0805 24 October 1944
Kondo perused the dispatches one last time. The fleet was steaming steadily through the Mindoro Strait. Today was crucial day. If things went according to plan the Americans should receive a visit from 3 separate strike forces.
Firstly, Ozawa was in position and should be launching a strike very soon. He was also, as arranged, to start radio broadcasting at the same time in the hope of attracting the American's attention.
General Tominaga had planned a strike by much of the 4th Air Army's strength on the carrier groups off Samar. He hoped to have almost 150 planes available.
Lastly, the First and Second Air Fleets had approximately 180 airplanes they hoped to use on the American carrier group operating off central Luzon. This would exhaust nearly all strength aside from the "Special Attack Units". Kondo would have counseled using those to but Toyoda had wanted to see the results of more conventional strikes first.
No further mishaps had occurred and his mood had brightened somewhat. The Americans seem not to have detected his presence. 2nd Air Fleet had even provided a CAP. Four planes! He smiled wryly. Today and tonight would go a long way towards deciding not only the course of the war but his own place in history.
Kondo perused the dispatches one last time. The fleet was steaming steadily through the Mindoro Strait. Today was crucial day. If things went according to plan the Americans should receive a visit from 3 separate strike forces.
Firstly, Ozawa was in position and should be launching a strike very soon. He was also, as arranged, to start radio broadcasting at the same time in the hope of attracting the American's attention.
General Tominaga had planned a strike by much of the 4th Air Army's strength on the carrier groups off Samar. He hoped to have almost 150 planes available.
Lastly, the First and Second Air Fleets had approximately 180 airplanes they hoped to use on the American carrier group operating off central Luzon. This would exhaust nearly all strength aside from the "Special Attack Units". Kondo would have counseled using those to but Toyoda had wanted to see the results of more conventional strikes first.
No further mishaps had occurred and his mood had brightened somewhat. The Americans seem not to have detected his presence. 2nd Air Fleet had even provided a CAP. Four planes! He smiled wryly. Today and tonight would go a long way towards deciding not only the course of the war but his own place in history.
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