did not dare to say this analysis - now this strength comparison is clamoring to annihilate the Japanese army. If the fleet is said to be weaker again, wouldn't it be more likely to scream and pounce on it?

Not to mention that Arnold, Spaatz and others could not accept it. Even MacArthur, Le Hai and others also expressed opposition - the Independent Air Force belongs to the Independent Air Force. At least for now, the Army Aviation is still a part of the Army. The Army cannot follow the whim of the Navy. Come. Besides, the situation in the Pacific cannot be reversed without destroying this part of the Japanese fleet, so they unanimously opposed Spruance's suggestion.

Nimitz understood his concerns and understood that the uncertainty was great, but now that he was sitting in the top position of Chief of Naval Operations, any decision could not be made based solely on personal likes and dislikes and "military opinions", otherwise the Joint Chiefs of Staff Coordination with the military services cannot be maintained, so he can only make compromises as much as possible:

"After the Japanese fleet discovered our fleet, they must have speculated that our army was going to pursue the Japanese fleet that was severely damaged north of Pearl Harbor. Since the enemy detected our fleet first, they must respond and effectively use the cover of today's night to adjust the course and The location is hidden. I suggest that we not only limit our attack targets to this Japanese fleet. All Japanese fleets can become our military's combat targets. In order to better achieve victory, we should be patient. As for on-the-spot command, it is recommended that General Halsey. Regarding specific decisions, the Joint Chiefs of Staff will only give suggestions and directional hints, and do not interfere too much with how he fights.”

Everyone accepted this revised view: Anyway, the navy can just go and fight. As for how and when to fight, let the navy decide for itself!

Spruance's idea of ​​"protecting the transport fleet and rushing to Pearl Harbor" was clearly rejected. He sighed and was silent, praying in his heart that Halsey would be better off.

Late at night, everyone who had been nervous all day decided to break up for a rest. Nimitz knew that Sta was in a bad mood, so he enlightened: "I don't agree with escorting the transport troops. There is a Japanese fleet in the direction of Mexico. We can't attack the enemy." Transporting things to Pearl Harbor quietly and right under your nose.”

"But Pearl Harbor is short of fuel and the number of aircraft has dropped to a very dangerous level. If we don't replenish it, I'm afraid I won't be able to withstand the next Japanese attack."

"Tomorrow, the transport will deliver a batch of supplies first. The fleet can only wait and see how Halsey is doing."

"How much can it be transported?"

"1,000 tons of aviation fuel, 40 spare parts of P-51 fighter jets and a batch of medicines, and then send the wounded back."

"1,000 tons of fuel?" Spruance shook his head, "400 aircraft sorties will be gone after 2-3 sorties."

"But what can be done?" Nimitz was helpless, "I asked the troops to find a way urgently. They said that the Little Shark-class submarines should abandon their armaments and concentrate on transporting 400 tons of fuel at a time; in addition, the Fletcher-class destroyers can also be transformed into high-speed Oil tankers can deliver 500 tons of fuel even at some risk—I learned this from the Japanese!”

Spruance was speechless. Of course he knew what this was: Japan invented the Tokyo Express two years ago to provide supplies to the Guadalcanal Army, and now the United States is on a similar path.

He sighed: “Maybe there will be an express from Los Angeles or San Francisco in the future!”