Republic of China: Ace Pilot

After the flight operations meeting ended, the lights at Yan'an Airport remained on all night.

Ground crew, mechanics, and pilots were all busy refueling, inspecting, and loading aerial bombs and other munitions.

At 11 p.m., the pilots returned to the conference room to check the flight path and target.

Qi Baoqian confirmed the details with Fang Wen again: "On the Taiyuan to Yangquan section of the first route, the Japanese army may install anti-aircraft weapons on the trains. You must be careful."

Fang Wen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the major highways marked on the map: "In addition to the railways, I plan to bomb the highways as well, so that we can better prevent Japanese reinforcements from the Taiyuan direction."

Nearby, Wang Shuanzhu was familiarizing himself with the layout of the Yangquan Station outpost with Deng Zhongyu. New pilots such as Li Fushun and Zhang Baocai stood around, carefully taking notes of the veteran pilot's combat tips. Compared to the tension of their first air battle, they were much more composed at this moment.

The next day, August 25th, at 5 a.m., just as dawn was breaking.

The roar of engines filled the air at Yan'an Airport's dual runways.

The three flight combat formations took off in sequence according to the pre-arranged plan:
Fang Wen piloted Taishan No. 1, with Shao Deqing No. 3 and Zhai Xiaojun No. 5 flying on either side, forming the first formation and speeding towards the highway from Taiyuan to Yangquan.

祁保谦1号机带领2号、4号、6号、7号机及8号、9号机，直奔阳泉车站残余日军据点；
Deng Zhongyu's No. 4 aircraft, along with four other aircraft including No. 10 Zhang Baocai and No. 11 Zhao Gensheng, attacked the Japanese assembly point in the direction of Shimen, which was attacking Niangziguan.

After the first formation flew over the Yellow River, Fang Wen activated his supernatural abilities and radar for dual reconnaissance, and quickly detected the movements of the Japanese troops on the Taiyuan-Yangquan highway.

He picked up the microphone and called out to the escort fighters on the left and right: "Attention, aircraft No. 3 and No. 5, we are about to enter the combat zone. Be ready to fight at any time."

"Received!" Shao Deqing and Zhai Xiaojun responded in unison.

Twenty minutes later, three planes appeared in the airspace between Hanshou and Yangquan.

This area was the first area where the Japanese troops went to Yangquan to provide support, and they traveled by road.

From Fang Wen's perspective, which is influenced by his special abilities, one can clearly understand the specific situation.

It consisted of 15 transport trucks and 5 armored vehicles, with a number of Japanese soldiers between 300 and 400.

They were advancing along the road toward Shinaoshan. The last four vehicles in the convoy were towing four mountain guns, clearly intended to replenish the artillery for the Japanese troops fighting at Shinaoshan.

Fang Wen picked up the microphone.

"Attention, aircraft No. 3 and No. 5, Japanese reinforcement convoy spotted below. After I finish bombing, you will conduct a follow-up attack."

"Yes." The two planes replied. Shao Deqing and Zhai Xiaojun, two veteran pilots from the elite air force, had unconditional trust in Fang Wen.

Subsequently, Fang Wen issued the bomber crew the order to prepare to drop bombs.

At one minute and thirty seconds, he gave the order: "Drop the bomb."

The bombardier inside the Taishan-1 aircraft cabin immediately activated the bombing equipment.

The bomb bay opened, and 10 aerial bombs fell.

Bombs rained down, engulfing the convoy in flames. The mountain guns at the rear were blown to pieces. The Japanese soldiers who were lucky enough to escape the bomb blasts were fleeing in disarray toward the roadside ditches.

The remaining transport trucks and armored vehicles rushed forward, attempting to escape the bombing zone.

Shao Deqing and Zhai Xiaojun piloted their fighter planes down and strafed the Japanese infantry on both sides of the road.

Upon seeing this, the Japanese armored vehicles immediately raised their door machine guns to retaliate, and bullets whizzed past the wings of the fighter planes.

After the fighter jet dove down and strafed, it pulled up again. Zhai Xiaojun exclaimed, "That was close! I was almost hit!"

Shao Deqing laughed excitedly, "Being with the regimental commander will always bring good luck."

Fang Wenna also picked up the microphone and replied: "I'm here to avenge you. The second bombing begins."

The two fighter jets flew back to the sides of Taishan-1, and Fang Wen controlled the bomber to fly over the target again.

The bombing targeted the remaining military vehicles and armored vehicles that were moving forward.

After the order to drop the bombs was given, the bomber’s bottom hatch opened and six aerial bombs were dropped.

After the two explosions, only a few vehicles remained in the convoy.

Fang Wen did not continue the air raids on the remaining Japanese troops.

His goal was to stop them, and the remaining fuel and bombs were to be saved to deal with the Japanese troops on the railway.

However, notifications to ground troops must be sent.

Before turning around, he ordered his communications officer to send a telegram to ground troops informing them of the air raid.

On Shinao Mountain, the soldiers of the 385th Brigade of the 129th Division were locked in a stalemate with the Japanese army. When the commander saw the telegram, he shouted to his officers and soldiers: "Comrades, our air force has bombed the Japanese support forces in the direction of Taiyuan. Their reinforcements and long-range heavy firepower cannot reach them. Now, it is time to give the enemy a counterattack."

Immediately, a group of soldiers quietly descended from behind the mountain, bypassed the enemy's rear by taking a side path, and launched an attack. At the same time, the soldiers on the mountain shouted in unison, leaped out of the trenches, and launched a fierce attack on the Japanese troops below the mountain, taking advantage of the high ground. The stalemate was broken instantly, and the Japanese troops were forced to retreat. The position of Shinaoshan was completely secured.

Then, the first air raid squadron flew over the railway between Yuci and Hanshou, just as the Japanese armored trains arrived.

Fang Wen loudly ordered: "Prepare for the full deployment of missiles. Await further orders."

"Full bomb drop" means that in the next period of time, all the aerial bombs on board will be dropped.

For both the loader and the bombardier, this is an extremely demanding combat operation.

Fang Wen was also somewhat worried about this, and he used his special ability to observe it.

The two loaders immediately got to work, one unloading the ammunition and the other moving it.

Inside the bomb bay, the entire bomb rack was moved to the bomb drop bay, inverted, and the locking mechanism was released. The empty bomb rack was then returned to its original position, and all 10 aerial bombs were successfully placed.

Subsequently, the second bomb rack moved the interface between the two compartments and was ready to be deployed.

At this moment, the plane is about to encounter the armored train coming from the opposite direction. According to the lead time for bombing, this is the optimal time to drop the first bomb.

Fang Wen shouted, "Throw the bomb!"

The bombardier pulled the bomb release lever sharply.

Ten aerial bombs fell in succession.

As the bomb bay door closed and the bomb release lever returned to its original position, the bombardier shouted, "Load!"

The two loader crew members immediately took action.

Another 10 aerial bombs were loaded.

After the mechanical device indicated that the loading was complete, the loader shouted, "Complete!"

Immediately, the bombardier pulled the bombing lever again to launch a second round of bombs.

This is the full-scale deployment of the missiles.

This will continue until all airborne ammunition is deployed, or Fang Wen calls a halt.

A Japanese military train is moving.

To prevent air defense, anti-aircraft machine guns were specially installed on the roof of the vehicles, and one of the military vehicles was even converted into a cargo box to house two 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

When the Taishan-1 anti-aircraft gun operator saw it emerging from the clouds directly ahead, he shouted "Air raid!" and vigorously cranked the gun wheel, attempting to aim and fire. But by then, it was too late.

The first salvo of 10 aerial bombs fell like thunderbolts, crashing down on the speeding Japanese armored train!
The two bombs at the front hit the front of the vehicle precisely. "Boom—!" The two loud explosions shook the air. The heavy armored front of the vehicle was instantly engulfed in flames. A huge hole was blown open in the boiler, and scalding steam carrying steel fragments gushed out.

The roaring train engine came to an abrupt halt, the locomotive lost power, but continued to glide forward due to inertia.

Eight bombs followed and landed in the second and third carriages.

The second carriage was used to store coal; during the explosion, coal chunks flew out and the carriage was twisted.

The third carriage was the guard carriage, and the dozens of soldiers inside were engulfed by the explosion before they could even react.

The shockwaves from the eight aerial bombs caused the train cars to derail, dragging the locomotive off the tracks as well.

This has already achieved the effect of preventing the Japanese army from providing support by military train.

Fang Wen had not anticipated this outcome; the bombing was still ongoing.

A second wave of aerial bombs fell, followed by a third.

Three waves of aerial bombs fell sequentially along the military train carriages, sweeping across the entire train like the scythe of death.

Although the carriages of the Japanese armored trains were covered with thick armor, they could not withstand the heavy impact of aerial bombs.

The armor plating of a train carriage was blown open. The Japanese soldiers inside the carriage were thrown into the air by the shockwave before they could even scream. Their bodies and broken weapons were thrown out from the breach and scattered on both sides of the tracks.

The connecting shaft of the carriages broke under the high-intensity explosion, and the carriages, now disconnected, tumbled and were thrown off the tracks.

In addition, some trains collided head-on due to inertia, causing the steel structure to twist and deform, and the Japanese soldiers inside were crushed into mincemeat.

on the sky.

The bombardier announced loudly, "All aerial bombs have been dropped."

The two loader operators next to him were nearly exhausted. Although they were using a mechanical linkage device, the mechanical structure of this era still required considerable effort to operate.

Looking down at the situation, Fang Wen saw that the entire armored train had been destroyed, and the tracks had also been damaged by the bombing.

The Japanese soldiers on the military train must have suffered heavy casualties as well.

He felt no pity for them. Having been reborn into this era, he had witnessed too many atrocities committed by the Japanese devils. Among the Japanese soldiers below, there were almost none whose hands were not stained with the blood of the Chinese people.

He picked up the microphone and said to the crew and escort fighters, "Air raid over, return to base."

Meanwhile, the second formation led by Qi Baoqian had arrived over Yangquan Station.

At this time, the remaining Japanese troops at Yangquan Station were stubbornly resisting by relying on the reinforced platform fortifications, and the 129th Division troops were unable to advance outside the station.

"Attention all aircraft! Target: platform fortifications and Japanese strongholds. Il-16 cannons strafing, Taishan fighters dropping bombs!"

At Qi Baoqian's command, the seven fighter jets were divided into two groups: one group strafed Japanese strongpoints at low altitude, and the other group bombed the core of the stronghold.

Three high-speed fighter jets first lowered their flight altitude and approached the railway station below in a dive, completing their bombing run at an altitude of 1000 meters.

The bomb landed inside the train station, and flames shot into the air.

Subsequently, four Il-16s began dive-bombing.

Wang Shuanzhu piloted the No. 8 fighter jet, diving down towards a Japanese machine gun position and unleashing a fierce barrage of machine gun fire from its wings, suppressing the Japanese firepower.

"Number 9, cover me!" Wang Shuanzhu shouted into the radio. Li Fushun immediately followed and opened fire on the Japanese firing positions below. The two cooperated well and, despite the tension, did not lose their composure.

The other two Il-16s strafed from another direction, suppressing enemy aircraft positions on the ground.

Under air pressure, the Japanese outer positions were unable to be defended, and the center was in chaos.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the 129th Division rushed into the station and annihilated the Japanese soldiers one by one. Yangquan Station was subsequently taken over.

In the third formation, Deng Zhongyu led four newly piloted fighter planes to the airspace above the Japanese assembly point in the direction of Shimen. The Japanese troops there were preparing to launch an attack on Niangziguan, with thousands of Japanese soldiers gathering along the roadside and makeshift machine gun positions scattered all around.

"All aircraft, maintain formation and launch a cluster air attack to disrupt the Japanese formation!"

Deng Zhongyu ordered four fighter jets to swoop down and drop their aerial bombs.

Each aircraft carried two 50-kilogram aerial bombs. Although the bomb load was insufficient, dropping all eight at once still achieved good results.

An aerial bomb exploded amidst the Japanese troops, scattering thousands of soldiers.

Subsequently, four aircraft strafeed the ground troops.

The scattered troops were easy targets for the dive-bombing strafing of fighter jets; each strafing fire of machine guns would plow up trails of blood mist on the ground.

After two rounds of airstrikes, the fighter jets' onboard radar alarms sounded.

In order to anticipate Japanese warplanes during this air raid, gunboats that would interfere with radar were not dispatched, so the radar would definitely detect Japanese warplanes.

Although the exact number of attacking military aircraft was unknown, the four planes took off immediately and headed west back to base.

Not long after, a large squadron of Japanese warplanes arrived from the direction of Tianjin, but they failed to catch the Eighth Route Army's planes and could only fly around Niangziguan before returning.

The Japanese troops in the Shimen direction, after regrouping, did not immediately advance towards Niangziguan.

They chose to wait for friendly forces from the Baoding direction to arrive before launching a joint attack.

On August 25, after five days of fierce fighting, the Eighth Route Army's various units achieved remarkable results in their raids and blocking operations.

The troops of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region firmly controlled Niangziguan, captured 12 strongholds in the eastern section of Zhengtai, and completely cut off the railway connection between Shijiazhuang and Yangquan.

The 129th Division fought fiercely for six days and nights at Shinaoshan, annihilating more than a thousand Japanese and puppet troops, successfully blocking Japanese reinforcements, and ensuring the continued progress of the sabotage operation in the western section of Zhengtai. During this period, more than 50 kilometers of railway tracks were destroyed and more than 30 Japanese transport vehicles were blown up.

The 120th Division completely wiped out the remaining enemy forces in the northern section of the Tongpu Railway, destroyed eight bridges, cut off the Japanese army's north-south communication channels, and assisted local militia in laying more than 2000 landmines along the railway line, delaying the Japanese army's subsequent repair work.

In addition to the results of the air raids, the Japanese army had not yet captured Niangziguan by late at night, and the two sides were still disconnected.

This was just the beginning of the Hundred Regiments Offensive.

into the night.

Yan'an Airport.

The air force pilots gathered in the bungalow, their faces showing a mixture of exhaustion and excitement.

祁保谦主持简短的战果汇报：“第一路摧毁日军山炮4门、运输卡车15辆、装甲车5辆，还有太原往阳泉的军列；第二路协助肃清阳泉车站残敌控制车站；第三路打乱日军集结进攻，缓解娘子关防御压力。消耗机枪弹8000发、机炮弹300发、各规格航空炸弹72枚，油料消耗6000升。”

He frowned: "We're running out of fuel; we only have one more chance for a collective attack."

Fang Wen picked up a freshly delivered pancake, took a bite, and analyzed, "The military region will definitely use its last chance on the steel plate. Now that the Japanese army in Shanxi has lost its railway lines, it is powerless to launch an attack before the railways are restored. The Japanese army will inevitably have to launch an attack from the Shimen and Baoding directions. What do you think the military region will do?"

"Let's all guess together," Qi Baoqian said with a smile.

The pilots began discussing their ideas. (End of Chapter)