Chapter 136
December 13, 2020, 15:35, Sea sector 79 km southeast of Dokdo Island East Sea
Fifteen minutes ago, 56 Japanese Type 90 ship-to-ship missiles and 1 ASM3 air-to-ship missiles from each of the F-35B integrators were fired toward the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101), flying and skimming across the surface of the sea. However, these were intercepted by antiaircraft missiles one after the other near the boundary line of the exclusive economic zone, creating a fireworks display.
However, the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101) converted to a medium-range defense system and successfully intercepted the 30 anti-ship missiles by using 32 Shield-M2 short-range missiles against the Japanese anti-ship missiles. With their last melee defense system, Last Shot, four 22-mm Laser Vulcans demonstrated a tremendous performance—intercepting all 20 remaining anti-ship missiles.
In the bitter situation of launching 80 anti-ship missiles against one ship, with all of them intercepted and lost, Admiral Yamamoto could not hide his surprise. However, as if he couldn’t just stay surprised, he gave additional attack orders to all destroyers that took arms.
Amidst the increasingly fierce naval battle, the EA-18G Electronic Warfare attack plane and F-35B Lightning II stopped their anti-ship missile attack from the surface of the ship and switched the air battle due to the suspicion toward the sudden appearance of the KF/A-25P Black Vermilion Bird fighter-bomber deployed by the 23rd Fighter Wing from the Gimhae Sea.
The EA-18G Electronic Warfare attack plane was the only aircraft to shoot down the F-22 Raptor fighter, the strongest of the existing fighter aircraft with a phenomenal achievement in virtual air combat training of 144:0. It flew at the front while emitting powerful electromagnetic waves to neutralize the KF/A-25P Black Vermilion Bird fighter-bomber’s strength of long-range attack capabilities. Both countries’ aircraft, with a reduced distance of 70 km between them, fired their armed air-to-air missiles toward each other and began the first Korean–Japanese air battle.
Tens of air-to-air missiles flew toward each other. Although they each evaded and flew into the air battle with ECM and various chaffs and flares, the EA-18G Electronic Warfare attack plane’s electromagnetic interference advantage ended early. In all honesty, the KF/A-25P Black Vermilion Bird fighter-bomber also had better performance in electronic warfare compared to the EA-18G Electronic Warfare attack plane. In this situation, the results were apparent.
After ten minutes of air combat, there were no more Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) aircraft flying in the sky. They either all disintegrated in the air or crashed into the sea.
* * *
December 13, 2020, 15:45, 118km southeast from Dokdo Island East Sea (JMSDF Escort Flotilla 3)
Crash! Crash!
Japan’s Atago class Aegis ship Maya-class destroyer (DDG-192) was tilting rapidly due to the two large holes in the starboard, drawing in seawater. It took a direct hit from two S-SSSFM-500B Tridents fired from the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101).
Rumble ~ Ahhh
After two powerful impacts, the crew in the destroyer screamed and fell over, losing their balance. Captain Kaji Masakazu, who was conducting from the bridge, was thrown up the air, then crashed onto the window of the bridge and collapsed.
“Captain, sir, are you all right?”
Vice-Captain Kurasako Kenji crawled over to help the Captain up. However, it was difficult to stand upright with a sudden list to starboard.
“Report the damage situation by department.”
Captain Kaji Masakazu, who could barely stand up while grabbing his splitting head, immediately ordered a damage report through the ship’s communication network. However, the Vice-Captain spoke urgently to the Captain because he predicted that the Maya-class destroyer (DDG-192) would not be able to escape the sinking of the ship.
“Captain! The Maya-class destroyer has lost stability and is and sinking. Issuing an order to abandon ship rather than a damage situation . . .”
Simultaneously as the Vice-Captain finished speaking, a disturbing sound resonated throughout the Maya-class destroyer (DDG-192), and it tilted toward the starboard and gradually sank into the sea as if it were slipping.
Giiiing! Splash!
Now, even the seawater created a white foam and rushed into the ship. To this, the Captain shouted at the microphone without a second thought.
“All crew members of Maya ship, abandon ship! All abandon ship!”
“Captain, sir, you need to leave now too.”
Vice-Captain Kurasako Kenji tried to help the Captain to get up and exit the bridge.
“Let go. I will be together with the Maya ship. You should hurry and leave with the other crew.”
The Captain broke free from the helping hand and he clutched the Captain’s chair. He gestured with his hand for the Vice-Captain to leave. Captain Kaji Masakazu tried to have the same fate as the Maya-class destroyer (DDG-192).
“What? I can’t do that, sir.”
“Hurry! There is no time! Get out of here quickly.”
At the sight of the Captain, who looked firmly determined and closing both of his eyes to await the end, the Vice-Captain saluted him and escaped the bridge while taking the crew that passed out.
Splash~ Shooooo~
As if the raging waves consumed the ship, the Maya-class destroyer (DDG-192) tilted 90 degrees and forever disappeared into the ocean.
Vice-Captain Kenji Kurasako, who plunged into the waters while relying on his life jacket, looked around in search of a rescue ship. Soon, he was gripped by fear that almost paralyzed his body.
The sight he saw was truly horrendous. The bridge and helicopter hangar of the Maya-class destroyer’s sister ship, Hiei destroyer (DDG-193), was bombarded by anti-ship missiles and produced black smoke while flames danced on it. An irregular explosion occurred inside the ship, and each time, the structures made of steel sheets flew like torn sheets of paper, turning into an ugly sight. In addition, the Hiei destroyer (DDG-193) lost the ability to power itself and gradually deviated from the fleet formation while being pushed by the surge of water.
In addition, the Asahi destroyer (DD-119), escorting Kagaham behind the Maya-class destroyer, and Kanazawa destroyer (DD-121), a new guided-missile destroyer, were also slowly sinking into the sea, showing the bow and leaving behind several floats.
“Everyone beware of hypothermia! Keep your body as tight as possible and survive. Rescue will come soon. ”
When all three of the nearest ships had sunk, Vice-Captain Kenji Kurasako judged that a quick rescue would be difficult. He crossed his legs and curled up while wrapping his hands around his life jacket. Then he shouted at the crew who were floundering near him.
The treacherous winter waters in December reached a temperature of -2 degrees Celsius, and these murderous cold waters were fatal for the crew of the marine corps. The drastic drop of glucose in the body was usually accompanied by headaches due to hypoglycemia, causing the crew to gradually lose consciousness. Vice-Captain Kenji Kurasako also could not last even for five minutes. His two eyelids were very heavy.
Meanwhile, at the Kaga destroyer (CV-2001) Island bridge.
The Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101), which prevented a total of three series of anti-ship missile attacks, launched 22 anti-ship missiles against four carriers of the 1st Carrier Strike Group still standing. The anti-ship missile launched by Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101) was not limited to the supersonic anti-ship missile, the Haeseong A missile.
The two Avaris ship-to-ship SSM-1000K hypersonic cruise missile, which decisively destroyed the Escort Flotilla 3, was also flying toward the Kaga destroyer (CV-2001). The Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101) had launched both types of anti-ship missiles it currently possessed.
Shooooooong!
The SM-2 antiaircraft missile, an interceptor missile, also flew from the destroyer of the 1st Carrier Strike Group toward the anti-ship missile that had been flying rapidly in skimming mode while barely touching the sea surface.
Admiral Yamamoto Genzur of the 1st Carrier Strike Group gave an order to intercept the anti-ship missile attack.
“Launch the F-35B Lightning II! Intercept the anti-ship missiles as much as possible.”
As soon as the orders were urgently issued to the aircraft operation control room, the four F-35B integrators that were on standby began liftoff and went higher in altitude. Based on the information provided by the Aegis Takao Destroyer (DDG-191), they simultaneously set targets and fired consecutive air-to-air missiles.
And a few moments later,
“Interception failure! Interception failure!”
As they heard continuous reports that both the SM-2 antiaircraft missiles fired from three destroyers and the AIM-120 air-to-air missiles fired from the F-35B Lightning II failed to intercept, Admiral Yamamoto Genzur and the Captains of each destroyer all had a grim expression.
The ships that entered the interception mission were the Aegis Takao Destroyer (DDG-191), the semi-Aegis Komatsu destroyer (DD-120), and the new guided-missile destroyer Sakii destroyer (DD-122), upon receiving the interception information. Though all of them had a combination of both attack and defensive powers, they failed to keep up with the enormous speed of the hypersonic anti-ship missile launched by the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101).
“Interception failure! Interception failure! Targets 1 and 2 are still flying toward the ship. Ten seconds to impact.”
Targets 1 and 2 mentioned by the radar operator were the Avaris hypersonic anti-ship missiles that fly at a speed reaching Mach 8. Once close to the target, the Avaris spurned the sea surface and switched to a pop-up maneuver, flying in higher altitude.
Shooquaaang ~
The Kaga destroyer (CV-2001) and the three escorting destroyers mobilized the latest RIM-116B block 3 short-range missiles with a range of 20 km; a 20-mm Phalanx close-in weapon system was deployed for the interception. However, the Avaris hypersonic anti-ship missile, which flew at Mach 8 speed, only allowed a very short time of 9 seconds. Because of this short time, the chance of successful interception was extremely unlikely.
Eight short-range missiles flew from the RIM-116B block 3’s 21-shot launcher while spewing white smoke. The 20mm Phalanx also maneuvered automatically, forming a barrage toward the sky.
Durrrru! Dudurrrru! Durrrru!
Phalanx, boasting 4,500 rounds of fire per minute, spewed fire. The shells spouting from the rotating six rows of the barrel bounced everywhere.
“Ah! Five seconds. Five seconds left to impact.”
The radar operator’s desperate voice sounded like that of a grim reaper. As he tried to disregard the fact that he only had five seconds left to live, he put all of his hopes on the RIM-116B block 3 and Phalanx. However, as expected, they were insufficient in intercepting hypersonic anti-ship missiles. The report of interception did not come up in the end, and the two Avaris supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, which had increased in altitude to 300 m above the sky, rapidly changed direction and quickly fell at a 70-degree angle toward the Kaga destroyer (CV-2001).
“Brace for impact!”
As someone yelled inside the bridge, the crew frantically held on to something to support their body, as at that moment, the 100,000-ton aircraft carrier Kaga destroyer (CV-2001) shook violently.
Crash!
A huge explosion occurred on the upper deck of the Kaga destroyer (CV-2001), and the steel deck was undoubtedly torn apart, revealing a misshapen appearance. In addition, several crew members crouching on the deck were caught in the strong impact of the explosion and crashed into the sea. Then, the second Avaris missile struck the aircraft elevator toward the stern, dug into the interior, and exploded.
Crash!
The elevator, which was more vulnerable than the normal deck, crashed down to the floor from the kinetic energy of the missile. The missile that struck down the inner center engulfed several parts of the interior in flames with a loud explosion. Unfortunately, the four spare F-35B integrators, which had been settled in the interior hangar, were swept away by flames and caused a series of explosions. In the aftermath of the series of internal explosions, the crew screamed and tumbled out as casualties.
“Where exactly did we get hit?”
Admiral Yamamoto Genzur, who momentarily lost his balance and collapsed, spoke with great difficulty as he stood up, grabbing his chair. One of the lieutenants hurriedly checked outside the bridge and replied.
“It seems like we took a direct hit at the upper and lower deck. The damage to the aircraft elevator toward the lower deck seems to be quite huge. ”
“Captain Oka.”
“Yes, Admiral, sir.”
“Identify the damage by department first and immediately send in the recovery team.”
“Yes, Admiral, sir. ”
Captain Oka Hiroshi immediately ordered to the Lieutenant-General the dispatch of the recovery team and rescue of the injured through the ship broadcast system.
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