Republic of China: Ace Pilot

The victory celebrations at the Allied camp outside Lang Son City have ended.

On the morning of the third day after the postwar conference, French reinforcements sent to northern Vietnam arrived on the reopened railway.

The two thousand-plus French troops, mostly locals, were equipped with old-fashioned Berthier M1916 rifles, Chatlert M1924/29 light machine guns, and two Hotchkiss M1914 heavy machine guns.

They even sent two 75mm M1897 field guns and one 105mm light howitzer.

It is clear that the governor-general attaches great importance to the victory on the northern border of Vietnam. Sending these troops and equipment is to consolidate the gains of the victory.

In the command tent in the center of the camp, Fang Wen, Edmonton, Zhang Yunfei, and Colonel Irwin, the governor's representative, gathered in front of the map to discuss the next strategic steps.

Edmonton was particularly concerned about Fang Wen's opinion this time and insisted that Fang Wen explain his thoughts.

Fang Wen did not mince words about this.

He pointed to the map and said, “I think this is a good idea. Colonel Irwin’s two regiments will immediately take over the defense line from Lang Son to Dong Dang. The new regiment will send two battalions to cooperate with a regiment of the border guards to advance along the highway toward Zhennanguan. The goal is not to launch a strong attack, but to harass and contain the Japanese troops in the city and prevent them from counterattacking Dong Dang.”

Colonel Irwin offered another suggestion: "These are all fine, but on behalf of the Governor, I request that Mr. Fang return to Hanoi to command our air force in coordination with the army to defend against the Japanese advance at Haiphong City."

"Your air force?!" Fang Wen exclaimed in surprise. Although the French army had 30 Potez 25 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft, they were all biplane fighters from the late World War I period, far inferior to the Japanese Type 97 carrier-based aircraft!
Perhaps the governor-general developed a strange confidence in Fang Wen because of the effectiveness of the air raids in northern Vietnam, and even wanted to send out those old biplanes to fight against the Japanese navy's aircraft.

Fang Wen directly refused, saying, "Your air force will have a hard time winning; the performance gap is too large."

“We know, but this is our last hope. If these planes can be used, our army will have a chance to retake Haiphong,” Evan pleaded earnestly.

Seeing that Fang Wen had no intention, he paused and continued: "The problem along the southeast coast is more serious now. If we can launch a full-scale counterattack now while the Japanese landing force is not yet stable, we can at least force them back to the port and curb their momentum of advancing inland."

Edmonton nodded vigorously and chimed in, "Actually, we have a lot of aerial bombs, which we maintain regularly. If we could carry them in our planes for bombing, it would be very effective. I will defend Zhennanguan with Regiment Commander Zhang Yunfei. The Japanese won't be able to launch another attack anytime soon."

Fang Wen was slightly tempted; it wasn't entirely without a chance.

His special ability, combined with radar detection devices, allows him to accurately detect aircraft and fleets within a 300-kilometer range, thus enabling him to use information and time differences to avoid encounters with Japanese warplanes.

This created the possibility of commanding Potez 25 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft to bomb Japanese forces in Haiphong.

Seeing that he was still hesitating.

Evan opened the file package and took out a file.

"If you agree to command our air force in combat, regardless of victory or defeat, we will pay you a generous reward. Here is the equity transfer agreement of the French Indochina Mining Company; please take a look."

Fang Wen took the document and looked through it.

That's a really big investment.

Forty percent of the shares of Compagnie Minière et Métallurgique de l'Indochine (CMMI).

The company, translated into Chinese as Indochina Metallurgical Mining Company, is the largest non-ferrous metals company in French Indochina, with mineral resources located in Bac Giang and Quang An provinces.

They also had their own port, smelting plant, and export warehouse in Haiphong.

This enormous colonial enterprise suffered a dramatic decrease in value after the Japanese army occupied Haiphong.

So the governor took it as payment.

They've got a good plan. These shares will only have value if they can retake Haiphong; otherwise, they'll belong to the Japanese.

Reading this document gave Fang Wen a new perspective.

Since the French are willing to sell everything for victory, why don't we ask for what we need?

Although the Indochina Metallurgical and Mining Company was a large enterprise, it was not what he wanted most.

In the upper Mekong River basin of French Laos, there is another non-ferrous metals company called Lao Tungsten Company.

According to his knowledge, the company was founded ten years ago after the discovery of tungsten mines in the area and has already achieved large-scale mining.

Tungsten ore is an essential material for producing special military steel, and it is an indispensable strategic military resource for all countries in today's wartime.

If we can take control and mine it on a large scale, it will be very beneficial, whether we establish our own special steel smelting plant or trade for resources internationally.

Since the French government has already surrendered, the mine is of little use to them, so they might as well keep it for themselves.

Thinking of this, Fang Wen smiled.

“I have read the agreement. I don’t want this company. If you are willing to transfer 100% ownership of Société des Wolfram de Laos to me, I am willing to command your air force in combat.”

“Société des Wolfram de Laos?” Evan had never heard of this company. “Excuse me, I have to report to the governor. Please wait a moment.”

He rushed out of the conference room and had the telegraph operator send a message to the governor.

He went out for a while and then came back.

“Mr. Fang, we can meet your conditions. We will sign the share transfer agreement immediately upon your return to Hanoi. The condition is that you agree to command the air force and obtain 50% of the shares. You can only obtain all the shares if you successfully bomb the Japanese forces in Haiphong City.”

This condition seemed demanding, but Fang Wen was confident. "Okay."

The meeting then continued, and adjustments were made to the defense of the North Vietnamese border based on the new developments.

The original plan to harass the area near Zhennanguan was abandoned. The New First Regiment and various French units will deploy defenses in the Dongdang area and lay a large number of landmines on the road to prevent the Japanese from redeploying mechanized troops to attack.

Fang Wen then piloted the plane back to Hanoi.

The gunboats landed on the Red River in Hanoi and then docked at a temporary sea airfield.

Fang Wen got off the plane.

The governor's secretary, who was waiting at the airport, rushed over and said, "Mr. Fang, the governor is waiting for you. You can go over and sign the share transfer agreement."

The governor's secretary knew very well that the Chinese commander in front of him was the French army's hope for regaining coastal defense, and his attitude was much better than before.

Fang Wen did not immediately go with the governor's secretary, but first inquired about the situation of the gunboat fleet with Pan Jiafeng before taking Gong Xiuneng into the car.

After the car arrived at the Governor's Mansion, Governor De Gu personally received Fang Wen in the living room. Without any further pleasantries, the two sat down and signed the agreement.

The governor then spoke with Fang Wen.

“Mr. Fang, I believe in your abilities.” Governor Degu’s eyes were full of expectation. “You will be in charge of everything in the air force: airfields, ammunition, pilots. As long as it can contain the Japanese army, we will cooperate unconditionally.”

Fang Wen remained calm. "Governor, rest assured, I will do my best since I have promised."

"Alright, I'll arrange for you to go to the airport right away. Oh, and there's also the temporary appointment letter; I've already prepared it in advance." The governor smiled and handed Fang Wen a military document appointing him as the temporary commander of the colonial air force. He then instructed his secretary and the colonial air force commander to take Fang Wen to the Hanoi military airport.

The group arrived at the military airport.

Fang Wen got off the car and, led by the colonial air force commander, inspected the area.

On the tarmac of Hanoi military airport, 30 Potez 25 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft are neatly lined up, their fuselages bearing the marks of time, exuding a sense of old age and weight.

Dozens of pilots stood in a line, some with gray hair and deep wrinkles around their eyes, their average age was forty.

After the colony air force commander introduced Fang Wen's new identity, the pilots looked at the young temporary commander with complicated expressions.

There were doubts, curiosity, and a hint of barely perceptible resistance.

Fang Wen ignored the stares and got straight to the point in French: "I know you are all excellent pilots, but air combat relies on the performance of the aircraft. To be honest, if you were to encounter Japanese fighter planes while flying these biplanes, it would be very difficult for you to come back alive. You should be well aware of this."

An older pilot with a thick beard spoke up, his voice hoarse: "Sir, our fighters are too outdated. They're only 60% as fast as the Japanese planes. We tried to intercept them before, but lost three planes. We're no match for them." These words were echoed by the other pilots, their resistance growing even stronger.

Fang Wen raised his voice, "I won't let you engage Japanese warplanes head-on. I have the means to scout Japanese warplanes and can lead you to conduct air raids on ground troops without encountering them. All you have to do is trust me, follow my orders, and accurately drop the bombs on the Japanese positions."

His calm and powerful tone, along with the certainty in his eyes, quieted the pilots down.

The colonial commander stepped in at the opportune moment, saying, "Commander Fang Wen is China's ace pilot, and owns his own airline and private air force. He has enough wealth to enjoy life, yet he chooses to fly alongside you. Do you value his life? Would he risk it to deceive you?"

Yes, all the pilots know about Taishan Airlines. Fang Wen, who owns Taishan Airlines, is a super-rich man who personally pilots the planes and fights alongside them. He wouldn't joke about his own life.

The pilots were then relieved.

Subsequently, accompanied by the colonial air force commander, Fang Wen went to inspect the ammunition depot.

Inside the ammunition depot, rows of wooden crates were stacked like mountains. When the crates were opened, the aerial bombs inside were wrapped in oil paper. Although there was slight rust on the surface, they were still intact.

The warehouse officer, a white-haired major, quickly explained upon seeing Fang Wen inspecting the bombs: "Mr. Fang, these are all 100-kilogram aerial bombs from World War I. They were originally intended to be destroyed after the French Air Force refitted its fleet, but because there are Potez 25 fighter planes here, they were all transported here. Although they have been stored for fifteen or sixteen years, the fuses and explosives have been regularly maintained, so their power is absolutely no problem."

Fang Wen did not believe it easily and immediately selected two boxes of bombs: "Just these two. Arrange for fighter jets to airdrop them for testing immediately. I want to see the effect with my own eyes."

Half an hour later, over the airport firing range, a Potez 25 fighter jet carrying two bombs swooped down. The bombs whistled to the ground and "Boom! Boom!" Two loud explosions instantly created two large craters on the firing range, sending debris and dust flying everywhere.

Fang Wen observed the explosion effect through binoculars and nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, the bombs are usable. Pass the order down to each fighter jet to carry four bombs, prioritizing high-explosive bombs."

Intense pre-war preparations began.

As evening fell, an air raid meeting was officially convened inside the airport control tower.

Once all 30 pilots participating in the operation had arrived, Fang Wen distributed the Taishan walkie-talkies to each of them and introduced them to the crew.

"This is the Taishan walkie-talkie, which can conduct short-range real-time wireless voice communication within a 5-kilometer range. Each fighter jet is equipped with one walkie-talkie. After being turned on, it operates on a fixed frequency and can only speak when it receives my command. Unauthorized communication is strictly prohibited. Now I will demonstrate how to use it."

Fang Wen picked up a walkie-talkie, and Gong Xiuneng picked up another one, and they demonstrated it on the spot.

Because the frequency is fixed, it only requires two operations: starting and ending a call, which is actually very easy to understand.

After the demonstration, Fang Wen pointed to the area surrounding Haiphong Port on the map and said, "Our first air raid target was the Japanese Marine Corps' temporary stronghold, tank positions, and supply depots."

He paused, his tone becoming stern: "In this operation, you must unconditionally obey my orders. Any unauthorized disobedience is strictly prohibited; violators will be dealt with according to military law!"

The colony's air force commander also spoke up at the opportune moment: "The army and the governor have always believed that Mr. Fang has full authority, and any action that violates his orders will absolutely not be tolerated."

The pilots responded in unison, "Understood!"

Fang Wen nodded and said, "Alright, now you can take the walkie-talkies and learn how to use them. In a bit, we'll begin the simulation exercise."

One night passed.

Early morning.

Fang Wen piloted the gunship aircraft and took off first. The radar detection device on the aircraft body and his superpower were activated simultaneously, and the feedback of aircraft and ships within a 300-kilometer range was instantly and clearly presented in his mind.

At this point, the Japanese air force had not yet made any moves.

Three warships were anchored on the sea east of Haiphong City.

An excellent time to strike.

Fang Wen piloted the plane back, circled over the military airfield, and picked up the microphone.

"Attention all crews, check your equipment. Take off in five minutes, fly in formation, heading southeast, target Haiphong Port."

Fang Wen's instructions came through the walkie-talkie: 30 Potez 25 fighter jets started their engines in sequence, roaring as they took off one after another from the runway.

Gunships led the way, followed closely by 30 biplanes, forming a neat echelon as they flew toward Haiphong Port.

More than half an hour later, the outline of Haiphong Port came into view.

On the west side of the city, scattered tanks and temporary fortifications are clearly visible.

The Japanese troops on the ground also spotted the planes in the air; many small black dots were running around in a panic.

Clearly, the Japanese army had no idea that the French would deploy old biplanes to launch an air raid.

"Attention all crews, reduce altitude, maintain formation, and drop bombs upon my command." Fang Wen's voice was transmitted to each fighter jet via walkie-talkie.

The pilots immediately adjusted their attitude, and the fighter jets slowly descended, with the bombs under the wings ready to be launched.

When the fighter jets reached the target area, Fang Wen gave the order.

"bomb!"

Thirty Potez 25 fighters simultaneously swooped down, bombs whistling from their wings as they hurtled toward the Japanese positions.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" A series of explosions rang out, and the Japanese stronghold was instantly engulfed in flames. The Type 97 tanks in the tank position were hit by bombs and burst into flames. The supply warehouse was also detonated, and food and ammunition exploded one after another in the fire, crackling and popping.

"Enemy attack! Anti-aircraft fire!" the Japanese commander roared in panic, and the soldiers hurriedly set up anti-aircraft machine guns and fired wildly into the air.

A Potez 25 fighter jet was hit and crashed while emitting smoke.

The remaining Potez 25s continued their mission, their final display of power in the absence of high-speed interceptors. (End of Chapter)