During those crucial 10 minutes, the "Royal Ark" urgently dispatched eight "Sea Fire" fighters.
Likewise, during those same 10 minutes, the Land Heart Sea Fleet's aerial combat commander made a fatal mistake.
At that time, the four "Sea Fire" fighters on air patrol did not return to cover the "Royal Ark", but instead were sent to intercept the Tiaoman bombers attacking the "Prince of Wales" and "Reputation", specifically those few heading towards the "Royal Ark".
From information disclosed later, the Captain of the "Prince of Wales" had judged that a few bombers had not dropped their bombs yet and were heading in the direction of the "Royal Ark"; therefore, he ordered the anti-aircraft fighters to intercept these bombers.
In fact, his judgment was not wrong.
Indeed, out of the first group of 12 bombers that had arrived, 4 had not dropped their bombs.
The problem was that these 4 bombers were on a reconnaissance and guiding mission, carrying no bombs.
