Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Hanoi military airport.

Fang Wen stared at the radar target acquisition device on the gunboat's instrument panel. The device had eight directional warning lights, representing the eight directions: east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north, and northeast.

Even if the military radar equipment on Mount Tai is the most advanced, it cannot achieve precise positioning and can only provide pilots with a general direction warning to give them a prediction.

By combining his supernatural abilities with a radar target acquisition device, Fang Wen can achieve the effects of future radar.

In his simulated ability, more than twenty points of light were slowly moving from the direction of the Beibu Gulf, about thirty minutes' journey from Haiphong City.

It was obvious that this group of Japanese aircraft was there to capture Fang Wen and his group.

The solution to deal with them is simple: just stay put.

Once the allotted time has passed, the Japanese will definitely return to base, and that will be the best time to launch an attack.

Therefore, Fang Wen ordered: "Suspend the third round of air raids."

Although the pilots looked puzzled after receiving the order, none of them raised any objections.

The victories of the past few days have already given them complete faith in the decisiveness of their Chinese commander.

But others wouldn't do that like the French pilots.

The colony's air force commander strode over.

"Commander Fang, the ground troops have advanced to the northern front line and are awaiting air support! Please give the order to attack immediately!"

His tone was full of anxiety: "The accuracy and power of the ground troops' artillery are insufficient. They are now facing the Japanese army's bunker complex, and their casualties will increase exponentially!"

Fang Wen frowned slightly, but his tone remained calm: "Then let them temporarily halt their attack. If they strike now, they will directly confront the Japanese aircraft. Our Potez 25s and gunships are no match for the Type 97s in head-on air combat. Not only will they be unable to support the ground, but they will also lose their entire fleet."

"But the ground troops can't wait!" The commander paced anxiously in the command post. "The morale of those local soldiers has just been raised. If we can't break through after a long siege, their morale will collapse immediately! Commander Fang, I beg you, launch an attack to provide support first, and then withdraw when the Japanese aircraft arrive!"

“No. I must be responsible to the pilots, and also to the future development of air combat,” Fang Wen refused resolutely.

The colony's air force commander was furious that Fang Wen was unyielding.

He faced constant requests for airstrikes from ground commanders, yet he couldn't get Fang Wen to deploy according to his own ideas.

Time passed slowly, but Fang Wen still did not give the order to attack.

The colonial air force commander was so angry that he simply had a chair brought over so he could sit next to Fang Wen.

Just as the two sides were at a stalemate, an officer from the airport telegraph office rushed over to report the latest situation to the two men.

"More than 20 Japanese warplanes launched a surprise attack on the west side of Haiphong City. Ground troops suffered heavy casualties from low-altitude strafing and bombing, and were forced to retreat to Ba Ria-Vung Tau village! Requesting immediate air support!"

The colony's air force commander turned deathly pale as he looked at the telegram.

He then realized that Fang Wen's refusal was not stubbornness, but rather a result of anticipating the Japanese army's plan.

His own impatience almost led the entire air force into a desperate situation.

He was able to let it go, immediately stood up, and apologized with a remorseful expression: "Commander Fang, I'm sorry, I was too hasty and almost ruined everything. I promise you, I will never interfere with your command again!"

"Thank you." Fang Wen responded calmly, continuing to use his supernatural abilities combined with the radar detection device to observe the Japanese aircraft formations, whose lights lingered west of the coastal defense city.

This situation indicates that the Japanese aircraft were conducting continuous strafing and bombing, and that their fuel and ammunition were being consumed continuously.

almost.

After a while, the Japanese aircraft group turned around.

Fang Wen immediately got out of the cockpit and shouted, "Attention all aircraft, check fuel and ammunition. Takeoff in five minutes!"

The waiting French pilots quickly took action.

Five minutes later, Fang Wen led twenty-seven Potez 25 fighter jets into the air in succession.

Meanwhile, eight gunboats (two of which were damaged) also took off from the Honghe temporary seaplane base.

The two planes met over Haiyang City and flew together to the western battlefield of Haifang City.

By the time they arrived, the Japanese aircraft had already left, and the French air raid had begun.

Fang Wen picked up the microphone and switched the communication frequency.

"Calling ground commander."

Communication was immediately established. "This is the ground commander."

Fang Wen did not explain the reason for the previous delay in launching the attack, but went straight into operational communication.

"Our unit will conduct continuous air raids on the Japanese northern positions, focusing on their bunker complexes and artillery positions. We hope that ground troops can seize the opportunity to advance while the air raids are underway."

"Ok."

The two sides concluded their communication and began taking action.

Fang Wen controlled the gunboat and fired smoke bombs again. The red, yellow, and purple smoke accurately marked the bunker complex, artillery positions, and buildings that appeared to be command posts within the position.

Then the order was issued.

"Gunship squadrons attack yellow targets; Groups A, B, and C bomb red targets; Groups D and E clear purple targets."

All departments obeyed the orders.

The gunboat squadron lowered its altitude and flew in a circling pattern around the artillery positions, spewing fire from the firing ports on the sides of its fuselage to continuously strike ground targets.

Potez 25 fighter jets followed closely behind, skimming low over the position and raining down bombs.

Concrete bunkers marked with red smoke were successively destroyed by bombing, and buildings marked with purple smoke were also reduced to ruins in the bombing.

The Japanese garrison was thrown into complete chaos, losing command and heavy firepower support, and was unable to organize an effective resistance.

On the ground, the French commander, seeing the air raids underway, immediately ordered: "Attack! Take the northern positions!"

Tens of thousands of local troops and thousands of French soldiers launched an attack in a fan-shaped formation.

Meanwhile, Hotchkiss heavy machine guns and mortars provided fire support, with a small number of artillery pieces firing.

Indiscriminate attacks were launched from the air and on the ground, and the northern positions collapsed!

From the sky, Fang Wen observed the collapse of the Japanese positions and the movements of Japanese troops in other areas.

The thousands of Japanese troops on the northern positions abandoned their positions and retreated towards the coastal city.

On the way, they encountered a Japanese supervisory team, who shot the officer leading the escape, and then led the fleeing troops to the southern position.

It seems they are not willing to give up and are trying to hold off the French army by relying on their last stronghold.

Fang Wen sneered. After fighting like this, do you think the Japanese can turn the tide?
Of course not.

He picked up the microphone and used real-time communication to communicate his observations to the ground.

Upon learning that the Japanese army only had troops remaining in the southern positions outside the coastal defense city, the ground commander decisively chose to encircle and annihilate this Japanese force.

Tens of thousands of troops moved south, and then split into three routes: the eastern route cut off the Japanese army's rear, while the northern and western routes launched the main attack.

While the French forces were moving, Fang Wen also led the air force back to resupply.

Twenty minutes after he led his team back to base, a group of Japanese aircraft attacked.

This time, the Japanese warplanes did not intend to fight the group led by Fang Wen, but instead launched air raids on the French forces surrounding the southern positions in order to relieve the pressure on the Japanese southern positions.

However, this air raid did not force the French army to retreat. One reason was that the French army's three-pronged encirclement was too dispersed, making the air raid less effective.

On the other hand, given that victory was within their grasp, the French army, from generals to soldiers, was unwilling to give it up.

Therefore, after dropping their bombs, the Japanese aircraft had no choice but to return and leave.

No sooner had they left than Fang Wen's squadron of aircraft arrived.

The French cheered, but the Japanese were devastated.

After the rockets fired smoke bombs, which produced smoke of different colors on the Japanese positions, an attack was launched simultaneously from the air and the ground.

Unable to withstand the onslaught, the Japanese army had no choice but to break out and retreat back to Haiphong City.

They launched a fierce attack on the French forces on the eastern front, and although their numbers were fewer than the French, they still managed to break through and escape to the coast.

40 9 Month 28 Day.

The counterattack on Haiphong City has ended.

The French offensive ultimately stopped outside the port.

There, the Japanese fleet's artillery fire inflicted heavy casualties on the French forces.

Without a proper naval fleet, French Indochina had no choice but to end the battle and retreat its troops to the vicinity of Ba Ria-Vung Tau village, where they held their positions against the Japanese.

With this, Fang Wen also completed the transaction of commanding the French Air Force in combat.

The transfer of the remaining equity in the transaction should be completed.

He shook hands with the colony air force commander: "Command is being returned to you. Thank you for your support during the war."

The Air Force Commander remarked with some emotion, "Your air combat theory may be the future. I see in you the importance of information in war."

Fang Wen smiled and said, "Information has always been very important in ancient military wars. Our ancestors said a very famous saying a long time ago: 'Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated.'"

The Air Force Commander seemed lost in thought, muttering the French passage Fang Wen had spoken: "Connais ton ennemi et connais-toi toi-même, et tu ne seras jamais en danger dans cent batailles."

After bidding farewell to the Air Force Commander, Fang Wen shook hands with each of the French pilots.

These pilots had a good impression of Fang Wentai and were reluctant to part with him.

Captain La Roche, representing the pilots, asked, "Mr. Fang, we know you own a large airline. After we retire, could we join Taishan Airlines as civil aviation pilots?"

Fang Wen was willing to do so. Taishan Airlines had already hired several French pilots for its international routes. After the war ended, international flights could be expanded, and then they would need to recruit more pilots.

Therefore, Fang Wen smiled and nodded in agreement: "Okay, after the war is over, you can come to my company. In the future, Taishan Airlines will not only fly to Asia and Europe, but also fly more routes all over the world."

After saying that, he waved goodbye and got into the car with Gong Xiuneng, leaving the military airport.

The car drove to the Governor-General's Palace in Hanoi.

After getting off the car, Fang Wen was led to the governor's office by the governor's secretary.

At the walnut desk in the Governor's office, Fang Wen received the share transfer documents from the notary, confirmed that the signature was correct, and then put the documents back into the brown paper bag and handed them to Gong Xiuneng for safekeeping.

The governor smiled warmly: "Mr. Fang, you have brought hope to French Indochina. It's been a pleasure working with you. This is just the first deal; there will be more to come. I hope you can stay here and bring us more victories."

Fang Wen replied, "Judging from the current situation, the Japanese army may not launch an attack for the time being. I also need to go back to handle some matters at the company and the military industrial base."

The governor nodded: "The victory celebration banquet downstairs has already begun. Tonight, you are undoubtedly the star of the show. Let's go outside."

Following the governor downstairs, Fang Wen witnessed the extravagance of a French-style colonial banquet.

Beneath the typical French Baroque-style dome, dozens of crystal chandeliers refract dazzling light and shadow, making the colonial-style oil paintings on the walls and the gilded carved columns appear even more magnificent.

The long dining table was covered with a snow-white linen tablecloth, and silver candlesticks burned with flickering candlelight. On the plates, foie gras with fig jam, baked snails, and a tower of chilled champagne glasses were arranged in a row.

Waiters, dressed in white uniforms and wearing top hats, moved silently among the guests with trays in hand, while the air was filled with the sweet aroma of champagne, the rich fragrance of truffles, and the delicate scent of tropical orchids.

The guests were mostly military and political officials, nobles and merchants from the colony. The men wore sharp tailcoats or military dresses, while the women wore floor-length gowns, with pearls around their necks and gems on their wrists sparkling under the lights.

Fang Wen was dressed in a dark wool suit, which the governor had specially ordered to be made. The suit was well-tailored and made him look even more upright.

He appeared with the governor on the inner terrace on the second floor of the banquet hall, and the previously quiet conversation abruptly stopped, followed by thunderous applause.

The colonial air force commander raised his glass to the audience: "Ladies and gentlemen, look at this young Chinese commander! It was he who, with his accurate predictions and brilliant tactics, led our air force to defeat the Japanese air raids, recapture the northern positions, and defend the gateway to our coast! Let us toast to Commander Fang Wen!"

"Cheers!" The guests responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall.

Fang Wen nodded slightly, raised his champagne glass, and took a small sip.

The governor whispered affectionately in his ear, "Go down, everyone is waiting for you."

Fang Wen walked down the stairs, met with admiring and curious gazes.

He was soon surrounded by a crowd of people, and a barrage of questions came his way.

"Mr. Fang, could you tell me about flying?" A young woman asked eagerly, her eyes filled with admiration.

“Flying is my profession, and it’s also my instinct. I could talk about it for a whole day and night,” Fang Wen replied with a smile.

"Were all the military equipment used in this war produced in Taishan?" a young man asked.

"It is indeed produced by Taishan Military Industry. However, it is not currently sold to the public."

This topic will continue to be discussed.

"Your tactic of marking targets with colored smoke is brilliant! The bombing accuracy of the Potez 25 is generally average, and the marking greatly improves the hit rate of air raids!" another colonial official exclaimed.

Fang Wen smiled faintly, "If the fighter jet's performance is insufficient, then tactics can make up for it. Smoke guidance is a very simple yet effective method."

What he didn't say was that achieving this effect is not easy; the accurate hit of air-to-ground rockets and the use of specialized auxiliary weapons are both hurdles.

As the conversation was in full swing, a noblewoman in an apricot-colored long dress approached with a wine glass, a gentle smile on her face: "Mr. Fang, you are so intelligent and courageous, I am more curious about your personal life. Are you married? If not, perhaps we can arrange to have afternoon tea together."

As soon as he said this, the surrounding noise subsided, and everyone's eyes were focused on Fang Wen.

Fang Wen's tone was indifferent yet polite: "I'm sorry, I've always preferred not to discuss personal and family matters with outsiders. Please understand."

An awkward silence fell over the room. The noblewoman's smile froze for a moment, unsure of what to say next.

Seeing this, the governor's secretary immediately stepped forward to smooth things over and steered the conversation elsewhere: "Haha, we were presumptuous! Let's discuss the current situation in Asia. Although the Japanese army was defeated this time, the situation in the Far East is becoming increasingly tense. I'm sure Mr. Fang has a deeper understanding of the current situation in Asia. After all, you have dealt with the Japanese army for many years and know their ambitions better than we do."

This topic conveniently resolved the awkward situation, and the guests echoed their sentiments, their eyes filled with anticipation and solemnity.

This is also what Fang Wen wanted to say: to make the French take it seriously enough so that they could drive a nail into the Japanese military's Southeast Asian strategy and disrupt it.

Without much thought, he had a draft: "The current situation in Asia has only one core issue. The Japanese military's expansionist ambitions have long since transcended the Chinese battlefield and are now aimed at the entire Southeast Asia."

This introduction was exactly what the French wanted to hear, and the various small groups of conversation in the banquet hall stopped and came over.

Fang Wen continued, “As you all should know, since the Japanese invasion of China, although they have occupied large swathes of Chinese territory, they have never been able to completely conquer China. They are mired in the quagmire of war, lacking manpower and strategic resources, especially oil and rubber, which they rely almost entirely on imports. This year, on the European front, France surrendered and Britain was preoccupied with its own problems, which gave the Japanese an opportunity. On the 27th of last month, they even signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, formally forming the Axis alliance. The Japanese aim is to seize the colonial resources of Southeast Asia to support their continued war of aggression.”

"Is French Indochina the Japanese army's strategic target?" an officer asked worriedly. "Although we won this coastal defense battle, will the Japanese army send more troops?"

“They definitely will.” Fang Wen said with certainty, “French Indochina is located at a strategic point in Southeast Asia and is the only way for the Japanese army to advance into Malaya and the Dutch East Indies. They cannot give up here. This setback in coastal defense is just the beginning. They will definitely mobilize more troops, warplanes and fleets to launch a more intense attack.”

“But Britain is currently unable to attend to Asia. Who can we rely on?” another nobleman asked anxiously. “The United States?”

"The tensions between the US and Japan are escalating rapidly." Fang Wen picked up his glass and gently swirled the liquid inside. "As far as I know, after the Japanese invasion of French Indochina, their aggressive intentions toward Southeast Asia have worried the United States, especially since the US-controlled Philippines is closest to the patrol range of the Japanese fleet. The US announced an embargo on scrap iron and steel from Japan in September. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to Japan's military industry, but it is also a catalyst. Lacking strategic resources, Japan, unable to obtain sufficient resources from China, will certainly intensify its offensive in Southeast Asia."

Listening to Fang Wen's words, the French in the banquet hall couldn't help but ponder the future of French Indochina within this strategic layout concerning the entire Asia. (End of Chapter)