Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

As the director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, Yang Quanwu personally introduced the success of the atomic bomb to the delegates at the Third Session of the Ninth Central Committee.

"Comrades, the successful atomic bomb explosion is a cause for great joy. But this is only the first step in our national defense security. We now have the atomic bomb, but without the corresponding means of transportation, its deterrent power will be reduced by half. Therefore, combining the two bombs is the top priority for the next step."

Although Wei Hongjun was the Secretary of the Science Working Committee, he rarely interfered with the day-to-day work of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. One reason was that Wei Hongjun, as the First Secretary of the Secretariat, was very busy. Another reason was that Yang Quanwu had been in charge of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense for seven or eight years.

Wei Hongjun still has great respect for and trust in the work of veteran leader Yang Quanwu, who has made significant contributions to the rapid development of China's nuclear industry.

Therefore, Wei Hongjun only needs the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense to report the main work content to him every once in a while.

Now that the atomic bomb has been successfully detonated, Wei Hongjun needs to know about the next steps of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, as well as the current status of missile development.

"This was introduced by Comrade Wang Bingzhang, President of the Missile Research Institute."

Yang Quanwu asked Wang Bingzhang, the director and party secretary of the Missile Research Institute, to explain the current status of missile development. In such public appearances, Yang Quanwu never snatched the opportunity from lower-ranking officials.

Wang Bingzhang's usual work reports to Yang Quanwu and his current work reports to Wei Hongjun were two completely different things. With so many lieutenant generals in the army, it wasn't easy for him to get a chance to show up in front of Wei Hongjun.

Wang Bingzhang was a general who participated in the Ningdu Uprising. However, after the Ningdu Uprising, he soon joined the First Red Army Corps. Here, he was highly valued by Marshals Lin and Nie. When Marshal Lin was accidentally injured during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, it was Wang Bingzhang who immediately took him to the hospital, saving his life.

So when the Air Force was formed, Wang Bingzhang came from the Second Field Army, but he became the Chief of Staff of the Air Force very smoothly, and soon became the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been arrested as one of Lin's accomplices after the incident. There was no complete conclusion until his death, so much so that Wang Bingzhang insisted he wouldn't be buried until a conclusion was reached. Consequently, Wang Bingzhang's body remained unburied for over a decade.

"Secretary Wei, my country officially established the Missile Research Institute in 1953, and it has been seven years now. We began imitating Soviet missiles in 1953, and in 1955 we had already developed a Soviet surface-to-air missile. In 1956, we reached a more comprehensive missile cooperation agreement with the Soviet Union, moving beyond simple imitation to actual missile production."

Wei Hongjun listened to Wang Bingzhang's report and roughly understood these time points.

1953 was the year of Stalin's death, and 1956 was the year of Khrushchev's "Secret Report". In the past two years, the Soviet political situation was relatively turbulent. In order to stabilize the situation, Khrushchev was eager to gain the support of China and the Chairman.

Therefore, they have been very generous in supporting China's development in all aspects, including opening up a lot of opportunities in missile cooperation.

“根据1956年我们和苏联签订的‘国防新技术协定’，苏联向我国转让4种5型战术导弹的全部技术和特许生产权。分别为近程地地导弹、地空导弹、空空导弹各1种，以及海防导弹2种。”

"After two and a half years of hard work, we have made a breakthrough in missile development. Air-to-air missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and surface-to-surface missiles are all on the 1959 plan."

"Comrade Wang Bingzhang, what do you mean?"

Wang Bingzhang said, "Secretary Wei, the 'Pili-1' air-to-air missile, the 'Hongqi-1' surface-to-air missile, and the 'Dongfeng-1' surface-to-surface missile are all ready for launch tests before May st. As long as the launch tests are successful, our factory will be able to begin mass production of these missiles."

"So focused?"

It was already mid-March, and there were only 40 days left until May 40st. Wang Bingzhang meant that within the next days, three types of missile launch tests would be conducted consecutively.

"A tribute to the 11th anniversary of the founding of New China."

Yang Quanwu gave a direct answer from the side.

Since Stalin's death, China and the Soviet Union have cooperated extensively in national defense. Khrushchev needed China's support several times, and each time it was generous.

For example, in the field of missiles, the Soviet Union not only allowed China to imitate Soviet missiles, but also gave it the right to produce them, and in 1956 it directly transferred the entire set of missile technology to China.

Under such circumstances, after several years of research and development and the formal establishment of a missile production plant, by the end of 1958, except for the coastal defense missile, which still had many technical difficulties to overcome, other air-to-air missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and surface-to-surface missiles had all made major breakthroughs.

However, it was not immediately put into launch testing, in order to present a tribute to the National Day of New China on May 1959, 5.

Wang Bingzhang was reluctant to say this, but Yang Quanwu had no scruples.

We compress the time to present a gift for National Day.

Wei Hongjun asked: "Which missile is suitable for the 'two-bomb integration' approach?"

"Surface-to-surface missile."

Qian Xuesen, deputy director of the Missile Research Institute, spoke up and said, "To achieve the 'two-bomb combination', we need a ground-to-ground missile, namely the 'Dongfeng-600'. However, the maximum range of the 'Dongfeng-1000' does not exceed kilometers, which is too short to be a suitable missile for the 'two-bomb combination'. Currently, our Missile Research Institute has begun developing the 'Dongfeng-' missile, which has a range of over kilometers, based on the 'Dongfeng-'. If the 'Dongfeng-' missile can be successfully developed, it can be used as a missile for the 'two-bomb combination'."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

Wei Hongjun looked at the expressions of the people and knew that they were very confident about the upcoming missile launch tests.

Moreover, Qian Xuesen’s meaning was very clear, that is, the Missile Research Institute had begun developing the "Dongfeng-2".

The range of the Dongfeng-1000 exceeds kilometers, so it is a medium-range ballistic missile.

"Comrade Qian Xuesen, may I ask how long it will take to develop the Dongfeng-2?"

"According to our assessment and that of Soviet experts, we will be able to conduct a test launch of the DF-2 next year. I cannot guarantee its success, but I am certain that we will be able to successfully launch the DF-2 within three years."

China and the Soviet Union did not fall out, so China still received great help from the Soviet Union in missile development. Qian Xuesen was still very confident that the Dongfeng-2 would be able to develop without any problems within three years.

Wei Hongjun said to Yang Quanwu, Zhao Lu, and the others, "The 'two bombs combined' is crucial to whether our nuclear weapons can truly be used to deter world war forces, protect our national defense security, and safeguard world peace. Therefore, missile development is a top priority in our high-end weapons research. Therefore, we must fully support them, both in terms of funding and personnel. If you need to coordinate support from other ministries, please let me know."

The Central Special Committee was established to prepare for the atomic bomb explosion. For China, which lacked an atomic bomb, the atomic bomb project was indeed crucial, and so national resources were mobilized to ensure its development. However, now that the atomic bomb had been successfully detonated, this was no longer necessary. Therefore, while the Central Special Committee was not abolished, it was largely inactive.

In reality, a central special committee should only be a special measure for special times. We can't just establish such a department whenever something important happens. Doing so would disrupt the day-to-day work of ministries and local governments.

Therefore, the subsequent missile projects and hydrogen bomb projects require more coordination from Wei Hongjun.

"Even if we can't get our salaries, it won't affect missile research."

Yang Quanwu nodded.

Wei Hongjun continued: "Now that our atomic bomb has exploded, the next step is to develop the hydrogen bomb."

Yang Quanwu gestured for Qian Sanqiang to answer. Qian Sanqiang said, "Secretary Wei, the development of the hydrogen bomb may be much faster than we thought."

"what's the situation?"

"At the end of 1956, after the theoretical research on the atomic bomb was largely completed, Comrade Peng Huanwu proposed that the Theoretical Department conduct theoretical research on the hydrogen bomb. The Ministry of Nuclear Industry approved their idea, and Comrade Peng Huanwu divided the Theoretical Department into three groups to conduct theoretical research on the hydrogen bomb."

Many of these scientists of this era are people with very advanced vision.

Just like Peng Huanwu, he was incredibly strong. He returned to China to teach at a university before liberation, and was quickly pulled to the Ministry of Nuclear Industry by Yang Quanwu after liberation.

Peng Huanwu assisted Qian Sanqiang in the formation and personnel selection of the entire Atomic Bomb Theory Department. Qian Sanqiang was busy with work, so in fact, the Atomic Bomb Theory Department was established by Peng Huanwu.

Furthermore, while the Theoretical Department was conducting theoretical research on the atomic bomb, Peng Huanwu had already begun recruiting a large number of young students from various universities and research institutes to participate in the theoretical exploration of the hydrogen bomb. In fact, this was to cultivate talent for the nuclear industry.

After the theoretical research on the atomic bomb was largely completed, some people remained to continue its refinement. The theoretical work was then quickly divided into three groups, each conducting its own research on the hydrogen bomb. Because Peng Huanwu was unaware of the specifics of the hydrogen bomb and unsure which path was correct, the three groups had to explore their own paths.

At this time, the young students who had previously explored the theory of hydrogen bombs came in handy and were assigned to these three groups, enriching the hydrogen bomb theory research group.

It can be said that Peng Huanwu did not directly participate in much of the theoretical research on the atomic bomb; the main theoretical research work was handed over to Deng Jiaxian, Deputy Director of the Theoretical Department. However, Peng Huanwu's strategic vision and advance planning were undoubtedly superior, and he made great contributions to the development of China's nuclear industry.

"Later, the central government allocated a batch of computers to the Ministry of Nuclear Industry. The Ministry gave two of these computers to the hydrogen bomb research group for their theoretical research. Deng Jiaxian's group had the clearest approach. A young scientist in their group, Yu Min, used computers to calculate a series of models and discovered the key to the self-sustaining combustion of thermonuclear materials, solving a key problem in the hydrogen bomb principle design."

"The Theoretical Department has now largely resolved the theoretical assumptions in hydrogen bomb research, from principles to configuration, and has solved a large number of key theoretical issues in thermonuclear weapons. Furthermore, most of these have been verified using computers and other experiments."

Hearing this answer, Wei Hongjun became excited.

This means that the Theoretical Department already has relatively complete theoretical data on hydrogen bombs. So he said, "In other words, our country's hydrogen bomb research and development can now enter the next step."

"Yes. Because we already have rough data from theoretical research. So what we need to do next is to conduct continuous experiments to prove the correctness of these data. The development of the hydrogen bomb can enter the engineering stage."

Wei Hongjun asked: "How long will it take?"

"Experimental verification takes about six months to a year. If engineering problems can be quickly resolved, then it will take about one and a half to two years for our hydrogen bomb to explode. But if there are problems with experimental verification or engineering, it will take more than two years."

"One and a half to two years."

Wei Hongjun calculated that it could be completed before 1961. If it took more than two years, it would be between 1961 and 1962.

Wei Hongjun had originally thought that with the successful atomic bomb explosion, the Central Special Committee might be disbanded. But now, missile and hydrogen bomb development have entered a critical period. This is what has happened in the past few years.

At this time, we need to concentrate all our resources to support and accelerate these projects. It seems that the Central Special Committee cannot be abolished.

"The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense should write a detailed report on hydrogen bombs, missiles, and the integration of the two bombs. The Politburo needs to understand these details."

1064 Khrushchev's Ambitions

The report of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense was highly praised by the Politburo because of the good development in all aspects of cutting-edge defense weapons.

Most of the Politburo members came from the military, and many even led troops in combat. While most have now moved to other regions, they understand the importance of weapons. The hydrogen bomb, and the combined power of the two bombs, are highly anticipated.

Once China possesses a hydrogen bomb and the two nuclear weapons combined, its deterrent capability against other countries will be significantly elevated. China will then be even more confident in its engagement with other nations. China will also be able to resist any nuclear blackmail from the United States. Therefore, for the Politburo, this report from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense is truly encouraging.

So after reading the report, the Chairman praised the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and Yang Quanwu highly, saying, "Our young generals in white robes will not ride horses but missiles in the future."

Of course, this achievement is related to the relatively strong economic development in China in recent years. National fiscal revenue has been growing, so not only is there no shortage of funds, but the allocation has actually been increasing.

Historically, many cutting-edge defense projects were initiated during the Second Five-Year Plan, which began in 1958. After the First Five-Year Plan, China had established a substantial industrial base and experienced significant economic growth. Therefore, the Second Five-Year Plan was quite ambitious, with numerous projects underway to develop cutting-edge weapons.

However, not long after it started, the country encountered a three-year period of financial difficulties, and China and the Soviet Union fell out. As a result, many cutting-edge defense weapons research projects were directly cancelled.

Although work was later restarted, it was a difficult start. In 1960, Marshal Nie reorganized cutting-edge weapons programs, cutting most of them and focusing resources on missile development. However, funding was severely insufficient, and all Soviet experts left, taking the technical information with them. Even more serious was the government's opposition to these projects. Marshal Nie met with government departments several times, but received no support.

There were even instances of food shortages for workers on the atomic bomb project. Because the government was also facing financial difficulties at the time, it even suspended funding for nuclear industry projects. It can be said that the period from 1959 to 1962 was the most difficult period in China's history as it redeveloped these weapons.

It's nothing like the current situation. Funding wasn't abundant, but it was sufficient and didn't affect work. Crucially, China and the Soviet Union were still in a honeymoon period. Not only were Soviet experts still around, but the Soviet Union also shared a lot of weapon data with China. This data sharing significantly shortened the time it took to develop cutting-edge Chinese weapons.

Because of the report from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, the Politburo decided to maintain the establishment of the Central Special Committee. Yang Quanwu, as the director of the Central Special Committee's office, was fully responsible for the daily work of these projects.

On April 1959, 4, the air-to-air missile "Piercing 2" produced by the Xiangjiang Machinery Factory in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province was successfully launched.

This is not a laboratory imitation of Soviet missiles, because the Xiangjiang Machinery Factory has already built a missile production line. After the successful launch of this missile, the Xiangjiang Machinery Factory officially established the Xiangjiang Missile Factory and began to produce the "Piercing 1" missile. The first batch will produce four missiles, all of which will participate in subsequent tests.

On April 1959, 4, the surface-to-air missile "Hongqi-11" assembled by Shenyang Songling Machinery Factory was successfully launched.

Just when the "Hongqi-1" had just been successfully launched and everyone was very happy, China's surface-to-air missile forces brought continuous good news to the National Day.

On April 1959, 4, a surface-to-air missile unit of the Beijing Military Region Air Force shot down a Taiwanese Air Force RB-14D high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that was conducting reconnaissance missions near Beijing using a Soviet surface-to-air missile. This marked the first time in history that surface-to-air missiles were used in a real battlefield. The Chinese Air Force's surface-to-air missile unit also became the first in history to employ surface-to-air missiles in actual combat.

The downing of the Taiwanese reconnaissance plane was no accident. Since the successful atomic bombing, Taiwan has stepped up its surveillance of the mainland. Advanced US reconnaissance aircraft, equipped with the Taiwanese Air Force, have repeatedly conducted reconnaissance missions into Chinese airspace. Of course, these reconnaissance missions at this time were also intended to gauge China's preparations for National Day.

It was precisely because they knew the movement patterns of Taiwan's high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft during this period that they were ambushed here and happened to catch this high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that had sneaked into North China.

After the Chinese military shot down a Taiwanese Air Force RB-57D high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, no one was sure how China had managed to shoot down the aircraft at such a high altitude. China kept the incident strictly confidential.

The Beijing Military Region Air Force Surface-to-Air Missile Force, like the surface-to-air missile forces of other military regions, is a mysterious force and its numbers are not public.

As a result, the United States was very confused and wanted to investigate China's nuclear test base. So it sent a reconnaissance plane from the northeast, bypassing Mongolia, and Suiyuan to the northwest for investigation.

Unexpectedly, I encountered the Beijing Military Region's surface-to-air missile force again.

On April 1959, 4, the Beijing Military Region's surface-to-air missile unit shot down a U.S. U-22 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft near Zhangjiakou. The U-2 had never been shot down by anyone since it entered service with the U.S. military. Unexpectedly, it was shot down by a Chinese surface-to-air missile unit.

This truly was news that shook the world. The United States initially refused to admit that China had shot down a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. However, China didn't hide the truth and directly transported the wreckage to Beijing for a touring exhibition. The captured American pilot was also brought to Beijing.

With National Day just around the corner, this was a truly significant event for China, worthy of special mention. So China made the incident public, allowing foreign journalists to freely photograph the wreckage. Tens of thousands of people visited the wreckage in Beijing almost every day.

Soviet technical experts came to China in batches to study the United States' high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

The two consecutive downings of high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft within less than ten days dealt a heavy blow to the US Air Force, which accused US intelligence agencies of negligence and ignorance of China's situation.

Two high-altitude reconnaissance planes were shot down, but we still don’t know which Chinese unit it was or what weapons they used.

At a time when the world was in turmoil, the launch test of the "Dongfeng-1959" surface-to-surface missile was carried out on April 4, 27.

Once again, it was successful. All three missile launch tests conducted in April were successful, giving a perfect tribute to the 11th National Day of the People's Republic of China.