0p0 Chapter 824 Both sides suffer losses
Chapter 824 Both sides suffer losses
"Captain, we have been drawn into the anti-aircraft fire network. Their anti-aircraft fire is too strong. In just two minutes, we lost 9 fighter planes. What should we do now?" An anxious call from a Japanese squadron leader came from the communication channel.
At this time, the Japanese flight captain Tusheng was still leading the first squadron in a fierce battle with the fighter formation led by Pang Yong. When he suddenly heard this call, his heart sank.
But then he felt cheated and yelled angrily, "Baka! Even if the anti-aircraft firepower was fierce, how could you have suffered such heavy losses? Are you frightened and deliberately exaggerating the casualties?"
"Colonel, I'm not exaggerating. I didn't count them carefully just now, but a rough estimate shows that the enemy's ground-based anti-aircraft firepower consists of at least over a hundred anti-aircraft machine guns and over forty anti-aircraft guns. Our fighter planes flew in and had no time to dodge or turn around before they crashed into the enemy's anti-aircraft fire network!"
Tusheng asked, "Are you out of the anti-aircraft fire net now?"
"Yes, they've already broken away. There are only 13 fighters left out of the 24. We just lost two more!"
"Baga, how could this happen?" Tusheng said angrily.
Two pilots got so angry they disobeyed my orders and took it upon themselves to dive and strafe the anti-aircraft machine guns and artillery positions on the ground, and then… that was it.”
Tusheng asked, "What about the enemy aircraft? How many did we shoot down?"
"We shot down three planes, but their pilots all parachuted out. It is very likely that more than half of our pilots were captured," said the squadron leader.
"Baka, a 4:1 casualty ratio! How am I going to explain this to the commander when I get back?"
Tu Sheng took a few breaths, then immediately chased a Merchant Corps fighter plane while shouting into his headset, "Each squadron, report your results, losses, remaining ammunition, and fuel!"
"The second squadron of the fighter flight formation shot down two enemy planes and lost four. They had less than a quarter of their ammunition remaining and only enough fuel to return home."
"The third squadron of the fighter formation shot down three enemy planes and lost six. There was little ammunition left, and only enough to return home."
“轰炸机编队摧毁起得机场客机5架、老旧军机5架、1艘英舰；被击落15架，弹药仅剩20%，然后还剩30%”
After hearing the report, Tusheng nearly vomited blood, his chest feeling tight. After a few seconds of calming down, he immediately issued an order: "The bomber formation will drop all its ammunition. The fighter formation will immediately cover the bomber formation's return. Then, take the opportunity to escape the enemy's pursuit and retreat!"
"Hayi!"
When the Japanese aircraft group seemed to be preparing to retreat, the flight captain Pang Yong immediately realized that the time had come to strike hard at the enemy and immediately ordered: "Hold them and don't let them escape easily. Take the opportunity to expand the victory!"
"Yes, sir!"
The three fighter squadrons, led by their respective squadron leaders, fought a more intense and crazy fight. After the Japanese fighter planes and bombers retreated, they immediately chased and attacked.
While chasing the retreating Japanese flying formation, the Merchant Corps' armed flying brigade achieved some results.
Ten minutes later, the pilots reported that their ammunition and fuel were exhausted, so Captain Pang Yong ordered the pursuit to be terminated and all personnel to return.
One fighter plane after another landed on the new dedicated airport runway. On the side of the runway, officers, soldiers and support personnel from the base were lined up to greet them. As the pilots got off the fighter planes one by one, there was warm applause and cheers at the scene.
Merchant Corps Armed Command.
Zhang Yunhe stood in front of the sand table, arms folded, thinking. The operations officer came over with a folder and reported: "Sir, the flight brigade and the ground air defense forces worked together and successfully repelled the invading Japanese aircraft group again!"
“此次击落敌战机23架，其中有11架是被我方防空火力网击落的，击落敌人轰炸机17架，俘虏鬼子飞行员26人；我方损失8架战机、8挺高射机枪和4门高射炮，战死飞行员2人、其他被敌机击落战机飞行员成功跳伞安全落地”
"Thirteen air defense troops were killed and nine were injured. The wounded have been rushed to the field hospital for emergency treatment, and the remains of the fallen soldiers have been properly placed."
Zhang Yunhe took the battle results and damage report, read it, and immediately picked up the phone to call the airport.
"I'm Pang Yong!"
Zhang Yunhe said, "Captain Pang Da, your flight squadron faced the overwhelmingly superior Japanese flying formation with no fear this time. You fought bravely and achieved significant results. With a small force, you destroyed almost half of the invading enemy's strength. Your achievements are outstanding. On behalf of the Merchant Corps Armed Command and all the officers and soldiers, I congratulate you and salute you!"
On the other end of the phone, Pang Yong said excitedly, "I and all the pilots and ground crew of the flight brigade will continue to work hard to live up to the high expectations of our superiors and the residents of the entire island!"
Zhang Yunhe continued, "Although we have achieved great results this time, we have also suffered heavy losses. We have lost three aircraft before and now eight more. Three pilots have been killed and two have been injured, so we must replenish our strength."
"Commander, of course I hope to have as many fighter planes and pilots as possible, but now the Japanese have blocked all the sea routes. Even if you are financially strong enough to buy fighter planes, you can't transport them in!" Pang Yong said.
Zhang Yunhe said, "I have my own plan. Tonight at 10 o'clock, a large ocean-going freighter loaded with fighter jets and bombers will arrive at Victoria Harbor. There will be a total of 30 fighter jets and 20 bombers. When the ship arrives, I will notify you to bring people over to transport these fighter jets back to the airport!"
"However, these fighters and bombers are still in spare parts, so you'll need to assemble them yourself. But don't worry, the high-tech assembly of precision instruments, engines, and other equipment has already been completed. You only need to install the wings and weapons and ammunition!"
"Is this true? An ocean-going freighter can actually pass through the blockade of the Japanese fleet and come here?" Pang Yong asked excitedly.
"Of course it's true. After you receive this batch of fighter jets and bombers, you must assemble them in the shortest time possible, and the lost and insufficient pilots must be replenished as soon as possible!" Zhang Yunhe said.
"Yes, I will ensure that the task is completed!" Pang Yong said loudly with full energy.
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yunhe continued to pay attention to the battle on the other side of the boundary river. The two sides had already started a real fight.
After the Japanese launched three consecutive attacks and were repelled, the commander of the 38th Division, Tadayoshi Sano, ordered the armored forces to lead the charge in an attempt to break through the defensive positions of Jie Bridge.
Behind the eight light tanks was a large group of Japanese troops, rushing towards Jieqiao with great momentum.