Seeing himself blowing up a Japanese Zero fighter with one move, Zheng Shaoqiang couldn't help but feel more confident.
"Captain, well done!"
Zhou Zikai shouted excitedly on the radio.
Not only Zheng Shaoqiang, but the pilots of the 2nd Flying Regiment also saw their regiment leader take the lead in shooting down a Japanese Zero fighter.
The pilots suddenly became more confident.
The Japanese Zero fighter jets were an insurmountable mountain for Chinese pilots.
In the Bishan air battle in 1940, 13 Japanese Zero fighters participated in the air battle for the first time, and they achieved a record of 0 to 27 against the Chinese Air Force!
When the Japanese army bombed mountain cities and other rear areas, they were almost always escorted by Zero fighter jets.
The air force of the national army was unable to resist and was basically retreating steadily.
With the establishment of the Chinese Flying Tigers and reinforcements of mercenary pilots and fighter jets, the situation improved.
However, the Japanese Zero fighters were still difficult to deal with.
Just now, the Japanese pilots had aimed at Zheng Shaoqiang's Saber fighter and opened fire. However, the Saber fighter suddenly accelerated and flew directly around the flank of the Zero fighter.
Then two 20mm machine guns fired a long burst, blasting the Japanese snack fighter in the air.
The half-zero fighter jet dragged a long tail of smoke and fell towards the ground.
The Japanese aircraft that took off to fight this time included 48 Zero fighters.
However, due to the tight schedule, the Japanese Zero and Type 1 fighter jets did not refuel, bomb and take off so quickly. Japanese aircraft from Sanli Street Airport and Xiaogan Airport were on their way to support.
Another 24 Zero and Type 1 fighter jets are on their way to take off.
The Eighth Route Army's 10 Sabers and 40 Hellcat fighter jets and the Japanese Army's 48 Zero fighter jets quickly fought together.
Viewed from the ground, nearly 100 fighter jets crowded the entire airspace.
The Eighth Route Army's fighter jets and the Japanese Army's fighter jets moved around, chasing each other and shooting at each other.
"Da da da…"
"Boom boom…"
The sound of machine guns and aircraft cannons sounded like exploding beans, and the tracer bullet chains fired were like long whips of death.
From time to time, planes were hit, caught on fire, and crashed.
This rare aerial battle attracted many WH citizens to watch.
…
Although Sueda Toshiyuki was a flight commander, he was the ace pilot of the Kaohsiung Air Force of the Japanese 1st United Air Force.
He once participated in the first air battle between the Zero and the Chinese Air Force, the "913 Bishan Air Battle" in 1940.
In that battle, Sueda Toshiyuki shot down three Chinese fighter jets and received a commendation.
Not only that, Sueda Toshiyuki also created his own air combat stunt, called Sueda stunt, which is quite famous among the Japanese naval aviation.
Before taking off, Sueda Toshiyuki thought it would be like the previous air battles, casually beating Chinese fighter jets.
But as soon as the encounter began, Sueda Toshiyuki discovered that he was wrong, and how wrong he was.
Those enemy fighter jets without propellers were like ghosts coming and going on the battlefield, and his wingmen were quickly dispersed.
Even though they were enemy propeller fighters, Sueda Toshiyuki felt in an instant that these guys were very different from the enemy planes he had encountered before.
The enemy's aircraft is extremely fast and cannot be caught up. It is very mobile and difficult to deal with.
In less than three minutes of fighting, more than a dozen Zero fighter jets were shot down, falling like turkeys one after another.
On the Eighth Route Army side, a Hellcat fighter jet was shot down.
Sueda Toshiyuki successively targeted two Hellcat fighter jets, but they were both thrown away by the opponent's flexible body. The 7.7mm bullets and 20mm machine shells fired failed to hit the opponent.
"The enemies are all pilots experienced in air combat!"
Sueda Toshiyuki looked solemn and was sweating profusely.
Almost all of the Japanese pilots who participated in this air battle were veterans, even aces in air combat.
It can be said that it is easy to deal with the Chinese Air Force.
But there was a situation where the Zero fighter was beaten, which made Toshiyuki Sueda look in disbelief.
He had just been targeted by an enemy plane, and the two sides chased it for a while. If it weren't for his superb piloting skills, he would have been shot down by now.
But other Japanese pilots were not so lucky.
"boom!"
At this moment, a Zero fighter numbered 01 not far away was blown up in the air.
"Captain!"
Sueda Toshiyuki's eyes widened with anger and he couldn't help but scream.
The blown-up Zero fighter was the plane of Captain Zhou Fang Yuancheng, the captain of the Kaohsiung Air Force. It looked like Captain Zhou Fang Yuancheng had been shattered into pieces.
A Hellcat fighter jet passed by the smashed Zero fighter jet.
Obviously, this Eighth Route Army fighter jet was the initiator of shooting down Captain Zhou Fang Yuancheng's plane.
"idiot!"
Sueda Toshiyuki roared angrily, piloted the Zero fighter, gave up the attacking fighter, and chased after the Eighth Route Army fighter, wanting to avenge the flight captain.
But it is a pity that even if Sueda Toshiyuki stepped on the accelerator of the Zero fighter to the end, he could not catch up with the Eighth Route Army fighter.
"idiot!"
Seeing this scene, Sueda Toshiyuki cursed Baga again.
The system-improved Hellcat fighter has better performance than the US military's Hellcat fighter.
Equipped with a high-power engine that can produce 2,400 horsepower, the maximum horizontal flight speed can reach 650 kilometers per hour.
The Zero fighters currently flown by Japanese pilots are all original models and still have 1,000-horsepower engines.
When the Zero fighter first came out, it was indeed very prosperous for a while. In the Pacific battlefield and the Chinese battlefield, it defeated the U.S. Air Force and the Chinese Air Force.
but.
American aircraft are constantly being updated and their performance is getting better and better.
Although the Zero fighter is also being updated, its actual performance has not improved much.
Even the Gale carrier-based fighter jet, which was comparable to the Hellcat, did not enter service until the end of the war.
The research and development of the Hellcat is mainly aimed at the Zero fighter, which is not on the same level as the Zero fighter.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! The Hellcat fighter produced by the system is even better than the US military's Hellcat fighter in terms of climb, maximum speed, hovering and rolling.
It also retains six 12.7mm machine guns, which enhances its strong bulletproof capabilities. Although it cannot withstand 20mm machine guns, it can withstand the Japanese 7.7mm machine guns.
In sharp contrast to the fragile Zero fighter.
The Hellcat fighter jet was officially put into service in September 1943. The current time is August 1942, and the Eighth Route Army's air force was equipped with it before the US military.
The Zero fighter met its nemesis earlier.
Just when Sueda Toshiyuki quickly regained his composure and looked for the enemy plane, an Eighth Route Army Hellcat fighter jet had already aimed at his plane.
This was an elite pilot. He relied on the speed gained from diving to approach Sueda Toshiyuki's fighter jet in one go.
"Da da da…"
The Eighth Route Army pilot first fired a short burst, and bullets and artillery shells from four 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and two 20 mm cannons were fired at Sueda Toshiyuki's plane.
Machine gun shells and artillery shells flew over Sueda Toshiyuki's head.
Sueda Toshiyuki was shocked, and then reacted quickly and used Sueda's signature flying stunt to evade.
but.
The Eighth Route Army pilots watched the Japanese Zero fighter's flashy movements without panicking at all.
The Eighth Route Army pilot pressed the nose of the aircraft and the aiming point, and then fired four machine guns and two cannons without hesitation.
Two long point shots hit Sueda Toshiyuki's Zero fighter. Sueda Toshiyuki was beaten to pieces on the spot. The Zero fighter also began to disintegrate, dragging a long black smoke, dive to the right and fall.
…
Although it was an encounter, the situation was one-sided.
The Zero fighter, which the Japanese army was proud of, was like a turkey, being hit continuously, bursting into flames, and then falling.
"idiot!"
On the ground, the Japanese and traitors were furious as they watched the Zero fighter jets being shot down one after another.
But the Chinese people are secretly happy.
However, this was in enemy-occupied territory, and few people dared to cheer.
If the Japanese army was defeated and the people cheered, if the traitors reported it to the Japanese, they would be beheaded.
Only about 10 minutes after the air battle began, all 48 Japanese Zero fighter jets were wiped out, while the Eighth Route Army only lost 2 Hellcat fighter jets.
At this moment, 22 Japanese Type 1 fighter jets taking off from Xiaogan Airport arrived for reinforcements.
However, 30 fighter jets from the 1st Flying Group of the New Regiment also arrived quickly.
The performance of the Type-1 fighter jets was far inferior to that of the Type-0 fighter jets, and there were not many of them. They were quickly dispersed by the converging Eighth Route Army fighter jets, and then eliminated one by one.
After the battle, the Japanese army lost 70 fighter jets.
After destroying the Japanese fighter jets, the Eighth Route Army planes did not return, but flew towards Hankou Airport and Qingshan Airport.
The pilots of the 2nd Eighth Route Army Flying Regiment are very familiar with Hankou Airport and Qingshan Airport.
After the fall of Nanjing, the 4th Aviation Group was stationed at Wuhan's Hankou Airport and fought against the Japanese Naval Air Force many times. The 4th Air Group suffered heavy losses, but the Japanese Naval Air Force did not gain any advantage.
"Boom boom boom..."
As Hellcat fighter jets and Saber fighter jets passed over Hankou Airport.
Dozens of aerial bombs and napalm bombs fell on the airport.
A dozen 20mm anti-aircraft guns and a few 7.7mm Type 92 heavy machine guns simply cannot form an effective air defense.
The entire airport instantly turned into a sea of flames, the runway was destroyed, airport facilities were blown up, and Japanese ground crews and soldiers guarding the airport suffered heavy losses.
The Japanese Type 97 bomber parked on the runway preparing to bomb Taiyuan was blown into parts.
However, the Japanese are very thieves.
The hangar was built in the middle of a residential area and some fighter jets were placed in the hangar, making it impossible for Eighth Route Army aircraft to bomb.
After bombing Hankou Airport, Eighth Route Army aircraft successively bombed Qingshan Airport and Xiaogan Airport.
The terrifyingly powerful napalm bombs and aerial bombs turned the runways, airport towers and other facilities of the two airports into a sea of flames.
Three airports were completely paralyzed.
…
Japanese Joint Air Raid Command.
Listening to the rumbling explosions coming from the direction of the airport Hankou and Qingshan Airport.
Lieutenant General Sugawara Michichi and First Sergeant Yoshii Takara suddenly became ugly.
Ding ding ding——
The phone rang, and Colonel Yoshii Takara picked up the phone: "Moxi Moxi, this is the Joint Air Raid Command..."
"Nani?"
"I will report to the division commander right now!"
Yoshii Hōichi hung up the phone, there was a crisp sound, and then he lowered his head to Sugawara Michio with an ugly expression and reported:
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, Hankou Airport and Qingshan Airport were attacked by enemy aircraft. The runways and towers were all destroyed, and the bombers parked on the runway were also destroyed!"
Those bombers are planned to bomb Taiyuan and the Eighth Route Army airport tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, it was blown up by the Eighth Route Army.
"Where are our Zero and One fighters!?"
Sugawara Michichi's cheeks twitched because of his anger, but he quickly forced himself to calm down, took a deep breath and asked with a solemn expression.
He guessed that the Eighth Route Army should have dispatched a batch of planes first to attract planes from Hankou and Qingshan Airports to intercept them.
Then another batch of planes were dispatched to bomb Qingshan Airport and Hankou Airport in a detour.
This possibility is not small.
But it’s not a big problem. Zero fighter jets and Type 1 fighter jets that take off for combat can land at Sanli Street Airport.
But there is a problem. The Japanese aviation force in Central China is different from the aviation force of the North China Front.
The North China Front Army's aviation unit was rarely attacked by enemy aircraft, so they neglected to take precautions and allowed the Eighth Route Army's air force to successfully attack.
The aviation units in Central China often fight with the Chinese Air Force, so early warning lookout posts are very complete.
Generally, not long after the Nationalist aircraft took off, the Japanese army knew that the Nationalist aircraft was coming, and immediately took off to fight.
The same goes for the National Army. They either received intelligence in advance or knew in advance that the Japanese planes were coming.
The two sides have fought dozens of air battles in recent years, but basically the Japanese aviation force has an overwhelming advantage.
Even if the Eighth Route Army aviation unit takes a detour, the Joint Air Raid Command should be able to receive the news, right?
At this moment.
The news that the Zero and Type 1 fighters had been wiped out had not yet reached the Joint Air Raid Command.
Ding ding ding——
At this moment, the phone rang again, and Captain Yoshii Takara picked it up.
"Moxi moxi."
"Nani?"
Colonel Yoshii Takara's face changed drastically, and Nani's voice was a little louder than before. His eyes were wide with disbelief, indicating that the third chief of staff of the flight was in extreme shock at this time.
Seeing Yoshii Hoichi's expression, Lieutenant Colonel Michio Sugawara's expression suddenly sank.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander..."
"Just now news came from the ground forces. The 1st United Air Force and the 60th Air Force are all in pieces."
Senior Colonel Takara Yoshii lowered his head to report.
"Na, Ni?"
When Lieutenant General Sugawara Michichi heard the news, his pupils suddenly shrank and his tone suddenly rose.
He finally understood why Yoshii Hoichi's face suddenly changed drastically after he answered the phone.
"Is the enemy so strong?"
Michio Sugawara didn't understand.
In just a short time, the 1st United Air Force and the 60th Air Force were completely wiped out.
The 3rd Flying Division and the 1st and 2nd Combined Air Force fought against the Chinese Air Force for several years, but only lost dozens of aircraft.
And this battle was a disastrous defeat.
Ding ding ding——
Senior Colonel Yoshii Takara answered a phone call again, and then reported to Lieutenant General Sugawara Michichi: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, Xiaogan Airport has also been bombed!"
After a pause, Yoshii Takara said in a solemn tone: "The 10th independent squadron that took off from Sanli Street Airport is on its way to Wuhan."
"Order the 10th Independent Squadron to return immediately."
Taking a deep breath, Lieutenant General Sugawara Michichi issued the order.
Even the 1st United Air Force and the 60th Air Force were completely wiped out. The 10th Independent Air Force came to support them, but they were just delivering food.
The strength of the enemy's air force is simply beyond imagination.
"Hi."
Yoshii Tao turned around and went to deliver the order.
The Japanese Army Air Force fighter jets that took off from Hefei Sanlijie Airport received news that the 1st United Air Force had been completely wiped out just halfway through, and were frightened to return home.
…
"Your Excellency Commander!"
At the Dispatch Army Headquarters, the communications staff officer walked quickly to Shunroku Hata, paused with an ugly face and reported:
"Just received a report from the Joint Air Raid Command, the 1st Joint Air Force and the 60th Fighter Group..."
"What happened to the 1st United Air Force and the 60th Sentai?"
Shunroku Hata and Asasaburo Kobayashi were playing chess. Shunroku Hata didn't pay attention and asked casually.
The news of the Eighth Route Army's air raid on Wuhan Airport had not yet reached the headquarters of the dispatched troops.
In the No. 102 combat plan formulated by the Joint Air Assault Command, the 1st United Air Force and the 60th Squadron were the main forces. Shunroku Hata thought it was due to insufficient preparation of these two squadrons or other problems.
There was no thought of annihilation of the whole army at all.
The communications staff paused for a moment and reported with an ugly face: "The 1st United Air Force and the 60th Fighter Squadron are all in pieces."
"Nani?" Hata Shunroku stood up suddenly, "What did you say? Everyone is broken?"
Chief of Staff Asaburo Kobayashi also stood up suddenly and cast an incredulous look at the communications staff officer.
The 1st United Air Force and the 60th Air Force are both elite aviation units of Hainan Airlines and Army Air Forces. The pilots are all veterans and aces, and the aircraft are also the most advanced.
Why did everyone suddenly fall into pieces? What happened?
Taking a deep breath, Shunroku Hata tentatively asked again: "Are all the 1st United Air Force and the 60th Sentai in pieces?"
"Hi." The communications staff officer replied affirmatively, "More than half an hour ago, the Eighth Route Army dispatched more than 80 fighter jets to attack Wuhan. The 1st United Air Force and the 60th Fighter Group scrambled to take off to fight and were suppressed. Everyone was shattered. Hankou, Qingshan
, three airports in Xiaogan were destroyed.”
"Baga!" Shunroku Hata's face fell instantly and he asked, "Has the information been leaked?"
He has just decided to launch Operation Plan No. 102 and will launch air strikes on Taiyuan City and Taiyuan Airport tomorrow morning.
Today, Wuhan Airport was attacked by Eighth Route Army aircraft.
Is it a coincidence, or has Operation Plan 102 been leaked?
However, the communications staff officer and Kobayashi Asaburo were obviously unable to answer this question.
"Your Excellency, Commander, do you still want to continue Operation Plan 102?"
Chief of Staff Asaburo Kobayashi looked at Michio Sugawara and asked.
Although three airports in Hankou, Qingshan and Xiaogan were bombed, the Japanese army still had dozens of planes at Sanli Street Airport.
…
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