It sounds slow, but Zhou Zhihan's actual consideration only lasted for more than ten seconds.
Zhou Zhihan decided to lead the fleet through the middle of the defense lines of JG51 and JG52. Experience told him that the defense at this position is often the weakest.
This tactic was used by Zhou Zhihan during the Battle of London, when he led a group of British bombers to a long-distance attack on Berlin, Germany, and achieved success.
The two wings, JG51 and JG52, appear to be harmonious on the surface, but in fact there is a rift between them, and it's not a small one.
The JG51 wing was in full swing at this time, and was deeply loved by the Imperial Marshal Göring. Their record was shining, and they were the golden signature of the Imperial Marshal. The wing commander and the ace pilots were well-known, and they usually acted and spoke with a little arrogance.
The JG52 wing had a mediocre record in the early days of the Soviet Union, and was often questioned by the acrimonious Imperial Marshal. The pilots had simmering resentment for a long time. In addition, every day they watched who in the camp next door received a cross and was promoted. After receiving the Oak and Knight's Cross medals and being praised by the entire army, he couldn't help but feel jealous and dissatisfied with the JG51 Wing.
No pilot doesn't want to be an ace, just like no soldier doesn't want to be a general.
The pilots of the JG51 wing are not fools. They naturally know the dissatisfaction and jealousy of their neighbors. Over time, they look down on their neighbors with mediocre results.
Zhou Zhihan said to all the pilots: "Everyone, please pay attention. In another 50 kilometers, we will enter the middle area between JG51 and JG52 wings. Everyone should keep a visual and safe distance from the leading aircraft and follow closely."
"receive!"
"clear……"
the pilots replied.
After flying forward for a moment, Zhou Zhihan said: "From now on, all radio stations will remain silent."
No one answered.
That's the answer.
Zhou Zhihan opened his transparent helmet, and within nearly a hundred kilometers, all the German fighter jets performing night missions appeared on his helmet.
A few minutes later, the fleet arrived at the southern part of Tver and Smolensk. In this airspace, two night fighters patrolled the air at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
The fuselage is painted with a night battle plum style of a sika deer standing under the moon, belonging to the JG51 wing.
Another night-fighting Mei-shiki with a black tanuki painted on the fuselage belongs to the JG52 Wing.
At the same time, the two planes were 6 kilometers apart and flew in opposite directions.
The defense radius of these two fighters can reach 30 kilometers. They should be scouting in the same direction, flying to their respective defense lines and immediately turning around, seamlessly connecting with the other side.
It was obvious that there was no tacit understanding between them, they looked down upon each other, they did not implement the double-phase search tactics without blind spots, they just turned around after patrolling to their own borders.
The five kilometers behind their tail were the only breakthrough.
If Zhou Zhihan leads a team to break through the defense at this time, as long as one of the Mei-types turns around, they will be discovered immediately.
But Zhou Zhihan led the fleet without hesitation and passed through the narrow airspace behind the tail of the two night-fighting Mei patrol aircraft. The 13 pilots following him did not dare to breathe. They followed the lead aircraft and quickly penetrated the defense. One can even clearly see the rear navigation lights and panel headlights that are slightly closer to the May type.
At this time, the night combat Messerschmitt's radar detection range is about 30 kilometers. In order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings with the ground above its own defenses, they turn on the navigation identification lights and panel headlights when flying.
Because it is impossible for the enemy to see their lights 30 kilometers away. All they can see are their own people.
Not long after Zhou Zhihan and the others passed by, one of the Mei-types flew back, which was extremely thrilling.
Major Pisanko and the other 12 pilots secretly gave Zhou Zhihan a thumbs up. This Chinese ace was bold, careful, and decisive. If he had hesitated just now, he would have been discovered at this time.
After avoiding the first layer of defense from the enemy aircraft, Zhou Zhihan led the pilots to fly in the defensive gaps in the German-occupied areas. After ten minutes, they ascended to high altitude to avoid low-altitude reconnaissance. Then they suddenly lowered their altitude and landed among the trees in the woods. The ultra-low-altitude penetration Bf 110 patrol on the tip.
After entering Yakslov, Zhou Zhihan led the fleet and flew almost close to a meandering river. A few kilometers away on both sides of the river, two German armored divisions were resting. They were bypassing Leninger. They came here to besiege Moscow, completely unaware that 14 Spitfires passed under their noses.
Seeing that various German tanks were scattered in the distance on both sides of the river, and there were faint bonfires in twos and threes next to the tanks, Major Pisanko, who was responsible for the rear flight, felt that his heartbeat was beating in his throat.
Finally, before the morning star appeared, Zhou Zhihan led the fleet to reach the sky above Puslav without any danger.
After confirming that there were no enemy planes around, Zhou Zhihan signaled Major Pisanko to lead 12 fighter jets to circle in the air as a warning. He flew alone at low altitude, using the powerful function of his helmet, and quickly found the sign left by the secret airport on the ground, and then led The fleet landed one by one.
This airport was built overnight by engineers and soldiers on a huge farm in Puslav.
Zhou Zhihan landed first. After recognizing Spitfire No. 214, a major officer took the escalator and opened the cockpit for Zhou Zhihan. Then he saw a handsome Chinese face and asked: "Password!"
Zhou Zhihan: "The sky!"
The major stretched out his hand to shake Zhou Zhihan's hand, and then handed over a sealed document: "Comrade Colonel Zhou, wait until the bombers arrive to open this secret letter after it takes off."
It seemed that the bomber was not here. Zhou Zhihan put the secret message away and looked around. Sure enough, there was no bomber. He asked, "When will the bomber arrive?"
He did not ask where the bomber came from or who was in it.
That's how it is in the military, you don't need to ask to know anything.
The major looked back at the east where the fish belly turned white: "According to the plan, the bombers should arrive within 30 minutes after the east turns white. Only at this time can they fly out of Leningrad while the German Air Force changes defense. "
Leningrad? Zhou Zhihan's heart moved. Who is the big shot in Leningrad at this time?
While Zhou Zhihan and the major were talking, Pisanko and the others landed smoothly. A dozen mechanics who had been waiting immediately stepped forward and used the "flying lantern method" to quickly inspect the important parts of the fighter plane. Several refueling trucks came from Driving out of darkness, the ground crew relied on the weak natural light appearing in the east to refuel the fighter jet.
Pisanko and the others were also sitting in the cabin on standby, and someone brought them hot water and food.
Pisanko and others looked around but did not see the bomber.
Could it be that the bomber that needs protection is not here?
While the pilots were eating to replenish their strength, they watched Zhou Zhihan and the major officer keep looking into the sky.
Anxiety overflowed from the major officer's gestures.
Sure enough, the bomber is not here, the pilots secretly thought and looked at the sky, everyone felt uneasy.
Their position at this time was almost under the nose of the Germans.
This period is the most dangerous. German night combat troops return to their nests and daytime fighter jets are dispatched. Once a German fighter jet appears in the sky, all the fighter jets in the secret airport will not have time to take off, and they will turn into a sea of fire along with the refueling trucks.
A gas truck is sometimes more frightening than a bomb.
Logically, there should be a fighter plane on duty in the air at this time, but that would be easily discovered by German reconnaissance planes, causing a devastating blow.
Time slipped away minute by minute, and after another ten minutes, the eastern sky was already bright, and the bomber they were waiting for still did not appear.
Did something unexpected happen?
Major Pisanco and the pilots could no longer sit still. There was no camouflage on this temporary airport. The 14 Spitfires seemed to be parked on the crater, and they might be submerged by the erupted magma at any time.
Zhou Zhihan also became anxious, but he did not show it. As a commander, if he behaves anxiously, it will have a great impact on the pilots.
Suddenly, a few people nearby were holding binoculars and shouted to the soldiers looking around: "Here we come, a bomber is coming."
