Chapter 12 Post-War Summary

  That evening, General Zhou Zijun, Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Air Force, personally came to Baishi Airport and awarded medals to the pilots who participated in today's air battle. According to photographs taken by reconnaissance planes, Wang Yuanbo and other pilots with a record of shooting down enemy aircraft were awarded one-star and two-star Air Force Star Medal respectively, while Zheng Shaoyu, who commanded with merit, was awarded the Third-Class Revival Honor Medal, personally presented by Zhou Zijun.

  Then Zhou Zhiyong organized a post-war summary meeting at the command center, attended by relevant personnel from the Air Force Command and pilots who participated in this battle. This was suggested by He Junci, which later became a convention of the Air Force, summarizing experiences after each war, which is also an important reason for the growing strength of the Chinese Air Force.

  "First, let us observe three minutes of silence for the brothers we lost today!" He Juncai hosted the meeting and said first. In today's aerial battle, the fourth squadron lost three comrades, Peng Jun, Chen Shaocheng, and Wang Yunlong.

  "Commander Zhou, I suggest building an air force martyrs' cemetery on the southern mountain, so that our fallen comrades can watch us defeat the Japanese enemy." Zheng Shaoyu's eyes were filled with tears. Although they had achieved exciting results today, the loss of his comrades still brought him deep sorrow. (The Air Force Cemetery was first built in 1938 and has been destroyed three times since then! It has recently been rebuilt, and friends from Chongqing can go to pay their respects every year when the cherry blossoms bloom.)

  "This matter will be handled by our equipment department, ensuring that the sacrificed comrades are not wronged." Huang Guangrui took over this glorious mission after seeing Zhou Zhirou nodding in agreement.

  After the meeting entered the topic, Zheng Shaoyu first introduced today's battle situation. Then He Junci asked everyone to talk about their experience in combat.

  "I'll speak first," said Wang Yuanbo, the captain of the 21st Squadron who received the Two-Star Air Force Medal. "The wireless radio of our new equipment is very good, not only has it facilitated command within our squadron, but also enabled us to receive orders from the battalion commander in a timely manner, guiding us to the best attack position and avoiding the previous shortcomings of low efficiency, poor accuracy, and limited range when searching for enemy aircraft visually. At the same time, we can launch surprise attacks on the enemy. However, we still need to strengthen our training on using new equipment. Today, I was a bit unaccustomed to using the wireless radio, and when I got anxious, I shouted like before." After finishing speaking, Wang Yuanbo scratched his head in embarrassment, causing everyone to burst into laughter, and the atmosphere suddenly became relaxed.

  "Our firepower on the plane was too weak." Zheng Songting, who made an emergency landing after being hit today, said that he had to find a means of transportation with great difficulty to return to the base, so he was very dissatisfied. "We hit the enemy plane many times, and the enemy plane can still fly, while we were hit and had to withdraw from the battlefield."

  "I agree on this point, our two 7.62mm machine guns are too weak to deal with bombers. However, we found out today that if we launch a head-on attack, shooting at the cockpit is very effective. I got my two victories today in just this way." Wang Yuanbao added.

  "Captain Wang's experience should be recorded and told to other brigades. As for the problem of weapons, let's see if the equipment department can think of a way to strengthen it?" said Deputy Commander Huang Zhenqiu.

  "The Soviet Union's new I-16 and I-153 have already begun to be equipped with four machine guns, which can be modified on existing models, but requires the purchase of machine guns and ammunition from the Soviet Union. As for the caliber issue, we'll see if there is room for modification to 12.7mm." The Equipment Department's Huang Guangrui had apparently made some preparations in advance.

  "When I was abroad, the first-line fighter jets of European and American countries had already begun to be equipped with 12.7mm machine guns, and we also need to follow up. In addition, as far as I know, the Japanese Navy's 'Zero' carrier-based fighter jet that is about to be put into service has already been equipped with a 20mm cannon, which is something we should continue to pay attention to."

  "Today our squadron lost two planes while attacking the enemy bomber formation. We found that the enemy bomber formation has a strong ability to cover each other after forming upper and lower teams. We must disrupt their formation, otherwise we can only attack from a very small angle on both wings to achieve results." said Wang Yukan, captain of Squadron 23.

  "When it comes to dealing with this dense formation of bombers, I once thought of a method called 'air bombing' when I was in school." The speaker is Yan Lei, a graduate of the 10th class of the Kunming Air Force Military Academy. "Let some fighters carry bombs with timed fuses and drop them above the enemy aircraft cluster. Using the different explosion times set for each bomb, create an explosion airspace that is both deep and wide, making it impossible for the surrounded enemy planes to hide. In this way, even if you can't damage the enemy plane, you can still force it to disperse."

  "This method seems to work." He Junci seemed to have seen this method online before, and it was indeed effective for bomber formations. "Commander Zheng, you will discuss it later, formulate a detailed plan, and then organize everyone to practice it."

  "Alright, let's think this over again and try it out tomorrow. But we'll need to ask the equipment department to provide us with some high-explosive bombs." Zheng Shaoyu replied.

  "This is no problem, as for the bombers, there are still some left at Liangshan Airport. Is it better to use bombers for this task?" Huang Guangyu suggested.

  "Let's try to see if the Soviet SB-2 high-speed light bomber can keep up with the enemy's 96 Shi attack aircraft and 97 Shi heavy bomber." Zheng Shaoyu replied.

  "I have another suggestion," said He Juncai. "Now that we are equipped with wireless telegraphy, it would be best to adopt a call sign system like the Western armies, which can shorten communication time and maintain certain confidentiality. In addition, I suggest implementing an 'ace pilot' system, where pilots who shoot down five or more planes are called 'ace pilots', and those who shoot down ten or more planes are called 'super ace pilots'. They will receive special treatment. Also, pilots can paint the number of planes they have shot down and other large targets on the fuselage near their cockpit, and each squadron can choose a emblem to be painted on the tail wing, but other parts will still be camouflaged." He Juncai's two suggestions were supported by all the pilots.

  "Our fourth squadron lost several planes today, and only 24 are left that can take off for combat. If the Japanese army maintains this frequency of attack in the next few days, we will soon have no planes to use. The problem of fighter plane numbers still needs to be solved by higher authorities." Zheng Shaoyu expressed his concerns.

  "This is what I have to say. According to the intelligence I received, last month, Lieutenant General Kinoshita Toshi of the Japanese Third Flying Group and Lieutenant General Yamaguchi Tamon of the Joint Aviation Command carefully drafted a document called 'Land and Sea Military Agreement No. 101'. The army and navy formed a joint aviation command, and formulated an air raid plan targeting Chongqing and Chengdu. The first phase was to accompany the capital Chongqing, and the second phase was the provincial capital of Sichuan, Chengdu."

  He Juncai expressed his own views in combination with historical circumstances.

  "Today's battle command has been experienced by many people. With our current advantage in radar and communication, we can completely abandon fixed defense and concentrate our forces to use them flexibly, combining active attack and positive defense."

  "This period of time, due to the Japanese 96-style fighter's range not being enough for full escort, we adopted a bomber formation. By August, the Japanese had already equipped themselves with 'Zero' fighters, at which point we would have to face not only bomber formations but also the powerful, high-speed and highly maneuverable 'Zero' fighters. Therefore, we should take advantage of this window of opportunity to concentrate our superior forces and try to destroy as many enemy planes as possible." suggested He Juncai.

  "He Shangxiao, why don't you come up with a specific plan and report it to the General Command?" Zhou Zhijuan thought this suggestion was good.

  "Director He, you've brought back a lot of intelligence from overseas. Can these resources be integrated into our Intelligence Division? After all, you're also the Deputy Chief of Staff here." The Chief of Staff, Hu Baixi, was somewhat dissatisfied with He Junci's excessive focus on the Fourth Route Command and the Fourth Squadron.

  "No problem, Director Huang Jingbo, let's discuss the work arrangement of the Intelligence Department later." He Juncai saw that his superior was slightly dissatisfied and quickly made amends. After all, intelligence resources must be controlled in one's own hands.

  "Also, Chief of Staff. I suggest that the staff department sort out the cases and come up with a plan to deal with enemy dense bomber formations. And how to deal with enemy nighttime air raids, how to deal with various situations under fighter escort, for each command post to practice." He Juncai added.

  "That's exactly our responsibility." replied Colonel Shen Wu of the General Staff.

  "Everyone has spoken well. I think this kind of summary meeting should be held after every battle from now on. Please everyone, implement the tasks that have been arranged." Commander Zhou Zhiyou made a summary.

  After the meeting, Zheng Shaoyu hastily pulled Yan Lei and other squadron leaders to discuss the "empty bomb" plan. He Juncai sent away the officials and quietly held back Chief of Staff Hu Baixi, indicating that he wanted to have a private report with him.

  Two people found a quiet place.

  "Chief of Staff, I have a few secret plans to report to you. You've also been to the floating base, actually the floating base is movable, I think it's best to take advantage of this secret before many people know about it and launch a surprise attack on the Japanese military bases in Hankou and Yuncheng, and try to seize or destroy some strategic materials. Also, when necessary, we can conduct strategic bombing raids on major Japanese cities to counter their bombing of our capital." He Juncai threw out an extremely tempting suggestion.

  "All right, if it can be successful, it will be a severe blow to the morale of the Japanese bandits and a boost to our military prestige." Hu Bai Xi was very interested in this suggestion, appearing emotionally excited.

  "If you agree, I hope the staff can set up a special room to be responsible for this top-secret tactical planning. The secret of the floating base must not be exposed, and if possible, I would like these people to stay on the floating base for 5 years in isolation." He Juncai put forward a condition.

  "Alright, I agree with your view." Hu Baixi thought for a moment and immediately responded, "Tomorrow, I will let Yan Wu select personnel to form the fourth group of the staff department, specifically responsible for the tactical advisory of the floating base on the floating base."

  Later, some classic cases of China's air force during the Anti-Japanese War came from the planning of this room. Several staff members received the "Revival Honor Medal". No more words about it.

  Back at the simple command center of the airport, He Juncai found that Huang Jingbo, the director of the Intelligence Division, was waiting for him. Only then did he remember that he had left a message earlier to talk to Huang about the work of the Intelligence Division. He Juncai quickly walked towards him and apologized. "Sorry, Director Huang, I've kept you waiting."

  "It's nothing, it's nothing. Director He is busy with official business, waiting a bit won't hurt." Huang Jingbo didn't dare offend this red figure beside the Chairman of the Committee.

  "Intelligence work is very important, and I've been busy with air defense in Chongqing these past few days, without a chance to have a good talk with you. Can you tell me about the main content and composition of the Intelligence Bureau's current work?" Then Huang Jingbo gave a detailed report on the development plan of the Intelligence Bureau after the reorganization of the Air Force.

  The original air defense intelligence agency was reorganized into two groups, internal and external, after incorporating part of the attendants' room intelligence group and some personnel from the Military Intelligence Bureau. The internal group is mainly responsible for investigating internal espionage, while the external group collects relevant intelligence on the Japanese army. Today's report on the enemy aircraft taking off and landing at Hankou and Yuncheng airports was done by the external group.

  "This approach is good, a bit like the CIA and FBI in the US, you can continue to do so. When I was abroad, I had some inside information about certain countries, and when there's relevant intelligence, I'll let you know. Also, I'd like to ask you to set up another team, specifically responsible for deciphering enemy wireless communications." He Juncai hoped to use the floating base's computers to establish a Chinese "magic" team, in order to maintain an information advantage for a long time.

  "But we don't have such convenient people and equipment?" Huang Jingbo had also thought about this aspect before.

  "The equipment problem, I brought a part from Southeast Asia. As for the personnel, I heard that the Military Commission invited an American expert named 'Yadeli', who is known as the father of American cryptanalysis and had deciphered a large number of Japanese encrypted telegrams during World War I and after the war. Can we invite him to train our people? Moreover, I know that the Military Commission has established a 'secret room' with about 20-30 people, all of whom have studied in Japan. Can we cooperate with them, providing equipment while they provide personnel to jointly decipher the codes?" He Juncai proposed a solution. "Also, come find me again tomorrow and let Zheng, the captain of the Fourth Brigade, send you to the command center of the Air Force's Fourth Route. I'll discuss it with you in detail. Additionally, hand over some Japanese spies within our organization that I have already grasped."

  "Yes!" Huang Jingbo heard that there was such a material and couldn't help but tense up. This was a great opportunity to make a name for himself!

  ...................

  Another sleepless night... can't fall asleep in the middle of the night, wake up too early in the morning...

  Early bird catches the worm.

  Seek truth, seek proof, seek push!