Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 519 Participating in French military exercises, simulating the Maginot Line offensive and defensive battle.
Fang Wen was filled with fighting spirit after successfully obtaining technical data on turbojet engines during his trip to London.

Knowing about future changes in military technology, he felt that he could use his superpowers to build jet fighters ten to twenty years ahead of schedule.

If jet fighters can be used in actual combat, their speed will surpass that of existing piston-engine fighters, making them the absolute trump card for dominating the airspace.

Therefore, he wanted to get back as soon as possible to begin his research.

But there are still many things to do. If I don't finish them while I'm in Europe, it will be even more troublesome later.

For example, we need to go to the French Air Force to learn about the use of gunships and aircraft in the French military.

Also worth a visit is Napoleon's treasure, which includes 80 tons of gold and a large number of art treasures from the Tsarist era.

Therefore, he had to postpone his return to China.

1 month 20 day.

Fang Wen left London in his DC-3 private jet.

Compared to when they arrived, there was an extra small box containing technical data on turbojet engines, which was kept by Gong Xiuneng.

Pierre also took this plane back.

Although he wasn't of much help in purchasing the technical materials, Fang Wen still agreed to go with him to a possible location where Napoleon had hidden treasure.

He was so excited that he kept talking about it.

"Fang, this is my first time participating in a treasure hunt adventure. What do we need to prepare?"

"For your first visit, you don't need to prepare too much; you should arrange things according to the actual situation."

Fang Wen shared his treasure hunting experience, saying that although he relied on his superpowers each time, he was doing something with certainty.

If he finds nothing after going there, he will decisively stop exploring to avoid wasting his precious time.

But before that, he had to go back to Paris.

Then he added, "Pierre, once you arrive in Paris, prepare some things for your trip. I'll let you know when I'm done with my work."

"Go by plane?"

"Yes. But not your DC-3. We're going to the Soviet Union, and it would be too much trouble to get there by land-based aircraft, so we need to switch to a seaplane. Besides, do you have any connections in the Soviet Union? I don't want to cause any trouble."

“I’ll arrange that. The Soviet embassy has already agreed to let me travel there, and I can get a civilian flight permit from Moscow. As for the local area, I sent someone from Poland last year, and we have a good relationship with the government there.”

It seems that Pierre wasn't entirely unprepared.

This saved Fang Wen a lot of trouble, and he felt relieved.

After an hour's flight, the plane landed at Paris airport.

After getting off the plane, Fang Wen said goodbye to Pierre and went straight back to the branch office.

There, Fang Wen dialed a number using the company phone.

"Hello, this is the Paris airport area call center. Where would you like to connect?"

In early 39 in Paris, France, making a phone call still required being transferred by an operator. After Fang Wen explained the receiving party, the operator connected the call on his behalf.

After waiting a short while, someone answered the phone on the other end.

"The French Air Force Equipment Department closes in two hours. You'd better have something urgent to attend to."

The other party's casual tone was typical of French civil servants, even those in the military; Fang Wen was already used to it.

"I am Fang Wen, the general manager of Taishan Airlines. I would like to inquire about the batch of gunboats that were sold to you," he asked.

The other party's tone softened: "Gunship aircraft is an interesting new mode of warfare. We are currently conducting tactical discussions around this type of aircraft and have considered having you send military experts to provide guidance. It would be even better if you could come in person."

Clearly, this person was also aware of Fang Wen's real-world experience in commanding gunboats and aircraft in combat.

“I happen to be in Paris, so I can join your tactical discussion.”

"Okay, please tell me where you live, and we'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow morning."

"I work at Taishan Airlines' Paris branch."

"Ok, see you tomorrow."

The call ends here.

Fang Wen spent the night in the branch company's pilot dormitory, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.

After a night, Fang Wen got up early, ate breakfast, and stayed at the branch office until 9 o'clock before a military vehicle finally arrived.

An air force officer got out of the military vehicle and asked in French, "I'm here to pick up General Manager Fang of Taishan Airlines."

“It’s me. You drive and lead the way, I’ll drive my own car and follow you,” Fang Wen replied.

Riding in someone else's car is an uncontrollable behavior that Fang Wen has always tried to avoid.

The officer said nothing about it.

Then, led by military vehicles, Fang Wen drove to the eastern suburbs of Paris.

That is the newly built air force seaplane base located on the banks of the Marne River, an eastern tributary of the Seine.

Ten Taishan gunboats were moored at the dock.

Meanwhile, in the camp, there were dozens of soldiers doing physical training.

After getting out of the car, Fang Wen instructed Gong Xiuneng, who had come with him to protect him, "Wait here in the car. We might have to stay here for a long time today."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a high-ranking military officer came over to greet him.

"I'm very pleased that you're here to provide guidance for our tactical discussion. Please follow me."

Fang Wen followed him into the newly built bungalow next door.

There, a room full of officers were having a discussion.

When Fang Wen, with his Asian face, entered, everyone stopped talking and looked over.

"This is Fang Wen, the general manager of Taishan Airlines. He is also a legendary pilot and air military commander in the East. The issues we are discussing now are all things he has personally experienced. Let's welcome him to provide valuable opinions for our tactical discussion."

After the applause subsided, the presiding officer spoke up: "Mr. Fang, according to our research, gunship-based aircraft are suitable for troop deployment and fire suppression, as well as military reconnaissance, in various terrains such as jungles, mountains, and rivers. However, this is a complete chain, and we lack experience in this area. Various problems frequently arise in hypothetical military operation simulations. Could you act as the commander and demonstrate it for us?"

These officers were quite direct; they hoped to understand gunboat tactics through Fang Wen's direct command.

Fang Wen chuckled inwardly, knowing that his secret was something the other party could never learn.

But if they do a good job, they can influence the French Air Force to purchase more gunships.

Therefore, he readily agreed: "Okay, but you have to tell me what this simulated military operation is like?"

Upon hearing that Fang Wen had agreed, the officers became very interested.

The officer in charge then explained the situation.

"We called this operation 'Operation Saar,' hypothetically located in the Saar floodplain, part of the Maginot Line, utilizing the natural river obstacles and marshes of the Saar River for defense. Fortifications in this area only began after 1935, making it the weakest point in the defenses. We hypothesized that the Germans would break through the Maginot Line from this point, and therefore, we dispatched gunboats and airborne troops to support the ground forces in recapturing the positions."

Fang Wen was stunned. Did they actually have this kind of awareness?
Maintaining this level of vigilance might have prevented a German blitzkrieg.

Not necessarily. The course of war is determined by a combination of factors.

Shaking off his thoughts, Fang Wen continued listening.

Next, to help Fang Wen better understand this simulated military operation, the officers took him to another room to explain it using a sand table.

It turns out that they set up six positions on the Marne River, mimicking the layout of the Maginot Line on the border.

After the operation begins, three of the six positions will be lost, while the other three will be held. Then, gunboat squadrons carrying paratroopers will depart, land behind enemy lines, and cooperate with the frontline troops to recapture the lost positions.

After learning about it, Fang Wen discussed it with the officers.

It turned out that the operation had been simulated once before, but it had failed.

The officers did not disclose the reasons for the failure.

Fang Wen didn't ask any questions and directly took over command of the operation.

A total of 80 paratroopers, 10 gunboat crew members, plus radio operators for each aircraft.

These were all the personnel involved in this operation. They assembled on the base's tarmac, and after a senior officer introduced Fang Wen, command was handed over.

Then, Fang Wen stood in front of everyone and said loudly in French, "I am very happy to be working with you on this operation. I will do my best to participate in the entire command process, and I hope everyone will obey my orders to successfully complete this operation. Can you do that?"

The soldiers and crew responded in unison: "U-i," which is the French pronunciation of "yes."

After completing the exchange, Fang Wen, who had gained command, talked further with these people and learned about their basic situation through communication.

The pilot was a fighter pilot transferred from the French Air Force, and his ability was not a problem at all.

The radio correspondent is also very professional, so there's no need to worry.

They are paratroopers, and they are a newly established force.

Fang Wen also learned from the paratroopers about their previous failure. It turned out that during the airdrop, due to a change in direction, most of the paratroopers landed on the river.

As a result, they were completely annihilated by the enemy on the riverbank.

After understanding the overall situation, Fang Wen made a judgment about this unit.

Overall, their abilities are decent and they can complete the task, as long as they pay attention to some details and avoid any unexpected incidents.

He then gathered the pilots and the air radio operators.

"Let's talk about communication. My requirement is to keep communication open so that battlefield command information can be transmitted at any time, on a fixed frequency, and only according to my requirements."

He then spoke with the paratrooper leaders of each aircraft: "I require you to follow my orders completely without any mistakes. Can you do that?"

"can."

Verbal communication alone is not enough. Fang Wen had further exchanges with them, teaching them some airborne terminology he had set up to facilitate command and communication.

After all the departments understood his meaning, Fang Wen approached a senior officer who was observing nearby and said, "I think we should be able to take action now."

"Are you sure? Okay then, I'll have the ground troops start the drills."

A senior military officer made the arrangements.

On the banks of the Marne River, 30 kilometers away.

The six positions were arranged in sequence on the south bank.

French soldiers, simulating German troops, launched a surprise attack, quickly capturing three positions (456) and engaging in battle with position 123.

The radio waves were then sent back to report the situation.

Upon receiving orders, Fang Wen and all participating troops were mobilized at the seaplane airfield base.

He also piloted a gunboat, which, in addition to five paratroopers, had 13 senior officers observing from inside the cabin.

One plane after another took off, led by the lead plane piloted by Fang Wen, heading towards the positions upstream of the Marne River.

Thirteen minutes later, Fang Wen had already seen the situation of the distant position in advance through mechanical perception.

The simulated German soldiers have already captured position 3. This means that even if they were to be airdropped into positions 4, 5, or 6, there would be no frontline troops to support the paratroopers. If the airdrop proceeds as planned, the operation will most likely fail.

Fang Wen remained silent, instead quietly observing the situation behind him through his mechanical senses.

Those high-ranking officers pretended to know nothing, but they couldn't contain their glee at the success of their scheme, and some were whispering among themselves.

"No matter how capable he is, he can't possibly win this operation. The Eastern Air Commander is a joke."

"On the European battlefield, it's not up to the backward Chinese to take command."

Fang Wen's expression turned slightly cold. These people wanted to see him make a fool of himself, but he was determined not to let them succeed.

Therefore, the gunboat squadron flew overhead, but the airdrop order was not issued for a long time.

This left the officers confused about what was happening, but because they were observing, they couldn't ask questions or interrupt the operation.

Until a pilot sent an inquiry telegram.

Upon receiving the telegram, the airborne radio operator immediately reported: "Commander, aircraft number 3 is inquiring whether it is permissible to parachute in?"

Fang Wenping calmly ordered, "Power on all aircraft. No airdrop is permitted without my order."

As he spoke, he also observed the situation below.

The following exercises are in a natural development phase and are still ongoing.

The German troops, relying on position number 3, launched an attack on the last two positions.

Judging from the current battlefield situation, the paratroopers should be rushing to rescue positions 1 and 2. Only by securing these two positions can they have a chance to counterattack and recapture the other positions.

At the same time, gunships can do more than just airdrop; they can also cooperate with ground troops for fire suppression.

After a brief period of observation and consideration, Fang Wen made a decision.

He issued the order: "Notify all aircraft to parachute behind position 3 and contact the front-line positions to inform them of the parachute situation. In addition, our gunboat squadron will also assist in the attack."

As he gave the order, the senior officers observing behind him whispered among themselves:
“He found out.”

"It's really extraordinary."

"Now, let's see how he commands."

The officers abandoned their initial disdain, took out their notebooks, and began recording the command process.

Subsequently, the gunboat squadron conducted an airborne landing at position number 3.

The weather was sunny and calm today, and the paratroopers landed without incident.

After all the paratroopers had taken off, Fang Wen said to the air communicator beside him, "Contact all aircraft and have the gunners enter combat readiness. Pilots, follow me as we fly around position number 3 and await the attack order."

Under his command, 10 gunboats entered a circling flight pattern, and the gunners pre-aimed.

Although there were no written instructions on the aiming angle, the general direction of the shots was aimed at the positions below.

Five minutes later, the paratroopers landed and launched an attack from behind position number 3.

At the same time, positions 2 and 1 also launched a counterattack.

At this moment, Fang Wencai ordered the air gunships to open fire.

Smoke shells fired in the simulated combat filled the battlefield. Although they were not live ammunition, the overall situation on the battlefield was already clear.

The ground exercise judge determined that the German forces had lost position 3 and were retreating to position 4.

Soldiers playing the role of French troops on the Maginot Line stormed into position number 3, cheering alongside the paratroopers.

Fang Wen then issued the order to return to base.

The gunboat formation flew back to the seaplane base.

After the plane came to a stop, Fang Wen stood up from the pilot's seat and turned to face the officers who were observing.

"Heureusement, nous n'avons pas manqué notre mission assigned."

This is in French context, and it has the same meaning as the Chinese phrase "幸不辱命" (xìng bù rǔ mìng).

In response, the leading officer extended his hand to shake hands with Fang Wen, exclaiming, "I finally understand how those Japanese soldiers you defeated felt. In the air, you are an eagle, and everything is under your control."

"Thank you for the compliment. I hope that the gunship tactical exercise I demonstrated can become a new model for your air force's rapid reaction operations. I also hope that you will purchase more Taishan gunship aircraft." Fang Wen replied with a smile. In the military field, strength is the fundamental factor that determines everything. He used his strength to demonstrate his status in this field. As for those little episodes before, they were meaningless to him.

"We will report the details of this military exercise to our superiors, and if they approve our development in this area, we will receive more orders," the officer assured him.

"That's good. I'm sorry, I have other things to attend to and cannot stay here."

After Fang Wen finished speaking, he and Gong Xiuneng got into the car and left the base.

As the car drove out of the base, the officers' eyes followed it until it disappeared from sight.

Although Fang Wen only stayed at the base for 6 hours, he left a very deep impression on the French soldiers.

Fang Wen, having left the base, sped along the roads and returned to the branch office before nightfall.

He decided to fly to the Soviet Union tomorrow, and to do so, he needed to make some preparations tonight.

(End of this chapter)