Chapter 590: William: Targeting the Japanese Aircraft Carrier

Above the Liao nei qundao, the cloud layers hung low, the sea wind carried a salty, damp scent, sweeping over the coastline of Da Natu Na Island.

William led the 'Qi Hang' aircraft carrier torpedo bomber squadron, like a flock of lurking raptors, in tight formation, silently flew over the main island of the Liao nei qundao, Da Natu Na Island.

The wings sliced through the clouds, the fuselage glimmered with a cold metallic sheen in the sunlight, and beneath each SBD torpedo bomber's wing hung heavy torpedoes and bombs, ready to launch.

William sat in the cockpit, his gaze sharply fixed on the endless sky ahead, and the reconnaissance plane's continuous transmission reached his ears: "Squadron leader, the Japanese aircraft carrier is located to the northeast of Da Natu Na Island, about thirty nautical miles from our unit, speed steady, carrier aircraft are taking off one after another!"

William's mouth curved into a confident smile, and over the radio he barked in a low voice: "All units, attention. Fighter formations, focus on guarding against Japanese aircraft; do not let them approach the bomber groups!"

"Understood, Captain!" the fighter crews replied in unison over the radio.

Dozens of F4U "Pirate" carrier fighters swiftly adjusted their formation, spreading on both sides of the bomber squadron like loyal guardians, vigilantly scanning the sky, ready at any moment to intercept incoming Japanese fighters.

This time, William had no intention of lingering; he gripped the control stick, his gaze steady, with only one goal in mind.

Leading the bomber squadron, he broke straight through the Japanese defensive line, destroying the Japanese carriers "Akagi" and "Kaga", earning immortal battle honors.

"Captain, your bombers are flying too far forward, too dangerous; retreat to the rear and let us cover you!" Carrier aircraft commander Chen Ping, piloting an F4U fighter, circled beside William's bombers and said urgently over the radio.

William let out a hearty laugh, his tone full of confidence and bravado: "No need, Chen Ping, this time my record will be painted with bold strokes—personally bombing the Japanese carrier! The Little Devil's carrier, I've long wanted to taste its flavor!"

His voice rang clearly through the radio to every crew member's ears, carrying a powerful charisma.

Chen Ping shook his head helplessly, no longer trying to persuade.

He had followed William from Myanmar to Jianghan, and now again over the sea, knowing the squadron leader's character all too well: usually calm and steady, but once on the battlefield he becomes extraordinarily brave, even with a hint of lone courage; once he sets a target, he never gives up easily.

"Alright, Captain, we'll give our all to cover you, never letting the Little Devil's planes touch a single hair on you!" Chen Ping said firmly.

"Good brother, thanks!" William replied.

He then ordered again, "All bomber crews, increase speed, maintain formation, target the Japanese carrier, break through the defensive line, bomb with full force!"

"Copy that, Captain!" the bomber crews answered in unison.

The aircraft formation accelerated again, racing toward the direction of the Japanese carrier, the roar of the engines echoing through the sky, shattering the sea's calm.

At this moment, the Japanese Fifth Fleet, after a brief chaos, had already restored order.

On the deck of the carrier "Akagi", mechanics raced against time to service aircraft and refuel, and one after another Zero carrier planes took off, their wings bearing bombs, flying toward the direction where Nanko fighters might appear.

On the other side, the carrier "Kaga" had all its aircraft airborne, merging with the "Akagi" aircraft, forming a massive fighter formation, patrolling and guarding the fleet's sky.

Inside the "Akagi" command cabin, Lǜtián Jiànnán stood by the porthole, watching the neatly arranged carrier aircraft in the sky, a smug smile appearing on his face.

Lǜtián Jiànnán said to the adjutant beside him: "Yo, with all carrier aircraft airborne, even if Nanko has a carrier, they're no match for us! This time we'll give the Nanko Navy a proper lesson, let them know the Imperial Japanese Navy isn't to be trifled with!"

The adjutant bowed and replied: "Lieutenant General, your wisdom! We have two carriers, our carrier aircraft far outnumber Nanko's; if they dare come, we can shoot them all down and utterly annihilate the Nanko fleet!"

Lǜtián Jiànnán nodded, his tone growing more confident: "Exactly! I don't believe a single Nanko carrier can stir up any trouble. Issue the order: expand the carrier aircraft patrol range, and if Nanko fighters are spotted, intercept immediately, no aircraft allowed near the fleet!"

"Aye!" the subordinate replied, stepping back and promptly relaying the order.

The Japanese carrier aircraft formation in the sky immediately dispersed, expanding its patrol area; the Zero fighters' engine roars echoed over the sea, exuding arrogance, unaware that an invisible net was slowly tightening around them.

Lǜtián Jiànnán never realized that the Nanko Navy he thought had "only one carrier" had already laid a sky‑and‑earth net.

Japanese intelligence still only knows that there is one carrier in Thai waters, unaware that Jiang Anguo had long ago, due to increased forces, dispatched a second carrier into the Liao nei qundao sea area.

In the waters near the Danmeilan Islands, Jiang Qing led the Nanko's second carrier fleet, cruising at 30 knots like an arrow off the string, rapidly looping around to the far rear of the Japanese Fifth Fleet.

On the fleet's flagship, the carrier "Qi Ming", the atmosphere was equally tense and grim.

Jiang Qing stood inside the "Qi Ming" command cabin, staring at the sea chart, and in a low voice ordered through the communicator: "Relay the order: the fleet shall maintain covert navigation, increase speed, avoid detection by the Japanese, and must reach the rear of the Japanese fleet before William's bomber squadron launches its attack, forming a pincer!"

"Yes, Commander!" the adjutant replied, then added, "Commander, all carrier aircraft and torpedo bombers have been launched, flying covertly toward the target area, ready at any moment to cooperate with William's squadron for the attack!"

Jiang Qing nodded, his tone firm: "Very well, tell the carrier aircraft units to wait patiently, and upon hearing the attack signal, immediately strike the rear of the Japanese carrier, destroy their propulsion systems and deck facilities, giving them no chance to breathe!"

"Understood!" the communications soldier instantly relayed the order to the carrier aircraft units.

At this moment, the carrier aircraft and torpedo bombers launched from "Qi Ming" were flying low, using clouds and waves for cover, quietly approaching the direction of the Japanese Fifth Fleet; the torpedoes beneath their wings were ready to launch, awaiting a single command to unleash fury.

On the sea surface, the Japanese Fifth Fleet continued its steady advance, Lǜtián Jiànnán still dreaming of "annihilating the Nanko single‑carrier fleet", completely unaware that he had already been caught in a pincer by the Nanko fleet.

In the sky, William's bomber squadron drew ever closer to the Japanese carrier—thirty nautical miles, twenty‑five, twenty… the distance constantly shrinking, the scent of war growing thicker.