Chen Lu's trip abroad was from Guangzhou to Hong Kong by ship. Within a month, it was impossible for the other party to reply to his letter.
Of course, it is not ruled out that the other party can send a telegram back midway.
Although the DC3 passenger aircraft has now been released, and its 2,600-kilometer range is very good, there is still a problem in establishing a trans-Pacific route. Even if it is established, few people dare to fly like this.
Therefore, the best way to go to the United States from China at this time is to take a boat. Although it is slow, it is safe.
At this time, World War II had not yet fully broken out, and Japan and Europe and the United States had not gone to war, so sea routes were still very safe.
Chen Lu's departure had some impact on Li Hang, but not much.
To put it bluntly, he is actually using the other person.
But he didn't lie before, that is, he really has no one else he can trust, so why not let Chen Lu give it a try, and everyone will be happy if it works.
On the Little Japanese side, perhaps because the losses were too great and new aircraft needed to be replenished, or perhaps because they needed to take care of the Jinpu Line battlefield, the Japanese troops in East China did not conduct air raids in March.
The Chinese Air Force, which had already suffered huge losses, did not take the initiative to look for trouble.
Currently, the Fourth Brigade is stationed around Wuhan and defends Wuhan; the Fifth Brigade is stationed in Nanchang; and the Third Brigade is stationed in Henan, Northern Jiangsu and other places to defend the Central Plains and support the Xuzhou Battle.
That's right, the Battle of Xuzhou has already begun.
Teng County has fallen, and Commander Wang has also died for his country.
In the early days, the Third Air Force Group was originally composed of direct troops of the Aeronautical Commission. It had jurisdiction over the 7th, 8th, and 17th Squadrons, which were respectively equipped with Hawker III, Fiat CR32, and Boeing 281 fighter jets. Unfortunately, in the Songhu Battle, the entire group could be said to have The entire army was wiped out and all the planes were destroyed.
So the number of this brigade was given to the Guangxi Air Force. The first and second aircraft training teams of the Guangxi Air Force inherited the numbers of the 7th and 8th squadrons and were equipped with I-15 fighter jets. The 17th Squadron and the 5th Brigade The 25th Squadron swapped.
Therefore, at this time, the Third Group had jurisdiction over the 7th, 8th, and 25th Squadrons. The first two squadrons were equipped with I-15 fighter jets, and the 25th Squadron was equipped with Hawker IIIs replaced by other units.
According to the layout of the Air Force's former enemy headquarters, the Third Battalion will have no problems on the Central Plains battlefield.
Because the Japanese aviation force in the Central Plains battlefield was Army Aviation, the most advanced fighter jets were only Type 95 fighter jets.
There is no obvious generation difference between the Type 95 fighter jet and the Hawker III and I-15. They are both biplanes, so the former is a little faster.
The Fourth Group and the Fifth Group have to face the Type 96 carrier-based fighter jets of the Japanese Naval Air Force, so they are equipped with better I-16 fighters.
Li Hang originally thought he could improve the aircraft with peace of mind. Unexpectedly, on March 23, he suddenly received an emergency transfer order.
"Captain, why did you suddenly think of transferring us to the Xuzhou battlefield? Is this necessary?" Li Hang looked at Mao Yingchu with some confusion.
"The principal and a group of officers will go to the front line in Xuzhou tomorrow to inspect and supervise, and they will personally ask you to accompany them." Mao Yingchu whispered, "This matter is top secret. Don't tell the people below."
"Our whole squadron is going?"
"That's not necessary. Your squadron has four aircraft, but you want to come together. I will take six aircraft from the 21st Squadron to form an escort formation.
I know that your squadron likes the combination of a lead aircraft and a wingman. The 21st Squadron dispatches six aircraft and you dispatch four aircraft. Even if there is danger, they will not affect each other. "
From this point of view, Mao Yingchu still knows how to give full play to the advantages of his subordinates.
"Can't 21 Squadron also complete the mission?"
"Li Hang, if others hear this order, they will probably be very excited. It is to escort the principal and a group of high-level government officials, but you are not willing to go?" Mao Yingchu was a little surprised.
"That's not the case. How can subordinates compete with the captain for such an opportunity to show their face in front of senior officials?" Li Hang smiled.
"I think you want to stay and improve your wooden airplane, right?" Mao Yingchu said angrily, "I really don't understand you. To be honest, as you just said, I don't want this kind of opportunity to show my face. Go, but the principal called your name.
Okay, to be honest, there should be some tension on the frontline battlefield, and I want you to boost morale. "
Hearing this, Li Hang felt that it was possible.
I think it was probably the most intense time to come to Taierzhuang. The principal ran there at this time, which actually meant to boost morale.
"As I said before, get your people ready, but don't reveal the specific actions. They will follow you tomorrow morning. The transport plane will also take off from Hankou Airport by then." Mao Yingchu reminded.
"Captain, don't worry, I still know this kind of propriety. Are you staying here in Wuhan?"
"With Vice Captain Dong staying behind, there will be no problem. And we don't know how long we will be there. We don't need to go there too much, otherwise it will be easy to provoke the little Japanese naval aviation."
This actually means that the general will be against the general and the soldier will be against the soldier.
If China had a strong air force and independent aircraft manufacturing capabilities, there would be no need to do this.
"Captain, where's my plane? Does it have to be watched carefully? I'm afraid someone will cause trouble."
"It's just a wooden plane. Who would come and cause trouble when they have nothing to do?" Seeing Li Hang's worried expression, Mao Yingchu could only compromise, "I will ask the airport to send someone to look after this matter. It will be fine."
Ever since he learned that the wooden plane was not suitable for combat, Mao Yingchu's attention to that plane had dropped a lot.
Even if a Japanese spy sneaks in, who would be interested in a wooden plane?
The performance of the wooden aircraft itself is not advanced, but the meaning it represents is different. This will allow China to have its own aircraft manufacturing capabilities and solve most of the domestic scarce metal material problems.
The meaning it represents is far greater than its own performance.
Seeing the other party like this, Li Hang could only think of a way to say hello to the garrison and ask them to help watch. Not all of the 23rd Squadron will go here, but they can help keep an eye on it.
Back in the dormitory, Li Hang called all the pilots over.
"There is a mission tomorrow. Don't ask too much. Our squadron is sending out four planes. Deputy Squadron Leader Liang and I will each lead a small team, and the rest will stay at the airport."
"Squadron leader, why do you need to dispatch four planes? Do you need to lead the team yourself? If you attack the Little Japanese Airport, take us with you too!"
"Squadron Captain, take us with you."
"It's different from what you think. Just execute the order." Li Hang looked around. The dormitory, which just now looked like a vegetable market, quickly became quiet.
It can be seen that Li Hang really said what he said in the 23rd Squadron.
