E-4 Hard cleared.
While I think the stage is doable without having to use a sub, having a sub armed with a Tank and seaplane fighter does wonders, as the sub can still hit Landing Hime with 70+ damage even when in taiha, even in night battle. However you WILL be forced to punch a hole in whoever sub you choose (I chose Shioi) as you need her to have damecon to survive the gauntlet of 3 nodes with elite D Ds everywhere.
Too bad no real drop of consequence. Oh well. On to E-5 hard!