The early Condor Legion belonged to Chiwon-kun and was founded during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. They returned to China before the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939. During their stay in Spain, they accumulated a lot of air combat training and developed a series of tactics of great significance and far-reaching influence. The thinking is that this air wing and the later 52nd Air Wing are the two ace wings of the German Air Force that are rich in ace pilots.
The famous "Four Finger Formation", also known as the "Nelds Formation", comes from the Condor Legion.
The two-plane formation is the most basic combat unit of the Luftwaffe fighter aircraft. The lead aircraft focuses on the attack, and the wingman follows the lead aircraft and is responsible for covering. The lateral distance between the two aircraft is about 180 meters, which is equivalent to the turning radius of the Messerschmitt. They can launch side by side. When attacking and retreating, they can fly towards each other, cover each other, and advance and retreat together.
A four-plane formation consists of two two-plane formations, with a span of about 550 meters and a balance of offense and defense. It is a nightmare for Allied bomber formations and three-plane formations.
The mystery of the "Nairds Formation" is that even if the Allied fighter pilots see this formation and the formation's flying skills, it is useless, because the secret of the turns cannot be understood by just looking at it.
For the "Nairds Formation", the Allies had also practiced according to the instructions, but because they did not know the turning radius and angle, the formation had a collision between two aircraft when turning, so they had to give up.
This is like the Messerschmitt Bf109E and Spitfire. Both sides can easily imitate the appearance of the other fighter, but it is just a painting of a tiger.
Since Germany launched the war on the Western Front, the Condor Legion has acted as an air forward and has been invincible. It defeated the Polish Air Force, crippled the Dutch Air Force and the Belgian Air Force, and drove the French pilots away. The Spitfires and Hurricanes of the Royal Air Force also folded in front of them. The halberd sank into the sand.
For a time, the Vulture Legion became famous and caused headaches to the Allies.
"Commander!" Zhou Zhihan stood at attention with his legs together. "I request to fly a Spitfire fighter jet to shoot down Major Herwig Nikpel, the captain of the Condor Legion."
This was an excellent opportunity, and Zhou Zhihan decided to seize it. Although he did not know who Major Herwig Nickpell was, the reputation of the Condor Legion was unknown to everyone and was often talked about even in later generations.
Being able to kill the major and captain of the Vulture Legion is a great opportunity to strengthen the country's prestige and make a mark.
Now the relationship between China and Britain is warming up rapidly. If I can contribute and make great contributions in the Dunkirk evacuation, when China and Britain become allies in the future, China will have more say and gain. More anti-Japanese aid from the West.
Knowing that the number of Spitfire fighter jets was small and that it was a treasure of the Royal Air Force, Zhou Zhihan originally only wanted a Hurricane fighter jet. Unexpectedly, he now had the opportunity to fly a Spitfire fighter jet.
"No, no, no!" General Hugh Dowding patted Zhou Zhihan's shoulder, "Young man, don't be anxious, you will have a great time to make a contribution. You are new here. Today you will familiarize yourself with the Allied Air Force, the Royal Air Force, and the French Air Force. The deployment locations of each air force group and squadron, as well as the fighter aircraft logos of each group and squadron, in order to identify your own people; you also need to understand the deployment of the German Air Force, the logo of the Condor Legion, etc.
I think, with your intelligence, one afternoon is enough.
Tomorrow morning, I will assign Captain Adolf Mullen, the squadron commander of the 74th Royal Air Force Squadron, to be your wingman. The two of you will go to the coastal area from Boulogne to Ostend to intercept the Germans intending to fly to the beaches of Dunkirk. fighter plane.
In recent times, German fighter planes have frequently flown to the beaches of Dunkirk. When you get there, you may encounter the German Air Force at any time. Then you can show off your skills again and let the Condor Legion taste the power of spitting fire. "
Admiral Hugh Dowding said this, which shows that it is possible to fly a "Spitfire" fighter jet. Zhou Zhihan was overjoyed but said calmly: "Yes! Commander!"
Admiral Hugh Dowding was really thoughtful. He knew that he had just arrived and didn’t know much about the enemy’s and ours’ fighter planes. However, he accidentally hurt the friendly planes, so he made himself familiar with the markings on the fuselages of both sides’ fighter planes this afternoon. and details of the deployment of Allied and German fighter units.
"Young man, do your best!" Lieutenant General Charles, holding his pipe in his mouth, stepped forward and patted Zhou Zhihan on the shoulder. "The wingman Mr. Admiral arranged for you is a quasi-ace pilot. Just the day before yesterday, he shot down A Ju88 bomber damaged another one 15 minutes later, and shot down two other Messerschmitt Bf109E2s with his crew at the same time, achieving brilliant results. I sincerely hope that you two will work together and win. , find the weaknesses of Messerschmitt Bf109E, and find restraint methods based on its weaknesses.
In a few days, the Dunkirk evacuation will begin. At that time, the British royal family's main fighter planes will attack with all their strength to build a safe corridor over Dunkirk. "
Lieutenant General Charles paused, his eyes full of expectation: "If you can find a way to restrain Messerschmitt, it will be a miracle!"
The French general changed his initial contempt for Zhou Zhihan and asked with a smile: "Colonel Zhou! I heard that the Soviet aviation is supporting operations in China, so you are a flight instructor who knows different air combat techniques. You What are your thoughts on two-plane formations, three-plane formations, and four-plane formations?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at Zhou Zhihan quietly.
Because the Condor Legion's four-finger formation has now become a nightmare for the Allied bomber formations.
An hour ago, no one would have asked Zhou Zhihan about the tactics of three-machine formations and four-machine formations.
This is the opportunity to express yourself.
Zhou Zhihan first talked about the two-plane formation in general, then the wingman maneuvering combat formation tactics of the two-plane formation, and then talked about the double attack tactics, the control analysis of the hemisphere blind zone after the separation of the two-plane formation, and the control of the two-plane formation during the battle. The best maneuvers, as well as two-plane spacing tactics, etc., and then a brief introduction to three-plane formation and four-plane formation tactics.
When Zhou Zhihan talked about the four-machine formation tactics, everyone's eyes showed excitement. Looking at Zhou Zhihan's eyes, it was like a young man looking at his first love, which made Zhou Zhihan involuntarily put his butt wall……
On the way back to the monastery, Major General Parker, Major General Mallory, Major General Brand, and Major General Saul insisted on walking back with Zhou Zhihan. Along the way, the five people discussed the various maneuvers of current fighter jets in actual combat and the Tactics of actual fighter formations.
Especially the four-machine formation tactics, the four people kept asking questions, and Zhou Zhihan patiently explained.
When Zhou Zhihan was studying at the Randolph Air Force Academy, he learned not only the flying skills from the "Air Overlord" secret book, but also the formation of fighter jets. In addition, he had gone through a series of battles against the Japanese army in China in the past few years. Fighter combat has accumulated a lot of valuable practical experience, and multi-aircraft tactics have been applied to a high level. At this time, communicating with four major generals was like an instructor teaching four students.
When they arrived at the monastery, the four major generals were still immersed in some knowledge about air combat that they had never received before. They reluctantly returned to the conference room and made an appointment. When Chief Instructor Zhou has time, he must go to each group to teach the pilots and explain air tactics and Knowledge of fighter maneuvers.
Zhou Zhihan is of course willing to go to each brigade to explain the knowledge of maneuver tactics. This is tantamount to spreading China's practical experience in air combat and is conducive to exchanges between the two countries. Being in other countries is to bring attention and support from more countries in the world to the war-torn motherland.
After having lunch with all the generals, Zhou Zhihan learned the Allied fuselage markings, the German fuselage markings, and the locations of the respective military bases and fighter airports of both sides. He has a super memory and can recognize the fuselage markings of all fighter jets at a glance. Being able to remember this made a lieutenant colonel instructor specially hired by Lieutenant General Charles to coordinate the joint operations department of the Allied Forces full of admiration.
In the afternoon, General Hugh Dowding asked Zhou Zhihan if he wanted to have a good dinner before going back.
Zhou Zhihan hesitated.
So Admiral Hugh Daoding asked Zhou Zhihan to take his special car back.
Watching Zhou Zhihan leave, Admiral Hugh Dowding smiled and said to himself, when I was young, I was more popular with girls than you...
Just at noon, Esme Cullen, the niece of General Hugh Dowding, called and said that the physical examination report of the air force chief instructor from China was out. His physical condition was perfect, especially his My eyes are so good that I can see the last pattern on the eye chart clearly.
Before hanging up the phone, Esme Cullen asked her uncle how the Chinese Air Force chief instructor was doing.
Admiral Hugh Dowding replied: "Oh! Oh no, no, no, Karen!"
