A whole episode dedicated to an actual mission? Ayyy. Seems like the anime is following the events of WWII during 1942, since they did a decent depiction of the "Battle of the Coral Sea" with the Japanese communications being broken, Shoukaku and two Wo-class ships being damaged, and Shouhou sinking (
poor Shouhou). This means that Battle of Midway is confirmed - oh, god.
Battle of Midway, 4 and 7 June 1942.
- Hiryu, Soryu, Akagi and Kaga sunken.
...Well, shit.
Yamato episode next week!
(also the Abyssal are the Allied, lmao.)