Republic of China: Ace Pilot

A simplified version of a depth charge test began in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

A small lifeboat sailed out from the convoy to serve as an observation post.

Fang Wenze took off in his P40 and, after flying to a position near the lifeboat, dropped an experimental bomb.

Because the bomb's fuse had been modified from an impact fuse to a delayed fuse, it did not explode upon hitting the sea.

It plunged straight into the water and sank quickly.

People on a nearby lifeboat were keeping track of time.

"10 seconds... 15 seconds... 18 seconds!"

Fang Wen was also using his supernatural abilities to observe the underwater situation.

The bomb sank to a depth of about fifty meters underwater, where it exploded in a dull burst of light.

The shockwave from the explosion spread rapidly in all directions, but due to the density of seawater, it only affected a range of 10 meters.

On the sea, only some irregular waves appeared.

Fang Wen made an accurate judgment: the explosion depth was about 48 meters, which was a little shallower than the required 50 meters, and the time was slightly shorter.

Meanwhile, the person observing the ship reported: "General Manager, 18.5 seconds. According to the calculation formula, there is an error."

"We'll adjust it when we get back," Fang Wen replied.

Immediately, Fang Wen piloted the plane back to the deck and personally modified the delay mechanism, adding 0.5 seconds to increase the delay from 18 seconds to 19 seconds.

In the second test, the bomb was submerged in water and exploded with a bang when it sank to a depth of 50 meters.

"It's done."

Fang Wen felt a slight sense of relief.

These are not standard depth charges, but they are emergency anti-submarine weapons that belong only to this fleet and to him.

Ten modified delayed-delay depth charges were neatly hung on the wing pylons of the P-40C, with all fuses and safety devices in place, ready to deliver an unavoidable deep-sea funeral the next time a Japanese submarine was spotted.

Meanwhile, Fang Wen was also re-evaluating the cruise route. The fleet was about to enter the southern waters of the Cook Islands, a region dotted with islands and reefs with complex underwater topography, serving as a natural barrier to evade submarine tracking.

However, this does not mean that Japanese submarines will not appear in the South Pacific.

His premonition grew stronger, and the vague unease was like a fine needle pricking his heart, constantly reminding him that he could not relax for a moment.

41 1 Month 1 Day.

Western New Year's Day.

The fleet will depart from the Cook Islands waters at dawn.

Fang Wen boarded a P-40C fighter jet for daily patrols, the engine roaring as it broke the tranquility of the sea, slowly cruising within a 150-kilometer radius of the convoy.

He unleashed his mechanical perception ability to its fullest extent, creating an invisible net that covered the sea below. At the same time, his fingertips caressed the vertical eye gem around his neck, combining it with his X-ray vision to pierce through layers of azure water, focusing intently on every unusual shadow underwater.

The fleet has sailed out of the island and reef area, and the waters ahead are suitable for submarine navigation.

However, no trace of Japanese submarines has been found so far.

Gong Xiuneng's voice came through the walkie-talkie in the cockpit of the P40: "Commander, do you think the Japanese submarines will really follow us? We haven't seen a single one during our patrols these past few days."

“Maybe yes, maybe no. But we can’t let our guard down,” Fang Wen replied.

After hanging up the call, Fang Wen's mind was filled with thoughts.

Based on the underwater topography observed through supernatural abilities.

If Japanese submarines come to this area, they can only come from the northwest.

Therefore, Fang Wen decided to fly even further on this cruise.

He flew the plane westward toward the Cook Islands.

Below, the Cook Islands consist of numerous small islands scattered across the sea, covered with lush vegetation. From a distance, they resemble green pearls set in the azure ocean.

After flying over the Cook Islands, the reefs below disappeared.

Fang Wen suddenly became alert.

He then controlled the fighter jet to circle over the sea area, while increasing the output of his X-ray vision, his gaze penetrating through layers of seawater.

The underwater scene gradually became clearer, and an I-15 submarine, entirely gray in color, was approaching from the northwest.

The vessel was submerged at a depth of about 50 meters and moved slowly, clearly concealing its search for the convoy.

If they continue in this direction of underwater navigation, it is highly likely that they will encounter the Taishan fleet.

But that's just a possibility. Now that it's been discovered, we won't let that happen.

Now we need to determine one thing: does this submarine have any other companions?

He immediately used his mechanical perception ability to investigate the underwater situation in this sea area from all angles. His ability was like radar, scanning every part of the sea area to carefully check for any traces of other submarines.

A few minutes later, he breathed a sigh of relief.

In this sea area, there was only this one Japanese submarine, with no other companions. Obviously, it was heading south alone to search for the fleet and was now far away from the main fleet, isolated and helpless.

A cold glint flashed in Fang Wen's eyes. If there were multiple submarines, he would have to worry about alerting them and would have no choice but to retreat and avoid them.

However, with only one submarine, the prepared depth charges would be the best gift to the enemy.

Immediately, Fang Wen controlled the aircraft to descend from 1000 meters to 500 meters, and pulled the bomb release trigger as the aircraft flew over the Japanese submarine.

Ten improvised depth charges were dropped. After hitting the sea, they did not explode immediately upon impact, but instead sank underwater.

In just 19 seconds, it precisely reached a depth of 50 meters, which is the submarine's diving depth, and then a chain of explosions occurred.

Inside the underwater I-15-class submarine No. 17, the captain stood in the command center, looking exhausted with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

After several days of searching, no trace of the fleet was found, and he even began to doubt that searching in this direction would yield any results.

Perhaps it's time to return.

The submarine's sonar operator, head down monitoring underwater signals, wore a slightly weary expression. "Captain, we still haven't found any trace of any ships. The only signals in this area are from reefs and schools of fish," the sonar operator said lazily, his tone tinged with impatience. "We've been searching for so long, shouldn't we report to the fleet and request an adjustment to the search area?"

The captain frowned, about to respond, when suddenly the submarine jolted violently. Immediately afterward, a series of muffled explosions echoed underwater, "Boom—Boom—Boom—", the explosions resounding one after another, the massive shockwaves pounding wildly against the submarine's hull.

"What's going on?!" The captain's expression changed drastically, and he shouted sharply, his body swaying involuntarily due to the impact of the shockwave.

Fang Wen piloted the fighter jet, circling above the sea. Through the penetrating vision of the Long-Eyed Gem, he could clearly see the underwater scene: ten depth charges exploded precisely at a depth of 50 meters, and the huge shock waves instantly formed high-pressure balls that were frantically squeezing the right side of the submarine's hull.

The submarine's starboard pressure hull was hit by the shock wave, causing the submarine to capsize instantly. Subsequently, fragments from a depth charge also struck the submarine, damaging the side hull.

Once the hull of this submarine is breached, seawater rushes in through the opening, instantly filling the main ballast tanks and fuel tanks.

However, the submarine had an internal pressure hull, so the main body of the submarine was not damaged by depth charges.

"Captain! There is extensive damage to the starboard outer compartment, seawater is flooding in, the depth gauge is out of control, and the submarine is sinking!" the first mate shouted in a panic.

The captain was deathly pale, his eyes filled with despair. He knew very well that the submarine had suffered a fatal blow, and staying in this place would only mean further attacks.

He shouted, "Immediately activate the emergency diving procedure, dive to the maximum depth of 70 meters, evade enemy attacks, and then evacuate this area at full speed!"

The Japanese crew members worked hard to operate the equipment, and the submarine's engine roared as it descended.

The maximum diving depth of the I-15 submarine is 70 meters. At this moment, in order to avoid attack, they had to risk diving to the maximum depth.

As the depth increased, the pressure of the seawater intensified. The already damaged right-side hull tore even more severely under the immense water pressure, and the inner hull also began to leak. Some crew members were injured by the collapsing machinery, bleeding profusely. The water level in the command cabin rose higher and higher, and the situation became increasingly critical.

Fang Wen, using his X-ray vision, clearly saw everything happening inside the submarine, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

The Japanese devils want to escape? Not so easy.

He knew very well that the maximum depth of 70 meters was beyond the optimal blast depth for modifying depth charges, but the submarine's hull was already damaged, and the increasing water pressure would only make the damage worse. The submarine would not stay in the deep water for long; it was only trying to avoid the attack and escape to a safe place.

As long as the superpower remains, the Japanese submarines will never escape.

We need to go back and replenish the depth charges to completely destroy this submarine that is trying to escape.

Immediately, Fang Wen steered the fighter jet, rapidly increasing its altitude and speeding towards the direction of the Hetu.

The fighter jet's engines roared as it sped across the sea, landing steadily on the deck of the Hetu just over ten minutes later.

The mechanics, who had received the order via walkie-talkie, immediately began loading the ammunition.

Everyone immediately sprang into action, with clear division of labor: some were responsible for moving the second batch of modified depth charges over, while others were responsible for mounting the bombs and checking their securement.

During this time, Fang Wen quickly briefed Gong Xiuneng on the situation: "A Japanese I-15 submarine has been spotted in the waters west of the Cook Islands. It is operating alone without any companions. I just dropped ten depth charges, severely damaging it, but it is diving to its maximum depth of 70 meters in an attempt to escape. I will now pursue it and destroy it completely. You will temporarily take over command of the fleet to accelerate and leave this area as soon as possible."

"Commander, be careful!" Gong Xiuneng said with a worried expression.

"Don't worry." Fang Wen patted Gong Xiuneng on the shoulder, then turned and walked back to the fighter jet.

At this moment, the second batch of ten modified depth charges had been loaded. The mechanic gave Fang Wen a "ready" gesture. Fang Wen nodded, boarded the fighter jet, sat down in the cockpit, closed the canopy, started the engine, and the fighter jet took off again, speeding towards the western waters of the Cook Islands.

Upon reaching the target sea area again, Fang Wen immediately lowered his altitude and used his mechanical perception ability and the X-ray vision of the Vertical Eye Gem to search for the submarine's tracks from all directions.

This area has few underwater reefs and a relatively flat seabed, making it easier to search.

The superpowers are like an invisible net, slowly sweeping across every area of ​​the seabed.

A few minutes later, he finally spotted the Japanese submarine in a small trench next to the base of a small island.

It was moving cautiously and slowly along the trench, its hull tilted to the right, clearly caused by the previous depth charge.

Fang Wen calculated the situation below the sea surface. The trench was narrow, and the submarine's range of movement was limited. As long as the bombs were dropped accurately, the submarine could be completely trapped in the trench, leaving it nowhere to escape.

After making the decision, he gripped the control stick tightly and guided the plane to fly low.

Just as the plane was about to fly over the submarine, he pressed the bomb release button again.

Ten modified depth charges were dropped one after another from under the wings, accurately falling into the sea above the trench and sinking rapidly underwater.

Nineteen seconds later, the depth charges exploded one after another.

Fang Wen, through his X-ray vision, clearly saw the ultimate underwater scene.

Ten depth charges were precisely detonated in the trench, and the massive shockwave created a shock return within the trench, causing even more complex shockwave damage.

The submarine's hull was torn open.

Even the robust pressure-resistant layer could not withstand such a level of damage.

With the pressure hull breached, the submarine collapsed inward under the immense pressure of the seawater.

It wasn't just seawater that flooded the cabin.

The submarine's torpedo magazine was detonated, resulting in a larger explosion. A huge burst of fire erupted underwater, illuminating the entire trench.

The wreckage of the submarine was torn apart by the shockwave, with debris flying everywhere. The seawater turned black, and large amounts of oil and debris gushed out from the trench, slowly rising to the surface.

On the sea, huge waves were churned up, reaching heights of over ten meters, spreading outwards like a tsunami and crashing against nearby islands.

The island's residents heard a muffled explosion and saw huge waves crashing on the sea. They all came out of their homes and looked out at the sea, their faces filled with surprise and confusion. They discussed among themselves, as they had never seen such a strange phenomenon in this area before and had no idea what had happened.

Fang Wen piloted the fighter jet, circling the sea surface several times. Using his mechanical perception and X-ray vision abilities, he carefully examined the underwater situation and confirmed that the submarine had been completely destroyed with no possibility of survival before he could relax.

He maneuvered the fighter jet, adjusted its course, and sped off towards the Hetu.

When Fang Wen landed his fighter jet on the deck of the Hetu, the crew members on deck crowded around him, eagerly awaiting the outcome.

On behalf of everyone, Gong Xiuneng asked, "How is it going?"

"The Japanese submarine has been sunk," Fang Wen replied, a sense of pride rising in his heart. Sinking a Japanese Type B submarine single-handedly was a feat worthy of being recorded in military history, and even he was very excited.

The crew members beamed with excitement and cheered loudly, "Fantastic! The general manager has sunk the Japanese submarine!"

Someone asked, "Are we safe now?"

Fang Wen smiled and replied, "It's safe now."

His confidence stemmed from his assessment of the Japanese submarine force. At present, the Japanese Navy only had a few Type B submarines, and the Pacific Ocean was so vast that other submarines could not possibly appear in areas that had already been patrolled.

Even if submarines in other directions received the telegram from the destroyed submarine, the Taishan fleet would have already arrived in New Zealand.

The crew shouted in unison, "We're safe! We're finally safe!" (End of Chapter)