"Launch the fourth batch of Stukas immediately! Launch the fighters at the same time! Let the third batch of carrier-based aircraft wait a bit longer!" Seizing the opportunity, John Cleves paused the recovery of carrier aircraft, preparing to dispatch his attack aircraft group to regain the upper hand.
This was an instinct of a veteran, and indeed his idea was correct. A fleet of this size had been inexplicably taking hits, and if they didn't quickly counterattack to reverse the passive situation, destruction was only a matter of time.
Only by seizing the opportunity to bite back could they possibly secure a chance of survival: as long as the opponent became wary, their pursuit speed would slow, allowing them to shake off the opponent and avert danger.
