All the pilots ate the sumptuous breakfast in silence. When the last dish of steamed fish, which was rarely eaten, was served, everyone seemed to have a tacit understanding. After eating the fish with the upward side, they stopped using their chopsticks. No one took the fish. Turn it over, it's an unlucky symbol.
General Yamaguchi Bundo stood aside, watching the pilots silently, then lowered his head and bowed in salute: "Thank you for your hard work, everyone. When you come back from the war, there will be all kinds of good wine waiting for you!"
"Hai!"
The seated pilots bowed their heads in return and answered in unison.
I don’t know who shouted “Long live!” first. Then everyone followed up and shouted “Long live!”
The sound echoed on the ship for a long time.
After breakfast, all pilots listened to the final mission assignments in the war room, and then quietly waited for the order to set off.
Nagumo Chuichi announced that the soldiers of the entire task force had entered combat positions and were ready to prepare!
At this time, the sky over the Pacific Ocean was still dark, and a waning moon appeared and disappeared in the sky, rendering the mixed fleet making the final sprint on the dark sea even more mysterious.
It's 5:00 o'clock in the morning.
[Akagi] The aircraft carrier war room was bustling with people inside and outside. The dark room was crowded with pilots, and some people were crowded at the door or in the narrow aisle.
There are three plaques hanging in the war room. The middle one reads the instructions sent by Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet Isoroku Yamamoto to all officers and soldiers: The empire is prosperous, and in this battle, officers and soldiers must fulfill their duties.
On the blackboard on the left is written Nagumo's precept: This battle is about the honor and disgrace of the empire. The officers and soldiers must move forward bravely, even if they are broken into pieces, they must complete the great cause of the empire.
5:30.
Two were water reconnaissance aircraft, ejected from two cruisers respectively, and conducted pre-war reconnaissance around Pearl Harbor.
Japanese spies had long known the air defense of Pearl Harbor. On Sunday, there were no American reconnaissance planes in the sky over Pearl Harbor, so the Japanese reconnaissance planes dared to attack Pearl Harbor unscrupulously for the final reconnaissance before the war.
6:00 sharp.
The blackboard hanging on the wall of the pilot's waiting room accurately states the location of the flagship aircraft carrier "Akagi", which is 230 nautical miles north of Oahu.
"General!"
A major officer walked into the war room, "All battleships, destroyers, cruisers, and supply ships are on standby."
At this time, all the warships on standby were parked on the sea. They could not see the aircraft carrier in the darkness ahead, and could only wait quietly for the sound of cheers to be heard from the front deck.
Nagumo Chuichi nodded slightly when he heard the words. The expression on his face was still as calm as a zombie, but the left hand holding the sword trembled slightly, with veins popping out. He looked at the rough waves in the darkness in front of the battleship: "Left full rudder!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the commanders on the six aircraft carriers shouted at the same time: "Full left rudder!"
At this moment, all the pilots on the six battleships were in high spirits, staring at the darkness ahead and clenching their fists.
The first officers of the six aircraft carriers responded: "Full left rudder!"
The six aircraft carriers began to turn on the sea. When the aircraft carrier's bow cut into the wind and waves, it was the best take-off angle for the bombers.
The waves were so big that they hit the sloping flight deck of the ship.
The aircraft carrier [Akagi] was shaking violently, and the inclination of the hull reached 11 to 16 degrees.
Nan Yunzhong's eyes were bright. Even if the ship was tilted to 20 degrees, it had to take off, otherwise the success would be in vain!
In normal drills, if the inclination of the ship's hull exceeds 5 degrees, the flight must be canceled, but today, all fighter jets participating in the battle had to take off no matter what.
On the dark sea, behind the turning aircraft carrier, a huge white track appeared that gradually widened. The waves were more arrogant than the strongest storm, violently beating on the deck.
At this moment, the Japanese army, who had been influenced by Junguoism since childhood, stood on the deck, facing the heavily tilted hull and the stormy waves, and actually showed a spirit of not collapsing even if the mountain collapsed in front of them.
The ground crew responsible for fixing the planes were all wet, and each of them had a seat belt tied around their waist. They used all their strength to stabilize the rows of planes that were preparing to take off. Some of them were thrown out, and then they tried their best to stabilize the planes. He climbed back along the rope and continued to stabilize the fighter plane's skids.
Seeing the ground crew desperately protecting the fighter planes in the wind and waves, all the pilots standing on the deck waiting for the attack lowered their heads and saluted them.
At this moment, the cohesion displayed by all the soldiers of this evil country made the sea feel terrible.
The lights on the bridge were weak and the strong wind howled. The six aircraft carriers successfully turned around and accelerated into the wind. The huge waves gradually became smaller. The sky was still dark and nothing could be seen ten meters around the ships. If it was a drill, this was Absolutely not allowed to take off
Amid applause from the pilots, the commander-in-chief, Lieutenant Colonel Mitsuo Fuchida, was the first to walk towards the aircraft.
Nagumo Chuichi, Yamaguchi Wenta, Kusaka Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant Colonel Harada Minoru stood on both sides of the plane, and they all bowed to Lieutenant Colonel Mitsuo Fuchida: "Thank you for your hard work!"
Then, the commanders faced all the pilots together and bowed together: "Thank you for your hard work, everyone!"
Lieutenant Commander Mitsuo Fuchida walked very calmly towards the aircraft. The tail of his commander-in-chief's fighter plane was painted with conspicuous red and yellow paint, which was particularly eye-catching in the weak bow light.
A mechanic came over, holding a special cloth belt with "Victory" written on it in his hand. He held it in both hands and handed it to Lieutenant Colonel Mitsuo Fuchida: "Your Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel, this is a token of appreciation from the ground crew to show that we are with you." Flying to Pearl Harbor, please accept it!”
Fuchida bowed deeply to the mechanic, took the flight hat wrapped around him, turned around and boarded the plane, and saluted Nagumo Chuichi and others who were still bowing.
"Wind speed, 13 meters!"
When the six aircraft carriers turned left and headed forward against the wind to reach full speed, the maritime weather officer gave the current wind speed.
As soon as the weather officer finished speaking, everyone looked up at the "Z" flag hanging on the mast, which was blown loudly in the easterly wind!
It will take off no matter what.
Nan Yunzhong nodded: "All fighter planes take off!"
Then, the signalman turned on the blue take-off signal light on the bridge indicating that it was ready for take-off.
The lights are flashing and all ground crew are ready.
As the first pilot on the aircraft carrier [Akagi], Shigeru Itani's face was filled with sanctity and piety. Under the gaze of everyone, he stretched out his thumb and clicked the "Start" button.
The skids fixed to both sides of the aircraft's landing gear tires were removed, and the instructor in front signaled: You can take off!
"boom……"
The fighter jet started, and the powerful airflow was directed to the rear.
The engine rumbled as it slowly taxied forward toward the takeoff line.
The aircraft carrier [Akagi] was still shaking violently, the flight deck was undulating in the waves, and huge waves slapped on both sides of the flight deck. Under the dim yellow light, it was frightening.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the first fighter plane that took off, and their hearts were extremely nervous.
The wind and waves were too strong.
Whether the first fighter plane takes off successfully or not is crucial.
Shigeru Itani, who had experienced many battles, took a deep breath and concentrated on it. The plane stopped at the designated position, tightened the brakes, and slowly pushed the throttle. The powerful roar made him confident. He felt that the Zero fighter was like a horse. The horse was reined in and ready to gallop.
His eyes were fixed on the undulating flight deck, looking for the stability of the ups and downs. Under the expectant eyes of everyone, he exhaled a breath, suddenly released the handbrake, and quickly pushed the throttle forward. The Zero fighter was like a proud prince, holding its head high. Chest, soaring into the air before the next swing under the flight deck.
"Long live!"
The first fighter plane took off successfully, and all the Japanese officers and soldiers cheered overwhelmingly in the dark!
The sailors parked on the sea behind were anxiously waiting for the news of the fighter jets taking off from the aircraft carrier ahead. When they suddenly heard thunderous celebrations coming from the distance, they knew that the fighter jets had successfully taken off, so they responded with overwhelming cheers.
