Comrade, Your Ingredients Are Too Complicated

A retired old man once said: When people need to evaluate the combat performance of an aircraft carrier, they must first look at whether her appearance is elegant.

The primary goal of the Air Force Division today was once highly praised by him on a talk show, and was even nicknamed the Happy Boat by netizens.

This "good-looking" warship is the first aircraft carrier of this book, and also the first regular aircraft carrier in the world to have a fully accessible deck when it was launched: Fengxiang.

Perhaps compared to the most cutting-edge Xianghe class in the Honzi Navy, her performance has long been unable to keep up with the rhythm of today's battlefield, and her combat effectiveness is also far behind her juniors.

However, its spiritual symbol is absolutely unique in the entire IJN.

 In a sense, even Akagi, Kaga and Shuanglong, who have achieved great results in battle, have to bow before her.

However, it is precisely because of this that Fengxiang became the first choice target of the Eighth Route Army Air Force. After all, when it comes to methods of destroying morale and inexplicable beliefs, rabbits are the most professional.

  ·······

 After five minutes of flight, the attack formation finally arrived at the airspace offshore Wu City.

 Although the current position of the aircraft fleet is still eleven nautical miles away from the destination of the 3rd Air Force Division.

But comrades who have always been alert have discovered the primary target of this attack: a small surface fleet composed of aircraft carriers and escorting destroyers.

After repeatedly comparing the photos and confirming that the light aircraft carrier below was the Japanese Fengxiang, the captain of the strategic bomber formation’s lead aircraft warned in the communication channel:

“Attention all crews, attentive crews!”

"We are about to arrive at the battlefield. Now everyone should immediately descend to an altitude of four thousand meters to attract the Japanese carrier-based fighter jets!"

“This is the first time we have fought against the enemy’s fighter jets. No matter what happens, we must remain calm. It is absolutely impossible for the opponent to break through our box formation.”

After receiving replies from each crew, the navigator maneuvered his Lancaster to emerge from the clouds, and then led the entire squadron to begin descending.

As he approached the Fengxiang, he specifically ordered all the bombers to open their bomb bays, as if they might drop bombs at any time.

After a while, the bombardiers could see the Japanese aircraft carrier moving at full speed through the Norton sight.

 A small number of young warriors could not resist the desire to attack, and eagerly asked the pilot aircraft via radio:

“Captain, the target is right below our route. Can we drop the bomb?”

In the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, Fengxiang was included in the first aviation battle of the Benzi Navy, and together with Kaga launched many air raids on coastal cities in the Republic of China.

With the combination of old and new grudges, the comrades in the Air Force naturally regarded it as a thorn in their side and wanted to destroy this sinful aircraft carrier with their own hands.

 When similar inquiries and requests kept ringing in the communication channel, the captain of the pilot aircraft could only shake his head helplessly.

"The speed of that ship is at least twenty knots. Our formation is now at an altitude of four thousand meters. Even with the Norton sight, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of horizontal bombing."

“Let’s hand her over to the comrades of the 1st Air Division. Their semi-armor-piercing aerial bombs have delay fuses and are more suitable for dealing with light warships with weak defensive performance.”

“Our high-explosive bombs are best left to those shipyards and shipyards.”

While everyone was communicating, the small surface fleet in Wu Port and the anti-aircraft artillery position deployed at the commanding heights of the city began to attack the Lancaster bomber group.

 Halls of black clouds caused by the explosion of artillery shells rise high in the sky from time to time.

 What a pity, the Showa air defense is still stretched.

The gunners on the destroyers were almost hoarse from shouting, but their Nine-Six Artillery still could not pose an effective threat to the bomber group.

Just when the comrades of the Third Air Division were about to fly over the Fengxiang, the originally sparse air defense firepower network suddenly disappeared without a trace.

If it weren't for the fact that there was still some gunpowder smoke in the air that had not yet dissipated, most people would not have been able to tell that a "massive" open-air duel had just occurred here.

 “The anti-aircraft guns have stopped! Machine gunners are ready for battle, the enemy fighter planes are coming soon!”

  ·······

As an aircraft carrier whose main mission is to train new recruits, the Fengxiang's priority is no longer what it used to be. There are only three Zero Fighters and seven Nine-Six Attackers on the flight deck.

At this time, under the cover of the anti-aircraft gun positions and fleet air defense, the Japs had already driven their respective carrier-based fighter jets and climbed to an altitude of 5,500 meters in a detour.

Looking at the group of bombers that were not aware of the danger at all, Ishizaki Heihachi showed a cruel smile, and then said in the communication channel:

“Gentlemen, it seems we are in good luck. The enemies are obviously a group of rookies with little combat experience.”

“Then everyone will follow me to launch an attack, and give priority to destroying the four-engine bomber at the end of the formation. My requirements are not high. If I destroy half of the opponent’s formation before it enters the city, the mission will be considered a success!”

"start to act!"

After speaking, Ishizaki Heihachi directly pushed the rudder and pushed the rod to lead the charge.

The rest of the HNA pilots were not willing to lag behind, and they all flew fighter jets to follow the pace of their captain.

Since the Japanese were at a disadvantage in terms of numbers in the battle, these sea eagles chose to use the clouds and the sun as cover to occupy a favorable position diagonally above the enemy aircraft group.

 “Attack!”

Following Ishizaki Heihachi's order, ten fighter jets launched a head-on dive in the direction of the Air Force 3rd Division's flight, and then the sounds of 7.7mm machine guns and 20mm cannons rang out in the air.

"Da da da!"

HNA’s training ethics clearly indicate that key areas such as the nose of the aircraft, especially the cockpit, are definitely the best choice when launching a surprise attack.

It's a pity that the self-defense machine gunners on the Lancaster are not just decorations. Comrades will not let those 96 ship battles and Zero fighters satisfy their needs at all.

The first time the enemy launched a dive, hundreds of 7.7 and 12.7 Brownings completed their formation, using more powerful firepower to force the Japanese to change course.

 After a confrontation, both sides reached the end.

Although Ishizaki Heihachi and others hit the target, the 7.7mm Type 97 coaxial machine gun has limited power. The ability to leave a few small holes in the Lancaster's fuselage is their limit.

 As for the much-anticipated 20mm Type 99-1 cannon?

That thing can indeed severely damage four-engine bombers in theory, but at this stage it has the problem of slow muzzle velocity and the shells tend to sag during flight.

Coupled with the laughable rate of fire, it naturally had no impact on the Lancaster fleet.

"Baga! You idiots, have you forgotten the textbooks compiled by the school? Don't underestimate the enemy. Treat the enemy as a B17 from an ugly country."

 “Climb again! Never waste another opportunity!”

 The failure just now did not make Heihachi Ishizaki feel depressed. The old devil has always believed that a bomber formation without fighter **** is essentially the same as meat on the chopping board.

As long as our side is cautious and patient enough and launches several more collective dive attacks, we will be able to completely destroy the enemy's iron barrel array.

Just as the Fengxiang's carrier-based fighter formation was preparing to return to high altitudes, a group of twin-engine fighter jets appeared out of nowhere and caught them off guard.

 “Boom! Boom! Boom!”

In just a few seconds, one of our Zeros and two 96s were restored to their factory settings, turning into sparks and floating toward the Kure sea below.

 The sudden sneak attack did not make Heihachi Ishizaki lose the courage to resist.

As one of the few pilots with combat experience, he observed the situation on the battlefield while controlling the fighter plane to avoid enemies falling from the sky.

"The enemy's aircraft has twin engines! Get around quickly and compete with the opponent for maneuverability!"

Logically speaking, most heavy fighter aircraft during World War II did not have strong air control capabilities and were not suitable for participating in air superiority combat. Some particularly shameful models even bring their own bombers to kill people across straits and thousands of miles across the ocean.

 That is to say, P38 was quite successful and hunted a turkey once during the Pacific War.

Comrades of the First Space Division, the Mosquito fighter they are flying is an original early model of the Royal Air Force. Then there is a real chance that they will reveal flaws in their maneuverability, and eventually the Japanese will kill one or two of them with the same method.

but!

 Produced by the system, it must be a high-quality product.

As a product of the Awakening Yonghu Military Factory, the Mosquito of the Eighth Route Army Air Force has almost reached the threshold of the Doomsday Piston in some aspects of performance.

To deal with several obsolete Type 96 warships and the incomplete Zero Fighter Type 21, BZ tactics are still used to defeat the enemy's aircraft first. Naturally, no accidents are possible.

  ·······

 Fifteen minutes later, the air battle ended completely.

 Looking at the light aircraft carrier below, 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 Japanese Navy surrendered.

But her good luck ended there.

 “The first group, enter the combat position!”

As soon as these words came out, the four Mosquitoes immediately broke away from the large formation. They formed a superb battle 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 aerial 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 suddenly frightened into confusion.

 Under normal circumstances, the Japs could still avoid aerial bombs falling from the sky through emergency maneuvers. But they are now flying the spare carrier-based aircraft they just brought out, and they must keep moving forward in a straight line.

 “Boom!”

 Perhaps it was because of too much tension, or the Showa air defense had a certain interference effect. All eight bombs in the first wave missed their targets.

 The bomb entered the water, but the explosion did not occur.

 “A dud?”

Just when the Japanese sailors were still rejoicing, bursts of earth-shaking explosions erupted from the water. The destructive power of the near-missile bomb made the Fengxiang like a candle in the wind, as if it was at risk of being hit hard at any time.

 “Boom!”

Captain Daiichiro Kawaguchi's pupils shrank. The scene at this moment reminded him of the Fourth Fleet incident that year.

At a time when life is at stake, the old Japanese dare not think wildly. He hurriedly shook his head and ordered to the communications soldier on the side:

“Quick! Get the fighter jets into the air quickly! Even if you can’t shoot down the enemy’s fighter jets, you can’t let them continue to dive and drop bombs recklessly!”

With repeated urging from the commander, the deck ground crew completed the preparations for the five 96-ships as quickly as possible. They were pushed to the starting point, as if they could take off to fight in the next second.

It's a pity that, let alone whether the Japanese can climb to a high altitude within a limited time, the Kongyi Division cannot give them a chance to counterattack.

"here we go again!"

Daiichiro Kawaguchi looked in the direction pointed by the sailors and saw four more enemy planes diving towards the Hosho. Judging from the opponent's perspective, there is a high probability that our side will be hit this time.

 Appearing to be aware of the imminent danger, the anti-aircraft guns on the three escorting destroyers were on full alert at the same time.

 “Prepare for impact!”

Under the nervous gaze of all the Japanese, several black dots falling from high altitude gradually grew in size, and finally directly hit the flight deck of this light aircraft carrier.

Although it also bears the word "phoenix", the defensive power of Fengxiang's deck is very different from that of Dafeng. Naturally, it cannot withstand the penetrating power of semi-armor-piercing aerial bombs.

 The fuze of the aerial bomb used by the First Air Division this time is not particularly sensitive.

This is to allow it to explode in the hangar after penetrating the flight deck.

 “Boom!”

 Happiness never comes in pairs, and misfortunes never come alone.

Since Fengxiang is an old experimental ship, she does not have a dedicated oil tank for aviation fuel inside. Therefore, the gasoline used by all carrier-based aircraft is stored in iron barrels in the hangar.

This storage method does save space, but it has great hidden dangers.

 “Boom! Boom! Boom!”

More than ten seconds after the second wave of attacks, violent explosions erupted from the inside of the light aircraft carrier.

The aircraft carrier Fengxiang was blown into two sections from a third of the hull in a manner similar to a suicide bombing. (End of chapter)