Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 624 The Winter War, Taishan National Salvation Air Force
The sides of the runway at Zhijiang Airport are connected to simple dirt taxiways, leading to scattered aprons.

The airstrip consists of small, flat areas, each capable of accommodating 1-2 fighter jets. These areas are separated by earthen slopes or low walls, and some are even equipped with shallow pits to reduce the probability of the aircraft being directly hit by bombs.

Fang Wen's Qinyuan was parked in one of those spots.

After entrusting the aircraft maintenance to Taishan's own mechanics, Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng returned to their dormitory.

After washing away the sweat left from the air battle and changing his clothes, Fang Wen took Gong Xiuneng to the airport cafeteria.

The canteen is located opposite the command building, in a row of bungalows.

(The entire view of Zhijiang Airport at that time)
After walking along the cobblestone path, Fang Wen and his companion arrived at the cafeteria.

It was already quite lively here; the Soviet pilots had all changed into civilian clothes and were chatting and laughing.

Fang Wen walked over and was immediately welcomed by the Soviets. Captain Ivanov even invited him to sit between himself and Ivan.

Fang Wen considered that Gong Xiuneng did not understand Russian and it would be inappropriate to leave him alone among the Soviets, so he chose to sit next to Major Wu Youdong.

After a while, everyone arrived, and the celebration banquet began.

Wu Youdong stood up and said, "I am here on behalf of the National Army to thank the Soviet Volunteer Air Force for its contributions to the war against the invaders, and to congratulate the Air Force on its resounding victory on the Xiangbei battlefield."

After saying that, he looked at Captain Ivanov, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, he ordered the kitchen to serve the meal.

A chef wearing a white hat and a group of kitchen helpers came over carrying trays.

Surprisingly, the food served was Russian cuisine.

This is the Russian-style military meal that Fang Wen ate during the Nomonhan Incident.

Black bread, cured fish, borscht, canned meat, sausage.

He couldn't help but whisper to Major Wu Youdong.

"Why are you eating all this?"

Wu Youdong said helplessly, "At first, we prepared much more lavish food than we have now, but they couldn't get used to it. It's true that different places have different customs, and they really liked this kind of food. Later, we had no choice but to transfer two overseas Chinese chefs who had returned from the Soviet Union to Chongqing for Western cuisine, and only then did they adapt."

So that's how it is. Last night, because of a meeting that went on until very late, Fang Wen ate his own homemade military rations for dinner in the dormitory. This morning, because he had to go into battle, he also had a simple meal. He never expected that the military meals at Zhijiang Airport would be like this.

He whispered, "Major Wu, we don't usually eat these things, do we?"

Wu Youdong laughed and said, "Of course not. We set up a separate kitchen for the airport staff and guards to eat, right next door. To be honest, I would feel uncomfortable eating bread and soup like this every day."

At this moment, Captain Ivanov arrived, and the conversation ended there.

"Comrade Fang, to celebrate today's victory, I propose we have a drink."

"Drinking?" Fang Wen asked in surprise.

He knew that these volunteer airmen were regular soldiers of the Soviet Red Army, subject to strict discipline, and were not allowed to drink alcohol.

“This kind of wine can only be drunk on special occasions,” Captain Ivanov said, picking up a large bottle.

It's a red bottle, and the label says "Hotel Moscow," with the name Stolichnaya.

The translation is "capital city license plate".

It can also be called a red card.

Fang Wen had drunk it once when he was in Leningrad. It was produced by the Moscow State Brewery and was exclusively supplied to the army and the government.

Captain Ivanov had actually brought them from the Soviet Union.

Immediately, the large bottles of Red Label vodka were poured into everyone's bowls, and each person received a small portion.

Captain Ivanov raises his bowl.

"Zabobedu!"

This is a Russian toast to victory, a very infectious toasting phrase in the Soviet Union.

The other Soviet pilots all raised their bowls.

"Zabobedu!"

Fang Wen, Gong Xiuneng, and Wu Youdong also raised their bowls in agreement.

Immediately, everyone drank 40-proof vodka in one gulp.

Taking advantage of the warmth in their bodies, the atmosphere at the victory celebration banquet became lively.

Ivan took the initiative to sit next to Fang Wen.

"Fang, this is our second time fighting together."

“Yes. Didn’t you go back to China? Why are you back again?” Fang Wen replied.

"After you left, I went to Moscow and stayed there for a while. Then I received orders to join Ivanov's air force to fight in China."

Fang Wen's heart skipped a beat.

In Europe, the Nazis had already occupied most of Poland, and it wouldn't be long before they clashed with the Soviet Union.

That Soviet Patriotic War would thus begin.

In that situation, the Soviet volunteer air force sent to China would probably have to be recalled to fight in China.

After that, the pilots fighting in Chinese airspace will become American mercenaries, namely the Flying Tigers.

Thinking of this, he tightened his grip on the empty bowl, his gaze sweeping over the smile on Ivan's face, but his heart felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on it.

How is Moscow now?

Ivan's smile faded slightly. He picked up a piece of black bread from the table, broke it off, and put it in his mouth. After chewing for a moment, he replied, "There are more soldiers on the streets, and the train station is always crowded with trains carrying weapons. Before I left, my neighbor's son had just been drafted into the army, and they said he was going to be stationed on the western border."

It should be another war that took place before the Soviet Patriotic War: the 'Soviet-Finnish War'.

Knowing this all along, Fang Wen pretended to ask.

"Are you preparing to fight the Germans?"

"Of course not. The Nazis occupied Poland, and we didn't want to fight those lunatics. But Leningrad's location was too close to the border, making it difficult to defend. Therefore, we proposed a security exchange to Finland."

Fang Wen did not interrupt and listened attentively as Ivan finished recounting the new developments in the Soviet Union.

It turned out that Nazi Germany's blitzkrieg against Poland and the outbreak of World War II made the Soviet Union realize the danger of bordering Germany.

While actively preparing for the competition, they are also seeking a higher margin of safety.

Finland was involved in this.

The border between Finland and the Soviet Union was only 32 kilometers from Leningrad, a key military location, which led the Soviet Union to propose a series of "security exchange conditions" to Finland.

The Soviet Union demanded that Finland move the Soviet-Finnish border at the Karelian Isthmus 150 kilometers north, in exchange for twice the size of its eastern territory.

The Soviet Union demanded a 30-year lease of the Hanko Peninsula in the Gulf of Finland for the establishment of a Soviet naval base, and also demanded that Finland dismantle its military installations along the Gulf coast.

They demanded that Finland cede several islands in the Gulf of Finland to the Soviet Union in order to ensure the navigational safety of the Soviet Baltic Fleet.

After Ivan finished speaking, he grumbled, "We offered twice the land in exchange, but since they refused, we had no choice but to resort to war."

"You want to go to war with Finland?" Fang Wen feigned surprise.

Ivan nodded: "Probably. If we fight, we'll definitely win."

Fang Wen, however, had a different opinion.

He flew over the Leningrad region of the Soviet Union and also gained some understanding of the situation in Finland.

The eastern territories exchanged, though twice the size, were desolate regions.

For Finland, the Karelian Isthmus was its industrial and densely populated area, and the Hanko Peninsula was an important outlet to the sea. All of this was given to the Soviet Union, and the Finns probably don't even have an economic foundation anymore.

Therefore, Finland will definitely not agree.

This war is inevitable.

The problem was that the Finns would fight tooth and nail to protect their assets, while the Soviets, wary of the Nazis, might not be willing to commit their full strength to the war. Therefore, if Finland held out until the Nazis advanced eastward, the final outcome was predictable.

Shaking off his thoughts, Fang Wen did not continue the discussion on this matter.

After hesitating for a moment, I still asked the sensitive question.

"How long will you... stay here?"

Ivan hesitated for a moment, then replied, "The orders from above only said that we should cooperate with the Chinese army to defend the airspace north of Xiangbei, but they didn't say when we would return. However, our air squadrons operate on a rotation system; if a new air squadron is rotated, the one being replaced will definitely have to go home."

This wasn't the answer Fang Wen wanted, but he had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on.

By the middle of next year at the latest, the Soviets will end their support, and subsequent air combat will face a shortage of pilots familiar with the Il-16. Therefore, the US pilot recruitment program will be accelerated, and future air combat aircraft will switch from Soviet to American-made.

A victory celebration banquet has ended.

Everyone dispersed and returned to their dormitories.

Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng also returned to their dormitory.

There, Gong Xiuneng, who hadn't had a proper meal, went to get hot water and soaked his Taishan instant military rations in his dormitory.

The steaming hot water broke up the military rations, and a fragrant aroma of nuts and oil tea filled the air, along with thin strips of meat inside.

"Commander, I know you didn't eat well either, so I made you some too."

Fang Wen nodded, but did not speak.

This made Gong Xiu realize that something was wrong.

"Captain, what's wrong?"

With something on his mind, Fang Wen confided to his confidant: "If the situation in Europe deteriorates further, the Soviets, in order to protect themselves, will probably withdraw their volunteer air force, and our air power will be greatly reduced."

This made Gong Xiuneng very nervous: "Regimental Commander, if they leave, our air force is already small, how can we fight against the Japanese air force?"

“Someone will come to replace them.” Fang Wen picked up a bowl of military rations porridge with the flavor of oil tea noodles, blew on it, and continued, “Remember the American who came to me? His mission was to recruit mercenary pilots in the United States. If the Soviets are gone, then we’ll have to start from the United States.”

"What if the US doesn't agree to our recruitment?" Gong Xiuneng was still worried.

Although he knew the Flying Tigers would be formed, Fang Wen didn't mind adding another layer of insurance.

He then went to the airport and used the recording radio of the Qinyuan to send a telegram to the Taishan Aviation headquarters, which then forwarded the telegram to the United States.

The telegram was sent to New York via the Rangoon-Paris branch.

Lin Shuiwang took the telegram from the staff.

[Immediately begin preparations for establishing the Mount Tai Salvation Flying Team and recruit pilots within the United States.]

The selection criteria include not only overseas Chinese, but also retired U.S. military pilots and skilled civilian pilots.

The funding for the establishment of the air force will be paid by the head office, with Taishan International making an initial payment.

[Additionally, I also informed my wife at this time that she could also seek help from the Chinese community in the western United States.]

After reading the telegram, Lin Shuiwang was excited.

He was deeply concerned about his motherland and repeatedly proposed to return to China, but Fang Wen dissuaded him by saying that running a good company was also a way to save the country indirectly.

The formation of the Taishan Salvation Flying Team was of great significance to him.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Shuiwang held a meeting at the company, specifically gathering the Chinese employees to explain the situation.

Many of these Chinese employees grew up in the United States, but due to their family education, they still retain a strong sense of national identity and actively participated in the matters proposed by Lin Shuiwang.

Subsequently, the preparatory office for the Taishan National Salvation Flying Team was established in New York, and recruitment advertisements were published in several best-selling newspapers in New York.

Once the news spread, Chinese people in the New York area actively participated and came to the organizing committee to learn more.

Upon hearing that excellent flying experience was required, some people went directly to flight schools to enroll.

A very small number of Chinese who already possessed flight qualifications were also selected.

Other recruiters will have to wait for the news to spread before it gets out.

While the operation was underway in New York, Lin Shuiwang also forwarded the contents of the telegram verbatim to the Las Vegas Tarzan Amusement Park branch.

Taishan Amusement Park Branch.

After reading the telegram, Zhao Jiu, without saying a word, took it to the villa area of ​​the amusement park.

He arrived at courtyard number 01-02 of the villa.

In the courtyard, the family was laughing and having a good time. Kuang Mingzhu and Fang Wen's mother each held a baby and sat in the center.

They looked very happy and harmonious.

Zhao Jiu walked over.

"Madam, the general manager has sent a telegram."

Kuang Mingzhu quickly handed the baby to Chuncao to hold and took the telegram to read.

After reading the telegram, she said, "Go tell the master, the first and second mistresses, the two young masters, my parents, and everyone in the family to come back. It's important."

Immediately, the people in the courtyard began to get busy.

After some time, people from the Fang and Kuang families arrived.

Zhao Jiu and his confidants, along with John Harvey, also gathered at his home.

Kuang Mingzhu then explained the situation.

"I've called everyone here today because of a telegram. My husband wants to establish the Mount Tai National Salvation Flying Air Force, and has already set up an East Coast preparatory office in New York. I also want to set up a West Coast preparatory office in San Francisco. What do you all think?"

As soon as Kuang Mingzhu finished speaking, the living room fell silent, with only the crackling of firewood in the fireplace.

Mr. Fang said, "My son is doing a great thing for the country and the people, and I, as his father, will definitely support him. I only hope that the whole country will unite and drive the Japanese away, so that I can return to Jiaxing in my lifetime."

After saying that, he got up and went upstairs.

Others also expressed their willingness to support the establishment of the Taishan National Salvation Flying Team.

After a while, Mr. Fang came downstairs carrying a wooden money box and handed it to Kuang Mingzhu.

“Mingzhu, all the money I brought from Jiaxing has been converted into gold. Lao Wu also gave me some money, and it's all here. I live in Paradise now and don't need to spend any money, so I'll give it all to you as construction funds.”

He actually took out all his money.

Subsequently, the third wife also took out her own savings.

The eldest and second sons of the Fang family did not argue this time and each contributed their share.

Then, Kwong Shan-ming spoke up.

“My in-laws have started, and I’ll continue. My Kuang family is willing to donate two airplanes.”

Kuang Anming chimed in, "Me too! I want to join the Taishan National Salvation Flying Team and return to China to fight in the war."

Mrs. Kuang wanted to speak up to stop him, but Kuang Shanming held her back: "Our son has made up his mind. Even without this incident, he wouldn't be able to stay here. He'll go back sooner or later."

Mrs. Kuang said nothing more, but instead took out her own savings and donated it all.

Subsequently, Zhao Jiu and his Green Gang brothers from Shanghai also contributed their belongings.

John Harvey, who had been sitting in the corner, stood up and said in broken Chinese, “Madam, I’m willing to help. I have many friends in San Francisco, including several retired U.S. Army pilots who fought in World War I and are excellent pilots. I can persuade them to join. In addition, I can contact flight schools in San Francisco and get them to provide preferential training facilities for the recruited students.”

Zhao Jiu quickly followed up, saying, "Madam, some of the park's security team can be transferred to the preparatory office to help with registration, maintaining order, and handling tasks such as sending and receiving telegrams and organizing documents. We can do all of that. In addition, the advertising walls in the park can be used to publish recruitment information so that more people know that we are going to build an air force to fight the Japanese."

Looking at the determined faces before her, Kuang Mingzhu finally felt relieved.

Immediately, she began to arrange the specifics: "First, tomorrow I'll go to San Francisco and rent a street-front house to serve as the preparatory office. The address will be 'Taishan Patriotic Flying Team West Coast Preparatory Office.' Zhao Jiu, you'll be in charge of handling the formalities. Remember to hang a large Chinese banner so everyone will immediately know that this is a place dedicated to serving our motherland. Second, Dad, please contact the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and ask them to help place recruitment advertisements in the *San Francisco Chronicle* and *World Journal*, emphasizing the recruitment criteria—those with flying experience will be given priority, and applicants must be patriotic and willing to contribute to the fight against the Japanese invaders. Anyone who meets the criteria is welcome. Third, Mr. John Harvey, I'll trouble you to contact retired pilots and flight schools. We need to finalize the training grounds and instructors as soon as possible; we can't keep the applicants waiting too long. Fourth, women are just as capable as men in this matter. We women should also participate. The women in the family can help me with the logistics of the preparatory office, preparing tea, snacks, and Chinese brochures. After all, many elderly Chinese people may not understand English, so we need to make it clear to them that we are establishing an air force to protect the skies of our motherland and our loved ones back home."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere in the living room immediately became lively.

(End of this chapter)