RNP Chapter 29 February 2nd, Dragon Raises Its Head, Giant Dragon Roars
Chapter 29 February 2nd, Dragon Raises Its Head, Giant Dragon Roars
At around 5:20 a.m., a massive formation of Japanese aircraft indeed appeared on the southeastern horizon of Wuhan. Thirty Type 96 carrier-based attack aircraft, in neat formation and escorted by twenty fighter planes, arrogantly swooped towards the Hanyang Arsenal.
"Soviet Air Force China Aid Group, attack!" As the order was given, more than 20 Soviet I-15 and I-16 fighters swooped down from the higher clouds like falcons, heading straight for the Japanese escort fighter formation.
Instantly, machine guns roared in the sky, fighter jets engaged in dogfights, leaving trails of white smoke.
The Japanese escort fleet was thrown into disarray by this sudden interception. Although the Type 96 fighters were superior in performance, the experienced Soviet pilots kept them pinned down.
Almost simultaneously, "Republic of China Youth Air Force, kill!" Hawk III fighters and other aircraft of the Republic of China Air Force also swooped out from low altitude, like arrows released from a bow, straight into the belly of the Japanese bomber group! Machine gun bullets poured down on the cumbersome bombers.
The Japanese bomber formation was thrown into chaos! And at that moment, ground firepower was unleashed!
"Anti-aircraft guns, fire!"
"All units, aim at the enemy aircraft, fire!"
On Turtle Mountain and Snake Mountain, thousands of light and heavy machine guns, and even rifles, formed an unprecedentedly dense anti-aircraft fire network!
Bullets rained down on the sky like a storm. Although the hit rate was low, the astonishing force and the ubiquitous barrage greatly interfered with the judgment and operation of the Japanese pilots.
Even more devastating blows followed!
"Special shells, three rounds in rapid fire, fire!" A series of muffled cannon shots rang out from the pre-positioned artillery positions.
Modified shells were launched high into the sky and exploded with a deafening roar at the designated altitude! Countless iron nails, iron balls, and fragments of iron shot out at high speed in a radial pattern, instantly covering a large area of airspace!
This was completely beyond the comprehension of the Japanese pilots! They had never seen such bizarre and ferocious ground-based anti-aircraft fire.
A Type 96 carrier-based aircraft happened to enter a zone covered by "iron shot" and was instantly hit as if by countless shotgun shells. Its engine stopped, its wing broke off, and it tumbled and crashed to the ground with thick smoke!
"Baka! The Chinese air force was prepared; they've laid an ambush within our ranks. What kind of weapon is this?"
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way quickly!"
The Japanese bomber formation was completely thrown into disarray. Some tried to climb, some tried to dive, and some, in their panic, veered off course and crashed right into the focus of anti-aircraft and machine gun fire.
The Republic of China's fighter planes seized the opportunity and relentlessly pursued and attacked. The Soviet and Republic of China pilots cooperated seamlessly, shooting down Japanese bombers that had lost cover and were in a panic, causing them to explode in mid-air or crash down trailing black smoke.
The battle lasted less than half an hour, and the once-aggressive Japanese air force had completely collapsed. All 30 bombers were shot down!
Of the 20 Type 96 fighters, 13 were lost in the melee, with only 7 managing to break free and flee into the sky in a sorry state.
On the ground in the three towns of Wuhan, countless people witnessed this earth-shattering air battle and saw the once arrogant Japanese planes falling like dumplings, erupting in deafening cheers!
"We've won! We've won! On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head. Those little devils dared to anger our Eastern dragon on this day, and this is what they get!"
Who says our Republic of China's air force can't fight!
The news spread quickly, and the whole country was thrilled!
Because this day coincided with the "Dragon Raises Its Head" festival on the second day of the second lunar month, this air battle was gloriously recorded in history and called the "Great Victory of the Dragon Raises Its Head Air Battle on the Second Day of the Second Lunar Month"! This battle greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers and civilians across the country and also showed the world the strength of the Republic of China's air force.
Upon reading the battle report, Chen Cheng, the commander-in-chief of the Wuhan garrison, was overwhelmed with excitement and immediately sent a report of victory to the mountain city: "Our air force has successfully thwarted the Japanese air raid, shooting down 43 Japanese aircraft..."
At the same time, he personally sent a telegram to Dai Chunfeng of the Military Intelligence Bureau to express his gratitude for the Bureau's accurate intelligence support and to express his strong interest in its ace agent, Crow, hoping that this ace agent could be shared with the Civil Engineering Department...
Dai Chunfeng, who was initially overjoyed to see the telegram of thanks from Chen Cheng, the Chairman's most trusted confidant and a key figure in the Civil Engineering Clique, suddenly turned pale upon seeing the word "crow." His forehead veins bulged, and he abruptly roared towards the door, "Qi Wu, you get the hell in here!"
In fact, Mao Qi immediately discovered the mistake after sending the telegram. He was filled with anxiety, but his wishful thinking that he could "get away with it without anyone noticing" was completely shattered. He hurriedly ran into the office, lowered his head, and dared not look Dai Chunfeng in the eye: "Director, please calm down, I'm here."
Dai Chunfeng slammed Chen Cheng's telegram onto Mao Qi's face, his voice sharp with anger: "Look at this for yourself! Look at what's written on this!"
"The Crow! I've repeatedly ordered that everything about the Crow must be kept absolutely secret, and only vague statements are permitted to the outside world. Did you ignore my words? Who is Chen Cixiu? A leading figure in the Civil Engineering Department. He's now specifically asking to 'share' the Crow. How am I supposed to respond? Hand the Crow over to him?"
Mao Qi picked up the telegram, and upon seeing the word "Crow," his voice trembled as he pleaded guilty: "Director, I deserve to die! I was careless and forgot to conceal the code name 'Crow.' I beg you, Director, give me a chance to atone for my sins. I will definitely find a way to make amends!"
Dai Chunfeng knew that getting angry now would not help, and the most urgent task was to deal with Chen Cheng's "sharing" request.
He took a few deep breaths, suppressing his anger, and said coldly, "Make amends? How can we make amends? Chen Cixiu's telegram has already been sent. The entire Ministry of Military Affairs and the Chairman's Office probably know about this ace agent called 'Crow'."
Now, immediately draft a reply to Chen Cheng, stating that Crow's identity is special and his actions are secretive. To ensure his safety and the stability of the intelligence network, it is inconvenient to share information with any non-Military Intelligence system. The Military Intelligence Bureau will continue to provide accurate intelligence to all friendly forces as always.
The wording should be tactful, but the attitude must be firm! Furthermore, immediately send a telegram to Wang Tianmu at the Shanghai station, ordering him to strengthen protection and communication with Crow. Absolutely do not allow Crow to be implicated in this leak!
Mao Qi felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately kowtowed, "Yes! Your subordinate obeys! Your subordinate will do it right away!"
The headquarters of the Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army. General Tian Junluo, who had now succeeded Song Jingzhen as the new commander-in-chief, was ashen-faced as he looked at the appalling battle damage report. Thirty precious bombers and thirteen of the latest Type 96 fighters had been destroyed, yet not even a single chimney in the arsenal had been hit!
"Baka yarou! Another crushing defeat! Another intelligence leak with precise timing, location, and troop deployment details!" Tian Junlu roared, slamming the report to the ground. "Last time it was Hangzhou Bay, last time it was the enemy capital, and this time it's Wuhan! Every major military operation of the Empire seems to be preordained by the Chinese army! This is no coincidence!"
Special Higher Police Chief Kameichi Tsukamoto and the representative of the Ume Agency hung their heads, sweating profusely.
Tian Junlu's cold gaze swept over them: "Last time, you used the excuse of 'Chinese codebreaking' to brush it off."
"What excuse do you have this time? Has the Chinese already cracked the Imperial Navy's latest codes? Hmm!"
Kameichi Tsukamoto forced a smile and said, "Commander, we...we are investigating with all our might..."
Just then, a confidential staff officer rushed in and handed over a document: "Commander, Miss Yunzi has sent an urgent telegram. After simultaneous confirmation by our three high-ranking spies infiltrated in China, the Quan Gongting, Nanfushantang, and this raid were all thanks to precise intelligence provided by a top-tier Kuomintang spy codenamed 'Crow'..."