Aviation-Centric Combined Fleet

Chapter 68 - Funryū

Upon promotion from lieutenant commander to commander, Hanakuma, who concurrently assumed the position of the commanding officer of the Yamato's air group, assigned the task of attacking the group of enemy carriers to the First Fleet among the four identified enemy mobile fleets. For the remaining three groups, each consisting of four carriers, Hanakuma instructed the Second Fleet, Third Fleet, and Fourth Fleet to attack in order from north to south.

Facing the second wave led by Hanakuma, the American mobile fleet dispatched over 100 surviving F6F Hellcat fighters that survived the fight with the first wave. However, the 192 Reppū fighters sealed them off completely, minimizing the damage from the Hellcats and performing escort duties flawlessly. Meanwhile, the 432 Ryūsei dispersed towards the American mobile fleet, forming groups of 108 planes each for the Second Fleet, Third Fleet, and Fourth Fleet. The command of the Second, Third, and Fourth Fleets was entrusted to the respective flagship's senior flight squadron commanders, while Hanakuma issued instructions to the First Fleet under his direct command.

"Reiterate the attack procedure. Amagi, Katsuragi, Musashi, and Hiei squadrons are to attack cruisers and destroyers in the outer ring formation in sections. Upon completion, the Yamato squadron will strike the carriers. The order for the attack will be the Hiei squadron, followed by the Amagi squadron, then the Katsuragi squadron, and finally the Musashi squadron. Target selection is left to each squadron leader, but be mindful to avoid overlapping attacks."

Following Hanakuma's orders, twelve Ryūsei from the Hiei squadron separated into individual sections and aimed their noses at the designated enemy ships. Despite the considerable distance to the circular formation, peculiar objects, neither bombs nor torpedoes, were detached from the bellies of the four-aircraft groups of the Hiei squadron. These objects, trailing smoke, rushed toward the American ships as if they had eyes.

Named the Funryū Mark 1 in the Imperial Navy, this powered guided bomb was modified by the Imperial Navy based on Germany's Hs 293 to be operational with the Ryūsei. Granting penetrating power lacking in the original Hs 293, additional fuel was loaded for extended range. Although this increased the weight to nearly 200 kilograms, the total weight was kept below 1.000 kilograms, and slight modifications were made to the shape to allow for installation under the Ryūsei.

In truth, weapons like the Funryū are ideal for saturation attacks through simultaneous launches. It will disperse the anti-air barrage and minimize the enemy's reaction time. However, due to radio guidance, the Funryū is subject to frequency channel constraints. Just like the original Hs 293, simultaneous launches are limited to eighteen channels. In other words, simultaneous launches of up to eighteen units are possible, but for redundancy, it is recommended to operate with a squadron of up to twelve units at a time.

There were four cruisers and sixteen destroyers in the circular formation, but the three squads of the Hiei squadron targeted only cruisers. Perhaps the instinct of carrier-based pilots is to aim for larger prey.

Among the twelve launched Funryū, two either experienced issues with the propulsion mechanism or the radio communication devices, causing them to detach. Additionally, two were shot down by the anti-aircraft fire from the enemy cruisers. The anti-air capabilities of the American cruisers were exceptionally high, enabling them to destroy the Funryū, which was much faster and smaller than an aircraft. However, this capability had its limits. Of the remaining eight Funryū, one missed the target, but the remaining seven were successively hitting the three cruisers. A few ships were hit by two, while others were hit by three. This was a remarkably high hit rate, hard to achieve with conventional glide bombing or torpedoes.

Inside the nearly 1.000-kilogram projectile was a package of 300 kilograms of explosives. For lightly armored cruisers, receiving multiple hits from the Funryū was a dire situation. The three American cruisers emitted thick smoke, all slowing down significantly. Following the Hiei squadron, the Amagi, Katsuragi, and Musashi squadrons took their turns. These units, too, launched the Funryū against American cruisers and destroyers. Some cruisers received two hits, and in some cases, all projectiles hit the target.

Since there were 21 sections attacking 20 escort vessels, the attack order for the Musashi second squadron's third section, the last in line, had already sunk a heavily damaged cruiser. By the time the Hiei, Amagi, Katsuragi, and Musashi squadrons concluded their attacks, the circular formation had already collapsed. All twenty cruisers and destroyers had been destroyed, and some destroyers were already sinking.

"Yamato second squadron, aim for small carriers by sections. Absolutely do not engage with large carriers. First squadron, wait for the attack with me for a while."

Following Hanakuma's orders, the waiting Yamato second squadron, like unleashed hunting dogs, headed toward the enemy carriers. The watchdogs, such as cruisers and destroyers, had already been dealt with, leaving the carriers exposed. The targeted three small carriers mobilized all their anti-aircraft weapons to shoot down the Funryū desperately. Ideally, shooting down the mother aircraft, the Ryūsei, would render the unleashed projectiles powerless. However, in the heat of the moment, that strategy was hard to execute. Out of the ten launched Funryū, three were shot down without much trouble. However, the remaining seven were successively hitting the small carriers. No small carrier escaped harm.

Observing the enemy's situation, Hanakuma instructed the first squadron under his command to target small carriers individually for each squadron. More Funryū for pursuit were launched into the already battered small carriers that had received multiple hits. The weaker small carriers, converted from cruisers under construction, turned into torches on the ocean one after another.