Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 22, Part 22: The Battle of Shanghai on January 28 (1), K-47 Fighter

After describing his plan, Fang Wen revealed his intentions.

Manager Liu has been in the business world for many years and has his own understanding of it.

"I think I understand what Commissioner Fang is saying. China Airlines planes are like cars, and the Boeing 80 you mentioned is like a train. Both are large and comfortable, so for the same price, you would naturally choose the Boeing 80. Not to mention, it can fly long distances. The distance from Beijing to Shanghai is 1000 kilometers, which would take two days and three nights, but by plane it only takes 5 hours. People who are well-off or in a hurry would definitely prefer to avoid the hardships of long journeys."

Fang Wen nodded, but in his mind he was thinking, if you guys can invest in private airlines, you're actually saving yourselves. Otherwise, when the Japanese come to Shanghai next year, things will be even harder.

Of course, he wouldn't share such predictions about the future.

Instead, they put it another way: "That's one point. Also, there are many people who want to fly, but the flight capacity available for civil aviation is insufficient. There's no need to worry about a lack of ticket buyers."

"One hundred million profits!"

Manager Liu narrowed his eyes, persuaded by everything Fang Wen described.

If the companies from Northeast China can cooperate, even with just one Boeing 80, they can secure a foothold in Shanghai.

His drunkenness was thus sobered up.

He asked earnestly, "Commissioner Fang, how exactly does this private airline work? It can't just be set up by spending money, can it?"

"The specific situation may be complicated or it may be simple. We need to obtain approval from the Ministry of Transport, establish airports in both locations after the route is confirmed, and arrange airport ground staff, dispatchers, and security personnel."

Manager Liu replied, "These things can't be solved by just bribing people. I'm afraid we'll have to transfer some shares and arrange for some unqualified individuals. But if it works out, it's not a big deal. There's another question: are you going to fly the Boeing 80?"

Fang Wen nodded: "I'll definitely be the one flying at first, but later I can train a group of professional Boeing 80 crew members to take over."

With this promise, Manager Liu felt much more at ease. He had absolute faith in Fang Wen's skills, but he couldn't understand why Fang Wen, who had never flown a Boeing 80, was so confident.

Immediately, unable to sit still any longer, Manager Liu got up, said goodbye to Sun Debiao, and left, returning to the city.

After returning to the city, Manager Liu did not provide any immediate feedback. After all, this was a very large investment, approximately 40 silver dollars, plus various expenses. It would certainly not be easy for those families in the Northeast to come up with the funds.

Fang Wen wasn't in a hurry. As long as there were planes to fly, that was fine. Anyway, there were still several thousand silver dollars in the bank safe deposit box, and his monthly allowance plus salary was more than two hundred silver dollars.

Without being married or having any burdens, he could be considered Shanghai's newly crowned golden bachelor.

He then ended his vacation early and returned to his daily afternoon flight piloting duties.

Fang Wen, who insists on flying every day to maintain his condition, has been paying close attention to the situation in Northeast China.

Japanese aircraft flew recklessly over Northeast China, providing reconnaissance, bombing, and strafing opportunities for ground troops.

The troops that remained in Northeast China to continue the resistance continued to resist despite the shortage of supplies.

This kind of persistence cannot change the outcome.

Heilongjiang fell in November.

In December, the entire Northeast region fell under Japanese occupation.

Jinzhou fell on January 2, 1932.

The fall of Jinzhou caused immense chaos.

The route from Jinzhou south to Shanhaiguan is flat and ideal for mechanized troops to pass through the pass.

In other words, the Japanese army could very well penetrate into the interior of China and reach Beiping in a short period of time.

This situation led more people to flee from the north to Shanghai, and newspapers published various commentaries and reports on the matter daily.

Students and workers took to the streets to protest Japan's aggression, and shops refused to sell Japanese goods.

People were filled with righteous indignation, yet they were also heartbroken by the decline of China.

Even a group of foreign pilots at the airport were discussing this matter.

At China Airlines Shanghai Airport, Schmidt specifically called Fang Wen over:

"Fang, do you think the Japanese army will reach Beiping this month?"

"I don't know, things are hard to say about war."

As Fang Wen spoke, a hint of worry inadvertently appeared on his face.

He drove his newly bought car away from the airport and back into the city.

Leaflets were scattered all over the city streets, and a march was taking place ahead.

Fang Wen stopped the car and looked at the students with indignant expressions. Passersby nearby were talking.

"You know what? They're here because of what happened last night."

"What is it?"

"Late last night, a group of Japanese set fire to the Sanyou Industrial Company. When the Public Works Bureau police came to put out the fire, they killed one of them and wounded two others."

"Something's happened! A large group of Japanese people are marching on Sichuan Road. They're heading to the headquarters of the Japanese Marine Corps there to petition. They've smashed many shops along the way."

Things have begun.

Fang Wen gripped the steering wheel tightly.

He was filled with indignation, but he wanted to vent his anger in the way he was best at, by letting it out into the sky.

The vandalism and looting initiated by Japanese residents turned into a strong protest from the Japanese army, which then made a series of unreasonable demands.

Some discerning people can see that this is a case of turning the tables and downplaying the international influence of Northeast China.

But no one expected that things would escalate into a real military operation.

On January 22, the Japanese Navy assembled more than 20 warships on the Huangpu River, along with more than 1,800 marines and 3,000 to 4,000 armed Japanese residents in the Japanese concession.

These troops were deployed in the Japanese concession and along the Huangpu River, effectively demonstrating their military might on Chinese territory.

On the 28th, war actually broke out.

The Japanese concession troops suddenly rushed out and launched an attack on Zhabei District under the cover of armored vehicles.

Nearly 30 warships opened fire on the city, and planes ravaged the skies.

Black smoke billowed from all over the city, and sirens blared incessantly.

The 19th Route Army stationed in the city held its ground and was locked in a stalemate with the Japanese army.

Meanwhile, the Second, Sixth, and Seventh Air Forces of the Republic of China, as well as the Guangdong Air Force which was heading north to assist in the war, all flew to Nanjing Minggong Airport to launch attacks on Japanese airspace from there.

Fang Wen, also a pilot, was at Nanjing Airport, looking for an opportunity to join the war.

Of these people, he only knew Lieutenant Lu from the Guangdong Air Force.

That's why I specifically sought him out.

"Lieutenant, I request to join the battle."

"Who are you?" Lieutenant Lu, who knew Fang Wen's identity, pretended to recall.

Unfazed, Fang Wen stood ramrod straight and continued his self-introduction. "Fang Wen, pilot for China Airlines, is applying to join the fight."

"A commercial airline pilot? Sorry, that's impossible." Lieutenant Lu turned to leave, but then stopped: "Your mechanic skills are quite good. How about this, you stay and work as a temporary mechanic. We happen to be short of maintenance personnel. Are you willing?"

"willing."

Fang Wen agreed and was taken to the air force, where he and two other mechanics were responsible for the maintenance of three military aircraft.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Fang Wen got up close to these military aircraft and learned more about this type of aircraft through conversations with the other two mechanics.

This is a German-made K-47 fighter jet.

A 7.92 mm machine gun is mounted on top of the nose.

It carries two 50-kilogram bombs under its wings, thus also possessing a certain ground attack capability.

The aircraft has an overall empty weight of approximately 1050 kg and a maximum takeoff weight of 1700 kg.

The fuselage is 8.55 meters long, 2.4 meters high, and has a wingspan of 12.4 meters.

Its maximum flight speed is approximately 300 km/h, and its cruising speed can reach 245 km/h.

In addition, its maximum service ceiling is 8500 meters, and its loiter time can reach 2 hours.

This was the best-performing aircraft Fang Wen had ever seen, and also the first military fighter jet.

A burning fire ignited within him, and he awaited any opportunity to take flight and fight the Japanese army.

(End of this chapter)