Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 626 Fang Wen's Aerial Military Reconnaissance, the First Counter-Offensive in the Battle of Changsha
Fang Wen's telegram was sent to the headquarters of Taishan Airlines.

The telegram requested that someone be sent to contact Nader, an American in Kunming.

Taishan Airlines has domestic departure and arrival points in Kunming for its international flights, and also has water transport business, so it has an office in Kunming.

Headquarters immediately relayed Fang Wen's order to the Kunming office.

The office's management personnel then left their post and headed to a location near Wujiaba Airport.

The place was originally the Yunnan Aviation School. Two years ago, the Central Aviation School moved here and was renamed the Central Air Force Officer School.

Nader teaches here as a foreign instructor.

After some twists and turns, the people from Taishan were allowed to enter the flight school, where they were led by officers to see Instructor Nader.

They walked over to the training runway, where Nader was sitting with several American instructors, discussing matters related to flight training.

Subsequently, the people from Mount Tai took the initiative to identify themselves and explain their purpose.

"Hello Mr. Nader, I am the head of Taishan Airlines' Kunming office. Our general manager asked me to come over and ask you two questions."

“Your general manager, Fang Wen? I visited him last time. What was the problem?” Nader asked.

"1. Whether the international hiring of air force was successful; 2. Taishan also wants to prepare an anti-Japanese air force in the United States, how to circumvent the Neutrality Act."

After listening to the question, Nader frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "The matter of international mercenary air force is not going smoothly at the moment. We are also encountering the same problem. Because of the Neutrality Act, the United States does not agree to allow reserve soldiers and retired personnel from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps air forces to go to China to participate in combat. Even the purchase of a large number of fighter jets has not been approved. We are now nominally employees of the China Central Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, which is how we have circumvented the U.S. Neutrality Act."

He paused, then continued, "As for your desire to establish an anti-Japanese air force and circumvent the Neutrality Act, perhaps you could refer to our model. First, the recruits can sign employment contracts with a Chinese company or organization as civilian volunteers, such as your Taishan Air Force. This way, they won't be fighting as American soldiers. Second, regarding the acquisition of aircraft,"

Nader pointed to the fighter jets on the tarmac in the distance, "They can be purchased through unofficial channels, or through donations from overseas Chinese or friendly individuals. Alternatively, they can be purchased by neutral countries and then transported over. If handled properly, circumventing the Neutrality Act is feasible."

The people at Taishan Airlines carefully recorded Nader's words, preparing to report them to headquarters verbatim.

Nader looked at the other person and smiled, saying, "However, setting up an air force is not an easy task. In addition to personnel and aircraft, there are a series of issues to be resolved, such as training and logistical support. If you have any other questions, you can come to me at any time."

The man from Taishan thanked Nader and then hurriedly returned to the office to report Nader's suggestion.

9 month 29 day.

After a half-day rest, the Zhijiang Joint Air Force resumed battlefield support.

But today's mission has become a military patrol, without any specific group operations.

Fang Wen's three-machine squad's military patrol target area was the western blocking war zone east of Changde.

The plane took 40 minutes to reach the war zone. Fang Wen's first action was to use his special ability to scan the battlefield.

Compared to yesterday morning, the Japanese offensive was significantly smaller.

Apart from the ruins of wrecked tanks, no trace of Japanese tanks or armored units was found on the battlefield.

How is this going?

Without tank assaults, the Japanese army would not have been able to capture the defensive positions of the 27th Army Group.

There is something strange about this matter.

Fang Wen did not give the wingman an attack order, but instead flew eastward.

He quickly discovered the problem.

The Japanese mechanized units have withdrawn to the Anxiang area of ​​Nanxian County, and Japanese troops are forcing locals to build fortifications.

These signs indicate that the Japanese troops on this route no longer intend to continue their offensive against Changde, but instead choose to hold onto the areas they have already occupied.

Fang Wen felt that these circumstances were far more important than the air raid, and immediately led the fighter jets back to base.

Forty minutes later, the three fighter jets landed at Zhijiang Airport.

Fang Wen parked the plane in the parking area, immediately disembarked, and headed to the command center.

The Soviets were not in the command post; only airport staff and liaison officer Wu Youdong were present.

Fang Wen walked directly to Wu Youdong's side.

"Major Wu, during today's military patrol, I discovered an important situation."

Wu Youdong quickly stopped writing. "Commander Fang, you speak."

Fang Wen pulled up a wooden chair and sat opposite Wu Youdong. He took out his military map, spread it out, and pointed to the locations of Nanxian and Anxiang with his fingertips. His tone was somewhat solemn:

"Major Wu, today when our three-machine squad was patrolling the Changde East War Zone, we found that the Japanese offensive had completely stopped - there was no trace of Type 97 tanks on the battlefield, only scattered infantry probing outside the defensive line. On the other hand, in the Nanxian and Anxiang areas, the Japanese army is forcing the local people to rush to repair fortifications, and even the mechanized troops that had previously advanced have withdrawn."

Upon hearing this, Wu Youdong sat up abruptly from his chair and looked intently at the map: "You mean, they're not attacking Changde anymore?"

He frowned, his finger tracing the Yuanjiang River basin on the map.

"This doesn't make sense. The Japanese 33rd Division marched south from Gong'an, breaking through all the way to Anxiang in Nanxian County. They were about to reach the outskirts of Changde. Why did they suddenly switch to a defensive position?"

"I also find it strange. The Japanese army dug trenches outside Anxiang County, demolished civilian houses to build bunkers, and even transported food and ammunition into the city by trucks. It was clear that they intended to hold the position for a long time. Without tanks to attack, they really couldn't break through the 27th Army's defenses, but there must have been a reason for them to just retreat and build fortifications."

Listening to Fang Wen's words, Wu Youdong pondered for a moment, then hypothesized, "Could something have happened on the main battlefield of Xiangbei?"

He suddenly remembered a military intelligence report he had received that morning: "I heard that the Japanese 101st and 106th Divisions in western Jiangxi were repelled, and the 6th Division in central Hunan also suffered a setback north of the Miluo River. Perhaps these Japanese troops have received orders to withdraw and consolidate their defenses to protect the territory they have already occupied."

“That’s possible.” Fang Wen nodded and added, “There’s another detail—I noticed that the Japanese army in Anxiang is transferring a large number of wounded soldiers. Many wounded soldiers were being loaded onto trucks, and judging from the direction the truck convoy was heading, it seemed to be heading towards Yueyang. This means that they are not only going to hold their ground, but also adjusting their troop deployment, perhaps to transfer troops from here to support other battlefields.”

Based on Fang Wen's reconnaissance of the battlefield, Wu Youdong continued to analyze: "If the Japanese army really wants to hold on to Anxiang in Nanxian County, it will be a good thing for Changde, but not necessarily for the overall situation in northern Hunan. If they build these two places into strongholds, it will be like planting a knife on the east side of our defense line. In the future, whether they are supporting Changsha or harassing western Hunan, they will have an extra springboard."

He turned to Fang Wen and said, “This intelligence of yours is too important. I need to immediately telegraph the Ninth War Zone Command so that they can take precautions as soon as possible.”

Immediately afterwards, Wu Youdong went to the telegraph room, and Fang Wen also left the command post.

Whether this intelligence will have any impact on the Xiangbei battlefield is unknown to Fang Wen.

Erlipai, within Changsha city.

The Ninth War Zone Command was located here.

The war zone staff officer, holding the telegram delivered by the telegraph office, reported to Commander Xue of the Ninth War Zone.

"Commander, we've received an aerial reconnaissance report from Zhijiang Airport. They've discovered important military intelligence. Take a look."

"Oh."

Commander Xue took the telegram and read it carefully.

Upon seeing a name, he couldn't help but speak up. "Fang Wen discovered it."

Then, his expression turned serious.

"Convene a staff meeting immediately to discuss military intelligence."

Immediately, high-ranking officers of the Ninth War Zone Command were summoned.

During the meeting, Commander Xue explained the situation.

"We have received the latest aerial reconnaissance report from Zhijiang Airport. They have discovered something important. Currently, the Japanese troops advancing on Changde on the western front have halted their offensive and withdrawn to the Anxiang area of ​​Nanxian County, where they have begun constructing fortifications. It seems they intend to hold that position. What are your thoughts on this?"

Senior officers in the 9th Theater discussed this matter.

Everyone was surprisingly in agreement.

The Japanese army launched a three-pronged attack, but has now failed on both the western Hunan and western Jiangxi fronts, making it impossible to achieve the strategic goal of encircling Changsha.

Now only the Japanese forces in the central route at Laodao River remain; it's time for a counterattack.

Therefore, Commander Xue gave the order.

"I ordered a full-scale counterattack: the 15th Army Group in the central route attacked the flank and rear of the Japanese 6th Division from south of the Miluo River; a part of the 19th Army Group in the eastern route advanced eastward from western Jiangxi to cut off the Japanese eastern supply line; and the 27th Army Group in the western route launched a counterattack against the Japanese 33rd Division to tie down its forces."

The order was immediately sent out by telegram, and all units began preparing for the attack.

The National Army's long-prepared strategic counter-offensive began. The operational mission of the Zhijiang Allied Volunteer Air Force also changed accordingly.

Upon receiving the new orders, Ivalov summoned the pilots for a briefing.

"We have received new orders from the 9th War Zone Command. In order to coordinate with the ground forces' counterattack and encirclement, our mission is to bomb the Japanese army's central supply line."

The importance of this task is beyond doubt.

The plan to lure the enemy deep into the encirclement in northern Hunan was to cut off the Japanese army's supplies and use a strategy of exhausting the enemy by outnumbering them.

The better the air force's bombing raids, the greater the boost to the front lines.

Therefore, the air force began to add aerial bombs.

There are three types: high explosive, lethal, and incendiary.

The high-explosive variants are: FAB-100 and the improved FAB-100M.

The former is a 100-kilogram Soviet-made high-explosive bomb, a weapon specifically designed to bomb forward trenches, light fortifications, and transport convoys.

However, in the Xiangbei battlefield, the terrain was mostly hilly and paddy fields. To prevent the detonation from failing due to the soft soil sinking too deep, the Soviet Union equipped the air force in Zhijiang with the improved FAB-100M.

This improved high-explosive bomb is more suitable for the geographical conditions of Shohoku.

Fragmentation bombs are primarily designed to target infantry groups, assisting ground troops, and mainly employ fragmentation attacks.

The model number is AO-50.

Weighing 25 kilograms, it contains hundreds of steel balls and has a kill radius of 20-30 square meters.

Incendiary bombs: Target flammable targets to provide additional damage.

The model number is ZAB-20.

Weighing 20 kg, it contains white phosphorus combustion agent, burns for 5-8 minutes, and a single piece can create a burning area of ​​10-15 square meters.

While the Il-16 was loading aerial bombs, Fang Wen's side was also loading bombs.

However, the aerial bombs used were homemade by Taishan. Fang Wen wanted to take this opportunity to compare them with Soviet aerial bombs and see which one was more effective.

There are also three models: "Incineration Type 2 napalm incendiary bomb", "Lost asphyxiation smoke incendiary bomb", and "Landslide high-explosive aerial bomb".

To ensure sufficient payload capacity, the two air-to-ground rocket launchers were removed, and the mounting positions were changed to accommodate two 100-kilogram "landslide high-explosive aerial bombs".

On the belly of the aircraft, there are two bombs, one at the front and one at the rear. The front of the bomb consists of two 50-kilogram napalm incendiary bombs, and the rear of the bomb consists of two 45-kilogram asphyxiating smoke incendiary bombs.

Its overall payload capacity is greater than that of the Il-16, but its actual effectiveness will depend on its performance in actual combat.

On September 30, the Zhijiang Aviation Team began its collective operation.

Having already taken to the skies in his fighter jet, Ivanov used a Taishan walkie-talkie to make his first effective airborne voice communication.

"Attention all squads, target the Japanese supply line along the Miluo River. Form a three-aircraft wedge formation and launch a free air strike upon arrival at the target area, prioritizing the destruction of Japanese transport convoys and ammunition depots!"

Ivanov's instructions were transmitted to each fighter jet via radio waves. These orders were only effective within a 3-kilometer range, and in wartime, close coordination was still necessary.

Each squad leader responded using a walkie-talkie.

"receive."

"receive."

Fang Wen did the same. After replying, he gripped the control stick and guided the plane onto the runway. After he took off, Ivan and Peter's wingmen also took off. The three-plane squadron joined the Soviet air force and flew towards the Japanese supply line in northern Hunan.

Forty-five minutes later, the aircraft group arrived over the Miluo River.

Fang Wen activated the radar target acquisition device, the red warning light lit up, and the alarm was sounded.

According to the machine's perception, Japanese warplanes are attacking from the direction of Yueyang.

However, there was no need for the Zhijiang Air Force to engage them; instead, two Soviet air squadrons flying from Chongqing and Chengdu intercepted the incoming enemy.

Meanwhile, the Zhijiang Air Force bypassed the aerial battlefield and flew towards the Japanese supply lines in the rear.

They arrived at their destination in no time.

The Japanese transport convoy below was slowly moving along the muddy road, and 30 kilometers ahead of the convoy was a temporary supply warehouse where a large amount of military supplies were stored.

Fang Wen's mechanical perception allowed him to clearly see the ammunition boxes stacked into a small mountain, as well as the outlines of the shells hidden under the canvas.

At this moment, Ivanov issued the attack order via walkie-talkie.

"Each squad will conduct air strikes and return to base after completion."

This means that there are 7 air squadrons, each operating independently, and after completing their bombing raids, they return to base as squadrons.

Immediately, a three-machine squad began its operation.

Fang Wenze picked up the microphone.

"Ivan, Peter, you two take the left flank of the convoy, I'm going to the bomb depot!"

After giving the order, Fang Wen piloted the Qinyuan down into the air, the "mountain collapse high-explosive bombs" under the wings swaying slightly in the airflow.

There's an anti-aircraft gun below; we have to take it out first before we can safely bomb it from the air.

As he was piloting his plane in a dive, the anti-aircraft gun was strafing other Soviet aircraft in the air. By the time it spotted Fang Wen's Qinyuan diving towards it, it was too late to adjust its position.

A barrage of machine gun shells was fired from the nose of the aircraft, striking the anti-aircraft guns behind it.

Behind the completely undefended anti-aircraft gun, a burst of fire erupted from the machine gun shells, killing both the gunner and the loader.

At this moment, Fang Wen had not yet pulled up; the plane's dive altitude was still decreasing.

At a distance of 500 meters, he pulled up and pressed the "landslide high-explosive grenade" launch button.

The 100-kilogram high-explosive bombs mounted on the left and right wings fell, landing on the ammunition box pile and another supply area covered by a tarpaulin, respectively.

Firing, dropping grenades, and pulling up—all done in one smooth motion.

At that moment, a Soviet Il-16 fighter jet in the distance also dropped FAB-100M high-explosive bombs.

The Soviet-made bomb and the Taishan-made bomb exploded within two seconds of each other. First, the Soviet-made FAB-100M exploded, sending dirt and canvas fragments flying, and the wooden structure of the outer layer of the ammunition depot collapsed instantly. Next, the landslide high-explosive bomb exploded. Unlike the shock wave damage of the FAB-100M, the landslide bomb shattered instantly upon contact with the ground. The steel balls inside mixed with the explosives and exploded, destroying not only the ammunition depot, but also the flying steel balls punctured the fuel tanks of three nearby Japanese trucks, causing gasoline to leak out and form an oil slick on the ground.

Subsequently, a Type 2 napalm incendiary bomb was dropped from the sky. The napalm incendiary bomb, with a splash radius of 50 square meters, scattered a large amount of fire and electricity, which adhered to different areas and burned.

These sparks ignited the gasoline in the supply warehouse, and the flames instantly spread, subsequently igniting even more fuel.

Flames continued to shoot out from the explosions, and the area where the Japanese army stored supplies was completely engulfed in flames.

Under the even higher temperatures, the shells and bullets also exploded.

Fang Wen did not stop, immediately adjusted the aircraft position, and turned towards the Japanese army transport convoy.

At this moment, Ivan and Peter were using AO-50 fragmentation bombs to attack the infantry next to the convoy. After the Soviet-made bombs exploded, hundreds of steel balls swept across like a rainstorm, and the Japanese infantrymen fell to the ground one after another.

Fang Wen aimed at the tanker truck at the front of the convoy and pressed the button on his abdomen to release the bomb—another "Incendiary Type 2 Napalm Bomb" fell. The moment it hit the ground, the gasoline mixture spread rapidly, and flames spread along the oil trails. The entire tanker truck was instantly engulfed in flames, and thick smoke billowed up, obscuring half of the road.

"Fang, the Japanese have anti-aircraft machine guns!"

Ivan's warning came through the walkie-talkie.

When Fang Wen saw the danger, he had already seen that three Japanese Type 92 anti-aircraft machine guns were being unloaded from the trucks by the Japanese soldiers in the convoy, and they were preparing to fire into the sky.

How could we possibly let them succeed?

Fang Wen pressed the last two aerial bombs on the plane: incendiary smoke bombs.

This type of battlefield-support aerial bomb is also remarkably effective against enemy air defenses.

(End of this chapter)