The Japanese strategy played a little more or less. Before the German fleet set off, the Americans heard another news that a team of Japanese transport ships would go to India. The Germans naturally didn't care about this fleet, so they naturally divided two camouflage cruisers and four submarines to intercept, which did weaken Germany's interception power to go south. However, in Major General Rodhart's view, after an aircraft carrier, the German fleet's reconnaissance ability was only stronger than before. In terms of combat effectiveness, as long as there were two fast battleships, whether there were auxiliary cruisers or not was the same. Therefore, after Earl Suxiong agreed to attack the Japanese fleet, he did not mind the other party's order to divide the troops.

So, three days after the Japanese fleet sailed to the Horn of Africa, the German fleet also sailed out of the Persian Gulf under the cover of night and headed towards the preset battlefield east of Madagascar. Before Earl Suxiong set off, three submarines and two camouflaged cruisers had set off 2 days in advance, and they would patrol near routes that the Japanese might have sailed. Eight days after the Japanese fleet left Sumatra, the world's first battle with carrier-based aircraft as the main attack force kicked off! Because this naval battle broke out in the southern Indian Ocean, it was also called the Battle of the South Indian Ocean.

"Hisser Commander, the seaplane we just came back from reconnaissance has sent intelligence. There is a ship with the Argentine flag flying around 80 kilometers north of our fleet. It has been circling around the neighborhood. This should be a high-speed ship. The pilot claimed that the ship had run at a speed of about 14 knots and had a displacement of around 6,000 tons." When Saburo Yukio was enjoying British lunch, the news made him have no idea of ​​eating.

"Are you 80 kilometers? This distance is a bit uncomfortable." Saburo Yugo walked to the chart and frowned at the position of the ship just marked on it. 80 kilometers, which is more than 40 nautical miles. Considering the speed of the ship, if the Tianlong is asked to chase it, it would be a lot of time to go back and forth. It would be fine if it could be confirmed that this was a German camouflaged cruiser. If it was not sure, then the fuel lost by Tianlong would make him feel a little painful. Although this new cruiser claimed that it would be fine to run more than 30 knots, this is not suitable for fuel tight situations!

"Send another seaplane to see, this time, a seaplane equipped with radio communication equipment." Saburo Yukio emphasized. To be on the safe side, the Japanese decided to continue surveillance of the ship instead of directly expelling or attacking it. On the one hand, this is because the other party is too far away. On the other hand, he felt that even if the ship is really a German camouflaged cruiser, they would not be able to find the Japanese fleet at this distance! Unless the ship carries a seaplane. And this last point is also a place where Saburo Yukio was a little inaccurate.

Seaplanes are easy to carry. In this era, you can easily transport seaplanes with just a crane on your ship. According to information, before, there were cases of seaplanes carrying German camouflage cruisers. (In history, this German attack ship carrying planes was called Wolf, and the small plane on it was also called Little Wolf.) So, Saburo Yuki decided to follow and take a look. If you find that they were carrying seaplanes, then let the Tenno cruiser or seaplane kill the ship!

That's right, the Japanese also equipped seaplanes with some weapons, such as 50kg bombs and machine guns. Although these things are incomparable to those of Britain and Germany, they are still somewhat lethal for civilian ships and submarines.

"Order the fleet to change the course, let's go south." Saburo Yugo thought for a while and said. Half an hour later, another two-seater seaplane took off and flew towards the direction of the suspicious ship just now. A few minutes later, the Kasuga also released a seaplane and continued patrolling the fleet. Looking at the eyes in the air, Saburo Yugo was relieved.

"Head, we seem to be targeted!" On the lookout post of the German auxiliary cruiser Swordfish, a lookout hand put down the telescope in his hand and shouted loudly at his colleague below.

"At three o'clock, approach the sea! There is something!" An officer on duty looked along the line of defense pointed by his colleagues. On the blue sea, something was moving rapidly on the sea.

"That's an airplane! That's right, it's definitely an airplane! Seaplane!" The officer put away the telescope in his hand and ran quickly to the captain's office to report the situation. The Japanese guessed that the ship was indeed a German auxiliary cruiser and participated in the battle in the Gulf of Aden that year. This time, it was just a remodel, a disguise, and a fake chimney was added.

I have to say that the Germans were very lucky this time. Generally speaking, a single plane flying close to the sea is difficult to detect. The fuselage is made of camouflage color, and the speed is not high, so it is easy to dissolve into the background. Not to mention such small planes, even four-round large planes such as FW200 in 2 battles were sometimes discovered when bombs were thrown over the British. At this time, in the depths of the vast ocean, such a seaplane suddenly appeared, which made the German crew members on the Swordfish feel very nervous.

"It's certain that it's not ours." After rough analysis, the possibility of meeting friendly forces has been ruled out, and the Swordfish feels a sense of pressure on the camouflage cruiser.

"If the Americans had no right information, then at this time, the only one carrying seaplanes in this place is the Japanese fleet! They are near us, but we did not find them! A German officer said.

"Where is our main fleet?" asked the captain.

"Two hours ago, our main fleet should be here, about 70 kilometers northwest direction." The navigator pointed to the chart and said.

"Very good. If that's the case, this seaplane and the fleet behind them should not be able to detect our main force." The captain breathed a sigh of relief.

"Use our backup frequency band to send a report. Before using it, you must compare it with the historical frequency band to confirm that it is not a well-known frequency band in Britain, Japan and other countries. It is said that we encountered a seaplane, but the attributes are unknown. I hope the main fleet can pay attention." The captain thought for a while and said. "Order the warships to continue sailing eastward. We must disguise ourselves as a civilian ship!"
Chapter completed!