Although among the many aircraft carriers of the US Navy, the 'Lexington-class' aircraft carrier has the largest displacement and flight deck, which is larger than the 'Essex-class' aircraft carrier. However, there are only two "Lexington-class" aircraft carriers, which are refitted with the hulls of capital ships. Moreover, the US Navy's 4th aircraft carrier formation is located in the northeast corner of the entire US Navy aircraft carrier formation, a little further away.
That's why the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft group put the first attack target on the four "Essex-class" aircraft carriers of the US Navy's 2nd aircraft carrier formation.
"Boom boom boom!"
The **** warships of the US Navy's 2nd aircraft carrier formation, as well as the anti-aircraft firepower on the four "Essex-class" aircraft carriers, all began to fire wildly. Not only the firepower on the cruisers and destroyers, but also a lot of anti-aircraft firepower on the "Essex-class" aircraft carrier. Each "Essex-class" aircraft carrier is equipped with six twin-mounted 127mm anti-aircraft guns, eight quadruple-mounted 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and 46 single-tube 20mm anti-aircraft guns.
Such anti-aircraft firepower can be called very powerful. It's just that the huge flight deck of the 'Essex-class' aircraft carrier is extremely easy to become the target of attack by enemy fighter planes. Therefore, even though the aircraft carrier has a large number of anti-aircraft firepower, it is still slightly weak. It must be protected by **** warships. Even so, it is still not safe. Once attacked, it is also very easy to be hit.
Every aircraft carrier of the US Navy is protected by a large number of cruisers and destroyers. It's just that it's not as expanded as the German Navy's aircraft carrier. An aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, protected by one heavy cruiser, two light cruisers and six destroyers. Compared with the German Navy, the size of the number is only a little more than half. In addition, the U.S. Navy has not yet built dedicated anti-aircraft large cruisers. Perhaps, they already have this plan, but in this war, there is no such warship yet.
"Boom boom boom!"
The anti-aircraft firepower on the U.S. aircraft carrier and **** warships are all firing fiercely. In almost every air defense position, the sailors of the US Navy are ready to go all out. There is no way to do this. Who told them to face a very powerful enemy? The strength of the German Navy's carrier-based aircraft fleet is obvious to all. This makes the U.S. Navy, which lacks combat experience, dare not underestimate it.
"Woo!"
There was a shrill and piercing whistling sound, which was the dive bomber of the German Navy launched an attack. This kind of sound that seems to pierce people's eardrums has become a symbol of German dive bombers. Whether it is a dive bomber used by the army or a dive bomber used by the navy, it is accompanied by this sound when attacking. Although, this kind of sound will not have a bonus for attacking. However, for the enemy's soldiers, it can play a considerable deterrent effect. Many recruits on the battlefield for the first time would even pee their pants in fright after hearing such a sound.
Four dive bombers launched an attack on a "Fletcher-class" destroyer of the US Navy. Although the aircraft carrier guarded in the center is very attractive. But the pilots of the German army knew that it was a poisonous cake. If you start rashly, you will pay a big price. Only by sinking the **** warships on the periphery of the aircraft carrier can they attack the aircraft carrier more easily and sink it.
At a height of 500 meters above the sea, the German dive bombers dropped bombs. The aerial bomb weighing 500 kilograms slammed into the destroyer of the US Navy.
Although, the destroyer is constantly turning to evade. But the duty of guarding the aircraft carrier made it impossible for the destroyer to avoid it completely. In that case, it will lead to loopholes in the aircraft carrier's air defense firepower network.
Among the four heavy aviation armor-piercing projectiles, three fell into the sea, splashing a high column of water. However, another one hit the destroyer.
A violent explosion sounded on the destroyer. For a destroyer with a displacement of only 2,500 tons, a heavy aviation armor-piercing shell was enough to severely damage it.
But even so, the U.S. Navy officers and soldiers on the destroyer fought back with anti-aircraft fire while performing damage control.
"Nice job!"
"Long live, I hit him!" A German dive bomber pilot shouted excitedly.
But unfortunately for him, he was over excited. His fighter plane was besieged by American anti-aircraft fire while it was still pulling up. Two 40mm anti-aircraft gun shells hit the dive bomber. The huge power of the anti-aircraft artillery shells tore the dive bomber into pieces. The pilot was also killed on the spot, and he couldn't even parachute.
In fact, at such a low altitude, once the plane is hit, the pilot cannot parachute at all.
Under the air defense firepower of the US military, German aircraft were shot down continuously. However, these planes still firmly threw bombs and aviation torpedoes at US warships.
"Boom boom boom!"
The anti-aircraft firepower on a "Cleveland-class" light cruiser is firing crazily. A German carrier-based aircraft circled around the light cruiser, looking for an opportunity to attack.
"Torpedo! Torpedo spotted on port side!"
Suddenly, the sailors on the light cruiser yelled in horror.
These are four torpedo attack aircraft looming close to the light cruiser only 1,200 meters away and released torpedoes.
Four 533mm heavy torpedoes rushed towards the light cruiser at high speed.
Even if the "Cleveland-class" light cruiser is known as the heaviest light cruiser in the US Navy. But once hit by a 533mm heavy torpedo, it will also suffer heavy damage.
The light cruiser began an emergency turn to avoid. However, the speed of the torpedo was too fast, and at the same time, it was too close to the light cruiser. This caused the light cruiser to be hit before it could complete its turn.
Among the four heavy cruisers, two hit the light cruiser. One hit the stern of the ship, and the other hit the garrison.
The heavy torpedo was powerful, and the violent explosion easily tore through the underwater armor of the light cruiser, blasting two large holes. Sea water poured into the hull even more frantically, and it was simply impossible for the damage control personnel on board to plug the loopholes.
The huge injury forced the captain to give the order to abandon the ship.
Soon, the light cruiser with a displacement of 12,000 tons sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.