At 3:10 p.m., six Spitfires and six Hurricanes took off from the airfield at Dover Harbor Head and ten Fairey "Macker" torpedo attack aircraft of the Royal Navy's 826th Carrier Air Squadron, 801st The 10 "Skua" fighter-bombers of the Carrier Aviation Squadron gathered together, departed from the British waters, flew at low altitude along the sea, and headed for the Newport Canal.
Originally, the escort mission was assigned to the 242nd Squadron of the Royal Air Force, but just before noon, 4 of the 12 fighter jets of this squadron were covering the "Lysander" liaison bombers as they bombarded the German artillery positions on the beach. After being besieged by Messerschmitt, only one came back, so the escort mission was handed over to the Allied Legion.
As Germany deployed more and more airports in France, the intensity of air battles also continued to increase. The Royal Air Force's fighter losses increased. Every time it sortied out to cover the retreat, at least a few were lost.
The wartime cabinet was worried, and the domestic fighter production lines were opened day and night. The quantity produced in five days was not enough to cause half a day's loss. If the war continued like this, the consequences would be worrying!
Now, the Royal Air Force Headquarters also knows the importance of the 303 and 304 Squadrons. It has changed its previous view of treating them as cannon fodder and began to use them preciously.
In this regard, the pilots of the 303 and 304 Squadrons are very grateful to this air force chief instructor from China. Many of them are even willing to follow this Chinese back to China to fight against the Japanese army in the future.
Now, Japan and Germany have formed an alliance. If we fight Japan, we will fight Germany. If we fight Germany, we will fight Japan.
In fact, Zhou Zhihan is also planning this matter. He knows very well the tragic fate of the 303 and 304 Squadrons after they return to China. If these people can be brought back to China, it can not only increase the intensity of the attack on the Japanese invaders, but also change the lives of some of them. destiny.
Since the implementation of Operation Dynamo, the Royal Air Force has suffered heavy losses in fighter jets. After five days, the Royal Air Force had less than 450 fighter jets left to use. Admiral Hugh Dowding had no choice but to use the 280 fighter jets he had previously reserved. The Spitfire also proved his foresight in stockpiling these 280 fighter jets.
The bravery of the Allied Legions is obvious to all. The fighter jets of the 303rd and 304th Squadrons that were damaged in the battle were quickly replenished. Now these two squadrons have six ace pilots, which makes other groups envious.
Ace pilots represent strength and experience. As the war progressed, the number of pilots in each group dropped sharply, and only some rookies could be added to the fighter force to serve as wingmen for veterans. Some rookies did not even have enough flight time for 20 hours, regardless of It's because the experience, technology and tactics are all too lacking, making it difficult for the big task.
At 3:40 pm, the sky was slightly gray, the sky was no longer as spiritual as before, and the water was still blue. 10 "Big Mackerel" and 10 "Skuas" continued to fly at low altitude over the sea, and 6 Spitfires were flying at high altitude. , 6 hurricanes escort at medium and low altitudes. The advantage of this is three-dimensional defense.
Suddenly, the little Joseph driving the Spitfire No. 3 rolled over to confirm that he was safe behind him. He discovered that there was a large number of German troops at an intersection near Westend. They did not look like they were in motion but seemed to be gathering, so he immediately reported it to Zhou Zhi. cold.
This could be a big fish.
Zhou Zhihan ordered all fighter planes to hover at the lowest speed. He and Joseph first increased their speed, then shut down their engines. The two Spitfires silently glide to the sky above Westend at high altitude, entered the clouds, and quietly approached.
"I'll give you a good boy from Longdi Cave..."
Zhou Zhihan held the intercom and told the squadron that we found a big fish, a German infantry division with tens of thousands of people gathering. They were unprepared and crowded on two crisscrossing roads, like they were lying on two big snakes. Black ants with secret numbness on their bodies, two roads lined with narrow ditches perfect for launching a surprise air raid.
God-given opportunity!
If you don't eat the delicious food that comes to your lips, it will be a waste.
If we can kill this infantry division, it will be more profitable than blowing up two pontoon bridges.
Zhou Zhihan continued to circle and monitor in the air, and asked the little Joseph to fly back to the sea and lead the bomber group. All the fighter jets served as warnings in the surrounding high altitudes. Each of the 20 bombers dived once, dropped half of the bombs and immediately pulled up to escape. It was necessary The attack was completed swiftly and neatly within five minutes, and those who were left immediately left without hesitation.
The little Joseph returned to the sea and communicated with the captains of the two bomber squadrons with gestures. Then all the fighter planes lifted from the sea and entered high altitudes. After increasing their energy, all the bombers turned off and slid ghostly in the direction of Westend. The escort fighters spread out to serve as vigilance, and the rest was left to these bombing veterans who were good at sneak attacks.
The "Mackerel" torpedo attack aircraft can also carry aerial bombs. They first dive out of the clouds from south to north, launching a silent and ghostly dive attack, and the engines are not ignited until before the bomb is dropped.
Hearing the sound of propellers, the German soldiers who were gathering in the dark on the two crossroads raised their heads. They thought it was their Stuka bombers passing by. Many people waved and said hello. The reason why they gathered in Westend was because The military said it was the safest place and that no Allied planes would come.
In order for the Allied forces to retreat, all fighter planes were supporting Dunkirk, and they had no time to take care of themselves. How could there be any extra fighter planes here?
It wasn't until the "Big Mackerel" and "Skua" launched cross-type ultra-low-altitude bomb drops and heard the harsh whistling sound of the falling aerial bombs that the Germans knew they were under air attack and instantly panicked.
Without any resistance, the bombs dropped by the "Big Mackerel" and the "Skua" all hit their targets and were thrown into the unprepared crowd, setting off a bloody storm. The two intersecting roads immediately turned into a human being. Hell, flesh and blood flying everywhere, limbs and arms broken.
After a round of attacks, the ground turned into a sea of blood. The ammunition on dozens of military vehicles was hit and caught fire. Thick smoke billowed and the explosions were deafening.
The 20 bombers did not hesitate to fight. After a wave of successful bombings, they immediately pulled up and returned to the UK under the escort of fighter jets. After flying out of the sight of the Germans, they quietly climbed into the clouds, turned around again, and continued flying towards the Newport Canal. go.
Soldiers never tire of deceit!
Since the Dunkirk evacuation, the Germans have been bombing Allied soldiers. Today, the British Royal Fighter finally responded in kind. Everyone cheered. 20 bombers slaughtered a German infantry division. In the unexpected blow, at least 2,000 people died. for this air raid.
Unprecedented results!
Zhou Zhihan and the others did not know that what they had just bombed was the German 256th Infantry Division. After this unit was assembled, its attack target was the British 12th Brigade stationed in Newport. Suffering this heavy blow, this German infantry division suffered heavy losses in combat effectiveness, and could only rest and replenish its troops again. This relieved a lot of pressure on the British army's eastern flank defense line, and also made the retreat from Dunkirk easier. time.
20 minutes later, the fleet was still more than 20 kilometers away from the pontoon bridge built by the German army on the Newport Canal. Zhou Zhihan once again shut down all the fighters and hovered and hid in the high-altitude clouds to save fuel. He took the little Joseph with him and headed for Reconnaissance over the pontoon.
Joseph was small in stature but had a sharp eye. He could detect in time many places where Zhou Zhihan did not observe carefully enough. If it had not been for him, it would not have been possible to successfully attack the German infantry division today.
The pontoon bridge built by the German army on the Newport Canal is of great military significance. Since the blitz on Poland, the German army's front line has become longer and longer, and the supply lines have also become longer and longer. Several bridges spanning the Newport Canal, It was also blown up by the Allied forces during their retreat.
Currently, this pontoon bridge has become a major supply line for the German army.
According to the information given by the British intelligence agency, there are two German airports not far from this pontoon. One airport is stationed with two fighter squadrons of the JG52 wing, and the other airport is stationed with three fighter squadrons of the JG51 wing. Two airports are stationed at both ends of the pontoon bridge, about ten kilometers away from the pontoon bridge. If a war breaks out, they can arrive within a few minutes.
Since these five squadrons were equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighters, and the two airports formed a horn, Zhou Zhihan gave up the idea of sneak attack on the airport first. This mission still focused on blowing up the pontoon bridge to intercept the German troops. supply lines are a top priority.
The two Spitfires slid at high altitude and flew silently into the clouds above the floating bridge.
Over the pontoon, there was an Hs126 reconnaissance aircraft hovering at low altitude, serving as a warning.
Zhou Zhihan frowned. It seemed that the Germans were well prepared.
