Chapter 422 The Chief’s Happy Boat
A retired old man once said: When people need to evaluate the combat performance of an aircraft carrier, the first thing to look at is whether its appearance is elegant.
The primary target of the Air Force 3rd Division today was once highly praised by him in a talk show, and was even once nicknamed the Bureau Chief's Happy Ship by netizens.
This "good-looking" warship is the first aircraft carrier of Japan, and the first regular aircraft carrier in the world with a full deck when it was launched: Feng Xiang.
Perhaps compared with the most advanced Shokaku class of the Japanese Navy, her performance has long been unable to keep up with the rhythm of today's battlefield, and her combat effectiveness has been far behind her.
However, her spiritual symbol is absolutely unique in the entire IJN.
In a sense, even the Akagi, Kaga and Ssangyong, who have achieved great results in battle, have to bow down in front of her.
However, it is precisely because of this that the Feng Xiang will become the first target of the Eighth Route Army Air Force. After all, when it comes to the means of hitting morale and inexplicable beliefs, the rabbits are the most professional.
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After five minutes of flight, the attacking formation finally arrived at the airspace near the coast of Wu City.
Although the current position of the fleet is still eleven nautical miles away from the destination of the Air Force 3rd Division.
But the comrades who have always been vigilant have discovered the primary target of this attack: a small surface fleet composed of aircraft carriers and escort destroyers.
After repeatedly comparing photos and confirming that the light aircraft carrier below is the Japanese Fengxiang, the captain of the strategic bomber formation's leading aircraft warned in the communication channel:
"Attention, all crews, attention!"
"We are about to arrive at the battlefield. Now everyone immediately descends to an altitude of 4,000 meters to lure the Japanese carrier-based fighters up!"
"This is the first time everyone has fought with enemy fighters. No matter what happens, you must stay calm. The opponent will never be able to break through our box formation."
After receiving replies from each crew, the navigator controlled his Lancaster to poke out of the clouds, and then led the entire squadron to begin descending.
When approaching the sky above the Fengxiang, he also specifically ordered all bombers to open their bomb bays, posing as if they might drop bombs at any time.
Soon, the bombardiers could see the Japanese aircraft carrier running at full speed through the Norton sight.
A small number of young soldiers could not even resist the desire to attack, and asked the pilot eagerly by radio:
"Captain, the target is just below our route, can we drop bombs?"
In the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, the Fengxiang was incorporated into the First Air Force of the Japanese Navy, and launched many air strikes on coastal cities of the Republic of China together with Kaga.
With new and old hatreds added together, the comrades in the Air Force naturally regarded it as a thorn in their eyes and wanted to destroy this sinister aircraft carrier with their own hands.
When similar inquiries and requests continued to sound in the communication channel, the captain of the pilot could only shake his head helplessly.
"The ship's speed is at least 20 knots. Our fleet is now at an altitude of 4,000 meters. Even with the Norton sight, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of horizontal bombing."
"Let's hand it over to the comrades of the Air Force 1st Division. Their semi-armor-piercing bombs have delayed fuses and are more suitable for dealing with light warships with weak defensive performance."
"It's best to leave your high-explosive bombs to those docks and shipyards."
While everyone was communicating, the small surface fleet in Wu Port and the anti-aircraft artillery positions deployed at the commanding heights of the city began to attack the Lancaster bomber group.
Black clouds caused by the explosion of shells rose from time to time in the sky.
It's a pity that Showa's air defense is still lame.
The gunners on those destroyers were almost hoarse, but their Type 96 cannons still could not pose an effective threat to the bomber group.
Just as the comrades of the Air Force 3rd Division were about to fly over the Fengxiang, the sparse anti-aircraft firepower network suddenly disappeared without a trace.
If it weren't for the smoke that had not yet dissipated in the air, ordinary people really couldn't tell that a "massive" air-to-ground duel had just taken place here.
"The anti-aircraft guns have stopped! Machine gunners, get ready for battle, the enemy fighters are coming soon!"
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As an aircraft carrier whose main task is to train new recruits, the priority of the Fengxiang is no longer as high as before, and there are only three Zero fighters and seven Type 96 carrier-based attack aircraft on the flight deck.
At this time, under the cover of the anti-aircraft gun positions and the fleet's air defense, the Japanese had already driven their own carrier-based fighters and climbed to an altitude of 5,500 meters.
Looking at the bomber group that was unaware of the danger, Ishizaki Heihachi showed a cruel smile, and then said in the communication channel:
"Gentlemen, it seems that we are lucky. The enemy is obviously a group of rookies with little combat experience."
"Next, everyone follow me to launch an attack, and give priority to destroying the four-engine bomber at the end of the team. My requirements are not high. Before the enemy formation enters the city, the mission will be considered a success if half of them are destroyed!"
"Start the action!"
After speaking, Ishizaki Heihachi directly stepped on the rudder push rod and led the charge.
The rest of the naval pilots were unwilling to lag behind, and they drove fighters to follow their captain's pace.
Since the number of the Japanese warships was at a disadvantage, these sea eagles chose to use the clouds and the sun as cover to occupy the advantageous position above the enemy group.
"Attack!"
With the order of Ishizaki Heihachi, ten fighters launched a head-on dive in the direction of the flight of the Air Force 3rd Division, and then the sound of 7.7mm machine guns and 20mm cannons rang out in the air.
"Da Da Da!"
The training ethics of the Japanese Navy clearly stated that the nose of the aircraft, especially the key areas such as the cockpit, is definitely the only choice when launching a surprise attack.
It's a pity that the self-defense machine gunners on the Lancaster are not for show. The comrades will never let those Type 96 carrier-based fighters and Zero fighters get what they want.
As soon as the enemy launched a dive, hundreds of 7.7 and 12.7 Brownings completed the formation and used more powerful firepower to force the devils to change their course.
After a confrontation, both sides stopped.
Although Ishizaki Heihachi and others hit the target, the 7.7mm Type 97 coaxial machine guns were limited in power, and leaving a few small holes in the fuselage of the Lancaster was their limit.
As for the much-anticipated 20mm Type 99 Type 1 cannon?
That thing can really hit four-engine bombers in theory, but at this stage, it has the problem of slow muzzle velocity and easy drooping of shells during flight.
Coupled with the ridiculous firing rate, it naturally had no effect on the Lancaster fleet.
"Baga! You idiots, have you forgotten the textbooks compiled by the school? Don't underestimate the enemy, treat them as the B17 of the ugly country."
"Climb again! Don't waste another opportunity!"
The failure just now did not make Ishizaki Heihachi frustrated.
The old devils always believed that a bomber formation without fighter escort was essentially no different from meat on a chopping board.
As long as they were cautious and patient enough and launched a few more collective dive attacks, they would be able to completely destroy the enemy's iron bucket formation.
Just as the carrier-based fighter formation of the Fengxiang was preparing to return to the high altitude, a group of twin-engine fighters that appeared out of nowhere caught them off guard.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
In just a few seconds, one of the Zero and two Type 96 carrier fighters were restored to factory settings, turning into sparks and drifting towards the sea near Kure City below.
The sudden sneak attack did not make Ishizaki Heihachi lose the courage to resist.
As one of the few pilots with combat experience, he observed the situation on the battlefield while maneuvering the fighter to avoid the enemy falling from the sky.
"The enemy's plane is a twin-engine! Hurry up and circle around to compete with the opponent in maneuverability!"
In theory, most heavy fighters during World War II did not have strong air control capabilities and were not suitable for air superiority combat. Some particularly embarrassing models would even bring their own bombers to deliver heads across the strait and thousands of miles across the ocean.
That is, the P38 was still quite good and hunted a turkey in the Pacific War.
If the comrades of the Air Force 1st Division were driving the Mosquito fighter, which was the original early model of the Royal Air Force. Then they really had a chance to reveal their maneuverability flaws and eventually be killed by the devils in a mutual destruction method.
However!
System products must be top-notch.
As a product of the Awakening Brave Tiger Military Factory, the Mosquito of the Eighth Route Army Air Force has almost reached the threshold of the Doomsday Piston in some performance.
To deal with several outdated Type 96 carrier-based fighters and the incomplete Type 21 Zero Fighter, the BZ tactics of defeating the enemy first were used, so naturally no accidents could happen.
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Fifteen minutes later, the air battle was completely over.
Looking at the light aircraft carrier below, the combat hero Zhao Baotong showed a playful expression.
In the original timeline, the Fengxiang was the only aircraft carrier that could sail normally and take off and land carrier-based aircraft after the surrender of the Japanese Navy.
But her good luck ended there.
"First group, enter the combat position!"
As soon as these words came out, the four Mosquitos immediately broke away from the large formation. They formed a perfect combat formation and launched a dive attack on the Fengxiang, which was traveling at full speed.
In the first wave, the comrades dropped eight special semi-armor-piercing bombs at a position of 800 meters above the enemy aircraft carrier.
Seeing that a heavy bomb was about to fall on their heads, the sailors on the flight deck were immediately frightened.
In the past, the Japanese could still avoid the bombs falling from the sky through emergency maneuvers. But they were now releasing the spare carrier-based aircraft that had just been lifted out, and they had to keep moving in a straight line.
"Boom!"
Perhaps it was because of excessive tension, or the Showa air defense played a certain interference role. The first wave of eight bombs all missed the target.
The bombs entered the water, but there was no explosion.
"A dud?"
Just as the Japanese sailors were still celebrating, a series of earth-shaking explosions rose from the water. The destructive power of the near miss bombs made the Fengxiang like a candle in the wind, as if it would face the risk of being severely damaged at any time.
"Boom!"
Captain Kawaguchi Daiichiro's pupils shrank, and the scene at this moment reminded him of the Fourth Fleet incident that year.
At the critical moment of life and death, the old Japanese did not dare to think about it. He shook his head hastily and ordered the signalman beside him:
"Quick! Get the fighter planes airborne! Even if we can't shoot down the enemy's fighter planes, we can't let them continue to dive and drop bombs recklessly!"
With the commander's repeated urging, the deck ground crew completed the preparation of the five Type 96 carrier fighters at the fastest speed. They were pushed to the starting point, as if they could take off and fight in the next second.
It's a pity. Regardless of whether the Japanese can climb to high altitude within a limited time, the Air Force Division 1 will not give them a chance to counterattack.
"Here they come again!"
Kawaguchi Daiichiro looked in the direction pointed by the sailor and saw four more enemy planes diving towards the Fengxiang. Judging from the angle of the enemy's entry, there is a high probability that they will be hit this time.
As if they had sensed the imminent danger, the anti-aircraft guns on the three escort destroyers were fully alert at the same time.
"Prepare for the impact!"
Under the nervous gaze of all the Japanese, several black spots falling from high altitude gradually grew larger and finally hit the flight deck of the light aircraft carrier directly.
Although they both carry the word "Feng", the defense of the Fengxiang deck is far behind that of the Taifeng, and naturally it cannot withstand the penetration of semi-armor-piercing bombs.
The bomb used by the Air Force Division this time has a not particularly sensitive fuse.
This is to allow it to explode in the hangar after penetrating the flight deck.
"Boom!"
Good fortune never comes alone, and misfortune never comes alone.
Since Fengxiang is an old experimental ship, it does not have a dedicated fuel tank for aviation fuel. Therefore, all the gasoline used by carrier-based aircraft is stored in the hangar in iron barrels.
This storage method does save space, but it has great hidden dangers.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Ten seconds after the second wave of attack, the interior of this light aircraft carrier burst into violent explosions one wave higher than the other.
The Fengxiang aircraft carrier was blown into two sections from one-third of the hull in a way similar to a self-detonation. (End of this chapter)